New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer delivers two classic tales of finding love when you least expect it!
Nelson’s Brand
When Gene Nelson discovered the truth about his family, he realized his whole life was a lie. Ever since, the rancher has been footloose and reckless, treating romantic entanglements as entertaining distractions. The minute he saw Allison Hathoway, he knew he wanted her. But there was something different about the secretive Allison...
The Wedding in White
Sweet schoolteacher Natalie Brock’s life changed forever when she met handsome rancher Mack Killain. Ever since that first kiss, Natalie knew Mack was the only man for her. Trouble was, the rough-edged loner had sworn off marriage, and told her so on more than one occasion. But Natalie would not settle for anything less than all his love!
New York Times Bestselling Author
Previously published as Nelson’s Brand and The Wedding in White
Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer
“Diana Palmer is an amazing storyteller, and her longtime fans will enjoy Wyoming Winter with satisfaction!”
—RT Book Reviews
“The popular Palmer has penned another winning novel, a perfect blend of romance and suspense.”
—Booklist on Lawman
“This is a fascinating story.... It’s nice to have a hero wise enough to know when he can’t do things alone and willing to accept help when he needs it. There is pleasure to be found in the nice sense of family this tale imparts.”
—RT Book Reviews on Wyoming Bold
“Sensual and suspenseful.”
—Booklist on Lawless
“Diana Palmer is a mesmerizing storyteller who captures the essence of what a romance should be.”
—Affaire de Coeur
“Diana Palmer is one of those authors whose books are always enjoyable. She throws in romance, suspense and a good story line.”
—The Romance Reader on Before Sunrise
“Lots of passion, thrills, and plenty of suspense... Protector is a top-notch read!”
—Romance Reviews Today
A prolific author of more than one hundred books, Diana Palmer got her start as a newspaper reporter. A New York Times bestselling author and voted one of the top ten romance writers in America, she has a gift for telling the most sensual tales with charm and humor. Diana lives with her family in Cornelia, Georgia. Visit her website at dianapalmer.com.
Books by Diana Palmer
Long, Tall Texans
Fearless
Heartless
Dangerous
Merciless
Courageous
Protector
Invincible
Untamed
Defender
Undaunted
The Wyoming Men
Wyoming Tough
Wyoming Fierce
Wyoming Bold
Wyoming Strong
Wyoming Rugged
Wyoming Brave
The Morcai Battalion
The Morcai Battalion
The Morcai Battalion: The Recruit
The Morcai Battalion: Invictus
The Morcai Battalion: The Rescue
Visit the Author Profile page
at Harlequin.com for more titles.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
DIANA PALMER
A CATTLEMAN’S HONOR
Previously published as
Nelson’s Brand and The Wedding in White
For Kathryn Falk and Melinda Helfer of RT Book Reviews with love.
Table of Contents
Nelson’s Brand
The Wedding in White
Excerpt from Unleashed by Diana Palmer
Nelson’s Brand
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter One
He was very noticeable, and he knew it. He also had a pretty formidable reputation locally with women and he didn’t usually turn down blatant invitations. But the wide-eyed scrutiny he was getting from the woman at the corner table only irritated him tonight. The past six months had been difficult, and he’d been drinking too much and womanizing too much...or so his family kept saying. Not that he was listening to them much these days. Not when he knew that they weren’t really his family.
She wasn’t hard on the eyes. He gave her one encompassing glance that took in everything from the French plait of black hair at her nape, down high, firm breasts under a soft white blouse, to a small waist and full hips and long elegant legs in tight jeans. She was sitting at a corner table, a little away from it on one side, with his half brother Dwight, and Dwight’s fiancée, Winnie. He didn’t know her name, but he was pretty sure that she was Winnie’s out-of-town houseguest. Pryor, Wyoming, was a small town, and news traveled fast when anyone had company.
He took another sip of his whiskey and stared at the small shot glass contemplatively. He drank far too much lately. When he started staying out late at night and couldn’t remember anything about it the next morning, he needed to take another look at his life, he thought bitterly. Dale Branigan had caught him in a weak moment and now she was hounding him for dates. Not that she was bad-looking, but she reminded him of the excesses that were taking him straight to hell, according to Dwight.
He glanced toward Dwight’s disapproving face, so unlike his, and deliberately raised the shot glass to his thin lips with a mocking smile. He drained it, but when the bartender asked if he wanted another, he said no. It wasn’t Dwight who stopped him. It was the expression on that woman’s face who was sitting with Dwight and Winnie. There was something quiet and calming about her face, about the oddly compassionate way she was looking at him. What he’d thought was a flirting stare didn’t seem to be one. As he met her eyes across the room, he felt a jolt of pure emotion run through him. Odd. He hadn’t felt that before. Maybe it was the liquor.
He looked around. The bar was crowded, and there weren’t many women around. Thank God Dale wasn’t here to pester him. Frequently on a Friday night, he drove up to Billings for a little entertainment. Tonight, he wasn’t in the mood. He’d overheard a chance remark from one of his men and his quick temper had cost him a good mechanic. It was his nature to strike out when he was angry. With a soft, cold laugh he considered that he’d probably inherited that trait from his father. From his real father, not the man who’d been married to his mother for more than twenty years. Until six months ago, his name had been Gene Nelson and he was accepted by everyone as Hank Nelson’s son. But six months ago, Hank Nelson had died—ten
