Bounty Hunter Guardian

“Please …” The sound of her voice whispered in the air between them.

Please, what? Please turn around and go away? Please pretend you didn’t find me? Please don’t take my only chance at freedom away from me?

The man flipped a switch and the sudden light made Amanda squeeze her eyes closed.

“Mrs. Stowe, I don’t appreciate having to chase you up the stairs and through the halls before I’ve even had my morning coffee. Why don’t you just settle down and come to grips with the fact that your running days are over?”

The weary, steel tone in his voice gave credence to his words. Now that she could see him in the light, her gaze flew to his face. The dark eyes glaring back at her confirmed her fears that there would be no room for negotiations, but still she had to try.

“Please, you’re making a mistake. I didn’t kill my husband.”

Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for choosing Bounty Hunter Guardian. I hope you enjoyed the trials of Amanda and Chance as they fought for survival in the wilderness and escaped danger during their path to finding true love.

Personally, I’ve always been touched, at this time of year in particular, by Mary and Joseph’s awesome faith in God’s purpose and their total obedience to His plan.

As Amanda struggled through this Christmas season against her own almost insurmountable obstacles, I wanted to show how her unwavering faith and trust in the Lord not only brought her through the fire but how her example led Chance to find the Lord. I hope many people who come in contact with us in their daily lives see the presence of the Lord and open their hearts to His call.

I love hearing from readers. In January, 2012, I plan to start a quarterly newsletter to keep my readers up-to-date on what’s going on in my world as I brainstorm new story ideas, finish my works-in-progress and promote books with free giveaway contests. If you’d like to subscribe, please send your email address to [email protected]. I promise it will not be shared or used for any other purpose.

You can also find me on Facebook, on www.twitter.com/burkediane, and you can follow my blog, www.dianeburke.blogspot.com.

Blessings and a happy holiday to you and yours!

Diane Burke

Diane Burke

www.millsandboon.co.uk

The Lord is my strength and shield.

I trust him with all my heart.

—Psalms 28:7

To Connie Mann and Kit Wilkinson, great authors and good friends. You’ve been with me each step of the way no matter what I need or when I need it.

Thanks, gals!

Amanda Stowe sprinted past the evergreen garlands tucked around the doorways of the bed-and-breakfast. Who would have believed that a building that stretched the length of two city blocks could be found out here smack-dab in the middle of nowhere? The grand and imposing hotel had been at least an hour’s drive north of Fairbanks. But the isolation was probably its biggest draw—Alaskan wilderness the safe way.

Amanda didn’t feel very safe at the moment.

She barely registered the fresh scent of pine that tickled her nose as she raced on, ducking down one hall, running as fast as she could down another. Turning the last corner, her eyes widened as she spied the gaily decorated Christmas tree standing like a sentinel at the top of the stairs and prayed she’d be able to stop before she slid into it like a baseball player stealing home plate.

Slow down. Get control of yourself.

She heeded the stern voice in her head and stopped running before she drew unwanted attention to herself or, worse, crashed into the tree looming now only a couple dozen yards ahead.

She stole a moment to check behind her. She was still safe. The hall was empty.

Panting heavily, she tried to catch her breath and continued to move forward. This time instead of an all-out run, she chose what others might call “a purposeful stride.” If anyone saw her hurry by, they’d probably think she was late for breakfast or, maybe, for one of the many Alaskan tours the facility offered.

She clenched her sweaty palms and forced herself to try and breathe normally. She could do this. She just had to stay composed and think things through calmly and logically.

Amanda groaned aloud when she realized she was subconsciously humming under her breath to the piped-in Christmas music in spite of her high level of anxiety.

Christmas was the last thing that should be on her mind. She was running for her life.

She threw another nervous glance over her shoulder. She paused in the hallway just long enough to turn a doorknob in search of the impossible—an unlocked door.

She couldn’t believe her luck when the knob twisted beneath her grasp and the door eased open. She thanked the good Lord that this bed-and-breakfast was tucked away in a remote area of Alaska. She’d never have found sanctuary without a magnetic key card back in “civilization.”

She ducked into the dimly lit room and crouched in a ball at the foot of the bed. Pulling her coat over her head, she hoped if the man following her did happen to glance inside that he’d mistake her for nothing more than a discarded blanket in the darkness.