Stolen Moments

  A daughter, a son, a secret…

  With ebony hair and bottomless eyes, Seth Gantry was the kind of man Olivia “Levi” McCord’s father warned her about--and the last man on earth she’d ever fall for. Especially after the sinewy cowboy kidnapped her.

  Seth claimed to be her bodyguard and that he needed to take her to a safe house. But when the Montana mountain cabin blows up, he becomes all that stands between Levi and an untimely death. Running for their lives and with no one to trust, Levi is at the mercy of the sexiest man she’d ever met. Suddenly she isn’t certain whether the real danger comes from the killer on her trail…or the virile cowboy who’s vowed to keep her alive.

  Previously Published.

  He’d give her the truth—whether she could handle it or not

  “The least you could do is come up with a good story,” Levi snapped, eyes blazing, before he could speak.

  Seth hit the brakes, but it wasn’t until the car stopped that he looked over at her. She had the handcuffed hand braced against the seat, and she looked at him like he were a madman.

  “You don’t get it, do you?” he ground out. “I don’t have to come up with any story. I was hired to bring you here. Let’s not kid ourselves. Someone took care of your bodyguards, someone blew up the cabin. I may be going out on a limb here but I think we were supposed to be inside it.”

  “What are you saying?” She swallowed hard.

  “That someone knows too much about you and me.

  Someone who wants us both dead.’

  “That’s ridiculous. I might have been kidnapped for money, but kill me? Why?” When he shook his head, she went on. “Don’t you know anything?”

  “I might not be the knight in shining armor you hoped for, princess, but I’m all you’ve got.”

  “What if I preferred to save myself instead of—”

  He cut her off. “You wouldn’t last twenty-four hours on your own.”

  Her eyes narrowed and pierced his. “How do I know I’ll last twenty-four hours with you?”

  Dear Reader,

  When actions of the past come home to haunt Senator James Marshall McCord, Texas rancher and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, he knows he must protect the people he loves most in the world—his family. But he’ll need some help from three very rugged, very determined men.

  Harlequin Intrigue is proud to bring together three of your favorite authors in a new miniseries: THE McCORD FAMILY COUNTDOWN.

  Starting in October get swept away by a mysterious bodyguard in #533 Stolen Moments by B.J. Daniels. Then meet the sexy town sheriff in #537 Memories at Midnight by Joanna Wayne. And finally, feel safe in the strong arms of a tough city cop in #541 Each Precious Hour by Gayle Wilson.

  In a race against time, only love can save them. Don’t miss a minute!

  Enjoy,

  Denise O’Sullivan

  Associate Senior Editor

  Harlequin Books

  300 East 42nd Street

  New York, NY 10017

  Books by B.J. Daniels

  HQN Books

  The Montana Hamiltons

  Wild Horses

  Lone Rider

  Harlequin Intrigue

  Cardwell Cousins Series

  Rescue at Cardwell Ranch

  Wedding at Cardwell Ranch

  Deliverance at Cardwell Ranch

  Cardwell Ranch Series

  Justice at Cardwell Ranch

  Cardwell Ranch Trespasser

  Christmas at Cardwell Ranch

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles

  Stolen Moments

  B.J. Daniels

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Seth Gantry—The cowboy thought he had problems. Then he kidnapped Olivia “Levi” McCord and discovered what real trouble was!

  Olivia “Levi” McCord—She became the pawn in a game of life or death, but not for the reason she suspected.

  Alex Wells—The convicted murderer was out on parole. But did he really want to go straight or get even?

  Jerilyn Ryers—She was Seth’s partner in the security business, but was that all she wanted from the handsome cowboy?

  Shanna Stanley—She was a heartbreaker who fell in love with the wrong man.

  Delbert Bergstrom—He thought he could help his nephew start a new life. He was dead wrong.

  Wally Stanley—He was the only person who knew the truth—but someone was determined he’d never tell.

  Billy Bob Larson—He carried a grudge since Vietnam, but how far would he go to destroy McCord?

  Senator James Marshall McCord—His passion was potitics—but not at the cost of his family.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  B.J. Daniels lives in Livingston, Montana, one of the windiest places on earth. But just like her heroine in Stolen Moments, B.J. believes home is where the heart is, regardless of the weather. And both B.J. and her heroine’s heart reside in Montana with the men they love.

  B.J. loves to hear from readers. Write to her at: P.O. Box 183, Bozeman, MT 59771.

  This book is humbly dedicated to my friends

  Chris and Use who opened their arms and their

  home to me, fed me better than I deserve and always

  have a cold Diet Coke waiting for me.

  Thanks for always being there.

  Table of 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 One

  Thanksgiving Day

  Thursday, November 25, 1999

  “Olivia? Olivia?”

  “Levi!” Natalie whispered beside her.

  With a start, Levi glanced up from her plate to see her friend Natalie making eye motions toward the head of the table. Levi shifted her gaze to find her father standing, wineglass in hand, waiting patiently. And she realized he’d been calling her name. Her given name.

  For the second time that afternoon, James Marshall McCord had her worried. He never called her Olivia. She’d been Levi since infancy, leaving little doubt how much he’d hoped for a son. But she’d never minded. She liked “Levi.” It fit the tomboy she’d been, the ranch woman she’d become. It fit her in a way she suspected “Olivia” never would.

  “Levi?” he asked, smiling down the table at her. “Are you all right?”

  That was exactly what she wanted to ask him. She met his gaze and saw something flicker in his blue eyes. He’d lied. And he knew that she knew it.

  “I’m sorry, Daddy,” she said, brushing a tendril of hair back from her face. Her hair was long and dark, a wild mane of loose waves that fell to the middle of her back. Unlike her father’s once pale blond, straight hair. His blond had changed to white over the years, making him look even more distinguished. Levi, she was told, had taken after her mother in not only her looks and hair, but her strong-willed temperament.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m afraid I wasn’t listening.”

  James Marshall laughed, his gaze lingering affectionately on her for a long moment. “It’s all right, Levi. I know how politics bores you and lately that’s all we’ve talked about. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

  Levi felt like the traitor she was. She didn’t just dislike politics, she hated it and she wished her father did, as well. She knew she was being selfish. Why couldn’t she be more like her cousin Robin, who not only wholeheartedly
supported Senator James Marshall McCord’s political rise, but worked as his aide? Or even her friend Natalie, who at least took an interest.

  But as Levi looked down the table at her father, it startled her to think that this larger-than-life handsome man with the deep blue eyes and an abundance of Texas charm could be the next president of the United States. And according to the polls, he had a good chance once he threw his hat into the ring. If he threw his hat into the ring.

  “I was about to make a toast,” James Marshall said, his voice soft, his gaze warm as it moved around the table from Mary, who had always been more like family than their cook, to his top advisor Whitt Emory, to his niece and aide Robin, to Levi’s closest friend, Natalie.

  He raised his wineglass. “You have all made this day very special by being here on the Altamira. I am very thankful to have you in my life.” His gaze stopped on Levi. “To Texas and all of you. Happy Thanksgiving!”

  Levi lifted her glass without taking her eyes away from her father’s face. She took a sip of her wine, not even tasting it. She replayed the conversation she’d overheard between Sheriff Clint Richards and her father again, trying to convince herself that she’d just imagined he’d lied to the sheriff earlier.

  “I got your message,” Clint had said to the senator. Both men had had their backs to her, neither aware of her presence just inside the den doorway. “I came right out.”

  “Thanks, Clint, I—I’m sorry I bothered you, especially on Thanksgiving.”

  “You made it sound urgent,” the sheriff said.

  “One of the hands thought he’d found a place where some fence had been cut,” her father said. “But it doesn’t look like any cattle are missing or any real damage done.”

  “You’re sure that’s all it was?” Clint sounded surprised.

  Her father nodded. “I feel foolish for calling you. Especially today.”

  “No problem. I’ll keep a lookout.”

  That was when her father had turned to see her standing in the doorway. It was more than his startled expression. More than the fact that this was the first time Levi had heard about a cut fence. More than the mutual knowledge that the senator hadn’t been involved in running the ranch since he’d gotten into politics, years before. They both knew the ranch foreman, Freddie Caulder, wouldn’t have gone to him with the problem; he would have come to her.

  Her father was lying. There was no cut fence. She could see it in his expression. Feel it in her heart. Nor would her father call Clint out on Thanksgiving over a cut fence.

  James Marshall dropped his gaze from her. “Can you stay for Thanksgiving dinner?” he had asked Clint.

  Levi had stepped away, shocked. She knew her father wouldn’t lie to Clint unless he had a good reason. So why had he really called the sheriff?

  Clint politely declined dinner, saying he already had plans. She watched the sheriff leave, intending to have a word alone with her father.

  But then Whitt had arrived, followed close behind by Robin and Natalie. A few minutes later, dinner was served.

  “I was just telling Robin that the three of us should go on a vacation,” her father said now.

  A vacation? Now? She glanced over at her cousin. Robin looked as surprised as Levi.

  “I’m not sure that would be a good idea, Senator.” Whitt spoke up, but no one seemed to be paying any attention to him.

  Had her father changed his mind about running for president? Levi felt a surge of hope, then stopped herself. When James Marshall set his mind to something, nothing could deter him. He loved politics and believed he could make a difference. She knew he’d make a fine president. But she did wonder why he hadn’t declared his candidacy yet. What was holding him back? Was he having second thoughts? Did she dare hope?

  “You are still planning to announce your candidacy for president?” she asked, her heart in her throat.

  “Of course he’s going to run,” Robin said, sounding so proud of him that Levi felt herself flush with guilt.

  “I just thought we could get away for a few days before...before all the craziness really begins,” her father said.

  He was going to run, she thought. That was why he suggested a vacation now, before the holidays, before he declared, because who knew when they’d have time together after that.

  “This just doesn’t seem like the time for you to leave, Jim,” Whitt said.

  “Whitt’s right, Uncle Jim,” Robin echoed. “There is so much to be done. But it was a nice idea. Remember when the three of us went to Big Bend National Park?” That was right after Robin had come to live with them, not long after her father had been killed.

  Levi felt her father’s gaze on her and looked up to meet it. Did his reason for lying to Sheriff Richards have anything to do with this sudden vacation for the three of them?

  “You’re right, of course, Whitt. You too, Robin.” Her father looked disappointed. Or was it worried?

  She stared at him, her mouth dry and her eyes burning. What was going on? Something. And damned if she wasn’t going to find out. Right after dinner was over, Thanksgiving or not.

  Mary served pumpkin pie with whipped cream, offering her two cents worth as she joined them again at the table.

  The short, plump redheaded cook had been with the McCord family since before Levi was born. Catherine Olivia McCord had died when Levi was three. James’ Marshall had never remarried. Mary had been like a mother to Levi, and later to Robin.

  “You have to announce your candidacy before the New Year,” Mary said with authority. “Give the people of this country something to look forward to in the new millennium.”

  “If the world doesn’t come to an end,” Whitt offered with a laugh.

  The conversation around the table went quickly back to politics and when the senator should declare. Levi pushed pie around on her plate, feeling a distance that frightened her.

  “Daddy, I need to talk to you,” she said the moment the meal was finally over.

  “Sure, sweetheart.” The phone rang. He frowned. “Oh, Levi, I forgot, Whitt and Robin and I are expecting a conference call,” he apologized. “Can it wait until later?”

  Levi started to say “No.” Something inside her feared it couldn’t wait, but she told herself she was being silly.

  “Sure. I’m going to give Natalie a ride home,” she said, touching her father’s broad shoulder, feeling a strength that reassured her. “I won’t be long.”

  He smiled and covered her small hand with his large one as he gazed down at her. His eyes suddenly shimmered and, quite without warning, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “Trust me, Levi, everything’s going to be all right,” he whispered so softly she was afraid she hadn’t heard him right. “I love you. Remember that always.”

  She clung to him, more afraid than ever. “Daddy—”

  He pulled back. Whitt called from down the hall to say they were waiting for him. “I have to go.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “Drive carefully. No, drive skillfully,” he said over his shoulder as he strode down the hall.

  Levi watched him go. Although James Marshall wore a prosthesis in place of the leg he’d lost in Vietnam, he seldom let it show in his gait. Only when he was tired or upset did he limp. He was limping now, she noted.

  He stopped at the doorway to his den and turned to look back at her. “Great to see you again, Natalie. Sorry to hear your car broke down, though.”

  Levi watched him disappear into the room and close the door behind him as she fought the ridiculous feeling that she might never see him again.

  “Are you all right?” Natalie asked beside her. “You’ve been acting weird today.”

  “I’m worried about Daddy,” Levi said, thinking that when she got back to the ranch, she’d check with the foreman about a cut fence before she spoke with her father. She desperately wanted to be wrong. Or at least, if not wrong, get some answers that would make her feel a little less frightened.

  “Don’t worry, he’ll ma
ke a great president,” Natalie said.

  “Yeah?” So why did she feel that might not happen? Was it a premonition? Or just wishful thinking? “What if I don’t want to be a president’s daughter?”

  Natalie slipped her arm around her friend. “Just think of the men who’ll want to date you.”

  They both laughed. It felt good. “You want to call a tow truck for your car before we leave?”

  “On Thanksgiving? No way. I’ll get it towed tomorrow. Come on, I’ve been dying all day to tell you about this guy I met at work.”

  They crossed the wide veranda, the afternoon mild and scented with the fragrances of fall in the Texas Hill Country.

  * * *

  THE MOMENT LEVI PULLED OUT of the ranch road and headed down the two-lane county road that led into San Antonio, she picked up two vehicles tailing behind her instead of the usual one. She watched for a moment in her rearview mirror. Had her father increased her private security?

  Levi sped up, then slowed. Both cars stayed the same distance behind her. The increased security could just be a precaution as the time neared for the senator to announce his candidacy for president. Or it could validate all her fears.

  “What is it?” Natalie asked, turning to look back.

  “Just more big, strong men paid to protect me,” Levi said. “Can’t wait until I have Secret Service following me everywhere.”

  “Oh, you’ll love all that attention.”

  “Sure, wait until we double-date.” Her father had hired the full-time security guards for her over a year ago, right after he received a death threat at the ranch. While it had turned out to be nothing, he’d kept the security guards on as a precaution. “You hang around me and we’ll both be old maids.”

  “Remember that one time?” Natalie said, laughing. “That really cute bodyguard your father hired?”

  Levi only half listened as she checked her rearview mirror again to see that both vehicles were still behind her. She had to admit that normally she resented the intrusion in her life, but today the security guards reassured her. They made her feel everything really might be all right, because she knew others like them were guarding the ranch right now. Guarding her father.