Lenora Worth - Rookie K-9 Unit Christmas - Surviving Christmas

K-9 HOLIDAY RESCUE

Surviving Christmas by Valerie Hansen

When single dad Sean Murray returns from a war zone and discovers someone is following him, he turns to his old friend K-9 officer Zoe Trent for help. But as the threat escalates, can Zoe and her police dog find whoever is menacing Sean and his son...and make sure this Christmas isn’t their last?

Holiday High Alert by Lenora Worth

After a cryptic note appears in the playground at Josie Callahan’s daycare center, rookie K-9 officer Dalton West vows to protect Josie and the kids she loves—especially his daughter, Maisy. And with a stalker closing in, the widower and his four-legged partner are all that stand between Josie and a deadly Christmas.

Meet the Rookie K-9 Unit officers

and their brave police dog partners

Officer: Zoe Trent

Age: 27

K-9 Partner: Freya the Belgian Tervuren

Assignment: Protect her old friend Sean Murphy and his disabled son from the danger that is stalking them.

Officer: Dalton West

Age: 33

K-9 Partner: Luna the brindle mutt

Assignment: Protect Josie Callahan and her day-care center from the criminals who are targeting it.

VALERIE HANSEN was thirty when she awoke to the presence of the Lord in her life and turned to Jesus. She now lives in a renovated farmhouse in the breathtakingly beautiful Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and is privileged to share her personal faith by telling the stories of her heart for Love Inspired. Life doesn’t get much better than that!

LENORA WORTH writes award-winning romance and romantic suspense. Three of her books finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, and her Love Inspired Suspense novel Body of Evidence became a New York Times bestseller. Her novella in Mistletoe Kisses made her a USA TODAY bestselling author. With sixty books published and millions in print, she goes on adventures with her retired husband, Don, and enjoys reading, baking and shopping...especially shoe shopping. Visit her on the web at lenoraworth.com.

Rookie K9 Unit Christmas

Surviving Christmas

Valerie Hansen

Holiday High Alert

Lenora Worth

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Table of Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text K-9 HOLIDAY RESCUE Surviving Christmas by Valerie Hansen When single dad Sean Murray returns from a war zone and discovers someone is following him, he turns to his old friend K-9 officer Zoe Trent for help. But as the threat escalates, can Zoe and her police dog find whoever is menacing Sean and his son...and make sure this Christmas isn’t their last? Holiday High Alert by Lenora Worth After a cryptic note appears in the playground at Josie Callahan’s daycare center, rookie K-9 officer Dalton West vows to protect Josie and the kids she loves—especially his daughter, Maisy. And with a stalker closing in, the widower and his four-legged partner are all that stand between Josie and a deadly Christmas.

Introduction Meet the Rookie K-9 Unit officers and their brave police dog partners Officer: Zoe Trent Age: 27 K-9 Partner: Freya the Belgian Tervuren Assignment: Protect her old friend Sean Murphy and his disabled son from the danger that is stalking them. Officer: Dalton West Age: 33 K-9 Partner: Luna the brindle mutt Assignment: Protect Josie Callahan and her day-care center from the criminals who are targeting it.

About the Authors VALERIE HANSEN was thirty when she awoke to the presence of the Lord in her life and turned to Jesus. She now lives in a renovated farmhouse in the breathtakingly beautiful Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and is privileged to share her personal faith by telling the stories of her heart for Love Inspired. Life doesn’t get much better than that! LENORA WORTH writes award-winning romance and romantic suspense. Three of her books finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, and her Love Inspired Suspense novel Body of Evidence became a New York Times bestseller. Her novella in Mistletoe Kisses made her a USA TODAY bestselling author. With sixty books published and millions in print, she goes on adventures with her retired husband, Don, and enjoys reading, baking and shopping...especially shoe shopping. Visit her on the web at lenoraworth.com .

Title Page Rookie K9 Unit Christmas Surviving Christmas Valerie Hansen Holiday High Alert Lenora Worth www.millsandboon.co.uk

Surviving Christmas Surviving Christmas Valerie Hansen

Dedication Many thanks to Lenora Worth for her friendship and expert advice as we put these two novellas together. And continuing love to my Joe, who is with me in spirit, looking over my shoulder and offering moral support as I write. He always will be.

Bible Verse For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. —Psalms 91:11

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Dear Reader

Holiday High Alert

Dedication

Bible Verse

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Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Surviving Christmas

Valerie Hansen

Many thanks to Lenora Worth for her friendship and expert advice as we put these two novellas together.

And continuing love to my Joe, who is with me in spirit, looking over my shoulder and offering moral support as I write. He always will be.

For He shall give His angels charge over thee,

to keep thee in all thy ways.

—Psalms 91:11

ONE

Sean Murphy hated to close his eyes. A terrifying past waited for him in sleep, a past that sometimes invaded even his waking hours. Love for his six-year-old son, Patrick, was what kept him sane, kept him battling to return to normal. Patrick needed him, now more than ever. All they had left was each other.

The St. Louis apartment Sean had rented on his return to the States was small but adequate for the present. The future would take care of itself. At least Sean hoped so. There had been a time when he’d believed God was guiding him through life. Now, he felt adrift.

Fog of sleep dulled his senses, but not so much that he failed to hear a strange sound in the dark. He froze. Listened intently. Heard nothing more. Sighing, he wished he knew how to stop being so jumpy. Every creak of the old building brought irrational fear.

A cadence of soft steps followed. Sean sat bolt upright. “Patrick?”

The sound ceased. Sean slipped out of bed, wishing he still had his rifle and full battle gear. St. Louis might not be Kandahar, but that didn’t mean there was no danger. Yes, his emotions were raw. And, yes, chances were that he was merely imagining a threat. There was only one way to find out. He must see for himself.

Since Patrick’s near-drowning accident in the swimming pool at his maternal grandparents’ estate, the boy had been having trouble with speech as well as motor skills. Therefore, he sometimes sought out his daddy without explanation. That was probably what Sean had heard. Still, he refused to disregard an instinctive warning.

Barefoot, he tiptoed to the open bedroom door and waited in the shadow from the night-light in the hallway. A low mumble reached him. How could Patrick be talking in his sleep when he had so much trouble doing so awake?