The Hidden Years

The Hidden Years
Susan Kearney

HE'D OPENED HIS HEART TO HERJake Cochran was eighteen when Cassidy Atkins walked out of his life. Now he had no intention of letting the beautiful attorney get close to him. When Cassidy discovered her father had withheld documents Jake needed to uncover the secrets of his past, she wanted to help him in his search. Except her well-meant efforts put them both in mortal danger. Forced to work together to elude their deadly pursuers, they couldn't ignore the attraction that shimmered between them. But when passion turned to love, Cassidy risked everything to convince Jake that this time he could trust her with his heart.

What would it be like to make love to a man like Jake?

Even as an eighteen-year-old, Jake Cochran would have been gentle.

A loud bang startled Cassidy and interrupted her thoughts. She sat up with a gasp, the blanket falling to the floor, her heart pumping wildly.

Had someone banged on the door? Had someone found them? Had she seen the doorknob turn?

Rushing to the window, she peered through the darkness toward the lake. She had just about convinced herself she’d dreamed the noise when the face of a man appeared, wild-eyed, two inches from the windowpane.

Cassidy screamed and ran out into the hall. And encountered Jake.

A very wet, very naked Jake.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

We have another great selection of exciting Harlequin Intrigue titles for you this month, kicking off with the second book in Rebecca York’s 43 LIGHT STREET trilogy MINE TO KEEP. Never Alone is a very special story about the power of love and the lengths to which a man and woman will go to find each other—no matter the obstacles.

One down—three to go! Our MONTANA CONFIDENTIAL series continues with Special Assignment: Baby by Debra Webb. A covert operation and a cuddly baby are just a day’s work for this sexy cowboy agent. And Caroline Burnes scorches the sheets in Midnight Burning, a story about one man’s curse and his quest for redemption.

Finally, come play HIDE AND SEEK with Susan Kearney as she launches her new three-book miniseries with The Hidden Years.

So pick up all four for a dynamic reading experience.

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

The Hidden Years

Susan Kearney

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan Kearney used to set herself on fire four times a day; now she does something really hot—she writes romantic suspense. While she no longer performs her signature fire dive, (she’s taken up figure skating), she never runs out of ideas for characters and plots. A business graduate from the University of Michigan, Susan writes full-time. She resides in a small town outside Tampa, Florida, with her husband and children and a spoiled Boston terrier. Visit her Web site at www.SusanKearney.com.

Books by Susan Kearney

HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

340—TARA’S CHILD

378—A BABY TO LOVE

410—LULLABY DECEPTION

428—SWEET DECEPTION

456—DECEIVING DADDY

478—PRIORITY MALE

552—A NIGHT WITHOUT END

586—CRADLE WILL ROCK* (#litres_trial_promo)

590—LITTLE BOYS BLUE* (#litres_trial_promo)

594—LULLABY AND GOODNIGHT* (#litres_trial_promo)

636—THE HIDDEN YEARS† (#litres_trial_promo)

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Jake Cochran—As a child Jake made a promise to his father to keep the family together. But the state separated the children. Now nothing and no one can stop him from bringing the family together—not even Cassidy Atkins.

Cassidy Atkins—A lawyer who likes to live day-to-day. But Jake has other plans for her future.

Frazier Atkins—Cassidy’s deceased father, who left behind secrets that can destroy his daughter.

Harrison Gordon—Jake’s number-one employee and a crackerjack P.I.

Donna Rodale—Friend or foe? She’s the mystery woman who can fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle. But first Jake and Cassidy must find her.

Burak Sansal—A spy. A double agent. Can he be trusted?

Ari Ben Goldstein—A former Israeli Mossad agent. He knew Jake’s parents, but is he part of the problem or the solution?

For Gayle and Steve Brooks,

my favorite Brooksville relatives.

Contents

Chapter One (#u5f63a5a9-0db1-5338-a37f-09ec51d069f7)

Chapter Two (#u7f9fecf7-5b68-5c27-9eb0-e9fd8bbdb467)

Chapter Three (#uc5b1d35a-428e-5974-8adf-2f388c947b4f)