Shirlee McCoy - Secrets And Lies

EXPECTING—AND IN DANGER

Attacked in her classroom, widowed teacher Ariel Martin’s only thought is for her unborn child. When her student’s brother, rookie K-9 officer Tristan McKeller, and his faithful dog save her life, she can’t thank him enough. She knows Tristan won’t rest until she’s safe, but she doesn’t want him or his police colleagues digging into her dangerous past. After all, the only person who would want to hurt her is dead…or is he? With her and her child’s life on the line, she’ll have to trust Tristan with her secrets if she wants to finally get the fresh start she’s been desperately seeking.

The woman was pregnant!

“Stay!” Tristan commanded his K-9 partner, and Jesse dropped down with a grunted protest.

A woman appeared in the window. Dark hair. Pale skin. Freckles. Very pregnant belly that wasn’t cooperating as she struggled to crawl through the opening.

Ariel Martin. The newest teacher at Desert Valley High School. Smart. Enthusiastic. Patient. He’d heard that from more than one parent. He’d even heard it from Mia.

“You okay?” he asked, running to her side.

She shook her head, dark gray eyes wide with shock, a smear of blood on her right hand. She’d cut herself. It looked deep, but she didn’t seem to notice. “There’s a gunman. He tried to shoot me.”

The words were calm, crisp and clear, and they chilled Tristan to the bone. Two women had already been murdered in Desert Valley. Was Ariel Martin slated to be the third?

ROOKIE K-9 UNIT:

These lawmen solve the toughest cases

with the help of their brave canine partners

Protect and Serve—Terri Reed, April 2016 Truth and Consequences—Lenora Worth, May 2016 Seek and Find—Dana Mentink, June 2016 Honor and Defend—Lynette Eason, July 2016 Secrets and Lies—Shirlee McCoy, August 2016 Search and Rescue—Valerie Hansen, September 2016

Aside from her faith and her family, there’s not much SHIRLEE MCCOYenjoys more than a good book! When she’s not teaching or chauffeuring her five kids, she can usually be found plotting her next Love Inspired Suspense story or wandering around the beautiful Inland Northwest in search of inspiration. Shirlee loves to hear from readers. If you have time, drop her a line at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.

—Psalms 18:30

To my fellow Rookie K-9 authors.

Val, Dana, Lynette, Terri and Lenora, working with the

five of you was such a privilege and a pleasure! We made quite a team, and I’m so glad that I got to be part of it!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text EXPECTING—AND IN DANGER Attacked in her classroom, widowed teacher Ariel Martin’s only thought is for her unborn child. When her student’s brother, rookie K-9 officer Tristan McKeller, and his faithful dog save her life, she can’t thank him enough. She knows Tristan won’t rest until she’s safe, but she doesn’t want him or his police colleagues digging into her dangerous past. After all, the only person who would want to hurt her is dead…or is he? With her and her child’s life on the line, she’ll have to trust Tristan with her secrets if she wants to finally get the fresh start she’s been desperately seeking.

INtroduction The woman was pregnant! “Stay!” Tristan commanded his K-9 partner, and Jesse dropped down with a grunted protest. A woman appeared in the window. Dark hair. Pale skin. Freckles. Very pregnant belly that wasn’t cooperating as she struggled to crawl through the opening. Ariel Martin. The newest teacher at Desert Valley High School. Smart. Enthusiastic. Patient. He’d heard that from more than one parent. He’d even heard it from Mia. “You okay?” he asked, running to her side. She shook her head, dark gray eyes wide with shock, a smear of blood on her right hand. She’d cut herself. It looked deep, but she didn’t seem to notice. “There’s a gunman. He tried to shoot me.” The words were calm, crisp and clear, and they chilled Tristan to the bone. Two women had already been murdered in Desert Valley. Was Ariel Martin slated to be the third? ROOKIE K-9 UNIT: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners Protect and Serve —Terri Reed, April 2016 Truth and Consequences —Lenora Worth, May 2016 Seek and Find —Dana Mentink, June 2016 Honor and Defend —Lynette Eason, July 2016 Secrets and Lies—Shirlee McCoy, August 2016 Search and Rescue —Valerie Hansen, September 2016

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 teaching or chauffeuring her five kids, she can usually be found plotting her next Love Inspired Suspense story or wandering around the beautiful Inland Northwest in search of inspiration. Shirlee loves to hear from readers. If you have time, drop her a line at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com.

Title Page Secrets and Lies Shirlee McCoy www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. —Psalms 18:30

Dedication To my fellow Rookie K-9 authors. Val, Dana, Lynette, Terri and Lenora, working with the five of you was such a privilege and a pleasure! We made quite a team, and I’m so glad that I got to be part of it!

ONE

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NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

The soft buzz of her cell phone pulled Ariel Martin’s attention from the ninth-grade English paper she was grading. It was good that she’d been engrossed in the essay—the student had obviously done an outstanding job. It was not so good that long shadows had drifted across the classroom floor while she was reading. It was late. Later than she’d realized.

She grabbed her phone and read the text that had come through.

Want to grab some dinner later, Ari?

“No, Easton. I do not,” she muttered, shoving the phone back in her purse without responding.

Easton Riley was a nice enough guy—a math teacher who’d coached the football team to regional victory the previous year—but she wasn’t interested.

She had her hands full teaching summer school, tutoring on the side, getting the classroom ready for the long-term sub who’d be taking over from mid-September through December when she had her baby. The last thing she needed or wanted was a relationship complicating things. She’d lived that for five years—always at another person’s beck and call, always worrying about what someone else wanted or needed.

She hadn’t thought marriage would be that way. She’d thought it would be a mutual effort—two people working together to reach a common goal. She’d been wrong. She had the divorce papers to prove it, filed in Nevada and finalized three weeks later. Not what she’d wanted. She’d wanted couples counseling and pastoral help. Mitch had wanted someone else.