The Secret Heir of Sunset Ranch. Charlene Sands

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      A war hero returns to a secret baby surprise in this Slades of Sunset Ranch novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Charlene Sands

      Back from his tour of duty, wealthy Nevada rancher Justin Slade gets the shock of his life. The woman who shared his bed eighteen months ago is in his hometown with a son in tow…who looks just like Justin!

      Katherine Grady is hiding a dark past, but when she realizes Justin seduced her under false pretenses, she’s livid…even if she still finds him as irresistible as ever. Will their secrets keep them apart, or will her hero fight for what’s his?

      “Justin…”

      She had no words and he seemed to understand.

      He lowered her down on the bed and held her tightly in his arms. She saw his need, the strength of will he mustered to contain his lust.

      Turning his body, he took her face into his hands. “This is how it is between us.”

      She searched his eyes for more. Something to say that he trusted her, something to say that she could trust him. There were lies between them, and a son.

      “Connor will be part of my life, Kat.” Her heart tripped, seeing such love in his eyes. “If I’m wary and cautious, it’s because I’m not taking any chances when it comes to Connor.”

      Kat thought about that a few seconds. “I understand. I’m relieved that you feel protective about him. He deserves…”

      “The best in both of us.”

      * * *

      The Secret Heir of Sunset Ranch is part of The Slades of Sunset Ranch: The sun never sets on love and redemption for these rich Nevada ranchers!

      A series available only from USA TODAY bestselling author Charlene Sands and Mills & Boon^® Desire^™!

      Dear Reader,

      Welcome back to Sunset Ranch! This time we meet the youngest Slade brother, Justin, a military hero who comes home to Nevada only to be greeted by the biggest surprise of all. Our heroine, Katherine Grady, gets a bit of a shock, too, when she sees Justin in his hometown setting. You’ll meet adorable toddler Connor and feisty aunt Mattie, a woman who has a few secrets of her own. Hopefully these beloved characters will find a place in your heart as you maneuver through the plot twists and turns of the story.

      It’s been my pleasure introducing you to Sunset Ranch and those devilishly handsome Slade men—Logan, Luke and Justin. I hope you enjoy their stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.

      Until next time,

      Happy trails and happy reading!

      Charlene

      The Secret Heir

      of Sunset Ranch

      Charlene Sands

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      CHARLENE SANDS is a USA TODAY bestselling author of thirty-five romance novels, writing sensual contemporary romances and stories of the Old West. Her books have been honored with a National Readers Choice Award, a Cataromance Reviewer’s Choice Award, and she’s a double recipient of the Booksellers’ Best Award. She belongs to the Orange County chapter and the Los Angeles chapter of RWA.

      Charlene writes “hunky heroes with heart.” She knows a little something about true romance—she married her high school sweetheart! When not writing, Charlene enjoys sunny Pacific beaches, great coffee, reading books from her favorite authors and spending time with her family. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter. Charlene loves to hear from her readers! You can write her at PO Box 4883, West Hills, CA 91308, USA or sign up for her newsletter for fun blogs and ongoing contests at www.charlenesands.com.

      This book is dedicated to my late father, Charles,

      who proudly served in the army during World War II,

      and to all the other brave military men and women,

      both past and present, who have served or do serve

      our country with honor.

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Epilogue

      One

      Justin Slade was home. It’d been three days now.

      His Ford F-150 truck barreled down the highway with enough horsepower to match the equine force of Sunset Ranch’s best thoroughbreds, radio blasting Luke Bryan’s latest country hit. It was beat-tapping music. At any other time, Justin would be pounding the dashboard in sync with the rhythm.

      But today, he wasn’t enjoying the music, the blue Nevada sky or the morning weather, which was clear and crisp enough to remind him winter was on the distant horizon. His gut churned in half a dozen ways as he faced what he was about to do. The marine in him hadn’t a doubt he was doing the right thing. He had to come clean for Matilda Applegate’s sake and for...Brett.

      He punched the off button on the radio and Luke’s voice disappeared.

      Appropriate silence filled the air.

      A cold shiver of dread hung around him like an invisible cloak, refusing to be shrugged off with upbeat music or good weather. Brett Applegate was dead. It was Justin’s fault, and Brett’s aunt, his only living relative, needed to know the truth.

      He pressed his foot to the pedal and glanced around the outskirts of Silver Springs as a sultry female voice on his GPS gave him the coordinates. Gravel spit under his tires. The deserted road narrowed and a knot in the pit of his stomach begged for this to be over. He’d been on dangerous missions in Afghanistan that hadn’t caused him this much anxiety. Guilt and apprehension sucked as constant companions.

      Justin popped two antacids into his mouth. He’d been living on the darn things lately.

      “In fifty feet, turn right,” the GPS voice instructed.

      Justin made the turn and drove his truck down a dusty dirt path that wound its way toward a one-story ranch house matured by frigid winters, hotter-than-hell summers and a string of bad months in between. Seeing Brett’s home in such a state of neglect was a sharp shot of reality, testament to the economic misery the Applegates had suffered over the years. Brett had always said his uncle Ralph would’ve gotten heartsick seeing what had happened to his once-proud home.

      As the truck ambled closer, Justin caught a glimpse of a disabled car near the house, the back tire flatter than a flapjack, and a woman bending over, her head deep in the bowels of