Joan Hohl - A Man Apart

The third book in the Grainger series, 2005

Dear Reader,

Welcome to another scintillating month of passionate reads. Silhouette Desire has a fabulous lineup of books, beginning with Society-Page Seduction by Maureen Child, the newest title in DYNASTIES: THE ASHTONS. Youll love the surprises this dynamic family has in store for youand each other. And welcome back New York Times bestselling author Joan Hohl, who returns to Desire with the long-awaited A Man Apart, the story of Mitch Grainger-a man we guarantee wont be alone for long!

The wonderful Dixie Browning concludes her DIVAS WHO DISH series with the highly provocative Her Fifth Husband? (Dont you want to know what happened to grooms one through four?) Cait London is back with another title in her HEARTBREAKERS series, with Total Package. The wonderful Anna DePalo gives us an alpha male to die for, in Under the Tycoons Protection. And finally, were proud to introduce author Juliet Burns as she makes her publishing debut with High-Stakes Passion.

Heres hoping you enjoy all that Silhouette Desire has to offer youthis month and all the months to come!

Best,

Melissa Jeglinski

Senior Editor

Silhouette Desire

Justin Grainger was a man apart-and he liked it that way. He was content with his life. Possessing a nearly uncanny affinity for horses, he was satisfied with his work of running his isolated horse ranch in Montana.

But Justin was not a hermit or even a true loner. He enjoyed the easy camaraderie shared with his ranch hands and his foreman, Ben Daniels. And though Justin had never again wanted a woman on the property, since his failed marriage five years before, he had accepted the presence of Bens new young wife, Karla. She had been the former personal assistant to Justins brother, Mitch, who managed the family-owned gambling casino in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Justin had other family members he occasionally visited. His parents, retired now in Sedona, Arizona, were both still healthy and socially active. His sister, Beth, as yet unmarried, was off doing her fashion thing in San Francisco. And his eldest brother, Adam, headed up various family businesses from their corporate offices in Casper, Wyoming.

Adam was married to a lovely woman named Sunny, whom Justin had set out to tolerate in the name of family unity and had quickly come to admire, respect and love almost as much as his own sister. Adam and Sunny had a baby daughter, Becky, whom Justin quite simply adored.

On occasion Justin even spent recreational time with an accommodating woman-no strings attached. And that suited him fine. He claimed that horses were much easier to deal with, less contentious and argumentative, thus easier to talk to and get along with.

Although, these days, after a long, hot work-filled summer, a busy autumn, and winter just settling in, Justin was a bit restless and didnt grumble too much when he received an urgent and demanding phone call from Mitch the week before Christmas.

I need you to come to Deadwood, Mitch said, in his usual straightforward way.

Yeah? Why? Justin replied, in his usual dry, less-than-impressed manner.

Im getting married, and I want you to be my best man, Mitch shot back. Thats why.

As an attention getter, his brothers explanation was a winner, Justin concededto himself. He never had conceded much of anything-except absolute loyalty and devotion-to any one of his siblings.

When did you lose it, Mitch? he asked in soft tones of commiseration.

Lose what? Mitch sounded slightly baffled.

Justin grinned. Your mind, old son. You must have lost it if youre going to take the marital plunge.

I havent lost my mindold son, Mitch retorted, a trace of amusement undermining his rough voice. Trite as it might sound, its my heart Ive lost.

There was no way Justin could let his brothers remark pass without comment. No might about it, he drawled, enjoying himself. That is trite. Sappy, too.

Mitch laughed. I dont know what to tell you, bro, he said, suddenly dead serious. Im way deep in love with her.

Oh, yeah, Justin thought, hearing the heartfelt note in his brothers voice. Mitch was seriously serious. Its Maggie Reynolds. Right?

Yesof course.

Of course. Justin wasnt surprised, not really. A faint smile tugged at his lips. In fact, after all the rave reviews hed heard from Mitch about Ms. Reynolds ever since shed replaced Karla as his personal assistant, Justin should have been expecting the marriage announcement.

Well?

Mitchs impatient voice sliced across Justins thoughts. Well what? he asked.

Mitch sighed loudly, and Justin managed to contain a burst of laughter.

Will you be best man at my wedding?

Might as well, Justin drawled. Why change the status quo nowas I always was the best man, anyway.

In your dreams, maybe, Mitch said amiably going along with the old joke. Because youre never gonna live long enough to see that day while youre awake.

Ha! Dont bet the casino on it.

As if Mitch made a snorting sound; he never gambled on anything, never mind the family owned casino. You know damn well I never

Yeah, yeah. I do know, so spare me the drill. When do you want me in Deadwood?

Weve set the date for the first Saturday in the new year. But you could come for Christmas, Mitch suggested, cautiously hopeful.

I dont think so. Justin slanted a wry look at the tall, glittery tree placed in front of the wide living room window. The tree-along with other assorted holiday decorations-was a concession to Bens new bride. You know Im not-

Into Christmas, Mitch finished for him. Yes, I know. He heaved a tired-sounding sigh. This Christmas itll be five years since Angie took off with that sales rep. Dont you think its time to put it behind you, Justin, find a nice, decent woman and-

Back off, Mitch, he growled in warning, closing his mind to the memory of that bitter winter. The only woman Ill be looking to find wont be either too nice or too decent, just ready and willing.

Tsk, tsk, Mitch said, clicking his tongue in disapproval. I do hope that if youre thinking of looking while youre here in Deadwood, youll be discreet about it.

Dont want me to shock the sensibilities of the future missus, hmm? Justine taunted.

My future missus and Bens missus and Adams missus, Mitch taunted right back. Not to mention the sensibilities of our mother and sister.

Ouch. Justin laughed. Okay. Ill be extra discreeteven circumspect.

Mitch chuckled. Whatever.

By the way, is Karla going to be matron of honor?

Wellyes, but therell be two of them.

Two what?

Well, two attendants, Mitch said. Maggies best friend will be coming from Philadelphia via Nebraska to be Maggies maid of honor.

Philadelphia via Nebraska?

She lives in Philadelphia, Mitch explained. Thats where Maggies from, you know.

Yeah, I know, butwhere does Nebraska come in?

Hannahs originally from Nebraska, and shell be visiting her family before coming on to Deadwood.

Hannah, huh? Justin had an immediate image of an old-fashioned female to fit the old-fashioned name-prim, proper, virginal and probably plain.

Yeah, Hannah Deturk.

Add prudish to the list.

And youd better be nice to her, Mitch warned.

Of course Ill be nice to her. Why the hell wouldnt I be nice to her? Justin said, genuinely hurt by his brothers warning, by the idea that Mitch felt it necessary to issue the warning.