Under the Marshal's Protection. Kathleen Tailer
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      “We had a deal, remember?

      “I help you out, and you let me be there when my brother is arrested.”

      Dominic narrowed his eyes. “The deal was, you help, and I do my best to keep Michael alive. That’s all there was to it. It’s not safe for you to be involved with the arrest.”

      Jessica stiffened her spine and squared her shoulders. “If I want to be target practice for the bad guys, that’s my business, not yours. Look, Mr. U.S. Deputy Marshal. Michael trusts me. If I’m there, maybe he’ll turn himself in without a fight.”

      “And maybe he won’t. Until I know you’re safe, you’re not leaving the marshals’ custody.”

      “Oh, yes, I am!” She glared at him and headed for the door, but Dominic wasn’t moving. He was big and strong and looked absolutely magnificent as he blocked the door. A hint of attraction swept over her, and she gritted her teeth.

      The last thing she wanted was to be attracted to this tall, bullheaded deputy.

      KATHLEEN TAILER

      is an attorney who works for the Supreme Court of Florida in the Office of the State Courts Administrator where she works on programs that are designed to enhance and improve dependency courts throughout the state. She previously worked for the Florida Department of Children and Families handling child abuse cases both as a line attorney, and in the DCF General Counsel’s Office. She and her husband have eight children, five of whom they adopted. When not in the office, Kathleen spends most of her time cheering for her kids at different events or spending quiet time (hah!) at home. Kathleen has previously published two articles for Fostering Families Today, a magazine for foster families, and self-published a book entitled Children in the Wind, available through Amazon.com. She also plays drums on the worship team at her church.

      Under the Marshal’s Protection

      Kathleen Tailer

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

      —Philippians 4:6–7

      For my husband, Jim, and all of my wonderful children: Bethany, Keandra, Jessica, Nathan, Joshua, Anna, Megan and James. You are all a tremendous blessing to me.

      Also for my parents, Ken and Jane Ingham, who always supported me in every endeavor and encouraged me to reach for the stars.

      CONTENTS

      CHAPTER ONE

      CHAPTER TWO

      CHAPTER THREE

      CHAPTER FOUR

      CHAPTER FIVE

      CHAPTER SIX

      CHAPTER SEVEN

      CHAPTER EIGHT

      CHAPTER NINE

      CHAPTER TEN

      CHAPTER ELEVEN

      CHAPTER TWELVE

      CHAPTER THIRTEEN

      CHAPTER FOURTEEN

      CHAPTER FIFTEEN

      CHAPTER SIXTEEN

      CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

      CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

      EPILOGUE

      LETTER TO READER

      QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

      ONE

      Dominic knocked on the white screen door and took a step back. His eyes swept back and forth between the wide front porch of the aging country home and the spacious yard that surrounded it. An enormous live oak tree dominated the yard, and a wooden swing suspended from the lowest branch swung softly in the breeze. It was summertime in Tallahassee, Florida, and the grass was deep green and fragrant due to all of the recent afternoon rains. Dragonflies darted around the bushes, and a group of yellow butterflies congregated on the ground near the driveway. The setting was picturesque and almost looked like a Norman Rockwell painting.

      It would have been a great place to sit and relax, if he wasn’t on such an important mission.

      Dominic turned and knocked again, bending slightly to see if he could catch a glimpse of anyone at home through the large open window. He didn’t hear anything except his own feet making the porch floorboards creak and the soft squeak of the screen door as it moved slightly on its old rusted hinges.

      He saw the barrel of the rifle out of the corner of his eye just a split second before he heard the woman’s threatening voice coming from the side of the wraparound porch.

      “Freeze, buddy.”

      He turned and raised his hands slowly. A woman dressed in faded jeans, an old burgundy T-shirt and a Florida State baseball cap approached him pointing a rifle straight at his heart. Her eyes were an electrifying blue that seemed to drill right through him. They were angry yet fearful at the same time, and her gaze swept over him very carefully, taking stock of him from head to toe. Her blond hair was pulled back and lay in a long braid down her back, and her lips were set in a thin line of determination. When she spoke, her voice was low and threatening. “You want to explain what you’re doing on my front porch?”

      Dominic kept his hands up, hoping his passive stance would put the lady at ease. “U.S. Deputy Marshal, ma’am. I just want to ask you a few questions.”

      The woman’s eyes narrowed. “Prove it.”

      “Okay. I have my СКАЧАТЬ