Colton Christmas Protector
The Coltons of Texas saga reaches its thrilling climax with a tale of Christmas justice!Ex-cop Reid Colton is working double-time to help beautiful widow Penelope Barrington Clark. While investigating her dad, his family lawyer, the two are also trying to uncover who murdered Pen's husband...all while keeping their relationship professional! But when a bullet and their forbidden attraction change everything, it’s Reid to the rescue, determined to guard Pen and her son with his life.The last thing Penelope wanted was to fall for a sexy Colton who's not looking for forever. yet as Christmas approaches and their investigation heats up, the three start to feel like a family. And the best present of all? Solving the Colton clan’s biggest mystery!
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The Coltons of Texas saga reaches its thrilling climax with a tale of Christmas justice!
Ex-cop Reid Colton is working double-time to help beautiful widow Penelope Barrington Clark. While investigating her dad, his family lawyer, the two are also trying to uncover who murdered Penâs husband...all while keeping their relationship professional! But when a bullet and their forbidden attraction change everything, itâs Reid to the rescue, determined to guard Pen and her son with his life.
The last thing Penelope wants is to fall for a sexy Colton whoâs not looking for forever. Yet as Christmas approaches and their investigation heats up, the three start to feel like a family. And the best present of all? Solving the Colton clanâs biggest mystery!
Penelope stared at him, her expression skeptical. âReid, I donât think this isââ
âCan you trust me on this?â
She lifted an eyebrow as if to say, Are you kidding me?
âPlease,â he added. âI thought you believed me about what happened with Andrew.â
âMaybe. I...â Her shoulders slumped. âI havenât really had a chance to process it. My hesitance is not really about what happened with Andrew. Not completely. I just...â She blew out a tired breath. âSo much has happened today. My head is spinning.â
Reid closed the distance between them and stroked a hand down her arm. Grasping her elbow, he drew her even closer and held her gaze. âCan you at least believe Iâm your friend? That I care about what happens to you and Nicholas, and Iâm trying to do what is best for you?â
She moistened her lips, and just the glimpse of her tongue sliding along the seam of her mouth sent a shock wave of lust pounding through him.
* * *
We hope you enjoy this dramatic series:
The Coltons of Texas: Finding love and buried family secrets in the Lone Star State...
Over the years, Iâve had the pleasure of contributing to several Colton continuities. Like Harlequin readers, I love this passionate, engaging, often dysfunctional (LOL!) family, so it was a pleasure to write this wrap-up book for The Coltons of Texas. In addition, I love Christmas, so adding elements of the holiday to this story was a fun bonus!
Penelope and Reid have a bit of baggage to sort through before they can get to their happily-ever-after, especially when a shooter comes after them. But in true Colton style, Reid isnât about to let Penelope or her small son get hurt, and he takes her to his private hideaway. Tucked away in Reidâs lake house, the sparks fly and it is soon obvious the shooter isnât the only thing from which Penelope needs to protect herself. Can she trust Reid with her life...and her heart?
Happy reading, merry holidays, and all the best to you and yours,
Beth Cornelison
BETH CORNELISON began working in public relations before pursuing her love of writing romance. She has won numerous honors for her work, including a nomination for the RWA RITA® Award for The Christmas Stranger. She enjoys featuring her cats (or friendsâ pets) in her stories and always has another book in the pipeline! She currently lives in Louisiana with her husband, one son and three spoiled cats. Contact her via her website, bethcornelison.com.
This book is dedicated to YOU, dear reader!
Thank you for your years of support and sharing my stories with me. Long live romance!
Contents
Andrewâs funeral was well attended, the burial full of the pomp and ceremonial rites traditionally on display for a fallen police officer. His brothers and sisters in blue packed the church and lined the street as the funeral procession made its way to the cemetery.
Through it all, Reid Colton tried to stay in the background. He knew his presence could prove a distraction from the send-off Andrew deserved, and he refused to be responsible for any disruption to the service. Seeing all the dress uniforms, the military-like formality of the service, made Reid glad heâd never made formal allegations that his partner was mixed up in something bad.
Whatever Andrew had gotten involved with in recent weeks didnât negate the years of loyal service and heroism Andrew Clark had shown the community and the police force. Andrew had been a good friend, a great partner and a decorated police detective. Reidâs purpose in investigating Andrew, in making his quiet allegations of theft and drug use, was only an effort to rein in his partner, to bring him to his senses before he got in over his head. Before Andrew got addicted, got arrested, got thrown off the force in disgrace.
For his efforts to save his partnerâs career, save Andrewâs life, Reid had become the one under investigation, the one whose career had been sacrificed due to innuendo and unsubstantiated claims of wrongdoing.
