Picture Of Perfection

Picture Of Perfection
Kristin Gabriel

Mills & Boon Silhouette
Veterinarian Carter Phillips wants answers. The scandal surrounding his employer's prizewinning horse has left Carter unable to clear Quest Stables' name…or his own. But then Carter spies an exquisite painting of an unknown horse that could finally lead him to the truth….Artist Gillian Cameron knows exactly who the horse is: he's her family's Thoroughbred, Picture of Perfection. But Carter's suspicions compromise the horse's future and that of her family. She knows she can't trust Carter's agenda…so why does she find herself wanting to trust him with a mystery of her own?

Dear Reader,

As an animal-science major, I’ve always been fascinated by horses, so it was a thrill for me to write this third installment of the wonderful THOROUGHBRED LEGACY series.

There’s something special about people who love animals, and veterinarian Carter Phillips is no exception. When he meets artist Gillian Cameron, she throws his life completely off track—especially when a dark secret threatens them both.

The world of Thoroughbred horse racing is full of exciting twists and turns, so hold on to your cowboy hat and enjoy the ride!

All my best,

Kristin Gabriel

Picture of Perfection

Kristin Gabriel

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

KRISTIN GABRIEL

is an author of more than twenty-five books. She is a two-time Romance Writers of America RITA® Award winner for best traditional romance. Her first book was made into a television movie entitled Recipe for Revenge. Kristin lives in rural Nebraska, and her favorite hobbies are snacking and procrastination.

For the awesome members

of Prairieland Romance Writers:

Sherry James, Julie Miller, Sue Baumann,

Mary Ann McQuillan, Kathleen Pieper,

Noelle Ptomey, Pam Crooks, Brenda Kranz,

Robin Rotham, Heidi Aken, Margaret Cowan McGrath,

Cindy Kirk, Elizabeth Parker, Yvonne Weers,

Patricia Riley and Ellen Ambroz.

Thank you for inspiring me, making me laugh and making me a better writer.

Contents

Prologue

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 Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Prologue

Smoke.

Thick and black, it blinded Gillian as she stumbled toward the door, her arms outstretched to feel her way along the wall of her bedroom. The smoke filled her nostrils and throat, threatening to choke her. She tried not to breathe it in as she sought escape, her eyes burning and thick with tears.

Almost there.

She could hear glass breaking somewhere in the ranch house and a strange rumbling beneath her feet. There was only smoke and darkness in her second-floor bedroom, no flames to light her way. She imagined those hot flames licking the floor below her, like a ravenous beast consuming everything in its path. The image frightened her, making her long for the comforting arms of her parents.