Standoff At Christmas

Standoff At Christmas
Margaret Daley

DANGEROUS HOLIDAY HOMECOMINGAnchorage K-9 officer Jake Nichols returns home for Christmas to recover from the accident that almost killed him—and find a little peace and quiet. But those plans are shattered when his childhood friend Rachel Hart gets caught up in a drug-smuggling ring after her aunt is brutally murdered. Jake quickly discovers that Port Aurora is no longer the tranquil little fishing town he left behind. He promises Rachel that he'll stick around until he tracks down the killer—and vows to protect her at all costs. Both of their lives are in peril as he battles against the Alaskan winter, a ruthless criminal…and his developing feelings for Rachel.Alaskan Search and Rescue: Risking their lives to save the day

DANGEROUS HOLIDAY HOMECOMING

Anchorage K-9 officer Jake Nichols returns home for Christmas to recover from the accident that almost killed him—and find a little peace and quiet. But those plans are shattered when his childhood friend Rachel Hart gets caught up in a drug-smuggling ring after her aunt is brutally murdered. Jake quickly discovers that Port Aurora is no longer the tranquil little fishing town he left behind. He promises Rachel that he’ll stick around until he tracks down the killer—and vows to protect her at all costs. Both of their lives are in peril as he battles against the Alaskan winter, a ruthless criminal…and his developing feelings for Rachel.

Alaskan Search and Rescue: Risking their lives to save the day

“Hurry, Rachel. The fire is spreading over the roof.”

The sound of his voice calmed the fear rising in her even as she climbed to the window and grabbed Jake’s hands to hold tight. With her arms hanging out the window and her upper chest lying on the bottom of it, her legs dangled in midair in the bathroom. She tried to move forward, but something sharp scraped her side.

“There must be some glass on my right, but don’t stop.”

“Sorry, I thought I got all the glass out of the frame.”

Another crash sounded behind her. Time was running out.

Rachel managed to shift a bit while Jake said, “I’ll be right back. I remember there was a blanket in the shed.” Jake raced toward the small building.

The scent of smoke and burning wood bombarded Rachel. Someone wanted to destroy the house and Rachel and her aunt with it. But why? Coughs racked her while Jake rushed back. He took the blanket and put it between her and the window frame.

“This should help you move easier.” Then he grabbed her arms and yanked.

“Just get me out.” She imagined the flames eating away at the door and any second bursting into the room…

MARGARET DALEY, an award-winning author of ninety books (five million sold worldwide), has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread, and corralling her three cats, who think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret, visit her website at margaretdaley.com (http://www.margaretdaley.com).

Standoff at

Christmas

Margaret Daley

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

Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will

of God and our Father.

—Galatians 1:4

For Helen, who introduced me to Alaska

Contents

Cover (#ud2b3e601-f446-5bb0-8542-8cd2d7e7e543)

Back Cover Text (#ub427d047-cd79-5593-9308-8253d34934db)

Introduction (#ucca80eb1-e594-53c8-81f1-aeb10d299ebb)

About the Author (#u18da8f40-e433-5123-9c38-813dd60c3a3a)

Title Page (#u7cf8c1ea-995f-5b3f-937e-a3d12ef7702c)

Bible Verse (#uda3068c3-f499-542e-a4db-1c819ee49098)

Dedication (#uc582360c-1c44-591d-9b52-8c36e5ff4e5d)

ONE (#uc0199f0b-6738-555f-8c20-6158b72cd82e)

TWO (#u7bfef77b-c95c-5a51-b63a-67f210d4a917)

THREE (#u08945779-fa1d-5e3d-9a0f-305330122eb3)

FOUR (#u4b15c8da-51c1-551b-8713-6039e4b98bf1)

FIVE (#uec0dee41-e58b-505f-949a-f3e8474bad39)

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EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

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ONE (#ulink_a787fbde-c605-5acb-abdc-59ef5c2f68eb)

Rachel Hart left the warmth of her office building to trudge through the snow toward the processing center at the Port Aurora Fishery. The lights on in the building beckoned her in the predawn morning. The sun was just rising to the east in Port Aurora, Alaska, and then it would set by three in the afternoon.