Line of Fire. Julie Leto

      

      “You’re pregnant.”

      Sky couldn’t help it if it sounded like an accusation.

      “You heard,” Meredith calmly replied.

      That was it? That was all she had to say? “Are you going to tell me who the father is?”

      “In the past four years I’ve only been with one man.” While the implication was still soaking in, she moved backward, stepping inside the shop. “But don’t worry, I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth.”

      Then the door slammed. And Sky blinked. The lock clicked into place.

      She wouldn’t marry him if he were the last man on earth? Who’d said anything about marriage? Besides, if he set his mind on marrying a woman, she darn well would be his wife!

      Dear Reader,

      This holiday season, as our anniversary year draws to a close, we have much to celebrate. The talented authors who have published—and continue to publish—unforgettable love stories. You, the readers, who have made our twenty-year milestone possible. And this month’s very special offerings.

      First stop: BACHELOR GULCH, Sandra Steffen’s popular ongoing miniseries. They’d shared an amazing night together; now a beguiling stranger was back in his life carrying Sky’s Pride and Joy. She’d dreamed Hunter’s Vow would be the marrying kind…until he learned about their child he’d never known existed—don’t miss this keeper by Susan Meier! Carolyn Zane’s BRUBAKER BRIDES are back! Montana’s Feisty Cowgirl thought she could pass as just another male ranch hand, but Montana wouldn’t rest till he knew her secrets…and made this 100% woman completely his!

      Donna Clayton’s SINGLE DOCTOR DADS return…STAT. Rachel and the M.D. were office assistant and employer…so why was she imagining herself this widower’s bride and his triplets’ mother? Diana Whitney brings her adorable STORK EXPRESS series from Special Edition into Romance with the delightful story of what happens when Mixing Business…with Baby. And debut author Belinda Barnes tells the charming tale of a jilted groom who finds himself all dressed up…to deliver a pregnant beauty’s baby—don’t miss His Special Delivery!

      Thank you for celebrating our 20th anniversary. In 2001 we’ll have even more excitement—the return of ROYALLY WED and Marie Ferrarella’s 100th book, to name a couple!

      Happy reading!

      Mary-Theresa Hussey

      Senior Editor

      Sky’s Pride and Joy

      Sandra Steffen

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      Books by Sandra Steffen

      Silhouette Romance

      Child of Her Dreams #1005

      *Bachelor Daddy #1028

      *Bachelor at the Wedding #1045

      *Expectant Bachelor #1056

      Lullaby and Goodnight #1074

      A Father for Always #1138

      For Better, For Baby #1163

      †Luke’s Would-Be Bride #1230

      †Wyatt’s Most Wanted Wife #1241

      †Clayton’s Made-Over Mrs. #1253

      †Nick’s Long-Awaited Honeymoon #1290

      The Bounty Hunter’s Bride #1306

      †Burke’s Christmas Surprise #1337

      †Wes Stryker’s Wrangled Wife #1362

      †McKenna’s Bartered Bride #1398

      †Sky’s Pride and Joy #1486

      Silhouette Desire

      Gift Wrapped Dad #972

      Silhouette Special Edition

      Not Before Marriage! #1061

      Silhouette Books

      36 Hours

      Marriage by Contract

      The Fortunes of Texas

      Lone Star Wedding

      SANDRA STEFFEN

      Growing up the fourth child of ten, Sandra developed a keen appreciation for laughter and argument. Sandra lives in Michigan with her husband, three of their sons and a blue-eyed mutt who thinks her name is No-Molly-No. Sandra’s book Child of Her Dreams won the 1994 National Readers’ Choice Award. Several of her titles have appeared on the national bestseller lists.

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

      Chapter One

      Skyler Buchanan hoisted the last fifty-pound sack of feed onto his shoulder and headed for his truck. Neil Anderson, manager of the J.P. Feed and Ranch Supply Store, wrestled the sack from Sky’s shoulder, adding it to the top of the stack on the bed of the truck before climbing morosely to the ground. “Gonna be another scorcher, that’s for sure.”

      Sky cast a cursory glance at the horizon. The sky was clear, the midmorning sun hot, the day promising to be hotter. Sky