Navy SEAL Noel

A LETHAL REUNION

Abducted by a drug cartel, scientist Jessalynn McCoy’s orders are simple—produce a deadly toxin, or be killed. Trapped with no options, she’s desperate for help…she just never expected it from Will Gumble. The boy who let her down years ago is now a navy SEAL. She trusts his skills, his experience. Yet trusting him is a struggle. Will’s Christmas wish is to heal their damaged relationship and get them to safety. But time is running out and the stakes keep rising. Any mistake could mean the difference between facing the holidays together or apart forever.

Men of Valor: These navy SEALS were born to excel…

“Jess, calm down. I won’t hurt you.”

The words made no sense to her muddled brain, but they continued, quiet and assured. “It’s all right. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

It wasn’t the words that made her sink into him, but the voice that, even after all this time, she’d recognize anywhere. Her eyes hadn’t been playing tricks on her that afternoon. Will Gumble was in this compound. In her very room.

How could he act so casual? As if it hadn’t been ten years since they’d spoken? As if he hadn’t just shown up in a foreign country where she was being held prisoner? As if the very sight of him didn’t make her knees weak with relief?

“I thought I saw you— I thought that was you, but…” Her stomach pitched, fear and relief mingling with alarm and the echo of a remembered betrayal. “What are you doing here?”

His lopsided grin hadn’t changed. “Your dad sent me.”

“My dad?” Forcing a chuckle, she said, “I figured when my dad realized I was missing, he’d send a SEAL team to bring me home.”

“Not a full team—he just sent one.”

LIZ JOHNSON

graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations and now works as a nonfiction marketing manager for a Christian publisher. She finds time to write late at night and is a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Liz makes her home in Nashville, TN, where she enjoys theater, exploring the local music scene and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her nieces and nephews. She loves stories of true love with happy endings and blogs about her adventures in writing at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com.

Navy SEAL Noel

Liz Johnson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

—Joshua 1:5

A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

—Proverbs 17:17

For Katie Bond

who daily demonstrates the meaning of true friendship. I am so thankful for you.

And for Jess Barnes

who always makes me laugh and lent me her name for a character. I’m stunned by your talent and grace.

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

FIFTEEN

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Copyright

ONE

Petty Officer Will Gumble could have gone his whole life without seeing Captain Sean McCoy again.

In fact, he’d been counting on it.

But he wasn’t about to risk ignoring a summons from the brand-new executive officer of the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Even if it was worded as a request and asked for a meeting at The Cue, a pool bar well off the base and away from the regular SEAL watering holes.

Will tugged on the sleeves of his civilian jacket and took a deep breath before jerking the door open. Noise and the vapour of electronic cigarettes surrounded him as he stepped inside, scanning the hazy room for threats, exits and friends. In that order.

Two guys next to the pool table by the wall pushed each other, knocking a row of empty glasses onto the green felt. They’d had too much to drink, but weren’t worth a second look. A girl who didn’t look old enough to even be in the bar leaned against the jukebox and flirted with the gray-haired man beside her. She looked up and caught Will’s eye. Hers brightened, a slow smile forming on too-red lips.

Will looked away fast.

The last thing he needed was a girl latching onto him in front of his new XO.

He slipped between two tables, pushing toward the back of the room, finishing his survey. The place wasn’t particularly crowded, given the weekday night, but the green and blue neon lights made faces almost unrecognizable.

What if he couldn’t identify the captain? He hadn’t seen him in more than ten years, and McCoy had been none too happy on that occasion. In fact, the last time they’d met, McCoy had been downright red in the face to see his little girl sneaking into the house at zero dark hundred. Will hadn’t exactly meant to drop Jess off so late, but he’d been a reckless kid, cocky and assured. And when the old navy man had clamped a hand on his shoulder and stared hard at him, Will had nearly buckled. Would he be able to recognize McCoy without the searing anger and disapproval in the older man’s expression—or would both still be there, even after all these years?