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Tucker
Lori Foster
It’ll take a wild storm for the princess of Buckhorn, Kentucky, to catch the new sheriff’s eye—and heart—in this scorching new Buckhorn novella…Kady Kaspar’s sights have been set on Tucker Turley for far too long—and she's tired of waiting for Buckhorn’s handsome sheriff to notice her. When a heavy storm brings them together, it’s about time to test the waters and see if the intense attraction she feels goes both ways. Because if it does, he’s about to learn how stubborn she can be…Of all the things Tucker expected to deal with when the rain started to pour, a litter of stranded puppies and the spitfire Kady determined to seduce him sure didn’t make the list. Yet there he was, bachelor pad overflowing with furballs and Kady in his bedroom. He’s wanted her for years, but given her family’s prestige, he needs to know that she’s serious before he makes any further moves… but will his caution cost him everything?Don't miss the other titles in the Buckhorn Brothers series, including Buckhorn Beginnings, Forever Buckhorn, The Buckhorn Legacy, Buckhorn Ever After in the All For You anthology, Back to Buckhorn, A Buckhorn Summer, A Buckhorn Bachelor, and A Buckhorn Baby.
It’ll take a wild storm for the princess of Buckhorn, Kentucky, to catch the new sheriff’s eye—and heart—in this scorching new Buckhorn novella...
Kady Kasper’s sights have been set on Tucker Turley for far too long—and she’s tired of waiting for Buckhorn’s handsome sheriff to notice her. When a heavy storm brings them together, it’s about time to test the waters and see if the intense attraction she feels goes both ways. Because if it does, he’s about to learn how stubborn she can be…
Of all the things Tucker expected to deal with when the rain started to pour, a litter of stranded puppies and spitfire Kady, who’s determined to seduce him, sure didn’t make the list. Yet there he is, bachelor pad overflowing with furballs and Kady in his bedroom. He’s wanted her for years, but given her family’s prestige, he needs to know that she’s serious before he makes any further moves…but will his caution cost him everything?
Don’t miss the other titles in the Buckhorn Brothers series, including Buckhorn Beginnings, Forever Buckhorn, The Buckhorn Legacy, “Buckhorn Ever After” in the All For You anthology, Back to Buckhorn, A Buckhorn Summer, A Buckhorn Bachelor and A Buckhorn Baby.
About the Author (#uf2f7d285-8ab1-5571-962c-0c4fb59e2728)
LORI FOSTER is a New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author with books from a variety of publishers, including Berkley/Jove, Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin and Silhouette. Lori has been a recipient of the prestigious RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Fantasy and for Contemporary Romance. For more about Lori, visit her website at www.lorifoster.com (http://www.lorifoster.com).
Tucker
Lori Foster
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08331-7
TUCKER
© 2018 Lori Foster
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Dear Reader (#uf2f7d285-8ab1-5571-962c-0c4fb59e2728),
Welcome back to Buckhorn!
Though I know an actual Buckhorn exists, mine is an entirely fictional town in beautiful Kentucky. My first Buckhorn story was published back in 2000 and the series has become a true reader favorite. For me it seemed a natural fit to combine my need to help stray cats and dogs with continuing the series about a new generation of the leading family in Buckhorn.
Through a special contract with my publisher, the advance and all royalties on this story will go directly to the Animal Adoption Foundation, a local no-kill animal shelter that does an amazing job healing, protecting and loving cats and dogs until a “forever home” can be found for them.
I hope you enjoy the story, and I especially hope you enjoy knowing that by purchasing this story, you’ve helped a dog or cat in need.
To see other “benefit books,” visit www.lorifoster.com/benefit-books (http://www.lorifoster.com/benefit-books).
And to see other books in the Buckhorn series, visit www.lorifoster.com/connected-books/#buckhorn (http://www.lorifoster.com/connected-books/#buckhorn).
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Lori Foster
Dedication (#uf2f7d285-8ab1-5571-962c-0c4fb59e2728)
To the Animal Adoption Foundation, with gratitude for all you do to help animals in need.
Thank you for letting me contribute in this small way.
Readers, in case you didn’t realize, proceeds from this book go directly to www.aafpets.org (http://www.aafpets.org).
If you’ve purchased it, you, too, are helping.
The animals and I thank you.
Contents
Cover (#u1182d13c-7257-5b46-86c3-8638dd4160d3)
Back Cover Text (#u53dd0c33-1797-56cf-8f13-e8c9fc994459)
About the Author (#ua61b5990-9f71-5983-8b7c-3aefca0f3a1b)
Title Page (#ud9f4ea16-b545-542a-8a02-19b49851a7f6)
Copyright (#u63801430-751f-5326-8c36-cb237ee4c01a)
Dear Reader (#u75617152-0d7f-5c4a-813f-da99a48f8873)
Dedication (#u251db558-5126-5e6c-a0fb-da31249d951e)
CHAPTER ONE (#u1de29137-3db8-5824-b29a-889ac241e7d9)
CHAPTER TWO (#ucad5e40a-1297-53df-8a50-144ed85feb84)
CHAPTER THREE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ONE (#uf2f7d285-8ab1-5571-962c-0c4fb59e2728)
TUCKER PUT HIS shoulder to the muddy gate of the ancient truck and shoved hard. At the same time, the farmer hit the gas. The tires spun, spraying mud over Tucker’s legs and lap, splattering up his chest and even into his face.
He could think of a hundred ways he’d rather spend his evening. Sex would top the list, but then he’d been so long without, it was no wonder that particular activity seemed glued to the forefront of his brain.
He knew why it had been so long, but hopefully no one else suspected.
Finally, finally, the truck rocked free and gained traction. It lumbered awkwardly back onto the road.
Turning his face up to the pounding storm, Tucker let the rain wash away some of the mess. The turbulent weather was more intense—and dangerous—than usual for the area. He had a feeling it would cause more problems before it blew over.
There were times when being the sheriff of a small town was a major pain in his ass.
When the driver’s door of the truck opened, Tucker quickly stepped forward. “No, don’t get out, Harmon. No reason for us both to be soaked.”
Harmon, who was at least eighty-five, frail of body but sharp of mind, gazed at him with gratitude. “Thank ye, Sheriff. I’da been stuck there all night if it weren’t for you.”
A terrible thought.
Meaning it, Tucker said, “I’m glad I came by when I did. Now get home safe, okay? The storms don’t seem to be letting up anytime soon.”
Nodding, Harmon replied, “You too.” He pulled his door shut with a clatter and slowly, oh so slowly, drove away.
Tucker headed for his SUV, wondering if he should strip before getting in so he wouldn’t get mud on the seats. The town supplied the car for both official and personal use, and he kept it shining out of respect for the office. Luckily, he’d been off duty when he spotted Harmon, so at least he hadn’t ruined his uniform.
His shirt, jeans, boots and socks—hell, probably even his underwear—were muddy.
He was debating how much he’d have to take off to protect the car’s interior when headlights came around the corner. It took him a second to recognize the local news van.
Just what he didn’t need. Temptation.
Groaning, he crossed his arms and stood in the headlights of his SUV, just off the edge of the road.
The van slowed, rolling to a stop next to him, and none other than Kady Kasper herself rolled down the driver’s window. Though it looked as if she’d made an attempt to dry off, rain still plastered her pale blond hair to her head and smudged her makeup.
Her sunny smile belied her bedraggled state, which was no doubt thanks to the miserable weather. “Tucker, what are you doing standing around in the rain?”
Incredulous, he peered into the front of the van but didn’t see Cleets, her videographer. He looked toward the back interior and saw only equipment.
Un-freaking-believable. Keeping his tone level, he asked, “Are you out alone?”
One slender brow rose as her pale blue eyes widened. “Did I miss a curfew, Sheriff?”
Her whisky-smooth voice made his hackles rise. Only Kady. No one else got under his skin like she did. No one else turned him inside out. Hell, he was known for his calm manner.
Around her, he had to constantly fight for control.
He gave himself a few seconds, then replied evenly, “It’s nearing midnight.” Surely she shouldn’t be out and about alone.
Humor lifted the corners of her soft pink lips. “It’s ten thirty, actually.” She tipped her head. “Past your bedtime?”
A scowl got the better of him.
This woman, this one small female, had proven to be the bane of his existence. At twenty-five, she was six years younger than him. A walking temptation, a natural flirt and the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid eyes on.
How could he want any other woman when Kady Kasper existed?
Except...he didn’t dare.
For one thing, she was related to the most prominent, respected family in the area. Her father and three uncles were pillars of the community, known to everyone, respected by all. Anything that happened in or around Buckhorn, Kentucky, the brothers knew about it, probably had a hand in it, or had orchestrated it themselves. They claimed ownership of the area and the residents, and felt responsible for them all.
But when it came to family, they were tighter than tight. Getting involved with one meant getting involved with them all.
Kady was Gabe Kasper’s eldest daughter. Though the youngest of the infamous Buckhorn brothers had been a dedicated husband and father for longer than Tucker had known him, rumor had it he’d been a real player in his youth. Clearly, karma was a bitch because his daughters were not only knockouts in the looks department, but also grade-A flirts.
Hitting on Kady would mean drawing scrutiny from that powerful family—and there were a hell of a lot of them, starting with the four brothers and their wives, then the numerous siblings, cousins and in-laws.
But he liked her family. That wouldn’t hold him back if it wasn’t for the second thing: Kady teased every man, young and old, who came within shouting distance. Flirting seemed a natural part of her persona. Even the way she commented on the damn weather had every man with a heartbeat thinking in innuendos.
It was wet.
It was hot.
Steamy, humid, damp...
When it came from her, it all sounded sexual. Add in the way she looked at a man, every man, and it made it nearly impossible to know if her coy gazes and sly smiles actually meant anything.
Hell, she was doing it now, staring at him with her thick lashes shadowing her eyes, a slight curl to her soft lips.
Tucker decided, not for the first time, that it was safer to stick to business. For added effect, he put on his best expression of authority. “We’re in the middle of a storm and it’s dark as Hades out here.”
“A storm?” she said with surprise, peering at the sky as if she hadn’t known. “Why, I believe you’re right.”
Ignoring her saccharine sarcasm, he swiped rain and mud from his face and asked, “Was there a reason you’re out and about, Kady?”
“Yes, sir.”
Oh, that deference was its own sort of come on; he’d love playing cop to her damsel in distress...and thinking that was dangerous. He gave her a stern frown.
She sighed. “You’re no fun at all.” Taking pity on him, she pulled around in front of his SUV, put the vehicle in park and turned off the engine. He walked to the driver’s window, ready to ask what she thought she was doing, but she turned away out of her seat and beckoned him with a finger. “Come around back.”
Said the spider to the fly...
Though the rain was cold, it was a smothering hot night, and he could almost feel the steam rising from his shoulders and the back of his neck.
With or without the storm, that was a typical reaction when he was around Kady.
