Endangered Heiress Read online

  A shocking inheritance

  makes her a Texas-sized target

  When a wealthy Texas oilman is murdered, the tiny community of Cattle Barge, Texas, is turned upside down. And rancher Hudson Dale’s former cop instincts are on high alert. Especially when lovely Madelyn Kensington crashes into his life claiming she’s an heiress of the deceased. And someone wants her dead! The sexy cowboy offers his help and protection. Now, Madelyn must trust a complete stranger with her life. But would she trade her inheritance for his love?

  “What makes you think I’m anything more than a rancher?”

  She glanced at his legs. “Your posture. The way you hold that shotgun. You walk with your arms out a little, like you’re still wearing a holster and your aim with that shotgun is pretty dead accurate.”

  He put a hand up to stop her. “I’m no such thing. What kind of work do you do that makes you notice the way a man carries himself?”

  “Me? I’m a reporter from Houston,” she said and he was close enough to see her erratic heartbeat pound at the base of her neck.

  The last thing Hudson needed was someone who knew how to do research nosing around in his business and especially his past. And there’d been plenty of journalists in the area following the death of Maverick Mike.

  “Well, right now, Mrs. Kensington—”

  “It’s Miss,” she corrected.

  He gave a curt nod of acknowledgment even though an inappropriate reaction stirred in his chest.

  ENDANGERED HEIRESS

  USA TODAY Bestselling Author

  Barb Han

  USA TODAY bestselling author Barb Han lives in north Texas with her very own hero-worthy husband, three beautiful children, a spunky golden retriever/standard poodle mix and too many books in her to-read pile. In her downtime, she plays video games and spends much of her time on or around a basketball court. She loves interacting with readers and is grateful for their support. You can reach her at barbhan.com.

  Books by Barb Han

  Harlequin Intrigue

  Crisis: Cattle Barge

  Sudden Setup

  Endangered Heiress

  Cattlemen Crime Club

  Stockyard Snatching

  Delivering Justice

  One Tough Texan

  Texas-Sized Trouble

  Texas Witness

  Texas Showdown

  Mason Ridge

  Texas Prey

  Texas Takedown

  Texas Hunt

  Texan’s Baby

  The Campbells of Creek Bend

  Witness Protection

  Gut Instinct

  Hard Target

  Rancher Rescue

  Harlequin Intrigue Noir

  Atomic Beauty

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.

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  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Madelyn Kensington—This reporter has no idea that she’s actually a Butler and finds out quickly that a change in name can be deadly.

  Hudson Dale—This handsome rancher returned to the outskirts of Cattle Barge to live a quiet life, which works until a beauty is chased onto his property and he’s bound by honor code once again to protect and serve.

  Sheriff Clarence Sawmill—This sheriff might be in over his head with a high-profile murder to solve and a town in chaos.

  Ed Staples—This Butler family lawyer works behind the scenes to keep the family going no matter what.

  Maverick Mike Butler—Even in death this self-made Texas rancher has a few cards left to play.

  Ella Butler—None of the Butler kids seem thrilled by Madelyn’s presence.

  Cadence Butler—Does this Butler resent Madelyn enough to kill her?

  Owen Lockwood—Does this ex-boyfriend have murderous intent?

  Trent Cleary—Why does he call in sick at the Red Rope Inn immediately after Madelyn’s room is broken into on his shift?

  Kelsey Shamus—Does this Red Rope Inn worker know more than she’s telling?

  To work with an intelligent and amazing editor is a true gift to any writer’s career. A huge thank-you to Allison Lyons for being that gift to mine. I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to work with Jill Marsal, an amazingly talented agent.

  I have so many writer friends to thank for friendship and encouragement. I’ll start with a few: Elizabeth Heiter, Chris Keniston, Kellie Coates-Gilbert and Kathy Ivan. I love plotting books and getting #AllTheWords with you.

  To my children, Brandon, Jacob and Tori, who are true lights in my life. I’m excited to see what adventures this year brings for each of you. And I fully intend to hit 1m before you, Jacob. Challenge accepted. Let the games begin.

  And to John, who makes me laugh and keeps me grounded while encouraging me to reach for the stars. I can’t wait to see what this year holds for us. I love you with all my heart.

  Contents

  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

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Excerpt from Cowboy’s Redemption by B.J. Daniels

  Chapter One

  Madelyn Kensington glanced at the screen of her phone as it vibrated. Her ringtone belted out. The screen read Unknown Caller and the number wasn’t familiar. Everyone had gone to lunch on her floor and she suddenly felt vulnerable.

  The area code revealed the call came from within Texas. Her muscles corded. She prayed this wasn’t her ex trying to trick her into speaking to him by using a different phone. She had no plans to drop the harassment charges against him or ask the judge to lift the restraining order. She was still frustrated with herself for allowing Owen to slip past her jerk-radar. She’d walked away the instant he’d revealed his true colors and, based on his threats, she’d been too late.

  A low sigh slipped out. This whole week had been one problem after another, and being without her convertible while the word skank had been removed from her hood—courtesy of Owen even though he’d denied it—ranked right up there with the time she’d been stranded for twenty-four hours with no bathroom during a road trip in college.

  The ringing stopped and she stared at the device. Tapping her foot, she waited for the voice-mail icon to pop onto the screen. It was taking too long. She absently fingered the small dragonfly dangling from its chain around her neck as she waited. The necklace had belonged to her mother and touching it made her feel connected, comforted when her life felt like it was spiraling out of control. In times like these Madelyn especially missed never having known her mother.

  Owen’s last words wound through her thoughts. Think you can walk away from me? You’ll never know when I’ll strike. Icy tendrils gripped her spine, shocking her with a cold chill that spread through her body. Either her ex was leaving the longest voice mail in recorded history or this was another frustrating telemarketing call.

  Again, her ringtone belted out as the phone vibrated in her hand. The motion startled her. She dropped t
he device and pushed her chair back as her cell crashed against the tiled floor. Great—she probably just broke her phone over nothing. This needed to stop. She was jumping at every shadow ever since Owen’s reaction to the breakup.

  This probably didn’t have anything to do with him anyway. Her father could be trying to reach her. She’d left three messages last week and another this morning to share the good news about her promotion as well as the special ceremony her old high school had planned for her.

  Madelyn bent over and clasped her fingers around the phone. She hesitated. What were the chances her father was actually returning the call? It wasn’t the first of the month. His calls came like clockwork.

  Okay, she’d answer and then get rid of this jerk.

  “Hello,” she stated on a sharp sigh, deciding on balance that she needed to deal with whatever was on the other end of the line.

  “I apologize for the interruption, Ms. Kensington, but I promise this call will be worth your time.” The slight Southern drawl sounded educated and from Texas. “My name is Ed Staples.”

  “Okay-y-y.” She drew out the y as she geared up for her response to the sales pitch that was surely about to come. The name Staples sounded vaguely familiar but she couldn’t place him, so she spun around and typed his name into her laptop.

  The man seemed to pick up on her frustration. “I’m the family attorney for the Butler estate.”

  She studied her laptop screen and, yes, received confirmation Ed Staples was telling the truth.

  There was a pause and Madelyn felt like he was waiting for some kind of reaction from her.

  “Are you familiar with Mike Butler?” Mr. Staples asked.

  “Maverick Mike Butler?” she said out loud, not really meaning to. Now she really was confused. Of course she’d heard of Mike Butler, aka Maverick Mike. Her job at the Houston Daily News as an investigative reporter assured she would at least be acquainted with the name. His story was no secret—son of a poor crop farmer who beat the odds and made something of himself. He’d done so well that he was one of the wealthiest cattle ranchers in the Lone Star State. His rise to riches was as legendary as his buck-wild reputation. If rumors were true, he won his first ranch at a poker table and lost his first wife to his gambling problem. And that was where his run of bad luck had ended. Everything else the man touched seemed like it turned to gold. It was no secret that he lived on his own terms, another fact widely known to pretty much every Texan. Last week, the legend from Cattle Barge had made even bigger news with his death.

  “Ma’am,” the lawyer said.

  The sound of his voice made her jump.

  “Sorry—what did you say?” Outside of print, Madelyn had no idea who Mike Butler was. She’d never met him personally and they didn’t exactly run in the same circles. “What did you need from me, Mr.—?”

  “Staples, but please call me Ed.”

  Right. He’d already said that. Madelyn was distracted. Thinking about Owen had thrown her off.

  “How can I help you, Ed?” she asked, refocusing.

  “Can you meet me tomorrow afternoon here at the Butler ranch?” he asked.

  “I’m afraid I’m working, but I might be able to arrange something if you tell me what this is about,” she responded, still trying to shake the creepy chill from earlier. Owen was right about one thing: he seemed everywhere to her.

  “I’ve been instructed to offer to send a car,” he continued, unfazed by her work excuse.

  “No, thanks. I have my own. Is there a reason we need to meet face-to-face? I mean, can you tell me what this is about over the phone?” she asked, mildly interested in what he had to say and at the very least thankful for the distraction.

  “I apologize. My instructions are clear. If you want to know the nature of Mr. Butler’s request you have to be on the property.” He was steadfast. She’d give him that.

  “Well, then I’m afraid I can’t help you,” she countered. Her frustration level was already high and she didn’t need another person wasting her time. Plus, it wasn’t like she could drop everything without a clear reason to give her boss and she didn’t cover the crime beat.

  “Would it make a difference if I told you that it’s in your best interest to come?” he asked.

  This guy was persistent. And frustrating with his cryptic message.

  “Cattle Barge isn’t exactly a few minutes down the road. If you want me to make that drive I need something to go on. My boss will want to know why I need time off to chase down a story outside of Houston,” she said. When she really thought about it, the ranch must be swarming with media by now. Any news about Mike Butler’s death guaranteed above-the-fold placement in print and major promo for broadcast. “Plus, there must be dozens of reporters at the gate chomping at the bit for something to report. Why tell me? I mean, just walk outside your front door and pick someone if you want to get your story out.”

  “This is personal,” he said. “In fact, you may want to take vacation days.”

  Days? She decided to entertain him for just a second. “Okay, so let me see if I have this correctly. You want me to take off work at the snap of a finger for a man I’ve never met and a reason you refuse to tell me? Does that sound about right?”

  “I’m afraid it’s better than it sounds,” he admitted.

  “Who wants me there?” Maybe she could come at this from another angle to get an answer.

  “Your presence was requested by Mr. Butler.”

  She waited for the rest of the sentence but Ed Staples would’ve made a great poker player.

  “Pardon my directness, but he’s...gone. It would be a little difficult for him to ask for me,” she stated.

  “I’m aware.” He didn’t give up anything with his tone. And she wouldn’t even still be on the phone if he hadn’t thrown out the name Mike Butler. But her mild curiosity wouldn’t be enough for her boss to green-light an overnight trip. “This matter is urgent.”

  Hadn’t she just read about his oldest daughter being targeted for murder? Was it possible the family wanted an objective reporter to confide in? Then again, that incident had happened after Butler’s murder and the lawyer had said this was personal. If it was, wouldn’t she at least know Mike Butler? And, again, why her? She exposed neglect in nursing homes and small business fraud.

  “I’m afraid I can’t help you. I can recommend—”

  “Your refusal will come at a hefty cost to you, Ms. Kensington,” he said firmly.

  “No disrespect, but I have a good handle on what’s important to me,” Madelyn shot back.

  “I didn’t mean that as a threat.” He sounded frustrated that he couldn’t pick the right words to persuade her. A few beats of silence came across the line. And then, “Are you sure you want to walk away without knowing what a man like Mike Butler wanted you to be aware of? Out of everyone he could’ve picked, he chose you.”

  Well, when he put it like that she could admit the initial pull was becoming a stronger magnet. Walk away and she might never know what Mike Butler wanted to tell her before he died. Curiosity was growing the more she thought about it and a big exclusive could be huge for her career right now. She could prove to her boss that he’d made a good move in promoting her.

  “Fine. I’ll talk to my boss,” she finally said, knowing full well she could get the time off.

  “I’ll email the details of your stay.” The lawyer sounded pleased and a little bit relieved.

  “I’ll make my own arrangements.” She’d learned a long time ago not to put herself in the hands of a source. And that was just how she’d treat this out-of-the-blue request, like any other news story she was covering.

  “Be advised that you’ll need to take off several days. I’d suggest a minimum of three,” he said.

  Wasn’t that cryptic? She thanked him and ended the call, figuring she would take it one day at a t
ime. Pretty much her new mantra, she thought.

  For the rest of the workday, her thoughts kept circling back to Owen. Not even a hot cup of coffee could thaw the icy chill that crept into her bones when thinking about him. Nor could she shake the feeling of being watched as she walked to her vehicle after work—a feeling that was becoming a little too familiar. Madelyn had always been able to trust her instincts. Until recently. Until Owen. He’d knocked her off balance and she was still trying to regain her footing.

  This, too, shall pass. The saying that had gotten her through so many sad or frightened nights as a child provided no comfort.

  By six thirty the next morning, Madelyn had eaten breakfast, picked up her convertible from the shop and was on the road. She wanted to get out of Houston before traffic was too bad. The call still had her scratching her head and her imagination running wild. Dozens of scenarios had zinged through her mind when she should’ve been sleeping. But then, sleep had been as realistic as a unicorn sighting since Owen had made those threats. He’d been stalking her, too, and that had her scanning faces wherever she went, expecting him to pop up at the grocery store, gas station and every other place she visited.

  Her thoughts returned to the call from Ed Staples. The lawyer had said this was personal but that wasn’t exactly a new tactic to get a reporter’s attention. It ensured she’d agree to the meeting without asking too many questions. Her mind ran around the same hamster wheel.

  Even though she was a reporter, she didn’t work the crime beat. Furthermore, she worked in Houston, not Cattle Barge, although Mike Butler’s money seemed to reach all parts of Texas.

  Did the lawyer want to leak information to her? Or was this truly personal as he’d suggested? She searched her thoughts and couldn’t think of one logical reason she’d plan to stay on for a few days. What could be so important? Why her? Those and other questions that had kept her awake when she should’ve been sleeping had her yawning as she maneuvered onto the highway. Possibilities churned through her mind.

  She tapped her fingers on her steering wheel, keeping time with the music on the radio. There was another good reason to get out of Houston. His name was Owen Lockwood. Dating him had been a mistake. He came from Houston oil money, family money, which she had promised herself she wouldn’t hold against him when they first met. He’d been charming and polite on those first couple of dates. And then work had gotten even busier leading up to her promotion. Before she really processed their relationship, he was bringing her six-month anniversary flowers.