High-Stakes Holiday Reunion

High-Stakes Holiday Reunion
Christy Barritt

When Christopher Jordan sees the fear in Ashley Wilson’s eyes, he knows he can’t let her request for help go unanswered. Despite their tumultuous history, he’s the only person his ex-fiancée can trust to find her kidnapped nephew.But how can Christopher trust her when he finds out that Ashley's "nephew" is actually his son, the one she never told him about? With a terrorist cell convinced Ashley holds the key to accessing top-secret government files, time is running out. And Christopher will stop at nothing to bring their little boy home in time for Christmas.

A CHILD’S LIFE IS AT STAKE

When Christopher Jordan sees the fear in Ashley Wilson’s eyes, he knows he can’t let her request for help go unanswered. Despite their tumultuous history, he’s the only person his ex-fiancée can trust to find her kidnapped nephew. But how can Christopher trust her when he finds out that Ashley’s “nephew” is actually his son, the one she never told him about? With a terrorist cell convinced Ashley holds the key to accessing top secret government files, time is running out. And Christopher will stop at nothing to bring their little boy home in time for Christmas.

The Security Experts: Defenders against danger

Christopher leaned close enough that Ashley could feel his breath on her cheek. “Stay here.”

“Where are you going?” She grabbed his arm, desperate to keep her only known ally close—even if he had broken her heart at one time.

He locked gazes with her, that same confidence that had always made her feel safe shining in his gaze. “I’m going to find something to fight with.”

“But they have guns!”

“If I go down, I’m going to go down fighting, Ashley.” His voice was steady, holding not even a hint of disbelief. “I want you to stay in here. Understand?”

He tried to stand but Ashley pulled him back down. “I came here for your help, not to get you killed.”

His eyes softened for a moment. “I know. Trust me. Okay?”

She didn’t know if she could ever trust him again. But, in this moment, she had no choice. She nodded. Her heart pounded in her ears as he pulled the door open.

Something creaked outside.

The steps. Someone was coming up the steps.

Fear squeezed tighter as she braced herself for whatever was about to come.

CHRISTY BARRITT

loves stories and has been writing them for as long as she can remember. She gets her best ideas when she’s supposed to be paying attention to something else—like in a workshop or while driving down the road.

The second book in her Squeaky Clean Mystery series, Suspicious Minds, won the inspirational category of the 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery. She’s also the coauthor of Changed: True Stories of Finding God in Christian Music.

When she’s not working on books, Christy writes articles for various publications. She’s also a weekly feature writer for the Virginian-Pilot newspaper, the worship leader at her church and a frequent speaker at various writers’ groups, women’s luncheons and church events.

She’s married to Scott, a teacher and funny man extraordinaire. They have two sons, two dogs and a houseplant named Martha.

To learn more about her, visit her website, www.christybarritt.com (http://www.christybarritt.com).

High-Stakes Holiday Reunion

Christy Barritt

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

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

—John 14:27

This book is dedicated to my readers. Your friendship and notes of encouragement mean the world to me and always brighten my day.

Contents

CHAPTER ONE (#ue21fe0e5-46e3-5522-965d-10500da9302e)

CHAPTER TWO (#ua3f3ce52-cbb4-5838-ae0e-ef579885f114)

CHAPTER THREE (#u9251c097-02b2-5ad7-ac2e-16849ee4bde9)

CHAPTER FOUR (#ud4bb7954-5662-51e4-909c-041d3ccca091)

CHAPTER FIVE (#u3e89bb48-fb95-5821-ad01-d4a0a0fe13ae)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)

DEAR READER (#litres_trial_promo)

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION (#litres_trial_promo)