Sharee Stover - Silent Night Suspect

Suspected of a crime she knows she didn’t commit...

All she wants for Christmas is to remember.

Blood on her blouse. A gun in her hand. A cartel leader’s dead body in front of her. Widow Asia Stratton can’t remember what happened—just that she’s been framed. The only way to prove her innocence is to work with her ex-sweetheart, Nebraska state trooper Slade Jackson. But can they clear her name before this Christmas turns even deadlier?

SHAREE STOVERis a Colorado native transplanted to Nebraska, where she lives with her husband, three children and two dogs. Her mother instilled in her the love of books before Sharee could read, along with the promise “If you can read, you can do anything.” When she’s not writing, she enjoys time with her family, long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German shepherd and crocheting. Find her at shareestover.comor on Twitter, @shareestover.

Also By Sharee Stover Contents Cover Back Cover Text About the Author Booklist Title Page Copyright Note to Readers Introduction Bible Verse Dear Reader Dedication Acknowledgments ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN EPILOGUE Extract About the Publisher

Secret Past

Silent Night Suspect

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Silent Night Suspect

Sharee Stover

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-000-8-90080-9

SILENT NIGHT SUSPECT

© 2019 Sharee Stover

Published in Great Britain 2019

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.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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“If they run us off the road, we’re dead!”

Slade accelerated, hoping to outrun the pursuers, but the truck stayed close behind.

Another slam propelled them sideways.

Slade jerked the wheel, and his response had the car deviating through the ice-covered median as he battled the velocity forcing them out of control.

Heart jackhammering against his ribs, Slade pumped the brakes, but the car seemed to have a mind of its own and continued to speed up.

Asia screamed, and he jerked the wheel, avoiding a mile-marker pole by inches.

“I don’t have brakes!” He slammed his foot repeatedly against the pedal, but it was useless.

“Slade, do something!”

But he couldn’t stop.

Desperate, Slade yanked the wheel. The overcorrection sent the car careening into the ditch. “Hang on!”

They slammed on the driver’s side, went airborne, then smashed down again. The impact shook every part of his body.

Each horrific recurring tug of gravity imprisoned them on a nightmare amusement park ride...

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

—Psalm 56:3

Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text About the Author Booklist Title Page Copyright Note to Readers Introduction Bible Verse Dear Reader Dedication Acknowledgments ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN EPILOGUE Extract About the Publisher ,

I hope you’ve enjoyed Asia and Slade’s adventures in Silent Night Suspect .

These characters are especially dear to me because they’ve carried such heavy burdens for so long. Asia’s perceptions have tainted the way she sees everyone, even God. Slade realizes extending a tiny olive branch leads to his own healing.

If you’re carrying a heavy burden or feeling like the storm is never going to pass, I hope you find encouragement in Asia and Slade’s story. Rest assured, you’re never alone in the Lord and good can come from even the worst circumstances.

I love hearing from readers, so please find me on my webpage at www.shareestover.com, or email me at authorshareestover@gmail.com.

May the source of all our hope bless you,

Sharee Stover

To my Lord and Savior, Jesus. All glory and honor belong to You. And for Jim, Tawny, Cody and Andi because you see the best in me, even when I can’t.

Acknowledgments

I’ve heard it said it takes a village to raise a child, and I think that’s applicable to writing a book, as well. I am beyond grateful for the incredible group of people who support and encourage me through every sentence.

Many thanks to:

My editor, Emily Rodmell, for sticking with me as this story evolved and for your wisdom in its development.

Tina Radcliffe for seeing past the dry bones and helping me to revive and breathe life back into this book.

Connie, Jackie, Rhonda, Sherrinda and all of the Writing Sisters. You all are precious.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Suspected of a crime she knows she didn’t commit... All she wants for Christmas is to remember. Blood on her blouse. A gun in her hand. A cartel leader’s dead body in front of her. Widow Asia Stratton can’t remember what happened—just that she’s been framed. The only way to prove her innocence is to work with her ex-sweetheart, Nebraska state trooper Slade Jackson. But can they clear her name before this Christmas turns even deadlier?