Shirlee McCoy - Her Christmas Guardian

TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER

Former army ranger Boone Anderson immediately senses danger when he spots Scout Cramer and her precious little girl while holiday shopping. Then two cars suddenly give chase in the parking lot—kidnapping the child. His worst suspicions are confirmed, and professional instincts propel him into action. Having lost his own infant daughter years before, Boone is determined to reunite the beautiful single mother and her missing child. But when a secret from Scout’s past finally catches up to her, she must work with her self-appointed guardian to save her daughter. Before the kidnappers cancel Christmas for all of them…permanently.

Mission: Rescue—No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes

“Shhhhh,” Boone said. “You’re okay.”

“No. It’s not,” Scout sobbed. “Lucy is missing.”

“I didn’t say it was okay. I said you were.” He eased back, cupping her face in his hands, his eyes dark blue and filled with compassion. “There’s a big difference, Scout. One you have no control over. The other you do.”

“I don’t have any control over any of it, that’s the problem.” She stepped away, swiping at the tears.

“You know what I’ve realized during the years my daughter’s been missing?” he asked quietly, his hair gleaming in the afternoon sunlight, his eyes deeply shadowed. “We don’t always have to be in control to be content. We don’t always have to know every outcome to have peace.”

Coming from anyone else, it would have sounded trite, but Boone had lived her nightmare. He knew every ache of her heart.

“I wish I had your faith. I wish that I could believe something good was going to come out of this.”

“I wish I had my daughter. But, I don’t, and becauseI don’t, I’m helping you find yours.”

SHIRLEE McCOY

has always loved making up stories. As a child, she daydreamed about elaborate tales in which she was the heroine—gutsy, strong and invincible. Though she soon grew out of her superhero fantasies, her love for storytelling never diminished. She knew early that she wanted to write inspirational fiction, and she began writing her first novel when she was a teenager. Still, it wasn’t until her third son was born that she truly began pursuing her dream of being published. Three years later, she sold her first book. Now a busy mother of five, Shirlee is a homeschooling mom by day and an inspirational author by night. She and her husband and children live in the Pacific Northwest and share their house with a dog, two cats and a bird. You can visit her website, www.shirleemccoy.com, or email her at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com.

Her Christmas Guardian

Shirlee McCoy

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Here is what I am commanding you to do.

Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified.

Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God.

I will be with you everywhere you go.

—Joshua 1:9

To Beth.

I miss going on long walks with you and your kids!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER Former army ranger Boone Anderson immediately senses danger when he spots Scout Cramer and her precious little girl while holiday shopping. Then two cars suddenly give chase in the parking lot—kidnapping the child. His worst suspicions are confirmed, and professional instincts propel him into action. Having lost his own infant daughter years before, Boone is determined to reunite the beautiful single mother and her missing child. But when a secret from Scout’s past finally catches up to her, she must work with her self-appointed guardian to save her daughter. Before the kidnappers cancel Christmas for all of them…permanently. Mission: Rescue—No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes

Introduction “Shhhhh,” Boone said. “You’re okay.” “No. It’s not,” Scout sobbed. “Lucy is missing.” “I didn’t say it was okay. I said you were.” He eased back, cupping her face in his hands, his eyes dark blue and filled with compassion. “There’s a big difference, Scout. One you have no control over. The other you do.” “I don’t have any control over any of it, that’s the problem.” She stepped away, swiping at the tears. “You know what I’ve realized during the years my daughter’s been missing?” he asked quietly, his hair gleaming in the afternoon sunlight, his eyes deeply shadowed. “We don’t always have to be in control to be content. We don’t always have to know every outcome to have peace.” Coming from anyone else, it would have sounded trite, but Boone had lived her nightmare. He knew every ache of her heart. “I wish I had your faith. I wish that I could believe something good was going to come out of this.” “I wish I had my daughter. But, I don’t, and becauseI don’t, I’m helping you find yours.”

About the Author SHIRLEE McCOY has always loved making up stories. As a child, she daydreamed about elaborate tales in which she was the heroine—gutsy, strong and invincible. Though she soon grew out of her superhero fantasies, her love for storytelling never diminished. She knew early that she wanted to write inspirational fiction, and she began writing her first novel when she was a teenager. Still, it wasn’t until her third son was born that she truly began pursuing her dream of being published. Three years later, she sold her first book. Now a busy mother of five, Shirlee is a homeschooling mom by day and an inspirational author by night. She and her husband and children live in the Pacific Northwest and share their house with a dog, two cats and a bird. You can visit her website, www.shirleemccoy.com , or email her at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com.

Title Page Her Christmas Guardian Shirlee McCoy www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you everywhere you go. —Joshua 1:9

Dedication To Beth. I miss going on long walks with you and your kids!

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

ONE

I ’ve been found.

The thought shot through Scout Cramer’s head, left her breathless, frantic. She veered the shopping cart toward the store exit, her heart pounding, her body vibrating with fear.

In her periphery, a man moved in. Casual in his dark slacks and sport coat, he looked like any other holiday shopper. She wanted so badly to believe he was.

Please, God. Please. Let me be wrong about who he is.

But she didn’t think she was.

She thought she was right. Thought that somehow, after nearly three years, everything she’d tried to do for Amber, everything she’d tried to do for herself and Lucy had come to nothing. If she’d been found out, if he’d learned the truth, it was all for nothing. Every lie. Every broken friendship.