Lone Star Redemption. Colleen Thompson

      

      Rusted Spur, Texas, is full of secrets…until now

      Desperate to find her missing twin, Jessie Layton arrives at the Rayford ranch, the last place her sister was seen. But after meeting Zach Rayford, the reporter is left with only more questions. Like why is the extremely handsome rancher defending his family’s obvious lies regarding her sister?

      Zach vowed to protect his family, but it’s become more complicated…especially with his growing attraction to Jessie…. But even as they spar, a lethal danger pursues Jessie. Together they risk their lives confronting secrets that could destroy Zach’s family…if he chooses to do right by the headstrong woman who’s corralled him!

      “I know you have good reason to suspect me. But I swear to you, I’m not that kind of person.”

      He studied her face, searching its depths for…something. Sincerity, perhaps, but between them, something else ignited, the spark of something far too dangerous to contemplate.

      Or so she told herself, but with temptation arcing through her body, her eyes refused to obey. One glance at his lips and it was too late to step back. Too late to do anything but tilt back her head when he whispered, “I believe you.”

      To do anything but part her lips when his mouth fell upon hers.

      His taste was bittersweet: the mint of toothpaste mingled with the darker notes of coffee. But this sensation submerged completely beneath the unexpected pleasure, her every nerve ending flaring, awakening to his touch.

      Some slim margin of her brain warned this kiss, this passion, was too sudden and too needful, flung at her like a net….

      Dear Reader,

      As I write this morning, I’m remembering some advice my sister, a traveling hospice nurse, has shared. In the end, she tells me, people never regret not having worked more hours, acquired more things or been more successful. Instead, they worry over missed opportunities to mend relationships and spend more of their precious time with loved ones.

      Lone Star Redemption is the story of two people doing their best to fix their broken families. For career-minded reporter Jessie Layton, it’s all about finding her lost, chronically troubled twin sister—and honoring her vow to bring Haley home before their terminally ill mother dies. Stung by Haley’s behavior once too often in the past, Jessie is leery of getting caught up in another of her sister’s dramas, but she begins to rethink her position after seeing the sacrifices former marine corps fighter pilot Zach Rayford has made to return to his widowed mother and the sprawling Texas ranch she’s been left alone to run.

      As I wrote Jessie and Zach’s story, I ached for these two wounded people, both struggling to find their way through a complex moral quagmire. And I held my breath at times, terrified they wouldn’t survive a killer bent on keeping the truth hidden…no matter who must die.

      I hope you’ll enjoy Lone Star Redemption and keep your eyes open for a new tale from the Rayford Ranch at Rusted Spur, coming very soon.

      Happy reading!

      Colleen Thompson

      Lone Star Redemption

      Colleen Thompson

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      COLLEEN THOMPSON

      After beginning her career writing historical romance novels, in 2004 Colleen Thompson turned to writing the contemporary romantic suspense she loves. Since then, her work has been honored with a Texas Gold Award, along with nominations for a RITA® Award, a Daphne du Maurier Award and multiple reviewers’ choice honors. She has also received starred reviews from RT Book Reviews and Publishers Weekly. A former teacher living with her family in the Houston area, Colleen has a passion for reading, hiking and dog rescue. Visit her online at www.colleen-thompson.com.

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      To strong and loving families: those we’re born to, those we give birth to, and those we cobble together from the broken pieces of our hearts.

      Contents

       Prologue

       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

       Chapter 18

       Chapter 19

       Chapter 20

       Extract

      Prologue

      August 1st

      If she couldn’t have her son back,