Covert Christmas
Walking in on a beautiful woman taking a bath is a perk Todd Wainwright doesn't expect when he arrives at a friend's Hilton Head beach cottage. The dedicated Chicago surgeon is looking for some much-needed R & R.He gets that and more when he spends an unforgettable weekend with South Carolina biochemistry professor Emily Porter, who knows all about the laws of attraction…Emily has desired Todd ever since she first saw him at her sister's wedding. Having the sexy surgeon all to herself in a romantic oceanfront setting is beyond her wildest fantasies. But once the vacation's over, she's hit with a cold dose of reality. Is the workaholic doc ready to commit? Is the chemistry between them strong enough to turn a passionate lovers' idyll into a true and lasting love?
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DIAGNOSIS: AMNESIA
A man has been shot and left for dead on Echo Mountain, and Search and Rescue K-9 handler Breanna McBride wants answers. With no memory, all the injured man can recall is that his first name is Scott, and that someone wants him silenced. Scott knows better than to depend on strangers, yet he finds himself falling for his captivating protector. And although Breanna wonât rest until she helps him piece together the rest of his past, she vows to ignore the attraction between them. But as they close in on the truth, she becomes the killerâs next target. Now the pursuers will stop at nothing to ensure the pair is six feet under by Christmas.
Echo Mountain: Saving lives and finding love in the mountains of Washington State
Dodging into the street, Scott was hyperfocused on the lovely but terrified blonde.
He watched Bree step away from the car with a horrified look on her face.
âBree!â Scott called.
A car horn screamed.
Brakes squealed.
Scott glanced to his left in time to see a compact car skidding toward him. The driver spun the wheel at the last second and the small car slid past Scott and slammed into a parked car. Scott turned back to the dark sedan, and was about to reach for the door when the driver peeled away, burning rubber on the street.
Without hesitation, he went to Bree and placed gentle hands on her shoulders. âAre you okay?â
She nodded, but he could tell she was traumatized.
âThe man in that black car threatened me,â she said.
âThreatened you how?â
âHe told me to get in, then he flashed a gun.â
Scott automatically pulled Bree against his chest into a gentle hug. âItâs okay, heâs gone.â
For now, he added silently.
HOPE WHITE
An eternal optimist, Hope White was born and raised in the Midwest. She began spinning tales of intrigue and adventure when she was in grade school, and wrote her first book when she was elevenâa thriller that ended with a mysterious phone call the reader never heard!
She and her college sweetheart have been married for thirty years and are blessed with two wonderful sons, two feisty cats and a bossy border collie.
When not dreaming up inspirational tales, Hope enjoys hiking, sipping tea with friends and going to the movies. She loves to hear from readers, who can contact her at [email protected].
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
âPsalms 46
This book is dedicated to Washington State Search and Rescue volunteers.
A heartfelt thanks to those who answered my many questions: Chris, Guy, Bethany and Brenda from Snohomish County Search and Rescue K9 Unit, along with Andrew from Everett Mountain Rescue, and Justin from Bellingham Mountain Rescue.
Contents
They were close, dangerously close.
Scott Becket sprinted up the trail, hoping to disappear in the brush ahead. He wasnât sure how long he could keep up this pace considering the abuse heâd sustained at the hands of his captors. He was lucky to have gotten away, although without his backpack he wouldnât survive long out here in the Cascade Mountains.
Scott needed the perfect spot where he could camouflage himself until they passed, if they passed, because he knew they were nothing if not determined to find Scott and kill him. After they finished what theyâd started earlierââpersuadingâ him to admit where heâd hidden the proof of criminal activity that could destroy them all.
As long as he had sole possession of the documentation, Scott would breathe another day or two, long enough to gather the last bit of evidence he needed to end this thing.
Eyeing the trail ahead, he hoped he wouldnât run into innocent civilians out for an afternoon hike. Scott didnât want to put others in jeopardy and wasnât sure how far his pursuers would go to secure the information and eliminate Scott, the only person cynical enough to question their plan.
He winced at the pain of bruised ribs as he gasped to fill his lungs with air. Scott berated himself for not catching on sooner. What a fool. Just like heâd been a fool to think he could get water samples to the EPA without being caught. But then he hadnât been thinking clearly for a while now.
Theyâd distracted him with the illusion of love and happiness. Christa had been so good, too, an expert at making him feel safe and loved. He should have known better. Sweet, perfect women like Christa did not fall in love with damaged goods like Scott Becket.
Theyâd also distracted Scott with threats against his boss and veiled threats against Scottâs sister. He hoped Emily took his message seriously and got out of town. If anything happened to his baby sisterâ
Crack! He ducked at the sound of a gunshot echoing through the woods. Now they were shooting at him? They wouldnât find zip if they killed him first and asked questions later.
