All The Way

All The Way
Beverly Bird

Daredevil Hunter Hawk-Cole had a restless spirit and a thirst for adventure that had always ruled his life.He hadn't planned to stop for anything or anyone - until he came face-to-face with the daughter he had never known about. Liv Slade was a woman who valued home and hearth and family - things Hunter hadn't been able to provide.Now the only man she'd ever loved was back in her life, demanding his daughter. But once he got what he wanted, would this footloose father head out on the road once more? Or would the fiery passion he shared with Liv convince him to stay?

“You were pregnant when you told me to leave!”

“And you left!” Liv shouted back. “You should have just asked me to marry you in the first place!”

“How could I? I didn’t know about her!”

Hunter watched Liv’s expression cave. He saw the tears gather in her eyes, shining and wet.

“Exactly,” she said, clipping off the syllables.

She put the car in gear. Hunter moved around in front of it to stop her from driving off. She wouldn’t actually run over him. At least, he didn’t think so.

“‘Exactly’?” he demanded. “What does that mean?”

Liv stuck her head out the window. “Why did you need to know about the baby, Hunter, to want to stay with me?”

She gunned the engine. He leaped aside just in time to avoid being flattened. He watched her car smoke up the road.

He scrubbed a palm over his mouth, still tasting her. Still wanting her.

He realized he could hate her for that alone.

Dear Reader,

It’s always cause for celebration when Sharon Sala writes a new book, so prepare to cheer for The Way to Yesterday. How many times have you wished for a chance to go back in time and get a second chance at something? Heroine Mary O’Rourke gets that chance, and you’ll find yourself caught up in her story as she tries to make things right with the only man she’ll ever love.

ROMANCING THE CROWN continues with Lyn Stone’s A Royal Murder. The suspense—and passion—never flag in this exciting continuity series. Catherine Mann has only just begun her Intimate Moments career, but already she’s created a page-turning military miniseries in WINGMEN WARRIORS. Grayson’s Surrender is the first of three “don’t miss” books. Look for the next, Taking Cover, in November.

The rest of the month unites two talented veterans— Beverly Bird, with All the Way, and Shelley Cooper, with Laura and the Lawman—with exciting newcomer Cindy Dees, who debuts with Behind Enemy Lines. Enjoy them all—and join us again next month, when we once again bring you an irresistible mix of excitement and romance in six new titles by the best authors in the business.

Leslie J. Wainger

Executive Senior Editor

All the Way

Beverly Bird

BEVERLY BIRD

has lived in several places in the United States, but she is currently back where her roots began on an island in New Jersey. Her time is devoted to her family and her writing. She is the author of numerous romance novels, both contemporary and historical. Beverly loves to hear from readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 350, Brigantine, NJ 08203.

For Justin,

Jeff Gordon’s good luck charm and greatest fan (mine, too!)

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Epilogue

Prologue

Saturday, September 3

Millsboro, Delaware

The murmur of the diners’ voices was muted and pleasant, the air redolent with hints of garlic and bread baking in the open-hearth kitchen. Olivia Slade Guenther was content, enjoying herself and the time with her daughter, then he walked into the restaurant.

His gaze rolled idly over them, then it jerked back to pin them into their flamingo-pink, not-quite-leather booth. Liv felt shock fly through her—icy and hot all at once, searing her nerve endings, then numbing them. Panic gripped her and she thought of running.

It was out of the question. For one thing, Vicky was still digging into her buttermilk-fried chicken, and she was chattering in judgmental tones about the pink rococo ceiling over their heads. And he was between them and the door.

Besides, Liv was damned if she’d let him see her sweat. She gathered air into her lungs and fell back on one of the many lessons she had learned at her Navajo grandmother’s knee. You are what you think you are.

“I’m tough as nails,” she muttered aloud.