Baby On The Run

FBI agent Matt Weller is the ideal man to help Jenna find her confidence and strength as he protects her from criminals threatening her life and that of little Eli. Matt’s faith has helped him cope with personal tragedy, and his recovery from the pain is a good example for Jenna to witness.

As they rely on each other to protect a toddler from harm, Jenna and Matt exemplify teamwork and the blessing that we need not handle personal challenges alone. I’m ever so grateful for my family, friends and God, who help me along the way.

Peace,

Hope White

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

—Philippians 4:6

Many thanks to expert moms Stephanie Christanson and Cassy Patterson, along with Deputy Sheriff Ryan Sherman and FBI special agent Mike Johnson, for their patience in answering my many questions.

Contents

Cover (#ua44ea383-0d86-5bc6-a6c0-e4a42bf95443)

Back Cover Text (#u63a2557b-71ec-5ada-bb44-7c995ddb38ec)

About the Author (#uce274453-f2d9-5d4d-a030-051a7b888ea4)

Booklist (#u078f5fa6-0f41-5fad-8878-686cddc0d6e4)

Title Page (#u48f4cd01-a6eb-5c0f-b527-8b9a8006a1d8)

Copyright (#u76d801c1-fe9d-5641-8e71-98aca61bcb35)

Introduction (#u3403919d-407c-5ef2-9c53-305ed37362a7)

Dear Reader (#ub7df5eba-42d6-5a9a-83db-ef8a373cea04)

Bible Verse (#u2b965f7f-36e5-5ae1-97a8-60ed18e9c719)

Dedication (#uc6633aba-83c0-5e84-8482-f87d78b33e1d)

ONE (#u25b31173-b22a-5948-bfae-1904d2034f61)

TWO (#u94b48300-e0b6-5e80-9e66-f973a2dc67a9)

THREE (#u999cb8c5-5d64-57c1-9a10-c008a8215408)

FOUR (#u6eaa65bf-545c-5321-8d86-d4ee00a436d0)

FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

ONE (#ua053ccce-31ec-58c3-83da-dc2bf9428d41)

“You need to protect little Eli.”

Jenna North studied her friend. “What’s this about, Chloe?”

Chloe gazed at her eighteen-month-old son as he clutched a small white polar bear in one hand and ran a wooden train across a coffee table with the other.

Paperwork had kept Jenna late at the Broadlake Foundation, where she worked as development manager, when she received Chloe’s frantic call. Jenna offered to stop by Chloe’s house on the way home, but Chloe rejected the idea. Instead, she came straight over to the school-turned-community-center where the foundation leased space. Jenna hadn’t expected Chloe to bring Eli with her, not at this hour.

“I’ve made some bad choices,” Chloe suddenly confessed.

Haven’t we all? Jenna thought. “God forgives, remember?” The words tasted bitter rolling off her tongue. “Chloe, what’s going on?”

The young mother shook her head.

“Come on. I can’t help unless—”

“I’m scared!”

Eli looked up at his mom with rounded eyes. She pulled him into her arms and rocked slightly. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m sorry.” She eyed Jenna. “Promise me you’ll protect him.”

A chill ran down Jenna’s spine. Could she truly make that promise considering she’d been unable to protect her own son?

And even herself?

“Please,” Chloe begged.

Jenna nodded. “I promise.”

Chloe sat back down, clinging to her son. Eli had other ideas. He squirmed against her, so Chloe put him down and he squatted to dig for another toy in his diaper bag. He pulled out a second train and waddled back to the coffee table. Tears formed in Chloe’s eyes as she watched him.

Frustrated, Jenna wondered whom to call for help. Perhaps Chloe’s counselor? Chloe had admitted to struggling with depression in the past.

“Have you called Rosalie?” Jenna asked.