Tammy Johnson - Royal Rescue

A PRINCESS IN PERIL

Hidden away for more than fourteen years, Thea James was presumed dead by most—killed in the fire that burned the royal palace. But Ronin Parrish knows the truth…and so does the person who murdered Thea’s father, the king. Ronin takes his new duty as Thea’s bodyguard seriously. After all, she’s the only one who can clear his father of the king’s murder. It doesn’t matter that the princess’s beauty and strength draw him to her. To a commoner like him, she can never be more than a mission. Now he’s in a race to restore the princess to her rightful place on the throne before the unknown killer prematurely ends her reign.

Memories flooded her…

She remembered that voice. Her gaze shot toward the sound, and there he stood. Ronin. His voice had triggered the memories of that fateful night she was almost killed like her father.

“It was your father who rescued me, wasn’t it?”

He nodded as he pulled her close. “It will be okay.”

“That’s what he said. That it would all be all right. And look at us. Does this look okay?” They were trapped in a snowstorm in a strange house in the middle of nowhere.

Ronin wanted to make the memories less painful for her and somehow help her arrange the jumbled pieces.

He should be happy. That was what he wanted after all. For her to remember. She was the only person, other than the true murderer, who could prove his father’s innocence.

“Bringing me home helps clear his name.” She looked into his eyes. “Is that the real reason you saved me? Not for me?”

He was saved from answering as the lights went out.

TAMMY JOHNSON grew up as a preacher’s kid. Her childhood was filled with moving and imaginary friends. She loves writing strong, independent heroines with strength of faith and character and heroes of equal convictions and charisma. She lives in a small Kansas town with her teenage son and dachshund. She enjoys cloud-watching and summer storms. A glass of sweet tea and a new story are never far away.

Royal Rescue

Tammy Johnson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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And I will be a Father unto you, and

ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

—2 Corinthians 6:18

To my children — You were my first dream come true.

Without you, I might never have learned how strong I could be or how much I was capable of loving and being loved.

Tiffany — May you never settle. Someday your prince

will come, until then be your own princess.

Nickolas — Thank you for helping me stay on task with my writing. I will always treasure our nights of writing together.

Mason — I have always admired your passion for life. Always ask the questions. Someday you will find your answers.

Kody — Maybe you can’t be a superhero, but you will always have the heart of a protector. Stay strong and courageous.

No matter where your lives lead, I will always be proud

of each of you and I will always love you.

God — thank You for the words. Thank You for this blessing. Thank You for being Love and showing me a little every day what real Love means.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN Dear Reader Extract Copyright

Thank you to my amazing editor, Shana Asaro, who believed in me and picked me for her team during the Killer Voices pitch event. I hope this is only the beginning of great things.

Thank you to my brother for the sermon that got me back into writing, and to my sister, mother and family for never giving up on me. Thank you to Kimmi for the monthly phone calls over the years asking if I was writing.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A PRINCESS IN PERIL Hidden away for more than fourteen years, Thea James was presumed dead by most—killed in the fire that burned the royal palace. But Ronin Parrish knows the truth…and so does the person who murdered Thea’s father, the king. Ronin takes his new duty as Thea’s bodyguard seriously. After all, she’s the only one who can clear his father of the king’s murder. It doesn’t matter that the princess’s beauty and strength draw him to her. To a commoner like him, she can never be more than a mission. Now he’s in a race to restore the princess to her rightful place on the throne before the unknown killer prematurely ends her reign.

Introduction Memories flooded her… She remembered that voice. Her gaze shot toward the sound, and there he stood. Ronin. His voice had triggered the memories of that fateful night she was almost killed like her father. “It was your father who rescued me, wasn’t it?” He nodded as he pulled her close. “It will be okay.” “That’s what he said. That it would all be all right. And look at us. Does this look okay?” They were trapped in a snowstorm in a strange house in the middle of nowhere. Ronin wanted to make the memories less painful for her and somehow help her arrange the jumbled pieces. He should be happy. That was what he wanted after all. For her to remember. She was the only person, other than the true murderer, who could prove his father’s innocence. “Bringing me home helps clear his name.” She looked into his eyes. “Is that the real reason you saved me? Not for me?” He was saved from answering as the lights went out.

About the Author TAMMY JOHNSON grew up as a preacher’s kid. Her childhood was filled with moving and imaginary friends. She loves writing strong, independent heroines with strength of faith and character and heroes of equal convictions and charisma. She lives in a small Kansas town with her teenage son and dachshund. She enjoys cloud-watching and summer storms. A glass of sweet tea and a new story are never far away.

Title Page Royal Rescue Tammy Johnson www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. —2 Corinthians 6:18

Dedication To my children — You were my first dream come true. Without you, I might never have learned how strong I could be or how much I was capable of loving and being loved. Tiffany — May you never settle. Someday your prince will come, until then be your own princess. Nickolas — Thank you for helping me stay on task with my writing. I will always treasure our nights of writing together. Mason — I have always admired your passion for life. Always ask the questions. Someday you will find your answers. Kody — Maybe you can’t be a superhero, but you will always have the heart of a protector. Stay strong and courageous. No matter where your lives lead, I will always be proud of each of you and I will always love you. God — thank You for the words. Thank You for this blessing. Thank You for being Love and showing me a little every day what real Love means.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Acknowledgments ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN Dear Reader Extract Copyright Thank you to my amazing editor, Shana Asaro, who believed in me and picked me for her team during the Killer Voices pitch event. I hope this is only the beginning of great things. Thank you to my brother for the sermon that got me back into writing, and to my sister, mother and family for never giving up on me. Thank you to Kimmi for the monthly phone calls over the years asking if I was writing.