The No. 1 Sheriff in Texas

The No. 1 Sheriff in Texas
Patricia Thayer

Randell men are hard to resist: hired to protect and serve, Detective Brandon Randell wears his hat low and his badge polished.Randell men love for a lifetime: after Brandon rescues nurse Nora Donnelly, her natural beauty awakens his senses. And her little son brings out all his protective instincts. Running from her past, Nora has bumped into her future. All six-foot gorgeous sheriff of him!Except she’ll have to run again soon. . . …but Randell men never give up!

THE RANDELL BROTHERHOOD

Coming home to take a bride!

A home. A family. A legacy of their own.

Mustang Valley has long been home to the brotherhood. United by blood, trust and loyalty, these men fight for what they believe—for family, for what’s right, and ultimately…for love.

Now it’s time. Time for the next generation!

Brandon Randell is all grown up. He’s a detective with the Sheriff’s office and a mighty fine cowboy!

THE NO.1 SHERIFF IN TEXAS

Look out for Brandon’s cousin Jeff, coming soon! Hearts are fluttering because he’s back from the US Army and about to cause a whole heap of trouble!

Brandon pulled the truck up beside another one with the ranch logo printed on the door panel. He got out, opened the back door and helped Zach down from the raised vehicle. Before Nora found her way out the passenger side, Brandon was around the truck and helping her.

“Thank you,” Nora said, feeling a shock from his closeness. It had been a long time since she’d felt a man’s tender touch. Yet in the past week Brandon Randell’s hands had become very familiar. Their eyes locked and she instantly felt more heat.

“At your service, ma’am,” he said hoarsely.

The No. 1 Sheriff In Texas

By

Patricia Thayer

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, Patricia Thayer is the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterwards headed West. Over the years she’s made frequent visits back to the Midwest, trying to keep up with her growing family.

Patricia has called Orange County, California, home for many years. She not only enjoys the warm climate, but also the company and support of other published authors in the local writers’ organisation. For the past eighteen years she has had the unwavering support and encouragement of her critique group. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

When not working on a story, you might find her travelling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying herself accompanied by Steve, her husband for over thirty-five years. Together they have three grown sons and four grandsons. As she calls them, her own true-life heroes. On rare days off from writing, you might catch her at Disneyland, spoiling those grandkids rotten! She also volunteers for the Grandparent Autism Network.

Patricia has written for over twenty years and has authored over thirty-six books for Silhouette and Mills & Boon®. She has been nominated for both the National Readers’ Choice Award and the prestigious RITA

. Her book NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE won an RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice award.

A long-time member of Romance Writers of America, she has served as President and held many other board positions for her local chapter in Orange County. She’s a firm believer in giving back.

Check her website at www.patriciathayer.com for upcoming books.

To my readers For those of you who’ve been following the Texas Brotherhood series since its conception at Silhouette, and now to its new home at Mills & Boon®, here comes the next generation of Randells.

CHAPTER ONE

BRANDON RANDELL sat in a booth at the coffee shop, toying with his mug. Anything to keep from looking across the table at his dad. Lately they hadn’t even been able to share a meal without ending up on this same subject. The same argument. And Brandon couldn’t tell him what he wanted to hear.

“I’m not sure I want to take over the running of the ranch.”

“Well, son, when do you think you will know?”

Brandon hated being cornered about this…again. He met his father’s piercing, dark gaze. Though in his mid-fifties, he looked much younger. Still big and intimidating, the years of physical labor had kept him in great shape. Some gray mixed in with his coal-black hair, and weathered lines around his eyes were the only differences he’d seen in the man in the past twenty-five years. That had been the day Cade Randell walked into his life and claimed him as his son.

Brandon leaned back in his seat, feeling the sudden weight of his sidearm, reminding him of his responsibility to the people of Tom Green County, Texas. He’d barely had a chance to stop for supper tonight.

He’d hoped the pressure to follow in the family’s ranching business had eased ten years ago when Cousins Luke and Brady Randell returned to the valley and helped form the Randell Corporation.

“I have commitments, Dad.” He hesitated, then rushed on to say, “This is my last week on patrol. I start as a detective on Monday.”

Cade blinked, then quickly covered his surprise. “When did this happen?”

“I got the news this morning. I didn’t want to tell you and Mom about the promotion until I was sure it was a done deal.”

“Well, congratulations, son. We’ve always been proud of your work with the sheriff’s department.” There was a hint of a smile. “And your mother will be happy you’re off patrol.”

“Thank you, Dad. That means a lot to me.”

Again his father nodded. “All the more reason to settle this situation. You have a commitment to the family, too. Your grandfather willed the ranch to you,” he stressed. “I’ve been running things along with your brother, but you’re past thirty, son. You should take it over, or sell.”

Hell, even more pressure. Well, he was the eldest. The next generation of Randells. “Sell part of Mustang Valley! Isn’t there a law against that in this family?” he tried to tease, but his dad didn’t show any sign of humor.

“Joke all you want, but since your last birthday, legally you own the land that the Randell Guest Ranch and the cattle operation grazing pastures are on. It’s not fair to ask your brother to keep running things on his own. He’s been working as the foreman. You need to make a decision, Brand.”

Before Brandon could speak, his radio went off. “A possible 10-14 in progress,” the dispatcher said over the radio. “Officer needed at the location of Burch and Maple, the West Hills Emergency Center parking lot.”

Brandon reached for the radio and identified himself. “10-76 en route to West Hills Emergency Center. Arrival less than five minutes.”

He slid out of the booth. “I’ve got to go.” He was out the door and jogging to the patrol car before his dad could say anything.

Brandon shut everything else out of his head. It was all about his job now.

He had found her.

Nora Donnelly tried to draw a breath, but fear froze her. It wouldn’t do her any good to fight, given the steely strength of the man who’d grabbed her and had her pressed against the car in the dimly lit parking lot. She was trapped.

“Thought you could get away with it, didn’t you?” the attacker whispered harshly against her ear. “Well, I got you now.”

“P…please, don’t hurt me,” she pleaded, thinking about her son. Oh, Zach. Who would take care of him? “Take whatever you want. I don’t have much money on me, but I can get you some.”

His hold tightened. “It’s good hearing you beg. I don’t want your money, but you are going to pay for what you did.”

He swung her around. She faced the burly man, who towered over her own five-foot-five height. She didn’t recognize him, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t sent here to find her.

Nora didn’t have a chance to react before the man backhanded her across her face. The pain caught her off guard as she stumbled to the ground. He came after her as she tried to crawl away. He landed on top of her, trapping her against the asphalt. She screamed, trying desperately to fight him off. No, she wasn’t going to be a victim again. She bucked and squirmed, until he grabbed one of her arms and twisted it behind her back. She cried out.

He straddled her from behind, knocking her head against the ground. She fought the pain and to keep conscious.

“Have I got your attention now?” he snarled.

“Please,” she whispered, feeling his hands move over her. Bile rose in her throat.

Then came the distant sound of a siren. The attacker cursed. “I’m not done with you, yet.” He climbed off of her and was gone.

Fighting the pain, Nora stumbled to her feet and searched around for her purse. She had to get away.

That was when she heard the siren cut off then footsteps. She glanced up at the large shadow. “Please, go away. Leave me alone.”

“Ma’am, I’m Officer Randell with the sheriff’s department.” She saw his calming hand in the darkness as he brought his flashlight up to his shirt, showing her his badge.

Nora had always been good at holding it together. She had to, to protect her son. But suddenly her head began to pound and she closed her eyes against the pain. All she remembered was feeling the officer’s arms coming around her and holding her close.

“Please…He can’t find me again. Don’t let him find me again.”