The way I see it, youre a gunshot victim. A criminal is still at large. Its my duty to protect you.
He pulled a pair of handcuffs from his back pocket. Right now the best thing for you is plenty of bed rest.
Margos eyes widened. You wouldnt dare chain me to this bed like a dog, Ry. You wouldnt dare!
If you dont think so, then you dont know me as well as you think you do.
Dear Reader,
Once again, weve rounded up six exciting romances to keep you reading all month, starting with the latest installment in Marilyn Pappanos HEARTBREAK CANYON miniseries. The Sheriffs Surrender is a reunion romance with lots of suspense, lots of passionlots of emotionto keep you turning the pages. Dont miss it.
And for all of you whove gotten hooked on A YEAR OF LOVING DANGEROUSLY, weve got The Way We Wed. Pat Warren does a great job telling this tale of a secret marriage between two SPEAR agents who couldnt be more differentor more right for each other. Merline Lovelace is back with Twice in a Lifetime, the latest saga in MEN OF THE BAR H. How she keeps coming up with such fabulous books, Ill never knowbut I do know were all glad she does. Return to the WIDE OPEN SPACES of Alberta, Canada, with Judith Duncan in If Wishes Were Horses. This is the kind of book that will have you tied up in emotional knots, so keep the tissues handy. Cheryl Biggs returns with Harts Last Stand, a suspenseful romance that will keep you turning the pages at a furious clip. Finally, dont miss the debut of a fine new voice, Wendy Rosnau. A Younger Woman is one of those irresistible stories, and its bound to establish her as a reader favorite right out of the starting gate.
Enjoy them all, then come back next month for more of the best and most exciting romance reading aroundonly in Silhouette Intimate Moments.
Yours,
Leslie J. Wainger
Executive Senior Editor
A Younger Woman Wendy Rosnau
WENDY ROSNAU
A great believer in the power of love and the words never give up, Wendy says that reaching her goal of becoming a published author is a testimony that dreams can and do come true. You can write to her at P.O. Box 441, Brainerd, Minnesota 56401. For a personal reply send SASE.
To my mom and dad for always being there for me
awesome job on the bookshelves and my table, Dad
I love you.
To my father-in-law for his humor, and to my mother-in-law for putting on wings and rescuing me so often in my hour of need.
And always, to Jerry, the rock that keeps me grounded, and to Tyler and Jenni for knowing it all and loving me anyway.
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 1
They shook hands, ignoring the September rain soaking their clothes. The heavy mist gave the streetlights a distorted, eerie glow, making Margos task harder. She was no master photographer, but Blu hadnt asked for a professional job, just visible proof that the exchange had taken place.
She hadnt asked what was being exchanged. Frankly, she didnt want to know. No, this wasnt about the right or wrong of anything. Her sole purpose for being in Algiers tonight instead of New Orleans behind the piano at the Toucan Lounge had nothing to do with morality and everything to do with sisterly love.
The night air had turned into a sponge, sharpening the odor of rotting fish and river decay. Margo wrinkled up her nose and swiped at her long, black hair. She could hear the constant slapping of the water against the boats tied dockside, feel the tropical air sucking her jeans closer to her slender, boyish hips.
Anxious to get out of the weather, she squinted through the camera lens and focused on Blu pulling something from his back pocket. Deciding this must be it, this was the exchange, she quickly clicked the shutter, then advanced the film. She had just raised the camera to take a second picture when a gunshot exploded out of the darkness. Frozen in motion, Margo watched in horror as the stranger jerked hard to the right, then crumpled at her brothers feet.
An involuntary scream climbed her throat, and she dropped the camera, vaguely aware that it shattered as it hit the asphalt. Mindless of the impending danger, she bolted from her hiding place and started to run toward the waterfront. As she reached the pier and climbed the steps, the pungent odor of cordite confirmed that she was now very much in the path of the melee. More shots erupted from somewhere behind her, and she nearly jumped out of her skin, crying out at the same time. Sheer panic overwhelmed her, but Margos fear for her brothers safety overrode her fear for herself, and she forced herself to move forward.
As if the gunfire had opened up the sky and made the gods angry, a deluge of rain fed the sudden craziness. For a moment Margo thought the rain would be their salvation, and for one split second it wasshe slipped on the wet planking and went down hard. Seconds later, on her knees, a bullet whizzed past her head. She struggled back to her feet, her ears ringing, her knees bruised and throbbing. She searched out the spot where shed last seen Blu, only to find he was no longer standing but sprawled on his back next to the unmoving stranger.