Texas Christmas Defender. Elizabeth Goddard
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TARGETED AT CHRISTMAS
After earning the wrath of her brother, a notorious drug kingpin, Adriana Garcia has been in deep hiding on a remote Texas llama ranch. But when Texas Ranger Brent McCord manages to find her—leading her brother’s men right to her—Adriana discovers she’s a suspect in the murder of a border patrol agent. The handsome, principled ranger, whose life she once saved during a dangerous sting operation, intends to bring her in for questioning...and protection. To prove her innocence, Adriana has to trust Brent with the truth, her heart and her life. Because her brother and his henchman have the ranch surrounded, and Brent’s all that’s keeping this Christmas from turning deadly.
The cold muzzle of a weapon pressed into the side of Adriana’s head.
I’m going to die!
“Please.” She instantly regretted that she’d uttered a word.
“Adriana?” Brent growled the whisper. “What are you doing out here?”
At the sound of his familiar, welcome voice, she nearly slumped, but he caught her.
“Answer me,” he whispered.
“I heard the warning go off. I couldn’t let you face the danger alone.”
Something foreign flitted over his features, though it was too dark to see his gaze.
“I didn’t recognize you geared up like a soldier,” he said, and touched her bulletproof vest. In the moonlight, she barely made out a half grin, then it disappeared, his voice laced with weighty emotion. “I...could have killed you.”
“I’m grateful you didn’t.”
“Adriana, I told you to stay in the house, where you would be safer than out here. Why can’t you follow my instructions?”
She hated to hear the accusation, the disappointment in his tone. “I couldn’t let you face my brother or his henchmen alone. Besides, I’m here now.”
And she wasn’t leaving his side.
* * *
Texas Ranger Holidays: A Season of Danger
Thanksgiving Protector by Sharon Dunn
Christmas Double Cross by Jodie Bailey
Texas Christmas Defender by Elizabeth Goddard
What a wild ride this story was to write! I hope you enjoyed Texas Christmas Defender. I’m a seventh-generation Texan on both sides of my family and was once a member of the DRT—Daughters of the Republic of Texas. (I haven’t paid my dues, so I can’t say I’m still a member, even though my family has been in Texas long enough. Ha!) All this Texas family history and this will be my first book set in Texas. Can you believe it? I’m so happy I was given the opportunity to join this continuity series. The men and woman of the Texas Rangers have a rich heritage that begins early in Texas history and are world-renowned, often compared to Scotland Yard or the FBI. This is a state law enforcement agency, folks.
In Texas Christmas Defender, Adriana is looking for a refuge from some seriously bad people. Though escape nearly costs her everything—her safety, her life and the lives of those she loves—freedom from the evil that surrounds her is worth the cost. Inez is there to encourage her and pray for her. Isn’t that just like how God works in our lives? He sends someone to us who can pray for us and nurture us in His ways. Even if we don’t realize that person is there—trust me, they are. It’s my prayer for you today that you turn to the only One who can give you a true safe haven. Who can be your true refuge.
Thank you for reading my books! To find out about my other books, visit my website at ElizabethGoddard.com!
Many blessings,
Elizabeth Goddard
ELIZABETH GODDARD is the award-winning author of more than thirty novels and novellas. A 2011 Carol Award winner, she’s a double finalist in the 2016 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and a 2016 Carol Award finalist. Elizabeth graduated with a computer science degree and worked in high-level software sales before retiring to write full-time.
Texas Christmas Defender
Elizabeth Goddard
MILLS & BOON
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The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
—Proverbs 18:10
Dedicated to the One who saved me.
You are my strong tower.
As always, I want to thank my amazing writing friends and, in this case, Texas Ranger continuity writing partners Jodie Bailey and Sharon Dunn, for their help and insight in getting it right in this story. You ladies rock! A special thank-you goes to Sherri Tallmon at Hidden Oaks Llama Ranch for her help in answering a few questions about the care and love of llamas. If I didn’t already have my hands full I might consider taking on a few of these wonderful creatures! Thanks to Elizabeth Mazer for her encouragement and support and her belief in me as a writer, and to Emily Rodmell for including me in this project. Steve Laube—we celebrate seven years together this year. We’ve come a long way, Agent Man!
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