Lynette Eason - Honor And Defend

A PERILOUS REUNION

Framed for a crime he didn’t commit, Lee Earnshaw is two weeks out of prison when an ex-con tries to kill him and his former love, K-9 rookie cop Ellen Foxcroft. Recognizing their attacker as a man he met in prison, Lee knows he must be the intended target. But is the shooter settling a score, or does Lee have something he wants? Determined to start over, training puppies and maybe getting a second chance with Ellen, Lee vows to keep both of them safe. But as they investigate together, Ellen’s golden retriever partner at their side, they find themselves dead center in a killer’s crosshairs.

Rookie K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners

Who would want to shoot at her and Lee? Ellen wondered.

Probably the same people behind the other trouble the police department and her fellow K-9 officers had faced since being hired to solve Veronica Earnshaw’s murder. Then again, Veronica’s brother, Lee, had just been released from prison. Could it be someone after him?

The car was coming back. Lee pulled the two dog crates from the backseat of his truck and set them on the ground by the blown tire. Once he was sure they were out of the line of fire, he came to kneel next to her. “They’re coming back.”

She nodded, then raised her gun and aimed it. When the car crested the hill, she knew they were in for a second attack. “That’s them.”

The dark gray Buick slowed and the barrel of a rifle appeared in the window. She figured it was now or never and tightened her finger, heard the weapon bark, then felt the kick against her hand.

The sedan’s front windshield exploded.

ROOKIE K-9 UNIT:

These lawmen solve the toughest cases

with the help of their brave canine partners

Protect and Serve—Terri Reed, April 2016

Truth and Consequences—Lenora Worth, May 2016

Seek and Find—Dana Mentink, June 2016

Honor and Defend—Lynette Eason, July 2016

Secrets and Lies—Shirlee McCoy, August 2016

Search and Rescue—Valerie Hansen, September 2016

LYNETTE EASON is a bestselling, award-winning author who makes her home in South Carolina with her husband and two teenage children. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and teaching at various writing conferences around the country. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Lynette can often be found online interacting with her readers. You can find her at facebook.com/lynette.easonand on Twitter, @lynetteeason.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble;

and He knows those who trust in Him.”

—Nahum 1:7

This book is dedicated to all of the heroes in law enforcement—two-legged and four!

Thank you for your bravery, your service and most of all, your dedication to justice. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make His face to shine upon you.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN NINETEEN Dear Reader EXTRACT COPYRIGHT

Thank you to my fellow authors for your tireless willingness to answer my questions day and night!

Terri Reed, Lenora Worth, Dana Mentink, Valerie Hansen and Shirlee McCoy. It’s always a pleasure to work with such professionals!

Thank you to Emily Rodmell for letting me do one more. I appreciate you! :)

Contents

COVER

BACK COVER TEXT A PERILOUS REUNION Framed for a crime he didn’t commit, Lee Earnshaw is two weeks out of prison when an ex-con tries to kill him and his former love, K-9 rookie cop Ellen Foxcroft. Recognizing their attacker as a man he met in prison, Lee knows he must be the intended target. But is the shooter settling a score, or does Lee have something he wants? Determined to start over, training puppies and maybe getting a second chance with Ellen, Lee vows to keep both of them safe. But as they investigate together, Ellen’s golden retriever partner at their side, they find themselves dead center in a killer’s crosshairs. Rookie K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners

INTRODUCTION Who would want to shoot at her and Lee? Ellen wondered. Probably the same people behind the other trouble the police department and her fellow K-9 officers had faced since being hired to solve Veronica Earnshaw’s murder. Then again, Veronica’s brother, Lee, had just been released from prison. Could it be someone after him? The car was coming back. Lee pulled the two dog crates from the backseat of his truck and set them on the ground by the blown tire. Once he was sure they were out of the line of fire, he came to kneel next to her. “They’re coming back.” She nodded, then raised her gun and aimed it. When the car crested the hill, she knew they were in for a second attack. “That’s them.” The dark gray Buick slowed and the barrel of a rifle appeared in the window. She figured it was now or never and tightened her finger, heard the weapon bark, then felt the kick against her hand. The sedan’s front windshield exploded. ROOKIE K-9 UNIT: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners Protect and Serve—Terri Reed, April 2016 Truth and Consequences—Lenora Worth, May 2016 Seek and Find—Dana Mentink, June 2016 Honor and Defend—Lynette Eason, July 2016 Secrets and Lies—Shirlee McCoy, August 2016 Search and Rescue—Valerie Hansen, September 2016

ABOUT THE AUTHOR LYNETTE EASON is a bestselling, award-winning author who makes her home in South Carolina with her husband and two teenage children. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and teaching at various writing conferences around the country. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Lynette can often be found online interacting with her readers. You can find her at facebook.com/lynette.eason and on Twitter, @lynetteeason .

TITLE PAGE Honor and Defend Lynette Eason www.millsandboon.co.uk

BIBLE VERSE “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” —Nahum 1:7

DEDICATION This book is dedicated to all of the heroes in law enforcement—two-legged and four! Thank you for your bravery, your service and most of all, your dedication to justice. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make His face to shine upon you.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Acknowledgments ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN NINETEEN Dear Reader EXTRACT COPYRIGHT Thank you to my fellow authors for your tireless willingness to answer my questions day and night! Terri Reed, Lenora Worth, Dana Mentink, Valerie Hansen and Shirlee McCoy. It’s always a pleasure to work with such professionals! Thank you to Emily Rodmell for letting me do one more. I appreciate you! :)