Stolen Moments. B.J. Daniels

       A daughter, a son, a secret…

      With ebony hair and bottomless eyes, Seth Gantry was the kind of man Olivia “Levi” McCord’s father warned her about--and the last man on earth she’d ever fall for. Especially after the sinewy cowboy kidnapped her.

      Seth claimed to be her bodyguard and that he needed to take her to a safe house. But when the Montana mountain cabin blows up, he becomes all that stands between Levi and an untimely death. Running for their lives and with no one to trust, Levi is at the mercy of the sexiest man she’d ever met. Suddenly she isn’t certain whether the real danger comes from the killer on her trail…or the virile cowboy who’s vowed to keep her alive.

      Previously Published.

       He’d give her the truth—whether she could handle it or not

      “The least you could do is come up with a good story,” Levi snapped, eyes blazing, before he could speak.

      Seth hit the brakes, but it wasn’t until the car stopped that he looked over at her. She had the handcuffed hand braced against the seat, and she looked at him like he were a madman.

      “You don’t get it, do you?” he ground out. “I don’t have to come up with any story. I was hired to bring you here. Let’s not kid ourselves. Someone took care of your bodyguards, someone blew up the cabin. I may be going out on a limb here but I think we were supposed to be inside it.”

      “What are you saying?” She swallowed hard.

      “That someone knows too much about you and me.

      Someone who wants us both dead.’

      “That’s ridiculous. I might have been kidnapped for money, but kill me? Why?” When he shook his head, she went on. “Don’t you know anything?”

      “I might not be the knight in shining armor you hoped for, princess, but I’m all you’ve got.”

      “What if I preferred to save myself instead of—”

      He cut her off. “You wouldn’t last twenty-four hours on your own.”

      Her eyes narrowed and pierced his. “How do I know I’ll last twenty-four hours with you?”

      Dear Reader,

      When actions of the past come home to haunt Senator James Marshall McCord, Texas rancher and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, he knows he must protect the people he loves most in the world—his family. But he’ll need some help from three very rugged, very determined men.

      Mills & Boon Intrigue is proud to bring together three of your favorite authors in a new miniseries: THE McCORD FAMILY COUNTDOWN.

      Starting in October get swept away by a mysterious bodyguard in #533 Stolen Moments by B.J. Daniels. Then meet the sexy town sheriff in #537 Memories at Midnight by Joanna Wayne. And finally, feel safe in the strong arms of a tough city cop in #541 Each Precious Hour by Gayle Wilson.

      In a race against time, only love can save them. Don’t miss a minute!

      Enjoy,

      Denise O’Sullivan

      Associate Senior Editor Mills & Boon Books 300 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017

      Stolen Moments

       B.J. Daniels

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

       CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Seth Gantry—The cowboy thought he had problems. Then he kidnapped Olivia “Levi” McCord and discovered what real trouble was!

      Olivia “Levi” McCord—She became the pawn in a game of life or death, but not for the reason she suspected.

      Alex Wells—The convicted murderer was out on parole. But did he really want to go straight or get even?

      Jerilyn Ryers—She was Seth’s partner in the security business, but was that all she wanted from the handsome cowboy?

      Shanna Stanley—She was a heartbreaker who fell in love with the wrong man.

      Delbert Bergstrom—He thought he could help his nephew start a new life. He was dead wrong.

      Wally Stanley—He was the only person who knew the truth—but someone was determined he’d never tell.

      Billy Bob Larson—He carried a grudge since Vietnam, but how far would he go to destroy McCord?

      Senator James Marshall McCord—His passion was potitics—but not at the cost of his family.

       ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      B.J. DANIELS lives in Livingston, Montana, one of the windiest places on earth. But just like her heroine in Stolen Moments, B.J. believes home is where the heart is, regardless of the weather. And both B.J. and her heroine’s heart reside in Montana with the men they love.

      B.J. loves to hear from readers. Write to her at: P.O. Box 183, Bozeman, MT 59771.

      This book is humbly dedicated to my friends

      Chris and Use who opened their arms and their home to me, fed me better than I deserve and always have a cold Diet Coke waiting for me. Thanks for always being there.

      Table of Contents

Cover Back Cover Text Dear Reader Title Page CAST OF CHARACTERS ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dedication 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 Extract Copyright

       Chapter One

      Thanksgiving Day

      Thursday, November 25, 1999

      “Olivia? Olivia?”

      “Levi!” Natalie whispered beside her.

      With a start, Levi glanced up from her plate to see her friend Natalie making eye motions toward the head of the table. Levi shifted her gaze to find her father standing, wineglass in hand, waiting patiently. And she realized he’d been calling her name. Her given name.

      For the second time that afternoon, James Marshall McCord had her worried. He never called her Olivia. She’d been Levi since infancy, leaving little doubt how much he’d hoped for a son. But she’d never minded. She liked “Levi.” It fit the tomboy she’d been, the ranch woman she’d become. It fit her in a way she suspected “Olivia” never would.

      “Levi?” he asked, smiling down the table at her. “Are you all right?”

      That was exactly what