Witness Pursuit

GUARDING THE WITNESS

When Cassie McBride discovers a dead body in a rental cabin, she quickly becomes the killer’s next target. Now the upbeat, chatty property manager is under the personal protection of police chief Nate Walsh—the living embodiment of the strong, silent type. Nate’s tragic past has taught him that a cop falling for a pretty witness can lead to disaster. Dogged at every turn by the murderer, Nate must stay focused and not let his growing feelings for Cassie interfere with his duty. If there’s any hope for Cassie—or a future for them—it’s going to take all Nate’s skill to not only keep her safe…but to keep her alive.

“Am I in trouble?”

He snapped his attention to her. “You’re conscious.”

“Disappointed, huh?” she teased.

Nate ripped his gaze from her adorable face. “This isn’t funny.”

“No, it most certainly is not. I was just doing my job and found a body. Is she dead? Please tell me she’s not dead. At first I thought maybe she just collapsed and hit her head. I’ve passed out before from not remembering to eat.”

Her nonstop chatter convinced Nate she was okay. “Cassie, take a breath.”

“You’re angry with me,” she said.

“I’m not angry.”

“You seem angry. Why, because I’m down here? I was only trying to get away.” She hesitated. “That man, there was a man.”

“It’s okay, he’s not here now. You’re safe.”

An eternal optimist, HOPE WHITE was born and raised in the Midwest. She and her college sweetheart have been married for thirty years and are blessed with two wonderful sons, two feisty cats and a bossy border collie. When not dreaming up inspirational tales, Hope enjoys hiking, sipping tea with friends and going to the movies. She loves to hear from readers, who can contact her at [email protected].

WITNESS

PURSUIT

Hope White

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

—Ephesians 4:25

For Lar, my real-life hero

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

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Cassie McBride got out of Ruby, her little red car, and froze.

The front door to the Whispering Pines cabin was ajar. That wasn’t right. Was the renter still on the premises? How awkward. The woman was supposed to have checked out by noon and it was nearly eight o’clock in the evening.

Cassie pulled out her phone to call Becca, her best friend. Becca had helped Cassie get the job as a property manager for Echo Mountain Rentals, which rented out private cabins to vacationers in the Cascade Mountains. Perhaps Becca had dealt with this type of situation and could offer advice.

No, if Cassie wanted people to think of her as independent, she needed to act more and ask less. She decided not to bring in the fresh linens and toiletries until she’d resolved this issue. Who knows, she might even have to call security.

“Be strong,” she coached, but she abhorred conflict. If she were to keep this good-paying job, she’d have to do the uncomfortable tasks like kick out renters who’d overstayed their welcome. She straightened her shoulders, marched to the front door and eased it open. “Hello? It’s the property manager.”

Silence.

“Anyone here?”

Nothing.

She sighed with relief. Perhaps the door didn’t latch properly when the renter vacated the premises.

Her gaze drifted to the picture window and the incredible view of the Cascade Mountains. She would miss these mountains when she left on her travel adventures overseas where she’d discover new mountains and beautiful places in foreign lands.

But she wasn’t there yet.

To get the cabin ready for tomorrow’s renters, she pulled her phone out of her purple bag and opened the checklist. She glanced toward the back of the house and noticed the patio door wasn’t locked.

“Not a very responsible renter,” she said to herself. She’d let Mr. Anderson know not to rent to that woman again. She crossed the room and locked the door.

Turning her attention to the kitchen, Cassie got busy with her assignment. Her report needed to be filed tonight, and if anything was damaged they’d send maintenance to fix the problem before the next renter checked in.

To help her focus, she plugged earbuds into her phone and hit Play. This was the perfect job for Cassie, and she couldn’t thank Becca enough for recommending her to her boss. The money earned during the high season would pad Cassie’s bank account so she could escape Echo Mountain sooner rather than later.

Starting in the kitchen, Cassie turned the appliances on and off—the toaster, blender and microwave. She checked the garbage disposal and oven. All seemed in working order.

During a break between songs, she thought she heard something. It sounded like scratching. Another song started, and Cassie hit Pause. Pulled out the earbuds.

Scratch, scratch, whine.