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After barely escaping an attempted abduction, Houston attorney Riley Hudson is forced to accept her wealthy father’s demand for private security. The last thing she wants is a bodyguard—especially one as maddeningly arrogant, bossy … and handsome as Colton Blankenship. Yet as the threat against her escalates, she begins to rely not only on his skills, but his steadfast presence.

Colton isn’t thrilled about giving up his hard-earned holiday vacation to protect a spoiled heiress. But he soon learns Riley is nothing like he expected. Fierce, independent, and unwavering in her faith, she’s everything he thought he’d left behind after tragedy shattered his own beliefs. As the unknown threat circles closer, the tension between them ignites into something deeper … and far more perilous.

When a second attempt on Riley’s life nearly succeeds, Colton faces a terrifying truth. Protecting her means risking more than just his life. Haunted by a past he can’t outrun, and a faith he’s all but lost, he must decide if he can trust God again … before he loses Riley—and his heart—for good.

So far, it was as awful as she’d imagined it would be.

While her parents’ driver from Petersen sat at the back of the church, her shadows, as she’d taken to calling them, had stationed themselves at various points around the sanctuary. And if that weren’t embarrassing enough, Mr. Blankenship walked her all the way in, his head swiveling as if someone might spring out of their seat at any second and carry her away.

She put her hand to her forehead. She understood they were doing their job. She just hated being the job.

She opened her eyes and found Mr. Blankenship standing in the aisle between the wall and the pew, his eyes panning back and forth across the congregation. 

“Aren’t you going to sit?” she asked in a stage whisper.

He glanced at her and resumed his scan. “Not standard protocol.”

“I don’t care. You’re embarrassing me to death. Sit down.”

With a frown, he gave her another glance but continued to stand there, like one of those motionless guards at Buckingham Palace. She smiled a little inside, picturing him with one of those oversized bearskin hats on his head.

“Do you seriously think anybody would try something with you right next to me? Please. Can you sit?”

With a sigh, he finally moved into the pew next to her.

“Much better. You almost look normal.” As normal as he could with the obvious earpiece and his ever-watchful, cold-as-ice glower.

The corner of his mouth hitched upward ever so slightly.

Maybe there was some thaw under there, after all.

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Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.