The Texas Ranger's Secret. DeWanna Pace

      

      Ranger for Hire

      Willow McMurtry’s writing career could end before it even begins—unless she learns the ways of a Texas Ranger. She can’t write tales about Ranger life if she’s constantly making mistakes, so she needs handsome Texan Gage Newcomb to teach her. Willow just can’t tell him the true purpose behind her request.

      Gage agrees to teach Willow how to shoot, ride and lasso—but only to keep her close. An outlaw who’s cost him dearly is still on the loose. And the hidden lawman trusts no one, especially not a feisty woman who might be working with his foe. But as the cowboy lessons progress, Willow may convince him to share all of his secrets—and his heart—with her.

      “You ready to give lassoing a try?”

      Gage walked over and unfastened the loop, recoiling the rope to its original position.

      Willow shook her head and finally grabbed her writing instruments, taking a seat on the bench. “I want to write it all down so I can remember it later.”

      She opened her journal and began recording the images so vivid in her mind.

      “Like I said, practice is the way to make yourself good at it.” He turned around and built his loop again, throwing it a second time, only to miss.

      She looked up from her scribbling. “Why did you miss?”

      “The truth?”

      “Always.” She stared and wondered why he’d even considered being anything but honest with her.

      “You distracted me.”

      She usually messed herself up and didn’t mind taking the blame if she was truly guilty of causing trouble for someone else, but she’d been nowhere near his target. “How did I do that?”

      Gage retrieved his rope and strolled over to sit beside her on the bench.

      “I let you. I was paying more attention to your hair than I was the picket.”

      DeWANNA PACE is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She has published two dozen novels and anthologies, several of which have been chosen as book club selections by Doubleday, Rhapsody, Book-of-the-Month, Woman’s Day and The Literary Guild. DeWanna combines her faith with her love of humor and historical romance. Let her show you the ways a heart can love.

       The Texas Ranger’s Secret

      DeWanna Pace

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,

      do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

      giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

      —Colossians 3:17

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

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

       Chapter Seventeen

       Dear Reader

       Extract

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      May 1868

      The thunderstorm rushed ahead of Willow McMurtry, as if warning all who lived in High Plains, Texas, that she would arrive and with her came trouble.

      Seeking a new path because she couldn’t stay on her last one, she prayed, Please don’t