Last Seen.... Carla Cassidy

      

      “If you were a really good neighbor, you’d offer to sleep with me.”

      Breanna stared at him, certain she’d misunderstood what he’d just said. “Excuse me?”

      Adam grinned. “You know, so you could wake me up every hour and look at the pupils of my eyes. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do with somebody who might have a concussion? What else did you think I meant?” His eyes held a knowing twinkle.

      “I knew what you meant,” she replied, wondering if her cheeks appeared as red as they felt. “But if you’re that concerned about it, I highly recommend an emergency room at one of the local hospitals.”

      “I like my idea better.” The twinkle in his eyes faded and his smile fell. “Breanna.” He reached out and touched her cheek with his warm fingertips. “I’m right next door if anything happens or if you just get afraid. I can be over here in seconds.”

      Dear Reader,

      The days are hot and the reading is hotter here at Silhouette Intimate Moments. Linda Turner is back with the next of THOSE MARRYING MCBRIDES! in Always a McBride. Taylor Bishop has only just found out about his familial connection—and he has no idea it’s going to lead him straight to love.

      In Shooting Starr, Kathleen Creighton ratchets up both the suspense and the romance in a story of torn loyalties you’ll long remember. Carla Cassidy returns to CHEROKEE CORNERS in Last Seen…, a novel about two people whose circumstances ought to prevent them from falling in love but don’t. On Dean’s Watch is the latest from reader favorite Linda Winstead Jones, and it will keep you turning the pages as her federal marshal hero falls hard for the woman he’s supposed to be keeping an undercover watch over. Roses After Midnight, by Linda Randall Wisdom, is a suspenseful look at the hunt for a serial rapist—and the blossoming of an unexpected romance. Finally, take a look at Debra Cowan’s Burning Love and watch passion flare to life between a female arson investigator and the handsome cop who may be her prime suspect.

      Enjoy them all—and come back next month for more of the best and most exciting romance reading around.

      Yours,

      Leslie J. Wainger

       Executive Editor

      Last Seen…

      Carla Cassidy

      MILLS & BOON

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      CARLA CASSIDY

      is an award-winning author who has written over fifty books for Silhouette. In 1995, she won Best Silhouette Romance from Romantic Times for Anything for Danny. In 1998, she also won a Career Achievement Award for Best Innovative Series from Romantic Times.

      Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write. She’s looking forward to writing many more books and bringing hours of pleasure to readers.

      Contents

      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

      Epilogue

      Chapter 1

      “I always did have a thing for Pocahontas.” The middle-aged man with the paunchy waistline grinned, exposing two missing teeth on the upper right side of his mouth.

      Breanna James stifled a groan and instead toyed with the end of her braid and smiled coyly. “Then I guess this is your lucky night, cowboy,” she replied. She’d be teased unmercifully by her fellow vice cops over the Pocahontas reference but she couldn’t worry about that now.

      “So…what are you doing out here in the middle of the night?” she asked the man.

      “Looking for a party, sweet thing,” he replied.

      “What kind of a party?”

      He grinned eagerly. “I was thinking maybe I could give you twenty-five bucks.”

      “Sounds like my kind of party,” she replied and released her hold on her long braid. “And what would I have to do for that twenty-five dollars?”

      He named a specific sex act and Breanna nodded. “You’ve got a deal, cowboy,” she replied. “How about we go back here in the alley.” She pointed to the dark alleyway between two storefronts where she knew two fellow officers were waiting to make the arrest.

      He started into the alley, but stopped when he realized she wasn’t following him. He slapped his forehead in a comical gesture of absentmindedness, then dug a twenty and five ones from his pocket and handed them to her.

      “Now we’re ready to party,” she said as she tucked the bills into the purse she carried.

      Eagerly, he walked into the alley, Breanna just behind him. “Hey, cowboy, you said you’ve always had a thing for Pocahontas. You ever had a fantasy about a woman cop?”

      He stopped walking and frowned thoughtfully. “No, but now that you mention it, it might be kind of fun with handcuffs and all.”

      The man shouldn’t be arrested for solicitation, Breanna thought. He should be arrested for stupidity. It wasn’t until the two male officers stepped out of the shadows that he realized he was busted.

      His smile fell and he cursed soundly, but didn’t fight the officers as they handcuffed him and led him to an unmarked car along the curb.

      “That’s it for tonight.” Abe Solomon, Breanna’s partner, grinned. “You did good, Pocahontas. Looks like John, one Mr. Craig Bullock, won’t be looking for a date again anytime soon.”

      She smiled at the gray-haired Abe. “All I know is I can’t wait to get out of this outfit and into a baggy T-shirt and I hope I never see a pair of spike heels again in my life.”

      Abe chuckled. “Ah, but you wear them so well.”

      “Thank goodness I won’t have to put them on for at least another week.” Saturday nights Breanna often worked as an undercover prostitute, a detail she abhorred.

      She and Abe got into their car to head back to the Cherokee Corners police station. “So, you have big plans for your days off?”

      “Tomorrow my mother has planned