Dark Horse

Dark Horse
B.J. Daniels

Burdened by family secrets, this cowboy rides alone!The case of the infant McGraw twins' kidnapping has been a mystery for twenty-five years, and true-crime writer Nikki St. James means to crack it wide open – but protective Cull McGraw is wary of her intentions towards his family…and towards him.

Burdened by family secrets, this cowboy rides alone

For twenty-five years, the case of the McGraw twins kidnapping has remained unsolved. As the eldest son, Cull oversees the McGraw horse ranch, wary of prying eyes. So when true-crime writer Nikki St. James comes forward with new information, Cull can’t believe his father invites her onto the compound. His family has suffered enough—he’s not about to let St. James snoop and ruin them completely. But Nikki finds the eldest McGraw’s protectiveness as endearing as it is aggravating. After all, this case is personal to her, too… And her secrets can set the truth free—if they don’t destroy the McGraws first.

Whitehorse, Montana: The McGraw Kidnapping

“What kind of man are you?”

He shifted those blue eyes to her, welding her to the spot. “The kind who knows a lost cause when he sees one.”

“We’ve already had this argument. I’m not leaving, and I’m guessing your father isn’t giving up. He still wants me to do the book.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “And unless I’m wrong, which I don’t believe I am, he asked you to help me.”

He chuckled as he shook his head again. “All you’re doing is making things worse for everyone, including yourself.”

“Don’t you want to know the kind of woman I am?” When he said nothing, she continued, “I’m like your father. When I start something I finish it.”

Cull seemed to consider that before he turned toward her, his lips quirking into a grin as his eyes blazed with challenge. “Is that right?”

Dark Horse

B.J. Daniels

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

B.J. DANIELS is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She wrote her first book after a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist and author of thirty-seven published short stories. She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and three springer spaniels. When not writing, she quilts, boats and plays tennis. Contact her at www.bjdaniels.com (http://www.bjdaniels.com), on Facebook or on, Twitter, @bjdanielsauthor (https://twitter.com/bjdanielsauthor).

This Whitehorse, Montana book is for Sue Olsen,

who has brightened many a day for me with her zest for life.

I just wish I had her energy.

Contents

Cover (#ubaa87811-6e75-5c21-88fa-5fde28140b1b)

Back Cover Text (#ud136cbd5-e6f9-5828-a61c-7926e8c97da6)

Introduction (#u2b9c5c16-9329-51fa-842c-06c6d115cfd1)

Title Page (#u27021f8d-e137-52fd-b84e-b9379af9ee2e)

About the Author (#u4cf2e295-e2f2-5056-a0bf-5a21da9586f4)

Dedication (#u5b9c1f3a-4c25-5bf3-8ae8-a0b967a4087f)

Chapter One (#uc2a1a753-afbf-5ba0-9a5c-5b03433d253e)

Chapter Two (#u799255f5-96d0-5887-883d-68fdde67a6ba)

Chapter Three (#u8f9de988-14f1-55bc-aa47-41771b6211a1)

Chapter Four (#u68e37a3b-45e0-5f8f-90ca-2aad6e9141ae)

Chapter Five (#ue6a3fc2e-09a6-5b17-b506-135b0a572c63)

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)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One (#u8ed6f4a0-6fc9-5f95-b856-b7f4a49760dd)

Their footfalls echoed among the terrified screams and woeful sobbing as they moved down the long hallway. The nurse’s aide, a young woman named Tess, stopped at a room in the criminally insane section of the hospital and, with trembling fingers, pulled out a key to unlock the door.

“I really shouldn’t be doing this,” Tess said, looking around nervously. As the door swung open, she quickly moved back. Nikki St. James felt a gust of air escape the room like an exhaled breath. The light within the interior was dim, but she could hear the sound of a chair creaking rhythmically.