Most Eligible Sheriff. Cathy Mcdavid

      

      A Reason To Stay

      Las Vegas casino manager Ruby McPhee needs to lay low while the police deal with a stalker at work. So she’s trading in her high heels for cowboy boots and assuming her twin sister’s identity at the Gold Nugget Ranch. Ruby only plans on staying in Sweetheart, Nevada, until the threat back home has passed. But then she discovers a detail her sister forgot to mention—the handsome sheriff she’s dating.

      It only takes a single kiss for Cliff Dempsey to realize the woman in his arms is someone entirely different…and completely irresistible. To protect Ruby’s secret, Cliff maintains her ruse, but soon the lines between duty and desire begin to blur. Ruby and Cliff know they have a once-in-a-lifetime connection, but will they have a chance to let their love grow?

      “I’m fine, Cliff.” Ruby tossed her purse on the table. “You can leave.”

      “I will. Soon.”

      Was it possible he didn’t want to go?

      It was entirely possible she didn’t want him to go.

      “Can I get you something?” She wasn’t thinking of water.

      Neither was he. Heat flared in his eyes. “I’m okay.”

      Seconds ticked by. Neither of them moved.

      This was stupid, Ruby thought. Any relationship they had was doomed from the start. Her home was in Vegas. His was in Sweetheart, three hours away. She was evading a stalker and would probably be a material witness in his upcoming trial. One of them needed to be the adult.

      “I’m pretty sure the coast is clear,” she said.

      “You’re right.” He inched slowly away.

      She buried her frustration. What did she expect? For him to sweep her into his arms? Hadn’t she just admitted the pointlessness of that?

      He hesitated on the porch. “I had a nice time tonight.”

      Her heart skipped. That was the kind of remark a man made to a woman at the end of a real date. Not a pretend one.

      Dear Reader,

      I often plot my books many months before I start writing them. In that time, the story outline sits tucked in a file underneath a lot of other files without me looking at it much. When I finally begin writing the book, it can be a little disconcerting. Did I really think this was a good story? Are these characters the least bit appealing?

      Once in a while, however, magic happens. That was the case for me with Most Eligible Sheriff, particularly with my hero Cliff Dempsey. As the words flowed and the story took shape, he became a different person than I first imagined him to be. Deeper. More complex. More interesting. More troubled. And let’s face it—a troubled hero makes for an interesting hero! Oh, and he has this great sidekick. A three-legged retired police dog named Sarge—who was a complete surprise when he suddenly appeared on the pages one day.

      Yeah…magic.

      While I’m sorry to think about my Sweetheart, Nevada series ending, I thoroughly enjoyed writing this last book. I hope you enjoy reading it, and that Cliff and Ruby’s struggle to find love touches your heart as it did mine.

      Warmest wishes,

      Cathy McDavid

      P.S. I always enjoy hearing from readers. Visit me at www.cathymcdavid.com, or you can contact me at [email protected].

      Most Eligible Sheriff

      Cathy McDavid

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Cathy makes her home in Scottsdale, Arizona, near the breathtaking McDowell Mountains, where hawks fly overhead, javelina traipse across her front yard and mountain lions occasionally come calling. She embraced the country life at an early age, acquiring her first horse in eighth grade. Dozens of horses followed through the years, along with mules, an obscenely fat donkey, chickens, ducks, goats and a potbellied pig who had her own swimming pool. Nowadays, two spoiled dogs and two spoiled-er cats round out the McDavid pets. Cathy loves contemporary and historical ranch stories and often incorporates her own experiences into her books.

      When not writing, Cathy and her family and friends spend as much time as they can at her cabin in the small town of Young. Of course, she takes her laptop with her on the chance inspiration strikes.

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      To my mother. I don’t tell you often enough how greatly you enrich my life and how much I value the lessons you’ve taught me. Love ya.

      Contents

       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

       Epilogue

       Excerpt

      Chapter