Mountain Ranger Recon

Mountain Ranger Recon
Carol Ericson

Ian Dempsey knew he'd have a lot to answer for when he bumped into Meg, the wife he'd left behind to complete an undercover mission. Nearly three years had passed since he'd last seen her, but she was as beautiful as ever–and as angry.Before he could explain his reasons for temporarily walking away, shots rang out and Ian quickly went from husband to bodyguard. Investigating his enemies would take time. And whether Meg liked it or not, he wouldn't leave her side until he could guarantee her safety. One step back into her life, though, and Ian knew the stakes were even higher. She had a two-year-old son. And he looked exactly like Ian….

“Meg, I don’t want to leave you and Travis here alone tonight.”

She’d been longing to hear those words all night, but not under the present circumstances. Not under any circumstances where Ian would feel obligated to stay.

“I think we’re good, Ian. We’re not even sure there was ever anyone lurking around outside.”

Ian’s eyes narrowed to cold slits. “Why are you pushing me away, Meg? I’m not interested in sharing your bed. It’s not just about you anymore. I have a son in there, and I’m here to protect him.”

His words lashed her face and she dropped her head, allowing her hair to create a veil around her hot cheeks. He wanted his son but not her. “Okay, you can stay.”

She jerked away from his gentle touch and pushed up from the couch. “I’ll get you a blanket and pillow.”

When she returned, Ian stepped over the coffee table with one long stride and enveloped her in a warm embrace. When he stroked the back of her hair, she melted against him…just a little.

“I should never have used your tour group. I never meant to drag you into my operation.”

“Maybe it was fate. You discovered your son.” And rediscovered he had a wife who could never admit how much she had missed him.

Mountain Ranger Recon

Carol Ericson

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

To Angi, my sprinting partner in crime

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carol Ericson lives with her husband and two sons in Southern California, home of state-of-the-art cosmetic surgery, wild freeway chases, palm trees bending in the Santa Ana winds and a million amazing stories. These stories, along with hordes of virile men and feisty women, clamor for release from Carol’s head. It makes for some interesting headaches until she sets them free to fulfill their destinies and her readers’ fantasies. To find out more about Carol, her books and her strange headaches, please visit her website at www.carolericson.com, “where romance flirts with danger.”

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Meg O’Reilly Dempsey —Meg enjoys her job leading mountain hikes for tourists, but when her estranged husband shows up on one of her tours bringing espionage and secrets, she realizes it’s time to tell him the biggest secret of all.

Ian Dempsey —A former member of the covert ops team Prospero, Ian has tracked down the next piece of the puzzle to find missing Prospero member Jack Coburn. Just his luck, the clue brings Ian face-to-face with his wife, and the distraction just might get them both killed.

Hans Birnbacher —A German tourist on Meg’s hike, Hans asks too many questions to be an innocent bystander.

Sheriff Pete Cahill —The sheriff has a thing for Meg and isn’t too pleased to see her husband show up. Will his anger jeopardize Ian’s investigation?

Matt Hudson —Meg’s boss isn’t much of a businessman, but would he make a deal with terrorists to save his company?

Travis Dempsey —Meg’s son meets his father for the first time and Ian has to face his fears about fatherhood, which are put to the ultimate test.

Kayla Shepherd —A CIA operative who risks her life to find Jack Coburn.

Farouk —Prospero’s former nemesis has expanded his business model and taken his terror worldwide, and this time it’s personal.

Colonel Scripps —Prospero’s coordinator, the colonel knows he can summon all the former team members with one call. He just hopes it’s not too late to save Prospero’s leader, Jack Coburn.

Jack Coburn —The former leader of Prospero and current hostage negotiator has run into a little trouble. Can he depend on his brothers in arms to save him, or is he going to have to save himself?

Contents

Prologue

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

Epilogue

Prologue

He crouched beside the edge of the outcropping that had saved his life and peered at the trail snaking below him toward the small village at the base of the mountain. He narrowed his eyes and assessed the terrain—rugged but doable. He had to get to that town if it killed him. And it just might.

He flattened his belly against the rough slab of rock, scooted toward the edge and swung his legs over the side, sliding the rest of his body into oblivion. He hung onto the ledge with calloused hands, his legs swinging freely beneath him, the sharp pain in his ribs almost cutting off his breath. He fumbled against the side of the cliff with the toe of his boot until it met the foothold he’d scoped out minutes before.

Bracing all of his weight on the meager indentation in the side of the mountain, he released his grip on the edge of the outcropping and did a freefall before clutching at some scrubby bushes for support.