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The Last Crawford Bachelor
Judy Christenberry
In Michael Crawford's "Five Year Plan," ' marriage came dead last. Even if he wanted a wife, it wouldn't be the slender blonde who arrived at the Circle K claiming to be the long.lost granddaughter of the late childless owner. 'Though Michael suspected Dani Langston of staking an unfounded claim on his loved ones, 'her blue-eyed innocence won over his family. ^ Like a saddled bronco he suddenly found himself a roommate, a co-worker–and a pretend fiancée!Dani's fire-andice personality knocked the confident Mr. Crawford off balance. One minute he wanted to kiss her, the next, run and save his hide. But the Crawford family "Cupids" had their own ideas….
“I want you to warn off Mom.”
Michael’s father looked puzzled at the request.
“She’s getting introduced to Dani Langston and I don’t want her to get the wrong idea.” Michael rubbed the back of his neck. “I have nothing to do with the woman.”
His father raised a shrewd eyebrow. “You sure about that, son? You know, of the six of you, you’re the only bachelor Crawford. Your mother has no one else to concentrate on.”
Michael’s oldest brother must have overheard. “Is little brother complaining about marriage again?” Joe clapped Michael on the back. “Go ahead and fight it, but you’ll find a woman.”
“That one looks pretty good,” said another brother, pointing at Dani.
“No! She won’t do!” Michael turned to face his brothers, and their knowing smiles alarmed him even more. “But…I’m not ready for marriage. You know that, Joe.”
“I know that, little brother,” Joe said smugly. “But it’s Mom you need to convince.”
Dear Reader,
April showers are bringing flowers—and a soul-stirring bouquet of dream-come-true stories from Silhouette Romance!
Red Rose needs men! And it’s up to Ellie Donahue to put the town-ladies’ plans into action—even if it means enticing her secret love to return to his former home. Inspired by classic legends, Myrna Mackenzie’s new miniseries, THE BRIDES OF RED ROSE, begins with Ellie’s tale, in The Pied Piper’s Bride (SR #1714).
Bestselling author Judy Christenberry brings you another Wild West story in her FROM THE CIRCLE K miniseries. In The Last Crawford Bachelor (SR #1715), lawyer Michael Crawford—the family’s last single son—meets his match…and is then forced to live with her on the Circle K!
And this lively bunch of spring stories wouldn’t be complete without Teresa Carpenter’s Daddy’s Little Memento (SR #1716). School nurse Samantha Dell reunites her infant nephew with his handsome father, only to learn that if she wants to retain custody then she’s got to say, “I do”! And then there’s Colleen Faulkner’s Barefoot and Pregnant? (SR #1717), in which career-woman Elise Montgomery has everything a girl could want—except the man of her dreams. Will she find a husband where she least expects him?
All the best,
Mavis C. Allen
Associate Senior Editor
The Last Crawford Bachelor
Judy Christenberry
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Books by Judy Christenberry
Silhouette Romance
The Nine-Month Bride #1324
* (#litres_trial_promo)Marry Me, Kate #1344
* (#litres_trial_promo)Baby in Her Arms #1350
* (#litres_trial_promo)A Ring for Cinderella #1356
† (#litres_trial_promo)Never Let You Go #1453
† (#litres_trial_promo)The Borrowed Groom #1457
† (#litres_trial_promo)Cherish the Boss #1463
** (#litres_trial_promo)Snowbound Sweetheart #1476
Newborn Daddy #1511
When the Lights Went Out… #1547
** (#litres_trial_promo)Least Likely To Wed #1570
Daddy on the Doorstep #1654
** (#litres_trial_promo)Beauty & the Beastly Rancher #1678
** (#litres_trial_promo)The Last Crawford Bachelor #1715
Silhouette Books
The Coltons
The Doctor Delivers
A Colton Family Christmas
“The Diplomat’s Daughter”
Lone Star Country Club
The Last Bachelor
Hush
JUDY CHRISTENBERRY
has been writing romances for fifteen years because she loves happy endings as much as her readers do. She’s a bestselling author for Harlequin American Romance, but she has a long love of traditional romances and is delighted to tell a story that brings those elements to the reader. A former high school French teacher, Judy devotes her time to writing. She hopes readers have as much fun reading her stories as she does writing them. She spends her spare time reading, watching her favorite sports teams and keeping track of her two adult daughters.
Contents
Chapter One (#u160339f1-60bb-5f26-a4d7-740a060b91db)
Chapter Two (#u4a20dcae-934e-5bd9-b63e-4707aaa2d5de)
Chapter Three (#u34843302-ae13-5069-82c3-bd80c2ccba9a)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One
“Logan, are you sure I won’t be in the way?”
Michael Crawford looked at his older brother. Though now twenty-eight and as tall as Logan, he knew Logan still saw him as his kid brother.
“Don’t be silly, Mike. How could you get in the way on a ranch the size of the Circle K? Besides, you know that manager’s house is empty. I’ll help you clean it up, then you can come and go as you please.”
Michael looked at the small white frame house one more time. “I appreciate it. This way, I won’t miss the family so much since I’ll be in the middle of yours.”
“True. The kids have already decided you’re quite a special uncle,” Logan said with a chuckle.
They had just started back toward the main ranch house, where Logan and Abby, his wife, lived, when a car came down the long driveway.
“Guess you’ve got company,” Michael said.
Logan shrugged his big shoulders. “We’re not expecting anyone.”
The car stopped near them and a beautiful young woman got out. “Excuse me. I’m looking for Mrs. Beulah Kennedy. Is she here?”
Michael knew that Kennedy was Abby’s maiden name, but he looked at Logan to answer. After all, he was just a guest.
Logan stared at the slender blond woman. “Who’s asking?” he said politely.
“Daniele Langston. I’m a—a family connection.”
Logan extended his hand. “I’m Logan Crawford. My wife, Abby, is part of the Kennedy clan. Maybe you’d better come talk to her.”
“Would that be all right?” the woman asked.
“Yes, of course. Come with us.”
Michael followed his brother and the blonde, wondering what she wanted. Abby and her sisters had inherited the ranch and a lot of money when their elderly great-aunt Beulah Kennedy had died. He figured this Langston woman intended to stake a claim to the inheritance. No doubt she was some scam artist.
He hid the smile he felt coming on. His sister-in-law always accused him of being too cynical because he was an attorney. She could be right. But he reserved the right to wait and see.
They entered the big kitchen, where Abby was setting the table. “I was about to send one of the kids to—” She stopped when she glanced up and saw the stranger. “Oh. Hello. I’m Abby Crawford.”
Logan put his arm around his wife. “This is Daniele Langston. She says she’s a family connection to Beulah.”
Abby flipped back her long braid and looked at the young woman. “You are?”
“Yes. I…I wanted to meet Beulah, if that’s possible.”
Abby skittered a look at Logan before facing the newcomer again. “I’m sorry, but Beulah is dead. She passed away over seven years ago.”
Michael watched Ms. Langston carefully, sure she already knew that information. He was amazed to see surprise and sadness in her eyes. Boy, he thought, she was a good actress.
“I see. I’m sorry I bothered you.” She turned toward the door.
“Wait!” Abby called out. “What kind of connection did you have with Beulah? Are you a niece or—”
“She was my grandmother.”
“No, that can’t be,” Abby insisted. “Beulah had no children. You must have the wrong person.”
“Yes, of course,” the young woman agreed, and walked to the door. “I apologize for disturbing you.”
Abby moved toward her. “Don’t go! I’d like to hear why you came here. And I could introduce you to my sisters.”
“I don’t want to cause any trouble.” The woman was still edging toward the door, as if she intended to leave. Michael decided that was a nice touch. She looked the picture of reluctance.
“Nonsense,” Abby said. “You must join us for dinner.”
As if on cue their housekeeper came in. “Ellen,” Abby said at once, “I’ve invited this nice lady to join us. Her name is Daniele Langston.” She put a hand to her head. “Where are my manners? Daniele, this is Ellen, our housekeeper and the world’s best cook.” She looked to Ellen. “There’ll be plenty of food, right?”
“Yes, of course,” Ellen said, her graying blond hair bouncing as she nodded.
“And I want to invite the family over for dessert. Will we have enough?”
“I can make a cake while we’re eating,” Ellen said. “It’ll be ready in no time.”
Abby turned back to Daniele. “There, you see? It’s no trouble.” She smiled warmly. “Now, tell me. Where did you come from?”
“West Texas. I was born and raised in Amarillo.” Daniele drew a deep breath and added, “Please, call me Dani.”
Abby smiled at her. “Did my husband and brother-in-law introduce themselves?”
“I met your husband,” Dani said.
