Search And Rescue

DEFENDING HIS OWN

Newly sworn in as chief of police, Ryder Hayes is ready to defend the citizens of Desert Valley—especially his five-year-old daughter, Lily—from his wife’s murderer. So when Ryder starts to grow close to K-9 trainer Sophie Williams, he pushes her away to protect her. He can’t let Sophie become the next target of the deranged serial killer who’s obsessed with him. But Sophie has secrets of her own, and Ryder’s caution isn’t enough to shield her—from deadly peril or her own feelings. To save everyone he loves, Ryder will have to let Sophie in…and count on his new K-9 partner to help sniff out the killer.

The pursuit was almost over. Ryder had launched himself at the quarry as soon as he’d gotten close enough.

The man had whirled and fired, but the shot had gone wild when Phoenix had hit him below the knees and taken a bite of his leg.

Ryder left his own gun holstered rather than chance sending a bullet into the officers still at Sophie’s. He’d seen them gathering when they’d helped him locate the fleeing criminal, and knew the fence would slow them down enough that he’d have to finish this job himself.

He ducked a punch, then landed one of his own before wrapping the shooter in a bear hug and shoving him to the ground.

Phoenix immediately went for the arm holding the gun.

The wiry attacker tried to bring the muzzle to bear on the dog. Ryder was on him too fast. “Drop the gun!”

ROOKIE K-9 UNIT:

These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners

Protect and Serve—Terri Reed, April 2016 Truth and Consequences—Lenora Worth, May 2016 Seek and Find—Dana Mentink, June 2016 Honor and Defend—Lynette Eason, July 2016 Secrets and Lies—Shirlee McCoy, August 2016 Search and Rescue—Valerie Hansen, September 2016

VALERIE HANSEN was thirty when she awoke to the presence of the Lord in her life and turned to Jesus. She now lives in a renovated farmhouse in the breathtakingly beautiful Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and is privileged to share her personal faith by telling the stories of her heart for Love Inspired. Life doesn’t get much better than that!

Search

and Rescue

Valerie Hansen

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.

—Matthew 7:7

As I have continued to write book after book, it has occurred to me that I can never fully acknowledge all the amazing folks who have helped and encouraged me along the way. This book is dedicated to all those unsung heroes who are ready to share a smile or a hug no matter what their own needs may be.

And, as always, to my Joe, who is with me in spirit.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Sophie Williams faced Desert Valley’s new police chief, Ryder Hayes, with a smile, hoping he wouldn’t ask what she was up to and object before she had a chance to convince him she was acting for his benefit.

Anybody would be tense about taking over as chief after Earl Jones finally retired, but Ryder had received a double whammy. He’d discovered that he’d been working beside his late wife’s murderer, and the killer of others, for over five years. Former police department secretary Carrie Dunleavy had fooled everyone and had disappeared weeks ago, just as Ryder and his team had discovered she was the killer they’d been after for months. The whole town was unbelievably on edge. No wonder the new chief had been a tad short-tempered lately.

“I’m going to make a quick run to town and back,” Sophie told him, noting his scowl in response.

“Be careful. You may have been a cop once,” Ryder said, “but you’re a dog trainer now.”

That was a low blow. Sophie clenched her jaw while the chief brushed a speck of lint off his dark blue uniform and continued as if clueless. “We all have to be on guard,” he said. “There’s no telling where Carrie is or whether she’s through killing people. There’s nothing normal about Carrie. I have a feeling she’s sticking close to town, watching us.”

Given the shrine to Ryder that had been found in Carrie’s home, Sophie had to agree. Carrie was in love with Ryder, had killed his wife, had killed two rookie K-9 officers who were like stand-ins for him. Why she’d murdered Sophie’s predecessor, lead dog trainer Veronica Earnshaw or had attacked prominent resident Marian Foxcroft, no one knew yet. Until Ryder and his rookies had answers, until Carrie was behind bars, everyone had to be careful. Sophie nodded. “I’ll keep my eyes open.” She tossed back her shoulder-length blond hair and faced him with a determined look.

He arched a brow. “Are you carrying?”

“Of course.” She patted a flat holster clipped inside the waist of her jeans and further hidden by her blue T-shirt. “I won’t be out and about for long. I’m going to the train station to pick up a dog.”