The Marriage Beat. Doreen Roberts

      “I could take care of you,” Tyler said gruffly. Letter to Reader Title Page Dedication DOREEN ROBERTS Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Copyright

      “I could take care of you,” Tyler said gruffly.

      She almost laughed out loud. “You? I don’t think so.”

      

      His light blue eyes were full of indignation when he looked at her. “As your instructor I was responsible for seeing that you didn’t get hurt. You can trust me. I’m not going to make any moves on you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

      

      For heaven’s sake, the man was serious. Tyler Jackson was too domineering, too patronizing, too darn arrogant, and he would drive her crazy. But what alternative did she have? She ignored the little voice that warned her she would live to regret her decision.

      

      She also ignored the sudden thumping of her heart at the thought of being alone with the rugged cop in her tiny apartment. It was only for a few days. She could survive for a few days.

      

      “All right,” she said, looking him straight in the eye. “I accept your offer....”

      Dear Reader,

      

      The wonder of a Silhouette Romance is that it can touch every woman’s heart. Check out this month’s offerings—and prepare to be swept away!

      

      A woman wild about kids winds up tutoring a single dad in the art of parenthood in Babies, Rattles and Cribs... Oh, My! It’s this month’s BUNDLES OF JOY title from Leanna Wilson. When a Cinderella-esque waitress—complete with wicked stepfamily!—finds herself in danger, she hires a bodyguard whose idea of protection means making her his Glass Slipper Bride, another unforgettable tale from Arlene James. Pair one highly independent woman and one overly protective lawman and what do you have? The prelude to The Marriage Beat, Doreen Roberts’s sparkling new Romance with a HE’S MY HERO cop.

      

      WRANGLERS & LACE is a theme-based promotion highlighting classic Western stories. July’s offering, Cathleen Galitz’s Wyoming Born & Bred, features an ex-rodeo champion bent on reclaiming his family’s homestead who instead discovers that home is with the stubborn new owner...and her three charming children! A long-lost twin, a runaway bride...and A Gift for the Groom—don’t miss this conclusion to Sally Carleen’s delightful duo ON THE WAY TO A WEDDING.... And a man-shy single mom takes a chance and follows The Way to a Cowboy’s Heart in this emotional heart-tugger from rising star Teresa Southwick.

      

      Enjoy this month’s selections, and make sure to drop me a line about why you keep coming back to Romance. We want to fulfill your dreams!

      

      Happy reading,

      Mary-Theresa Hussey

      Senior Editor, Silhouette Romance 300 East 42nd Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10017

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      The Marriage Beat

      Doreen Roberts

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      To Bill, for putting up with me.

      I love you.

      DOREEN ROBERTS

      lives with her husband, who is also her manager and her biggest fan, in the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon. She believes that everyone should have a little adventure now and again to add interest to their lives. She believes in taking risks and has been known to embark on an adventure or two of her own. She is happiest, however, when she is creating stories about the biggest adventure of all—falling in love and learning to live happily ever after.

      Chapter One

      Trouble, Tyler Jackson reflected, usually came in threes. It didn’t help matters to be lying flat on his back on the cold hard floor of Central Precinct when that profound thought occurred to him.

      The sudden blow to his midriff, which had put him in that embarrassing position, was trouble number one. The young woman scrambling off his stomach was definitely trouble number two. He hated to imagine what might be trouble number three.

      “I’m sorry,” the woman said breathlessly. “I didn’t see you until it was too late. Are you all right?”

      Of course he wasn’t all right. She’d barreled around the corner at sixty miles an hour and plowed straight into his stomach. The collision had knocked them both off balance and the polished floor had done the rest. He was still trying to get his wind back.

      “I was in a hurry. I need help.”

      Tyler looked up at his assailant. She wore a sea-green silky shirt with a black skirt that rose several inches above her knees. Her shirt matched her eyes. Gorgeous eyes. He forced his attention off that fact and concentrated instead on the distress he saw in them.

      Using his hands, he lithely propelled himself back on his feet. The young woman looked impressed and he was momentarily distracted. Pulling himself together he asked abruptly, “What’s the trouble then? Are you hurt?”

      She shook her head. “No, I’m all right. It’s my purse. A man snatched it right off my shoulder.” She grabbed his arm and tugged at it. “Come on, he’ll get away with it if you don’t hurry.”

      “Now just a minute...take it easy.” Tyler pulled his arm free. “I need to know exactly what happened.”

      “I’ve just told you what happened.” She waved an impatient hand at the door. “A man stole my purse. I need someone to go after him and get it back. Right now.”

      He pulled his notebook from his pocket. “Now just calm down and tell me where this happened.”