A Cop In Her Stocking

A Cop In Her Stocking
Ann Voss Peterson

Tyler Davis comes from a long line of cops, and he's learned the hard way that police work and families don't mix. But his solitary life is about to be called into question with the return of Megan Garvey, the woman he once loved…and lost.Now, Megan is determined to keep her emotional distance–though it's clear that she and the rugged lawman still share something special. But a predator has come to Lake Hubbard for Christmas. And when Megan's young son disappears, there's only one cop to believe in. This holiday, Ty has been given a second chance to be the hero Megan needs…if he can bring her boy home alive.

Man on a mission

The alarm was louder inside the building. Its shriek blared through his head and lodged somewhere in the fillings of his back teeth. He took the hall leading to the office where he’d last spotted Megan.

If an intruder had set off the alarm, he had no time to lose. Police would arrive eventually, but with the weather, he couldn’t be sure how soon.

He checked around the corner before stepping into the next hall. What he wouldn’t give to have his gun. Armed with only a tire iron, he didn’t relish running into whomever set off the alarm. The tool was heavy enough to do some damage, but even so, it would be worthless against even a twenty-two. He had to find Megan. He had to get her the hell out of here.

A Cop in Her Stocking

Ann Voss Peterson

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

To Officer Greg Dixon and the Middleton Police Department with special thanks for all you do.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ever since she was a little girl making her own books out of construction paper, Ann Voss Peterson wanted to write. So when it came time to choose a major at the University of Wisconsin, creative writing was her only choice. Of course, writing wasn’t a practical choice—one needs to earn a living. So Ann found jobs, including proofreading legal transcripts, working with quarter horses and washing windows. But no matter how she earned her paycheck, she continued to write the type of stories that captured her heart and imagination—romantic suspense. Ann lives near Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband, her two young sons, her border collie and her quarter horse mare. Ann loves to hear from readers. E-mail her at ann@annvosspeterson.com (mailto:ann@annvosspeterson.com) or visit her Web site at www.annvosspeterson.com (http://www.annvosspeterson.com).

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Tyler Davis—When his old flame returns to town, small-town cop Ty Davis offers to take her son on a Shop with a Cop outing, hoping to give her and her child a merry Christmas. But when the boy disappears in the mall, Ty needs a Christmas miracle of his own.

Megan Garvey—After weathering scandal and divorce, Megan has learned nothing is as it seems. But Ty’s loyalty and determination to help her make her want to believe in Santa Claus.

Connor Burke—The three-year-old disappeared in the shopping mall. Will he be home for Christmas?

Doug Burke—Megan’s ex-husband is always looking for the easy way out. But when his son goes missing, nothing is easy.

Leo Wheeling—The lieutenant is efficient and on top of things, so why are there so many loose ends in this case?

Todd Baker—The detective has a family of his own, so surely he’ll do whatever he can to find Megan’s son.

Derek Ernst—The security guard knows all about finding lost children.

Evan Blankenship—The small-town mayor is very helpful. But are his motives rooted in politics or in a secret desire for Megan?

Mr. Keating—The owner of a local security company holds the keys to a lot of doors.

Gary Burke—Is Doug’s cousin trying to help Megan out or make things more difficult for her?

Samantha Vickery—What is the woman after?

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

Epilogue

Chapter One

Try as he might, Tyler Davis was not what anyone would call an expert gift shopper. And if anyone on this snow-covered earth needed proof, here it was, wrapped up in Christmas paper and tied with a big-ass bow.

He tried to tune out the jangle of department store Christmas music and warring scents from the army of perfume pushers and focus on the pair of oversized slippers that resembled a dog’s paws clutched in the three-year-old’s hands. Even with his deep-seated shopping deficiency, Ty had doubts whether this was the way to go. “You’re sure she’s going to like those?”

Connor nodded, his tousled red hair flopping over one side of his forehead.

Ty raked his hand through his own cropped, spiky hair. If this was any other kid he’d taken Christmas shopping as part of his small city police department’s Shop with a Cop program, he’d find the choice funny. He might even encourage the kid, just for a chuckle. But Megan had been through a lot. And the whole reason he insisted on taking Connor out shopping—secretly on his own dime, since the department’s official Shop with a Cop program was already over—was to give Megan a good experience for a change. “I don’t know, Connor. Moms usually like things that make them look…I don’t know…pretty. Not like a dog.”

The inside corners of Connor’s eyes reddened. His lips pulled together into what was fast becoming a pout and could any minute cross the line into crying.