Wrongly Accused
A DESPERATE FATHEROnly one thing matters to Caleb O'Malley: his daughter. Framed for his wife's murder, Caleb's only wish is to see his little girl. But Noelle Whitman, his daughter's foster mother, isn't buying his plea of innocence until bullets start flying and they're running for their lives. Staying one step ahead of the real killer proves nearly impossible, but former SWAT cop Caleb will risk everything to keep them safe. Because now there is nothing more important than Noelle and his daughter–not his freedom, not even his life.SWAT: Top Cops–Love in the line of duty
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A DESPERATE FATHER
Only one thing matters to Caleb OâMalley: his daughter. Framed for his wifeâs murder, Calebâs only wish is to see his little girl. But Noelle Whitman, his daughterâs foster mother, isnât buying his plea of innocence until bullets start flying and theyâre running for their lives. Staying one step ahead of the real killer proves nearly impossible, but former SWAT cop Caleb will risk everything to keep them safe. Because now there is nothing more important than Noelle and his daughterânot his freedom, not even his life.
SWAT: Top CopsâLove in the line of duty
âI canât stand the thought of my daughter being afraid of me,â Caleb whispered.
âSheâs not,â Noelle whispered back. âAfter all, she let you hold her in the pool, remember?â
He shook his head. âShe wanted to swim so badly I think she would have let anyone hold her.â
Noelle sank down into the chair next to him, unable to refute his logic. âShe needs a little time, thatâs all.â
He lifted his gaze to hers. âMaybe I can find a safe place for the two of you to stay for a while. Then Iâll head off on my own to try and figure out whoâs trying to kill me.â
For some odd reason, Noelle found she was beginning to believe Caleb was in fact innocent of the crime heâd been accused of.
But knowing that didnât reassure her the way she thought it would.
Because whoever had tried to kill Caleb outside her house was very likely still looking for him. And she was deeply afraid that the killer wouldnât hesitate to take the life of a woman and child, too, if necessary.
LAURA SCOTT
grew up reading faith-based romance books by Grace Livingston Hill, but as much as she loved the stories, she longed for a bit more mystery and suspense. She is honored to write for the Love Inspired Suspense line, where a reader can find a heartwarming journey of faith amid the thrilling danger.
Laura lives with her husband of twenty-five years and has two children, a daughter and a son, who are both in college. She works as a critical-care nurse during the day at a large level-one trauma center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and spends her spare time writing romance.
Please visit Laura at www.laurascottbooks.com, as she loves to hear from her readers.
For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.
âIsaiah 61:8
This book is dedicated to Pat and Ted Iding.
Thank you for all the wonderful years youâve loved me as one of your own.
Contents
ONE
Caleb OâMalleyâs stomach knotted painfully at the thought of seeing his daughter, Kaitlin, for the first time in over a year. Since the day heâd been sent to jail for a crime he didnât commit.
He parked his beat-up truck in front of the fourth house from the corner and killed the engine. Taking a deep breath, he shoved his car door open and forced himself to get out and walk up the sidewalk to the front door of Noelle Whitmanâs house, trying not to resent the woman whoâd been his daughterâs foster mother while heâd been behind bars.
To be honest, it was his own fault he hadnât seen Kaitlin in so long. At first, heâd thought heâd be let out as soon as they realized he was innocent. But then week after week passed by, and heâd grimly realized there was a very real possibility heâd be found guilty. At that point, heâd been unable to bear the thought of having his young daughter see him in jail.
Heâd been shocked to hear from his lawyer that the case against him had been dropped due to the strange disappearance of the eyewitness. And deeply glad to know he was free at last.
He rapped sharply on the door and waited impatiently for the Whitman woman to answer.
He squinted against the harsh glare of the summer sun. After not being in the sunlight for so long, he enjoyed the warmth soaking into his skin, even though the temperature was hovering at a steamy ninety degrees.
His lawyer, Jack Owens, had promised to let Ms. Whitman know Caleb was on his way to pick up Kaitlin, so there was no reason for her not to be here. Hard to believe that heâd only been out of jail for a few hours. His release had been so sudden he hadnât had time to make plans. It was Friday and once he picked up Kaitlin, heâd go home and take the weekend to figure out how to start their life over again.
He lifted his hand to knock again at the exact moment the door swung open, so he pulled back his hand just in time. The woman standing before him was much younger than heâd anticipated, probably barely thirty, with reddish-gold hair and fair skin. She was dressed casually in a green short-sleeved sweater and calf-length blue jeans. In her arms was his five-year-old daughter, wearing a pretty pink dress and pink barrettes clipped to her glossy chin-length blond hair. She clutched a small stuffed giraffe to her chest.
