Page 74 of Last Chance Christmas
Rescued Hope
Laura Conaway
She doesn’t need her heart broken again. But he might just be the one to heal it…
K-9 Officer Cole Stuart has two missions: catch killer Blair Mackey and convince EMT Kianna Russell to give him a chance. Two years of hunting a monster, months of gentle pursuit—both seem impossible until one violent winter storm changes everything.
EMT Kianna Russell keeps her heart locked away for good reason. She's already lost one person she cared about to Mackey's violence—her foster student Jaxon—and been betrayed by a man she trusted. When Mackey escapes, she can't stay on the sidelines, even if it means partnering with the devastatingly attractive K-9 officer who sees through every wall she's built.
Trapped together in a deadly manhunt, their carefully guarded hearts are about to be tested.
As blizzard conditions turn their hunt into a fight for survival, they discover they're walking into a trap years in the making. Mackey has an accomplice with inside access, and suddenly they're not the hunters—they're the prey.
With a traitor in their midst and innocent lives at stake, survival depends on complete trust.
Racing through treacherous mountains against time, Cole must prove his love is worth the risk while Kianna faces her deepest fear—trusting a man who could shatter her heart. Because when their enemies close in, only faith will keep them alive.
Will their love survive the storm... or will they lose everything before they've begun?
To my Lord and Savior who came into the world to provide the best Christmas miracle and is the true Light and Hope. Soli Deo Gloria.
“In his name the nations will put their hope.”
Matthew 12:21 (NIV)
One
There was no going back to the good ole days for Cole Stuart. But that didn’t have to be true for the rest of Last Chance County—so long as he caught the escaped convict.
Detaining Blair Mackey would be the best gift this holiday season, but it would require a Christmas miracle. The job was proving to be the quest of the year—follow the shining star to the culprit, except Mackey’s location continued to shift.
“Ice and snow won’t stop us, right, Titan?” His breath puffed in front of him thanks to the early-morning temps hovering at twenty degrees Fahrenheit. Cole opened the back door of his cruiser, and his K-9 partner barreled out. He unhooked the German shepherd’s leash, and the dog stared up at him with his brown eyes.
Cole zipped up his police jacket, then donned his winter gloves. This time of year made him grateful for the layers to his uniform that held the heat inside. The last thing he could afford right now was frostbite. Anything that would delay being out in the field to find Mackey. A mix of rain and snow flurries pelted his face, and he kept his gaze downwind. He pulled up his hood and lowered his sunglasses to block out the sun’s glare.
“Just got to the east side of Crest Forest. Cole, what’s your status?” Officer Anthony Thomas’s voice crackled in Cole’s in-ear piece.
“Titan and I are on the west side. We’re taking the Midpoint Trail in.” Cole clapped his hands and started walking, Titan right on his heel.
“I want Mackey caught yesterday. We’ve got two of the convicts back behind bars. The sooner Mackey’s apprehended, the sooner everyone can get on with their Christmas plans.”
Cole coughed to keep a laugh from escaping. Thomas’s sarcastic tone reminded Cole he wasn’t the only one who didn’t exactly enjoy the holidays. Cole wanted Mackey found too, and if he had to work through Christmas or miss their staff Christmas party, he wouldn’t complain. That would be a bonus miracle to the season. It would give Cole a legitimate reason not to attend any festive gatherings, instead of having to come up with another lame excuse.
Before Cole could respond, Ramble’s voice cut in. “And I don’t want to be sitting out on the action.”
“You’re doing one of the best jobs, manning the tip line at the station.” Cole smirked and held back a chuckle.
“Says the one who’s front and center with the action.” Ramble huffed.
“What did the doctor say?” Thomas asked.
“More like Nurse Ainsley at this point. Said I need to take it easy, especially in this storm. But I only have another week left in the arm sling, and it’s already much better.”
Cole could picture Ramble pulling his arm out of the restraint to prove his point. “Ainsley’s doing what any good girlfriend would do. Don’t give her a heart attack and make her think you’ll get hurt again.”
“Someone’s getting sentimental around the holidays.” Ramble paused. “I’ll let you know if any other tips come in.”
Cole almost interjected with I know what it’s like to lose someone around the holidays. Once again, he held back and didn’t vocalize the thought. Now wasn’t the time to walk down memory lane. If he wanted to keep people safe from a killer’s snare and make sure they had a blissful Christmas season, he needed to do his job.
