The Texan's Secret

The Texan's Secret
Linda Warren

He's not the only one with something to hideChance Hardin has spent many good years as a ranch manager on the Southern Cross. But now it's time to move on. His brothers want him to join them in the oil business–equal partners. But spending every day with them, Chance would never be able to keep his secret. So to protect their father's memory, he'll deny his Texas ambitions. Until Shay Dumont literally crashes into his life.Who is the beautiful stranger? For the first time, Chance is very interested in the truth. Telling his brothers about the past could destroy their relationship, but it could also bring him everything he's ever wanted. Including Shay, who is hiding a secret he doesn't suspect. The truth will challenge everything he knows–about his family, Shay and himself.

“What do you want?”

Chance’s eyes met hers. “The truth. The honest-to-God truth.”

“Okay. I lied. My real name is Shay Dumont.”

“Why the lie?” His voice was as cool as ice water. But it didn’t keep her from noticing he was heartthrobbing-good-looking. How she wished that they had met before she’d pulled such a stupid stunt.

The truth would hurt too many people. “Listen. I didn’t take anything, so can we please let this drop?”

“No.”

He came for the truth and he wasn’t leaving without it.

“If you don’t tell me why you were trying to rob the Calhouns, I’ll call the constable of High Cotton. He’ll arrest you for attempted robbery.”

Her head jerked up. “You saw me leave and could see that I didn’t take anything. How many times do I have to say that?”

The shattered look on her face twisted his stomach and prompted him to add, “Shay, I mean you no harm, but I have to know why you tried to rob the Calhouns.”

She still remained silent.

“If you’re innocent, I’ll forget the whole thing.”

“But I’m not innocent.”

Dear Reader,

I’m excited to start another series for Harlequin Superromance—The Hardin Boys. These books are loosely connected to The Belles of Texas, so we’re going back to High Cotton briefly for the start of Chance’s story, The Texan’s Secret.

I live in Texas, where oil is king. Some would say football, but that all depends on if you own land. If you do, you’re waiting for the day an oilman will show up wanting to lease your land for oil or gas. It’s a gamble. They might strike a big well or it could be a dry hole. Everyone is usually willing to take that risk.

This series is about three brothers who have roughnecked in the oilfields most of their lives. They don’t plan on keeping the dirty, grimy job forever. They plan to move up the ladder. It happens when Cadde, the older brother, inherits part of an oil company. In the first book, Chance has to decide if he wants to be a cowboy or an oilman. Since his father had been a roughneck, the decision is easy. He heads for Houston to join his brothers.

But first, he has to tell them a secret that has haunted him all his life. Chance’s story revolves around a woman with green eyes, Shay Dumont, who has the biggest secret of all.

So join me in uncovering secrets and finding out if there is a happy-ever-after for Chance and Shay.

With love and thanks,

Linda Warren

P.S. It’s the highlight of my day to hear from readers. You can email me at Lw1508@aol.com or www.facebook.com/authorlindawarren or write me at P.O. Box 5182, Bryan, TX 77805 or visit my website at www.lindawarren.net. Your letters will be answered as soon as possible.

The Texan’s Secret

Linda Warren

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning, bestselling author Linda Warren has written twenty-six books for the Harlequin Superromance and Harlequin American Romance lines. She grew up in the farming and ranching community of Smetana, Texas, the only girl in a family of boys. She loves to write about Texas, and from time to time scenes and characters from her childhood show up in her books. Linda lives in College Station, Texas, not far from her birthplace, with her husband, Billy, and a menagerie of wild animals, from Canada geese to bobcats. Visit her website at www.lindawarren.net.

I dedicate this book to my patient editor,

Kathleen Scheibling, who stuck with me

during a really rough time.

Thank you!

And to Paula Eykelhof, for just caring.

And to the special angels who were there when

they didn’t have to be:

Diannia, Sondra and LaVal.

And, as always, to my hero, Sonny.

Acknowledgments

A special thanks to:

James O. Siegert for sharing his knowledge of

oil wells and the industry.

Sarah Schroeder for answering questions

about Houston.

Shelley Utz, hairstylist.

Randy Rychlik, paramedic.

And, Vicki Cowan for her keen eye.

All errors are strictly mine.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE