“My father saw something in you. I see it, too. You’re the only one who doesn’t know that you’re a hero.”

      “That’s wrong.”

      Laurie gnawed her lower lip. If he was a hero, he wouldn’t be thinking of kissing her again.

      “Then what’s in this for you?” she asked.

      “Nothing.” He glanced away and felt her hand clamp on his arm.

      “He didn’t promise you anything? You didn’t ask for anything?”

      He shook his head.

      “But you’re hoping for something? Something important? Something you won’t have otherwise? You bring me home and my father is indebted to you. What is it he can give you?”

      Boon’s face heated and he looked away. Laurie gasped.

      “You want to be a Texas Ranger!” Her jaw dropped open at the startling discovery. Boon wanted to be a lawman—protect the weak, uphold the law. She blinked in astonishment.

      His eyes narrowed and his features hardened into a nasty scowl. He tugged his arm free. “They don’t let outlaws into the Rangers.”

      She ignored that. “But that proves my point. A good man. I knew it all along.”

       AUTHOR NOTE

      I had so much fun researching Texas for THE LAST CAHILL COWBOY that I just couldn’t leave the state.

      In this story you’ll meet a feisty heroine, Laurie Bender, daughter of a famous Texas Ranger, who is trying so hard to be the perfect lady that it nearly kills her. I’ve loved watching Laurie gaining confidence and independence as she loses more and more of her clothing. For me, her proper attire is an outward symbol of the lie she is living.

      Her hero, Boon, has had none of the advantages Laurie’s enjoyed, but also none of the confinements. He’s the son of a whore, with no daddy and no last name. But he is more than the rough, tough outlaw he appears. Inside he longs for the respect and belonging that comes with wearing a Ranger’s Star. But past mistakes have closed that door to him for ever. He’s ridden with the most notorious gang in Texas and Laurie’s a lawman’s daughter. He knows what he wants and can’t have it. She knows what’s expected and doesn’t want it.

      I simply loved telling their story. The words just flew onto the pages. I hope you enjoy Laurie and Boon’s adventure as they escape from outlaws and run for their lives. For more about THE TEXAS RANGER’S DAUGHTER visit my website at www.jennakernan.com and look for my ‘Story Behind the Story’ page.

      And, as always, enjoy the adventure!

       About the Author

      Every bit as adventurous as her heroines, JENNA KERNAN is an avid gold-prospector, searching America’s gold-bearing rivers for elusive nuggets. She and her husband have written several books on gem and mineral hunting. Her debut novel, WINTER WOMAN, was a RITA® Award finalist for Best First Book.

      Jenna lives with her husband and two bad little parrots in New York. Visit her on the web at www.jennakernan.com, for news, contests and excerpts.

       Previous novels by Jenna Kernan:

      WINTER WOMAN

      TURNER’S WOMAN

      HIS BROTHER’S BRIDE

      (part of Wed Under Western Skies)

      THE TRAPPER

      FALLEN ANGEL

      (part of A Western Winter Wonderland)

      HIGH PLAINS BRIDE

      OUTLAW BRIDE

      SIERRA BRIDE

      HIS DAKOTA CAPTIVE

      THE SHERIFF’S HOUSEKEEPER BRIDE

      (part of Western Winter Wedding Bells)

      GOLD RUSH GROOM

       Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

      The Texas Ranger’s Daughter

      Jenna Kernan

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      To Jim—now and always.

       Chapter One

       Northwest of San Antonio, Texas, 1879

      The men watched her with hungry eyes. Laurie Bender sat perfectly still outside the circle of firelight, hands bound before her, praying to disappear, knowing from the long, lustful stares that not one of the outlaws had forgotten about her.

      She had endured a night and day of hell since her abduction from the train station in San Antonio. She’d been bound, tied and bounced over rough country in the back of a buckboard until she was black-and-blue. But that would be nothing compared to what awaited her next.

      She cast a quick glance around the circle to find the biggest ruffian staring at her. The instant their eyes met, he rubbed his groin in the most lewd gesture she had ever seen. She dropped her gaze but could not contain her gasp of shock. The blood drained from her face so fast that her cheeks tingled and her ears began to ring. His laughter raised the hairs on her neck; it was a cruel sound filled with malice and menace. From then on, Laurie kept her eyes on the fire.

      If only her father would come before it was too late. Had her letter reached him? Did he even know to expect her?

      “Rider!”

      The shout came from the ridge above the outlaws’ filthy little camp, squatting against the cliff of a box canyon around the remains of a broken-down adobe ranch house. The structure now lacked a roof and had been abandoned, Laurie supposed, for lack of one single thing a ranch needed.

      All nine men set aside their bottles and rose to their feet, drawing their guns in unison. Three melted into the darkness while the others fanned out. Two mounted up and rode past the second sentry, who was perched high on the cliff above them.

      The big one in the gray hat took the opportunity to come straight at her. He grabbed her hair as one might grasp a troublesome weed and yanked, forcing her head back.

      He nuzzled against her neck above the top of the knife-pleated ruffle that topped her blouse and then brought his lips to her ear.

      “I’m taking you now,” he growled.

      A pistol cocked close to Laurie’s head and the man let go so fast she stumbled.

      “I like ya, Larson. I do. But I can’t abide a man not following orders.” It was the voice of their leader, George Hammer. Laurie recognized it, would never forget it as long as she lived. Everyone in Texas had heard of George Hammer and his gang because he killed all witnesses of each robbery he committed down to the last woman and child. His soul must be as black as ink. Laurie knew he would be punished in the afterlife, but that belief was cold comfort now.

      Her father was one of the men after Hammer. Laurie closed her eyes, imagining her father’s division of Texas Rangers storming the camp.

      The painful grip on her hair eased away and her scalp tingled in relief as Larson stepped back.

      “Been a long time since we had a woman, boss,” Larson whined.

      “Now you apologize to our little guest.” The outlaw stood with