Ruth Herne - Healing the Lawman's Heart

An Officer and a Lady

Single mom Julia Harrison is the last person Tanner Reddington should get involved with. He’s promised to stay away from all things baby. But the state trooper’s protective instincts outweigh his misgivings when he meets the lovely midwife. Julia is opening a women’s clinic in Kirkwood Lake, while raising two small boys on her own. Plagued by memories of the family he lost, Tanner fights the pull he feels toward Julia and her kids. But when an orphaned newborn brings Tanner and Julia together, they begin to consider their future…as husband and wife.

“Let me help.”

His hands took the key from hers and he slid it into the lock with careful deliberation. But it wasn’t the key that had Julia’s attention. It was the feel of his leather jacket beneath her cheek…the scent of sawdust…the rugged shoulders, sheltering her from the late-winter wind.

Hope stole over her. She tried to fight the emotion, but couldn’t. It began in his gentle, strong manner and was nurtured by his serious gaze and his bright smile. He’d seemed downright prickly last week, but she saw none of that now.

But you did see it, so don’t be fooled. People aren’t always what they seem.

The key turned easily when Tanner tugged the door their way. He finished locking it, dropped the key into her hand, then tipped his gaze down from over her shoulder. “We’re good.”

His words reminded her of old dreams, gone awry. A home, filled with children and a set of loving parents. Was she shortsighted to think the dream could still exist?

Multipublished, bestselling author RUTH LOGAN HERNE loves God, her country, her family, dogs, chocolate and coffee! Married to a very patient man, she lives in an old farmhouse in upstate New York and thinks possums should leave the cat food alone and snakes should always live outside. There are no exceptions to either rule! Visit Ruthy at ruthloganherne.com.

Healing the

Lawman’s Heart

Ruth Logan Herne

www.millsandboon.co.uk

And I will betroth you to me forever. I will

betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice,

in steadfast love and in mercy.

—Hosea 2:19

To Angela and Kim, two amazing and wonderful women… God is good all the time. Men, on the other hand, are a work in progress. And to all who’ve kissed a sweet child’s brow goodbye too soon… May God hold you in the palm of His hand as you heal.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text An Officer and a Lady Single mom Julia Harrison is the last person Tanner Reddington should get involved with. He’s promised to stay away from all things baby. But the state trooper’s protective instincts outweigh his misgivings when he meets the lovely midwife. Julia is opening a women’s clinic in Kirkwood Lake, while raising two small boys on her own. Plagued by memories of the family he lost, Tanner fights the pull he feels toward Julia and her kids. But when an orphaned newborn brings Tanner and Julia together, they begin to consider their future…as husband and wife.

Introduction “Let me help.” His hands took the key from hers and he slid it into the lock with careful deliberation. But it wasn’t the key that had Julia’s attention. It was the feel of his leather jacket beneath her cheek…the scent of sawdust…the rugged shoulders, sheltering her from the late-winter wind. Hope stole over her. She tried to fight the emotion, but couldn’t. It began in his gentle, strong manner and was nurtured by his serious gaze and his bright smile. He’d seemed downright prickly last week, but she saw none of that now. But you did see it, so don’t be fooled. People aren’t always what they seem. The key turned easily when Tanner tugged the door their way. He finished locking it, dropped the key into her hand, then tipped his gaze down from over her shoulder. “We’re good.” His words reminded her of old dreams, gone awry. A home, filled with children and a set of loving parents. Was she shortsighted to think the dream could still exist?

About the Author Multipublished, bestselling author RUTH LOGAN HERNE loves God, her country, her family, dogs, chocolate and coffee! Married to a very patient man, she lives in an old farmhouse in upstate New York and thinks possums should leave the cat food alone and snakes should always live outside. There are no exceptions to either rule! Visit Ruthy at ruthloganherne.com .

Title Page Healing the Lawman’s Heart Ruth Logan Herne www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. —Hosea 2:19

Dedication To Angela and Kim, two amazing and wonderful women… God is good all the time. Men, on the other hand, are a work in progress. And to all who’ve kissed a sweet child’s brow goodbye too soon… May God hold you in the palm of His hand as you heal.

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

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

New York state trooper Tanner Reddington scanned the sketchy neighborhood with a practiced eye. All was calm at present, but after a dozen years on the force, Tanner was no stranger to life’s quick changes.

A winter storm warning had advised local businesses to shut down for the day. Most had heeded the warning, but scattered bright windows said not everyone had closed up, despite the harsh conditions about to descend on Western New York.

Typical, thought Tanner as he sipped his coffee. When he burned his tongue, he scolded himself and pushed to keep his mind on his work. Normally, that wasn’t a big deal. Tanner lived his job.

But with the first days of March looming?

The next few days were always tough, a face-to-face reckoning with anniversaries he couldn’t forget. And then the calendar mercifully flipped and time moved on.

Lights shut off south of him as a short stretch of shops called it a day.

There were always a few that stayed open till the last possible moment, then made a bad situation worse by trying to get home in rough winter conditions. Today’s storm would be no exception, but as he scanned the interstate entrance to his left, the low volume of traffic said a lot of folks had paid attention this time.

His peripheral vision caught something out of place. He swiveled in the driver’s seat, sure he’d seen a blink of light that hadn’t been there minutes before. He scanned the thin gray light of late afternoon to determine what he saw.

Nothing seemed out of place.

Focused, he set his coffee down and studied a group of buildings just south of the above-grade interstate entrance.

Another blink of light pinpointed the action. But what was it? And why was it coming from that vacant building?

He put the cruiser into Drive and headed toward the decrepit structure. Other than a long-established shoe shop run by an eccentric but knowledgeable distance runner, the neglected strip mall had sat empty for several years.

Cops hated empty buildings. Empty buildings offered shelter for shady characters and an opportunity for foolish kids to create trouble. This scruffy stretch of decay had been slated for demolition twice. Both times, legal mumbo jumbo got in the way. Last he heard, some do-gooder had bought it for back taxes, promising the world.