Holiday On The Run

WOMAN IN HIDING

After witnessing a murder, Melissa Harris faked her death, changed her name and went into hiding, hoping to keep the gunmen at bay. For years, it worked—but now the ruthless killers have found her. When bullets begin to fly, SWAT cop Nate Freemont rescues Melissa and her little girl. Her former high school sweetheart is shocked that she’s alive and seeks an explanation about why she vanished from his life. Telling the truth would only put her daughter’s safety and Nate’s future in jeopardy. With Christmas approaching, can Melissa risk everything to accept the safe haven and second chance Nate offers…as deadly enemies close in?

SWAT: Top Cops—Love in the line of duty

“Are you and your daughter all right?” Nate asked.

She nodded. “We’re fine, but what happened?”

“The guys who followed you are both…taken care of.” Nate amended what he was going to say in deference to the little girl. He pushed the door open wider, giving the child a reassuring smile. “Meredith, I need to know what’s going on.”

She shook her head. “My name isn’t Meredith. It’s Melissa. Melissa Harris. And we can’t stay. We need to get out of here, now. Before anyone else sees us.”

Nate knew the woman was Meredith. “Meredith, Melissa, it doesn’t matter to me, I remember you from high school and I know very well you remember me, too.” He crossed his arms over his chest and planted himself in front of the doorway. “I’ve wounded two men,” he added bluntly. “I’m a sheriff’s deputy sworn to uphold the law. I can’t just leave.”

Meredith actually winced. “I know, and I’m sorry. Of course you can’t leave. We’ll go on our own. I refuse to put my daughter’s life in jeopardy.”

Nate glanced down at Hailey. Her tear-streaked face and the fear reflected in her hazel eyes ripped a hole in his heart.

He closed his eyes and sighed, knowing he was likely going to regret this. “Okay, let’s go.”

Dear Reader,

Thanks again for all the letters, emails and Facebook messages you’ve sent in the past few months about how much you’re enjoying my SWAT: Top Cops—Love in the Line of Duty series. It’s amazing how you’ve come to care about my characters as much as I do.

I’m thrilled to present the fifth book in the series, Holiday on the Run. I adore writing Christmas books, and this one is no exception. Deputy Nate Freemont is the techno-geek of the SWAT team, but that doesn’t stop him from putting his life on the line to protect Melissa, his old high school sweetheart, and her young daughter from danger. Nate becomes determined to put a twelve-year-old murder to rest, especially when he discovers he has a personal connection to the reason behind the crime. But the biggest danger is to his heart.

I hope you enjoy Nate and Melissa’s story. I enjoy hearing from my readers. If you’re interested in dropping me a brief note or in signing up for my newsletter, please visit my website at laurascottbooks.com. I’m also on Facebook at Laura Scott Books and on Twitter @laurascottbooks.

Yours in faith,

Laura Scott

LAURA SCOTT is a nurse by day and an author by night. She has always loved romance, reading faith-based books by Grace Livingston Hill in her teenage years. She’s thrilled to have published fourteen books for Love Inspired Suspense. She has two adult children and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband of thirty years. Please visit Laura at laurascottbooks.com, as she loves to hear from her readers.

Holiday on the Run

Laura Scott

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

—Psalms 100:5

This book is dedicated to all the sisters of my heart, Renee, Marianne, Lisa and Sarah Iding. Love you all and thanks for the great Christmas memories!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

ONE

SWAT team member Nathan Freemont ducked his head against the swirling snow as he jogged across the megamall parking lot to reach the entrance of the building. The place was jam-packed with people, and he knew it was his own fault for waiting until the week before Christmas to do his shopping.

He had only a couple of gifts to buy, one for his dad and another for his dad’s new wife, Amelia, so with any luck he could be in and out within thirty minutes. At least, that was his plan. As he was still wearing his uniform, he had no intention of lingering.

Of course, it would help if he had a clue what to buy. He was hoping something in the mall might inspire him.

Nate headed toward the escalator leading up to the second floor, where he could see a shop that specialized in scented lotions. Amelia would probably like something like that, wouldn’t she? Didn’t all women like that stuff?

He eased through the crowd to step onto the escalator, scanning the sea of faces intensely. He was first and foremost a cop, and he instinctively made sure there wasn’t anyone looking suspicious enough to cause trouble.