The Second Sister. Dani Sinclair

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      Gavin Jarret’s low, gravelly voice sent her heart rate tap-dancing.

      He was the last person she’d expected to see here.

      “Don’t tell me you’re in trouble again?” she blurted out.

      The corners of his mouth rose slightly. “I’m on the other side of the desk now. You did tell me to make something of myself, remember?”

      Heat flamed in her cheeks. “You’re a lawyer?” The word didn’t make sense. Though he dressed like a lawyer, the bad boy of the county still lingered in his relaxed, confident pose. His eyes pinned her where she sat.

      “You and I will need to work closely together. Will you be all right with that?”

      Her heartbeat stuttered again. She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “Of course. Will you?”

      Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

      Take a very well-deserved break from Thanksgiving preparations and rejuvenate yourself with Harlequin Intrigue’s tempting offerings this month!

      To start off the festivities, Harper Allen brings you Covert Cowboy—the next riveting installment of COLORADO CONFIDENTIAL. Watch the sparks fly when a Native American secret agent teams up with the headstrong mother of his unborn child to catch a slippery criminal. Looking to live on the edge? Then enter the dark and somber HEARTSKEEP estate—with caution!—when Dani Sinclair brings you The Second Sister—the next book in her gothic trilogy.

      The thrills don’t stop there! His Mysterious Ways pairs a ruthless mercenary with a secretive seductress as they ward off evil forces. Don’t miss this new series in Amanda Stevens’s extraordinary QUANTUM MEN books. Join Mallory Kane for an action-packed story about a heroine who must turn to a tough-hearted FBI operative when she’s targeted by a stalker in Bodyguard/Husband.

      A homecoming unveils a deadly conspiracy in Unmarked Man by Darlene Scalera—the latest offering in our new theme promotion BACHELORS AT LARGE. And finally this month, ’tis the season for some spine-tingling suspense in The Christmas Target by Charlotte Douglas when a sexy cowboy cop must ride to the rescue as a twisted Santa sets his sights on a beautiful businesswoman.

      So gather your loved ones all around and warm up by the fire with some steamy romantic suspense!

      Enjoy,

      Denise O’Sullivan

      Senior Editor

      Harlequin Intrigue

      The Second Sister

      Dani Sinclair

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      For Natashya Wilson, who challenges me to do the impossible,

       and is nearly always right, darn it.

       Many thanks.

      For Roger, who always listens. I love you.

       And for Chip and Dan, who ignore the insanity

       and get me through the graphics. You guys are terrific.

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      An avid reader, Dani Sinclair didn’t discover romance novels until her mother lent her one when she had come for a visit. Dani’s been hooked on the genre ever since. But she didn’t take up writing seriously until her two sons were grown. Since the premiere of Mystery Baby for Harlequin Intrigue in 1996, Dani has kept her computer busy. Her third novel, Better Watch Out, was a RITA^® Award finalist in 1998. Dani lives outside Washington, D.C., a place she’s found to be a great source for both intrigue and humor!

      You can write to her in care of the Harlequin Reader Service.

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Dennison Hart—He made sure Heartskeep stayed in the family. He never anticipated that no one would want the place.

      Amy Hart Thomas—She disappeared seven years ago without a trace.

      Hayley Hart Thomas—As Leigh’s twin and the oldest child, Heartskeep should have belonged to her.

      Leigh Hart Thomas—She thought she’d put the past behind her, until she returned to Heartskeep and discovered the past refused to stay buried.

      Marcus Thomas—His evil reaches beyond the grave.

      Eden Voxx Thomas—Marcus’s widow knows more than she’ll admit.

      Jacob Voxx—Does being Eden’s son mean he’s out to cause trouble?

      Gavin Jarret—The former bad boy of the county is now the estate’s lawyer.

      Bram Myers—His heart belongs to Hayley, and keeping her from harm is his goal.

      Nolan Ducort III—He has a secret to keep and a score to settle.

      Martin Pepperton—This member of the prominent Pepperton family was stomped to death by one of his own horses—after he was shot.

      Keith Earlwood—He always liked hanging with the rich and famous.

      George and Emily Walken—Gavin’s foster parents have been friends and neighbors of Heartskeep for years.

      Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

      Welcome back to Heartskeep. The somber estate has only just begun to yield its many secrets. The doorway to the past is open now, and anything can happen.

      Seven years ago, tough guy Gavin Jarret cultivated his dark reputation to keep people at a distance. He never backed down, and made it a point to never let anyone close enough to matter. Until a sultry, summer night when he offered a tempting seductress a ride on the back of his motorcycle, and changed both their lives forever.

      Leigh Thomas is the quiet twin, forever in her sister’s shadow. Her one attempt to break that mold ended in disaster—and a night she could never forget. She thought she’d put the past behind her, but fate and Heartskeep have other plans.

      Happy reading!

      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 One

      Seven years ago

      Leigh Thomas gulped the soda her date handed her, looking for a way out. She didn’t know a soul in the noisy crowd and the live rock band prevented conversation even if she’d found someone interesting to talk with. College age and older, everyone seemed to be drinking, openly using drugs and making out. The beer she’d managed to force down was threatening to make an ignoble return and suddenly, her flashy new image seemed downright stupid.

      She might look like part of this crowd tonight, but despite the fact that she had raided her identical twin sister’s more daring wardrobe for this outfit, inside Leigh beat the heart of a fairly naive seventeen-year-old. She should never have gone out with Nolan Ducort III.