Linda Johnston - Alias Mommy

“Leave it alone, Reeve. I know you’re trying to help, but if you dig into things you don’t understand, you’ll only hurt me. The baby, too.”

Once again, Reeve took her into his arms, but his feelings were not nearly as tender as before. Something was going on that he did not understand.

“Explain the rest, Polly,” he insisted, trying not to become intoxicated by the fragrant silkiness of her hair.

She shook her head. “I can’t.” Her voice broke.

Where was his sanity? Despite every bit of sense he had, he bent down and captured her mouth with his. For a moment she did not respond. And then she kissed him back, as though this was the only kiss they would ever share. As though there were no tomorrow.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

The days are getting cooler, but the romantic suspense is always hot at Harlequin Intrigue! Check out this month’s selections.

TEXAS CONFIDENTIAL continues with The Specialist (#589) by Dani Sinclair. Rafe Alvarez was the resident playboy agent, until he met his match in Kendra Kincaide. He transformed his new partner into a femme fatale for the sake of a mission, and instantly lost his bachelor’s heart for the sake of love.…

THE SUTTON BABIES have grown in number by two in Little Boys Blue (#590) by Susan Kearney. A custody battle over cowboy M.D. Cameron Sutton’s baby boys was brewing. When East Coast socialite Alexa Whitfield agreed to a marriage of convenience, Cam thought his future was settled. Until he fell for his temporary wife—the same wife someone was determined to kill!

Hailed by Romantic Times Magazine as an author who writes a “tantalizing read,” Gayle Wilson returns with Midnight Remembered (#591), which marks the conclusion of her MORE MEN OF MYSTERY series. When ex-CIA agent Joshua Stone couldn’t remember his true identity, he became an easy target. But his ex-partner Paige Daniels knew all his secrets, including what was in his heart….

Reeve Snyder had rescued Polly Black from death and delivered her baby girl one fateful night. Polly’s vulnerable beauty touched him deep inside, but who was she? And what was she running from? And next time, would Reeve be able to save her and her daughter when danger came calling? Find out in Alias Mommy (#592) by Linda O. Johnston.

Don’t miss a single exciting moment!

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

Alias Mommy

Linda O. Johnston

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Linda O. Johnston’s first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Now, several published short stories and four novels later, Linda is recognized for her outstanding work in the romance genre.

A practicing attorney, Linda juggles her busy schedule between mornings of writing briefs, contracts and other legalese, and afternoons of creating memorable tales of the paranormal, time travel, mystery, contemporary and romantic suspense. Armed with an undergraduate degree in journalism with an advertising emphasis from Pennsylvania State University, Linda began her versatile writing career running a small newspaper, then working in advertising and public relations, and later obtaining her J.D. degree from Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh.

Linda belongs to Sisters in Crime and is actively involved with Romance Writers of America, participating in the Los Angeles, Orange County and Western Pennsylvania chapters. She lives near Universal Studios, Hollywood, with her husband, two sons and two cavalier King Charles spaniels.

Polly Black—While on the run from her stepfamily, she gave birth to her baby girl—with the help of a handsome stranger.

Reeve Snyder—A doctor dedicated to saving lives without getting involved in them—but all that changed the night he delivered mysterious and beautiful Polly Black’s baby.

Alicia Frost—The ruthless reporter senses a scandal surrounding the new mom in town.

Lou Jenson—A corrupt politician with his career at stake, Lou is determined to find his missing stepdaughter.

Victor and Gene Jenson—Both brothers believe the best place for their stepsister and her child is home with the family.

Al Crackauer—The private investigator is hot on Catherine’s trail. He’ll let nothing stand in his way.

Ava Calvert Jenson—Has her beloved daughter’s disappearance driven this mother mad?

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Catherine Calvert Elkins leaned as close to the unyielding steering wheel as she could. Her fingers had nearly become attached to the wheel over the past long, long hours, and her cramped hand ached from clutching the leatherlike surface.

The car took curves well, thank heavens, as she forced it to careen through the night. Sheets of rain threw the glare of her headlights back into her face, stabbing her moist, smarting eyes. She blinked, trying to keep them open.

She was exhausted. She had barely stopped to rest over the last what—four days? Five? She had not slept more than a couple of stolen hours at a time along her circuitous route.

“And now, the local weather report,” said a disembodied male voice. She’d turned the radio up to blare over the rain’s pounding and the rushing air of the defogger, which failed to clear the windshield. Only local news was on now. She had no interest in local news—except for the weather report. More thunderstorms coming, the man informed her cheerily.

Of course.

She hated driving in the rain, especially in the dark. It was one of many newly discovered dislikes. As with the rest, she had never experienced this one before. There had always been someone….

No. She didn’t dare think of that now. She had to concentrate on…what?

Oh, yes. Driving.

But she was tired. So tired.

And numb. The debilitating terror she had felt when starting out had dissipated. For now.

There weren’t many cars out this night, not here among the dark mountains along the curving highway. Smart people didn’t go out in this weather.

Smart people had a choice.

She had pushed herself nearly to the limit. She knew that. And she was hurting more than herself.

She reached down and lifted the large paper cup from the holder on the console. Making a face, she forced herself to take a swig of the cold coffee she had bought a few hours back. It smelled like brackish water. But she needed the caffeine.

Okay, she promised herself. First cheap motel she spotted off the interstate after daylight, she’d get a room.

It would be a long time till daylight, she knew. And still the rain smashed down on the road, her car, isolating her from the rest of the world.

That was fine. She needed to be alone. She…

Had to…

Stay awake…

She blinked suddenly, alert, as the headlights caught a metal railing dead in front of her. She slammed on the brakes, spun the steering wheel.

Screamed as the car plunged through the rail, “No…please, no!”