Karen Kirst - Explosive Reunion

“I’m not leaving you.”

He made a promise to protect her.

Back in her hometown, Tori James never expects to spend time with her ex-fiancé—until someone blows up her car. Now she has a target on her back, and accepting Staff Sergeant Cade McMann as her bodyguard is her only hope of staying alive. But even as Cade and Tori are drawn back together, a killer is determined to tear them apart for good.

KAREN KIRSTwas born and raised in east Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. She’s a lifelong lover of books, but it wasn’t until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom and romance writer. Her favorite pastimes are reading, visiting tearooms and watching romantic comedies.

Also By Karen Kirst

Explosive Reunion

Smoky Mountain Matches

The Reluctant Outlaw

The Bridal Swap

The Gift of Family

“Smoky Mountain Christmas”

His Mountain Miss

The Husband Hunt

Married by Christmas

From Boss to Bridegroom

The Bachelor’s Homecoming

Reclaiming His Past

The Sheriff’s Christmas Twins

Wed by Necessity

The Engagement Charade

A Lawman for Christmas

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Explosive Reunion

Karen Kirst

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09051-3

EXPLOSIVE REUNION

© 2018 Karen Vyskocil

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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“While we were waiting for our order, I saw a man. He was watching us.”

Cade’s gut feeling had solidified. Over her shoulder, he studied the diner’s facade. Tori turned to see what he was looking at. What scant color there was left in her face drained, and she lifted a trembling hand to clutch her neck.

“Cade...”

Only one of the plate-glass windows had been blown out. Theirs.

“My car. It wasn’t an accident, was it?” Her gaze swerved to his, begging him to refute her claim.

“We can’t know that for sure—”

“Someone shot at us. This isn’t Chicago or New York City. This is small-town America.” She had to work to drag in air. “You told me not to ignore my instincts. I should’ve heeded your advice. Someone has been watching me since I returned. Waiting for an opportunity to—”

She didn’t finish the sentence. Didn’t have to.

They both knew that, had the timing been different yesterday, had the shooter’s aim been a little more accurate, Tori would be dead already.

Dear Reader,

What a roller-coaster ride this book journey has been! In the spring of this year, after having written multiple books for Love Inspired Historical, I learned the sad news of the line’s closing. After much prayer, I turned my sights on the romantic suspense line and was grateful my editor agreed to let me submit an idea. The appeal of the military hero was strong. My husband and I lived the military life for nearly eight years. The challenges were many and varied, but so were the blessings. Writing about Camp Lejeune and the surrounding areas, and about the brave men and women who serve, brought back many wonderful memories. I’ve had such fun writing this story, and I hope to return to this setting in future books.

I love to hear from readers. You can find me on Facebook and Twitter. My website, www.karenkirst.com, has information about my historical romances, including my Smoky Mountain Matches series. I will update it with information about my new romantic suspense adventures. You can also email me at karenkirst@live.com.

Thank you for choosing my book.

Blessings,

Karen Kirst

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

—Isaiah 41:10

To the men and women of our armed forces who serve our country, and to their families who love and support them. Thank you for your service, dedication and sacrifice.

A huge thank-you to my own marine, Marek. I’m proud to be your wife.

Thank you to my editor, Emily Rodmell, and to Love Inspired executive editor Tina James for giving me the opportunity to switch gears from historical romance to romantic suspense. It’s been a blast!

Thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who walked with me during the writing of this book and gave me the confidence and ability to complete it.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Sergeant Dan Morton for patiently answering my law enforcement questions. And thanks to Jessica Felker, RN, BSN, my niece and a wonderful nurse, for assisting me with medical information. Any mistakes are purely my own.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgments

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY