title: The Cowboy's Claim
author:  Carla Cassidy 
description: Carla Cassidy is a <em>New York Times </em>bestsellingauthor who has written more than 125 novels for Harlequin Books. She is listed on the Romance Writer's of America Honor Roll and has won numerous awards. Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![9781488019647.jpg](../cover.jpeg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  UNDER THE RANCHER’S PROTECTION
  
  
  Someone is dead set on stopping Shelby Arroyo from doing her job: assessing
  mineral rights in a mine in gold country. But after rancher Barrett Thorn
  rescues her from an attack, the handsome widowed cowboy seems to feel
  responsible for her. That is, until he discovers she’s from the family that
  he’ll never forgive for his wife’s death. As the threats against Shelby
  escalate, cowboy honor and an unexpected attraction keep Barrett by her side,
  even at his own risk. And since Shelby won’t back down, Barrett must protect
  the brave, loyal woman he has no business falling for...a woman someone wants
  to kill by Christmas.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “What just happened?” Shelby demanded.
  
  
  “Dynamite.”
  
  
  She gave Barrett an incredulous look. “Dynamite? As in TNT?”
  
  
  He nodded. “Plenty left around here from the mining days.”
  
  
  “Why would someone light up a stick and toss it at me? It has to 