Terri Reed - Danger at the Border

UNSAFE TERRITORY

When a mysterious toxin threatens lives and livelihoods near the border between the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Tessa Cleary is called to trace the source. But when the no-nonsense doctor is forced to work with border patrol agent Jeff Steele, she finds the lone wolf’s dedication to his job—and country—chipping away at the walls around her heart. Just as Tessa and Jeff are about to uncover the toxin’s deadly source, armed thugs kidnap them in the forest. Now they must trust each other to survive before time runs out for everyone.

Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the U.S.–Canadian border safe

They had guns!

Both men in the speedboat pulled bandannas over the lower half of their faces, and one of the men hefted a rifle to his shoulder, aiming the weapon at Tessa.

Jeff grabbed his sidearm. “Tessa! Get down!”

A startling bang followed by an even louder pop jolted through Tessa. One side of the Zodiac deflated like a balloon pricked by a needle. She was being shot at!

Jeff jumped over the still-inflated side of the Zodiac and dropped down beside her on his back, his gun in front of him, aimed toward the lake. “You okay?”

“Yes. You?” He fired off two rounds. The deafening noise reverberated inside her head.

The speedboat roared away. They were leaving. Relief made her melt into the floor.

Jeff jumped to his feet and tugged on her arm. “They’re circling back. Get up. We have to run for the trees.”

Galvanized by fear and adrenaline, she scrambled out of the boat and followed Jeff.

TERRI REED

At an early age Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Love Inspired Books. Her second book, A Sheltering Love, was a 2006 RITA® Award finalist and a 2005 National Readers’ Choice Award finalist. Her book Strictly Confidential, book five in the Faith at the Crossroads continuity series, took third place in the 2007 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award, and Her Christmas Protector took third place in 2008. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.

You can write to Terri at P.O. Box 19555, Portland, OR 97280. Visit her on the web at www.loveinspiredauthors.com, leave comments on her blog, www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com, or email her at terrireed@sterling.net.

Danger at the Border

Terri Reed

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Our soul waits for the Lord:

He is our help and our shield.

—Psalms 33:20

To Teal and Kim,

I couldn’t have asked for better sisters.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text UNSAFE TERRITORY When a mysterious toxin threatens lives and livelihoods near the border between the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Tessa Cleary is called to trace the source. But when the no-nonsense doctor is forced to work with border patrol agent Jeff Steele, she finds the lone wolf’s dedication to his job—and country—chipping away at the walls around her heart. Just as Tessa and Jeff are about to uncover the toxin’s deadly source, armed thugs kidnap them in the forest. Now they must trust each other to survive before time runs out for everyone. Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the U.S.–Canadian border safe

Introduction They had guns! Both men in the speedboat pulled bandannas over the lower half of their faces, and one of the men hefted a rifle to his shoulder, aiming the weapon at Tessa. Jeff grabbed his sidearm. “Tessa! Get down!” A startling bang followed by an even louder pop jolted through Tessa. One side of the Zodiac deflated like a balloon pricked by a needle. She was being shot at! Jeff jumped over the still-inflated side of the Zodiac and dropped down beside her on his back, his gun in front of him, aimed toward the lake. “You okay?” “Yes. You?” He fired off two rounds. The deafening noise reverberated inside her head. The speedboat roared away. They were leaving. Relief made her melt into the floor. Jeff jumped to his feet and tugged on her arm. “They’re circling back. Get up. We have to run for the trees.” Galvanized by fear and adrenaline, she scrambled out of the boat and followed Jeff.

About the Author TERRI REED At an early age Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Love Inspired Books. Her second book, A Sheltering Love, was a 2006 RITA® Award finalist and a 2005 National Readers’ Choice Award finalist. Her book Strictly Confidential, book five in the Faith at the Crossroads continuity series, took third place in the 2007 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award, and Her Christmas Protector took third place in 2008. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs. You can write to Terri at P.O. Box 19555, Portland, OR 97280. Visit her on the web at www.loveinspiredauthors.com , leave comments on her blog, www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com , or email her at terrireed@sterling.net.

Title Page Danger at the Border Terri Reed www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Our soul waits for the Lord: He is our help and our shield. —Psalms 33:20

Dedication To Teal and Kim, I couldn’t have asked for better sisters.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

ONE

“Thank you, Randy.” Biologist Dr. Tessa Cleary smiled at the young ranger sitting in the driver’s seat of the Forest Service truck.

“Sure thing, Doc.” He saluted her with a grin crinkling his tanned face.

Randy had picked her up from the airport in Bellingham, Washington, and driven her on the long, windy road to the ranger station at Glen Lake in the North Cascades National Forest. At least five years younger than her twenty-eight years, Randy had kept up a running dialogue on the lake and the human inhabitants who made the forest their home. He obviously knew the area well.

Tessa had been content to listen but was glad to reach her destination and escape the confines of the truck cab. The smell of tobacco coming off the young ranger had been overpowering, even with the window down. A little queasy, she climbed from the vehicle and stretched. However, the agitated churning of her tummy wasn’t due to motion sickness, but from the recent reports of fish kills and the outburst of breathing problems swimmers in Glen Lake had been experiencing.

Shielding her eyes against the late-summer sun, she surveyed her surroundings and filled her lungs with the sweet scent of fresh mountain air. Tall conifers dominated the forest, but she detected many deciduous trees surrounding the sparkling shores of the reservoir lake, as well.

A hidden paradise. One to be enjoyed by those willing to venture to the middle of the Pacific Northwest.