Excerpt from Texas Born by Diana Palmer.html

Enjoy this sneak peek from New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer’s TEXAS BORN, the latest in THE LONG, TALL TEXANS miniseries.

Forced from her home by her cruel stepmother, Michelle Godfrey is out of luck…until Gabriel Brandon comes to her rescue. The tall, brooding cowboy is devilishly handsome, but he’s her guardian—and nothing more. As Michelle grows into the woman she’s always wanted to be, can the shy beauty show Gabriel that she’s the only one he needs?

***

Just for an instant, Gabriel worried about putting Michelle in the line of fire, considering his line of work. He had enemies. Dangerous enemies who wouldn’t hesitate to threaten anyone close to him. Of course, there was his sister, Sara, but she’d lived in Wyoming for the past few years, away from him, on a ranch they co-owned. Now he was putting her in jeopardy along with Michelle.

But what could he do? The child had nobody. Now that her idiot stepmother, Roberta, was dead, Michelle was truly on her own. It was dangerous for a young woman to live alone, even in a small community. And there was also the question of Roberta’s boyfriend, Bert.

Gabriel knew things about the man that he wasn’t eager to share with Michelle. Bert was part of a criminal organization, and he knew Michelle’s habits. He also had a yen for her, if what Michelle had blurted out to Gabriel once was true—and he had no indication that she would lie about it. Bert might decide to come try his luck with her now that her stepmother was out of the picture. That couldn’t be allowed.

Gabriel was surprised by his own affection for Michelle. It wasn’t paternal. She was, of course, far too young for anything heavy. She was a beauty, kind and generous and sweet. She was the sort of woman he usually ran from. No, strike that, she was no woman. She was still unfledged, a dove without flight feathers. He had to keep his interest hidden. At least, until she was grown up enough that it wouldn’t hurt his conscience to pursue her. Afterward…well, who knew the future?

***

Don’t miss TEXAS BORN
by New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer,
the latest installment in
THE LONG, TALL TEXANS miniseries.

Available October 2014 wherever
Harlequin® Special Edition books and ebooks are sold.