Heather's Song

Heather's Song
Diana Palmer

ALL SHE EVER WANTED Cole Everett watched Heather Shaw grow from a child into a girl hovering on the edge of womanhood…and then watched her walk away from him to make it as a singer. Just as her career is taking off, an accident brings Heather back to the ranch and back to Cole.But it is far from a happy homecoming. Heather is confused by her growing awareness of Cole as a man, and hurt by how much he hates her for leaving. Yet he refuses to ask her to stay. What will it take to convince him that the song in her heart is only for him?

ALL SHE EVER WANTED

Cole Everett watched Heather Shaw grow from a child into a girl hovering on the edge of womanhood…and then watched her walk away from him to make it as a singer. Just as her career is taking off, an accident brings Heather back to the ranch and back to Cole.

But it is far from a happy homecoming. Heather is confused by her growing awareness of Cole as a man, and hurt by how much he hates her for leaving. Yet he refuses to ask her to stay. What will it take to convince him that the song in her heart is only for him?

Heather’s Song

THEESSENTIALCOLLECTION

New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling Author

Diana Palmer

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

To the gang at Hawkins—and to Vicky

Dear Reader,

I really can’t express how flattered I am and also how grateful I am to Mills & Boon Books for releasing this collection of my published works. It came as a great surprise. I never think of myself as writing books that are collectible. In fact, there are days when I forget that writing is work at all. What I do for a living is so much fun that it never seems like a job. And since I reside in a small community, and my daily life is confined to such mundane things as feeding the wild birds and looking after my herb patch in the backyard, I feel rather unconnected from what many would think of as a glamorous profession.

But when I read my email, or when I get letters from readers, or when I go on signing trips to bookstores to meet all of you, I feel truly blessed. Over the past thirty years, I have made lasting friendships with many of you. And quite frankly, most of you are like part of my family. You can’t imagine how much you enrich my life. Thank you so much.

I also need to extend thanks to my family (my husband, James, son, Blayne, daughter-in-law, Christina, and granddaughter, Selena Marie), to my best friend, Ann, to my readers, booksellers and the wonderful people at Mills & Boon Books—from my editor of many years, Tara, to all the other fine and talented people who make up our publishing house. Thanks to all of you for making this job and my private life so worth living.

Thank you for this tribute, Mills & Boon, and for putting up with me for thirty long years! Love to all of you.

Diana Palmer

New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling Author

Diana Palmer

The Essential Collection Long, Tall Texans…and More!

AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 2011

CalhounTylerEthanConnalHardenEvan

AVAILABLE MARCH 2011

DonavanEmmettRegan’s PrideThat Burke ManCircle of GoldCattleman’s Pride

AVAILABLE APRIL 2011

The Princess BrideColtrain’s ProposalA Man of MeansLionheartedMaggie’s DadRage of Passion

AVAILABLE MAY 2011

LacyBelovedLove with a Long, Tall Texan (containing “Guy,” “Luke” and “Christopher”) Heart of IceNoelleFit for a KingThe Rawhide Man

AVAILABLE JUNE 2011

A Long, Tall Texan Summer (containing “Tom,” “Drew” and “Jobe”) NoraDream’s EndChampagne GirlFriends and LoversThe Wedding in White

AVAILABLE JULY 2011

Heather’s SongSnow KissesTo Love and CherishLong, Tall and Tempted (containing “Redbird,” “Paper Husband” and”Christmas Cowboy”) The AustralianDarling EnemyTrilby

AVAILABLE AUGUST 2011

Sweet EnemySoldier of FortuneThe Tender StrangerEnamoredAfter the MusicThe Patient Nurse

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 2011

The Case of the Mesmerizing BossThe Case of the Confirmed BachelorThe Case of the Missing SecretarySeptember MorningDiamond GirlEye of the Tiger

Table of Contents

Chapter One (#u3aa11327-9e2f-501d-8092-14daf3267e97)

Chapter Two (#u8f64cbda-7958-5560-be00-d87fe7cd079b)

Chapter Three (#u7098699b-2e88-5ac1-9748-ce527460730d)

Chapter Four (#u413749cd-a575-52a0-aa18-82cc5c902217)

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 One

The willowy blond was spotlighted in the center of the stage, her long platinum hair gleaming, her soft blue eyes half-closed and faintly sultry as she sang. Her voice, as clear and soulful as a bell in late evening, held the audience spellbound.