Carolyn Davidson - The Tender Stranger

Cover Page

Excerpt “Who’s going to help you when the baby comes?” His playful look was gone. Her heart thudded heavily within her breast. The bottom line, the end of the road she traveled, and he’d nailed her right where she was most vulnerable. “I don’t know yet. I haven’t decided what I’ll do when the time comes.” His brow lifted. “Seems like that would have been the first thing you thought of.” No, the first thing had been escape. Finding a place to hide, where no one could seek her out. A sanctuary for herself and her child. “Erin?” Quinn tasted her name, relishing the breathless sound of it. His gaze appreciated the look of her, his mind wondered at the unexpected appeal to his senses. He hadn’t looked for this attraction, and yet it could not be denied. She was the quarry, he the hunter, her capture the goal.

Dear Reader Dear Reader, Entertainment. Escape. Fantasy. These three words describe the heart of Harlequin Historicals. If you want compelling, emotional stories by some of the best writers in the field, look no further. Carolyn Davidson is one of those writers. Critics have described her books as “moving,” “explosive” and “destined to delight.” Her latest, The Tender Stranger, is no exception. It’s the touching story of a pregnant widow who flees from her conniving in-laws to a secluded cabin in Colorado. Alone and frightened, Erin welcomes the handsome, caring stranger who appears on her doorstep—not knowing that he’s the bounty hunter her in-laws have hired to bring her back. Don’t miss it! Rory by Ruth Langan, is the terrific first book of Ruth’s new medieval series, THE O’NEIL SAGA. In it, an English noblewoman falls madly in love with a legendary Irish rebel. And Ana Seymour returns this month with a heartwarming Western, Father for Keeps, about a wealthy young man who returns to Nevada to win back the woman who secretly had his child. Be sure to look for Robber Bride by Deborah Simmons. In the third DE BURGH story, the strong, arrogant de Burgh brother, Simon, finds his match in a free-spirited runaway bride who is hiding from her despicable would-be husband. Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historical.® Sincerely, Tracy Farrell Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Harlequin Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

Title Page The Tender Stranger Carolyn Davidson www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CAROLYN DAVIDSON Reading and writing have always been major interests in Carolyn Davidson’s life. Even during the years of raising children and working a full-time job, she found time to read voraciously. However, her writing consisted of letters and an occasional piece of poetry. Now that the nest is empty, except for three grandchildren, she has turned to writing as an occupation. Her family, friends and church blend to make a most fulfilling existence for this South Carolina author. And most important is her husband of many years, the man who gives her total support and an abundance of love to draw on for inspiration. A charter member of the Lowcountry Romance Writers of America, she has found a community of soul mates who share her love of books, and whose support is invaluable. Watch for her next Harlequin Historical novel, The Midwife, a September 1999 release. She enjoys hearing from her readers at P.O. Box 2757, Goose Creek, SC 29445-2757 and promises to answer your letter.

Dedication Men with the quality of tenderness in their emotional makeup make wonderful heroes, and the woman who is fortunate enough to be truly loved by one of them is indeed blessed. I am married to such a man, and have found that each of our five male offspring has, in some way, inherited their father’s nature. And so this book is dedicated to my sons, Bobby, Michael, Jon; Larry and Tim, because each of them, in his own way, is a hero to the woman he loves. To my granddaughter, Erin Elizabeth, whose innocent and loving spirit was the inspiration for my heroine, and who shared with me the days and weeks spent in the writing of this book, I give my appreciation. But as always, and with deep devotion, this story is for Mr. Ed, who loves me.

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

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

Copyright

His playful look was gone.

Her heart thudded heavily within her breast. The bottom line, the end of the road she traveled, and he’d nailed her right where she was most vulnerable. “I don’t know yet. I haven’t decided what I’ll do when the time comes.”

His brow lifted. “Seems like that would have been the first thing you thought of.”

No, the first thing had been escape. Finding a place to hide, where no one could seek her out. A sanctuary for herself and her child.

“Erin?” Quinn tasted her name, relishing the breathless sound of it. His gaze appreciated the look of her, his mind wondered at the unexpected appeal to his senses.

He hadn’t looked for this attraction, and yet it could not be denied. She was the quarry, he the hunter, her capture the goal.

Dear Reader,

Entertainment. Escape. Fantasy. These three words describe the heart of Harlequin Historicals. If you want compelling, emotional stories by some of the best writers in the field, look no further.

Carolyn Davidson is one of those writers. Critics have described her books as “moving,” “explosive” and “destined to delight.” Her latest, The Tender Stranger, is no exception. It’s the touching story of a pregnant widow who flees from her conniving in-laws to a secluded cabin in Colorado. Alone and frightened, Erin welcomes the handsome, caring stranger who appears on her doorstep—not knowing that he’s the bounty hunter her in-laws have hired to bring her back. Don’t miss it!

Rory by Ruth Langan, is the terrific first book of Ruth’s new medieval series, THE O’NEIL SAGA. In it, an English noblewoman falls madly in love with a legendary Irish rebel. And Ana Seymour returns this month with a heartwarming Western, Father for Keeps, about a wealthy young man who returns to Nevada to win back the woman who secretly had his child.

Be sure to look for Robber Bride by Deborah Simmons. In the third DE BURGH story, the strong, arrogant de Burgh brother, Simon, finds his match in a free-spirited runaway bride who is hiding from her despicable would-be husband.

Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historical.®

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Harlequin Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Reading and writing have always been major interests in Carolyn Davidson’s life. Even during the years of raising children and working a full-time job, she found time to read voraciously. However, her writing consisted of letters and an occasional piece of poetry. Now that the nest is empty, except for three grandchildren, she has turned to writing as an occupation.