Elizabeth Goddard - Deception

TRAIL OF SECRETS

Jewel Caraway thought she’d left her mistakes in the past—but then her past arrives at her door. Though she’s thrilled to reunite with her estranged sister, something about her sister’s new husband makes Jewel uneasy. Does he know her secret? Is he the one behind the growing list of attacks against her? And if he is involved…does that mean her sister is, too? With nowhere else to turn, Jewel must rely on police chief Colin Winters—the first man to make the widow question her resolve to never love again. But will he stay by her side when her guarded secrets are revealed?

Mountain Cove: In the Alaskan wilderness, love and danger collide

Her attacker was back.

Panic sent her pulse racing. Flashlight in hand, she ran to the attic steps, taking the offensive. She wouldn’t be a victim again.

“Don’t move,” she shouted.

But it wasn’t her attacker coming up the steps. Chief Winters came toward her. She should take a step back but she couldn’t move. Something about him had her heart fluttering. He lifted her chin with his finger.

She wanted to tell him what a romantic cliché his action was, but then she’d be admitting her attraction. And she couldn’t admit that. She’d never risk her heart again. Even if she were willing, something stood between them.

“What are you doing up here again?” he asked her.

She couldn’t tell anyone what she’d done, especially not him. “Chief…”

“Jewel, don’t you think it’s about time you call me Colin?”

His voice was so gentle, she could almost forget he was here on official business. But that would be a mistake.

“Colin, I—”

But she never got a chance to speak. A scream tore through the attic.

ELIZABETH GODDARD is an award-winning author of more than twenty novels, including the romantic mystery The Camera Never Lies—winner of a prestigious Carol Award in 2011. After acquiring her computer science degree, she worked at a software firm before eventually retiring to raise her four children and become a professional writer. In addition to writing, she homeschools her children and serves with her husband in ministry.

Deception

Elizabeth Goddard

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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As far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

—Psalms 103:12

Dedicated to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

who paid my ransom.

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

My heartfelt thanks and gratitude goes out to all those who support my writing endeavors. First I thank my family, of course—my husband and boys who put up with my frequent forays into other worlds without them. We’ve been eating a lot of pizza and fast food lately, I know, but hey, don’t you love it when Mom gets that book money? I also want to thank my dear writing buddies, you know who you are, and my new writing friends—I couldn’t do this without your encouragement and support. And as always, thanks to my amazing editor, Elizabeth Mazer, for her insights into making my manuscripts the best they can be. Last and never least, I appreciate the encouragement from my agent, Steve Laube. Signing me as a client (has it already been over five years?) was a huge validation to me as a writer. Thanks, Steve!

Contents

COVER

BACK COVER TEXT TRAIL OF SECRETS Jewel Caraway thought she’d left her mistakes in the past—but then her past arrives at her door. Though she’s thrilled to reunite with her estranged sister, something about her sister’s new husband makes Jewel uneasy. Does he know her secret? Is he the one behind the growing list of attacks against her? And if he is involved…does that mean her sister is, too? With nowhere else to turn, Jewel must rely on police chief Colin Winters—the first man to make the widow question her resolve to never love again. But will he stay by her side when her guarded secrets are revealed? Mountain Cove: In the Alaskan wilderness, love and danger collide

INTRODUCTION Her attacker was back. Panic sent her pulse racing. Flashlight in hand, she ran to the attic steps, taking the offensive. She wouldn’t be a victim again. “Don’t move,” she shouted. But it wasn’t her attacker coming up the steps. Chief Winters came toward her. She should take a step back but she couldn’t move. Something about him had her heart fluttering. He lifted her chin with his finger. She wanted to tell him what a romantic cliché his action was, but then she’d be admitting her attraction. And she couldn’t admit that. She’d never risk her heart again. Even if she were willing, something stood between them. “What are you doing up here again?” he asked her. She couldn’t tell anyone what she’d done, especially not him. “Chief…” “Jewel, don’t you think it’s about time you call me Colin?” His voice was so gentle, she could almost forget he was here on official business. But that would be a mistake. “Colin, I—” But she never got a chance to speak. A scream tore through the attic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR ELIZABETH GODDARD is an award-winning author of more than twenty novels, including the romantic mystery The Camera Never Lies—winner of a prestigious Carol Award in 2011. After acquiring her computer science degree, she worked at a software firm before eventually retiring to raise her four children and become a professional writer. In addition to writing, she homeschools her children and serves with her husband in ministry.

TITLE PAGE Deception Elizabeth Goddard www.millsandboon.co.uk

BIBLE VERSE As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. —Psalms 103:12

DEDICATION Dedicated to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who paid my ransom.

Acknowledgements Acknowledgments Acknowledgements ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN Dear Reader EXTRACT COPYRIGHT My heartfelt thanks and gratitude goes out to all those who support my writing endeavors. First I thank my family, of course—my husband and boys who put up with my frequent forays into other worlds without them. We’ve been eating a lot of pizza and fast food lately, I know, but hey, don’t you love it when Mom gets that book money? I also want to thank my dear writing buddies, you know who you are, and my new writing friends—I couldn’t do this without your encouragement and support. And as always, thanks to my amazing editor, Elizabeth Mazer, for her insights into making my manuscripts the best they can be. Last and never least, I appreciate the encouragement from my agent, Steve Laube. Signing me as a client (has it already been over five years?) was a huge validation to me as a writer. Thanks, Steve!

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