Maverick Christmas

Maverick Christmas
Joanna Wayne

CHRISTMAS CAME TO SHERIFF JOSH McCAIN'S HOUSE WITH MORE THAN A FEW SURPRISESHe'd been solitary for so long–his own man. Then suddenly a single father doing his best. But above all, the Montana lawman did what was right no matter the cost. Until he met Chrysie Atwater and her two girls.She had a fake name, a fake past and few details in between. And for some reason Josh found her totally irresistible. Was it the spirit of Christmas that had him breaking the rules, or his own loneliness? More likely it was the fierce determination he saw in Chrysie's eyes. She went to considerable trouble to protect her daughters, and Josh was resolved to fi nd out why. But he'd do it on his terms before he'd reveal her secrets to the authorities, who he suspected were involved in setting her up.It would take a Christmas miracle and then some to do that and still celebrate Christmas as a family….

So here she was in league with the sheriff. It was a strange bonding, one fraught with frightening possibilities. At any moment he could decide the risk of harboring her was too great.

Josh sat down on the bed beside her and wrapped his arm around her trembling shoulders. She rested against him, as soft as a pillow of clover. And then his lips were on hers, and even vestiges of sane thought were stripped from his mind.

He knew he was making a monumental mistake. But still he didn’t pull away.

Chrysie trembled as Josh’s lips claimed hers. The passion surging through her was almost as frightening as the fear, the sweet, salty taste of Josh’s mouth foreign and forbidden. It was the wrong time, the wrong place, the wrong man. But the kiss deepened, and she couldn’t fight the thrill of Josh McCain along with everything else she had to battle.

Maverick Christmas

Joanna Wayne

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

A heartfelt thanks to Paula Haines, Jay Miller, Vicki Sucher

and Joyce Keiler, my golfing buddies who keep me sane. And

always, a special word of appreciation to my wonderful editor

Denise Zaza, who puts up with me. A hug to my husband, who

has the patience to live with a writer. And most especially,

happy holidays to all my fantastic and very loyal readers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joanna Wayne lives with her husband just a few miles from steamy, exciting New Orleans, but her home is the perfect writer’s hideaway. A lazy bayou, complete with graceful herons, colorful wood ducks and an occasional alligator, winds just below her back garden. When not creating tales of spine-tingling suspense and heartwarming romance, she enjoys reading, traveling, playing golf and spending time with family and friends.

Joanna believes that one of the special joys of writing is knowing that her stories have brought enjoyment to or somehow touched the lives of her readers. You can write Joanna at P.O. Box 2851, Harvey, LA 70059-2851.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Chrysie Atwater—Child psychologist on the run who thinks Montana will be her haven, until she crosses paths with the handsome sheriff.

Sheriff Josh McCain—He’ll break every rule in the book to keep Chrysie and her daughters safe.

Jenny and Mandy—Chrysie’s two preschool daughters.

Danny and Davy McCain—The sheriff’s six-year-old twin sons.

Logan and Rachel McCain—Josh’s brother and sister-in-law.

Jonathan Harwell—Chrysie’s murdered husband, a man with lots of secrets.

Buck and Evelyn Miller—The cabin that Chrysie rents in Montana is on their land.

Cougar—The part-time deputy.

Vanessa Templar—Ex-secretary and possible lover of Chrysie’s late husband.

Luisa Pellot—Jonathan Harwell’s law partner before he was killed.

Angela Martina and Juan Hernandez— Houston homicide detectives.

Mac Buckley and Sean Rogers—Paid killers.

Grecco—Josh’s friend, who works for Homeland Security.

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 One

Chrysie Atwater rushed across the creaking floor of the civic center to pick up her young angel, who’d just been shoved to the floor by the unruly reindeer. The boy and his twin brother had been out of control all night, totally undisciplined and requiring constant supervision.

“I want to go home,” Jenny announced as Chrysie helped her back to her feet and straightened her wings.