The Christmas Target

The Christmas Target
Shirlee McCoy

Christmas Under FireSecurity and rescue specialist Stella Silverstone returns home for the holidays to care for her ailing grandmother—and finds herself the target of a killer. Only the unexpected arrival of the rescue-team leader temporarily pulls her from the crosshairs. Once, Stella hoped Chance Miller would become more than her boss. But the widow's tragic past keeps her from giving him her heart—or embracing the Christmas season. Now with danger lurking in every corner of her grandmother's old Victorian home and family secrets hiding in the shadows, Stella is safe nowhere but with Chance. Only he can show her the joys of Christmas and the beauty of love…if he can keep her alive.

CHRISTMAS UNDER FIRE

Security and rescue specialist Stella Silverstone returns home for the holidays to care for her ailing grandmother—and finds herself the target of a killer. Only the unexpected arrival of the rescue-team leader temporarily pulls her from the crosshairs. Once, Stella hoped Chance Miller would become more than her boss. But the widow’s tragic past keeps her from giving him her heart—or embracing the Christmas season. Now with danger lurking in every corner of her grandmother’s old Victorian home and family secrets hiding in the shadows, Stella is safe nowhere but with Chance. Only he can show her the joys of Christmas and the beauty of love...if he can keep her alive.

“Are you worried?” Chance asked.

“About Beatrice? Yes.”

“About everything,” he responded.

Stella turned away, not wanting to look into his beautiful eyes. She knew what she’d see there. The same compassion and understanding she saw when he was questioning clients or reassuring a victim. He had a way of making people open up to him.

She didn’t like opening up to anyone. She didn’t like feeling vulnerable. She hated being on the receiving end of pity.

“You need to trust me to handle things the way they need to be handled,” Chance said. “You’re not the only one who’s worried. I don’t want to see anything happen to you or your grandmother, and I can’t do my job effectively with one hand tied behind my back.”

“I’m not tying anything. I’m setting boundaries.”

“Boundaries that are going to get you killed.”

Aside from her faith and her family, there’s not much SHIRLEE McCOY enjoys more than a good book! When she’s not teaching or chauffeuring her five kids, she can usually be found plotting her next Love Inspired Suspense story or wandering around the beautiful Inland Northwest in search of inspiration. Shirlee loves to hear from readers. If you have time, drop her a line at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com.

The Christmas Target

Shirlee McCoy

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

—Exodus 15:13

To Marge Garrison. My favorite breakfast buddy.

I sure miss you!

Contents

Cover (#u413bfc70-2bca-5680-9714-bf5531fed23d)

Back Cover Text (#ufad5a893-d748-5590-ad00-438c63d7a870)

Introduction (#u4beb7b7a-432f-5324-8ff6-45bd28b5a13a)

About the Author (#u944ad32c-ac3d-5d58-bbfb-947b74b095f0)

Title Page (#u7b0ab883-7d93-5347-977f-d72de04cc860)

Bible Verse (#u27c7ac1e-f064-5730-ab89-2a03fa0dad0c)

Dedication (#ua8d2d1de-7ce0-5f30-822f-0913bd59a70d)

ONE (#u53ccfd0d-dd20-5708-84d3-1307a90350d1)

TWO (#u9cbcdf61-fd08-55b4-80b4-d8c5c73b27c5)

THREE (#uedb4abfb-12a5-5641-9d91-6a0306a2504a)

FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)

FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

ONE (#ucb1e6b50-696d-5f56-a03f-6a546eb0fe2c)

Stella Silverstone woke like she often did—bathed in sweat, heart beating frantically, her body screaming for her to run or fight.

She did neither.