A Time To Protect. Lois Richer

      

      “You were warned,” he whispered, his voice carrying clearly to Chloe.

      He slid a hypodermic needle out of his pocket and inserted it into the mayor’s IV line, his thumb pushing whatever was in the cylinder into the life-giving fluids.

      Chloe realized she’d have to handle this herself and hoped the guard would show up soon. “Hey!” She dashed into the room, knocked the needle away, then hit the IV pump switch marked Off, at the same time thrusting her leg out and hitting the intruder with a dropkick. The blow seemed to glance off as the attacker rose in one lithe movement.

      “What did you put in there?”

      He swung at her, aiming the needle. “Why don’t you try it and see?”

      FAITH AT THE CROSSROADS: Can faith and love sustain two families against a diabolical enemy?

      A TIME TO PROTECT–Lois Richer (LIS#13)

      THE DANGER WITHIN–Valerie Hansen (LIS#15)

      THROUGH THE FIRE–Sharon Mignerey (LIS#17)

      IN THE ENEMY’S SIGHTS–Marta Perry (LIS#19)

      STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL–Terri Reed (LIS#21)

      HEARTS ON THE LINE–Margaret Daley (LIS#23)

      LOIS RICHER

      Sneaking a flashlight under the blankets, hiding in a thicket of Caragana bushes where no one could see, pushing books into socks to take to camp—those are just some of the things Lois Richer freely admits to in her pursuit of the written word.

      “I’m a bookaholic. I can’t do without stories,” she confesses. “It’s always been that way.”

      Her love of language evolved into writing her own stories. Today her passion is to create tales of personal struggle that lead to triumph over life’s rocky road. For Lois, a happy ending is essential.

      “In my stories, as in my own life, God has a way of making all things beautiful. Writing a love story is my way of reinforcing my faith in His ultimate goodness toward us—His precious children.”

      A Time to Protect

      Lois Richer

      MILLS & BOON

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      Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Lois Richer for her contribution to the FAITH AT THE CROSSROADS series.

      I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go: I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

      —Psalms 32:8

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Brendan Montgomery—The FBI agent was assigned to protect nurse Chloe Tanner from the would-be assassin who’d already made one attempt on the mayor’s life. But protecting his heart from the single mom and her charming kids is his toughest mission yet….

      Chloe Tanner—Nothing was more important to this single mom than her kids’ safety, so having the FBI move into the living room was a necessary precaution. But while Brendan’s presence eased their fears, he put Chloe’s senses on high alert….

      Maxwell Vance—The mayor of Colorado Springs. Was he shot because of his strong anti-drug stance, or was there something more sinister going on in his city?

      Alessandro Donato—Max’s nephew-by-marriage, Alessandro received a call about the mayor’s shooting moments before it was announced on television…but why was an accountant for the European Union notified before the immediate family?

      Dear Reader,

      Welcome back to Colorado Springs, the town of the fictional Vance and Montgomery families. A Time To Protect is a story of faith. FBI agent Brendan Montgomery is assigned to protect nurse Chloe Tanner against a faceless attacker determined to kill her. Brendan’s faith in God is something Chloe admires, but as she struggles to understand God’s love, she also has to learn how to trust again.

      As you read about Chloe’s struggle to regain her faith in God and people, I hope you’ll be challenged to test your own faith, to press deeper into the love God has for you. I wish you much joy, a double portion of love and the peace that comes from knowing God’s perfect love is always there, always waiting to comfort you.

      Blessings,

      Contents

      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

      Prologue

      Brendan Montgomery switched his beeper to vibrate and slid it back inside his shirt pocket. Nothing was going to spoil Manuel DeSantis Vance’s first birthday party—and this large Vance and Montgomery gathering—if he could help it.

      Peter Vance’s puffed-out chest needed little explanation. He was as formidable as any father proudly displaying his beloved child. Peter’s wife, Emily, waited on Manuel’s other side, posing for the numerous photographs Yvette Duncan insisted posterity demanded. Posterity was greedy.

      Judging by the angle of her camera, Brendan had a hunch Yvette’s lens side-tracked from the birthday boy’s parents to the cake she’d made Manuel. Who could blame her? That intricate train affair must have required hours to create and assemble. By the size of his dark brown eyes, little Manuel obviously appreciated her efforts.

      “Make sure you don’t chop off their heads this time, Yvette.”

      Former mayor Frank Montgomery had opinions on everything in Colorado Springs. Fancying himself Yvette’s mentor, he’d never been shy about offering her his opinion, especially on all aspects of picture-taking. But since Yvette’s camera happened to be the latest in digital technology and Frank had never owned one, Brendan figured most of his uncle’s free advice was superfluous and probably useless. Still, he wouldn’t be the one to tell him so.

      “Don’t tell me what to do, Frank,” Yvette ordered, adjusting the camera. “Just put your arm around your wife. Liza, can you get him to smile?”

      After so many years of marriage, Liza knew exactly how