Lone Wolf's Woman

Lone Wolf's Woman
Carol Finch

A WARRIOR SPIRIT…A GENTLE HEARTVince Lone Wolf is the justice system's last resort. And, in spite of his dangerous reputation, Julia Preston will give her soul if she can borrow him for just one night. Because her brother's life–and the family ranch–depend on Lone Wolf's reputed skills.Julia's fearlessness and determination make it impossible for Lone Wolf to resist her desperate cry for help. And though he's always prided himself on his independence, she reminds him of everything that is missing in his life.But can a bounty hunter ever lay claim to the love of a lady?

“You aren’t going anywhere until you come home with me,” Julia burst out frantically.

“I watched my brother get bushwhacked this evening,” she continued. “I don’t even know if he’s alive. If you’ll agree to come with me, I will make it worth your while.”

Lone Wolf peered into her mesmerizing eyes and felt himself caving in.

There was no question that he had other places to go. But the damnedest thing was that Julia had impressed the hell out of him. Plus no one had ever stood up for him before. Ever. It was that one unexpected deed of courage that refused to let him send her off alone in the darkness.

“Okay, I’ll saddle my horse and make sure you get home safely,” Lone Wolf finally said.

Damn good thing he wasn’t planning to spend more than a couple of hours with her. Even if she was a one-of-a-kind female he had no intention whatsoever of getting emotionally attached.

Not to her or anyone else.

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

Praise for previous titles

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

Texas Bride

“Finch delivers another well-paced western with likable, realistic characters, a well-crafted backdrop and just enough history and sensual tension to satisfy western and romance readers.”

—Romantic Times

Lone Wolf’s Woman

Carol Finch

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

This book is dedicated to my husband, Ed, and our children, Christie, Jill, Kurt, Jeff, Jon and Shawnna. And to our grandchildren, Brooklynn, Kennedy, Blake and Livia.

Hugs and kisses!

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 Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter One

Dodge City, Kansas

April 1880s

V ince Lone Wolf swore a blue streak when he heard the clatter of hooves on the wooden bridge a quarter of a mile away. “Damn fool brat,” he muttered as he skulked away from his campfire to conceal himself in the darkness and monitor the rider’s rapid approach.

He had a pretty good idea who the intruder was—because of the confrontation he’d had an hour earlier. He had stopped at a saloon on the south side of the railroad tracks in Dodge City to purchase a bottle of whiskey to tide him over during his jaunt to Colorado. Big mistake, he mused as he crouched in the underbrush beside the river to watch the rider thundering toward his camp. A peach-fuzz-faced kid at the bar had tried to square off against him because of his reputation as a gunfighter and bounty hunter.