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A Rancher's Vow
Patricia Rosemoor
Marry her to save the ranch.Reed Quarrels had spent a lifetime trying to gain his father's approval. Now was his chance to prove himself worthy–by marrying the woman he always thought out of reach…Alcina Dale had loved Reed for years, so when he proposed a marriage of convenience, she couldn't help feeling disappointed. But just when unexpected passion began to blossom, Alcina and Reed discovered a plot that threatened their families, the ranch–their very lives!
He turned to look at her—even more stunning than she’d been a couple of hours before when he’d married her. If that were possible…
“Reed?” Alcina asked. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just thinking. Trying to shake the tension of the big day.”
Suddenly the moment was here and he was struck dumb. He had to say something to get the ball rolling.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything interfere with my…uh…my husbandly duties.”
She laughed. “Your what?”
“I know we both think of this marriage as a kind of business deal, but—”
“But what?” she asked, her amusement vanishing. “Are you saying that you’re willing to put yourself out to seal the deal, so to speak?”
Heck, he’d gone and said the exact wrong thing. He’d never been good with fancy words. He was better at doing. Stepping toward Alcina, he slipped his arms around her back and brushed her lips with his.
“You’re my wife now,” he said simply. “And we both have our…physical needs….”
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
The thrills never stop at Harlequin Intrigue. This month, get geared up for danger and desire in double helpings!
There’s something about a mysterious man that makes him all the more appealing. In The Silent Witness (#565), Alex Coughlin is just such a man on assignment and undercover. But can he conceal his true feelings for Nicki Michaels long enough to catch a killer? Join Dani Sinclair and find out as she returns to FOOLS POINT.
The search for the truth is Clay Jackson’s only focus—until he learns the woman he never stopped loving was keeping the biggest secret of all…a baby. See why Intimate Secrets (#566) are the deepest with author B.J. Daniels.
Patricia Rosemoor winds up her SONS OF SILVER SPRINGS miniseries this month. Reed is the last Quarrels brother to go the way of the altar as he enters a marriage of convenience with the one woman he thought he’d never have, in A Rancher’s Vow (#567).
Finally, welcome multitalented author Jo Leigh as she contributes her first Harlequin Intrigue title, Little Girl Found (#568). She also begins a three-month bonanza of books! Look for her titles from Harlequin American Romance (June) and Harlequin Temptation (July). You won’t be sorry.
Gripping tales of mystery, suspense that never lets up and sizzling romance to boot. Pick up all four titles for the total Harlequin Intrigue experience.
Sincerely,
Denise O’Sullivan
Associate Senior Editor
Harlequin Intrigue
A Rancher’s Vow
Patricia Rosemoor
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patricia Rosemoor is the recipient of the 1997 Career Achievement Award in Romantic Suspense from Romantic Times Magazine.
To research her novels, Patricia is willing to swim with dolphins, round up mustangs or howl with wolves. “Whatever it takes to write a credible tale,” she says. She even went to jail for a day—as a guest of Cook County—to research a proposal.
Ms. Rosemoor holds a Master of Television degree and a B.A. in American literature from the University of Illinois. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Edward, and their three cats.
Books by Patricia Rosemoor
HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE
38—DOUBLE IMAGES
55—DANGEROUS ILLUSIONS
74—DEATH SPIRAL
81—CRIMSON HOLIDAY
95—AMBUSHED
113—DO UNTO OTHERS
121—TICKET TO NOWHERE
161—PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
163—SQUARING ACCOUNTS
165—NO HOLDS BARRED
199—THE KISS OF DEATH
219—TORCH JOB
243—DEAD HEAT
250—HAUNTED
283—SILENT SEA
291—CRIMSON NIGHTMARE
317—DROP DEAD GORGEOUS
346—THE DESPERADO
361—LUCKY DEVIL
382—SEE ME IN YOUR DREAMS* (#litres_trial_promo)
386—TELL ME NO LIES* (#litres_trial_promo)
390—TOUCH ME IN THE DARK* (#litres_trial_promo)
439—BEFORE THE FALL
451—AFTER THE DARK
483—NEVER CRY WOLF* (#litres_trial_promo)
499—A LOVER AWAITS
530—COWBOY JUSTICE
559—HEART OF A LAWMAN** (#litres_trial_promo)
563—THE LONE WOLF’S CHILD** (#litres_trial_promo)
567—A RANCHER’S VOW** (#litres_trial_promo)
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Reed Quarrels—He would do anything to save the ranch and win his father’s approval, even if it meant marrying the daughter of his father’s nemesis.
Alcina Dale—She agreed to a business arrangement with Reed, because she’d always loved him.
Emmett Quarrels—His manipulations were for naught this time.
Tucker Dale—His search for the truth led to danger.
Reba Gantry—The café owner knew too much.
Cesar Cardona—The developer was looking for his next land acquisition.
Vernon Martell—The neighboring rancher had no scruples when it came to increasing the size of his spread.
Hugh Ruskin—The bartender knew more than he should about everyone in town.
To my editor, Angela Catalano, for her patience
and understanding.
Thanks to my writing friends who went beyond the
call of duty and got me where I needed to be—
Catherine Andorka, Sherrill Bodine, Arlene Erlbach,
Cheryl Jefferson, Jody Lowenthal, Jude Mandell,
Sue Myers, Rosemary Paulas and Elaine Sima.
And special thanks to Linda Sweeney for jogging
my brain when it stalled out.
Contents
Prologue (#ud3199e90-6315-54cf-981f-40ea760eb76e)
Chapter One (#ud3199e90-6315-54cf-981f-40ea760eb76e)
Chapter Two (#u0c32a0f8-7cca-528b-abb3-55b7afe3eab6)
Chapter Three (#u0100c98a-3c37-5a59-8ff5-4bd2e8d3bc52)
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 Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue
Silver Springs, New Mexico
Curly-Q Ranch
For a moment, he glanced at Prudence Prescott Quarrels, who did look beautiful, he supposed, as all brides should on their wedding day.
