The Tie That Binds. Laura Gale

      “What about us, Rachel?”

      “Us?”

      “Yes, us.” Lucas chuckled softly as he extended his hand toward her, seeking her hair. He could smell her—vanilla. Vanilla and spice and something else, something Rachel. Her own scent.

      I want her.

      One hand was in her hair then, tipping her face toward him. He bent lower, so that his lips brushed her cheek. “You smell so good, Rachel, you feel so right….” And she did. Absolutely perfect. His arms stole around her, pulling her against him, leaving no room for doubt. She fit him. Perfectly.

      “Damn you, Lucas! I told you no!”

      “Rachel, it’s okay. This is us, sweetheart.”

      She wrenched herself away from him. “No, Lucas! It’s not okay. Maybe it never will be.” Her arms were wrapped around herself, sobs wracking her body.

      That was the truth she could not hide from.

      Dear Reader,

      This year may be winding down, but the excitement’s as high as ever here at Silhouette Intimate Moments. National bestselling author Merline Lovelace starts the month off with a bang with A Question of Intent, the first of a wonderful new miniseries called TO PROTECT AND DEFEND. Look for the next book, Full Throttle, in Silhouette Desire in January 2004.

      Because you’ve told us you like miniseries, we’ve got three more for you this month. Marie Ferrarella continues her family-based CAVANAUGH JUSTICE miniseries with Crime and Passion. Then we have two military options: Strategic Engagement features another of Catherine Mann’s WINGMEN WARRIORS, while Ingrid Weaver shows she can Aim for the Heart with her newest EAGLE SQUADRON tale. We’ve got a couple of superb stand-alone novels for you, too: Midnight Run, in which a wrongly accused cop has only one option—the heroine!—to save his freedom, by reader favorite Linda Castillo, and Laura Gale’s deeply moving debut, The Tie That Binds, about a reunited couple’s fight to save their daughter’s life.

      Enjoy them all—and we’ll see you again next month, for six more of the best and most exciting romances around.

      Yours,

      Leslie J. Wainger

      Executive Editor

      The Tie That Binds

      Laura Gale

      LAURA GALE

      is an Arizonan, born and bred, always interested in language, reading and writing. Moving to Australia allowed her to try something different careerwise, and the fiction writer that had been concealed behind her academic facade finally emerged. After moving to Australia, Laura discovered that—for the first time in her life—she had time to try her hand at writing a book, something she’d always claimed she would do…if she had the time. Having picked up her first Harlequin novel when she was twelve, romance was the obvious place to start. In 2001, her first effort at a romance novel won the Emma Darcy Award, and suddenly it seemed that writing might become more than a hobby. The EDA brought her to the attention of Silhouette editors, and The Tie That Binds is that first novel.

      Laura believes in romance in real life. She has every reason to: she has been married to her high school sweetheart for over twenty years. Together they have embarked on a variety of adventures, including raising four sons. Moving to a new country is nothing compared to that!

      This book is dedicated first to my mother, who was able to read an early version of the manuscript, but whose battle ended before she could see it published. It is she who taught me to color outside the lines, and to revel in the joy to be found there. She knew this was possible.

      Also, to my dad,

       who taught me the value of the word Why.

      To my sisters, Rebecca, Melissa and especially Amy, who has hit the ground running as my PR rep.

       To all the other readers (Geri!) who helped me believe that I had written a book. To Monica, for the Spanish— any mistakes were made by me.

      And, of course, to Bill who supports me and believes in me, who knows how to cast me in my best light. And, finally, to our boys, who accept what Mom is doing as if every mother does this sort of thing. I love you all!

      Author’s Note

      Our family came to know about the miracle of bone marrow transplants via City of Hope, in Phoenix. I can’t adequately express our gratitude for their work. Any errors in describing the treatment are entirely mine.

      Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      Chapter 17

      Epilogue

      Chapter 1

      Armor. Armor is good, Rachel Neuman decided, as she stepped into the elevator at the main office of Neuman Industries. Even if it was of the tomato-red, short-skirt, long-jacket variety of armor. It had a certain protective allure to it.

      They don’t call it a power suit for nothing, she reflected.

      Today, she needed all the support she could get, from all possible sources. Including her clothes. She meant business and she needed to look like she meant business.

      If not, she wouldn’t have come anywhere near Lucas’s office, a place she’d avoided for the past five years.

      Y todos vivieron muy felices. Rachel would do what she could to see that it came to pass that way, that everyone would live happily ever after.

      I will do what I must, mija, she vowed silently. Indeed, she would.

      Why would she come here now? What the hell can she possibly want?

      Lucas Neuman passed a hand over his face, his initial grimace chased away by a cynical smile. He slammed shut his laptop, shoving it away, drumming agitated fingers on the shiny oak desk.

      What reason could she possibly have for seeing me five years after she walked out?

      Reaching toward the telephone on his desk, Lucas stabbed the button that would call his secretary. “Jennifer,” he said, “what can you tell me about the ten-thirty appointment you’ve penciled in this morning? I know it wasn’t there yesterday.”

      “Yes, that’s right, Mr. Neuman. She called fairly late, when you were out of the office.”

      “And?” he prompted, attempting to suppress his mounting irritation—or at least keep it out of his voice. He didn’t have a lot of patience these days, but he didn’t need to shoot the messenger. In this case Jennifer. “Any idea what it’s about?”

      “Well, not exactly,” Jennifer responded, sounding uncommonly flustered. “She was…well, she was evasive when I asked.” Lucas heard her take a deep breath before rushing on. “Actually, Mr. Neuman, she said she was your wife,” her disbelief conveyed