Judith Stacy - The Heart Of A Hero

“We need to talk,” Jess said. “We need to talk,” Jess said. Sarah fell back a step, clutching her wrapper tighter against her throat. “It’s late, Jess, and—” “It’s late all right, Sarah. Too late for me to come to call, too late for me to pretend any more.” She inched toward the doorway. “I—I don’t understand.” “Yes you do.” He followed her across the room and caught her arm. “You’ve been running since the day I laid eyes on you. I thought you were running from me, Sarah, but you’re not. And it’s not that you’re worried about getting fired. It’s something else.” She turned her head away. “No, you’re wrong.” “Sarah, I never felt about a woman the way I feel about you. Can’t you give me a chance? Can’t you trust me?” Forcing down her feelings, Sarah pulled away from him. He followed, not letting her go far, but without his touch soft and warm against her, she could think better. “It’s not a matter of trust, jess....” Letter to Reader Dear Reader, If you’ve never read a Harlequin Historical novel, you’re in for a treat. We offer compelling, richly developed stories that let you escape to the past—written by some of the best writers in the field! The Heart of a Hero is a darling new Western by Judith Stacy. Judith Stacy is the pseudonym for Dorothy Howell, who has written numerous historicals for Berkley and Zebra. Here, a bad boy turned rancher returns to his small Wyoming hometown and has thirty days to prove that he’ll be a good father to his niece and nephew. The new schoolmarm, who believes in Jess Logan, teaches him how to win over the town’s biddies, and falls in love in the process! Rising talent Lyn Stone returns with The Knight’s Bride, a heartwarming and humorous medieval tale of a very true knight who puts his honorable reputation on the line when he marries the beautiful widow of his best friend. And in Burke’s Rules by Pat Tracy, book two of THE GUARDSMEN series, a Denver schoolmistress falls for the “protective” banker who helps fund her school Don’t miss this fun, sensuous story! Rounding out the month is Pride of Lions by award-winning author Suzanne Barclay. In this continuation of her highly acclaimed SUTHERLAND SERIES, a knight and a warrioress from enemy clans join forces when they are stranded in the territory of an evil laird. It’s great! Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historical ® novel. Sincerely, Tracy Farrell, Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Harlequin Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3 Title Page The Heart Of A Hero Judith Stacy www.millsandboon.co.uk About the Author JUDITH STACY began writing as a personal challenge and found it a perfect outlet for all those thoughts and ideas bouncing around in her head. She chose romance because of the emotional involvement with the characters, and historicals for her love of bygone days. Judith has been married to her high school sweetheart for over two decades and has two daughters. When not writing, she haunts museums, historical homes and antique stores, gathering ideas for new adventures set in the past. Dedication To Judy and Stacy, who are my greatest weaknesses. And to David, who is my strength. The author wishes to thank Nick B. Andonov, Ph.D., for his assistance with this story. 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 Copyright

“We need to talk,” Jess said.

Sarah fell back a step, clutching her wrapper tighter against her throat. “It’s late, Jess, and—”

“It’s late all right, Sarah. Too late for me to come to call, too late for me to pretend any more.”

She inched toward the doorway. “I—I don’t understand.”

“Yes you do.” He followed her across the room and caught her arm. “You’ve been running since the day I laid eyes on you. I thought you were running from me, Sarah, but you’re not. And it’s not that you’re worried about getting fired. It’s something else.”

She turned her head away. “No, you’re wrong.”

“Sarah, I never felt about a woman the way I feel about you. Can’t you give me a chance? Can’t you trust me?”

Forcing down her feelings, Sarah pulled away from him. He followed, not letting her go far, but without his touch soft and warm against her, she could think better.

“It’s not a matter of trust, jess....”

Dear Reader,

If you’ve never read a Harlequin Historical novel, you’re in for a treat. We offer compelling, richly developed stories that let you escape to the past—written by some of the best writers in the field!

The Heart of a Hero is a darling new Western by Judith Stacy. Judith Stacy is the pseudonym for Dorothy Howell, who has written numerous historicals for Berkley and Zebra. Here, a bad boy turned rancher returns to his small Wyoming hometown and has thirty days to prove that he’ll be a good father to his niece and nephew. The new schoolmarm, who believes in Jess Logan, teaches him how to win over the town’s biddies, and falls in love in the process!

Rising talent Lyn Stone returns with The Knight’s Bride, a heartwarming and humorous medieval tale of a very true knight who puts his honorable reputation on the line when he marries the beautiful widow of his best friend. And in Burke’s Rules by Pat Tracy, book two of THE GUARDSMEN series, a Denver schoolmistress falls for the “protective” banker who helps fund her school Don’t miss this fun, sensuous story!

Rounding out the month is Pride of Lions by award-winning author Suzanne Barclay. In this continuation of her highly acclaimed SUTHERLAND SERIES, a knight and a warrioress from enemy clans join forces when they are stranded in the territory of an evil laird. It’s great!

Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historical ®novel.

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell, Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Harlequin Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

The Heart Of A Hero

Judith Stacy

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JUDITH STACY began writing as a personal challenge and found it a perfect outlet for all those thoughts and ideas bouncing around in her head. She chose romance because of the emotional involvement with the characters, and historicals for her love of bygone days.

Judith has been married to her high school sweetheart for over two decades and has two daughters. When not writing, she haunts museums, historical homes and antique stores, gathering ideas for new adventures set in the past.

To Judy and Stacy, who are my greatest weaknesses.

And to David, who is my strength.

The author wishes to thank Nick B. Andonov, Ph.D.,

for his assistance with this story.

Chapter One

Wyoming, 1886

"I’m here to take the kids away.”

Jess Logan eyed the woman blocking the doorway. Warmth radiated from the neat, well-kept parlor behind her, but her face looked as cold as the wind biting at his ears. He’d expected as much.

Alma Garrette’s brows rose to a haughty arch. “I can’t believe you have the nerve to show your face here in Walker after all these years.”

“I’m here for my sister’s kids, Mrs. Garrette. Sheriff told me you had them.”

“Humph! Your sister has been by herself for nearly three years now since her husband ran off. And where have you been? You couldn’t have gotten here a month ago when she was ailing and needed the help? Or three days ago when she passed on? Or yesterday for the service?” Her gaze raked him from head to toe.

Jess ran his hand over his week-old beard. “I got here quick as I could.”

Her mouth curled downward as if she doubted it. “I’ll tell you right now, Jess Logan, I don’t like this one bit. I told the sheriff so myself. Those poor babies have never even laid eyes on you. What do you know about raising children, a man with your... past.”

Beneath his poncho, Jess’s hands curled into fists. “Would you just get the kids? It’s nearly dark. I want to get them home.”

“Your sister’s home, you mean.”

His jaw tightened. “Their home.”

She gave him a final scathing look and shut the door in his face. He knew it wasn’t the mud on his boots or the rain dripping from his Stetson that kept her from inviting him inside.

The door swung open quickly and a stoop-shouldered man squinted up at him. “Jess Logan? Is that you, boy? It’s me—Rory Garrette.”

“Mr. Garrette?” Jesus, what had happened to the man? He’d gotten so old.

Rory chuckled and leaned heavily on his cane. “Been a long time, boy. What? Fifteen years?”

“Yeah, about that.” Jess shifted his wide shoulders. On the trail these past weeks, every bump and sway—every memory—caused his thirty-two years to weigh more heavily on him. Now, seeing Rory Garrette, the burden lifted a little. “How you been, Mr. Garrette?”

“Tolerable, I reckon.” He nodded toward the muddy roadway and the misting rain. “Things in Walker have changed, though. It’s just not the same, not like when you were here.”

Jess didn’t answer, the past being the last thing he wanted to discuss.

“Yes sirree, them were the days. You boys were something. Fighting, drinking—kept the saloons in business yourselves, you and the Vernon boys. And the girls...land alive, weren’t no girl safe with you boys loose on the streets.” Rory laughed aloud. “And always into mischief, too. I remember the time you boys set fire to old lady Murray’s privy with her inside, she come a-running—”

“That was a long time ago, Mr. Garrette.”

“Yeah, that’s for dang sure.” His smile faded. “Town’s done gone respectable now. Got us a regular preacher over to the church, a full-time sheriff and deputy, too. Got enough ordinances and laws to choke a horse. New schoolmarm just got here, some widow woman from back East. All the ladies in town been wringing their hands since your sister took sick, wondering how we’d get us another teacher way out here. I guess you’ve seen some changes here in Walker already, huh, boy?”

He’d seen his sister’s grave. That was enough.

Alma stepped into the doorway, sending Rory on his way with a disapproving glare. She passed a small carpetbag to Jess. “Here’s their things.”

Beside her stood the children. His sister’s children. He’d never seen them before.

Little Maggie looked up at him with solemn eyes. Eyes older than her eight years. Jess knelt in front of her. The picture of her mother, with big brown eyes and blond curls. A lump of emotion rose in his throat.

“Mrs. Garrette says you’re Mama’s brother.”

“That’s right, Maggie. I’m your Uncle Jess.”

“Mama’s dead.”

His chest tightened. “I know, honey.” He turned to the little brown-haired boy peeking around Alma’s skirt. “Hey there, cowboy.”

“His name is Jimmy,” Maggie told him. “He turned five last week, but we couldn’t have a party or anything ’cause of Mama.”