Dana Lynn - Interrupted Lullaby

SAFE BY THE LAWMAN’S SIDE

Maggie Slade’s been on the run since witnessing her husband’s murder, hiding from a killer who wants evidence he believes she has. A killer who was dressed as a LaMar Pond policeman. And she’d better run fast, because it’s not just her life on the line—Maggie now has year-old twin babies. But then she’s attacked again, and rescued…by a LaMar Pond cop. Trusting Lieutenant Dan Willis is frightening. Letting him take her back to LaMar Pond to find her husband’s killer is terrifying. But to protect her babies, she’ll risk anything. Even her life. And as she grows closer to Dan and learns to trust again…she may even risk her heart.

The window shattered as a bullet hit it. Two inches from Maggie’s head.

Maggie screamed and pulled a shrieking Rory from the car.

“Run!” Dan bellowed. With a runner’s sprint, she hurtled toward the trees. Dan was on her heels, cradling baby Siobhan tightly in his arms.

A car screeched into the parking lot, bullets spewing from the open window. Dan looked back in time to see a bullet hit a gas pump.

“Faster!” he barked. Ducking his head, he forced himself to hold the baby tighter and push forward.

The pump exploded. Dan yelled as the back of his leather jacket ignited. “Take her!”

Maggie grabbed the baby and Dan dived for the ground, rolling until the flames were out. He thanked God with all his heart that his jacket had taken the worst of the fire. He had, however, twisted his knee when he dived to the ground. Forcing himself to stand, he limped next to Maggie.

He had never seen anything more beautiful than her tired face, scratched by broken glass, but otherwise uninjured. And the babies. Wailing. Fat tears dribbled down their faces. But they were alive. He hadn’t let them down. Not like before…

DANA R. LYNN grew up in Illinois. She met her husband at a wedding and told her parents she had met her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married. Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania with their three children and enough pets to open a petting zoo. In addition to writing, she works as an educational interpreter for the deaf and is active in several ministries at her church.

Interrupted Lullaby

Dana R. Lynn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Teach me, Lord, your way that I may walk in your truth, single-hearted and revering your name.

—Psalms 86:11

To my mom,

who taught me about unconditional love and sacrifice.

And to my Lord and Savior.

May this work bring glory to Your name.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments 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 CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN EPILOGUE Dear Reader Extract Copyright

I am so grateful for the many people who supported me so that this labor of love could happen. First, to my husband, Brad, and our kids. Thanks for allowing me time in my writing cave/dining room table. It meant so much! Amy and Dee, my dearest friends…you kept me sane. My critique partners and fellow Killer Voices authors, how would I have done this without bouncing ideas off you?

A special thanks to my editor Elizabeth Mazer and my agent Mary Sue Seymour. I have been blessed by your guidance and humbled by your faith in me.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text SAFE BY THE LAWMAN’S SIDE Maggie Slade’s been on the run since witnessing her husband’s murder, hiding from a killer who wants evidence he believes she has. A killer who was dressed as a LaMar Pond policeman. And she’d better run fast, because it’s not just her life on the line—Maggie now has year-old twin babies. But then she’s attacked again, and rescued…by a LaMar Pond cop. Trusting Lieutenant Dan Willis is frightening. Letting him take her back to LaMar Pond to find her husband’s killer is terrifying. But to protect her babies, she’ll risk anything. Even her life. And as she grows closer to Dan and learns to trust again…she may even risk her heart.

Introduction The window shattered as a bullet hit it. Two inches from Maggie’s head. Maggie screamed and pulled a shrieking Rory from the car. “Run!” Dan bellowed. With a runner’s sprint, she hurtled toward the trees. Dan was on her heels, cradling baby Siobhan tightly in his arms. A car screeched into the parking lot, bullets spewing from the open window. Dan looked back in time to see a bullet hit a gas pump. “Faster!” he barked. Ducking his head, he forced himself to hold the baby tighter and push forward. The pump exploded. Dan yelled as the back of his leather jacket ignited. “Take her!” Maggie grabbed the baby and Dan dived for the ground, rolling until the flames were out. He thanked God with all his heart that his jacket had taken the worst of the fire. He had, however, twisted his knee when he dived to the ground. Forcing himself to stand, he limped next to Maggie. He had never seen anything more beautiful than her tired face, scratched by broken glass, but otherwise uninjured. And the babies. Wailing. Fat tears dribbled down their faces. But they were alive. He hadn’t let them down. Not like before…

About the Author DANA R. LYNN grew up in Illinois. She met her husband at a wedding and told her parents she had met her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married. Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania with their three children and enough pets to open a petting zoo. In addition to writing, she works as an educational interpreter for the deaf and is active in several ministries at her church.

Title Page Interrupted Lullaby Dana R. Lynn www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Teach me, Lord, your way that I may walk in your truth, single-hearted and revering your name. —Psalms 86:11

Dedication To my mom, who taught me about unconditional love and sacrifice. And to my Lord and Savior. May this work bring glory to Your name.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Acknowledgments 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 CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN EPILOGUE Dear Reader Extract Copyright I am so grateful for the many people who supported me so that this labor of love could happen. First, to my husband, Brad, and our kids. Thanks for allowing me time in my writing cave/dining room table. It meant so much! Amy and Dee, my dearest friends…you kept me sane. My critique partners and fellow Killer Voices authors, how would I have done this without bouncing ideas off you? A special thanks to my editor Elizabeth Mazer and my agent Mary Sue Seymour. I have been blessed by your guidance and humbled by your faith in me.

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

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

“I know where Margaret Slade is.”

Lieutenant Dan Willis held the phone receiver away from his ear and stared at it, shocked. His colleagues Lieutenant Jace Tucker and Chief Paul Kennedy halted their lively discussion on the upcoming football game to watch him. Jace raised his eyebrows. Paul leaned forward. Dan pressed a button, putting the caller on speaker.