Linda Goodnight - The Lawman's Honor

Love’s Duty

As assistant police chief, Heath Monroe never expected he’d ever need rescuing. But that’s exactly what Cassie Blackwell does when she pulls him out of a car wreckage. He’s surprised at the beautiful widow’s strength and joyous spirit. But he’s been burned before and is cautious to get involved. Especially since his investigation into the town’s drug operation might implicate Cassie’s ex-husband! Yet the more time he spends with her, the deeper he falls. Will he have to choose between duty and his growing love—or is there a way he can have both?

Whisper Falls: Where every prayer is answered…

Cassie didn’t know what had come over her but being in Heath’s embrace was amazing.

She was a little embarrassed by her behavior, but by the time she’d regained her wits and backed away, word came that the newborn was in the nursery. She dragged Heath out of the waiting room and rushed down the hall to the wide glass panes. She’d worry about the hug later.

A row of tiny swaddled babies lined the nursery. “Oh, my goodness.” Cassie pressed closer to the pane, snapping photos with her cell phone. “He’s beautiful. Look at him, Heath. He’s wonderful. So tiny and tough and precious.”

“Your brother is a blessed man.”

“Blessed,” Cassie murmured, thinking Heath used exactly the right word. With uncharacteristic neediness, she battled the urge to lean her head on the lawman’s sturdy, dependable shoulder.

Something powerful turned over in her chest.

LINDA GOODNIGHT

Winner of a RITA® Award for excellence in inspirational fiction, Linda Goodnight has also won a Booksellers’ Best Award, an ACFW Book of the Year award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from RT Book Reviews. Linda has appeared on the Christian bestseller list and her romance novels have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Active in orphan ministry, this former nurse and teacher enjoys writing fiction that carries a message of hope and light in a sometimes dark world. She and her husband live in Oklahoma. Visit her website at www.lindagoodnight.com. To browse a current listing of Linda Goodnight’s titles, please visit www.Harlequin.com.

The Lawman’s Honor

Linda Goodnight

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary…. And they cried out for fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying,

“Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

—Matthew 14:22–27

The entire Whisper Falls series is dedicated

to the memory of my brother, Stan Case.

Contents

Epigraph Rumor says that if a prayer is murmured beneath Whisper Falls, God will hear and answer. Some folks think it’s superstitious nonsense. Some think it’s a clever ploy to attract tourists. Others believe that God works in mysterious ways, and prayers, no matter where whispered, are always heard.

Prologue Prologue She was probably crazy for doing this. As a local, she should know better. Climbing Whisper Falls to pray was a rumor, a myth, a publicity stunt. But for reasons she couldn’t explain or deny, Cassie Blackwell felt the need to do it anyway. Her sister-in-law had prayed here and look how well that had turned out. Sticking one boot against the wall of slippery rocks, Cassie started the ascent. Whisper Falls sprayed water against the side of her face as it tumbled to the pool below. Spring was here and with it the Blackberry River rushing wildly to embrace the sea like a long lost love. Feeling self-conscious, Cassie glanced below—and promptly wished she hadn’t. Her stomach rose into her throat, shortening her breath. The top was a long way from the bottom, the roar of the falls a deafening threat to safety. With a firm admonishment not to look down again, she turned her gaze to the cliff top. No one else was here in the remote wooded area. Thank goodness. No one would ever know the ridiculous thing she’d done. Clinging now to the dampness, digging in with her fingers and toes, she clambered up and, with heart banging against her rib cage, Cassie catapulted onto the narrow ledge behind the cascade of magnificent white foam. The inner sanctum behind the falls was stunningly quiet. She took a minute to catch her breath and soak up the atmosphere. It was beautiful, peaceful and private as though the world below was another universe. “Will Heaven be like this, Lord?” she asked, awed, for she knew in that moment what others before her had discovered. God was here. Oh, sure, she believed He was everywhere, but something about this place seemed spiritual. So she lifted her face to the astounding sight above her and prayed. “Father God, it’s me, Cassie. Since the funeral, I’ve been numb, like I’m frozen inside. I don’t know how to fix it. I don’t know how to make the emptiness go away. I want to feel again.” There was a certain fear in admitting such a thing. It was as if she was throwing away what she and Darrell had shared. But she would never do that. And yet, she wanted something. No, she needed something. The problem? She didn’t know what that something was. But with all her heart, she prayed that God would know and answer.

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

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Rumor says that if a prayer is murmured beneath

Whisper Falls, God will hear and answer. Some folks think it’s superstitious nonsense. Some think it’s a clever ploy to attract tourists. Others believe that God works in mysterious ways, and prayers, no matter where

whispered, are always heard.

Prologue

She was probably crazy for doing this. As a local, she should know better. Climbing Whisper Falls to pray was a rumor, a myth, a publicity stunt. But for reasons she couldn’t explain or deny, Cassie Blackwell felt the need to do it anyway. Her sister-in-law had prayed here and look how well that had turned out.

Sticking one boot against the wall of slippery rocks, Cassie started the ascent. Whisper Falls sprayed water against the side of her face as it tumbled to the pool below. Spring was here and with it the Blackberry River rushing wildly to embrace the sea like a long lost love.

Feeling self-conscious, Cassie glanced below—and promptly wished she hadn’t. Her stomach rose into her throat, shortening her breath. The top was a long way from the bottom, the roar of the falls a deafening threat to safety.

With a firm admonishment not to look down again, she turned her gaze to the cliff top. No one else was here in the remote wooded area. Thank goodness. No one would ever know the ridiculous thing she’d done. Clinging now to the dampness, digging in with her fingers and toes, she clambered up and, with heart banging against her rib cage, Cassie catapulted onto the narrow ledge behind the cascade of magnificent white foam.