Targeted For Murder
MOUNTAIN PURSUITWith his dying breath, Hadley Mason's fatally shot father reveals he's a CIA agent…and a bounty has been placed on both their heads. Heeding his urgent warning to disappear and trust no one, Hadley flees into the Oregon wilderness, but she can't shake the string of hired killers on her trail. So when a fearless and too-handsome wilderness guide comes to her rescue, Hadley has no choice but to put her life in Cooper Wilde's hands. The former Green Beret vows to protect her, but beyond steep gorges and treacherous terrain, a ruthless man will stop at nothing to see her dead.
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MOUNTAIN PURSUIT
With his dying breath, Hadley Masonâs fatally shot father reveals heâs a CIA agentâ¦and a bounty has been placed on both their heads. Heeding his urgent warning to disappear and trust no one, Hadley flees into the Oregon wilderness, but she canât shake the string of hired killers on her trail. So when a fearless and too-handsome wilderness guide comes to her rescue, Hadley has no choice but to put her life in Cooper Wildeâs hands. The former Green Beret vows to protect her, but beyond steep gorges and treacherous terrain, a ruthless man will stop at nothing to see her dead.
Trust no one.
But her father hadnât met Cooper Wilde when heâd said the words. Could he have known sheâd be tracked into the heart of the wilderness? Heâd given her no instructions on how, exactly, to stay hidden. All she had in her toolbox were implements to help her disappear.
And now, this one guyâ¦
In a way, Cooper was the missing piece in her backpack. He was a weaponâthe most capable person sheâd ever met.
âYouâre risking your life by sticking around,â she warned him.
âIt wouldnât be the first time.â
She averted her gaze. âOkay, if youâre going to stick aroundââ Was she really saying this? ââthen, you should know what youâre getting into.â
âThatâs all Iâm asking.â
Hadley climbed out. Cooper slid into the driverâs seat. Shifting into gear, he steered the Jeep onto what barely counted as a road.
âIâm listening.â
âWhat?â
âYou were going to tell me what Iâm getting into.â
She sat for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts and figure out where to begin. He seemed to take her hesitation for reluctance, because he said, âI promise, youâre safe with me. Your secret is safe with me.â
ELIZABETH GODDARD is an award-winning author of more than twenty novels, including the romantic mystery The Camera Never Liesâwinner of a prestigious Carol Award in 2011. After acquiring her computer science degree, she worked at a software firm before eventually retiring to raise her four children and become a professional writer. In addition to writing, she homeschools her children and serves with her husband in ministry.
The Lord works righteousness and justice
for all the oppressed.
âPsalms 103:6
This story is dedicated to my parents, Barbara and Robin. Thank you for believing in me, for always encouraging me to reach for my dreams and to never give up.
This writing journey continues to amaze me as I travel roads that put me in contact with other writers, brilliant people whom I could never imagine I would brainstorm with on a monthly basis or meet with for a cup of coffee. Every time I spend time with writing friends, I come away realizing Iâm a better writer for it. How truly blessed I am. So I want to say thanks to all my new writing buddies, and my longtime writing friends, as well. I couldnât have written so many stories without you! And a special thank-you to my dear friend, Shannon McNear, who now only lives five hours from me! Yes! We can meet once in a while for that cup of coffee in person. All these years of virtual chatting and God has blessed us with some face-to-face time outside of conferences. I appreciate my editor, Elizabeth Mazer, so much for allowing me to write such fun stories. And as always, my agent, Steve Laube, has been a rock for me, always there to encourage and support me when I need him.
Contents
Portland, Oregon
9:30 a.m. Saturday, October
Hadley Mason rubbed Butterfingerâs soft fur, gently urging her neighborâs cat back inside. Sheâd agreed to feed and love on the tabby Persian for Teresa. An easy enough task, except forâa sneeze tickled her nose. Thankfully, Teresa would be home tomorrow.
Stepping into the carpeted hallway between the artist loft apartments, she pulled Teresaâs door closed behind her and moved to her own.
Then froze in her steps.
Hers was ajar.
Frowning, she eased it all the way open and peeked inside, assessing the situation. She wasnât normally fearful but sometimes a girl had to be cautious, especially since she lived in the newly refurbished building that served as an artist community in a run-down part of town. Should she call the police? No...not yet. Not if there was any chance she might have accidentally left the door open herself.
But she really didnât think she had.
Stepping across the threshold, she glanced around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Her surreal paintings of animals in different environments covered the walls and would normally set her at ease.
