Gayle Kaye - Bachelor Cop

Cover Page

Excerpt Jill reacted to Whit on every level known to womankind. And she wasn’t sure why. She didn’t want to—not to this man, a man who could steal all of her good sense from her. She was the mother of a four-year-old son, and she needed to tread cautiously. For her own sake. For her son’s sake. “Perhaps,” she said shakily, “tonight wasn’t a good idea. And the kiss this afternoon—” He touched two fingers to her lips. “Don’t say it, Jill. I wanted to kiss you, had to know what you tasted like. Just once.” But, Jill wondered, would it be just once—could it be—if she stayed anywhere near Whit Tanner?

Dear Reader Dear Reader, From classic love stories to romantic comedies to emotional heart tuggers, Silhouette Romance offers six irresistible novels every month by some of your favorite authors-and some sure to become favorites. Just look at the lineup this month: In Most Eligible Dad, book 2 of Karen Rose Smith’s wonderful miniseries THE BEST MEN, a confirmed bachelor becomes a FABULOUS FATHER when he discovers he’s a daddy. A single mother and her precious BUNDLE OF JOY teach an unsmiling man how to love again in The Man Who Would Be Daddy by bestselling author Marie Ferrarella. I Do? I Don’t? is the very question a bride-to-be asks herself when a sexy rebel from her past arrives just in time to stop her wedding in Christine Scott’s delightful novel. Marriage? A very happily unmarried police officer finally says “I do” in Gayle Kaye’s touching tale Bachelor Cop. In Family of Three by Julianna Morris, a man and a woman have to share the same house—with separate bedrooms, of course… Debut author Leanna Wilson knows no woman can resist a Strong, Silent Cowboy—and you won’t be able to, either! I’d love to know what you think of the Romance line. Are there any special kinds of stories you’d like to see more of, less of? Your thoughts are very important to me-after all, these books are for you! Sincerely, Melissa Senate, Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Silhouette 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 Bachelor Cop Gayle Kaye www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication To Dani Criss, whose critiques I value, whose friendship I cherish. May success always shine on you!

About the Author GAYLE KAYE had a varied and interesting career as an R.N. before finally hanging up her stethoscope to write romances. She indulges this passion in Kansas City, Missouri, where she lives with her husband and one very spoiled poodle. Her first romance in 1987 reached the finals of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest. When she’s not writing, she loves to travel or just curl up with a good book.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Copyright

And she wasn’t sure why. She didn’t want to—not to this man, a man who could steal all of her good sense from her.

She was the mother of a four-year-old son, and she needed to tread cautiously. For her own sake. For her son’s sake.

“Perhaps,” she said shakily, “tonight wasn’t a good idea. And the kiss this afternoon—”

He touched two fingers to her lips. “Don’t say it, Jill. I wanted to kiss you, had to know what you tasted like. Just once.”

But, Jill wondered, would it be just once—could it be—if she stayed anywhere near Whit Tanner?

Dear Reader,

From classic love stories to romantic comedies to emotional heart tuggers, Silhouette Romance offers six irresistible novels every month by some of your favorite authors-and some sure to become favorites. Just look at the lineup this month:

In Most Eligible Dad, book 2 of Karen Rose Smith’s wonderful miniseries THE BEST MEN, a confirmed bachelor becomes a FABULOUS FATHER when he discovers he’s a daddy.

A single mother and her precious BUNDLE OF JOY teach an unsmiling man how to love again in The Man Who Would Be Daddy by bestselling author Marie Ferrarella.

I Do? I Don’t? is the very question a bride-to-be asks herself when a sexy rebel from her past arrives just in time to stop her wedding in Christine Scott’s delightful novel.

Marriage? A very happily unmarried police officer finally says “I do” in Gayle Kaye’s touching tale Bachelor Cop.

In Family of Three by Julianna Morris, a man and a woman have to share the same house—with separate bedrooms, of course…

Debut author Leanna Wilson knows no woman can resist a Strong, Silent Cowboy—and you won’t be able to, either!

I’d love to know what you think of the Romance line. Are there any special kinds of stories you’d like to see more of, less of? Your thoughts are very important to me-after all, these books are for you!

Sincerely,

Melissa Senate,

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Silhouette 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

To Dani Criss, whose critiques I value, whose friendship I cherish. May success always shine on you!

GAYLE KAYE

had a varied and interesting career as an R.N. before finally hanging up her stethoscope to write romances. She indulges this passion in Kansas City, Missouri, where she lives with her husband and one very spoiled poodle. Her first romance in 1987 reached the finals of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest.

When she’s not writing, she loves to travel or just curl up with a good book.

Officer Whit Tanner aimed his patrol car down the quiet, Kansas City, Missouri, street, thinking about his longtime friend on the force, Ben Jameson. He and Ben were the last two remaining bachelors in the department, but now in a few weeks Ben would be taking the plunge, leaving Whit as the lone holdout in the marriage game. He wished his old friend well, but he knew the statistics for cop marriages—and they weren’t good.

It was why Whit didn’t intend to fall victim to any female with home and hearth on her mind.

He turned up Elm, then onto Holly Lane, scanning the rows of small, well-kept homes. There’d been a rash of petty burglaries in the area lately, but nothing more serious than an occasional stolen ten-speed or lawn ornament, in direct contrast to the inner city where crime continued to flourish.

He usually drew that detail on a Saturday night, but he was luckier this time. His only big problem for the next few hours would be staying awake until his shift was over.

Then just ahead he saw movement, a flash of lightcolored clothing. If someone was bent on thievery, he thought, you’d think they’d wear dark, so they’d be less easily spotted—but then most crooks weren’t exactly noted for their intelligence, or they wouldn’t be doing the crime in the first place.

Whit cruised slowly, trying to get a better look at the figure darting through the yards, seemingly sticking to the shadows.

Then a few houses up he caught a good look at the would-be prowler. He was pajama-clad, about three feet tall and barefoot.