Luke silently vowed to do anything to help Abby keep custody of her kids.
He had an overwhelming desire to learn every inch of her. His body reacted to his thoughts, filling with a tension that seemed unbearable.
But it was a tension he wouldnt, couldnt, follow through on.
And in that instant, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. It wouldnt solve the problem, but it just might give Abby a fighting chance.
Abby. He stood and faced her. Marry me.
Dear Reader,
Happy New Year! And happy reading, toostarting with the wonderful Ruth Langan and Return of the Prodigal Son, the latest in her newest miniseries, THE LASSITER LAW. When this burned-out ex-agent comes home looking for some R and R, what he finds instead is a beautiful widow with irresistible children and a heart ready for love. His love.
This is also the month when we set out on a twelve-book adventure called ROMANCING THE CROWN. Linda Turner starts things off with The Man Who Would Be King. Return with her to the island kingdom of Montebello, where livesand heartsare about to be changed forever.
The rest of the month is terrific, too. Kylie Brants CHARMED AND DANGEROUS concludes with Hard To Tame, Carla Cassidy continues THE DELANEY HEIRS with To Wed and Protect, Debra Cowan offers a hero who knows the heroine is Still the One, and Monica McLean tells us The Nannys Secret. And, of course, well be back next month with six more of the best and most exciting romances around.
Enjoy!
Leslie J. Wainger
Executive Senior Editor
To Wed and Protect Carla Cassidy
CARLA CASSIDY
Carla believes the only thing better than a good book to read is a good story to write. Shes looking forward to writing many more and bringing hours of pleasure to readers.
Contents
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 1
But Zutarian Arthur Graham
had died almost a year earlier, and as far as Luke Delaney knew, the ramshackle house had not been entered since.
The early morning sun beat relentlessly on Lukes head as he got out of his car and approached the front door. If not for the car sitting out front, Luke would have assumed the house was still vacant. There were certainly no signs of life and no indication that any work at all had been done to make the house look more inviting.
The wood on the house was weathered to a dull gray, and thick weeds choked the path that led to a dangerously sagging front porch.
Luke had received a call the day before from a Mrs. Abigail Graham, asking if hed be interested in meeting her here first thing this morning to discuss some carpentry work she wanted done on the place.
Hed been surprised. First and foremost because he hadnt heard any rumors that anyone had moved into the old Graham place, and usually the minute a stranger appeared in or around town, the gossipmongers went into action.
Luke had instantly agreed to meet with her, intrigued to see the interior of the place. After all, it wasnt everyday you got to see the living environment of a space alien.
And he had to admit, he was equally intrigued to meet the woman who owned the smoky, deep voice that had called him the day before. That voice had instantly conjured up visions of a lush brunette or a sultry blonde and had reminded Luke that it had been far too long since hed enjoyed the company of a pretty lady.
Of course, Abigail Graham was probably sixty years old and as crazy as her infamous relative, he thought as he stepped up on the front porch.
With his first step onto the wooden porch, it instantly became apparent how imminent repairs were needed. The wood was rotten, and a hole was just in front of the door, indicating that somebodyd had a foot go completely through the rotten wood.
He carefully maneuvered around the hole and knocked on the door. It was opened immediately. The woman who stood before him was certainly no sixty-year-old. With long dark hair cascading around her slim shoulders and framing her slender face, she was definitely on the right side of thirty.
Abigail Graham? Luke asked, noting that her eyes were the shade of springa soft, lovely green that shimmered like the sea in the bright sunshine.
However, one of those beautiful green eyes appeared slightly swollen, and a hint of a bruise peeked beneath makeup at the corner.
Yes, and you must be Luke Delaney.
He backed up as she stepped out and across the hole. Im assuming this is what you called me about? he asked, gesturing to the porch.
She nodded. I knew it was rather unstable but didnt realize just how dangerous it was until my sons foot went through it yesterday.
That sexy voice of hers shot a new wave of pleasure through him. Looking at her certainly wasnt difficult, either. Mrs. Abigail Graham, he reminded himself. A married woman sporting the hint of a black eyeand certainly none of his business.
Was he hurt? Luke asked, eyeing the hole.
Thankfully no. His tennis shoe got scuffed and it scared him, but he wasnt hurt. She smiled, and Luke felt the jolt of that gorgeous smile deep in the pit of him, like that lick of heat he got when he took a swallow of good Scotch.