A Saddle Made For Two. Roxann Delaney

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      “Are you going to be my lifelong bodyguard?”

      Chace turned Ellie to face him. Now that she brought up the idea, he wasn’t sure he’d mind keeping an eye on her. It was crazy, but he couldn’t deny it. It didn’t mean he wanted to make any kind of commitment or declare his undying love, but the thought of being with her felt…right.

      “For this trip, I’m responsible for you.”

      In the dim light, he couldn’t see her face clearly. The silence surrounded them, and he could have sworn he heard her heart beating. Or was that his own, racing in his ears? He pressed her hand to his chest and drew her close.

      “Chace,” she said on a whispered breath.

      It was then he knew who he should be protecting her from.

      Dear Reader,

      I hope the long hot summer puts you in the mood for romance—Silhouette Romance, that is! Because we’ve got a month chock-full of exciting stories. And be sure to check out just how Silhouette can make you a star!

      Elizabeth Harbison returns with her CINDERELLA BRIDES miniseries. In His Secret Heir, an English earl discovers the American student he’d once known had left with more than his heart…. And Teresa Southwick’s Crazy for Lovin’You begins a new series set in DESTINY, TEXAS. Filled with emotion, romance and a touch of intrigue, these stories are sure to captivate you!

      Cara Colter’s THE WEDDING LEGACY begins with Husband by Inheritance. An heiress gains a new home—complete with the perfect husband. Only, he doesn’t know it yet! And Patricia Thayer’s THE TEXAS BROTHERHOOD comes to a triumphant conclusion when Travis Comes Home.

      Lively, high-spirited Julianna Morris shows a woman’s determination to become a mother with Tick Tock Goes the Baby Clock and Roxann Delaney gives us A Saddle Made for Two.

      We’ve also got a special treat in store for you! Next month, look for Marie Ferrarella’s The Inheritance, a spin-off from the MAITLAND MATERNITY series. This title is specially packaged with the introduction to the new Harlequin continuity series, TRUEBLOOD, TEXAS. But The Inheritance then leads back into Silhouette Romance, so be sure to catch the opening act.

      Happy Reading!

      Mary-Theresa Hussey

      Senior Editor

      A Saddle Made for Two

      Roxann Delaney

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      To Cindy and Tracy, my favorite mother-and-daughter barrel racers, for always being there to answer my questions. To the wonderful ladies and gents of Cata-romance, the very best group in cyberspace. And to my mom, for always believing in me.

      Books by Roxann Delaney

      Silhouette Romance

      Rachel’s Rescuer #1509

      A Saddle Made for Two #1533

      ROXANN DELANEY

      is the mother of four daughters. With the two oldest on their own, although a mere twenty yards away, life in her hometown in south-central Kansas is still far from dull. The 1999 Maggie Award winner enjoys keeping up with the former high school classmates she encounters and the tons of relatives, whose ancestors settled in the area over a century ago. A theater buff, she once helped establish a community theater and both acted and directed in the productions, as well as served on the board of directors. But writing is her first love, and she is thrilled to have followed the yellow brick road to the land of Silhouette Romance. She would love to hear from readers, who can write to her at P.O. Box 636, Clearwater, KS 67026.

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

      Chapter One

      “Come on over here, sugar, and I’ll show you what a real man can do.”

      Ignoring the remark coming from one of the drunken men near a row of stock trailers, Ellie Warren lifted her chin in an indignant gesture. She stomped past them, muttering to herself. “Stupid, brain-dead cowboy.”

      The smell of whisky, sweat and animals—some of them the two-legged variety—drenched the night air around the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, rodeo grounds. None of the aromas were new to Ellie. She’d spent the past twelve years, since she was fourteen, barrel racing and the last six of those traveling across the country. She had put up with all manner of rude and crude cowboys, and it hadn’t taken her long to figure out the best way to deal with them. Ignore them.

      Her muttering didn’t cease as she wound her way through the contestant campgrounds behind the arena to her camper. “Oughta have their mouths filled with manure.”

      Exhaustion slowed her steps, and it took every ounce of energy she had to lift her dust-covered boot onto the metal platform at the back of her pickup camper. She needed a shower, but she’d rather wait until morning than go back through the huddle of men she’d skirted around in the darkness.

      Sticking the key in the lock and turning the knob, she pulled open the door and stepped inside. She groped in the dark to switch on a light while she yanked her hat from her head. The hat fell to the countertop, and her gaze dropped to the floor.

      Her blood-curdling scream, at the sight of the snake curled on the floor, bounced off the thin camper walls.

      Thoughts skittered through her mind, but none made sense. Without taking