A prodigal Colton comes home...

...to the shock of his life!

Grieving the loss of his late wife, Dallas Colton rarely lets his guard down. The one time he indulges in a wild night of passion, it yields unexpected results. Seven months later, Dallas finds himself expecting twins with prosecutor Avery Logan—and working to protect Avery from criminals who want her dead. But when long-buried secrets rise from the grave, their growing family is soon under siege.

CARLA CASSIDY is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author who has written more than 120 novels for Harlequin. In 1995, she won Best Silhouette Romance from RT Book Reviews for Anything for Danny. In 1998, she won a Career Achievement Award for Best Innovative Series from RT Book Reviews. 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.

Also By Carla Cassidy

Colton 911

Colton 911: Target in Jeopardy

Cowboys of Holiday Ranch

A Real Cowboy

Cowboy of Interest

Cowboy Under Fire

Cowboy at Arms

Operation Cowboy Daddy

Killer Cowboy

Sheltered by the Cowboy

Guardian Cowboy

Cowboy Defender

The Coltons of Red Ridge

The Colton Cowboy

The Coltons of Shadow Creek

Colton’s Secret Son

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

Colton 911: Target in Jeopardy

Carla Cassidy

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09434-4

COLTON 911: TARGET IN JEOPARDY

© 2019 Carla Cassidy

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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Version: 2020-03-02

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Avery drove as fast as possible toward Dallas’s cabin.

She had no idea if the truck that had followed her, that had attacked her, would turn around and come after her or not. She grabbed her cell phone out of her purse but was too busy frantically driving to make a call.

Fear still clawed at her throat as her eyes shot to her rearview mirror over and over again. She didn’t see anyone following her yet, but she feared the truck would suddenly appear right behind her once again.

She finally pulled up in front of Dallas’s cabin and pulled to a halt next to his truck. Safety. She continued to sob as she took her phone and raced for his front door.

“Dallas!” She beat on the door with her fist. Fear was still a frantic, screaming beast inside her. There was no answer. She banged on the door once again. “Dallas, please help me!”

* * *

Dear Reader,

We love our Coltons, and what could be better than a Colton book that includes a serial killer and a surprise pregnancy?

It was such fun writing Avery Logan and Dallas Colton’s story. I love to write about people exploring the possibility of love. It makes me remember falling in love with my husband.

Of course, for Avery and Dallas, all is not smooth. There are definitely bumps in the road for these two...bumps and danger. If you want to know if they survive and if true love manages to overcome the darkness that is thrown in their paths, then you just need to read the book!

As always, happy reading!

Carla Cassidy

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Introduction

Dear Reader

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

About the Publisher

Chapter 1

Avery Logan slowly walked up the stairs to the courthouse’s front door. She paused for a moment before going inside the stately three-story brick building where justice was handed out on a daily basis.

She took her job very seriously. She always arrived early and took a moment or two to relax on the top concrete step before heading inside to face her job as a criminal prosecutor.

There were several other people standing around and waiting for the courthouse to officially open its doors to the public, including some who would find out their fate.

She shifted her briefcase from one hand to the other and drew in a deep breath of the September air. Autumn was her favorite time of the year. The changing colors of the trees in Whisperwood, Texas, were particularly pretty this year. Deep reds battled with shades of orange and yellow, and created a vision of nature at its finest.

Optimism buoyed her in spite of the fact that her feet already hurt and her lower back ached. Today was the last of the witnesses, and hopefully final arguments would occur by noon. She was relatively sure as prosecutor that this was going to be a win for Lady Justice. Although Dwayne Conway wasn’t the big drug lord she dreamed of bringing down, if she’d done her job right at least he’d be one more lowlife drug-selling creep off the streets.

A sharp, stabbing pain shot through her. Her heart suddenly wept a single name... Zeke. Since his death a little over a year ago, a day didn’t go by that she didn’t grieve for him. He’d been her best friend and her beloved younger brother, and a heroin overdose had taken him away from her forever.

She shoved thoughts of Zeke away and took one more glance around at the people gathered at the foot of the stairs. Suddenly she froze.

He stood with a small group, including Forrest Colton, who was due to testify in the trial today. Was it really him or was she just imagining it?

“Dallas.” His name whispered from her lips as a thousand emotions rushed over her. She stared at the man’s profile, drinking in the sight of his wavy, sandy-colored hair and his straight nose. Yes, there was no question in her mind, it was him. She knew his eyes were an azure blue and that he had an utterly charming smile.

She also knew what it felt like to be held in his strong arms and how his sexy lips could kiss a woman completely mindless. She knew what it felt like to make exquisite love with him. What she didn’t know was his last name.

She wrapped an arm around her burgeoning stomach, and at the same time he turned and looked up. His eyes widened in obvious stunned surprise at the sight of her. His gaze swept the length of her body, pausing on the huge baby bump that had annihilated her waistline months ago, and then his gaze trekked back up to her face.

She remained frozen in place, not sure what to do. Should she turn around and run? What was his reaction going to be? It wasn’t like she really knew him. They’d shared only a single night together, a passionate night fueled by a little too much alcohol and loneliness. It had also been a foolish night without birth control or protection.

He said something to the others in the group and then slowly climbed the stairs to where she stood. Her heart beat a million miles a minute as he drew closer.

He was just as handsome as she remembered, with his light hair, intense blue eyes and well-defined features. She held her breath as he finally reached her.

“Avery,” he said in greeting.

“Hi, Dallas. It’s been a while.” Good Lord, this was definitely the most awkward moment she’d ever experienced in all of her thirty-three years. His gaze once again lingered on her very pregnant belly. “Uh...yes,” she said, answering what she knew his question might be.

He shifted from one foot to the other, as if at a loss for words, and his face instantly paled. She had only a couple minutes left before she needed to be in her seat in the courtroom. “Uh, it’s nice to see you again,” she said. “I need to get inside.” She turned toward the door, but he stopped her.

“Avery, obviously we need to talk.” He pulled his wallet out of his black slacks’ pocket and drew out a business card and handed it to her. “That’s got all my contact information on it. Could we maybe meet somewhere later today, after you’re finished here?”

“I’m hoping this case goes to the jury around noon. I could meet you at JoJo’s Java after that.”

“That would be good,” he replied soberly.

“I really need to get inside now.” This time when she turned toward the door he didn’t stop her.

It wasn’t until she went through security and walked toward the courtroom where the trial was taking place that she finally drew a deep, unsteady breath.

What a shock, to suddenly see the man who had been only a memory in her thoughts for the past seven and a half months. He had looked as handsome as he had on the night she’d first met him. His slacks had fit perfectly on his slim hips and long legs. The gray dress shirt he wore had loved his lean muscles and broad shoulders.

Now that he knew she was pregnant what would happen? Would he really believe he was the father? She’d certainly fallen into bed with him easily enough; would he believe she did that with other men, as well? He was the one and only man she’d been with for a very long time. If he wanted a DNA test, she would understand and she would gladly comply.

She was pleased that he knew. As the father he had a right to know. If she’d known how to contact him she would have done so when she had first found out she was pregnant.

Would he want to be a part of this? Would he want to be an involved father? Or would he disappear once again and have nothing to do with her? As far as she was concerned he didn’t owe her anything. She’d been foolish enough to have sex without protection and it had been her choice to have the babies.

She looked at the card he had handed her. Dallas Colton. His last name was Colton. That name was certainly a familiar one in Whisperwood, Texas. The Cowboy Heroes were a horseback rescue team that ventured into disaster zones and rescued the stranded, and several of the Colton men were a part of it. They were both EMTs and ranchers, and all of them were specialists in search and rescue.

Most recently they had been instrumental in saving lives when Hurricane Brooke had roared through the small town, leaving behind destruction from high winds, flooding waters and the horrific tornadoes that had been spawned by the storm.

She reached the courtroom and took her place on the prosecutor’s side of the room. She opened her briefcase and tucked the business card inside one of the pockets, and then withdrew the papers she would need for the day.

As the courtroom began to fill, she tried to get her mind off Dallas. She had to focus on the task at hand, prosecuting a dope dealer, but her mind continued to fill with memories of the night she had shared with Dallas.

She’d gone to Bailey’s Bar with her best friend, PI Summer Davies, with the intention of drinking her stress and sorrow away. She had still been deeply grieving her brother’s death and she’d been working on a case that had included her receiving death threats.

She’d already had a couple drinks when he’d walked in. He’d been one hot piece of eye candy clad in his army uniform, and when their gazes had met a sweet heat had rushed through her. Eventually Summer had left the bar, but Avery had stayed and the handsome army sergeant had approached her.

He’d told her he was on leave and in town visiting relatives. She didn’t ask who the relatives were, and he didn’t offer any names. Instead they had shared more drinks and talked about nothing too important.

The sexual energy between them had been off the charts and that night she had done something she’d never done before. They had left the bar and gone to the nearby motel, and there she’d had a one-night stand.

She’d awakened the next morning with a desire to get to know him better, to build on their incredible physical attraction. However, he’d told her in no uncertain terms that he wanted nothing more from her. She’d left the motel and had never seen or heard from him again, until now.

Forrest Colton was a witness in the trial and that meant Dallas was probably going to sit in the courtroom. She couldn’t turn around. She didn’t want to see him right now when she had such an important job to do. But it was a bit disquieting to realize he’d be watching her.

“All rise.” The bailiff’s deep, loud voice yanked her from her thoughts. It was definitely time for her to focus on her job. Dwayne Conway was a punk, a thug who had sold pain pills and a rock of cocaine to an undercover cop. Forrest Colton had witnessed the illegal transaction and would be called to the stand to corroborate the cop’s story.

Dwayne was low-hanging fruit of a rotten tree that grew in Whisperwood, a tree of drugs and corruption that was getting bigger and bigger every day. Avery was on the front line of the fight to get all drugs, especially the deadly heroin, off the streets of the town she loved.

Just as she had figured, it was eleven thirty when she made her closing arguments, and by noon the case was given to the jury.

She and the defense attorney met with the judge for a few last-minute paperwork details and then she was free until the jury returned with a verdict. Hopefully, that would happen fairly quickly and another bottom-feeder would be off the streets.

There was no sign of Dallas when she left the courtroom. She assumed he knew she would be heading to JoJo’s Java to meet with him.

As she headed toward her car in the parking lot behind the building, butterflies danced in her stomach. She’d scarcely had time to process the fact that Dallas was here, let alone that she was going to meet with him in just a few minutes.

The butterflies grew more active as she pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main drag. She’d fantasized about this moment for the entire seven and a half months of her pregnancy.

There had been no question in her mind that Dallas was the father. Before that night with him it had been over a year since she’d had sex, and that with a man she’d dated for only three months.

There had been few men in her life. Before Zeke’s death she’d been too career oriented to want any long-term relationships, and since Zeke’s death that was the last thing she wanted.

She parked in a space in front of the trendy coffee shop. For a moment she remained seated in the car and gently caressed her stomach, wondering how reality would stack up to fantasy.

With a small sigh, she got out of her car and headed inside to find out what would happen now that Dallas was here.

* * *

Dallas Colton sat at a table for two toward the back of JoJo’s Java, with a cup of black coffee before him. The coffee shop was a popular place for people to gather in town. Along with the tables and chairs, there was a long bar and an outdoor patio. Amber lighting overhead provided a warm, cozy feeling.

He wasn’t feeling all warm and cozy right now. He was still very much reeling from seeing Avery again...a very pregnant Avery.

When he’d first looked up and seen her standing on the top step of the courthouse, his heart had crashed against his ribs. Not that his heart had been involved with her at all, but he’d been momentarily stunned by her beauty.

Her long, reddish-brown hair had sparkled in the sunlight and he suddenly remembered that her eyes were the green of a dark, mysterious forest.

When he’d seen her pregnant stomach, he’d known instinctively that the baby was his. Birth control and protection had been the last things on his mind when he’d left the bar with her and gone to the nearby motel almost eight months before.

It had been a night of crazy, wild passion. That night he’d wrapped his arms around Avery in an effort to momentarily staunch his grief over another woman.

Ivy. Her name whispered through him, along with a swell of all-too-familiar anguish. Oh God, he couldn’t think about her right now. It felt like such a betrayal to think about her while he met with a woman who was probably carrying his baby. He consciously willed those thoughts away and took a drink of his coffee.

Right now his complete focus needed to be on Avery and the very real possibility that the baby she carried was his. The timing was certainly right for that to be. If that was the case, he needed to figure out what came next.

Was she in a relationship with another man? Was it possible she had married since he had been with her? He frowned. He wasn’t sure he liked the idea of another man raising his child.

Maybe he was jumping way ahead of himself. Maybe the baby she carried wasn’t his. But she’d indicated it was and his gut told him it was his.

Jeez. A baby. This was certainly not the way he’d envisioned himself becoming a father...a one-night stand with a woman he didn’t really know.

He wouldn’t have even been at the courthouse this morning if his brother hadn’t been testifying. At the last minute Dallas had decided to go along and offer Forrest his support.

He looked toward the entrance at the same time Avery came through the door. She looked around and then spotted him. She held up a hand and pointed toward the counter, then walked over to it and placed an order. Despite her condition, she walked with a confidence that was both powerful and yet graceful. He found it very attractive.

He’d been entranced as she’d given her closing arguments minutes earlier. She’d been so impassioned, demanding rather than pleading for votes of guilt. She was obviously very smart and articulate, and yet had connected with the jury on an emotional level.

Her black slacks emphasized her slender legs. Her red blouse elegantly skimmed the fullness of her belly. In spite of her current condition, the memory of their night together was suddenly a hot burn in his brain. It had been a night of intense pleasure. She’d been a giving lover and the experience of having sex with her was emblazoned in his mind.

As she paid for a cup of something, he tried to shove those provocative memories out of his head. This whole thing felt so surreal and so very awkward.

She eased down in the chair opposite his and brought with her a scent of an exotic spice and citrus fragrance that he instantly remembered from their night together.

He tightened his fingers around his warm, plastic-foam cup and worked up a smile that hopefully didn’t show how very ill at ease he was under the circumstances.

“There’s nothing better to calm the nerves than a hot cup of herbal tea,” she said, to break the ice.

Maybe he should have opted for some of that tea instead of the coffee that now sat heavy in his chest. He had so many questions, yet at the moment, sitting across from her, he was uncharacteristically tongue-tied. “Why didn’t you tell me?” The words finally blurted out of him.

She raised an eyebrow. “How could I have told you? I only knew your first name and that you were in the army. I had no idea where you were stationed or how to contact you. We didn’t exactly exchange phone numbers and addresses that night.”

Her cheeks flushed with a pretty pink color. “You can believe it or not, but that was the first and only time I’ve ever done something like that in my entire life. It was a night of risky behavior and that isn’t who I am. You were the only man I’d been with for a very long time.”

He really had no reason to believe her, but he did. Despite their wild desire that night, there had also been a shyness, an awkwardness about her that had let him know it wasn’t something she did all the time.

She didn’t need to know he’d acted out of character that night, as well. Driven into the bar with a deep grief, he’d intended to drink himself into oblivion. Although he’d had more than his share of booze that night, it had been Avery’s smile that had prompted him to try to lose his grief in her rather than the bottom of a bottle.

It hadn’t worked. He’d awakened the next morning hungover and with his grief still intact, and a new guilt weighing heavy in his heart. The only real difference had been he’d had a beautiful woman in his arms who had wanted more from him than he could give.

“I would have loved to contact you when I first found out I was pregnant, but I couldn’t. I had no idea how to find you.” Her hand dropped to her stomach. “I don’t expect anything from you, Dallas. I made the decision to have these babies and I’m fine doing this all on my own.”

A shocked surprise jolted through him. “B-b-babies?” he stuttered.

She nodded and smiled. “I’m carrying twins...a boy and a girl.”

He couldn’t help the small gasp that escaped him. He hadn’t even completely processed that she was pregnant with one baby, let alone two.

She frowned and stared down into her cup for a long moment and then glanced back at him. “Look, I know this has to be a big shock to you,” she said. “I really don’t need anything from you, Dallas. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“You aren’t getting rid of me that easily,” he immediately replied. This might not be the time or the way he would have chosen to become a father, but that didn’t matter. Now he knew she carried his son and his daughter and he wasn’t about to walk away from his babies.

“Uh...do you have a significant other in your life right now?” he asked.

She laughed, the sound rich and melodic. “Right, I’ve had to beat the men away from me and my girlish figure.” She sobered and then sighed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be sarcastic, and no, there’s no significant other in my life. I’ve never even wanted one. I’ve been pretty focused on my career. What about you?”

“No, there’s nobody,” he replied. Unless he counted the ghost of a woman who haunted him, a ghost he just couldn’t let go of because the pain of loss, of utter emptiness, would be too great for him to endure.

“When do you leave to go back to where you’re stationed?” she asked.

“I don’t. I’m now former Army Sergeant Dallas Colton. I finalized my discharge three months ago and I’m here in Whisperwood to stay.”

“Oh, I’m surprised we haven’t run into each other before now,” she replied.

“I’m living in an old foreman’s cabin out on the ranch, and for the last couple of months I’ve been doing what I can to help with the cleanup after the hurricane. I don’t get into town much.” His gaze once again took in the sight of her stomach. “Should you still be working?”

“Actually, this was my last case. Once the jury comes back I am officially on maternity leave. It’s time for me to nest.”

“Nest?”

She smiled. She had a beautiful smile that lit up her features and warmed whoever it was directed at. It had been her smile that had initially grabbed his attention in the bar that night, and that warmth now swept over him.

“You know, I’ll make sure I have everything ready for the babies when they arrive. I’ll get a manicure and a pedicure and make sure I get extra sleep and relax before they get here.”

“Do you have everything you need for when they do get here?” he asked.

“Yes. My coworkers gave me a big baby shower last month and they were all very generous. I told you I didn’t need anything from you, Dallas, and I meant it. There’s only one person here in town who knows you are the father and that’s my closest friend. She would never tell anyone. I would love for you to be a part of their lives. I certainly believe it’s important for children to have both parents involved, but I understand if you just want to walk away.”

“What would make you think I’m the kind of man who would just walk away from this?”

She tilted her head and gazed at him intently. “Dallas, I really don’t know what kind of a man you are.”

And he didn’t know what kind of woman she was. Oh, he knew how hot her kisses were and how her bare skin felt against his. He knew how her sweet moans had sounded against the side of his neck. But, that was really all he knew about her.

“I think it would be nice if we got to know each other better,” he said. Actually, he thought it was a necessity in this crazy circumstance.

“And how do we do that?” she asked.

“Why don’t we start with me taking you out to dinner at the Bluebell Diner tomorrow night?” he replied.

She looked at him in surprise. “Uh...okay, that would be nice.” Her cell phone rang. “Excuse me,” she murmured, and took the call. It lasted only a minute and then she hung up and gathered her purse and briefcase.

“I’m sorry. The jury has returned and I’ve got to get back to the courthouse.”

He stood as she did. “That was fast.”

She flashed him that beautiful smile again. “And hopefully a good sign.”

“Shall we say six tomorrow evening?” he asked.

“That sounds perfect. I’ll text you my address and I’ll see you then.”

He watched as she headed toward the door and then he sank back down into his chair. Twins. Jeez, this was the very last thing he’d expected when he’d driven into town this morning to be a support to his brother. Heck, in a million years he couldn’t have expected to suddenly discover he was about to become the father of twins.

He took a sip of his now cold coffee and leaned back in the chair. Two babies. A little boy and a little girl. He was going to be a father, and fairly quickly. With the initial shock slowly wearing off came a sense of anticipation...a sense of unexpected joy.

He hadn’t expected to ever feel that again, not after losing his wife. When he’d buried Ivy, he’d believed he’d also buried his heart and soul with her. Any hope for future happiness, for joy or laughter, had gone into that grave with her.

But this...this sudden surprise, this miracle of two little souls who would be forever connected to him brought with it a glimmer of hope. They were a promise of a happiness he’d never dreamed of and had never thought possible before.

He had no idea if he even liked Avery. There was a possibility that once they spent a little time together she might not like him.

But like it or not, somehow, some way they needed to figure things out, because for the next eighteen years or so they would be in each other’s lives due to their mutual love of a baby boy and a baby girl.

Chapter 2

With a groan, Avery pulled the black-and-white-checkered maternity blouse over her head and threw it on the bed to join the others she’d tried on and then rejected.

Clad in just her black maternity slacks and a bra, she went back to her closet to make yet another selection. She knew she was being utterly ridiculous. It was just dinner at the Bluebell Diner. Any one of the blouses on the bed would have been just fine to wear for the meal out.

Still, she was ridiculously nervous and determined to look her very best. It wasn’t just a meal out, it was the first time she would spend real time with a man who would be in her life in one way or another for a very long time to come. Unless he chose not to be.

“Somehow, some way, everything is going to be okay, right, Lulu?”

The black toy poodle sitting in the doorway of her room barked happily at the sound of her name. At the same time the babies kicked, and it felt as if they turned somersaults in her belly. She had yet to pick out names for them, which was probably a good thing, since now Dallas might want to be a part of that process.

Aware of time ticking by, she focused on the clothes in her closet once again. Her gaze landed on a pink-and-black-striped blouse. The last time she’d worn it she had gotten several compliments. She yanked it from the hanger and then pulled it on over her head. She closed her closet door to insure she wouldn’t change her mind yet again.

As she went into the adjoining bathroom to put on her makeup, she fought against a new flurry of nerves. Despite the fact that she and Dallas had been intimate with each other, he was a virtual stranger to her.

What if they really didn’t like each other? What if their views of life were completely different? What if they clashed in every area that was important? After having time to digest the news of her pregnancy, would he resent her for getting pregnant? Would he feel like she was somehow trying to trap him?

It wasn’t like she was asking him to marry her. In fact, that was the very last thing she wanted. Losing Zeke had changed her, made her reluctant to ever care deeply about anyone ever again. She had no desire for a partner or to be married, but these babies were part of her, they were her family, and she would shower them with all the love she had in her heart.

She tried to tamp down the concerns about Dallas as she applied her eye makeup and then added pink-tinted gloss to her lips. She ran her brush through her hair and then spritzed on perfume and called herself ready.

She left the bathroom and went into the living room and sat on the edge of the sofa. He should be arriving within the next fifteen minutes or so. Lulu sat at her feet, gazing up at her adoringly.

She picked up the dog and then looked around, assured by the neat-and-tidy condition of her living room. She’d spent the morning cleaning, to make sure the house was in tip-top shape just in case Dallas came in.

She’d bought the three-bedroom ranch house right after she’d learned she was pregnant. She hadn’t wanted her babies to be raised in the small apartment where she’d been living at the time, and in any case, she had been thinking about purchasing a house.

The minute she’d seen this place she’d known it was a perfect fit. Not only did it have the three bedrooms and a big eat-in kitchen, but it also had a large fenced-in backyard that would be perfect for growing children.

Every move she had made, every decision she’d reached in the last seven months had been in what she believed was the best interest of her little family.

Family. She felt as if she’d lost every member of her family, and having these babies had been her chance to create a new family unit for herself.

It was impossible to think about family without thinking about Zeke, and thoughts of him always brought a sharp grief that even after a year still had the ability to almost take her breath away.

If only she had done something differently. If only she had—

The ring of her cell phone pulled her from her thoughts. She set Lulu on the floor and dug in her purse for the phone. She looked at the caller identification and then answered. “Hi, Chad.”

“How’s our pregnant lady?” Chad Ruland asked.

Avery smiled at the sound of her fellow prosecutor’s deep voice. “The pregnant lady is doing just fine.”

“I’ve got Danny here with me and he’d like to talk to you.” Danny Jenkins was a file clerk, and he and Chad had been wonderfully supportive throughout her pregnancy.

A knock sounded at her door. “Chad, I’ve got to go. Tell Danny I’ll call him later.” She rose from the sofa as nerves fluttered wildly inside her. She and Chad said their goodbyes.

“You be good while I’m gone,” she said to Lulu. She grabbed her purse and then opened the door. “Hi,” she said.

Jeez, Dallas looked so darned hot in a pair of black jeans and a long-sleeved black polo shirt that emphasized his broad shoulders and flat abdomen. He looked like a cowboy in a pinup calendar, and she looked like a pink-and-black-striped beached whale.

“Hi,” he replied. “Are you all ready to go?”

Lulu gave a cheerful bark, her tail wagging in anticipation of meeting a new friend, but Avery quickly stepped out of the house and then closed her door behind her and made sure it was locked.

“Sounds like you have a friend in there,” he said.

“I do. A friendly little poodle named Lulu. She’s two years old and a complete sweetheart. It’s a nice evening,” she said, changing the subject as they walked toward his truck, parked in her driveway. The air was just a bit crisp, cooler than usual for early September.

“It is,” he agreed. “Fall seems to be arriving a bit ahead of time this year.”

“That’s okay with me. Out of all of the seasons, fall is my favorite.”

“I like it, too. Are you hungry?”

She laughed. “I’m always hungry. Eating for three is a responsibility I take very seriously.”

“Well then, let’s get the three of you fed as soon as possible,” he replied with an easy smile. He opened the passenger door for her and then helped her inside.

His smile had gone a long way in easing some of her nerves. This dinner wasn’t supposed to do anything but allow them to get to know each other better. It was a first date without the expectation of any romance.

Even knowing that, she couldn’t help the way her heart beat just a little bit faster in his presence. Hormones, she told herself...crazy, pregnant hormones. That had to be why a pleasant energy raced through her as he got into the truck, bringing with him a scent of minty soap and a clean, fresh-scented cologne.

“It looks like this is a nice neighborhood,” he said, as he backed out of her driveway.

“It is nice. I bought the place soon after I found out I was pregnant, so picking a good neighborhood and a nice house was very important to me.”

“I’m sorry you’ve had to go through so much of this process alone. Do you have family here?”

Her heart constricted. “I have my father, but we aren’t really close.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks, but it is what it is.”

“By the way, congratulations. I heard through the grapevine you got your man yesterday.” He shot her a quick glance. “I’m not surprised. You were quite passionate in your closing argument.”

She smiled. “I’m quite passionate about getting bad guys behind bars, especially drug dealers.”

By that time they had arrived at the restaurant. The Bluebell Diner was located on Main Street, along with the general store, Lone Star Pharma, a corner store and Kain’s Garage. There were also various other kinds of businesses on the main drag, like a grocery store and an ice cream parlor.

Since it was Friday, the parking spaces in front of the diner were all full. It was definitely a popular place for the people in Whisperwood to dine, especially on the weekends.

“Why don’t I drop you off here at the door and I’ll find a parking space down the block,” he suggested.

“Oh no, that isn’t necessary,” she protested. “Walking is actually good for me.”

“If you’re sure...”

“It’s fine,” she assured him. “I could use the exercise.”

He found an empty space in the next block and they got out of the truck to walk back to the diner. As they went they chatted about the storefronts they passed. She pointed out the boutique where she had bought most of her maternity clothes, and he told her where he bought his cowboy boots. They both agreed that Edwards’s Ice Cream Parlor was a favorite place to visit.

Within minutes they entered the busy diner. The air inside smelled of simmering meats and baked goods, of rich sauces and vegetables. Avery’s appetite came to life. The sounds of people talking and laughing and the clinking of glass and silverware filled the room.

They wove their way to the back and quickly staked claim to a blue-and-white-gingham-tablecloth-clad booth. “At least the noise level is a little less intense back here,” he said, once they were settled in.

“You do realize you’re going to be the object of gossip after this evening,” she said. She’d been acutely aware of the curious stares that had followed them from the diner’s front door to their booth.

“Gossip has never scared me,” he replied easily, and then frowned. “Does it bother you?”

“Heavens, no. I’ve been the subject of town gossip since the moment my pregnancy started to show and there was no man in my life,” she replied.

“Then I have a feeling the two of us are going to generate a lot more gossip in the future,” he said drily.

“I’m happy to keep the busybodies busy.”

He grinned at her. “I like the way you think.” His grin was a wide, warm one that shot an unexpected heat through her.

Thankfully, at that moment Susan Blake, one of the waitresses, appeared at their booth. She greeted them and handed them each a menu. “How are you folks this evening?” she asked pleasantly.

“We’re good,” Avery replied.

“What can I get you both to drink?” Susan asked.

“Water is fine for me,” Avery said.

“I’ll take a cup of coffee,” Dallas added.

“I’ll be right back with those drinks and to take your food orders.” With that, Susan left their booth.

Avery opened the menu and Dallas did the same. She was acutely aware of the man across from her even as she studied the food offerings.

His energy wafted across the table to her. He seemed to command the space around him. He had a quiet confidence about himself that was vastly appealing to her.

But did that confidence manifest itself in arrogance? Was he a control freak? Was it his way or the highway? So far there had been no indication that he was any of those things, but time would tell, and it was important for her to learn exactly what kind of a man he was and what kind of a father he would be.

“What looks good to you?” His gaze held hers over the top of the menus. His eyes were like crystal blue waters, waters she had easily drowned in seven and a half months ago, but certainly wouldn’t be drowning in again.

“Everything looks good to me,” she replied with a small laugh. “Actually, I think I’m going to go with the chicken-fried steak and mashed potatoes. The kids seem to crave comfort food lately.”

“Have you had any strange cravings like I’ve heard pregnant women do?” he asked.

“Green olives with potato chips,” she confessed. “I never really liked green olives before I got pregnant, but now when I snack I want olives and salt-and-vinegar potato chips.”

“An interesting combination,” he replied.

“Some people might say it’s a gross combination,” she said ruefully. She was rewarded by his laughter. It was a wonderful sound, deep and rich, and she immediately wanted to hear it again. “So, what are you ordering?” she asked him.

He closed the menu. “I’m having the meat loaf special. I’m pretty fond of comfort food, too.”

Susan returned to their table with their drinks and then took their food orders and disappeared once again. Dallas stared down into his coffee cup for a moment and then gazed at Avery.

“When you found out you were pregnant did you, uh, consider other options?”

“No,” she replied firmly. “I never considered anything other than having the babies. I was at a place in my life where I wanted to start my family, but not only did I not have a significant other in my life, I didn’t really want a significant other. These babies felt like a gift from heaven to me and I never considered anything but giving them life.”

“I feel like they’re a gift from heaven, too. Uh...did you have morning sickness?” He looked slightly uncomfortable and this time his smile was sheepish. “I don’t mean to pry. I just feel like I’ve missed out on so much.”

“Dallas, I don’t feel like your prying, and please feel free to ask me whatever you want to know. I’m an open book.” Actually, she was glad that he wanted to know what he’d missed so far about her pregnancy.

Maybe that meant he really was planning on sticking around and being in the babies’ lives. “I was one of the lucky ones who didn’t have much morning sickness. I have had some heartburn, but nothing really severe.”

She didn’t want to share with him the moments of intense loneliness she’d suffered during the last seven and a half months, a loneliness that had surprised her.

It had to be because she didn’t have Zeke in her life anymore. Zeke, who would have made an awesome uncle. She didn’t want Dallas to know that there had been lots of times she’d desperately wished somebody special was around to share the wonder of pregnancy with her.

There had also been moments when she’d felt bad that her babies would not have a father in their lives. She had been acutely aware that it was a choice she had made for them and not a choice they would have made for themselves.

“That’s good. Overall, how are you feeling?”

“Totally fat.” She laughed. “I know it’s all baby fat, but it’s starting to get difficult to get comfortable and by the end of the day I usually have a backache. But it won’t be long and they’ll be here, and I know the minute I hold them in my arms I’ll forget any aches and pains I’ve had.”

Once again his gaze held hers intently. “I just want you to know that from here on out, you aren’t alone in this. From here on out, Avery, I intend to be by your side. And you don’t look fat, you look pregnant and pretty.”

“Thank you,” she replied, as the warmth of a blush filled her cheeks.

His words found that empty well of loneliness inside her and filled it up. They also brought unexpected tears to burn her eyes. She’d thought she was fine and strong to have the babies by herself, and she would have been. But it was nice that he was here now, nice that she didn’t have to go through the rest of this all alone, and that there was a real possibility her babies would have their father in their lives.

Thankfully, at that moment Susan arrived to deliver their dinner, and Avery managed to get her crazy emotions under control.

The main thing she had to remember was the handsome, seemingly kind and slightly shy man across from her was only with her for one reason...because she was pregnant with his babies.

He cared about her only because she was carrying his children. She had to remember he wasn’t with her because he had any kind of a romantic interest in her.

* * *

As they ate their meal the conversation stayed light and easy, even though there were a hundred things Dallas wanted to know about Avery.

He told himself he had to be patient. He didn’t want her to feel like he was coming at her with all his questions at once. He certainly didn’t want to force anything. He just wanted this new and unusual relationship to grow naturally.

It would be great if they could become good friends for the sake of the babies. In truth, he felt like that was vital. They would be sharing custody, and as the twins grew older it would be imperative that he and Avery be a united front in terms of discipline and everything else.

He smiled inwardly at his own thoughts. The babies weren’t even born yet and he already had them as teenagers who might need parental control.

One thing was for certain. She’d said she looked fat, but that wasn’t true. She made a beautiful pregnant woman. Yes, her belly was big and round, but that was the only place she looked like she’d gained weight.

Her skin looked warm and so...so touchable, and she also appeared to glow from within. The black-and-pink-ink blouse made the green of her eyes appear clear and bright. But her beauty had nothing to do with the relationship they needed to build.

“Tell me more about your job,” he now said. “How long have you been a prosecutor?”

“Only for the past year,” she replied. “Before that I was a defense attorney.”

“What made you change?” he asked curiously.

Her green eyes darkened with shadows just before she gazed down at her plate. She took a moment and then looked back at him. “Whether anyone wants to acknowledge it or not, there’s a growing drug problem in this town.”

She paused and then continued, her eyes showing a blaze of passion that vanquished the shadows. “Everyone says drug abuse is a victimless crime, but that’s so not true. I’ve seen the devastation left behind in families when somebody overdoses and dies. I’ve seen families torn apart by a drug addict who is stealing from them and lying to them to support a habit. My mission now is to see that when the police arrest drug dealers, they stay behind bars.”

“A noble mission,” he replied. What he didn’t say was that there was a lot more going on in Whisperwood than drug sales. There was no reason to include murder and a serial killer in their conversation, and potentially change the positive vibe they had between them right now.

Still, she looked wonderfully attractive with that blaze in her eyes and her cheeks flushed with her emotion. She’d looked that way when they had made love. He glanced down into his coffee cup and shoved the inappropriate thoughts out of his head.

As they finished the meal they each talked more about their jobs. She told him about some of the more colorful and funny things that had happened in her work in court.

In turn he told her about some of the rescues he’d been a part of after the hurricane’s floodwaters had swept through the vicinity. “We’re still doing cleanup in several areas.”

By that time they had finished with their dinner. “Are you up for dessert?” he asked.

“Oh no, I’m too full of mashed potatoes and gravy to even think about dessert,” she protested. “But you feel free to order some.”

“No, I’m good to go.” He signaled to Susan for their tab.

“I’m happy to go dutch,” she said.

“That’s unnecessary,” he replied.

“Dallas, I’m used to paying my own way.”

He smiled at her. “For tonight please allow this army sergeant turned cowboy to buy your dinner.”

“Okay, and thank you. But if we go out to eat again, then you must let me pay my own way.”

“I see a lot of meals out in our future,” he replied.

“Or maybe I could cook for you,” she replied.

“Are you a good cook?”

“I think I am. I don’t do anything too fancy, but I can put a pretty decent meal on the table.”

At that time Susan returned to the table with their tab. Dallas paid cash, left a tip and then he and Avery got up from the booth.

She walked ahead of him past the other booths still filled with diners. She had reached the last one when a young man suddenly got up and slammed into her side, nearly knocking her into a nearby table.

“Hey,” Dallas said. He grabbed Avery to him, grateful that she hadn’t fallen.

“Sorry,” the man muttered. “I didn’t see her.” He stared at Avery for a long moment and then slid back into his booth as one of the young men with him snickered.

“It’s okay,” Avery said, and moved out of his embrace. Dallas followed her to exit the diner.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked with concern as they walked toward his truck.

“I’m fine,” she replied.

“What a creep,” he said. “He could have seriously hurt you.” He thought of that moment when the man had held Avery’s gaze. “Do you know him?”

“Unfortunately, I do. His name is Joel Asman, and he runs in the same crowd as Dwayne Conway.”

“The man you put behind bars.”

“Right.”

By that time they’d reached the truck, and he helped her into the passenger seat. “So, you think he bumped into you on purpose?” he asked. The man had had punk written all over him, from his greasy dark hair to the snake tattoos that had decorated his skinny arms.

“It’s possible, but really, it’s no big deal,” she replied.

Anyone who would push a pregnant woman was a creep in Dallas’s eyes. Hell, anyone who would push a woman at all was a major creep.

Within minutes they were back at her house. He walked her to the front door, where she paused to dig keys out of her purse, and then she turned to look at him. “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?”

“If you’re up for it then I’d love to,” he replied. He wouldn’t mind getting a look at the space where she lived...where his children would live.

She opened the door and immediately a little black dog was dancing at her feet, while barking doggie happiness. “I’m sorry,” she said. “She loves people. She’ll calm down in just a minute.”

He bent down to pet the little black ball of energy. “What’s her name again?”

“Lulu,” she replied. “Lulu, enough. Let’s go into the kitchen.”

As he followed her through the living room and into the large kitchen, Lulu ran ahead of them. “Have a seat and I’ll get the coffee.”

He sank down in one of the chairs at the round oak table and looked around. Yellow-and-white gingham curtains hung at the large window. Yellow wooden signs with happy and optimistic sayings decorated the wall. The room felt warm and inviting.

She placed a pod in the one-serving coffeemaker on the counter and then got out a tea bag and filled a cup with water.

He continued to look around the room. A back door held a little doggie door. “Do you have a fenced-in backyard?”

“Yes, it was one of my requirements when I was house-hunting.” She placed the cup of water into the microwave and then turned to face him.

“I had three basic requirements when I started looking for houses. I wanted at least three bedrooms, an up-to-date kitchen and a fenced-in backyard. Cream or sugar?”

“No, black is fine.”

As she set the cup of coffee in front of him he caught a whiff of her enticing perfume. It instantly evoked memories of the night they had spent together, a night that he now knew had had life-changing consequences.

He watched as she grabbed a doggie treat out of a drawer and gave it to Lulu. She then took her cup out of the microwave, grabbed a saucer with the tea bag on it and joined him at the table.

“From what I’ve seen of it, you have a very nice house,” he said.

“Thank you. When you finish your coffee I’ll show you the nursery.”

The nursery. His heart swelled at the very thought. He still hadn’t completely wrapped his head around the fact that he was going to be a father. “I’d like that,” he replied.

An awkward silence ensued. She laughed suddenly, a melodious sound that made him want to join in. “I feel like I should be telling you my favorite color and what my sign is. You know, the questions most people ask when they first meet in a bar.”

“We didn’t ask each other those questions on the night we met,” he said.

Her cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink. “As I recall, we didn’t do much talking at all that night.” She took a sip of her tea and then stared down into her cup.

“So, what’s your sign?” he asked, breaking what might have become an awkward silence. She looked back up at him and he offered her a wide grin.

She laughed and the awkward moment between them passed. “I’m a Libra. What about you?”

“A Pisces.”

She frowned. “Does that mean we’re supposed to get along?”

“I have no idea. I don’t know anything about the Zodiac signs, but it doesn’t matter what our signs say, we are going to get along,” he replied firmly. “Now, what’s your favorite color?”

“Coral. And yours?”

“I’ve never really thought about it before, but I guess I’d say a light blue.” It was another superficial conversation that didn’t answer the questions he had about her, but hopefully she was feeling more comfortable with him with every minute they spent together.

She shifted in the chair and released a sigh that sounded tired. He finished his coffee and stood. “I should go and let you get some rest.”

“Before you do, let me show you the nursery.” She rose from the table and gestured for him to follow her through the living room and down a hallway.

The first doorway they passed, on the right, led into a bathroom. The second room, on the left, was being used as a home office. She went into the bedroom across the hall.

The minute he stepped into the room, his heart expanded in his chest, making any conversation momentarily impossible. There were two cribs, one with pink bedding and one with blue. Both had mobiles dangling dancing bears. The curtains also had a border of dancing bears. It was a delightful and joyous room.

There was also a changing table with boxes of disposable diapers on top, and a rocking chair in one corner with two teddy bears on the cushioned seat. He realized the idea of the babies hadn’t actually been real to him until this very moment.

This room was where his babies would sleep and dream. This was where their diapers and clothes would be changed. This was where they would be rocked and loved, and hopefully there would be nights when he was in that rocking chair with both his babies in his arms.

A wealth of emotion swept through him, one that made him feel both incredibly strong and achingly vulnerable at the same time.

“It’s a really nice room,” he finally managed to say. As he gazed at Avery he felt a closeness to her that wasn’t reflective of the rather superficial relationship they’d shared so far.

He had the unexpected desire to pull her close to him, to feel her heart beating against his own. He wanted to stroke her back and make her feel cherished. Although they had not intended to make new lives on the night they had slept together, they had, indeed, made two little new lives.

Instead of following through on his inappropriate impulse to pull her into his arms, he smiled and stuck his hands in his pockets. “You’ll let me know if there’s anything else you need for in here?”

“Trust me, there isn’t a thing more I need.”

“Then I think it’s time I get out of here so you can get some rest.”

They walked back down the hall and to the front door. “Thanks for the coffee.”

“Anytime,” she replied.

“How about tomorrow evening I pick you up and take you to my place? I’ll provide the meal.”

She frowned. “That means you will have paid for my dinner twice.”

“Avery, do we really have to keep score?”

“No, we don’t,” she replied with a laugh. “And I’d love to go to your place tomorrow evening.”

“Great, then how about I pick you up around five?”

“Sounds perfect to me.”

Minutes later he was in his truck and headed home. Home was the Colton ranch, over a thousand acres of rich, fertile pastureland owned by his father, Hays, and his mother, Josephine.

When he’d gotten out of the army and returned here, he’d laid claim to an old foreman’s cabin, which had needed lots of repairs. The hard work had been welcome to keep his mind off the pain of loss that still ached in his heart. When he wasn’t helping with search and rescue, he’d worked on the old place until it had become a decent space to call home.

Now all he could think about was how he needed to turn the small spare bedroom there into a nursery of his own. He’d need two cribs and all the items it took to keep two babies healthy and happy.

Although he and Avery hadn’t even touched on the custody issue yet, he wanted to share the babies from the moment they were born. It was important he bond with them right from the get-go. He only hoped Avery would be on the same page as him when it came to custody.

Avery. There was still so much he had to learn about her, but he’d enjoyed his time with her tonight far more than he’d anticipated. He found her so easy to talk to, and with a great sense of humor. He hadn’t expected that.

He pulled up in front of the cabin, where he’d been living for the past three months since he’d returned to Whisperwood from his base in Houston.

The cozy place was sheltered from the winds by tall trees on either side, and there was a small porch on the back that faced more woods. It was not only a quiet, peaceful place, but was also a bit isolated, which he didn’t mind.

When he’d first come home, his grief still a living, breathing thing inside him, he hadn’t wanted to be around people except those who needed him in the rescue efforts. But with his family it was impossible to stay isolated for long. They absolutely wouldn’t allow it.

He parked his truck in front and then went inside. He turned on an end table lamp and instantly his gaze fell on a framed photo of Ivy.

She was in her army uniform and she appeared to be gazing at him in silent accusation. He sank down on the brown leather recliner and picked up the photo.

It had been a little over a year since her death, and yet the pain of her loss felt as fresh as if she had died yesterday. He’d known her for three months before they had gotten married. Some people might have said they rushed things, but he had known it was right on the day he had met her. They had been married for three years when she’d been killed.

They’d dreamed of creating a family together. The plan had been that once both of them were out of uniform for good they would buy a house and work on making their first baby. But an IED in Afghanistan, where Ivy had been serving her last tour of duty, had ended not only their hopes and dreams, but also her life.

He ran a finger over Ivy’s face in the picture. Her short brown hair emphasized her big, soulful brown eyes. “I have to get along with her,” he whispered to her. “Avery is nothing more than the mother of my children. You have my heart, Ivy, and you’ll always have it.”

He set the picture back on the end table. He hoped he and Avery could become good friends for the sake of the babies. But there would never again be a woman in his life who was anything more than a friend, because his heart had been buried along with his wife.

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