Geri Krotow - Her Christmas Protector

D. series, but is based on the Cumberland and Susquehanna Valleys. Since moving here several years ago, I’ve discovered an area rich in natural beauty, historical significance and warm citizens. It’s a place I’m proud to be a part of. I knew I had to bring this setting to my writing, and when the characters started showing up in my head (a writer’s affliction) I followed their lead to create the SVPD series. When I reached out to the superintendent of police, Dick Hammon, not only did he return my call but he took me on several research trips and introduced me to people critical to maintaining the safety of our township and county. I’ve done a lot of exciting things in my navy past, but riding in an unmarked police car to the county prison made this writer’s day. If you’ve read my Whidbey Island series for Mills & Boon Superromance, you will find the same sense of community here, as well as many military veterans and other ties to the military, including a supersecret shadow government agency. I hope you’ll enjoy the suspense and sexual tension in each story as the heroes and heroines fight to keep Silver Valley safe for all. I hope you enjoy meeting the SVPD and the Trail Hikers, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you. Peace, Geri Krotow PS: I love connecting with my readers! Please join the fun by signing up for my newsletter at my website, finding me on Facebook at my author page and adding to the storyboards for the Silver Valley series on Pinterest.

Title Page Her Christmas Protector Geri Krotow www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author Former naval intelligence officer and US Naval Academy graduate GERI KROTOW draws inspiration from the global situations she’s experienced. Geri loves to hear from her readers. You can email her via her website and blog, gerikrotow.com .

Dedication Dedication Dedication Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Extract Copyright : For my mother, Susan. My gratitude for the love of reading you gave me is surpassed only by how much I miss you.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Extract Copyright : A sincere thank-you to Richard Hammon, retired superintendent of police for Silver Spring Township, for your distinguished service and for introducing me to so many wonderful community servants who keep us all safe each day. Thanks to Ron Turo, Cumberland Valley public juvenile defender, for your invaluable insight. Thank you to Dr. Lisa Davis, who helped me keep my medical details credible. Thank you to Paula Eykelhof, editor extraordinaire, for supporting my romantic suspense muse, and to Patience Bloom for welcoming me to the Romantic Suspense team with such enthusiasm.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Detective Bryce Campbell climbed out of his aging Ford Mustang and walked across the Silver Valley Police Department’s graveled lot to the waiting unmarked cruiser. Its taillights glowed like two red Christmas tree bulbs in the darkness. Both of the officers assigned to him for this patrol were in the car, and he made out a third, smaller head in the backseat of the sedan.

A third person?

He opened the back passenger’s door and slid into the car. Slim hands rested on slim thighs in utilitarian khakis.

A woman.

“Evening.”

No response from the stranger.

“We never get enough of you, Detective Campbell.” Officer Julian Samuel—Jules to the force—spoke from the driver’s seat. He never wasted a chance to send a zinger at Bryce. They’d been up for promotion at the same time, and Bryce had not only received the advancement, he’d been assigned as one of three detectives on Silver Valley’s force.

He ignored Jules. “How are you doing, Nik?”

“I’ll be better when we catch the killer.” Officer Nika Pasczenko’s voice purred from the passenger’s seat in front of Bryce. Although he couldn’t see her in the dark interior, Bryce knew the first-generation Polish-American woman wore no makeup to emphasize her model-quality beauty. Not on the job. She’d been a godsend to Silver Valley, as her natural talent with languages, including Spanish and Russian, had helped them break into the drug and crime rings that were ever-expanding into their central Pennsylvania town from New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

“And you’re...?” Bryce didn’t want the mystery rider to feel left out.

“Colleen Hammermill. I’m the volunteer chaplain tonight.”

He made out shoulder-length hair, probably dark as it wasn’t catching any of the ambient light in the car, and a throaty voice that sounded vaguely familiar.

“Bryce Campbell. Have we met?”

The leather seat creaked as she shifted.

“No.”

Liar.

She was a rookie, too, at whatever she was trying to pull off. That tell with her body language could cost an officer his or her life.

“Are you a minister?”

“Yes, but I’m not assigned to a local church at the moment. I’m ecumenical and float from congregation to congregation as needed to give the local pastors a break.”

He knew every volunteer chaplain, made up of local ministers, counselors and psychologists. They rode with the officers on a rotating basis and sat in the backseat as they encouraged the officers to open up about what dedicated law enforcement agents usually avoided—their emotions. Sometimes the volunteer chaplains were present during a crime or right after, and often proved excellent witnesses. No matter their background, they were all required to be certified counselors. If they thought an officer might be in emotional or mental difficulty, they were free to inform the superintendent of police.

Bryce had ridden with all of the chaplains, or so he thought.

He’d never met Colleen Hammermill.

His phone buzzed in his front pocket and he pulled it out.

Superintendent of police Colt Todd.

Now what?

“Campbell.”

“Bryce, I assume you’re in the cruiser and have met the new chaplain?”

“Yes, sir. But I don’t...”

“No, she’s not on the permanent roster, and yes, she’s temporary. No questions. Just...”

“Sir?”

“Watch her six for me, will you?” Superintendent Todd’s voice was gruff. That wasn’t unusual, but his more personal request to watch Colleen’s back, using the military term both Todd and Bryce knew well, certainly was. Superintendent Todd’s request was clear—he needed him to protect the mystery ride along.

“Yes, sir.”

Bryce ended the call and stared at the phone’s screen for a full beat.

Just who the hell was Chaplain Colleen Hammermill?

* * *

Zora Krasny wanted to kick herself for even thinking about squirming when Bryce Campbell slid in beside her. She’d be able to do that later, after this mission was complete. The fact that he’d acted as if he was suspicious of her, as though he knew she was giving him a fake name, as if he might find her familiar, made her want to bolt.

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