The Protector's Promise

The Protector's Promise
Shirlee McCoy

Who could want to hurt a little girl in a pink princess dress?Grayson Sinclair vows to find out who's after his widowed neighbor and her child. Without getting emotionally involved. Family life isn't for him, but he won't let some deranged person destroy the lovely home Honor Milone has made for her daughter.From strange "gifts" left on her doorstep to attempted murder, someone means deadly business. Grayson promises to protect Honor and the little girl who sneakily stole his heart. Just in time. For the threat is closer to home than anyone realizes.

“Do you think the sheriff has found anything?”

Honor’s voice was calm, without the anxiety he’d seen in her eyes.

“If he has, he’ll let us know,” Grayson replied.

“Hopefully soon. The girls are scared. I want to be able to tell them everything will be okay.”

“Who will tell you that, Honor?”

She met his eyes. “I’m an adult. I don’t need anyone to.” She stepped out into the cold, cutting off their conversation.

Grayson followed, tensing when he saw the sheriff’s grim expression. He’d found something.

“Ms. Malone, can you come with me, please?”

Honor walked toward the sheriff, aware of Grayson’s gaze as she did so. His intense focus was as warm as a physical caress, tempting her to reach back, take his hand, allow the support he’d offered.

She wouldn’t.

Not even for tonight.

She wouldn’t allow herself to depend on him. That could only lead to heartache.

SHIRLEE MCCOY

has always loved making up stories. As a child, she daydreamed elaborate tales in which she was the heroine—gutsy, strong and invincible. Though she soon grew out of her superhero fantasies, her love for storytelling never diminished. She knew early that she wanted to write inspirational fiction, and began writing her first novel when she was a teenager. Still, it wasn’t until her third son was born that she truly began pursuing her dream of being published. Three years later she sold her first book. Now a busy mother of four, Shirlee is a homeschool mom by day and an inspirational author by night. She and her husband and children live in Washington State and share their house with a dog and a guinea pig. You can visit her Web site at www.shirleemccoy.com.

The Protector’s Promise

Shirlee McCoy

For when your faith is tested, your endurance

has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when

your endurance is fully developed, you will be

strong in character and ready for anything.

—James 1:3–4

To Sara. The darker the night,

the more beautiful the sunrise.

And in loving memory of Willetta Ruth Pothier

who once told me that I had capable hands.

I didn’t understand then. I do now. May I prove

to be as capable of sacrifice, of service

and of love as she was.

CONTENTS

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

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN