Lynette Eason - Classified Christmas Mission

UNDERCOVER GUARDIAN

Days before Christmas, CIA agent Amber Starke is on the run with her murdered best friend’s special-needs son. And they’re next on his criminal father’s hit list. Amber failed her undercover mission to bring down her friend’s husband for his crimes, but she won’t fail to protect her friend’s son. Now that the killer knows she’s not just a nanny but an agent, she must rely on her childhood crush, Deputy Lance Goode. The handsome lawman was burned in love by his first wife, who was killed while evading the law. But he’ll do everything he can to help Amber, except offer his heart. Unlocking the secrets in Amber’s autistic charge is the key to their survival, but with the killer on their trail, one mistake could cost them their lives.

“You have no one to trust.”

Amber didn’t need him reminding her.

“Well, now you’ve got me.”

She turned a fierce gaze on him. “You are going to leave and forget you ever saw the boy or me.”

Lance stood his ground. “That’s not happening. You’re stuck with me.”

“I don’t think you understand. The last two people who got involved with me are dead. I can’t let that happen to you.”

“And yet you came home,” he said softly.

Only to get something she desperately needed.

She gave a humorless laugh. “Is there supposed to be some psychological meaning to that?”

“What do you think?”

She glanced toward the house. “Maybe there is. I’ve been in a lot of tight spots, but this time I might be in over my head.”

“Then let me help.”

She met his gaze. “You could be putting yourself in the kind of danger that people don’t live to talk about.”

He didn’t flinch. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Dedication ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN EPILOGUE Extract Copyright ,

I hope you enjoyed reading Lance and Amber’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it! I loved writing Lance a healing story. He’d been through so much pain with the betrayal and eventual death of his first wife that I knew it would take someone super special to make him give up on the idea that he should be alone the rest of his life. And I knew that someone special was Amber. Of course she had her own baggage to deal with, but who doesn’t? We all have our issues, but it’s how we handle them that determines what the future will hold for us. Lance was still somewhat bitter about his past and yet coming to an acceptance of it as well when the story began. He had found some contentment when Amber dropped into his world and rocked it to the foundation. But Lance stood strong and his true character came out and he behaved like the hero he was meant to be, not based on his own power, but because he relied on God to be his strength. I pray that if you find yourself in a tough situation where you are faced with choosing bitterness or letting God heal you, I pray you choose God.

And thank you for choosing to read this story. I pray God’s blessings over you.

LYNETTE EASONis a bestselling, award-winning author who makes her home in South Carolina with her husband and two teenage children. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and teaching at various writing conferences around the country. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Lynette can often be found online interacting with her readers. You can find her at Facebook.com/lynette.easonand on Twitter, @lynetteeason.

Classified Christmas Mission

Lynette Eason

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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—Psalms 91:4

Dedicated to my family. I love you so much.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text UNDERCOVER GUARDIAN Days before Christmas, CIA agent Amber Starke is on the run with her murdered best friend’s special-needs son. And they’re next on his criminal father’s hit list. Amber failed her undercover mission to bring down her friend’s husband for his crimes, but she won’t fail to protect her friend’s son. Now that the killer knows she’s not just a nanny but an agent, she must rely on her childhood crush, Deputy Lance Goode. The handsome lawman was burned in love by his first wife, who was killed while evading the law. But he’ll do everything he can to help Amber, except offer his heart. Unlocking the secrets in Amber’s autistic charge is the key to their survival, but with the killer on their trail, one mistake could cost them their lives.

Introduction “You have no one to trust.” Amber didn’t need him reminding her. “Well, now you’ve got me.” She turned a fierce gaze on him. “You are going to leave and forget you ever saw the boy or me.” Lance stood his ground. “That’s not happening. You’re stuck with me.” “I don’t think you understand. The last two people who got involved with me are dead. I can’t let that happen to you.” “And yet you came home,” he said softly. Only to get something she desperately needed. She gave a humorless laugh. “Is there supposed to be some psychological meaning to that?” “What do you think?” She glanced toward the house. “Maybe there is. I’ve been in a lot of tight spots, but this time I might be in over my head.” “Then let me help.” She met his gaze. “You could be putting yourself in the kind of danger that people don’t live to talk about.” He didn’t flinch. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

Dear Reader Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Dedication ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN EPILOGUE Extract Copyright , I hope you enjoyed reading Lance and Amber’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it! I loved writing Lance a healing story. He’d been through so much pain with the betrayal and eventual death of his first wife that I knew it would take someone super special to make him give up on the idea that he should be alone the rest of his life. And I knew that someone special was Amber. Of course she had her own baggage to deal with, but who doesn’t? We all have our issues, but it’s how we handle them that determines what the future will hold for us. Lance was still somewhat bitter about his past and yet coming to an acceptance of it as well when the story began. He had found some contentment when Amber dropped into his world and rocked it to the foundation. But Lance stood strong and his true character came out and he behaved like the hero he was meant to be, not based on his own power, but because he relied on God to be his strength. I pray that if you find yourself in a tough situation where you are faced with choosing bitterness or letting God heal you, I pray you choose God. And thank you for choosing to read this story. I pray God’s blessings over you.