[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
texas lawmanbyginger chambersGinger ChambeTORONTO NEW YORK LONDONAMSTERDAM PARIS SYDNEY HAMBURGSTOCKHOLM ATHENS TOKYO MILANMADRID WARSAW BUDAPEST AUCKLANDIf you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware thatthis book is stolen property. It was reported as "unsold anddestroyed" to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisherhas received any payment for this "stripped book."For BellaGood does triumph over evil.Sometimes it just takes a helluva long time.ISBN 0-373-70778-9Copyright 1998 by Ginger Chambers.All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction orutilization of this work in whole or in pert in any form by anyelectrordc, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented,including xerography, photocopying and recording, or tn any informationstorage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the writtenpermission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 DuncanMill Road,Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.All characters In this book have no existence outside the imaginationof the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing thesame name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by anyindividual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pureinvention.This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S. A. and TMare trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with areregistered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, theCanadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.Printed in U. S. A.CHAPTER ONETHE BUTTERFLIES in Jodie's stomach increased as, mile by mile, she drewcloser to the ranch. It didn't seem to matter that she'd been on herown for all these years-L-five at the university and the last travelingin Europe. The instant she saw her great-aunt all the hard-won poiseand confidence she'd acquired over that time would evaporate and she'dturn into' the uncertain young girl she used to be.Her great-aunt had that effect on people. The pure force of thewoman's will invariably rode roughshod over independent thought. Asthe oldest living Parker, Mae was due respect and deference--and shenever let anyone forget it!Jodie's fingers tightened on the steering wheel and her foot pressedharder on the accelerator. What she wanted most at this moment was toget their first meeting over with. Mae hadn't liked it one bit thatafter graduation she'd turned down the job arranged for her and gone,instead, with friends to Italy. Nor when, after six months in Italy,she'd moved on to explore other areas of the continent, absentingherself from the ranch for an additional six months. It was thelongest uninterrupted period Jodie had ever spent away from herbirthplace, the Parker Ranch, an almost living entity in the minds andhearts of the people who resided there.She could just imagine the upcoming scene. Her great-aunt, her father,her cousins and their wivesm Rare and Shannon, LeRoy and Harriet--AuntDarlene and Uncle Thomas, not to mention the growing menagerie ofParker children. All would gather at Mac's house to welcome her, eventhough they'd be surprised by her premature arrival. Originally she'dplanned to spend the afternoon and night at a friend's house in SanAntonio before setting off for Briggs County in West Texas the nextmorning. But restlessness had taken hold, so she'd rented a car andcome ahead.Jodie didn't want a fuss made. Particularly not while waiting for hergreat-aunt's inevitable show of displeasure. But seeing everyone againwould be nice. She'd missed them in ways she hadn't anticipated.Suddenly lights filled the night. Bright flashes of blue, white, red .blue, white, red. Their brilliance bounced off her rearview mirrors asa siren emitted an abbreviated wail.A police car! Jodie immediately lifted her foot from the acceleratorand looked for a place to pull over. As both cars rolled to a stop,the lights continued to dance, illuminating the lonely rugged landscapeon each side of the road.She cut the engine and waited. Just what she needed--a citation forspeeding. How fast had she been going?After what seemed an eternitymshe was just about to get out to see whatwas taking so long--an even\brighter light switched on from behind, spotlighting the distancebetween the two cars.Jodie twisted to look over her shoulder and, narrowing her gaze againstthe glare, saw an officer step out of the patrol car and approach. Hewas long and lean and, judging by the style of his hat and uniform, amember of the Briggs County SheriWs Department.He didn't stop until he was at her window, then shined his flashlightin her face."Don't do that!" Jodie complained.The light remained on her for another moment, before darting off toilluminate the passenger and rear compartments. At last it wasswitched off."You in a hurry to get someplace?" the officer drawled.Jodie's heart gave a surprised little leap. Tate Con-nelly! What werethe odds that he of all people would be the first person she'd meetupon returning home? "I was ... yes," she managed."You could get yourself killed driving that fast out here at night. Youhad to be outrunnin' your headlights.""I could see just fine," Jodie claimed. Didn't he recognize her? Ithadn't been that long since they'd seen each other. Two years at most,surely. During one of her brief visits home from the university."Mind tellin' me what your business is?" Tate inquired, coollycourteous. "I mean, since you were in such a hurry, maybe I can be ofassistance."Jodie began to see the humor in the situation. For once she had him ata disadvantage. She wondered howlong she could string him along. "I doubt it!" she replied.His tone took on a more, official edge. "I need to see your license,ma'am, and your rental agreement. This is a rental car--I ran thetags. Briggs County is a long way from San Antonio.""Since when is it against the law to rent a car?" Jodie challenged.She made no move to retrieve any of the requested paperwork."Your license, ma'am," he repeated."I'd rather not."He didn't miss a beat. "Then I'll have to ask you to step outside.""You're arresting me?" Jodie squeaked."Out of the car."Jodie opened the door and stepped onto the gravel roadside."Don't do that!" he barked when she instinctively reached back insideto retrieve her purse. "Keep your hands where I can see 'em.""But I just wanted to get""Step to the side, face the car and put your hands on the roof. Now.t"he ordered when she hesitated.Jodie blinked as she did what he said. Her little joke had gone aboutas far as she should let it. Before she could speak, though, hereached into the car himself."This yours?" he asked, straightening. The strap of her black leathershoulder bag hung from his fingertips. "You don't mind if I have alook inside, do you? You carryin' any drugs? Any drug paraphernalia?Any weapons?"Jodie had had enough. "Tate!" she exclaimed.His fingers froze on the partially open zipper.In the radiance of the spotlight she could see most of his handsomeface. The cleanly carved line of jaw and cheekbone, the firm set ofhis mouth, the brown eyes and close-cropped brown hair that peeked outfrom beneath his flat-brimmed hat. At one time, when she was goinginto seventh grade and he had just graduated from high school, hisfeatures had been as familiar to her as her own. And far moreinteresting."How do you know my name?" he demanded, frowning."Don't you recognize me? Some great policeman you are! I'mJodie--Jodie Parker! Now may I please put my hands down?" She didn'twait for permission.He examined her through narrowed eyes, before nodding and sayingslowly, "I should've known it was you, drivin' like a bat out ofhell."She snatched her purse away. "It's late and I want to get home." Shemotioned impatiently to the flashing lights on his patrol car. "Do youthink you could turn that off?. It's giving me a headache."He ignored her complaint. "Last I heard you were in Paris.""That was two months ago." "Then London." "One month ago." "Then NewYork.""Last week." She cocked her head. "You've certainly kept up with mywhereabouts.""Couldn't help it. Your trip was a prime subject of conversationaround here.""I'm glad I provided such grand entertainment," she said dryly.He lifted an eyebrow. "What did you do to your hair? "Jodie smoothed her new sleek style. In the confusion of being pulledover she'd forgotten the radical change."I had it cut. What do you think?""I didn't recognize you."She eyed him suspiciously. "You didn't answer my question.""I liked it long and curly better--and the natural color.""This is called 'midnight black'."Tate Connelly shook his head. "No wonder I didn't recognize you. Doesyour aunt Mae know about it?"Jodie shrugged. "I'm twenty-four now, Tate. Whether my aunt approvesor not makes no difference."For the first time since he'd pulled her over, a smile tugged at hislips. "You say that now ... out here."Jodie pushed past him to get back into her car. "May I go? Now thatyou know I'm not an escaped felon? Honestly, the way you behavedyou'd'ye thought I had a gun and was about to..." The words died onher lips. Tate's father, a deputy sheriff, had been shot and killed bya pair of escaped felons he'd pulled over because their car had afaulty brake light. "Oh, Tate, I'm sorry. I didn't mean"He cut her off. "I'll follow you to the ranch. We don't want you toget lost or anything."Her cheeks flushed. "I'm a... [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

zanotowane.pl

doc.pisz.pl

pdf.pisz.pl

xiaodongxi.keep.pl