Vicki Lewis Thompson - Claimed! (Harlequin Blaze)

Dear Reader,

Summer nights are cool in Wyoming, but the right cowboy can raise the temperature in no time! And I have just the cowboy for you. Join me while we follow Jack, the oldest Chance brother, as he calls on his ex-girlfriend, Josie, owner of the Spirits and Spurs Saloon.

The bar is closed and Shoshones Main Street is deserted. If you listen carefully, youll hear the hoot of an owl perched on a nearby lamppost. The moon peeks out from a passing cloud, but Jack doesnt need its light to find his way. Its been ten long months since he climbed the stairs to Josies apartment above the bar, but he could do it blindfolded.

Many things have changed, though, in those ten months. Jacks now in charge of running the Last Chance Ranch, a place dedicated to those who deserve a last chance at happiness. And if anyone needs that, its the broad-shouldered cowboy climbing those wooden stairs. Come listen to Jacks story. And welcome back!

Warmly,

Vicki

New York Times bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson has been writing books for a few (cough, cough) years now, and she has a Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award from Romance Writers of America to prove it. Turns out that after all these years and all these books, the process is as exciting and challenging as ever. In other words, the 101st book is no easier to write than the first! And she wouldnt have it any other way. This is a great job and somebody has to do it. She feels lucky that shes been allowed to share her fantasy world with readers everywhere.

HARLEQUIN BLAZE

544WANTED!

550AMBUSHED!

556CLAIMED!

To all those compassionate souls who have cared for a child not their own, and who have never let the circumstances of birth stop them from doing what needed to be done.

8:32 p.m., May 14, 1946

B EAR DOWN, Eleanor! Delia, a midwife from Jackson, coached the birth from the foot of Archie and Nelsie Chances marriage bed. This little tykes a stubborn one.

Archie gripped his wifes hand. Not as stubborn as my wife, he said with pride. Hed watched her battle for five hours to have this baby. Her language had grown more colorful, but her spirit had never flagged. He crouched down and murmured in her ear. Come on, Nelsie girl. You can do it.

Nelsie panted and dug her nails into his hand. Damn right I can. This kid is going to be bornright now! And she let out a yell that would have done a cowhand proud.

Delia whooped. That does it! She eased the baby free. Congratulations. You have yourselves a bouncing baby boy.

Still clutching Nelsies hand, Archie rose to his feet and stared in wonder. The baby was as red as a boiled lobster and slippery with goo. As Delia ran a cloth over the wrinkled little face, the baby sputtered once before launching into a series of high-pitched, hiccuping wails. Archies vision blurred and his chest tightened. A son. He had a son.

Archie? Nelsie squeezed his hand. Are you okay?

Clearing his throat, he blinked away tears. Ive never been more okay in my life. He leaned down to give her a tender kiss. How about you, brave girl?

Much better, now.

Thank you for having our baby.

Nelsie looked a little misty-eyed herself. My pleasure. Well, maybe not. It was a lot more fun making that baby than having him.

Ill bet. He kissed her again. You were great.

So who wants to hold him first? Delia approached with the squalling baby wrapped in a blanket.

Archie had assisted many a calf into this life and a few foals, as well, but holding this baby scared the bejesus out of him. Maybe youd better give him to Nelsie.

No. Nelsies voice was firm. You hold him first, Arch. I want Delia to take a picture. The cameras on the dresser.

Uh, okay. Archie could hardly refuse after all Nelsie had been through. Reluctantly he accepted the red-faced little kid, who was working up quite a head of steam. Just for the picture.

Support his head in the crook of your arm. Delia positioned the baby to her satisfaction. There. Ill get the camera. By the way, have you picked a name?

Archie stood frozen to the spot and gazed down at the tiny face, the eyes squeezed shut and the toothless mouth pouring out all that baby anguish.

We decided on Jonathan Edward, he said. Jonathan for Nelsies father and Edward for mine.

Thats a fine name, Delia said. Suits him.

Archie wasnt sure. It seemed like a really big name for such a tiny thing. Shh, he murmured, jiggling the baby just a little bit, the way hed seen people do. Shh, Jonathan.

As if a switch had been thrown, the baby stopped crying. With a ragged sigh, Jonathan Edward opened his little eyes.

See? Nelsies voice trembled. He likes his name.

Guess so. Archies chest swelled as he looked into those unfocused baby eyes.

Hold still so I can get the picture, Delia said.

Archie didnt glance up as the camera flashed. That newborn gaze held all his attention. Slowly he began to contemplate something he hadnt dared think about until now. Life held no guarantees, but with a little luck, this tiny baby would grow into his name. And with even more luck, Jonathan Edward Chance would continue the legacy of the Last Chance Ranch.

Present day

J OSIE, THERES A drunken cowboy at the door.

Jack Chance stared at the tall guy silhouetted in the doorway of Josies place. His Josie. Who the hell are you?

Thats none of your business. Look, Josie closed the bar thirty minutes ago, and besides, you dont look as if you need another

Youd better not be her boyfriend. Jack was a tad bit liquored up, but hed been sober enough to climb the stairs to Josies apartment above the Spirits and Spurs without stumbling. He also was sober enough to understand the significance of a guy answering her door at this hour of the night.

The intruder shifted his stance. And youd better be on your way, cowboy.

Thats when Jack noticed the bastard wasnt wearing shoes or socks. Jacks blood boiled. How dare this yahoo move in on his girl? True, theyd broken up a few months ago. Okay, ten months ago. But just who did this idiot think he was, standing barefoot in Josies apartment like he owned the place?

Alex? Josies voice came from somewhere in the back of the apartment. Like the bedroom . Find out who it is, okay?

Jack clenched his right fist. The names Jonathan Edward Chance, Jr., and Josie Kellers my girl. Then he punched this Alex joker smack in the kisser.

Sad to say, it wasnt much of a blow. Jack wasnt as steady as he might have been and the guy dodged at the last minute. Failing to land a solid punch, Jack dropped his shoulder and threw a tackle. That proved to be more effective. They both went down hard. Jack lost his hat and a good part of his dignity.