The Prodigal Texan

The Prodigal Texan
Lynnette Kent

Making amendsNo one expected Jud Ritter to return to Homestead, Texas, least of all mayor Miranda Wright–the woman he made a fool of right before he left town for good. Miranda has enough on her hands trying to stop the crimes directed at recipients of the land giveaway program she started. And must now finish, if some people in the town get their way…An Austin police officer on leave, Jud's here to help find the culprits, reconcile with his estranged brother–and apologize to Miranda. He misses their old rivalry and had never planned to hurt her. But he hadn't realized how much she meant to him until he saw what Miranda was willing to put on the line for the town–and for him.

“What are you doing?”

Miranda asked as she faced him

“Just walking a lady home.”

“I am home. This whole spread is my home.”

“You never know what might come out in the dark.” He covered the distance to the back porch, opened the door to the house and ushered her in.

“Thanks for letting me watch the foal be born tonight,” he said.

She turned to face him again. “You’re welcome. At least you weren’t totally useless. You made the phone calls, and you brought my coat.”

Jud laughed. “So happy to be of service, Ms. Mayor.

Aren’t you glad you changed your mind and let me stay in the foreman’s cabin here?”

“I guess so. But keep out of my way,” she said, retreating to the shadows within, “unless you want me to change it back again.” The thud of the house door punctuated her order.

“Not a chance,” Jud said softly, walking across the open ground toward the foreman’s cabin. “I’m not leaving until my business here in Homestead is done.”

He glanced over his shoulder just as a light upstairs winked out. “And that business, Miranda Wright, definitely includes you.”

Dear Reader,

My first job out of college involved physiology laboratory research, which was every bit as dull as it sounds. To perk up the day, we listened to the radio while we worked; since this was Nashville, Tennessee, the station of choice often played country music. One day a colleague of mine—obviously not a fan—complained that “every country music song talks about Tennessee or Texas!”

And why not? Texas, especially, has earned a preeminent place in the American legend, with the Alamo and the Rio Grande, with ranchers, Rangers and rustlers, with cattle drives and, yes, country-and-western music. I’ve enjoyed writing a story set against this unique and romantic background, particularly in a series with four equally unique and romantic Harlequin Superromance authors.

As The Prodigal Texan, Jud Ritter returns to Homestead, Texas, only to discover how much about his hometown remains the same. Most folks—including his own brother—still believe the lies that circulated about him all those years ago. If Jud is to redeem his reputation, he’ll have to prove to the people of Homestead just how much he has changed.

Mayor Miranda Wright has worked long and hard to transform her beloved town for the better. Now she must count on Jud Ritter to save Homestead from oblivion. Can she trust this onetime bad boy with the town’s safety? Should she trust him with her heart?

I hope you have a good time with Miranda and Jud and the folks in Homestead, Texas. Please feel free to write me at PMB 304, Westwood Shopping Center, Fayetteville, NC 28314, or visit my Web site at www.lynnette-kent.com.

Happy reading!

Lynnette Kent

The Prodigal Texan

Lynnette Kent

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

To Kathleen

An editor in a million

With many thanks

I’m grateful, as well, for the chance to work

with Roxanne Rustand, K.N. Casper, Linda Warren

and Roz Denny Fox in developing the

HOME TO LOVELESS COUNTY series.

From brainstorming to nailing down the

smallest details, you folks were creative,

cooperative and downright fun!

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE (#u356287e0-39d2-5440-b4b8-8e351003cfe7)

CHAPTER TWO (#ud717f391-1c01-5853-a13d-7ec15ab844c2)

CHAPTER THREE (#uff8fe725-c741-5ed6-907f-14133ef6f9ed)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u3d8edc61-7f11-57d2-879a-3f1696602fc9)

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)