Margaret Daley - The Protector's Mission

DEADLY EXPLOSION

Lydia McKenzie is the only living witness to a serial bomber’s latest threat. Surviving the explosion at the café, Lydia is rescued by police sergeant Jesse Hunt and his K-9 partner, a Rottweiler named Brutus. She’s struggling to remember details of the incident. But one thing she’ll never forget is how she once felt about Jesse—the high school sweetheart she left to marry another. In charge of her protection, the guarded cop believes the bomber’s after her, and he promises to keep her safe. But as more of Lydia’s memories return, the more the vicious killer wants her dead.

Alaskan Search and Rescue: Risking their lives to save the day

“You think I might be in danger?” Lydia asked.

Jesse kept his gaze on the road as he drove her home. “I hope not, but it’s a possibility if the bomber thinks you can ID him.”

“I can’t. Yet. But what if I did see him and I can’t remember?”

“You suffered a head trauma,” he reminded her. “Not remembering, especially right away, isn’t uncommon. Don’t force yourself.”

“Are you sure you work for the police? I would have thought you’d have wanted me to remember right now.”

“I know you. Force won’t work.” He threw her half a grin.

“I’ve been trying, and I can remember a few bits, like how I felt when I heard the laugh track. After that, nothing much else. Lunch was starting,” she said, shifting toward him. “I just thought of that.”

He glanced at her smile, which lit her whole face. “See? It will come.”

Jesse pulled into her driveway, the same house he had picked her up at as a teenager. A memory flashed into his mind—of eons ago when he was a different person.

MARGARET DALEY, an award-winning author of ninety books (five million sold worldwide), has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread, and corralling her three cats, who think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret, visit her website at margaretdaley.com.

The Protector’s

Mission

Margaret Daley

www.millsandboon.co.uk

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

—Psalms 46:1

To Mike, Shaun, Abbey and Aubrey

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text DEADLY EXPLOSION Lydia McKenzie is the only living witness to a serial bomber’s latest threat. Surviving the explosion at the café, Lydia is rescued by police sergeant Jesse Hunt and his K-9 partner, a Rottweiler named Brutus. She’s struggling to remember details of the incident. But one thing she’ll never forget is how she once felt about Jesse—the high school sweetheart she left to marry another. In charge of her protection, the guarded cop believes the bomber’s after her, and he promises to keep her safe. But as more of Lydia’s memories return, the more the vicious killer wants her dead. Alaskan Search and Rescue: Risking their lives to save the day

Introduction “You think I might be in danger?” Lydia asked. Jesse kept his gaze on the road as he drove her home. “I hope not, but it’s a possibility if the bomber thinks you can ID him.” “I can’t. Yet. But what if I did see him and I can’t remember?” “You suffered a head trauma,” he reminded her. “Not remembering, especially right away, isn’t uncommon. Don’t force yourself.” “Are you sure you work for the police? I would have thought you’d have wanted me to remember right now.” “I know you. Force won’t work.” He threw her half a grin. “I’ve been trying, and I can remember a few bits, like how I felt when I heard the laugh track. After that, nothing much else. Lunch was starting,” she said, shifting toward him. “I just thought of that.” He glanced at her smile, which lit her whole face. “See? It will come.” Jesse pulled into her driveway, the same house he had picked her up at as a teenager. A memory flashed into his mind—of eons ago when he was a different person.

About the Author MARGARET DALEY, an award-winning author of ninety books (five million sold worldwide), has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread, and corralling her three cats, who think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret, visit her website at margaretdaley.com .

Title Page The Protector’s Mission Margaret Daley www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. —Psalms 46:1

Dedication To Mike, Shaun, Abbey and Aubrey

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Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Lydia McKenzie swung open the door to Melinda’s Bistro and plowed right into a middle-aged man wearing a navy blue hoodie that shrouded his gray eyes and the scar slashing his cheek. “Sorry.”

The guy, holding one of the restaurant take-out sacks, mumbled something and scurried away.

Lydia spied Bree Stone, a doctor and friend from childhood, and headed toward her table. “Sorry I’m late. Had an emergency at work. I hope you got my text.” After several hours in surgery at the veterinary hospital, Lydia finally eased into a chair and relaxed.

“I certainly know what an emergency is. We’re a doctor short at the hospital, so I’m taking an extra shift to fill in.” Bree gathered her purse and put money on the table to pay her tab. “What kind of emergency?”

“It involved one of the rescue dogs from the bombing at the church. A police K-9.” Right now she could use a neck and shoulder massage. Pain radiated down her back. “A few days ago, I tended to two rescue dogs that had been injured while searching for survivors at the church, but one of them took a turn for the worse this morning. I had to remove his left hind leg in order to save him. The decision broke my heart because it ends his career, but he’ll live.”

Bree started to rise but sat back down. “Jesse Hunt’s Brutus?”

The mention of Jesse made Lydia’s breath catch. She tried to avoid seeing him as much as possible, which was hard since she worked with Northern Frontier Search and Rescue and went to SAR sites to be there if a dog needed medical help. Jesse was often there with his Rottweiler. “No, Officer Nichols with the Anchorage K-9 Unit. He sometimes works with your husband at search and rescue sites.”

“Yes, Nichols was brought into the ER last Friday. David was upset. He came to the hospital as soon as he could to see how he was.”

“How’s he doing?” Lydia shook the image of Jesse Hunt, once a friend, from her mind. When she returned to Anchorage last year, she renewed several friendships, but not with Jesse, whom she’d betrayed right after she’d graduated from high school.

“He’s still on the critical list. His accident shows me how dangerous my husband’s job is, but David wouldn’t do anything else.” Bree rose. “I wish I could stay. But I have to be in early because the other doctor is sick.”

“We’ll catch up later.” Lydia rolled her shoulders and released a long breath.

Bree smiled. “When we both slow down. Tell Kate hi for me. She’s been asking me about being a doctor.”

“She has?” She should know that, but she and her seventeen-year-old sister had clashed a lot since she’d become her guardian last year.

“Yes, she doesn’t think she can work with animals like you and your dad, but she’s interested in the medical field. See you.”