Deadly Christmas Secrets

Deadly Christmas Secrets
Shirlee McCoy

THE CHRISTMAS TARGETWhen new evidence surfaces that Harper Shelby's niece is possibly alive, Harper doesn't expect it to endanger her life. For her protection, she has to put her much-guarded trust in Logan Fitzgerald, the man who unknowingly led a killer to her doorstep. Hired to track Harper down, security and rescue expert Logan doesn't like that he's been used to find a woman who someone apparently wants dead. Now he won't leave Harper's side until he can guarantee her safety and untangle the truth from the lies regarding her sister's and niece's murders. The closer they get to finding answers, the more intent the killer becomes on making sure that there won't be a family reunion—or happily-ever-after—for Harper this Christmas.Mission: Rescue—No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes

THE CHRISTMAS TARGET

When new evidence surfaces that Harper Shelby’s niece is possibly alive, Harper doesn’t expect it to endanger her life. For her protection, she has to put her much-guarded trust in Logan Fitzgerald, the man who unknowingly led a killer to her doorstep. Hired to track Harper down, security and rescue expert Logan doesn’t like that he’s been used to find a woman who someone apparently wants dead. Now he won’t leave Harper’s side until he can guarantee her safety and untangle the truth from the lies regarding her sister’s and niece’s murders. The closer they get to finding answers, the more intent the killer becomes on making sure that there won’t be a family reunion—or happily-ever-after—for Harper this Christmas.

Mission: Rescue—No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes

Finding Harper had put her in danger. He felt responsible for her. Whether Harper thought so or not.

“I’ve been found. Your mission is complete, Logan. I don’t know why I even agreed to let you stand guard tonight, but you did that, too. Now it’s over. The bad guy is gone. I’m safe. Don’t put yourself at any more risk on my account.”

She sounded tired, and he wondered what it must feel like to go from a peaceful and quiet existence to chaos and trouble.

“My job,” he responded, “is filled with risk. This is no different.”

“It is, because this isn’t your job anymore. You did what you were paid for,” she argued.

“We’re wasting time discussing it,” he said. “Every minute that we spend talking, the guy after you is a little closer to escaping.”

“If he’s injured, he’ll show up at a hospital. The police can arrest him there.”

“I’m not taking chances. That’s not how I work. I led the guy here. I’m going to make sure he’s caught.”

Dear Reader (#ulink_9aa5dbb3-3fdf-58bf-a6d1-43c28c018025),

There are times when life is hard. We struggle, we worry, we fight to hold on to what we’ve striven so hard for, but the more we struggle, the harder it is to grasp. It is easy to stand in those moments, wondering where God is. It is easy to think that He has turned from us. Yet the Bible is clear—in the deepest darkness, He is there. In the hardest moments, He is there. He will never leave or forsake those who love Him, and in this promise, we can rest. Whatever your today, I pray that your tomorrow will be bright and filled with His presence.

I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com or visit me on Facebook or Twitter.

Blessings,

Aside from her faith and her family, there’s not much SHIRLEE MCCOY enjoys more than a good book! When she’s not teaching or chauffeuring her five kids, she can usually be found plotting her next Love Inspired Suspense story or wandering around the beautiful Inland Northwest in search of inspiration. Shirlee loves to hear from readers. If you have time, drop her a line at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com.

Deadly Christmas Secrets

Shirlee McCoy

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

Show me Your unfailing love in wonderful ways.

By Your mighty power You rescue those who

seek refuge from their enemies.

—Psalms 17:7

To my parents, Ed and Shirley Porter. Again. Because they are a beautiful example of what forever love means.

Contents

Cover (#uc82384c8-979c-5854-a0eb-13f1297fe533)

Back Cover Text (#u8ec26b3a-f9b7-5c6f-9505-f2ef3e7963b7)

Introduction (#udda8b75c-f73c-55cc-bad4-a2f3e35c0688)

Dear Reader (#u9366711d-e016-5280-ba5c-b34d55e4d9c6)

About the Author (#u70d42b4e-dd6f-5505-95d5-3f5b6d7007d6)

Title Page (#ued489680-7529-585d-95ee-a67e48a8ea38)

Bible Verse (#u1614f76c-3fb8-5af1-a942-8fc6181f7d2e)

Dedication (#u3891b1fb-998c-5b73-b5a4-22cd31848653)

ONE (#u5c57418c-6278-5239-827f-d159c9d348e2)

TWO (#u30f4c271-018e-57d7-b66e-59e6378e006c)

THREE (#ub454c275-8587-569f-9129-ab8c88a8ab15)

FOUR (#u58f034eb-e422-5560-bc43-cb3adabd4a7b)

FIVE (#u1b114ca2-4be4-5819-b78b-fac51918c36e)

SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

ONE (#ulink_21755f98-8946-5e9d-83b5-e386a46466c4)

Tires on gravel.

The sound of a visitor.

An unexpected one, and that made Harper Shelby stop, her back still bent over the shovel, the deep red clay just under its lip.

She didn’t get visitors.

Not ever.

And that was the way she liked it. It was the reason she’d bought twenty acres out in the middle of nowhere, and it was the reason she’d stayed there. The cabin had been nothing when she’d moved in—just four walls and a loft, a tiny kitchen meant to be used by hunters. She’d made it into something beautiful—a two-story structure with just enough room for her and her dog. One bedroom upstairs. One bathroom. An office on the lower level. A kitchen that was small but functional. A living area and wood-burning stove that heated the place in the winter.

The kiln at the back of the cleared acre that the cabin sat on.