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Texas Ranger, Runaway Heiress
Carol Finch
She prefers guns to gowns—and riding the land to dancing at balls.So heiress Gabrielle Price heads across Texas's most dangerous territory to break her unwanted society engagement. Only, her biggest problem isn't outlaws and killers. It's a rugged, relentless Texas Ranger. . . . With a killer to catch, Hudson Stone has better things to do than escort his commander's spoiled, socialite daughter.But his fiery charge is as irresistible as she is off-limits, and to protect her he'll risk his reputation, his life—and his heart.
Gabrielle darted into the nearest alley…
No matter what, she wasn’t going to allow the hard-hearted Ranger to recognize her. Unfortunately, Captain Stone crossed the street, eating up the ground with his long swift strides.
“So we meet again,” he murmured as he halted in front of her. Bri refused to speak for fear he would recognize her voice.
Suddenly she saw her fiancé ambling down the boardwalk. If Eaton spotted her in her gray gown, he would spoil her charade. Bri latched on to Hudson, clamped her mouth over his, and pulled him deeper into the alley.
To her dismay, the same sensations that had assailed her the previous night spilled over her again. Hudson’s tantalizing scent, his taste and the feel of his muscular body pressed against her swept Bri into a dizzying universe that defied logical explanation. Hud clamped his hands on her hips, pressing her against his thighs, making her vividly aware of his masculine response. Then his hand glided up to brush the side of her breast, and another flame of desire scorched her….
Texas Ranger, Runaway Heiress
Harlequin
Historical
Praise for Carol Finch
“Carol Finch is known for her lightning-fast, roller-coaster-ride adventure romances that are brimming over with a large cast of characters and dozens of perilous escapades.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
McCavett’s Bride
“For wild adventures, humor and western atmosphere, Finch can’t be beat. She fires off her quick-paced novels with the crack of a rifle and creates the atmosphere of the Wild West through laugh-out-loud dialogue and escapades that keep you smiling.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
The Ranger’s Woman
“Finch delivers her signature humor, along with a big dose of colorful Texas history, in a love and laughter romp.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
Lone Wolf’s Woman
“As always, Finch provides frying-pan-into-the-fire action that keeps the pages flying, then spices up her story with not one, but two romances, sensuality and strong emotions.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
CAROL FINCH
Texas Ranger, Runaway Heiress
Available from Harlequin
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This book is dedicated to my husband, Ed, and our children Jill, Jon, Christie, Durk, Shawnna and Kurt. And to our grandchildren, Livia, Harleigh, Blake, Kennedy, Dillon and Brooklynn. With much love.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter One
Middle of Nowhere, Texas
Late 1870s
Captain Hudson Stone waited impatiently for Texas Ranger Commander Winston Price to finish his conference with Hud’s battalion leader. Winston Price had arrived in camp two days earlier to inspect the troops and assess the situation in West Texas—which had become a breeding ground for trouble the past few months.
When Major John Ketter exited the tent, wearing a carefully blank stare, Hud didn’t know what to expect or why the Ranger commander had singled him out. Hud ducked under the tent flap then nodded a greeting to Commander Price, whose alert brown eyes made a quick inspection of Hud’s tattered attire and the week’s growth of whiskers that he had been too busy to shave.
The commander sank onto the edge of his cot to stretch out his long legs. The former military officer had served, as Hud had, in the Confederate Army. Winston Price was beginning to show his age, although he still was in reasonably good physical condition. He was in his late forties and sported a thick crop of reddish brown hair. A thin mustache and goatee accentuated the commanding features of his face.
“Nice to see you again, Captain Stone.”
“What can I do for you, sir?” Hud was in no mood for idle chitchat. He wanted to be done with this impromptu meeting so he could mount up and focus on his quest to track down a ruthless killer known as Mad Joe Jarvis.
“Your battalion seems to be working effectively in this area, all things considered,” Winston commented as he braced his arms on the cot.
“We have a dedicated troop of Rangers who are trying to keep the lid on this area. Unfortunately, it is becoming more difficult by the week.” Now get to the point, Hud mused impatiently.
“Major Ketter recommended you for the duty I require posthaste,” Winston said, surprising Hud. He reached for the pipe that sat on the crude nightstand then lit it up. “My daughter notified me unexpectedly that she wants to consult with me as soon as possible. Since the governor sent me out here to expect the battalions and report on the extent of the trouble we’ve had in this region I need you for immediate escort detail.”
“Escort detail?” Hud croaked, stunned. “But sir, I—”
