by Terri Reed
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” He scanned the room, desperate for a way to prevent her tears from flowing. He’d been the cause of too many tears in the distant and recent past, thanks to this job. Learning how to balance relationships and job requirements was a steeper learning curve than he’d ever expected. In a way, it had been easier before he’d realized how much he longed to share his life in a deep, committed relationship with someone who understood his drive to help and protect others.
Shaun’s gaze landed on the coffee bar in the center of the room, where baristas handed out drinks and pastries to the waiting customers. He turned his attention back to Lexie, who was staring at his hand where it rested on her shoulder.
“Uh, I…” Shaun pulled his hand away and stood. “Can I get you a coffee? You look like you could use the caffeine.”
Pink rose in her cheeks. “One cream, please.”
At the coffee bar, Shaun kept his attention split between his place in line and Lexie. His stomach churned with frustration, and he found he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She’d be much safer if she stayed put and allowed him to do the searching for her attacker. It’d be foolish to encourage an unarmed woman to take on an opponent who’d just proven himself physically stronger than she.
Besides, he had his own search to conduct, and the people he’d come to search for were far more dangerous than a random man in a ski mask. Still, the coincidence made him pause. Here was a woman also searching for a missing person, and she’d been the victim of an attack. Could there be a connection?
Whether there was or not, a civilian nosing around for any reason might get herself hurt—she’d already gotten herself hurt. It could be worse, next time. Lexie’s interference might also compromise his plans and destroy three years of painstaking intel and recon, putting the lives of those in the ring’s clutches in further danger.
And while he understood God would forgive him if he messed this one up, he knew he would never, ever, forgive himself.
Copyright © 2015 by Faith Boughan
Dear Reader
I hope you enjoyed Melanie and Jace’s story. It was a joy to write their journey to overcome past hurts and prejudices and learn to trust enough to give love a chance. Even though LaMar Pond is a fictional place, it came alive for me as I wrote about Melanie and Jace.
Scripture tells us that everything has a season. I had always dreamed of being a writer. I put my dream aside to focus on raising my family. When my youngest started school, I began thinking seriously about writing again. I knew I needed to write inspirational stories. I had an idea about an innocent woman who went to jail and the cop who arrested her working together. It bounced around in my mind for months. When the editors for Love Inspired Suspense announced the Killer Voices Pitch contest, I decided to trust God and take a leap of faith. I will always remember the feeling when editor Elizabeth Mazer picked me to be on her team. When she called me to say she wanted my book, it was the realization of the dream God had put on my heart so many years before.
I have many stories in my mind that I am eager to write, but Jace and Mel will always hold a special place in my heart.
If you want to know more about what I’m working on now, you can find me at www.authordanarlynn.wordpress.com. I can also be found on Facebook and Twitter (@DanaRLynn).
Blessings,
Dana R. Lynn
ISBN-13: 9781460380048
Presumed Guilty
Copyright © 2015 by Dana Roae
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ISBN-13: 9781460390573
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The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
Duty Bound Guardian
Copyright © 2015 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Targeted
Copyright © 2015 by Rebecca Avella
Presumed Guilty
Copyright © 2015 by Dana Roae
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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
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