The Gunslinger and the Heiress. Kathryn Albright

      

       His kiss deepened—demanded more—and suddenly she was nervous.

      “Caleb … stop, please.”

      He squeezed his eyes shut and then, breathing hard, pulled back. “You do realize this changes things?”

      At her silence, he looked up from his task.

      “It can’t change, Caleb. I can’t—”

      Thunderclouds gathered on his brow. “I must be the biggest fool west of the continental divide. Even now you are thinking of going through with marrying Rowlings?”

      “Don’t you understand? I can’t think about just me!”

      He stood and buckled on his gun belt, shoving his gun into its holster. “Don’t explain it. I don’t want to hear it again. Look. I don’t fault you for being loyal to your family, but you need to figure out if that is more important than being loyal to yourself.”

      An obstetrics nurse, sonographer and medical writer, KATHRYN ALBRIGHT was delighted to add ‘published novelist’ to her bio when her first completed manuscript made the finals in the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Contest and was picked up by Harlequin^® Mills & Boon. She writes Americanset historical romance, and her award-winning books are inspired by the real people and events of the past. She lives in the Midwest and loves to hear from her readers at www.kathrynalbright.com

       AUTHOR NOTE

      I’ve had several readers write and ask what happened to Hannah, the little girl from my first book THE ANGEL AND THE OUTLAW. She’s all grown up now, and it is a pleasure to bring you her story here.

      I enjoy the colourful history of my hometown, San Diego. Many of the unique facts I learn show up in my stories. 1888, the setting for THE GUNSLINGER AND THE HEIRESS, was a time when Wyatt Earp owned three businesses in town, when the famous Hotel Del Coronado had its grand opening, and when a young boy stumbled into town saying he had been living with pirates off the coast. No one believed him until he produced a few items from the stolen pirate booty.

      I love to hear from my readers. You can find me online at www.kathrynalbright.com, on Facebook, and at Goodreads. Stop by and say hi.

      The Gunslinger

      and the Heiress

      Kathryn Albright

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      For my sons—Beau, Zachary and Cole.

      You are my inspiration for every hero …

      Contents

       Cover

       Excerpt

       About the Author

       Author Note

       Title Page

       Dedication

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

       Copyright

       Prologue

      San Francisco Bay, 1883

      “Look lively, Scrapper. We be dockin’ soon. Need you on deck.”

      Caleb opened his eyes, letting in a sliver of light.

      In response, Squid squared a hard boot to