The Lawman's Convenient Family Read online

  “Will you marry me, for a while?”

  Adam Santiago’s always been a lone ranger. But when the detective teams with music therapist Julie Chapman to save two young orphans, pretty soon his heart’s a goner, too! Julie’s willing to do anything—even become Adam’s pretend bride—to keep a brother and sister together. But as she falls head over heels for her polar opposite, will this marriage of convenience become an affair of the heart?

  “Judy really has a way with Western romances and handsome cowboys!”

  —#1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller

  “I wish the kids’ social worker didn’t have a thing against single parents, but I can’t be something I’m not.”

  “No guy in sight?” Adam asked.

  Actually, a very tempting guy sat across the table from her right now, looking as if he was about to make a mad dash out of the restaurant. But there was no way she’d admit that, even if this had turned out to be a real date, which it clearly hadn’t.

  “No,” Julie said, “I’m not dating anyone at the moment. But maybe I can convince Mrs. Kincaid that she’s wrong about single parents. My dad was in the military and deployed a lot, so my mother pretty much raised me alone. And she was a great mom. We were really close.”

  As she lifted her glass to take another drink, Adam got to his feet and said, “Listen, I have to run, but a weird thought just crossed my mind.”

  At this point, she’d consider wild ideas.

  “What if we get married?”

  * * *

  ROCKING CHAIR RODEO:

  Cowboys—and true love—never go out of style!

  Dear Reader,

  I’m excited to recommend another Harlequin Special Edition book this month to encourage readers to discover these compelling contemporary romances. The heroes and heroines are dynamic and relatable, trying their best to resist their attraction to each other while resolving the conflict that keeps them apart. But the undeniable chemistry that simmers between them cannot be denied. These books will pull you in and take you on an emotional and satisfying journey. Each story ends with a marriage proposal or wedding—delivering the happily-ever-after, because the love and security of family is the ultimate promise of Special Edition.

  Judy Duarte penned this month’s recommendation. Her classic voice and knack for handling emotional tension have won her numerous awards and two RITA® Award nominations. And Judy really has a way with Western romances and handsome cowboys!

  In The Lawman’s Convenient Family, Adam is a confirmed bachelor who enjoys playing the field until he meets Julie Chapman, a pretty, soft-spoken music therapist who’s seen more than enough anger and violence in her life. Julie loves books with happy endings and dreams of one day finding a gentle husband and creating a family in a peaceful, stable home. As physical attraction grows and mutual respect builds, Adam and Julie are forced to reevaluate what they really want out of life.

  If you enjoy stories about marriages of convenience, you’ll love The Lawman’s Convenient Family!

  All the best,

  Linda Lael Miller

  The Lawman’s Convenient Family

  Judy Duarte

  Since 2002, USA TODAY bestselling author Judy Duarte has written over forty books for Harlequin Special Edition, earned two RITA® Award nominations, won two Maggie Awards and received a National Readers’ Choice Award. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending quality time with her grandchildren. You can learn more about Judy and her books on her website, judyduarte.com, or at Facebook.com/judyduartenovelist.

  Books by Judy Duarte

  Harlequin Special Edition

  Rocking Chair Rodeo

  Roping in the Cowgirl

  The Bronc Rider’s Baby

  A Cowboy Family Christmas

  The Soldier’s Twin Surprise

  The Fortunes of Texas: All Fortune’s Children

  Wed by Fortune

  The Fortunes of Texas: The Secret Fortunes

  From Fortune to Family Man

  The Fortunes of Texas: The Rulebreakers

  No Ordinary Fortune

  Brighton Valley Cowboys

  The Boss, the Bride & the Baby

  Having the Cowboy’s Baby

  The Cowboy’s Double Trouble

  Visit the Author Profile page at www.Harlequin.com for more titles.

  Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010002

  To the amazing women who bore my

  precious grandchildren: Bree Colwell,

  Myrlett Colwell, Sarah Colwell and Christy Jeffries. You are the best mothers ever.

  Thank you for the beautiful babies and kiddos.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Excerpt from Twins for the Soldier by Rochelle Alers

  Chapter One

  Detective Adam Santiago never wore costumes, unless you counted a disguise for use when he went undercover or on a stakeout. Yet here he was, dressed up as Zorro and attending the Autumn Gala, a local charity event.

  The guy at the Halloween store had tried to talk him into getting a fake rapier, but Adam had declined. The costume was kitschy enough—he didn’t imagine he needed to add any props to complicate things.

  He had, of course, gone with the black eye-mask, which was resting on the passenger seat. If he didn’t wear the typical Zorro eyewear, people might think he was just wearing a ruffled shirt for no reason. Or maybe that he was a bullfighter.

  And speaking of other people, there’d be plenty of local folks inside who’d be surprised to see him here, since his idea of fun parties tended toward the smaller variety, something like having a few beers with a couple of friends at his favorite sports bar. Or better yet, a romantic dinner date that ended with breakfast. But tonight’s gala was an exception. Adam had actually gone so far as to pay a hundred dollars to attend the event that would benefit both of his favorite local Brighton Valley charities, the Rocking Chair Ranch and Kidville, a children’s home.

  When he’d first learned of the gala, he’d planned to make a generous donation and to tell the folks in charge that he had to work tonight. But he’d changed his mind when he’d heard that Lisa Dawson would be here. A mutual friend had shown him a picture of her, although the image was a bit blurry.

  Adam didn’t need help when it came to meeting women, but his friend Stan had been pretty convincing. Lisa’s perfect for you. She’s a flight attendant, house sitter and part-time dog walker, which means she’s away from home a lot. So she won’t expect you to spend every free moment with her. She’s also bright and fun to be around. And like you, she’s a big Star Wars fan. More important, her life’s goal isn’t to get married and to drive around town in a minivan full of kids. When he still hesitated, Stan added, She’s also a blonde—and I know you’re partial to them.

  That was when Adam agreed to meet Lisa. Lately, he’d gotten a little tired of playing the field. He wouldn’t mind settling down some, but he wasn’t going to make a major commitment to anyone. He liked his freedom way too much,
not to mention his privacy.

  But from what he’d gathered, Lisa might actually like the idea of having a one-on-one relationship with some well-defined boundaries. So he’d decided to approach her at tonight’s gala. He had no idea what she’d be wearing, but he figured he could find her in the crowd and introduce himself.

  Who knew? Maybe they’d hit it off immediately. And if so, they might even cut out early. Together.

  He parked his classic 1973 Ford Bronco under one of the streetlights and headed to the front entrance, yanking at his shirt, wishing the damn sleeves weren’t so poofy. As he approached the main entry to the Wexler Grange Hall, the outside of which had been decked out with bales of straw, scarecrows and the usual Halloween decorations, he slipped on his half mask. Then he stepped inside and scanned the crowd. Even in costumes, he recognized a lot of the townspeople, but he was more interested in seeking out one petite blonde.

  And there she was, packing a fake lightsaber on her hip and wearing a skimpy outfit befitting an intergalactic warrior princess. The black strips of fabric that made up her short skirt revealed plenty of skin, including a striking pair of shapely legs. Her hair was swept up in a prim twist, an interesting contrast to that sexy outfit.

  She had her back to him, but it had to be Lisa. She was the only petite blonde here. And, apparently, the only Star Wars fan.

  Before he could cross the room and lay a little buenos dias on her, he spotted Donna Hoffman, who was dressed as Mrs. Claus. Donna and her husband, Jim, were in charge of Kidville, the home for abused and neglected kids between the ages of five and twelve. Adam met the couple when he’d offered to mentor some of the older boys. After he’d given them his résumé and shared his background as well as his reason for wanting to work with the troubled youths, he’d added, Who better to lead a kid in the right direction than a guy who grew up in a similar situation?

  The Hoffmans had agreed, and he’d been volunteering his time there ever since. It was cool knowing he had something to offer those kids. He just hadn’t counted on getting something from them in return.

  “Hey, Donna,” Adam said, greeting the older woman with a smile. “Or should I call you Mrs. Claus?”

  She gave him a warm hug, then took a moment to check out his costume. “Did you lose your sword, Zorro?”

  “I don’t have a concealed carry permit for it, so I left it at home,” he joked. “Besides, this seems like a pretty tame party. I doubt I’ll need to use it.”

  Donna laughed and handed him a candy cane from the white frilly apron she wore over a red flannel skirt. “Jim and I bought our costumes for the Kidville Christmas party. I know they’re not very Halloween-y, but rather than invest in something else for tonight, we decided to utilize them twice this year.”

  “Good idea.” Adam’s gaze drifted across the room, seeking Lisa—at least, he thought it was her. Who else could it be?

  He spotted her near the buffet table, her back still to him, her hands on her hips. What was she doing? And when was she going to turn around so he could get a glimpse at her face?

  The party had barely begun, yet Lisa’s appeal and his interest in her were growing steadily. He wondered what she had planned for the rest of the evening.

  “Will you be coming out to Kidville again on Monday?” Donna asked, drawing him back to the here and now.

  “You bet. I’m making some headway with Tommy.”

  “We’ve noticed. And so has his teacher. We all appreciate what you’ve done for him—the private tour of police headquarters, the ride-along in a patrol car, the visit to the ice cream shop afterward. Tommy’s never had anyone take a special interest in him.”

  “Sometimes, that’s all it takes.” At least, that’s how it had worked for Adam. Stan, his mentor, had been a cop, too. A patrolman who’d found him hanging out in the city park one night after curfew. A guy who’d eventually become his foster dad and his best friend.

  Adam again glanced to the buffet table where he’d last seen Lisa, when Donna tugged at his poofy sleeve. “You keep looking across the room. What, or rather who, has caught your eye?”

  Donna had been happily married for more than thirty-five years, and she thought everyone ought to take that same route, including Adam.

  “I like looking at all the costumes,” he lied.

  “Aren’t most of them great? It’s amazing how some people go all out for an event like this.”

  He agreed, although it was one particular outfit that had caught his eye. He was just about to excuse himself and head for the buffet table when he glanced that way again and realized Lisa was no longer there. He took another scan of the room, including the dance floor, but she seemed to have vanished.

  Maybe she’d gone to powder her nose—or whatever it was that sexy space women did.

  What the hell? The night was still young. He’d find time to talk to her. And now that he’d seen her outside of her blurry photo, meeting her in person had become a high priority.

  * * *

  The food hadn’t been brought out yet, but Julie Chapman didn’t like the way the buffet table had been set up in the local Grange Hall. Before changing things around, she returned to the kitchen and asked Ralph Graystone, her boss and the owner of Silver Spoon Catering, if she had his permission to do so.

  “Go ahead,” Ralph told her as he filled a platter with appetizers. “You did a great job on the decorations at that wedding we catered last weekend, so I trust your judgment.”

  Julie thanked him, then returned to the party, stopping in the doorway long enough to tug at one of the flimsy black strips that made up her short skirt, the length of which had obviously been altered.

  When Ralph asked the crew to wear costumes for tonight’s event, she’d objected at first, explaining that she didn’t have anything to wear.

  Borrow something, he’d told her. It’s a Halloween party. We’re all dressing up. I’m going to wear my chef’s hat, but I’m painting my face like the Joker. And don’t forget it’s a charitable event.

  And that was the only reason Julie had decided to be a good sport about it, but she wasn’t the least bit happy about the Star Wars getup Carlene, her coworker, had loaned her this afternoon, saying, You’ll be a space princess. A sexy badass.

  Julie had expected to wear some kind of sci-fi getup, but she had no idea that Carlene had shortened and altered the intergalactic costume to the point that Julie would reveal way too much skin. Unfortunately, she’d waited until the last minute to pick it up, and by the time she tried it on, it was too late to find something else.

  Carlene, who was dressed as a bawdy tavern wench, her double Ds practically pouring out of the low-cut bodice, didn’t seem the least bit uneasy about the way she was dressed. But unlike Julie, Carlene ran with a wilder crowd.

  Still, when she entered the Grange Hall kitchen earlier, she’d told Carlene that she’d brought her Silver Spoon Catering shirt and a pair of black slacks with her and suggested it as a more appropriate option.

  Her friend had clucked her tongue. Don’t be a party pooper, Julie. We’re all dressing up this evening. Just go with the theme and have fun.

  So here she was, trying to make the best of it. And from the bursts of laughter coming from the people mingling in small groups and from the smiles of those kicking up their heels on the dance floor, everyone in attendance seemed to be having a good time so far. But that didn’t make Julie feel better about the way she was dressed.

  Still, she had a heart for children, as well as the elderly. In fact, if she hadn’t been working at the gala, she would have gladly paid to attend.

  As she added the finishing touch to the second of two buffet lines, she scanned the festive Grange Hall, which the gala committee had decorated with wispy ghosts, dangling bats and spiderwebs. Then she double-checked the dinner tables.

  Silver Spoon Catering had provided the food at a discoun
t. The generous donation to the cause had actually been her boss’s attempt to promote his new business venture and to impress some of the wealthier people in the area.

  As Julie noted the smiling attendees, she suspected Ralph’s plan just might work. She took a moment to admire their costumes, some of which were pretty cool.

  One in particular, a man dressed as Zorro, caught her eye once more. The dark-haired, olive-skinned hunk was wearing black slacks, a crisp white shirt opened at the collar and a half mask. It was a great outfit, especially for a hot guy who appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties.

  She’d first noticed him when he’d entered the Grange Hall with a confident stride, clearly sure of himself. Off and on, she’d studied him surreptitiously, wondering who he was and realizing that he sure seemed to know most of the people here.

  There was something vibrant about him, something alluring that drew her attention. So much so, that she continued to steal glances his way every chance she got.

  She’d better be careful, though. She had work to do and a job she needed to keep, even if she considered it only temporary.

  She’d no more than turned away from the buffet line when she spotted Santa Claus. She recognized him instantly. It was Jim Hoffman, the director of Kidville—and just the guy she’d hoped to meet. Now was her chance. So she approached the heavyset gentleman and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Hoffman. My name is Julie Chapman, and I’m a music therapist. I’d like to make an appointment to speak to you about a job at Kidville.”

  He brightened, his eyes twinkling just like jolly ol’ St. Nick’s. “My wife and I would love to incorporate music into our therapy program, but our funding is stretched to the limit right now, so I’m afraid we can’t offer a paid position.”

  Julie actually needed a steady paycheck, which was why she’d gone to work for the catering company. But she could also use some experience to add to her resume, not to mention an opportunity to get a foot in the door at Kidville.