Maggie's Beau

Maggie's Beau
Carolyn Davidson

On the run from a nightmarish life, Maggie had the power to stir feelings of forever in rancher Beau Jackson's soul. From the first moment, he knew he loved this sweet-spirited gamin, but would she ever feel anything more for him than gratitude?She must have died and gone to heaven, Maggie O'Neill swore, for Beau Jackson treated her with all the kindness and respect only a genuine lady deserved. But how was she to know if what she felt for him was love?

“Some days I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven,” she said quietly

Beau softened as his eyes met hers. “This is a far cry from heaven, Maggie. The trouble with you is that you’ve never lived anyplace where folks liked each other, and tried to make life enjoyable.”

“I just know that livin’ here is like being in a dream. I thank you for bein’ kind to me, and for doin’ all you do.” Emotion welled within her and words spurted forth. “I just feel like huggin’ you,” she blurted. And that was probably enough to scare him off if anything ever would, she thought.

“You can if you want to,” he said, his grin wide. “I’d really like to kiss you, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“You want to kiss me?” she asked incredulously. And then she laughed aloud. “Nobody ever kissed me in my life…!”

Dear Reader,

With the passing of the true millennium, Harlequin Historicals is putting on a fresh face! We hope you enjoyed our special inside front cover art from recent months. We plan to bring this wonderful “extra” to you every month! You may also have noticed our new branding—a maroon stripe that runs along the right side of the front cover. Hopefully, this will help you find our books more easily in the crowded marketplace. And thanks to those of you who participated in our reader survey. We truly appreciate the feedback you provided, which enables us to bring you more of the stories and authors that you like!

We have four terrific books for you this month. The talented Carolyn Davidson returns with a new Western, Maggie’s Beau, a tender tale of love between experienced rancher Beau Jackson—whom you might recognize from The Wedding Promise—and the young woman he finds hiding in his barn. Catherine Archer brings us her third medieval SEASONS’ BRIDES story, Summer’s Bride, an engaging romance about two willful nobles who finally succumb to a love they’ve long denied.

The Sea Nymph by bestselling author Ruth Langan marks the second book in the SIRENS OF THE SEA series. Here, a proper English lady, who is secretly a privateer, falls in love with a highwayman—only to learn he is really an earl and the richest man in Cornwall! And don’t miss Bride on the Run, an awesome new Western by Elizabeth Lane. True to the title, a woman fleeing from crooked lawmen becomes the mail-order bride of a sexy widower with two kids.

Enjoy! And come back again next month for four more choices of the best in historical romance.

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell

Senior Editor

Maggie’s Beau

Carolyn Davidson

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

Available from Harlequin Historicals and CAROLYN DAVIDSON

Gerrity’s Bride #298

Loving Katherine #325

The Forever Man #385

Runaway #416

The Wedding Promise #431

The Tender Stranger #456

The Midwife #475

* (#litres_trial_promo)The Bachelor Tax #496

* (#litres_trial_promo)Tanner Stakes His Claim #513

* (#litres_trial_promo)One Christmas Wish #531 “Wish upon a Star”

Maggie’s Beau #543

I have been blessed in many ways. I have a wonderful husband, a flock of terrific children and grandchildren, and a writing career that has fulfilled my wildest dreams. Add to that an agent who understands me and gives me absolute support, and the picture is almost complete. Except for one item.

Every published writer has an editor. Margaret O’Neill Marbury is mine. She takes my phone calls, listens to my story ideas, encourages me on my bad days and then edits my final drafts with tender loving care. For the past seven years she and I have cooperated in a partnership that has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I can only hope we survive many more such ventures as this one.

Maggie’s Beau is Margaret’s book, dedicated to her with all the appreciation this writer’s heart can hold.

And to the man who holds my hand throughout the whole process of writing my stories, meeting my deadlines and keeping my life on an even keel, I give my thanks. I love you, Mr. Ed.

Contents

Chapter One (#ue888f382-3805-51c9-9564-8227e84c7166)

Chapter Two (#u32b4cc7d-8323-59b0-8eb0-5cabcff6657e)

Chapter Three (#u2eaeb41f-c83c-5d76-a90b-e89b4b5ca547)

Chapter Four (#u0ec03fc6-5316-54f9-a75b-dbe3482c8418)

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)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)