The Lawman's Honor. Линда Гуднайт

      Love’s Duty

      As assistant police chief, Heath Monroe never expected he’d ever need rescuing. But that’s exactly what Cassie Blackwell does when she pulls him out of a car wreckage. He’s surprised at the beautiful widow’s strength and joyous spirit. But he’s been burned before and is cautious to get involved. Especially since his investigation into the town’s drug operation might implicate Cassie’s ex-husband! Yet the more time he spends with her, the deeper he falls. Will he have to choose between duty and his growing love—or is there a way he can have both?

      Whisper Falls: Where every prayer is answered…

      Cassie didn’t know what had come over her but being in Heath’s embrace was amazing.

      She was a little embarrassed by her behavior, but by the time she’d regained her wits and backed away, word came that the newborn was in the nursery. She dragged Heath out of the waiting room and rushed down the hall to the wide glass panes. She’d worry about the hug later.

      A row of tiny swaddled babies lined the nursery. “Oh, my goodness.” Cassie pressed closer to the pane, snapping photos with her cell phone. “He’s beautiful. Look at him, Heath. He’s wonderful. So tiny and tough and precious.”

      “Your brother is a blessed man.”

      “Blessed,” Cassie murmured, thinking Heath used exactly the right word. With uncharacteristic neediness, she battled the urge to lean her head on the lawman’s sturdy, dependable shoulder.

      Something powerful turned over in her chest.

      LINDA GOODNIGHT

      Winner of a RITA® Award for excellence in inspirational fiction, Linda Goodnight has also won a Booksellers’ Best Award, an ACFW Book of the Year award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from RT Book Reviews. Linda has appeared on the Christian bestseller list and her romance novels have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Active in orphan ministry, this former nurse and teacher enjoys writing fiction that carries a message of hope and light in a sometimes dark world. She and her husband live in Oklahoma. Visit her website at www.lindagoodnight.com. To browse a current listing of Linda Goodnight’s titles, please visit www.Harlequin.com.

      The Lawman’s Honor

      Linda Goodnight

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary…. And they cried out for fear.

      But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying,

      “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

      —Matthew 14:22–27

      The entire Whisper Falls series is dedicated

      to the memory of my brother, Stan Case.

      Contents

       Epigraph

       Prologue

       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

       Epilogue

       Dear Reader

       Questions for Discussion

       Excerpt

      Rumor says that if a prayer is murmured beneath

      Whisper Falls, God will hear and answer. Some folks think it’s superstitious nonsense. Some think it’s a clever ploy to attract tourists. Others believe that God works in mysterious ways, and prayers, no matter where

      whispered, are always heard.

      Prologue

      She was probably crazy for doing this. As a local, she should know better. Climbing Whisper Falls to pray was a rumor, a myth, a publicity stunt. But for reasons she couldn’t explain or deny, Cassie Blackwell felt the need to do it anyway. Her sister-in-law had prayed here and look how well that had turned out.

      Sticking one boot against the wall of slippery rocks, Cassie started the ascent. Whisper Falls sprayed water against the side of her face as it tumbled to the pool below. Spring was here and with it the Blackberry River rushing wildly to embrace the sea like a long lost love.

      Feeling self-conscious, Cassie glanced below—and promptly wished she hadn’t. Her stomach rose into her throat,