To Love, Honor and Defend

Beth Cornelison

I WANT YOU TO MARRY ME, LIB. I NEED A WIFE. Two years ago, Libby Hopkins and Cal Walters scorched the sheets with their steamy affair. Then he shattered her heart. Now divorced, Cal needed a stable home for his daughter. For her own safety, Libby agreed to a strict "hands-off" marriage of convenience, but quickly found herself craving the touch she remembered….He may have promised temporarily wedded bliss, but regardless of Libby's well-guarded secrets, Cal had something much more permanent in mind. After all, giving Libby up once before hadn't been his choice–but sticking around a second time would be….

Cal caught her hand and held her cold, trembling fingers in the warm fold of his own.

The heat and strength in his grasp were almost enough to drive away the doubts chilling her to the marrow. His grip felt safe. Steady. Solid.

But the last time she’d needed him to be there for her, he’d abandoned her. Shattered her faith. Broken her heart.

The judge pronounced them man and wife and turned to Cal with a grin. “You may kiss your bride.”

Libby’s stomach pitched.

No way.

Cal had accepted her terms. He’d agreed to keep things strictly hands-off. He’d promised. So he wouldn’t…he couldn’t…he—cupped her cheek in his palm and tipped her chin up.

Libby gawked at him, her heart thumping.

His piercing gaze zeroed in on her mouth like a heat-seeking missile. And ka-boom.

To Love, Honor and Defend

Beth Cornelison

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

BETH CORNELISON

started writing stories as a child when she penned a tale about the adventures of her cat, Ajax. A Georgia native, she received her bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Georgia. After working in public relations for a little more than a year, she moved with her husband to Louisiana, where she decided to pursue her love of writing fiction.

Since that first time, Beth has written many more stories of adventure and romantic suspense and has won numerous honors for her work, including the coveted Golden Heart Award in romantic suspense from Romance Writers of America. She is active on the board of directors for the North Louisiana Storytellers and Authors of Romance (NOLA STARS) and loves reading, traveling, Peanuts’ Snoopy and spending downtime with her family.

She writes from her home in Louisiana, where she lives with her husband, one son and two cats who think they are people. Beth loves to hear from her readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 52505, Shreveport, LA 71135-2505 or visit her Web site at www.bethcornelison.com.

This one is for Jeffery—who has big dreams

of his own. You can achieve anything in life with faith,

a firm foundation, a good attitude and

dogged perseverance. I love you!

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Lt. J. E. Via, retired Investigator and Major Case Supervisor for the Criminal Investigation Division of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff Department, for answering my many questions and letting me know about Louisiana Act 894, which will allow Cal a happier ending!

To Christy Hughes, sales manager for Kone, Inc., for her helpful information about elevators.

To Anna Destefano and Winnie Griggs, my dear friends and critique partners on this book.

To Lucienne Diver, my wonderful agent, for her assistance, friendship and unflagging support through the years.

To Paul, for putting up with this zany writer while I followed my dream.

Contents

Prologue

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

Prologue

“All rise. The Honorable Judge Thomas Fitzpatrick presiding.”

Showtime.

Cal Walters shoved stiffly to his feet. He knew what was coming—two years in prison before he was eligible for parole.

Tension vibrated in the silent courtroom and through Cal’s taut muscles as he waited for the judge to rule on the plea agreement. He glanced behind him, where the guys from his fire station had come ou