LITMIR.BIZ

      “You’re doing it again,” Miranda said.

      “Doing what?” Vance asked innocently.

      “Staring at me as if you can see…” Her gaze flicked away. “I don’t like it when men look past the uniform.”

      “Then try pinning the badge someplace besides on your chest,” Vance teased. “Look, Officer Jackson, I’m trying my darnedest to stay out of your way, but I find you attractive. Now, if you want to arrest me for that, then fine. I’ll plead no contest.”

      Miranda stared into his ruggedly handsome face and felt the unwanted jolt of attraction. “Okay, since you’re being honest I’ll return the favor. I like the looks of you, too, even if you don’t take things seriously and you drive the most pathetic excuse for a vehicle that ever cruised the highway.”

      “Thank you for the comment, ma’am,” Vance said, his lips twitching. “Even if you think I’m stupid, it’s nice to know you don’t find me hideously ugly while you’re handing me warnings and tickets.”

      Miranda broke down and smiled. She just couldn’t help it. The man was a charmer when he wanted to be!

      Dear Reader,

      Welcome back to Hoot’s Roost, Oklahoma! Although Cousin Wade and Quint Ryder have found the women of their dreams in my first Double Duets, #81, Vance, the practical joker of the family, is still footloose—until he plays a prank on a lady cop. When she fines him for stupidity the fireworks explode.

      Miranda Jackson is a by-the-book rookie cop and she doesn’t find the handsome cowboy’s playful attitude the least bit amusing. Furthermore, she has her life all planned out and she has no intention of becoming sidetracked by this unexplainable attraction to a man who is her exact opposite. A practical joker and a cop? It’ll never work. Yet she’s thinking very seriously about arresting Vance for theft—because the fun-loving cowboy has stolen her heart.

      Happy reading,

      Carol Finch

      Books by Carol Finch

      HARLEQUIN DUETS

      36—FIT TO BE TIED

      45—A REGULAR JOE

      62—MR. PREDICTABLE

      72—THE FAMILY FEUD

      81—LONESOME RYDER?*

      RESTAURANT ROMEO*

      SILHOUETTE SPECIAL EDITION

      1242—NOT JUST ANOTHER COWBOY

      1320—SOUL MATES

      HARLEQUIN HISTORICALS

      592—CALL OF THE WHITE WOLF

      635—BOUNTY HUNTER’S BRIDE

      This book is dedicated to my husband, Ed, and our children—Jill, Kurt, Christie, Jeff and Jon—with much love. And to our grandchildren—Livia, Kennedy, Blake and Brooklynn. Hugs and kisses!