Someone to Watch Over Me Read online

  Dear Readers,

  I hope you’ll notice the dedication to my grandson, Spencer. He’s sixteen years old now, and I was right about everything I said of him. (I love being right; don’t you?)

  For reasons other than that, however, I am very partial to Someone to Watch Over Me. Different heroes appeal to different women for different reasons. Michael Valente totally appeals to me. I like everything about him, particularly his masterful, sometimes humorous way of dealing with any obstacle in his path.

  From my standpoint, there’s something else that’s unique in Someone to Watch Over Me: I created a secondary male character who was so sexy and so compelling that I had to do frequent rewrites to keep McCord out of the limelight.

  The only thing I would have done differently now is that I would have let more time lapse before the romance between Leigh and Michael Valente caught fire.

  Oh, and there’s one more thing: One of my treasured possessions is a small pewter knight that was given to me at a writer’s conference by a reader who also loved Michael Valente. It’s on the bookshelf in my office as I write this.

  I hope this book lives up to all of your expectations, and that your expectations are very high.

  Warmly,

  Judith McNaught

  JUDITH McNAUGHT

  “one of the finest writers of popular fiction”*, delivers a pitch-perfect duet of suspense and intrigue in her dazzling new bestseller

  SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME

  “One of the pioneers of the romance genre returns in a sizzling tale. . . . [An] intriguing suspense plot. . . . A page-turner and pure romance fun!”

  —Romantic Times

  “Skillfully blending suspense with not one but two romances, McNaught has penned a tale that is difficult to put down. The characters . . . are distinctive and deftly drawn, the sexual tension sizzles, then sparks, and there are plenty of plot twists to keep readers guessing. . . . [A]n engrossing tale of romantic suspense with likeable, engaging, multilayered characters, tender romance, and a top-notch mystery.”

  —AOL’s Romance Fiction Forum

  “A compelling mix of dark desires and unexpected dangers. . . . This expertly crafted page-turner is sure to reward McNaught’s eager fans!”

  —Barnesandnoble.com*

  MORE THAN 30 MILLION COPIES OF JUDITH McNAUGHT’S BOOKS IN PRINT!

  NATIONAL ACCLAIM FOR HER SPLENDID NOVELS

  The #1 New York Times bestseller!

  NIGHT WHISPERS

  “Never miss a McNaught! Night Whispers heads like the Titanic toward its iceberg of a climax—with shocking revelations. . . . Judith McNaught has written her most stunning work of fiction to date. Sexy, smart, and page-turning, this is a must-read.”

  —Barnesandnoble.com

  “Fiery passion, taut suspense, and unforgettable characters. . . . McNaught has truly outdone herself. . . . Equal parts romance and suspense, this is a must-read for mystery and romance fans alike. . . . You’ll find yourself delighted with this excellent book.”

  —Rendezvous

  REMEMBER WHEN

  “McNaught has a lot of fun with a marriage of convenience that turns out to be anything but.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  “Romantic, witty, and entertaining. . . .”

  —San Antonio Express-News

  UNTIL YOU

  “Delicious. . . . A perfectly wonderful story. . . . A laughing, loving book, a page-turner and a delight.”

  —The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

  “Brilliantly done and completely entertaining . . . a surefire hit.”

  —Ocala Star-Banner (FL)

  PERFECT

  “Judith McNaught undoubtedly knows a thing or two about love. . . . Perfect is a steamy romantic escapade.”

  —The Dallas Morning News

  “[The] chemistry sizzles.”

  —San Francisco Chronicle

  PARADISE

  “Another incomparable love story Judith McNaught’s readers are sure to cherish.”

  —Dallas Times Herald

  “A blockbuster. . . . An absorbing and heartwarming story.”

  —Rendezvous

  A KINGDOM OF DREAMS

  “Wonderful!”

  —Affaire de Coeur

  WHITNEY, MY LOVE

  “The ultimate love story, one you can dream about forever.”

  —Romantic Times

  Thank you for downloading this Pocket Star Books eBook.

  * * *

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  For Spencer Shelley

  Dearest Spence,

  In keeping with tradition, I want very much to give you a letter of advice like the one I wrote for your brother in the dedication of my last book. But I can’t. I’m so awed by your charm and entranced by your laughter, that I can’t wait until you’re older so that I can ask you for advice. How do you make people smile whenever they look at you? I know where you got your eyes, but where did you get your joy? Where did you get so much magic?

  I have so many questions to ask you, but you’re only two now, so I’ll have to wait for my answers. The only thing I know for certain is that you’re going to chart your own course through life. And if that course happens to be one that causes great trepidation in the hearts of your parents, then you can count on me to soothe things over. In the meantime, I will give you this one little piece of grandmotherly advice: Don’t let any of us change you.

  Acknowledgments

  * * *

  I write novels about exceptional men, men of great character, wit, compassion, and strength. In real life, I’ve known men like that. One of them was Gayle Schroder; he was my friend. The other was Michael McNaught; he was my husband. All of us who loved these two extraordinary men miss them terribly. In life, they were admired and cherished by us; now it is their memory that lights our lives—and our way. How blessed we are to have known them at all.

  Writing a novel is a prolonged, solitary endeavor for me. I survive it only with the support and empathy of my family and close friends. Thank you, Clay, and Whit, and Rose, for understanding the lack of phone calls and visits, and never complaining. I love you so much for that! Thank you, Carole LaRocco and Judy Schroder and Cathy Richardson, for being such steadfast friends.

  Writing a novel like this one also requires the advice and assistance of many people with knowledge of my subject—or it requires only one person with vast knowledge, endless contacts, and limitless patience. In this case, Steve Sloat. Steve, you’ve been a prince. I can’t thank you enough.

  Chapter 1

  * * *

  “Miss Kendall, can you hear me? I’m Dr. Metcalf, and you’re at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mountainside. We’re going to take you out of the ambulance now and into the emergency room.”

  Shivering uncontrollably, Leigh Kendall reacted to the insistent male voice that was calling her back to consciousness, but she couldn’t Seem to summon the strength to open her eyelids.

  “Can you hear me, Miss Kendall?”

  With an effort, she finally managed to force her eyes open. The doctor who had spoken was bending over her, examining her head, and beside him, a nurse was holding a clear plastic bag of IV fluid.

  “We’re going to take you out of the ambulance now,” he repeated as he beamed a tiny light at each of her pupils.

  “Need . . . to tell . . . husband I’m here,” Leigh managed in a feeble whisper.

  He nodded and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “The stat