Missing (Everyday Heroes Book 6)

by Margaret Daley

  Their gazes locked together, and he slowly leaned his head down until his mouth brushed across hers before deepening the contact. She poured all her emotions into the kiss as though she’d finally found a home where she belonged.

  When he pulled back a couple of inches, he whispered, “I love you. I began falling in love the first week you were at the center. It took a tragedy to realize how much. For months, I tried to dismiss my feelings.”

  She moved her hand to the back of his head and urged it down until his lips were less than an inch from hers. “I like that we became friends first. That’s a great foundation for a deeper relationship.” Then she stood on her tiptoes to wipe away any separation between them.

  Her kiss intensified as the seconds ticked away. In that moment, she knew the best was yet to come, and she looked forward to a future with Brody. “I love you.”

  The sound of Brody’s cell phone ringing took both of them by surprise. They pulled apart while he fished for his phone in his pocket. “It’s Nick,” he said as he answered the call.

  Emma left him to check on the children and make sure Nate was settled in the room with Danny while Brody talked to the detective. All four kids were in the girls’ bedroom while Beth let them take turns holding Fluffy. The dog loved the affection.

  She watched from the doorway, smiling until she glanced at her watch and realized how late it was. “I hate to break this up, but tomorrow is a school day. That will include you too, Nate. I’ll be going with all of you to enroll in school. Getting into a routine will help all of you. I’ll be back in half an hour to say good night.”

  She headed to the kitchen to see if Nick had any good news. When she entered, Brody had a kettle on for tea, which was something she liked to drink in the evening. “What did Nick say?”

  “One of the thugs arrested today made a deal with the state police and the office of the Oklahoma Attorney General.”

  “Why the state AG?”

  “Because this county’s AG, Zachery Brown, is the one behind the murder of Officer Winters and the attempted murder of Bobby Joe’s uncle, not to mention running the child trafficking ring. He’s being brought in as we speak. No doubt he knew that the Greenes were on vacation since he lived across the street. He also had connections in the police and could have learned where Bobby Joe was being stashed.”

  Emma exhaled a slow breath as she crossed the room to Brody. “Finally, answers. Thank You, God.”

  “Amen.”

  They came together and kissed as though they were the only two in the house—until Emma heard a giggle from the doorway. She looked over her shoulder and spied Beth holding Fluffy.

  The little girl, dressed in her heavy new coat, grinned from ear to ear. “I’ve got to take Fluffy outside.”

  “I’ll go with you.” Brody crossed to the back door, opened it, and waited for Beth to go out first. He turned toward Emma and winked. “Be back in a minute.”

  She fixed a cup of tea and went to the window to watch the two. Brody took Beth’s hand while they followed Fluffy into the yard.

  He’ll be a good father.

  Epilogue

  Valentine’s Day, weeks later

  Emma sat next to Brody at Nick and Sarah’s wedding reception in the large hall at their church. The children at the affair were all playing together across the room where there were tables for them to sit. Anna and Candy had befriended Beth as she, Terri, Danny, and Nate had come to Nick’s ranch each weekend to help with the abandoned animals. The three oldest siblings were participating in the Pals Center. Emma loved having Terri in her Tuesday and Thursday evening talk sessions. Piper returned to the group along with Maria, but Emma also saw each one during the week.

  Emma switched her attention from the happy couple making the rounds of the other guests to Brody. “Considering what happened in January, I see hope for the ones that were affected by the child trafficking ring. Getting justice for the ones behind it has help a lot, but it’ll take time to recover. Some will never be able to totally let it go.”

  He covered her hand with his. “How’s it going for Piper living with Amber and her family?”

  “Good. They had been working toward moving from the Harrison Apartments. Amber’s dad got a promotion, and the family will be leaving the projects by the end of February. Piper will have a bedroom to herself. She’s excited about that.”

  “How’s she doing knowing that her ex-boyfriend’s father was the head of the ring in this area?”

  Emma smiled. “I think better than I am. She’s reached out to Kurt. The kids at school have been giving him a hard time. She stepped in and told them to leave him alone. But I don’t think the family will stay here after the trial. In fact, I won’t be surprise if they move in the next month. It has to be hard on the DA’s two children.”

  Brody lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “I love you. Will you marry me?”

  Emma started to reply when Sarah interrupted.

  “I’m tossing my bouquet to the single women here. You’re one of them. Come on.” Sarah tugged her up and headed across the room with Emma in toll.

  She laughed. “Slow down. I know you’re eager to start your honeymoon, but—”

  Emma was left with ten other women around her while Sarah walked away a few yards, paused, and threw the bouquet over her shoulder. While the other single women stepped back, the flowers, like a missile, came right at Emma. She quickly clutched it and held it up.

  The first person she saw standing in front of her with a grin on his face was Brody. He knelt. “Will you marry me?”

  “Yes!”

  “Brody and Emma are engaged!” Sarah shouted to the whole room.

  Books in the

  EVERYDAY HEROES Series

  HUNTED

  Book One

  Murder. On the Run. Second Chances.

  Luke Michaels' relaxing camping trip ends when he witnesses a woman being thrown from a bridge. He dives into the river to save her, shocked to find her wrapped in chains. As a canine search and rescue volunteer, Luke has assisted many victims, but never a beauty whose defeated gaze ignites his primal urge to protect. When Megan Witherspoon’s killers make it clear they won't stop, Luke fights to save her, but can he keep her alive long enough to find out who is after her?

  OBSESSED

  Book Two

  Stalker. Arson. Murder.

  When a stalker ruthlessly targets people she loves, a woman flees her old life, creating a new identity as Serena Remington. Her plan to escape the madman and lead him away from family and friends worked for three years. Now he's back. With nowhere else to run, her only choice is war. Quinn Taylor, her neighbor and a firefighter with expertise in arson, comes to her aid, but will it be in time to save her?

  TRAPPED

  Book Three

  Second Chances. Cornered. Murder.

  Sadie Williams receives a cryptic and terrifying call from her scared sister. But when Sadie arrives at her identical twin’s home, there's no sign of Katie, only evidence of a quick flight. The puzzling situation turns potentially deadly when intruders storm the house. With help from Brock Carrington, her ex-fiancé and an ex-Marine, Sadie narrowly escapes.

  Brock is an injured veteran dealing with PTSD. He's finally piecing his life back together when his ex-fiancée needs his help. Can Brock reignite their relationship and find her missing twin before they're both killed?

  KIDNAPPED

  Book Four

  Abduction. Death. Second chances.

  When Beth Sherman interrupts a break-in at her house, her life changes drastically. When K9 police officer, Colby Parker, returns to his hometown after years of staying away, he finally must face his feelings concerning the murder of his fiancée.

  Circumstances throw Beth and Colby together when a person leaves bombs in different public places around Cimarron City. They both have given up on love, but caught up in the dangerous situation, the pair find themselves falling in love. But can it last, especially whe
n Beth is kidnapped?

  STOLEN

  Book Five

  Second Chances. Stalking. Murder.

  Dr. Sarah Collins, a counselor and single mom, is shaken to her core when one of her patients is murdered. While caring for the victim’s young daughter and the crime’s sole witness, Candy, Sarah’s normally calm life becomes a nightmare from which she can’t escape. Her terror further escalates when it becomes clear that whoever stabbed Candy’s mother is still searching for something.

  Detective Nick Davidson is assigned to the case. When his best friend as a child was kidnapped and never found, Nick was determined to become a police officer. His job comes first in his life, but the mysterious murder challenges him. Even worse, his growing attachment to Sarah and the girls threaten to unravel the core of who he’s always believed himself to be. How can he be a husband, father, and cop? Especially when if he lowers his guard to love, all of their lives may be lost.

  MISSING

  Book Six

  Kidnapping. Evil. Redemption.

  When two young girls go missing, Dr. Emma Reichs, a child psychologist who worked with the two teens, turns to Brody Taylor, an ex-Green Beret, who founded the Pals Center, a safe haven for kids, to help her find the girls. Brody along with his retired military canine, Charlie, is determined to find the people behind the kidnapping of young people in his community.

  In the midst of the search for Piper and Maria, more children are taken. Brody and Emma realize they’re fighting against a ticking bomb to find the teens before they disappear for good. Their partnership brings them closer and awakens feelings for each other, but can they stay alive long enough to end the nightmare for the kids and still have a future together?

  Books in the

  STRONG WOMEN, EXTRAORDINARY SITUATIONS Series

  DEADLY HUNT

  Book One

  All bodyguard Tess Miller wants is a vacation. But when a wounded stranger stumbles into her isolated cabin in the Arizona mountains, Tess becomes his lifeline. When Shane Burkhart opens his eyes, all he can focus on is his guardian angel leaning over him. And in the days to come he will need a guardian angel while being hunted by someone who wants him dead.

  DEADLY INTENT

  Book Two

  Texas Ranger Sarah Osborn thought she would never see her high school sweetheart, Ian O'Leary, again. But fifteen years later, Ian, an ex-FBI agent, has someone targeting him, and she's assigned to the case. Can Sarah protect Ian and her heart?

  DEADLY HOLIDAY

  Book Three

  Tory Caldwell witnesses a hit-and-run, but when the dead victim disappears from the scene, police doubt a crime has been committed. Tory is threatened when she keeps insisting she saw a man killed and the only one who believes her is her neighbor, Jordan Steele. Together, can they solve the mystery of the disappearing body and stay alive?

  DEADLY COUNTDOWN

  Book Four

  Allie Martin, a widow, has a secret protector who manipulates her life without anyone knowing until…

  When Remy Broussard, an injured police officer, returns to Port David, Louisiana to visit before his medical leave is over, he discovers his childhood friend, Allie Martin, is being stalked. As Remy protects Allie and tries to find her stalker, they realize their feelings go beyond friendship.

  When the stalker is found, they begin to explore the deeper feelings they have for each other, only to have a more sinister threat come between them. Will Allie be able to save Remy before he dies at the hand of a maniac?

  DEADLY NOEL

  Book Five

  Assistant DA, Kira Davis, convicted the wrong man—Gabriel Michaels, a single dad with a young daughter. When new evidence was brought forth, his conviction was overturned, and Gabriel returned home to his ranch to put his life back together. Although Gabriel is free, the murderer of his wife is still out there and resumes killing women. In a desperate alliance, Kira and Gabriel join forces to find the true identity of the person terrorizing their town. Will they be able to forgive the past and find the killer before it’s too late?

  DEADLY DOSE

  Book Six

  Drugs. Murder. Redemption.

  When Jessie Michaels discovers a letter written to her by her deceased best friend, she is determined to find who murdered Mary Lou, at first thought to be a victim of a serial killer by the police. Jessie’s questions lead to an attempt on her life. The last man she wanted to come to her aid was Josh Morgan, who had been instrumental in her brother going to prison. Together they uncover a drug ring that puts them both in danger. Will Jessie and Josh find the killer? Love? Or will one of them fall victim to a DEADLY DOSE?

  DEADLY LEGACY

  Book Seven

  Legacy of Secrets. Threats and Danger. Second Chances.

  Down on her luck, single mom, Lacey St. John, believes her life has finally changed for the better when she receives an inheritance from a wealthy stranger. Her ancestral home she'd thought forever lost has been transformed into a lucrative bed and breakfast guaranteed to bring much-needed financial security. Her happiness is complete until strange happenings erode her sense of well being. When her life is threatened, she turns to neighbor, Sheriff Ryan McNeil, for help. He promises to solve the mystery of who's ruining her newfound peace of mind, but when her troubles escalate to the point that her every move leads to danger, she's unsure who to trust. Is the strong, capable neighbor she's falling for as amazing as he seems? Or could he be the man who wants her dead?

  DEADLY NIGHT, SILENT NIGHT

  Book Eight

  Revenge. Sabotage. Second Chances.

  Widow Rebecca Howard runs a successful store chain that is being targeted during the holiday season. Detective Alex Kincaid, best friends with Rebecca’s twin brother, is investigating the hacking of the store’s computer system. When the attacks become personal, Alex must find the assailant before Rebecca, the woman he’s falling in love with, is murdered.

  DEADLY FIRES

  Book Nine

  Second Chances. Revenge. Arson.

  A saboteur targets Alexia Richards and her family company. As the incidents become more lethal, Alexia must depend on a former Delta Force soldier, Cole Knight, a man from her past that she loved. When their son died in a fire, their grief and anger drove them apart. Can Alexia and Cole work through their pain and join forces to find the person who wants her dead?

  DEADLY SECRETS

  Book Ten

  Secrets. Murder. Reunion.

  Sarah St. John, an FBI profiler, finally returns home after fifteen years for her niece’s wedding. But in less than a day, Sarah’s world is shattered when her niece is kidnapped the night before her vows. Sarah can’t shake the feeling her own highly personal reason for leaving Hunter Davis at the altar is now playing out again in this nightmarish scene with her niece.

  Sarah has to work with Detective Hunter Davis, her ex-fiancé, to find her niece before the young woman becomes the latest victim of a serial killer. Sarah must relive part of her past in order to assure there is a future for her niece and herself. Can Sarah and Hunter overcome their painful past and work together before the killer strikes again?

  About the Author

  Margaret Daley

  Margaret Daley, a USA Today Bestselling author of over 105 books (five million plus sold worldwide), has been married for over forty-seven years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling or being with her two granddaughters, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense/mystery thread and corralling her cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at www.margaretdaley.com.

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  Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/238174.Margaret_Daley

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  ng (Everyday Heroes Book 6)