You dont remember me, do you?
Dylan asked gently.
Her hand shook slightly and she seemed to avoid his gaze on purpose. Should I?
Maybe it wasnt as big a deal for you as it was for me. You were the first girl I ever kissed.
Jennifer retreated to her corner of the sofa. Youre kidding.
Nope. I was twelve years old and thought you were the prettiest girl Id ever seen.
How did you manage to kiss me?
He leaned back in his chair, enjoying his recollection. Tommy Bennett bet me a dollar I was too chicken to try.
You kissed me on a bet? Laughter tugged at the corners of her luscious mouth, and he experienced an irresistible urge to kiss her again. I should have pushed you in the lake.
What made you come back to Memphis? he asked suddenly.
I had many happy times here, so naturally I wanted to return.
His policemans instincts went on alert. But why would anyone lie about something as innocuous as why she chose to live in a certain place?
Unless she had something to hide.
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
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Passion ignites in Debra Webbs next COLBY AGENCY case. Ian Michaels and Nicole Reed go head-to-head in Protective Custodythe result is nothing short of explosive. Charlotte Douglas follows up her cross-over Harlequin American Romance-Harlequin Intrigue series, IDENTITY SWAP. Sexy lawman Dylan Blackburn had loved Jennifer Reid from afar, but when he had the chance to love her up close, hed learned there was a Stranger in His Arms.
Finally, Sheryl Lynn winds up her two-book McCLINTOCK COUNTRY miniseries with Colorados Finest.. Tate Raleigh combines urban street smarts with a rugged physique and stalwart principles that stand the test of time. Hes a devastating opponent to any criminaland totally irresistible to every woman.
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Sincerely,
Denise OSullivan
Associate Senior Editor
Harlequin Intrigue
Stranger in His Arms
Charlotte Douglas
www.millsandboon.co.uk
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Books by Charlotte Douglas
HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE
380DREAM MAKER
434BENS WIFE
482FIRST-CLASS FATHER
515A WOMAN OF MYSTERY
536UNDERCOVER DAD
611STRANGER IN HIS ARMS*
HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE
591ITS ABOUT TIME
623BRINGING UP BABY
868MONTANA MAIL-ORDER WIFE*
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Jennifer Reid A warm and attractive woman with secrets and a killer on her trail.
Miss Bessie Shuford Matriarch of Caseys Cove and Jennifers employer.
Jarrett Blackburn Dylans older brother who raises Christmas trees.
Johnny Whitaker Dylans best friend and fellow cop who died tragically.
Raylene Café owner, town gossip and Jennifers best friend.
Sissy McGinnis A lonely little girl Jennifer takes under her wing.
Larry Crutchfield An Atlanta attorney with a dubious past.
Michael Johnson A hired killer wholl do whatever it takes to fulfill his contract.
Contents
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
Epilogue
Prologue
He had come for her.
Pivoting on her heel, she sprinted to the rear of the house, eased out the back door noiselessly and ran across the yard. Just as she was clambering up the fence to gain access to the alley, the neighbors dog howled.
Running footsteps thundered behind her, and as she hoisted herself over the fence top, a hand snagged her ankle. With a fierce kick that contacted with flesh and bone, eliciting a curse from her pursuer, she freed herself and dropped into the alleyway.
Without a backward look, she kicked up dust racing toward the main street, clogged with going-to-work traffic. As she reached the curb, a bus approached.
There is a God, she thought and breathed a prayer of thanks.
The bus slowed and stopped, and she hopped on. The doors closed behind her, and the bus picked up speed.
Only then did she dare risk a look behind.
He stood on the curb for an instant, glowering with rage. Then he turned and sprinted toward his car, parked in front of her house. Her only hope was to exit the bus without him catching her.
And if she could pull that off, she needed to disappear.
Permanently.
Chapter One
Grinning like a man whod won the lottery, Officer Dylan Blackburn eased his patrol car down the steep drive from Miss Bessie Shufords mountaintop home.
His luck that morning had been twofold. First, on his visit with Miss Bessie, the matriarch of Caseys Cove, he had escaped without having to consume one of her infamous cinnamon buns. Not that he didnt love good food, but Miss Bessies favorite creations had all the grace and flavor of a shot put and sat just about as heavy on the stomach. If he hadnt been unwilling to offend the sweet old woman, hed have shellacked one for use as a doorstop at the station years ago.