“Will you help us?”
Letter to Reader
Title Page
Books by Bonny K. Winn
BONNIE K. WINN
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Copyright
“Will you help us?”
Shocked, Summer stared at him, wondering if he could possibly be serious. Deciding he was, she measured her words carefully. “If I said yes, how could I help?”
“Those guys are looking for a man and a baby boy, not a couple. I wouldn’t ask you if I had another choice—any other choice.” His voice flattened. “I don’t. My back’s against the wall. I wouldn’t ask for myself. This is for Danny.”
Glancing up sharply, Summer could see he wasn’t playing on her emotions. He was completely sincere. She suspected this macho man had great difficulty asking for assistance. “And you want my help?”
“Only for as long as absolutely necessary.”
She searched his face, once again sensing only honesty and concern. “I’ll do it. I’ll be your wife....”
Dear Reader,
You’ll be glad the kids are going back to school, leaving you time to read every one of this month’s fabulous Silhouette Intimate Moments novels. And you’ll want to start with One Moment Past Midnight, by multiaward-winning Emilie Richards. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as Hannah Blackstone and her gorgeous neighbor, Quinn McDermott, go in search of Hannah’s kidnapped daughter.
Elizabeth August makes a welcome return with Logan’s Bride, a cop-meets-cop romance to make your heart beat just a little faster. With The Marriage Protection Program, Margaret Watson completes her CAMERON, UTAH miniseries, and a memorable finale it is. Historical author Lyn Stone has written her first contemporary romance, Beauty and the Badge, and you’ll be glad to know she intends to keep setting stories in the present day. Remembering Jake is a twisty story of secrets and hidden identities from talented Cheryl Biggs. And finally, welcome Bonnie K. Winn, with The Hijacked Wife, a FAMILIES ARE FOREVER title.
And once you’ve finished these terrific novels, mark October on your calendar, because next month Rachel Lee is back, with the next installment of her top-selling CONARD COUNTY miniseries.
Enjoy!
Leslie Wainger
Executive Senior Editor
Please address questions and book requests to:
Silhouette Reader Service
U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3
THE HIJACKED WIFE
BONNIE K. WINN
Books by Bonny K. Winn
Silhouette Intimate Moments
The Hijacked Wife #954
BONNIE K. WINN
A hopeless romantic, Bonnie K. Winn naturally turned to romance writing. This seasoned author of historical and contemporary romance has won numerous awards, including having been voted one of the Top Ten Romance Authors in America, according to Affaire de Coeur. Living in the foothills of the Rockies gives Bonnie plenty of inspiration and a touch of whimsy, as well. She shares her life with her husband, son and a spunky Westie terrier. Bonnie welcomes mail from her readers. You can write to her c/o Silhouette Books, 300 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10017.
Dedicated to those we have lost too soon:
Caren McCurdy, Max and Eunice Winn, Evelyn Dillard,
Betty Harris Williams, Mark Blacksher, Tommy Hulsey,
Dustin Johnson and Gary Allred.
Chapter 1
Jack Anderson cursed the daylight. It revealed the position of their boat, a bobbing cork amid the offshore waters. They couldn’t be more exposed and vulnerable if he’d painted a huge red X across the bow.
He bit back an oath as he glanced in frustration at the radio. He couldn’t call for help—no doubt the transmissions were being monitored. Irrationally he wished that someone would spot them and provide a hasty tow to shore, while at the same time he prayed they would remain invisible.
Because if rescuers could see them, so could—
Something vital threatened to implode in Jack’s midsection. On his own, he could handle whatever anyone cared to dish out. But where his eleven-month-old son, Danny, was concerned, that careless bravado disappeared.
It was up to him to get them to safety. Forget that he should be providing normality. Jack had to think survival.
Hearing the motor of a small boat, Jack felt fear for his son clutch at him. The early-morning sunlight bounced off the water, but it did nothing to displace the chill sweeping through him.
His mind raced furiously as he tried to formulate a plan. This wasn’t the time or place he would have chosen to take a stand, but he would do whatever it took to protect Danny.
Summer Harding pulled down the brim of her baseball cap and squinted at the reflection against the horizon. It looked like the listing boat was in trouble. Sighing, she gave up thoughts of a solitary early-morning run. Another witless tourist, no doubt One who didn’t think beyond fun and sun and probably didn’t even know how to use the boat’s radio, other than to try to tune in the Top 40.
While Summer appreciated the beauty of the South Carolina coast and especially the small island she lived on, the popularity of nearby Hilton Head attracted a lot of boneheaded visitors who thought boats were just like cars, with the exception of cruising them in water rather than on concrete.
Although tempted to leave the boat to the ministrations of the coast guard, Summer couldn’t disregard an upbringing that insisted she offer help. Increasing her speed, she reached the disabled craft in no time at all.
“Anyone aboard?” she called out, wondering if the crew were all asleep below.
A wary yet challenging voice cut through the stillness. “I am.”
Startled, Summer glanced up. Taken aback, she blinked. The man on deck stood with his legs apart, hands planted on both sides of a trim waist, looking for all the world like a modern-day pirate. He stared at her grimly, thick black brows furrowed together, matching the scowl twisting his lips. A day’s growth of dark beard shadowed the man’s face, adding to its harshness. At odds with the darkness were eyes of the brightest blue, a blue that refused to pale beside the sea it mocked.
“Who are you?” the man demanded, his gaze taking in her boat, then sweeping the surrounding area.
She found her voice, her eyes still riveted on his confrontational pose. “Summer Harding. You in trouble?”
If possible, his brows drew even closer together. “What do you mean?”
“Engine trouble.” She frowned suddenly. “You aren’t taking on water, are you?”
“No.” He barked out the solitary word as his eyes scrutinized her, apparently missing nothing.
Summer considered leaving the man to find his own way to shore.
Just then she heard a strident wail.
The man whirled suddenly, rushing to pick up something directly behind him, something that squirmed, shifted, then wailed.
It was a baby, Summer realized in amazement. One who looked to be about a year old.
She couldn’t refrain from smiling tentatively at the unlikely duo as the man tried to soothe the wriggling child. But he only scowled deeper when he saw her smile. However, she didn’t see any actual anger in his dour expression. It was caution, she real
ized suddenly.
In a protective motion, the man blocked the child from Summer’s view. “Who are you?” he asked again.
“I just told you. Summer Harding.” She glanced at him pointedly. “I didn’t get your name.”
He hesitated, long enough to make them both aware of his reluctance. “Jack Anderson.”
“And are you having some trouble?” Belatedly she noticed the screwdriver in Jack’s free hand. The rest of his appearance had commanded her attention until that moment. “Maybe you don’t need any help.”
Conflict raged across his face, and she wondered if he was the sort of man who never wanted to admit he couldn’t fix something. Especially to a woman.
“Actually I do,” he finally acknowledged. “I’m no engine mechanic.”
“Did you radio for help?” she asked, not wanting to haul them in if a tow was on the way.
He shook his head, and Summer withheld her cluck of disapproval. Apparently her initial assessment had been correct. Another tourist with more money than sense.
“I can tow you in.”
His brows narrowed again as he stared dubiously at her smaller craft.
“I can tow a boat more than twice the size of my own,” she told him. “Think about tugboats and ocean liners—same concept.” Still he looked reluctant and she shrugged. “If you’d rather wait for another—”
“No!” He barked out the response, dropping the screwdriver in frustration.
She blinked again. He was a real piece of work.
Apparently struggling to recover his poise, he shoved a hand through his longish hair, adding to its casual disarray. “I mean, I’d appreciate a tow.”
“If you’d feel more comfortable about a tow from a larger craft, I could radio—”
“No!” he commanded again.
This time, she simply stared. This guy went way beyond rude. Ballistic came to mind.
“That won’t be necessary. I’d rather not have my son stranded out here any longer than necessary.”
The reference to his baby hit home as she suspected he’d known it would. On his own, she would be tempted to leave this surly landlubber to find his own way back to shore, but Summer couldn’t leave the child out at sea.
With easy competence, she navigated alongside the boat. As Jack watched diligently, she picked up a length of nylon rope, efficiently making up a towline by fashioning a bridle and securing it to the stern cleats of her own boat. Close enough to make a clean throw, she tossed him the length of rope, instructing him where to secure it.
As he caught the rope, she added, “Tie it with a bowline knot.” She demonstrated the knot with a piece of rope, guessing he hadn’t a clue as to the one she meant.
To his credit, Jack deftly tied the line, listening closely as she talked him through the process of securing the boat.
After several more parting instructions on how to handle the remainder of the tow, she made a wide turn, moving off slowly, bringing the line taut without jerking it. Bound for the shore, Summer maintained a slow, steady pace. Luckily the water was calm, the weather cooperating for the disabled craft.
Glancing back, she saw that the man hadn’t lost his glower. Pity. Beneath all that antagonism lurked a devilishly handsome man. Devilish, she counseled herself, being the operative word here. Still, it wasn’t easy to disregard his looks. He wore his Irish heritage like an ID badge. Wavy black hair and those eyes... And if she cared to dwell on it, a tall, muscular physique—no wonder she’d thought he looked like a pirate.
Shaking her head, she almost wished for a swell of bracing water to clear her thoughts. However, the sea remained disgustingly still. But in a short while, she’d have his boat towed to shore and that would be the last she’d have to see of Mr. Sunshine.
Jack watched Summer secure the ropes on the dock, then gesture toward the shop whose sign declared it to be the Harding Boat Rental and Repair Shop. “My mother runs the place.”
As she straightened up, Jack continued to stare at her, his expression tightening with suspicion, his gut filling with it. “Convenient place to tow us.”
She threw up her hands. “You’re welcome to call for a tow to the mainland. I brought you here because this is our dock and the closest place to tow you. Trust me, we don’t need the business.”
Following the direction of her outstretched arm, he saw a daunting line of boats apparently lined up for repairs. His stomach sank along with any hope. “How long a wait until my boat can be fixed?”
She shrugged. “A few days if we rush it.”
Staring at her in amazed disbelief, he snorted. “You call that a rush?”
“I sure do. Especially since it ought to be more like a week.”
“What kind of con are you playing? If I’d known—”
Clearly exasperated, she blew wheat-colored bangs from her forehead and wrenched the baseball cap down more firmly on the remainder of her hair. “If l’d known how you were going to act, I’d have left you out there!”
What a strange mix of woman—dressed in mannish, baggy overalls that disguised whatever sort of body she had, her hat doing much the same for her face. At the same time, her behavior indicated that she possessed her fair share of feminine pique.
Another voice cut him off from verbalizing that opinion.
“Summer Harding! Where are your manners?”
Jack watched as his would-be rescuer snapped to attention. “Mom, I was just telling this guy—”
“I heard.” The older woman slanted a disapproving glance at her daughter before turning to Jack. “I’m Louise Harding.”
Jack glanced at her. The woman was dressed in tailored, practical work clothes, her face deeply tanned by the island sun. He sensed a crusty edge to the woman despite her sharp, intelligent gaze. Next to her stood an alert Australian sheepdog that checked him over with equal thoroughness.
“I would apologize for my daughter’s lack of hospitality,” Louise continued. “But as you can see, she’s an adult and far beyond my control.”
For the first time in a very long time, Jack felt the beginnings of a smile. His expression broadened when he saw Summer squirm at her mother’s words. “Jack Anderson,” he said, then glanced down at the baby tucked securely on his hip. “And my son, Danny.”
All the crustiness he’d detected in the older woman melted. “Oh, my.” She drew in a deep breath. “Would you look at him. What a beautiful baby.” She looked beguilingly at Jack. “Could I hold him?” The dog next to her moved forward. “Stay, Skipper.” Obediently the dog retreated, stepping back in place.
Although his gut wrenched painfully, Jack knew it would seem peculiar if he refused, and he didn’t need to arouse any undue suspicion. Carefully he placed Danny in the woman’s arms.
Louise’s face softened as the baby clasped chubby fingers around hers, then reached for a pendant necklace that she wore. “Oh, my. It’s been ever so long since I’ve held a little one.” Her misty glance reached out to include her tall daughter. “Been too long since that one was a babe.”
That would be hard to determine, Jack thought to himself. Summer could be a cross between Bozo the Clown and Claudia Schiffer for all he knew. There was no telling what her oversize clothes and hat disguised.
Summer cleared her throat and threw her mother an exasperated glance. But Jack saw that her gaze softened a touch when it landed on Danny, who responded by flashing his nearly toothless jack-o’-lantern grin at her.
“Babies are a priceless gift,” Louise intoned. “You and your wife are very lucky.”
“I’m a widower,” Jack responded gruffly, struck as always by the wave of pain that reminder caused.
Summer’s eyes widened, and she was the one who spoke first. “I’m sorry. It must be very difficult for you.”
Irony and pain were fast companions by now. So much that Jack merely nodded.
“Would you like me to watch him while you have the boat checked out?” Louise asked, tickling Danny’s toes and making h
im giggle.
Jack tried to look as though it were just a normal request, one that could be granted without concern. The fact was, any time Danny was farther than an arm span away, he worried. Simply having his son out of sight was enough to make him break out into a cold sweat. “It’s not necessary.”
“You can come up to the house and check things out,” Louise offered. “You don’t know us, but I assure you we’re not going anywhere. ’Course in this day and time, I know a person has to be careful. But you could probably use a little break. Raising a child alone is a lot of work with no one to spell you.”
Jack continued to hesitate. Though a quick glance around assured him that it was unlikely the woman could take off with Danny, still he worried. As he had ever since the baby had been born.
Glancing up, he saw the quizzical expression on Summer’s face, and realized how odd his reluctance must seem. And it was crucial he remain low-key. Perhaps he could sidetrack the issue by agreeing, and then go to the house to use the telephone.
“How can I refuse such a generous offer?”
Louise smiled as she strolled toward the house, the dog moving in perfect unison with her. Summer continued watching him, and Jack sucked in a deep breath. It could just be a coincidence that she had happened on their boat that morning, and that she just happened to be connected to a boat-repair shop. But coincidences made him nervous. Too nervous to remain on this idyllic-appearing island.
“Did you say there are other repair shops on the mainland?”
Summer bobbed her head in assent.
“And how would I go about finding them?” he asked after a moment, when it became clear she wasn’t going to volunteer the information.
The Hijacked Wife Page 1
