Cate Nolan - Christmas In Hiding

CHRISTMAS IN WITNESS PROTECTION

After her ex-boyfriend’s murder, Callie Martin has no choice but to trade her quiet life as a kindergarten teacher for the witness protection program. It’s US Marshal Jackson Walker’s job to keep Callie safe, but the men who would do her harm just keep getting closer and closer. Either someone on the inside is betraying Callie, or she’s lying to Jackson about her involvement. So he decides to go off the grid, spiriting her away to the remote Vermont countryside at Christmas. Jackson wants to trust her, but with danger dogging their every move, he’ll have to use all his energy to keep her alive.

“Hi, Sheriff. Callie here. We’re in a bit of a jam, and Jackson needs to talk to you.”

Callie handed over the phone, then listened as Jackson apprised the sheriff of their situation and location. It took all she had not to peek over her seat in the car to see what was happening. Jackson’s ever-increasing speed gave her enough sense that it wasn’t good.

The sound of something hitting their car wasn’t good either.

“Jackson?”

“Callie, I need you to crouch down in front of the seat—wedge yourself in as tightly as you can and hold on to whatever you can find. It’s going to get bumpy, but you’ll be safer down there.”

Resisting the urge to look out the rear window, Callie unclasped the seat belt and slid to the floor. She curled herself into a ball. Jackson shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it down to her. “Pull this over you and try to use it to cushion your head.”

“What’s happening?” The tremors in her voice probably gave away her fear, but Callie was beyond caring.

“Someone fired at us.”

CATE NOLAN is thrilled to have her writing dream come true as an author for Love Inspired Suspense. Cate is an elementary school teacher who lives with her husband, dog and cat in New York City. She is the mother of two grown daughters who continue to bless her life each day. Cate loves to write stories of faith, enabling ordinary people to overcome extraordinary difficulties.

Christmas in Hiding

Cate Nolan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

— Psalms 32:7

To my husband, who brought me roses when I finished my first book. Thank you for encouraging me through all the years since.

To my daughters, who have always been such a wondrous source of love in my life. I am so proud of the women you have become. Thank you for putting up with all the years of Mommy’s stories even when it must have been a bit unnerving to help your mother plot murder.

To my parents and sisters, who believed even when I didn’t. Thank you for your love.

To all my friends at Seekerville, thank you for your endless support and encouragement. You make this road so much smoother and the ride much more fun.

A special thanks to Emily Rodmell for taking a chance on a new author and offering so much of her wisdom in guiding me through the Killer Voices contest and this story.

And finally, but always first, to my Lord for His perfect timing. For making me wait until I was writing what He called me to write so I could more perfectly spread His message of love.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text CHRISTMAS IN WITNESS PROTECTION After her ex-boyfriend’s murder, Callie Martin has no choice but to trade her quiet life as a kindergarten teacher for the witness protection program. It’s US Marshal Jackson Walker’s job to keep Callie safe, but the men who would do her harm just keep getting closer and closer. Either someone on the inside is betraying Callie, or she’s lying to Jackson about her involvement. So he decides to go off the grid, spiriting her away to the remote Vermont countryside at Christmas. Jackson wants to trust her, but with danger dogging their every move, he’ll have to use all his energy to keep her alive.

Introduction “Hi, Sheriff. Callie here. We’re in a bit of a jam, and Jackson needs to talk to you.” Callie handed over the phone, then listened as Jackson apprised the sheriff of their situation and location. It took all she had not to peek over her seat in the car to see what was happening. Jackson’s ever-increasing speed gave her enough sense that it wasn’t good. The sound of something hitting their car wasn’t good either. “Jackson?” “Callie, I need you to crouch down in front of the seat—wedge yourself in as tightly as you can and hold on to whatever you can find. It’s going to get bumpy, but you’ll be safer down there.” Resisting the urge to look out the rear window, Callie unclasped the seat belt and slid to the floor. She curled herself into a ball. Jackson shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it down to her. “Pull this over you and try to use it to cushion your head.” “What’s happening?” The tremors in her voice probably gave away her fear, but Callie was beyond caring. “Someone fired at us.”

About the Author CATE NOLAN is thrilled to have her writing dream come true as an author for Love Inspired Suspense. Cate is an elementary school teacher who lives with her husband, dog and cat in New York City. She is the mother of two grown daughters who continue to bless her life each day. Cate loves to write stories of faith, enabling ordinary people to overcome extraordinary difficulties.

Title Page Christmas in Hiding Cate Nolan www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. — Psalms 32:7

Dedication To my husband, who brought me roses when I finished my first book. Thank you for encouraging me through all the years since. To my daughters, who have always been such a wondrous source of love in my life. I am so proud of the women you have become. Thank you for putting up with all the years of Mommy’s stories even when it must have been a bit unnerving to help your mother plot murder. To my parents and sisters, who believed even when I didn’t. Thank you for your love. To all my friends at Seekerville, thank you for your endless support and encouragement. You make this road so much smoother and the ride much more fun. A special thanks to Emily Rodmell for taking a chance on a new author and offering so much of her wisdom in guiding me through the Killer Voices contest and this story. And finally, but always first, to my Lord for His perfect timing. For making me wait until I was writing what He called me to write so I could more perfectly spread His message of love.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

The Christmas party down the hall was making her head ache.

Callie Martin sank into a chair at the now-empty conference table and rested her head in her hands. She tried massaging her temples to alleviate the painful throb, but her hands were shaking too badly.