Family secrets made her a target...
Can her ex provide a holiday haven?
When Lauren Wexler’s fugitive brother arrives on her doorstep, he has just moments to pass her evidence before his pursuers start shooting. Now Lauren needs her US marshal ex’s protection. She left Chris Blackwell to shield his reputation, but her family’s secrets are darker than she knows. With the truth revealed, can their Christmas wishes for safety and love still come true?
LAURIE ALICE EAKES dreamed of being a writer from the time she was a small child. Now, with her dreams fulfilled, she is the award-winning and bestselling author of over two dozen historical and contemporary novels. When she isn’t writing full-time, she enjoys long walks, live theater and being near her beloved Lake Michigan. She lives in Illinois with her husband and sundry cats and dogs.
Love Inspired Suspense
Perilous Christmas Reunion
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk
Perilous Christmas Reunion
Laurie Alice Eakes
ISBN: 978-1-474-08659-2
PERILOUS CHRISTMAS REUNION
© 2018 by Laurie Alice Eakes
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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Version: 2020-03-02
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A crack of gunfire reverberated from the trees.
“Get inside,” Chris shouted.
Lauren was already running. The door was two-inch-thick solid oak with a steel core. Lauren slammed it and threw the two dead bolts into place.
She flung herself to the floor. “Who’s shooting at us?”
“Maybe you tell me.” Chris sank onto the edge of the leather sofa. “Your brother?”
“But—” Lauren leaned against the breakfast bar, her heart racing. “That wasn’t you shooting at Ryan?”
“I never saw Ryan.”
She swallowed. “He took off when the shooting started.”
Chris gazed at her with narrowed eyes, then glanced toward the steps to the bedrooms above, and back to her. “You know, if you harbor a fugitive, you’re an accessory—”
“He isn’t here.” Lauren flung her arms wide. “Go look for yourself, if you don’t believe me. I should have known you’d come here. Your first thought was that Lauren would protect her brother.” She blinked hard against hot moisture in her eyes.
“You’ve always put your brother first.”
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
—Luke 6:27–36
For Sandra Robbins: Without your generosity of time and patience, this book never would have happened.
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