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GUARDING THE WITNESS
When Cassie McBride discovers a dead body in a rental cabin, she quickly becomes the killer’s next target. Now the upbeat, chatty property manager is under the personal protection of police chief Nate Walsh—the living embodiment of the strong, silent type. Nate’s tragic past has taught him that a cop falling for a pretty witness can lead to disaster. Dogged at every turn by the murderer, Nate must stay focused and not let his growing feelings for Cassie interfere with his duty. If there’s any hope for Cassie—or a future for them—it’s going to take all Nate’s skill to not only keep her safe…but to keep her alive.
“Am I in trouble?”
He snapped his attention to her. “You’re conscious.”
“Disappointed, huh?” she teased.
Nate ripped his gaze from her adorable face. “This isn’t funny.”
“No, it most certainly is not. I was just doing my job and found a body. Is she dead? Please tell me she’s not dead. At first I thought maybe she just collapsed and hit her head. I’ve passed out before from not remembering to eat.”
Her nonstop chatter convinced Nate she was okay. “Cassie, take a breath.”
“You’re angry with me,” she said.
“I’m not angry.”
“You seem angry. Why, because I’m down here? I was only trying to get away.” She hesitated. “That man, there was a man.”
“It’s okay, he’s not here now. You’re safe.”
An eternal optimist, HOPE WHITE was born and raised in the Midwest. She and her college sweetheart have been married for thirty years and are blessed with two wonderful sons, two feisty cats and a bossy border collie. When not dreaming up inspirational tales, Hope enjoys hiking, sipping tea with friends and going to the movies. She loves to hear from readers, who can contact her at [email protected].
WITNESS
PURSUIT
Hope White
MILLS & BOON
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Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
—Ephesians 4:25
For Lar, my real-life hero
Contents
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
Dear Reader
Cassie McBride got out of Ruby, her little red car, and froze.
The front door to the Whispering Pines cabin was ajar. That wasn’t right. Was the renter still on the premises? How awkward. The woman was supposed to have checked out by noon and it was nearly eight o’clock in the evening.
Cassie pulled out her phone to call Becca, her best friend. Becca had helped Cassie get the job as a property manager for Echo Mountain Rentals, which rented out private cabins to vacationers in the Cascade Mountains. Perhaps Becca had dealt with this type of situation and could offer advice.
No, if Cassie wanted people to think of her as independent, she needed to act more and ask less. She decided not to bring in the fresh linens and toiletries until she’d resolved this issue. Who knows, she might even have to call security.
“Be strong,” she coached, but she abhorred conflict. If she were to keep this good-paying job, she’d have to do the uncomfortable tasks like kick out renters who’d overstayed their welcome. She straightened her shoulders, marched to the front door and eased it open. “Hello? It’s the property manager.”
Silence.
“Anyone here?”
Nothing.