Jodie Bailey - Crossfire

A DANGEROUS REUNION

After he couldn’t save her brother, army first sergeant Josh Walker isn’t about to let anything happen to Andrea Donovan. Josh may have saved her from one attack, but drug smugglers are desperate to get information about one of Andrea’s patients—a patient who’s disappeared without a trace. Despite the danger, the beautiful counselor refuses to hand over confidential files. Now Josh and Andrea have no choice but to battle on for their lives—and their love—or they’ll be the latest casualty to get caught in the crossfire.

“Andrea? It’s Josh Walker.”

She’d just been wishing to hear his voice, just been wishing for the comfort of his presence.

“Josh. How are you?” She shook the envelope and let the contents slide into her hand.

Whatever Josh’s answer was, it was drowned out by the sudden buzz in her ears. Staring up at her from the photo in her hand was her own face as she spoke to the homeless man who often dropped by the office. Red ink scrawled across the image. Stop what you’re doing. The image was taken through the scope of a rifle, crosshairs centered on her forehead.

In Josh’s mind flashed giant red lights. “What’s going on? Talk to me, Andrea.”

The silence stretched on too long. “Someone sent me pictures.” Andrea’s voice held a measured control that did nothing to ease his mind. “Of me. At the counseling center. Two days ago.”

Josh would not let this happen. He’d failed to act the last time. This time would be different. “I’m coming over. Call the police.”

JODIE BAILEY

has been weaving stories since she learned how to hold a pencil. It was only recently she learned that everyone doesn’t make up whole other lives for fun in their spare time. She is an army wife, a mom and a teacher who believes chocolate and a trip to the Outer Banks will cure all ills. In her spare time, she reads cookbooks, rides motorcycles and searches for the perfect cup of coffee. Jodie lives in North Carolina with her husband and her daughter.

Crossfire

Jodie Bailey

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

—Psalms 147:3

To Paul—God blessed me with you beyond my wildest dreams. Everything I ever asked Him for? You’re so much more.

To Cailin—You are God’s greatest gift to me and your daddy. I love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond.

Acknowledgments

Dad, I believe God is my daddy God who loves me, because you showed me what sacrificial, unconditional love from a father really looks like. Thank you.

Mom, you are my biggest, loudest cheerleader. Thank you!

Emily Rodmell, you are the queen of editors. I love getting edits back from you and seeing how much better everything is after you’ve stepped alongside and poured into it. Thank you, thank you for taking these words and making them sing!

Kimberly Buckner, Donna Moore and Christina Nelson, you are prayer warriors, partners and friends of the deepest part of my heart. God definitely knew what He was doing when He threw a bunch of random strangers together. Lucky 13!

My “beta readers,” Glenda Cook, Dawn Lucowitz, Jennifer McCarty and Kristin Dudish, thank you for the time and the attention to detail that made Crossfire what it is. I’m in awe.…

Lesley Cooper, “my Lesley,” who shouts across parking lots when I finish a book, who gives ear to my whining and loves me anyway. Laura Ott, this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t taken on my daughter as your own and if you hadn’t let me just talk and talk. Laura Harris… you know what you did, Rock Star.

My church family, you are prayer warriors and awesome supporters, as are you, Freedom Christian family!

Paul and Cailin, you put up with deadlines, meltdowns, M&M binges and Mommy hunched over the computer for hours. I couldn’t do this if you didn’t cheer me on. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Jesus. Oh, Jesus. You truly do make all things new.

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

EPILOGUE

DEAR READER

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

EXCERPT

ONE

Andrea Donovan stood at the glass-fronted entrance of her counseling center and watched the last patient of the day trek across the broiling parking lot to his car. The heat of the July Georgia sun blunted the edges of the world, giving the appearance that everything outside lay underwater. Her client eased onto Victory Drive, leaving her car alone in the parking lot save for a pickup truck idling near the gas station that neighbored her building.

Andrea looked out for a moment longer before she headed back to her office to shut down her computer and collect her files. She still had notes to make for her last patient, but all of her energy seemed to have drained into a pool at her feet. So many hurting people walked through her doors. It drained her, but in a way that made the end of the day seem more satisfying than brutal.

After gathering a stack of old documents for the shredder, Andrea stepped out to the empty reception desk in the lobby.

An unfamiliar man blocked her path. Adrenaline rocketed from Andrea’s core and tingled in her fingertips.

Broad-shouldered, dark-haired and square-jawed, in jeans and a navy button-down shirt, he effectively blocked the small space between the desk and the door. His bulk and the determined expression chiseled on his face radiated menacing vibes that plucked at Andrea’s flight response.

She took a step back, but the only place to run was to her windowless office. No outlet there. Swallowing hard, she drew herself up to her full five feet and six inches. It had better look more imposing than it felt. “Can I help you?”

The man’s dark eyes raked over her, sizing her up and dismissing her as less threatening than a June bug. “You’re Donovan? The counselor lady?” His posture said he wasn’t here to ask for help.

“I am. Is there something I can do for you?” She gripped the papers tighter, wishing for the first time for the rifle she’d carried in combat on active duty six years ago. Not that she’d use it, but the knowledge that it was available would go miles toward making her feel safer in this guy’s presence.

“I need to talk to you about Wade Cameron. You’re his head doc, right?” His eyes took in the papers in Andrea’s arms, then drifted over her head, scanning her office. “Where’s he at?”

“He’s certainly not here.” Her mind flipped through her calendar. Army Specialist Wade Cameron hadn’t been to see her in weeks. He’d graduated from weekly counseling sessions to AA meetings and conversations with his sponsor.

“Sure he’s not.” A cold half smile quirked the man’s mouth in a way that was anything but comforting. “You won’t mind if I take a look around then? Maybe get a peek at your file on him? Seems he might have left a message in there for me.”