Mr Taken

Mr Taken
Danica Winters

In Mystery, Montana, a white-hot hunk fights fire with passion… Though he's ridiculously handsome and notoriously funny, it's Colter Fitzgerald's firefighting skills that are most needed by Whitney Barstow—at first. She's been traumatized by fire and terrified that the arsonist sabotaging Dunrovin Ranch is a madman from her past. She's also fearful that harm will come to any man she loves, so denies her attraction to Colter. Then why is she jealous of another woman's hands all over him?On the eve of the ranch's Christmas festival, Colter wants no one but Whitney, body, soul and darkest secrets. But there's still an arsonist to stop…before what makes the season bright is Dunrovin in flames.

In Mystery, Montana, a white-hot hunk fights fire with passion...

Though he’s ridiculously handsome and notoriously funny, it’s Colter Fitzgerald’s firefighting skills that are most needed by Whitney Barstow—at first. She’s been traumatized by fire and terrified that the arsonist sabotaging Dunrovin Ranch is a madman from her past. She’s also fearful that harm will come to any man she loves, so denies her attraction to Colter. Then why is she jealous of another woman’s hands all over him?

On the eve of the ranch’s Christmas festival, Colter wants no one but Whitney, body, soul and darkest secrets. But there’s still an arsonist to stop...before what makes the season bright is Dunrovin in flames.

Mystery Christmas

“I don’t want to date just anyone. The only one I’d love to take out is you. From the moment you came here, it’s all I’ve wanted.”

She wanted to give in to the joy of hearing those words, but her reality wouldn’t allow it.

“I don’t know who you think I am, but I’m telling you that if you just got to know me a little more, you would see that you wouldn’t want a woman like me.”

“I know you, whether you want to admit it or not.”

She gave a sardonic chuckle. “Just because we’ve been passing each other on the ranch since I got here doesn’t mean you know me. You have merely seen me. We have fundamental differences. Number one—you have more dates than a fruitcake. I don’t want a man whose attention I have to struggle to keep.”

“Unless we go out, how do you know if we have fundamental differences?” He leaned against the chair closest to him. “And, wait…does fruitcake even have dates in it?”

Acknowledgments (#ubd0d0969-cbe7-5844-b23d-5f148e0303a8)

This series wouldn’t have been possible without a great team of people, including my editors at Harlequin—thank you for all your hard work.

Also, thank you to Suzanne Miller and the crew at Dunrovin Ranch in Lolo, Montana. Suzanne is the inspiration behind one of my favorite characters in this series, the fantastic Eloise Fitzgerald. Just like Eloise, she always greets you with a warm smile and an open heart.

Mr. Taken

Danica Winters

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

DANICA WINTERS is a multiple award-winning, bestselling author who writes books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and occasionally a touch of magic. When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana, testing her patience while she tries to hone her skills at various crafts—quilting, pottery and painting are not her areas of expertise. She believes the cup is neither half-full nor half-empty, but it better be filled with wine. Visit her website at www.danicawinters.net (http://www.danicawinters.net/).

CAST OF CHARACTERS (#ubd0d0969-cbe7-5844-b23d-5f148e0303a8)

Whitney Barstow—This cowgirl is taking no chances after her life was nearly ended by her ex-husband when he set fire to her family’s barn. Out of fear for her family’s safety and her own, she has taken to the road and found herself thousands of miles away from her home and working the front desk at Dunrovin Ranch.

Colter Fitzgerald—Charm should have been this firefighter’s middle name. Everywhere he goes, the women of Mystery, Montana, swoon. Yet, he only has eyes for Whitney—the one woman who refuses to give him the time of day.

Wyatt Fitzgerald—Colter’s brother and the local sheriff’s deputy, who quickly finds himself neck-deep in an investigation that calls into question not only his detective skills, but a whole slew of his family’s history.

Eloise Fitzgerald—Foster mother and caregiver not only to the people in her life but to the animals as well, she is the head matriarch of the Fitzgerald clan.

William Poe—A shady county tax appraiser who has a running feud with the Fitzgeralds, he thinks everyone and everything belongs to him—including the women of Mystery, Montana.

Daryl Bucket—A long-haul trucker who has come to the aid of the family in the past but now may have more tricks up his sleeve.

Sarah Rizzo—Owner of Pretties and Pastries, the local café that has been catering the Fitzgeralds’ events, but Sarah hopes she can become even more involved with the family.

Frank Harris—On the run and potentially dangerous, Whitney’s ex-husband may have finally located the runaway—and he may do whatever it takes to make sure she doesn’t slip through his grasp once again.

To Mac,

From sea to shining sea,

it will always and forever be you and me.

Thanks for making life such an amazing adventure.

Contents

Cover (#ua9cc5741-5752-5999-be52-9d9a76e76e3e)

Back Cover Text (#u7e79cbb1-f9e6-55b5-9208-70fe88f18c50)

Introduction (#u77fce203-7e71-5bb3-baae-8fe8cb8b6cd9)

Acknowlegments (#u566e6017-1dca-5f2c-8d96-4fc77104bafb)

Title Page (#u0864a1c5-e285-557a-847a-f228acdc8604)

About the Author (#uff9310e8-871e-5ef0-b35f-d756230ddee2)

CAST OF CHARACTERS (#u1f9f6dfc-ff8b-532a-8548-edccb6cde91d)

Dedication (#u19cc7105-2a11-568a-92e6-3938c996abca)

Chapter One (#u9bf28190-ce0a-551c-b891-7cad34ec689b)

Chapter Two (#u78d8bd7b-ef6f-50f4-9b8e-0d62cedcf68c)

Chapter Three (#uff1d38ee-f9cd-5847-b55b-b1f33d573ce6)

Chapter Four (#ufcc5f196-3d12-5052-aeeb-770e201ab02e)

Chapter Five (#u39b285d4-3e43-5ac1-98ec-1d0c1d4b28bd)

Chapter Six (#u7645b582-eddc-58b2-920c-1f2fb565d93e)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)