Shotgun Daddy

Shotgun Daddy
Harper Allen

A FATHER'S DUTYFormer hostage negotiator Gabe Riggs wanted nothing to do with spoiled socialite Caro Moore, the ice princess who'd left him high and dry after one night of fiery passion. But a year later, she came begging for the rugged Navajo specialist's help–to protect her and her baby girl from a madman bent on revenge.Telling Gabe the truth about his daughter would only put him in danger, and Caro couldn't handle anyone else suffering because of her. But living under Gabe's close guard at the Double B Ranch was threatening to expose the heart-stopping truth–that he was a daddy…and the only man she ever loved.

“Don’t start what you can’t finish, honey.”

He lifted his mouth from hers to mutter the warning against her lips. “If we go through with this, it’s on the understanding that tomorrow no one gets to pretend it didn’t happen. If you can’t handle that, tell me now.”

A shiver ran all the way from her heels to the top of her head, and back down again. Arching against him, Caro let her fingertips curl against the muscled wall of his chest, and pressed her nails lightly into his skin. “Don’t worry about me, Gabe, worry about yourself.”

She didn’t know where the reckless words had come from. She knew he’d walk out of her life again. But he was never going to forget her completely. She was going to make sure of that tonight.

“Worry about myself?” There was startled humor in his eyes. “Princess, I can handle anything you dish out, and then some. I’ll admit you rocked my world the last time we—”

“I didn’t just rock your world, Riggs, I sent a 9.5 on the Richter scale through it,” Caro retorted. “This time, I intend to bring you to your knees.”

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

Those April showers go hand in hand with a welcome downpour of gripping romantic suspense in the Harlequin Intrigue line this month!

Reader-favorite Rebecca York returns to the legendary 43 LIGHT STREET with Out of Nowhere—an entrancing tale about a beautiful blond amnesiac who proves downright lethal to a hard-edged detective’s heart. Then take a detour to New Mexico for Shotgun Daddy by Harper Allen—the conclusion in the MEN OF THE DOUBLE B RANCH trilogy. In this story a Navajo protector must safeguard the woman from his past who is nurturing a ticking time bomb of a secret.

The momentum keeps building as Sylvie Kurtz launches her brand-new miniseries—THE SEEKERS—about men dedicated to truth, justice…and protecting the women they love. But at what cost? Don’t miss the debut book, Heart of a Hunter, where the search for a killer just might culminate in rekindled love. Passion and peril go hand in hand in Agent Cowboy by Debra Webb, when COLBY AGENCY investigator Trent Tucker races against time to crack a case of triple murder!

Rounding off a month of addictive romantic thrillers, watch for the continuation of two new thematic promotions. A handsome sheriff saves the day in Restless Spirit by Cassie Miles, which is part of COWBOY COPS. Sudden Recall by Jean Barrett is the latest in our DEAD BOLT series about silent memories that unlock simmering passions.

Enjoy all of our great offerings.

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

Shotgun Daddy

Harper Allen

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Harper Allen lives in the country in the middle of a hundred acres of maple trees with her husband, Wayne, six cats, four dogs—and a very nervous cockatiel at the bottom of the food chain. For excitement she and Wayne drive to the nearest village and buy jumbo bags of pet food. She believes in love at first sight because it happened to her.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Caro Moore—She’s gone from spoiled socialite to desperate single mother on the run. To save her baby from a killer, she needs the protection of the man she turned away….

Gabe Riggs—The Navajo hostage negotiator can’t forget the one night he shared with Caro Moore. Now he’s the only one who can keep her—and the baby he doesn’t know is his—safe.

Del Hawkins—The tough ex-marine runs a boot camp ranch for bad boys—like Gabe once was. But his own past holds a dark secret that could put Gabe, Caro and their child in danger.

Jess Crawford—Once a Double B “bad boy,” the multimillionaire has been kidnapped. Can Gabe find him before it’s too late…?

Steve Dixon—Jess’s friend and business associate. He has reasons to want Caro and her baby out of the picture for good.

Larry Kanin—Caro’s ex-fiancé has a score to settle with Gabe. He doesn’t care whom he destroys in the attempt.

“Leo”—The shadowy lead kidnapper has a very personal motive.

Alice Tahe—The Navajo matriarch knows Gabe’s heritage can give him the strength to save the woman and the baby he loves. But will she convince him of that in time?

To the Simcoe Street Irregulars

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

Epilogue

Chapter One