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MORGAN'S HUNTER
Bodyguards of L.A. County #1
Cate Beauman
biologist, leads a charmed life until everything changes with a phone call. Her
research team has been found dead—slaughtered—in backcountry Montana.
As the case grows cold, Morgan is
determined to unravel the mystery behind her friends’ gruesome deaths. Despite
the dangers of a murderer still free, nothing will stand in her way, not even
the bodyguard her father hires, L.A.’s top close protection agent, Hunter
Phillips.
determined to unravel the mystery behind her friends’ gruesome deaths. Despite
the dangers of a murderer still free, nothing will stand in her way, not even
the bodyguard her father hires, L.A.’s top close protection agent, Hunter
Phillips.
Sparks fly from the start when
no-nonsense Hunter clashes with Morgan’s strong-willed independence. Their
endless search for answers proves hopeless—until Hunter discovers the truth.
no-nonsense Hunter clashes with Morgan’s strong-willed independence. Their
endless search for answers proves hopeless—until Hunter discovers the truth.
On the run and at the mercy of a
madman, Morgan and Hunter must outsmart a killer to save their own lives.
madman, Morgan and Hunter must outsmart a killer to save their own lives.
Chapter One
September 24, 2010
Sarah
Johnson turned the key and opened her front
door. She crossed the
threshold, breathing in the familiar scent of fresh-cut flowers and the hint of
low tide blowing in from the Pacific. “It’s so nice to be home. Welcome home,
sweet baby girl.” She stared at her sleeping newborn and smiled, brushing her lips
over the soft skin of her baby’s forehead.
“Look
out, coming through,” Ethan Cooke said, loaded down with balloons and vases
overflowing with cheerful blooms. “I had no idea bringing a baby home from the
hospital required movers.”
Sarah
stepped aside, chuckling. “I know. Kylee has quite a fan club already. Let me
help you with some of this stuff.”
“I’ve
got it. You gave birth yesterday, for God’s sake. The nurse told you to take it
easy.” He set the vase on the entryway table and released the balloons to the
ceiling as he dropped the diaper bag from his shoulder to the floor. “Besides,
Jake would kick my ass if he knew you were hauling things in.”
Sarah’s
smile widened as she thought of her husband. “Yes, you’re probably right, but I
also know he would be grateful you were able to help me out. My mother wasn’t
expecting to run her shop today. Dana called in sick, so that was that.”
Ethan
moved closer to her side, staring at the baby. “I’m happy you called. I wanted
to come visit you ladies again last night, but things got a little crazy while
I was on duty.” He brushed a finger down Kylee’s tiny nose. “She really is
beautiful, Sarah. She looks just like you.”
Sarah’s
blue eyes twinkled. “Thank you, but I definitely see some of Jake in her too.”
She wrapped her free arm around Ethan’s waist and rested her head against his
shoulder as he returned her embrace. “I’m so happy right now, Ethan, so
absolutely happy. Twenty-nine more days and my family will be whole again. I
can’t wait to hug Jake and watch his face when he holds her for the first time.
I could tell he wanted to crawl through the screen yesterday and touch her tiny
fingers and toes.” She looked down at Kylee. “No more deployments for your
daddy. He’ll be all ours.”
“He’ll
be mine too.” Ethan grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. “I’ve been waiting just as
eagerly for Jake’s return. It took me two years to convince him to join my
firm. Now I need to get Hunter on board, and the crew will be together again.”
“Getting
yourselves into as much trouble as ever I’m sure. You’ll have to wait a little
longer for your new security expert. He’s not leaving my side for at least a
week.”
“I
think I can live with that.” He kissed her forehead and started toward the
door. “Let me get the rest of the stuff from the truck. Then I’ll set up Jake’s
surprise.”
“I
can’t wait for him to see it. I’ve nixed the big-screen TV idea for so long,
I’m pretty sure he’s stopped hoping for one.”
“It’s
a beauty, all right. He’ll love it. I’ll have everything hooked up in no time.”
He gave her a gentle squeeze and headed for the door.
“Great.”
Brimming with joy, Sarah kissed her daughter again and took the baby to the
nursery she’d painstakingly painted on her own. The pale yellow stripes looked
wonderful with the touches of pink scattered about the room. Sitting in the
rocker, she put Kylee to her breast and listened to the door open and slam shut
as Ethan brought their items in from his Range Rover. Minutes later, she smiled
when she heard him rummaging through the cupboards in the kitchen. If Ethan was
anything, it was always hungry.
Kylee’s
mouth went slack as she fell back to sleep.
Sarah
fastened her nursing bra and fixed her shirt. She settled Kylee against her
shoulder and walked out to the kitchen while she rubbed her daughter’s back,
burping her.
Ethan
stood in front of the open refrigerator, mumbling his excitement about her
stocked shelves. He glanced up, grinning, and she itched for her camera. “Hey,
I’m going to make myself a sandwich before I get started on the TV. Want one?”
“No,
thanks. Do you want me to make it for you?”
“Nah,
you don’t have to do that.”
“Why
don’t you let me because I have another favor to ask of you.” She smiled. “The
least I can do is make you something to eat.”
He
went to the pantry, grabbing a loaf of bread. “Why don’t you tell me what you
need?” He pulled open a cupboard and took out a plate.
“A
shower.” She smiled again, nibbling her lip.
His
eyes zeroed in on Kylee, and he took a step back. “Geez, I don’t know, Sarah.
I’ve never held a baby before. What if I drop her?”
A
laugh bubbled in her throat at the sheer horror in his eyes. Even after he’d
helped her through hours of labor, watched her deliver Kylee, and cut the cord
in Jake’s honor, he’d refused to hold her.
“You’re
not going to drop her,” she said, walking to where he stood. “Fold your arm
like this.” She held out her arm, bending at the elbow.
He
cleared his throat, following her lead, and she placed Kylee in the crook of
his rigid arm. Kylee squirmed, and he grabbed Sarah’s hand. “She’s moving,
she’s moving. She’s going to fall. Shit, Sarah, I really think this is a bad
idea.”
“I
think it’s a great idea. Trust me on this one.” She adjusted the baby slightly,
moving his arm closer to his body, making sure his hand held Kylee under her diapered
bottom. She backed away from them, grinning at the discomfort and mild panic
all over Ethan’s face. “You’re a natural. Look at you two. I need my camera.”
He
groaned as she moved to the pile of bags outside the kitchen door and grabbed
her case, pulling her Nikon D3 from the bag. She held up the camera and looked
through the lens, focusing on Ethan’s arresting face for a test shot. Sharp
cheekbones and straight black eyebrows accentuated his long, thick eyelashes
and bold gray eyes. She zoomed in on the clear gray pools surrounded by dark,
smoky rings and pressed the shutter closed in rapid succession. His firm, full
lips and muscular torso showcased a man perfectly comfortable with his
masculinity. She tightened her focus on his big hand holding Kylee’s little
body and clicked away again, moving in closer, getting lost in her passion for
pictures.
“Sarah,
do you want that shower or not?”
She
pulled the camera back, focusing on Ethan’s raised brow and lips pressed firm
in annoyance. “Sorry. I got a little carried away. You two make excellent
subjects. The camera loves your face.”
“So
you’ve told me—more times than I can count.”
She
placed the Nikon back in the bag and zipped it closed. “You’re doing a great
job with her.”
He
glanced down at Kylee. “I guess this is okay.”
“See?
I’ll be quick. She just ate so she should sleep. Here’s the burp cloth just in
case she spits up.” She draped the cotton towel over Ethan’s shoulder and
turned to leave.
“Wait.”
She
stopped, turning back.
“Um.”
He took a step toward her and stopped. “What if—what if she starts to cry?”
Amused
by his distress, she couldn’t help but smile. The man standing before her dealt
with the scum of the earth every day, yet a seven-pound infant brought him to
his knees. “Just jiggle your arm a little bit. She’ll fall right back to
sleep.” She turned and walked toward the bathroom, calling over her shoulder,
“Oh, and relax. Babies feel tension.”
BUY NOW
FALLING FOR SARAH
Bodyguards of L.A. County #2
Cate Beauman
Widow Sarah Johnson struggled to
pick up the pieces after her life was ripped apart. After two years of
grieving, she's found contentment in her thriving business as photographer to
Hollywood's A-list and in raising her angel-faced daughter, Kylee... until
bodyguard and long-time friend Ethan Cooke changes everything with a searing
moonlight kiss.
pick up the pieces after her life was ripped apart. After two years of
grieving, she's found contentment in her thriving business as photographer to
Hollywood's A-list and in raising her angel-faced daughter, Kylee... until
bodyguard and long-time friend Ethan Cooke changes everything with a searing
moonlight kiss.
Sarah's world turns upside down as
she struggles with her unexpected attraction to Ethan and the guilt of
betraying her husband's memory. But when blue roses and disturbing notes start
appearing on her doorstep, she has no choice but to lean on Ethan as he fights
to save her from a stalker that won't stop until he has what he prizes most.
she struggles with her unexpected attraction to Ethan and the guilt of
betraying her husband's memory. But when blue roses and disturbing notes start
appearing on her doorstep, she has no choice but to lean on Ethan as he fights
to save her from a stalker that won't stop until he has what he prizes most.
ONLY $0.99
International
bestselling author Cate Beauman is known for her full-length,
action-packed romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Her
novels have been nominated for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction
Award, National Indie Excellence Award, Golden Quill Award, Writers Touch
Award, and have been named Readers Favorite Five Star books. In 2015, JUSTICE
FOR ABBY was selected as the Readers' Favorite International Book Award Gold
Medalist, while SAVING SOPHIE took the Silver Medal. SAVING SOPHIE was also
selected as the 2015 Readers Crown Award winner for Romantic Suspense and
FALLING FOR SARAH received the silver medal for the 2014 Readers' Favorite
Awards.
bestselling author Cate Beauman is known for her full-length,
action-packed romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Her
novels have been nominated for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction
Award, National Indie Excellence Award, Golden Quill Award, Writers Touch
Award, and have been named Readers Favorite Five Star books. In 2015, JUSTICE
FOR ABBY was selected as the Readers' Favorite International Book Award Gold
Medalist, while SAVING SOPHIE took the Silver Medal. SAVING SOPHIE was also
selected as the 2015 Readers Crown Award winner for Romantic Suspense and
FALLING FOR SARAH received the silver medal for the 2014 Readers' Favorite
Awards.
Cate
makes her home in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St.
Bernards, Bear and Jack. Currently Cate is working on Deceiving Bella, the
eleventh novel in her popular bodyguards series.
makes her home in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St.
Bernards, Bear and Jack. Currently Cate is working on Deceiving Bella, the
eleventh novel in her popular bodyguards series.
For
information on Cate's new releases, monthly giveaways, and upcoming events,
sign up for her newsletter at: http://www.catebeauman.com/author/home.html#!newsletter-sign-up/c9td
information on Cate's new releases, monthly giveaways, and upcoming events,
sign up for her newsletter at: http://www.catebeauman.com/author/home.html#!newsletter-sign-up/c9td
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