Carolyn Davidson - Runaway

Cover Page

Praise Praise for Carolyn Davidson’s previous titles The Forever Man “This is a lucid and graceful romance, new pleasure for readers who loved ‘Sarah, Plain and Tall.’” — Romantic Times “The dream of happiness centers lovingly around The Forever Man, which becomes the forever family.” — Rendezvous Loving Katherine “Readers will enjoy this tender tale.” — Romantic Times “4 1 / 2 …wonderful characters…Newcomer Carolyn Davidson appears to have a bright future…” — Affaire de Coeur Gerrity’s Bride “…fun, excitement and suspense. Most enjoyable.” — Rendezvous “Carolyn Davidson creates such vivid images, you’d think she was using paints instead of words.” —bestselling author Pamela Morsi

Excerpt “It’s not proper for us to be in a bedroom together, Will,” Cassie said in a harsh whisper. He grinned. “We’ve been sleepin’ together for better than two weeks already. Unless you want to go down there and tell my ma that we’re not the married couple she thinks we are, we’re stuck with this until I can figure something out.” “Once we sleep in this room together, we’re stuck with the story, no matter how you slice it,” she hissed at him. “Well, I can’t come up with any better idea,” Will said softly. “I’m afraid your reputation is about shot, Cass. And it’s my fault. Do you want me to go downstairs and tell my mother we’ve traipsed clear from Texas without being married?” She shook her head. “I don’t know what I want. I just know I don’t want to sleep in that bed with you tonight!”

Dear Reader Dear Reader, It’s June, so start thinking about your summer reading! Whether you’re going to the beach or simply going to relax on the porch, don’t forget to bring along a Harlequin Historical® novel. This month we are delighted with the return of the immensely popular Carolyn Davidson. Carolyn is a self-described writer of “farm love” whose stories feature hardworking, masculine heroes and strong family ties. Never is this more obvious than in Runaway, the story of a young woman who, hours after her mother’s death, fatally wounds her stepfather in self-defense and is rescued by a kind cowboy, who takes her back to his parents’ Missouri home as his “wife.” Widow Woman, by long-time Silhouette author Patricia McLinn, is a compelling Western about a beautiful rancher who must win back the heart of her ex-foreman—the man she once refused to marry and the unknowing father of her child. Laurel Ames returns with Infamous, in which a dashing nobleman and spy, having put up with a very silly and snobbish mother and sister all his life, finally meets a woman he feels is worth pursuing—much to his family’s chagrin! Rounding out the month is Midsummer’s Knight by award-winning author Tori Phillips. Here, a confirmed bachelor and a reluctant widow betrothed against their will switch identities with their friends to spy on the other, and fall in love in the process! 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® novel. Sincerely, Tracy Farrell 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 Runaway Carolyn Davidson www.millsandboon.co.uk

About The Author CAROLYN DAVIDSON Writing about small towns, ranches and farms comes naturally to Carolyn Davidson, who hails from a long line of farmers on her mother’s side. From her father’s side of the family, a strain of Gypsy blood lent flights of fancy to the mix, creating a child with a wild imagination. In her early years she made up stories to tell her nieces and nephews; as a teenager she wrote them in notebooks. Then came marriage to her high school sweetheart, a union that thrives today and has produced six children. Only when the nest was empty did she try her hand at serious writing. Serious, as in love and marriage. Romance, in a word. After selling seven novels during the past few years, she has decided that writing is far and away the most exciting venture she has embarked upon. Be sure to look for Carolyn’s next book, The Wedding Promise, available in October 1998. Readers’ comments are more than welcome in her mailbox, P.O. Box 60626, North Charleston, S.C. 29419-0626.

Dedication To old friends, who only improve with age. To childhood memories and growing-up years. To those who have shared my life and enriched it—but especially to cousins Shirley and Kate, my first friends, who have wonderful staying power. And, as always—to Mr. Ed, who loves me.

Prologue

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

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Copyright

The Forever Man

“This is a lucid and graceful romance, new pleasure for readers who loved ‘Sarah, Plain and Tall.’”

— Romantic Times

“The dream of happiness centers lovingly around The Forever Man, which becomes the forever family.”

— Rendezvous

Loving Katherine

“Readers will enjoy this tender tale.”

— Romantic Times

“4 1/ 2 …wonderful characters…Newcomer

Carolyn Davidson appears to have a bright future…”

— Affaire de Coeur

Gerrity’s Bride

“…fun, excitement and suspense. Most enjoyable.”

— Rendezvous

“Carolyn Davidson creates such vivid images, you’d think she was using paints instead of words.”

—bestselling author Pamela Morsi

Cassie said in a harsh whisper.

He grinned. “We’ve been sleepin’ together for better than two weeks already. Unless you want to go down there and tell my ma that we’re not the married couple she thinks we are, we’re stuck with this until I can figure something out.”

“Once we sleep in this room together, we’re stuck with the story, no matter how you slice it,” she hissed at him.

“Well, I can’t come up with any better idea,” Will said softly. “I’m afraid your reputation is about shot, Cass. And it’s my fault. Do you want me to go downstairs and tell my mother we’ve traipsed clear from Texas without being married?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know what I want. I just know I don’t want to sleep in that bed with you tonight!”

Dear Reader,

It’s June, so start thinking about your summer reading! Whether you’re going to the beach or simply going to relax on the porch, don’t forget to bring along a Harlequin Historical® novel. This month we are delighted with the return of the immensely popular Carolyn Davidson. Carolyn is a self-described writer of “farm love” whose stories feature hardworking, masculine heroes and strong family ties. Never is this more obvious than in Runaway, the story of a young woman who, hours after her mother’s death, fatally wounds her stepfather in self-defense and is rescued by a kind cowboy, who takes her back to his parents’ Missouri home as his “wife.”

Widow Woman, by long-time Silhouette author Patricia McLinn, is a compelling Western about a beautiful rancher who must win back the heart of her ex-foreman—the man she once refused to marry and the unknowing father of her child. Laurel Ames returns with Infamous, in which a dashing nobleman and spy, having put up with a very silly and snobbish mother and sister all his life, finally meets a woman he feels is worth pursuing—much to his family’s chagrin!