Shirlee McCoy - Sworn To Protect

—Psalm 139:7–10

To the men and women in our armed forces, the true heroes of our world.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Mission: Keeping Baby Safe The exciting True Blue K-9 Unit series conclusion Her husband’s murderer has his sights set on Katie Jameson. With the killer on the loose again, she’ll have to trust K-9 officer Tony Knight to protect her and her baby from the stalker who will stop at nothing to get his way. It will take all of Tony’s and his furry partner’s skills to find the killer before it’s too late.

About the Author Aside from her faith and her family, there’s not much SHIRLEE MCCOY enjoys more than a good book! When she’s not hanging out with the people she loves most, she can be found plotting her next Love Inspired Suspense story or trekking through the wilderness, training with a local search-and-rescue team. Shirlee loves to hear from readers. If you have time, drop her a line at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com .

Booklist Also By Shirlee McCoy Contents Cover Back Cover Text About the Author Booklist Title Page Copyright Note to Readers Introduction Dear Reader Bible Verse Dedication ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE EPILOGUE Extract About the Publisher True Blue K-9 Unit Sworn to Protect FBI: Special Crimes Unit Night Stalker Gone Dangerous Sanctuary Lone Witness Mission: Rescue Protective Instincts Her Christmas Guardian Exit Strategy Deadly Christmas Secrets Mystery Child The Christmas Target Mistaken Identity Christmas on the Run Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk .

Title Page Sworn to Protect Shirlee McCoy www.millsandboon.co.uk

Copyright ISBN: 978-1-474-09890-8 SWORN TO PROTECT © 2019 Harlequin Books S.A. 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

Note to Readers

Introduction “You don’t think he’s out there, do you?” Katie asked. Suddenly a light flashed, and the small storage shed that abutted the fence burst into flames. Shocked, Katie jumped back, instinctively covering her belly as Tony’s arms gently wrapped around her to steady her. “Get your cell phone, go in the bathroom, lock the door and call 911. Don’t open the door until I get back.” He hooked Rusty to the leash and walked to the door. She was still standing in the hall, feet planted on the floor. “Go. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Tony said, hand on the doorknob, dark eyes staring into hers. TRUE BLUE K-9 UNIT: These police officers fight for justice with the help of their brave canine partners. Justice Mission by Lynette Eason, April 2019 Act of Valor by Dana Mentink, May 2019 Blind Trust by Laura Scott, June 2019 Deep Undercover by Lenora Worth, July 2019 Seeking the Truth by Terri Reed, August 2019 Trail of Danger by Valerie Hansen, September 2019 Courage Under Fire by Sharon Dunn, October 2019 Sworn to Protect by Shirlee McCoy, November 2019 True Blue K-9 Unit Christmas by Laura Scott and Maggie K. Black, December 2019

Dear Reader Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text About the Author Booklist Title Page Copyright Note to Readers Introduction Dear Reader Bible Verse Dedication ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE EPILOGUE Extract About the Publisher , Life is full of surprises. Some of them pleasant. Some not. In the book of Ecclesiastes, we are told that there is a season for everything under Heaven. A time to be born. A time to die. A time to rejoice. A time to mourn. Through the seasons of life, it is easy to get caught up in the sorrows rather than focusing on the joys. In the first seven books in the True Blue K-9 Unit series, you met heroes and heroines who have been through tough times and who have fought their way through doubts, disappointments and heartaches. With their trusty K-9 partners by their sides, they have sought answers to the murder of their beloved police chief, Jordan Jameson. Despite the challenges they face, they are able to cling to faith and trust in God to see them through. Their stories resonate deeply with me. As someone who has faced very difficult seasons in life, I understand how easy it is to question God and His goodness, to wonder if He really cares. When we are deep in the darkest parts of our heartache, it can be difficult to see the light. But, even then, He is there. Whatever your challenges, remember—you are not alone. And, because of that, you have the strength and courage to make it through to better times. I love to connect with readers. Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or drop me a line at shirleermccoy@hotmail.com. Blessings, Shirlee McCoy

Bible Verse Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. —Psalm 139:7–10

Dedication To the men and women in our armed forces, the true heroes of our world.

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EPILOGUE

Extract

About the Publisher

Once upon a time, Katie Jameson could have sprinted up two flights of stairs, raced down a hall and corralled twenty-five fifth graders with ease. She could have finished her workday, gone to the gym, worked out, made dinner and had a smile on her face when her husband returned home. Once upon a time—when Jordan had been alive and Katie had not been nine months pregnant—she had been energetic, enthusiastic and filled with hope.

Now, she was just tired.

Her mother-in-law’s constant chatter wasn’t making her any less so. Katie loved Ivy. She appreciated how much she and her husband, Alexander, had done since Jordan’s death. But, she had not been sleeping well these past few weeks. The pregnancy was nearing its end. She felt huge and unwieldy, her body uncomfortable and unfamiliar.