Martha Shields - The Lawman

Where Texas society reigns supremeand appearances are everything.

A hostage crisis wreaks havoc at Mission Creek Memorial Hospital.

Jake White: This unrelenting cops mission is to bring down those who commit senseless crimes. So when hes called to Mission Creek Memorial Hospital, he has every intention of putting the maniacal perpetrator behind bars. But locking lips with a beautiful hospital administrator wasnt part of the plan.

Tabitha Monroe: Working side by side with gruffly gorgeous Jake White during this hospital crisis was sweet torture! Personal experience cautioned her that getting involved with a cop was a one-way ticket to heartbreak. But as the dangerand their sizzling attractionintensified, could she resist the potent allure of this mesmerizing lawman?

Branson Hines: This psychopath is at large with two innocent victims. How far will he go if his ransom demands arent met?

Caitlyn Matthews and Sam Walters: Will these hostages cave in to their mutual desire during a life-and-death ordeal?

T abitha Monroe knew the instant Assistant Chief of Police Jake White arrived.

The tension filling the air changed so suddenly, so drastically, it was as if a hot South Texas wind had blown in from across the Rio Grande fifty miles to the west.

The police officials flanking her on the daisfrom Mission Creeks well-staffed but hostage-inexperienced forcerelaxed noticeably. Theyd called Assistant Chief White in from his vacation and had been trying to put the press conference off until his return. But the media, which had been gathering from all over Texas throughout the night before, had been clamoring for information.

The transformed air held more than relief, however. On top of the fear, concern and desperation, inherent in a discussion of an armed madman disappearing with hostages, floated an element of excitement, of restlessness that seemed almostsexual.

Taken aback by the thought so inappropriate to the situation at handand so foreign to her personallyTabitha hesitated in the middle of answering a question and scanned the crowd of reporters. Theyd come, it seemed, from every news agency around the country since news had leaked of yesterdays unusual hostage situation and kidnapping at Mission Creek Memorial Hospital. Her hospital.

Though shed never met Jake White and had no idea what he looked like, she knew him the instant her gaze locked on to light-colored eyes framed with dark lashes.

Steady, strong, assessing, his gaze bored into hers and, for an instant, the rest of the room disappeared.

A delicious shiver ruffled the hairs on Tabithas skin, which became flushed with blood shot from a heart that suddenly beat as if her morning coffee had been laced with speed.

Now she knew where the sexual energy was coming from. It was as if Jake telegraphed desire across invisible wires stretching over the heads of the crowd.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Police Chief Burl Terry motion to his second-in-command to come forward.

Miss Monroe?

The reporters voice barely penetrated Tabithas frozen stupor.

What was wrong with her? Jake White was a cop. Shed never had a sexual thought about a cop in her life. She wasnt about to start now.

Tabitha tore her gaze from the cop at the back of the room, but not before she saw him give a small not now wave to the chief.

Theyd called him in to take command, hadnt they? What was he waiting for? For her to screw up?

You cant do anything right.

She could hear her fathers voice as clearly as if he were in the room, rather than under six feet of Texas soil, the bullet that had killed him still lodged in his heart.

Miss Monroe?

With an effort, Tabitha focused on the crowd of reporters and for an alarming instant couldnt remember the question shed been answering or even the reporter whod asked it. Yes?

One young man in front helped her out by saying, You were about to tell us what precautions the hospital was making to keep Branson Hines out.

Thank you. Yes. Tabitha took a deep breath. Mission Creek Police Chief Burl Terry has assured me that all entrances are sealed. Everyone will be searched when they enter the hospital, just as each of you were.

Is that going to be enough? asked another reporter, a woman from a national news agency. Werent Mission Creek police guarding the hospital against Mr. Hines yesterday? And if Im not mistaken, he escaped from the police about a month ago after almost kidnapping the son of your hospital fund-raiser she looked down at her notes Crystal Bennett.

Tabitha glanced at Jake White, who watched her intently, then at Chief Terry, who did not look pleased at having the quality of his men questioned.