Hope White - Covert Christmas

DIAGNOSIS: AMNESIA

A man has been shot and left for dead on Echo Mountain, and Search and Rescue K-9 handler Breanna McBride wants answers. With no memory, all the injured man can recall is that his first name is Scott, and that someone wants him silenced. Scott knows better than to depend on strangers, yet he finds himself falling for his captivating protector. And although Breanna won’t rest until she helps him piece together the rest of his past, she vows to ignore the attraction between them. But as they close in on the truth, she becomes the killer’s next target. Now the pursuers will stop at nothing to ensure the pair is six feet under by Christmas.

Echo Mountain: Saving lives and finding love in the mountains of Washington State

Dodging into the street, Scott was hyperfocused on the lovely but terrified blonde.

He watched Bree step away from the car with a horrified look on her face.

“Bree!” Scott called.

A car horn screamed.

Brakes squealed.

Scott glanced to his left in time to see a compact car skidding toward him. The driver spun the wheel at the last second and the small car slid past Scott and slammed into a parked car. Scott turned back to the dark sedan, and was about to reach for the door when the driver peeled away, burning rubber on the street.

Without hesitation, he went to Bree and placed gentle hands on her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, but he could tell she was traumatized.

“The man in that black car threatened me,” she said.

“Threatened you how?”

“He told me to get in, then he flashed a gun.”

Scott automatically pulled Bree against his chest into a gentle hug. “It’s okay, he’s gone.”

For now, he added silently.

HOPE WHITE

An eternal optimist, Hope White was born and raised in the Midwest. She began spinning tales of intrigue and adventure when she was in grade school, and wrote her first book when she was eleven—a thriller that ended with a mysterious phone call the reader never heard!

She and her college sweetheart have been married for thirty years and are blessed with two wonderful sons, two feisty cats and a bossy border collie.

When not dreaming up inspirational tales, Hope enjoys hiking, sipping tea with friends and going to the movies. She loves to hear from readers, who can contact her at hopewhiteauthor@gmail.com.

Covert Christmas

Hope White

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

—Psalms 46

This book is dedicated to Washington State Search and Rescue volunteers.

A heartfelt thanks to those who answered my many questions: Chris, Guy, Bethany and Brenda from Snohomish County Search and Rescue K9 Unit, along with Andrew from Everett Mountain Rescue, and Justin from Bellingham Mountain Rescue.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text DIAGNOSIS: AMNESIA A man has been shot and left for dead on Echo Mountain, and Search and Rescue K-9 handler Breanna McBride wants answers. With no memory, all the injured man can recall is that his first name is Scott, and that someone wants him silenced. Scott knows better than to depend on strangers, yet he finds himself falling for his captivating protector. And although Breanna won’t rest until she helps him piece together the rest of his past, she vows to ignore the attraction between them. But as they close in on the truth, she becomes the killer’s next target. Now the pursuers will stop at nothing to ensure the pair is six feet under by Christmas. Echo Mountain: Saving lives and finding love in the mountains of Washington State

Introduction Dodging into the street, Scott was hyperfocused on the lovely but terrified blonde. He watched Bree step away from the car with a horrified look on her face. “Bree!” Scott called. A car horn screamed. Brakes squealed. Scott glanced to his left in time to see a compact car skidding toward him. The driver spun the wheel at the last second and the small car slid past Scott and slammed into a parked car. Scott turned back to the dark sedan, and was about to reach for the door when the driver peeled away, burning rubber on the street. Without hesitation, he went to Bree and placed gentle hands on her shoulders. “Are you okay?” She nodded, but he could tell she was traumatized. “The man in that black car threatened me,” she said. “Threatened you how?” “He told me to get in, then he flashed a gun.” Scott automatically pulled Bree against his chest into a gentle hug. “It’s okay, he’s gone.” For now, he added silently.

About the Author HOPE WHITE An eternal optimist, Hope White was born and raised in the Midwest. She began spinning tales of intrigue and adventure when she was in grade school, and wrote her first book when she was eleven—a thriller that ended with a mysterious phone call the reader never heard! She and her college sweetheart have been married for thirty years and are blessed with two wonderful sons, two feisty cats and a bossy border collie. When not dreaming up inspirational tales, Hope enjoys hiking, sipping tea with friends and going to the movies. She loves to hear from readers, who can contact her at hopewhiteauthor@gmail.com.

Title Page Covert Christmas Hope White www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. —Psalms 46

Dedication This book is dedicated to Washington State Search and Rescue volunteers. A heartfelt thanks to those who answered my many questions: Chris, Guy, Bethany and Brenda from Snohomish County Search and Rescue K9 Unit, along with Andrew from Everett Mountain Rescue, and Justin from Bellingham Mountain Rescue.

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TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

ONE

They were close, dangerously close.

Scott Becket sprinted up the trail, hoping to disappear in the brush ahead. He wasn’t sure how long he could keep up this pace considering the abuse he’d sustained at the hands of his captors. He was lucky to have gotten away, although without his backpack he wouldn’t survive long out here in the Cascade Mountains.

Scott needed the perfect spot where he could camouflage himself until they passed, if they passed, because he knew they were nothing if not determined to find Scott and kill him. After they finished what they’d started earlier—“persuading” him to admit where he’d hidden the proof of criminal activity that could destroy them all.

As long as he had sole possession of the documentation, Scott would breathe another day or two, long enough to gather the last bit of evidence he needed to end this thing.

Eyeing the trail ahead, he hoped he wouldn’t run into innocent civilians out for an afternoon hike. Scott didn’t want to put others in jeopardy and wasn’t sure how far his pursuers would go to secure the information and eliminate Scott, the only person cynical enough to question their plan.