High-Risk Homecoming

HOMETOWN PROTECTOR

After being attacked in her own store, Ellie Winters no longer considers her hometown a safe haven. Nor can she believe the lawman helping her recover is Johnny Rock, her former childhood friend—and the boy who once threw her family into turmoil. Though she’s secretly happy to see Johnny again, he’s only back to stop a drug ring. Too bad the trail leads straight to Ellie’s shop. Despite their rocky history, Johnny knows the pretty business owner can’t possibly be guilty. Now, with Johnny as the only thing standing between Ellie and a killer, he will do anything to keep her safe…and prove he’s worthy of Ellie trusting him with her heart.

A crash sounded from the back of the store and Ellie jumped, splashing the contents of the punch bowl up and over the edge.

Her mind flashed to last night. The man slamming her body against the utility sink. His callused hand against her lips. She gasped, a cold fear washing over her.

Johnny moved toward her, a concerned look on his face. He held out his hand, indicating she stay put. Ellie swallowed hard as she watched him disappear into the storage room, her pulse beating wildly in her ears. A few minutes later, he returned with a piece of paper.

Her stomach dropped.

“This was stuffed in the hole of a brick.” He tipped his head toward the back door. “There’s a nice dent in the middle of the exterior door where he threw it.”

Ellie let out a long breath as tiny stars danced in her line of vision. “What does it say?” The words rasped out of her dry throat.

She read over his shoulder. In black angry letters, the wrinkled note read, “Stop playing games or you die.”

ALISON STONE lives with her husband of more than twenty years and their four children in western New York. Besides writing, Alison keeps busy volunteering at her children’s schools, driving her girls to dance and watching her boys race motocross. Alison loves to hear from her readers at [email protected]. For more information please visit her website, alisonstone.com. She’s also chatty on Twitter, @Alison_Stone. Find her on Facebook at facebook.com/AlisonStoneAuthor.

High-Risk Homecoming

Alison Stone

www.millsandboon.co.uk

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

—Philippians 4:13

For my youngest daughter, Leah Grace, who loves a good storyline as much as her mother. I am proud of you and the person you’re becoming. Love you always.

To my husband, Scott, and my oldest three kids, Scotty, Alex and Kelsey. Thank you for being exactly who you are. Love you, always and forever.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Ellie dropped the paint roller and it landed with a plop-clack as the roller landed in the paint and the handle hit the edge of the plastic paint tray. Stepping back, she planted her fists on her hips, and then quickly checked her hands, relieved the bright splotches of paint on her fingers were dry. She resumed her stance and tipped her head, wondering if she should have gone more with the shade Pumpkin Spice and not Citrus Blast. But in the end, all the paint samples had begun to blend together during the height of the gift shop’s remodel and, in a fit of decisiveness, she’d chosen Citrus Blast.

“Hmm, when I said our store needed a pop of color, I didn’t mean—” her friend and business partner, Ashley, winced and shook her head “—oh...I should have gone with you to the hardware store.”

Ellie spun around, biting back her annoyance. Ashley was supposed to have gone with her and yet again, she had had a conflict. Ellie took in her friend’s cute fall sweater and jeans, and realized Ashley hadn’t stopped by to help. She’d probably fib and claim she had a scheduling conflict when in reality, she had a date.

Ashley couldn’t hold back a smile. “I have a date, okay?” Ah, she actually admitted it. “I can’t help it if you’re all work and no play.”

Ellie held up her palms to the unpacked boxes and unassembled shelving unit leaning against the adjacent wall. “Our shop is having its grand opening tomorrow.” She rolled her shoulders, hating the edge to her voice. She was hungry and every muscle in her body hurt. And more than anything, she was tired. So, so, so tired.

Ashley shrugged and glanced around. “Everything looks great. Besides, we can’t put the shelves up on the back wall until you finish painting.” Her friend since the first day of kindergarten dragged a finger along a strand of her smooth blond hair and flipped it over her shoulder. “I told you that wall could wait, but you wanted to have everything perfect for tomorrow.”

Ellie angled her head. “Don’t you?”

“The shop looks great. We can shove those boxes in the back. No one will see them. Can’t those teenage boys from the church help again? They’re always looking for volunteer hours.” Ashley tapped the cardboard box with the toe of her new boots and rubbed her palms together. “No sense us breaking our backs.” Ashley laughed.