Carol J. Post - Bodyguard For Christmas

Title Page Bodyguard for Christmas Carol J. Post www.millsandboon.co.uk

Copyright ISBN: 978-1-474-08657-8 BODYGUARD FOR CHRISTMAS © 2018 Carol J. Post Published in Great Britain 2018 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

Introduction “You need to stay inside, Colton. And keep away from the windows,” Jasmine whispered. He bristled. He was probably used to being the protector. “You’re supposed to stay with Liam.” “No, I’m supposed to protect Liam and, in the process, also protect you. Right now, there may be a threat out there. I’d suggest you let me go investigate.” Jaw still tight, Colton dropped his hand and gave Jasmine a sharp nod. She drew her weapon and opened the door enough to slip through. “Lock this behind me. Don’t open it unless I give you an all clear.” Colton’s dog Brutus was on the right side of the house, still barking. When Jasmine rounded the corner, Brutus stood with his back to her, facing the front yard. He’d stopped barking, but deep growls rumbled in his chest, and his body rippled with tension. A rustle sounded a few yards to the side of them, raising the fine hairs on the back of Jasmine’s neck. Every sense shot to full alert with the impending threat of an ambush...

Dear Reader Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text About the Author Booklist Title Page Copyright Introduction Dear Reader Bible Verse Dedication ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE EPILOGUE Extract About the Publisher , I hope you’ve enjoyed our final visit with our Murphy friends. At the suggestion of both my editor and my critique partner, I decided to change it up and have the heroine protecting the hero rather than the other way around. Colton’s life was shattered with the sudden loss of his wife, then was turned upside down again when someone threatened his son. When circumstances brought Jasmine into his life, though, he found that sometimes God allows healing to come from unexpected sources. Jasmine had a difficult time accepting the idea of a personal God who would allow bad things to happen to those who serve Him. But sometimes God delivers His people from the storms, and other times He walks us through them. In both situations, when we look for it, we can see the hand of a loving Heavenly Father. I pray God’s blessings on your life and peace through whatever storms you face. Love in Christ, Carol J. Post

Bible Verse He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. —Psalms 147:3

Dedication Thank you to all the people who supported me in writing this series: My sister Kim, for all the help with research, My critique partners Karen Fleming and Sabrina Jarema, Mom Post for beta/proofreading, My editor Dina Davis and my agent, Nalini Akolekar, My sweet, supportive family, And my loving husband, Chris.

ONE

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THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

EPILOGUE

Extract

About the Publisher

The wrought iron gate swung inward under a steel-gray sky. Colton Gale eased his Highlander through the opening to climb the road leading into his Atlanta subdivision.

Passing between those large brick columns used to always bring a sense of contentment and warmth. Maybe someday he’d find it again.

“You all right, bro?”

Colton glanced at his twin in the front passenger seat. For someone who lived life flying by the seat of his pants, Cade could be remarkably perceptive.

Colton forced a half smile. “Yeah.”

Cade nodded, silent assent to let it drop rather than acceptance or agreement. “Thanks for going with me this morning. Since you’ve been back in town only a week, I know you’ve got other things to do.”

“No problem.”

When their father retired, he’d signed over the antiquities business to both of them. As co-owner, Colton’s signature was required for official business, like renewing their line of credit, which they’d done that morning.

But giving his John Hancock when needed was where his involvement ended. His job as an assistant district attorney kept him plenty busy. Besides, Cade was the one with the art and antiquities degree. He was also an expert schmoozer. Everyone seemed to let down their guard and trust him, whether it was warranted or not.

Colton rounded a gentle curve, where a huge oak spread half-bare limbs over the road, then cast another glance at his brother. Though their looks were identical, he’d never had Cade’s charisma.

Now the differences in their personalities were even more pronounced. For Colton, studious and sincere had become almost brooding. Though Cade had tried to pull him into the social scene, Colton wasn’t interested. The transition from widowed to single and available didn’t happen overnight. Even six months later, putting on a party face required more effort than he was willing to give.

He heaved a sigh. He knew the platitudes. He’d used them himself— Life is short. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. Somehow, he’d thought those were for other people. The last thing he’d expected was for tragedy to strike his own perfectly ordered life.

“When we get to your house, I’ll have to leave to get to my appointment.” Cade’s words cut across his thoughts.

Colton nodded. He’d expected as much. The business at the company’s bank had taken longer than anticipated. Little Liam would be disappointed. He adored his uncle Cade. Anytime Cade stopped by, Liam always tried to talk him into staying longer.

Well, talk was a misnomer. Except for during frequent nightmares, Colton’s son hadn’t said a word in almost six months. But the silent pleas with those big brown eyes were just about as effective.

Colton rounded a gentle right curve. These were his favorite homesites, with yards that backed up to the stucco wall that surrounded the subdivision, woods beyond.