Jackie Merritt - A Montana Man

Have I Ever Wanted A Man More? THE BENNING LEGACY: Three sisters find true love uncovers the secrets of the past... and forges bright new tomorrows! Have I Ever Wanted A Man More? The question was deadly, reminding Sierra of her amnesia. Reluctantly she broke from Clint’s embrace, instantly missing the warmth and power of his touch. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have touched you, but I couldn’t resist.” “I know.” Sierra knew he was honorable, but the attraction between them was powerful. She shuddered as the enormity of her situation hit her. Was she falling in love with Clint? What if a husband or lover should suddenly come to light...? “Good night,” she whispered huskily before going in. Clint stayed outside, looking over his spread. He wanted Sierra to get well; he could never wish for anything else. But when she did, everything would change.... Letter to Reader Dear Reader, August predictably brings long steamy days...and hot sensuous nights. And this month Silhouette Desire spotlights the kind of pure passion that can erupt only in that sizzling summer climate. Get ready to fall head over heels for August’s MAN OF THE MONTH, a sexy rancher who opens his home (and his heart?) to a lost beauty desperately hoping to recover her memory in A Montana Man by Jackie Merntt. Bestselling author Cait London continues her hugely popular minisenes THE TALLCHIEFS with Rafe Palladin: Man of Secrets. Rafe is an irresistible takeover tycoon with a plan to acquire a Tallchief lady. Barbara McMahon brings readers the second story in her IDENTICAL TWINS! duo—in The Older Man an exuberant young woman is swept up by her love and desire for a tremendously gorgeous, much older man. Plus, talented Susan Crosby unfolds a story of seduction, revenge and scandal in the continuation of THE LONE WOLVES with His Seductive Revenge. And TEXAS BRIDES are back with The Restless Virgin by Peggy Moreland, the story of an innocent Western lady tired of waiting around for mamage—so she lassos herself one unsuspecting cowboy! And you’ve never seen a hero like The Consummate Cowboy, by Sara Orwig. He’s all man, all-around omery and all-out tempted...by his ex-wife’s sister! I know you’ll enjoy reading all six of this sultry month’s brand-new Silhouette Desire novels by some of the most beloved and sexy authors of romance. Regards, Melissa Senate Senior Editor Silhouette Books 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 Jackie Merritt A Montana Man www.millsandboon.co.uk About the Author JACKIE MERRITT and her husband live in the Southwest. An accountant for many years, Jackie has happily traded numbers for words. Next to family, books are her greatest joy. She started writing in 1987, and her efforts paid off in 1988 with the publication of her first novel. When she’s not writing or enjoying a good book, Jackie dabbles in watercolor painting, and she likes playing the piano in her spare time. 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 Epilogue Copyright

THE BENNING LEGACY: Three sisters find true

love uncovers the secrets of the past...

and forges bright new tomorrows!

Have I Ever Wanted A Man More?

The question was deadly, reminding Sierra of her amnesia. Reluctantly she broke from Clint’s embrace, instantly missing the warmth and power of his touch.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have touched you, but I couldn’t resist.”

“I know.” Sierra knew he was honorable, but the attraction between them was powerful. She shuddered as the enormity of her situation hit her. Was she falling in love with Clint? What if a husband or lover should suddenly come to light...?

“Good night,” she whispered huskily before going in.

Clint stayed outside, looking over his spread. He wanted Sierra to get well; he could never wish for anything else.

But when she did, everything would change....

Dear Reader,

August predictably brings long steamy days...and hot sensuous nights. And this month Silhouette Desire spotlights the kind of pure passion that can erupt only in that sizzling summer climate.

Get ready to fall head over heels for August’s MAN OF THE MONTH, a sexy rancher who opens his home (and his heart?) to a lost beauty desperately hoping to recover her memory in A Montana Man by Jackie Merntt. Bestselling author Cait London continues her hugely popular minisenes THE TALLCHIEFS with Rafe Palladin: Man of Secrets. Rafe is an irresistible takeover tycoon with a plan to acquire a Tallchief lady. Barbara McMahon brings readers the second story in her IDENTICAL TWINS! duo—in The Older Man an exuberant young woman is swept up by her love and desire for a tremendously gorgeous, much older man.

Plus, talented Susan Crosby unfolds a story of seduction, revenge and scandal in the continuation of THE LONE WOLVES with His Seductive Revenge. And TEXAS BRIDES are back with The Restless Virgin by Peggy Moreland, the story of an innocent Western lady tired of waiting around for mamage—so she lassos herself one unsuspecting cowboy! And you’ve never seen a hero like The Consummate Cowboy, by Sara Orwig. He’s all man, all-around omery and all-out tempted...by his ex-wife’s sister!

I know you’ll enjoy reading all six of this sultry month’s brand-new Silhouette Desire novels by some of the most beloved and sexy authors of romance.

Regards,

Melissa Senate

Senior Editor

Silhouette Books

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

Jackie Merritt

A Montana Man

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JACKIE MERRITT

and her husband live in the Southwest. An accountant for many years, Jackie has happily traded numbers for words. Next to family, books are her greatest joy. She started writing in 1987, and her efforts paid off in 1988 with the publication of her first novel. When she’s not writing or enjoying a good book, Jackie dabbles in watercolor painting, and she likes playing the piano in her spare time.

One

Wednesday, May 21

Clint Barrow urged the horse he was riding up a rocky knoll. It was early morning. There was enough light to see by even though the sun hadn’t yet risen above the mountain tops, and wispy patches of ground fog drifted within dips of the mountainous country all around him. At the top of the knoll he pulled on the reins and stopped his horse. This was a favorite spot in which to view his ranch, and below his vantage point Barrow land spread almost as far as Clint could see. The buildings appeared as miniatures, and cattle and horses looked toy-like. Clint breathed a sigh of contentment.

He was a big man, tall and rangy, with dark hair and vivid blue eyes. His contentment was genuine. The shock of his one major tragedy in life, the death of his wife, had softened with time. He had a seventeen-year-old son, Tommy, on which to expend his love, and this ranch. He was the first person in the area to help out a friend or a neighbor in trouble, and, all in all, life was good. He felt strongly that no man should ask for more.

As the sun suddenly showed its face on the eastern horizon, Clint turned his horse’s head and rode back down the knoll toward the ranch compound. Tommy would be leaving for school shortly, and Clint liked to be there every morning to say a few words to his son before he left. Today it seemed even more important; today was the start of Tommy’s final exams. High school graduation was just around the corner. Unlike too many of the fathers and sons that Clint knew, he and Tommy were close, and Clint knew that he would do almost anything to protect their special relationship.