Laura Scott: Down to the Wire

LAWMAN TO THE RESCUE

Who placed the bomb under schoolteacher Tess Collins’s classroom desk—and why? There’s only one man who can save Tess—SWAT cop Declan Shaw. Her survival depends on him defusing the bomb and protecting her from an unknown enemy. He can’t afford to be distracted by the alluring beauty who was his onetime high school crush. But keeping her safe soon becomes more than just a job for the highly trained explosives expert. And it’ll take all his professional skills to catch the madman targeting Tess before it’s too late.

SWAT: TOP COPS—Love in the line of duty

The force of the blast sent Declan flying backward against the pavement.

The breath was knocked from his lungs and for a moment he couldn’t draw in any air. Smoke filled the area around them and pain reverberated through his body.

After a few seconds his military survival instincts, along with a healthy dose of adrenaline, kicked in and he rolled over and belly-crawled toward Tess, who was sprawled on the ground just a few feet away.

“Tess! Are you all right?”

She let out a low moan and lifted a hand to her head. “Hurts,” she whispered.

“Stay down,” he ordered, covering her body with his as much as possible. He had no way of knowing if the explosion was only a precursor to more violence or not, but he wasn’t taking any chances.

Not when Tess’s life was at stake.

“What happened?” she asked, her voice muffled against his chest.

“Another bomb,” he said grimly.

That had been way too close. Tess could have been seriously injured by the blast. And this latest turn of events only convinced him more that she was the specific target.

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.

Down to the Wire

Laura Scott

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light;

in Him there is no darkness at all.

—1 John 1:5

This book is dedicated to my wonderful husband, Scott, who has done everything possible to support my writing. I love you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text LAWMAN TO THE RESCUE Who placed the bomb under schoolteacher Tess Collins’s classroom desk—and why? There’s only one man who can save Tess—SWAT cop Declan Shaw. Her survival depends on him defusing the bomb and protecting her from an unknown enemy. He can’t afford to be distracted by the alluring beauty who was his onetime high school crush. But keeping her safe soon becomes more than just a job for the highly trained explosives expert. And it’ll take all his professional skills to catch the madman targeting Tess before it’s too late. SWAT: TOP COPS—Love in the line of duty

Introduction The force of the blast sent Declan flying backward against the pavement. The breath was knocked from his lungs and for a moment he couldn’t draw in any air. Smoke filled the area around them and pain reverberated through his body. After a few seconds his military survival instincts, along with a healthy dose of adrenaline, kicked in and he rolled over and belly-crawled toward Tess, who was sprawled on the ground just a few feet away. “Tess! Are you all right?” She let out a low moan and lifted a hand to her head. “Hurts,” she whispered. “Stay down,” he ordered, covering her body with his as much as possible. He had no way of knowing if the explosion was only a precursor to more violence or not, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Not when Tess’s life was at stake. “What happened?” she asked, her voice muffled against his chest. “Another bomb,” he said grimly. That had been way too close. Tess could have been seriously injured by the blast. And this latest turn of events only convinced him more that she was the specific target.

About the Author 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.

Title Page Down to the Wire Laura Scott www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. —1 John 1:5

Dedication This book is dedicated to my wonderful husband, Scott, who has done everything possible to support my writing. I love you!

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Tess Collins stood at the front of the classroom, looking out at her new group of fourth graders. More than halfway through their second week of school, things were beginning to settle down. These were her students for the next nine months. For better or worse, she thought wryly.

“Good morning, everyone,” she greeted her children with a smile. “Please take your seats.”

The twenty-two fourth graders radiated energy but obligingly wiggled into their assigned seats. She checked to make sure none of them were absent, before she turned back to her desk. One glance at her seating chart confirmed that a few of the little rascals had switched spots.

“Ellen and Tanya, please return to your proper seats. Hunter and Brett, I also need you to go back to your assigned seats.”

The four kids gaped in surprise but giggled and shuffled around until they were seated at their correct desks. She decided not to make a big deal out of their prank, at least for now. If they continued to misbehave, she’d have to make them stay after school to have a little chat.

“Today we’re going to start with a math quiz that should be a review from what you learned last year.” She ignored the low moans of protest. “Miles, will you please help me hand out the papers?”

Miles, a short redheaded boy with lots of freckles, jumped up and took half of the stack of quizzes from her hands. She handed out the papers on one side, looking over the rest of the class as he passed a quiz to each student on the other side.