Countdown

Countdown
Heather Woodhaven

BORROWED TIMEWhen Rachel Cooper witnesses the abduction of her neighbour’s young twin sons, she springs into action to save them. But now the thwarted kidnappers are after her…and her only hope of survival is relying on their widowed single father James McGuire. A weapon has been planted on a satellite James’s company is ready to launch, and as the systems specialist, it’s his job to stop it. But someone is set on keeping James from preventing the scheduled takeoff—and they’ll use anyone close to him as leverage. Now he must find a way to protect his boys and the woman he’s beginning to fall for…before the final countdown can even start.

BORROWED TIME

When Rachel Cooper witnesses the abduction of her neighbor’s young twin sons, she springs into action to save them. But now the thwarted kidnappers are after her…and her only hope of survival is relying on their widowed single father, James McGuire. A weapon has been planted on a satellite James’s company is ready to launch, and as the systems specialist, it’s his job to stop it. But someone is set on keeping James from preventing the scheduled takeoff—and they’ll use anyone close to him as leverage. Now he must find a way to protect his boys and the woman he’s beginning to fall for…before the final countdown can even start.

“If I can’t take the kids this time, it seems you’ll do.” The kidnapper’s scratchy voice filled her right ear.

“I’m not leaving empty-handed,” he continued, sending a chill down her spine.

The man squeezed her tighter around her torso. She struggled as he growled, “Now who’s sorry she tried to play the hero? Huh?”

“Help,” she yelled, praying someone would hear.

The back door burst open. James filled the doorway.

James yelled something she didn’t register as the kidnapper snarled and let go of her.

His right hand reached into his jacket and pulled out a jagged knife.

Rachel gasped, paralyzed.

James stepped forward, and his foot whipped out a kick so fast that if Rachel had blinked she would’ve missed it. The knife soared into the hallway. He pinned the man down.

“Who sent you?” James asked.

HEATHER WOODHAVEN earned her pilot’s license, rode a hot-air balloon over the safari lands of Kenya, parasailed over Caribbean seas, lived through an accidental detour onto a black-diamond ski trail in the Aspens and snorkeled among stingrays before becoming a mother of three and wife of one. She channels her love for adventure into writing characters who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

Countdown

Heather Woodhaven

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

God setteth the solitary in families.

—Psalms 68:6

To Jennifer Brost.

I love the way you and The Job Foundation

walk with children and their families. You are an inspiration and a constant source of encouragement.

Contents

Cover (#u641e7fbb-7dad-5ada-a2c5-d4b50799f67a)

Back Cover Text (#u0689c17f-65df-579c-9eca-677d3287c67d)

Introduction (#ua3b43259-8092-504f-ba38-52514b3c6119)

About the Author (#ucf6486a9-42a1-5513-8c91-4e3c07685e41)

Title Page (#u4c21b98f-2335-59e9-ace1-21f1cf41269b)

Bible Verse (#u30e1d527-3e0b-5bca-9933-c532d269cc20)

Dedication (#u953f75c7-7980-560a-b58b-529ea3494431)

CHAPTER ONE (#uabe77a52-5ef7-5465-aa2c-8cf8b6088c1f)

CHAPTER TWO (#u151e0470-9637-5941-a9df-ca406b423382)

CHAPTER THREE (#ub091be91-3fe3-565a-80cf-99f5b4d3e50e)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u4578065a-1efd-5d65-89c1-1f8d278b65b6)

CHAPTER FIVE (#u8ed19e23-d1fe-5286-b8ba-5c279ecde513)

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)