Miranda's Outlaw

Miranda's Outlaw
Katherine Garbera

WHAT WAS A VIRGIN TO DO? Miranda Colby's plan for peace and quiet in a remote mountain cabin backfired the moment she stumbled upon her sexy new neighbor - in the buff! Although the thought of spending time with Luke had the innocent Miranda reeling, she was starting to yearn for his touch… .Luke was a rough-edged ex-cowboy who had nothing to offer the city girl - except exciting, short-lived passion. But somehow Miranda was becoming a threat to his hard-earned loner status. And if he didn't get her off his mountain soon, he just might carry this virgin over the tempestuous threshold of desire… .

Luke’s first impulse was to get out of the cabin. (#u64f68101-e44f-5710-8139-6e4450d36d3a)Letter to Reader (#u2b162b0e-cdbd-5f5d-a9cf-2256e2629e86)Title Page (#u8b7adbe0-cb52-51d7-b246-c66ef175cc9e)About the Author (#u575f2bcd-9230-5f59-852f-ffee7a476a90)Dedication (#u062a1adc-4041-5c42-9fe9-1048bd7d6df6)Acknowledgements (#uef115d4c-95d1-5e17-9f1d-cdf3fd7f3805)Chapter One (#ua70735a9-c8ba-53c1-a5c7-76dcf913e3a1)Chapter Two (#u8ffed084-f7cc-5d5f-b0b4-083fbe8e342a)Chapter Three (#u72e4998e-3238-543d-a193-80f4ea3ebe80)Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)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)Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

Luke’s first impulse was to get out of the cabin.

His upbringing had been rough, and he’d never held relationships in high esteem. Now he faced a bigger emotional upheaval in the form of one small, curvy woman.

Miranda shook him to his core, rocking beliefs he’d held for a lifetime, because her innocence was real. She understood what honor was and that once the code was broken you could never go back.

His gaze landed on the wrought-iron bedstead in the corner of the room. The desire that had been his constant companion since their embrace the other night hit him hard. Hell, who was he kidding? He’d wanted her ever since he’d seen her.

Dear Reader,

This month, Silhouette Desire is celebrating milestones, miniseries—and, of course, sensual, emotional and compelling love stories. Every book is a treasured keeper in Lass Small’s miniseries THE KEEPERS OF TEXAS, but this month, the continuation of this wonderful series about the Keeper family marks a milestone for Lass—the publication of her 50th book for Silhouette with The Lone Texan, also our MAN OF THE MONTH selection!

Desire is also proud to present the launch of two brand-new miniseries. First, let us introduce you to THE RULEBREAKERS, Leanne Banks’s fabulous new series about three strong and sexy heroes. Book one is Millionaire Dad—and it’s a story you won’t want to miss. Next, meet the first of a few good men and women in uniform in the passion-filled new series BACHELOR BATTALION, by Maureen Child. The first installment, The Littlest Marine, will utterly delight you.

Continuing this month is the next book in Peggy Moreland’s series TEXAS BRIDES about the captivating McCloud sisters, A Sparkle in the Cowboy’s Eyes. And rounding out the month are two wonderful novels—Miranda’s Outlaw by Katherine Garbera, and The Texas Ranger and the Tempting Twin by Pamela Ingrahm.

I hope you enjoy all six of Silhouette Desire’s love stories this month—and every month.

Regards,

Melissa Senate

Senior Editor Silhouette Books

Please address questions and book requests to:

Silhouette Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

Miranda’s Outlaw

Katherine Garbera

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

KATHERINE GARBERA

Interpersonal relationships have always fascinated Katherine Garbera, and writing romance gives her a chance to explore those relationships. She wrote her first novel to prove to herself she could do it, and was hooked on writing. A longtime reader of romance, she is addicted to happy endings. Her personal life has been like a romance novel. She met her husband, Matt, in Fantasyland at Walt Disney World and has two wonderful children, Courtney and Lucas. Katherine is a member of Romance Writers of America, and is the past winner of the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award. Her hobbies include reading, shopping, playing the flute and counted cross-stitch. She’s always believed that everything she dreams she can do. In a world so technologically advanced, Katherine believes we need more romance in our daily lives and hopes to create that with her novels. She loves to hear from readers. You can write to her at: P.O. Box 1806, Davenport, FL 33836.

To Charlotte and David Smith, my mom and dad, who

raised me to believe that I could do anything I put my

mind to and then encouraged and supported me when I

tried things that were beyond my skills. Without your

guidance and love I don’t think I’d be who I am today.

Thank you.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Tanja Lammers, who took time out of

her busy schedule to proofread my manuscript and check

it for a North Carolina feeling.

Also my appreciation to Sandra Diaz, USAFR,

Aeromedical Evacuation Technician, who answered my

endless questions on medical procedures and told me the

way things really worked when I said “What if...?”

And lastly, thanks to my dear friend Carol Quinto, who

encouraged me to keep writing after that first rejection

letter and gave selflessly of her knowledge when I had

no answers and too many questions. Your laughter,

friendship and warm generosity will be with me forever.

One

Miranda Colby coaxed her Mercedes off the road, knowing the valiant little car wouldn’t go another inch.

The rough mountain trail looked like an ad for Adventurers magazine. Potholes and muddy patches lined the road like stains on a wedding-ring quilt, making what had once probably been a passable road into a quagmire.

She knew the cabin had to be close by. Determined to reach its shelter before the storm broke, she stepped out of the car and felt the world sink.

Clutching the roof of her car, she pried her left foot out of the muck. She balanced herself on a patch of grass and pulled her right foot out of the mud. The mate to her nowugly shoe hadn’t made the journey.

Miranda bit back a sigh of disgust, rummaging around in the back seat of the car until she found her worn canvas boat shoes. As she slid them on, she glanced at the sky.

Ominous black clouds threatened, and a roll of thunder echoed through the valley. A chance to learn how to survive in the “real” world was what she needed.