Christmas Under Fire

Mission: Survive the Holidays

A Mountie Brotherhood story

Cally Roslin came to northern British Columbia to enjoy a charming Canadian Christmas—until somebody tries to kill her. But when she becomes the target of multiple attacks, Aaron Thrace, the handsome Mountie assigned to protect her, is certain it’s no coincidence. Danger is swiftly closing in on Cally, and with hazardous snowstorms on the horizon, there’ll soon be no place to run…

MICHELLE KARL is an unabashed bibliophile and a romantic suspense author. She lives in Canada with her husband and an assortment of critters, including a codependent cat and an opinionated parrot. When she’s not reading and consuming copious amounts of coffee, she writes the stories she’d like to find in her “to be read” pile. She also loves animals, world music and eating the last piece of cheesecake.

Also By Michelle Karl

Mountie Brotherhood

Wilderness Pursuit

Accidental Eyewitness

Christmas Under Fire

Fatal Freeze

Unknown Enemy

Outside the Law

Silent Night Threat

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Christmas Under Fire

Michelle Karl

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08653-0

CHRISTMAS UNDER FIRE

© 2018 Faith Boughan

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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“I thought I saw someone slip between the stores back there.”

Aaron frowned. “I’d like to say we don’t need to worry about it, but after all that’s happened, I’m not taking any chances. Come on, let’s get off the main drag.”

He led them down the next street, taking a shortcut around the block before meeting back up with the main street again. The moment they walked up to the corner, Cally gasped. The shadowy shape was back, and it appeared to be a person leaning against a wall under a store awning. It looked as though the person was waiting for something. Or someone.

“Aaron...” Cally couldn’t stop her voice from wavering.

“I see him,” Aaron said in a low tone. “Come on, we’re almost to the station. If we hurry—”

But as they took the first steps to resume their journey, Cally couldn’t resist the urge to look over her shoulder.

She almost screamed.

The white-clad figure had started moving, and the person was running straight for them.

Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for joining Aaron and Cally during the holidays! No matter where you’re from or how you celebrate—or who you celebrate with!—I hope that it’s a season of peace and joy for you.

Like Cally, you might have a challenging family situation to manage. Or like Aaron, you may come from a loving, close-knit family that helps each other out in a pinch. Perhaps you’re experiencing a season of loss, like Cally, and I think it is especially important to acknowledge that Christmas can be a difficult time for those who are grieving. Wherever God has placed you this holiday season—and whomever He has placed you with—I hope you feel His presence and His grace in the busyness and in the quiet moments.

I’m honored that during the bustle of the season, you’ve chosen to spend time between these pages. Aaron is the final Thrace brother to be married in the Mountie Brotherhood series, so if you missed Sam’s and Leo’s stories, be sure to check them out, too!

Blessings,

Michelle

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.