tion>
JOE COLTON’S JOURNAL
I am enormously grateful that my niece, Heather McGrath, has come to Hacienda de Alegria, for a short sabbatical. With so many troubles befalling the family, I need all the emotional support I can get right now. Once I thought the Colton empire was indestructible, but now that another attempt has been made on my life, I wonder how much longer I’ll be around to keep the Colton clan together. Fortunately, the investigating detective, Thaddeus Law, has sworn to see justice done and to keep us all safe. He seems to be particularly interested in keeping an eye on Heather, even though he does an awful good impression of the big bad wolf whenever she’s around. My sheltered niece is hardly this world-weary single dad’s type, but unless my sight is starting to fail, I swear I see stars glistening in her blue eyes whenever Thad storms into a room. Could my sweet and innocent niece have finally found her Prince Charming in the form of this dark and brooding lawman?
About the Author
RUTH LANGAN
is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than sixty books, both contemporary and historical and has been described by Romantic Times Magazine as “a true master at involving your emotions, be they laughter or tears.” Four of Ruth’s books have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award. Over the years, she has given dozens of print, radio and TV interviews, including some for Good Morning America and CNN News, and has been quoted in such diverse publications as the Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan and the Detroit Free Press. Married to her childhood sweetheart, she has raised five children and lives in Michigan, the state where she was born and raised. She hopes her readers will love her warm and wonderful characters in Passion’s Law as much as she does.
Passion’s Law
Ruth Langan
Meet the Coltons—a California dynasty with a legacy of privilege and power.
Heather McGrath: A country club dilettante. Though she’s lived a charmed life, Joe Colton’s foster niece’s two broken engagements have made her despair of ever meeting her Prince Charming. Until she runs into a hunky single dad who seems to be just what Cupid ordered!
Thaddeus Law: A jaded detective. A far cry from the smooth-faced, golden boys Heather has been dating in San Diego, and a decade older, this lawman just might be her diamond in the rough.
Silas “Snake Eyes” Pike: A conniving little weasel. Hired by Meredith Colton’s evil twin sister to find Emily Blair, this hit man has just tracked her down to Keyhole, Wyoming….
For Nora, who keeps challenging me to fly.
And for Tom, who never lets me fall.
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
One
“Hey. Where did you go just now?” Peter McGrath, Chief Financial Officer of Colton Enterprises, easily maneuvered the car around a curve in the road and glanced over at his daughter, Heather, who was staring pensively out the window. “What are you thinking, honey?”
Heather watched the passing scenery with keen interest. “Just thinking how big California is. And how different it looks once we leave San Diego.”
“I hope you’re not regretting your decision to come here and give your Uncle Joe a hand with his business affairs.”
She gave her father a gentle smile. “Of course not. In fact, I was thinking just the opposite. There’s such rugged beauty here. I’m glad I’ll have some time to really see it. You know I’ve always loved the ranch. As for Uncle Joe, I’m happy to help. Really.”
Peter was delighted by his daughter’s response. He had a special love for his foster brother, Joe Colton. Joe had been the one to see to Peter’s education at one of the best universities in the country, and been enormously proud of Peter’s intelligence, especially his mathematical talents. After graduation from Stanford, Peter happily accepted a low-level job in the accounting department of Colton Shipping. Because he proved to be a whiz at finding loopholes and shelters in the corporate tax laws, he quickly came to the attention of his supervisors, who sang his praises to Joe. Joe in turn gave Peter free rein within the company, and Peter had soon worked his way up the corporate ranks of Colton Enterprises. This put Peter in a position to repay his foster brother many times over by acting as a diligent watchdog on Joe Colton’s behalf.
There was a special bond between these two men. One that had always grated on Joe Colton’s blood brother, Graham.
Peter reached over to lay a hand on Heather’s. “That’s my girl.”
He turned the car up the familiar long, winding driveway and came to a stop in front of the large, sand-colored adobe house. “Welcome to Hacienda de Alegria.”
Heather smiled, showing her dimples. “House of Joy.”
Her father’s smile faded slightly. “There hasn’t been much of that here lately.” He sighed before switching off the ignition and shoving open the car door.
Heather knew he was thinking about the summer birthday party for her uncle, and the shocking attempt on Joe Colton’s life. She tucked her arm through her father’s as they started up the walk together. “Then maybe we can change that.”
They were met at the front door by Meredith Colton, Joe’s wife. Her brown eyes seemed to narrow at the sight of them. “What are you doing here?”
“Meredith.” Peter stepped closer, to kiss her cheek, but she stepped back, avoiding him. “Joe’s expecting us.”
She nodded. “Business, I suppose.”
“That’s part of it. But mostly we’re here because we’re family, and Joe needs us.”
She turned away without even acknowledging Peter’s words and completely ignored his daughter. “Joe’s in his office, I expect. That’s where he seems to spend all his time these days.”
She walked away, leaving them staring after her. The housekeeper, Inez, beckoned, leading them through the central courtyard where a fountain splashed and flowers grew in profusion in dozens of containers.
“Now that was a warm welcome,” Heather whispered.
“Nothing we didn’t expect. She and Joe were probably fighting again. They seem to do a lot of that lately. It’s obvious the tension is getting to both of them.”
Peter kept his arm around his daughter’s shoulders as they walked along a cool, dim hallway and paused before ornately carved double doors. The housekeeper knocked once, then opened the doors and stood aside,