Colton's Christmas Cop Read online

  A rookie cop’s mistletoe mission

  A Coltons of Red Ridge romance

  Layla Colton would do anything for her family’s company—even marry a man she doesn’t love. But when she’s framed for a crime she didn’t commit, Layla has more to worry about than wedding bells. Officer Hunter Black and his K-9 companion are on the case. Can they rescue Layla from the deadly shadows threatening to engulf Red Ridge?

  “Do you have a girlfriend?” Layla asked, wincing slightly.

  Hunter tossed a kernel of popcorn at Goose, watching as she neatly caught it, before answering. “Only my dog. Why?”

  Heaven help her, but she flushed. “Just wondering.”

  Then, because she really wanted to know, she let her mouth get ahead of her common sense. “Why not? I mean, you’re an attractive man with a good job, and you own your own home.”

  He laughed. “If I didn’t know better, I’d ask you if you’re applying for the position.”

  Though she knew he was only teasing, heat suffused her. Embarrassment mingled with desire and a kind of nervous anticipation that made her go dry in the mouth.

  “Maybe I am.” She batted her eyelashes at him. Though she’d never been good at flirting, ever, something about this man and the way he teased made her feel comfortable and safe. And wanted.

  His gaze zeroed in on her mouth. He scooted closer, dislodging a disgruntled Goose. The basset jumped to the floor and headed off toward the kitchen, probably in search of water.

  “You’ve got a bit of popcorn there,” he said, his voice husky. He reached out with one finger to brush it off. Enthralled despite herself, she opened her mouth, her heart hammering in her chest.

  “Layla,” he groaned. And then he kissed her.

  * * *

  The Coltons of Red Ridge: A killer’s on the loose and love is on the line

  * * *

  If you’re on Twitter, tell us what you think of Harlequin Romantic Suspense! #harlequinromsuspense

  Dear Reader,

  I love dogs. I volunteer for a dog rescue. I’ve trained and obedience shown dogs. So imagine my delight when I got to write about a dog as amazing as Goose! My editor for this particular book had done her research, which she kindly shared with me. I had no idea dogs could be trained to detect computer storage drives! Fun and fascinating, to say the least. And give me a hero who partners with a police dog like this, and I’m in love.

  This story was so enjoyable to write. Layla Colton is a many-faceted, successful career woman, yet she’d never felt able to earn her father’s approval. And Hunter Black is her opposite in many ways. Sexy, confident and capable, he stands by her when she’s falsely accused of a crime she didn’t commit.

  Add in a serial killer, a town on edge and many obstacles to their love, and you have quite the entertaining ride, I hope you enjoy reading about Layla and Hunter’s love story—and Goose—as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  Karen Whiddon

  COLTON’S CHRISTMAS COP

  Karen Whiddon

  Karen Whiddon started weaving fanciful tales for her younger brothers at the age of eleven. Amid the gorgeous Catskill Mountains, then the majestic Rocky Mountains, she fueled her imagination with the natural beauty surrounding her. Karen now lives in north Texas, writes full-time and volunteers for a boxer dog rescue. She shares her life with her hero of a husband and four to five dogs, depending on if she is fostering. You can email Karen at [email protected]. Fans can also check out her website, karenwhiddon.com.

  Books by Karen Whiddon

  Harlequin Romantic Suspense

  The Coltons of Red Ridge

  Colton’s Christmas Cop

  The CEO’s Secret Baby

  The Cop’s Missing Child

  The Millionaire Cowboy’s Secret

  Texas Secrets, Lovers’ Lies

  The Rancher’s Return

  The Texan’s Return

  Wyoming Undercover

  The Texas Soldier’s Son

  The Coltons of Texas

  Runaway Colton

  The Coltons of Oklahoma

  The Temptation of Dr. Colton

  The Coltons: Return to Wyoming

  A Secret Colton Baby

  Visit the Author Profile page at

  Harlequin.com for more titles.

  Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010002

  To all the dedicated dog rescuers everywhere. It’s hard to see what mankind is capable of, but so rewarding to have a small part in helping an animal heal and find love again.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Excerpt from Rancher’s High-Stakes Rescue by Beth Cornelison

  Chapter 1

  Layla Colton ran the numbers one final time. No doubt about it—this sale would send Colton Energy’s stock through the roof, which would definitely help their sagging bottom line.

  It was well after midnight, and the November dark outside carried the chill of winter. Everyone else in the building had gone home hours ago, but Layla considered her office her sanctuary, while the lavish condo where she actually lived felt more like an impersonal hotel room than anything else. She only went there to sleep, shower and eat, preferring to spend as much time as possible here, in her corner office on the executive floor of her father’s company.

  Stifling a yawn, she rubbed the back of her aching neck. She needed to straighten up her desk and head home to catch a few hours’ sleep before coming back in the morning.

  As she tidied up, her private line rang, the single, long buzz that indicated an internal call. She pressed the button for Speaker, curiosity warring with impatience. “Yes?”

  “Security here, ma’am. I have a couple officers from Red Ridge Police Department asking to see you.”

  To see her? At nearly one o’clock in the morning? Had something happened to one of her cousins, many of whom worked at the RRPD as K9 officers? Layla’s stomach twisted, and she took a deep gulp of air to help her stay calm.

  “Send them up,” she ordered, careful that her cool tone betrayed none of her trepidation. She’d learned the hard way what a mistake it could be to display the tiniest bit of weakness. There would always be someone watching and waiting for the chance to take her down.

  Two uniformed officers appeared in her doorway a few minutes later. A third stood a few feet behind them. “Come in,” she said, her gaze searching first one face and then the others.

  “Layla Colton?” the taller of the two asked.

  Words failed her, so she simply nodded.

  “You’re under arrest for stalking, threatening and harassing Mark Hatton.”

  “What?” Flabbergasted, she briefly lost her tenuous grip on her refusal to be ruffled. “Have you lost your mind?” Mark Hatton worked for her, first as a junior analyst and then as a salesman. She’d regretted hiring him due to his sloppy work and questionable ethics and had begun keeping detailed documentation as a prelude to letting him go.


  “I’m afraid not, ma’am.” The second officer stepped forward with handcuffs. “We have evidence. Emails in your name, texts from your phone number making sexual advances and threatening him when he turned you down.” The disgust in his voice would have made a lesser woman cringe.

  “That’s impossible,” she began.

  “Is it?” he cut her off. “Tell it to the judge. It’s not only women who are victims, you know. You rich people always think you can get away with anything. Well, not this time.”

  A silent scream formed in the back of her throat. No. This couldn’t be happening. Not to her, not now. She’d never threatened anyone a day in her life. And as for making sexual advances to a man like Mark, even the thought made bile rise in her throat. Lies. They were all lies. “I need to call my lawyer,” she said.

  “You’ll be afforded the opportunity to do that later.”

  She barely listened as they read her rights and stood wooden while they cuffed her like a criminal, the metal cold and hard around her wrists. Still numb, she kept her chin up and her shoulders back as she allowed them to hustle her from her office, down the marble hall, through the lobby and out into the frigid night air to the waiting patrol car. The security officer stood at his desk and watched it all, wide-eyed and clearly stunned.

  This would all be on video. There were cameras mounted both inside the building and out. Her father would see. Anyone could see, including Hamlin, her fiancé. He might even decide to make the temporary hiatus they’d placed on their business deal of an engagement a permanent thing. She wouldn’t mind personally, but her father would. They needed Hamlin Harrington’s money to shore up Colton Energy.

  What a mess. Her blood felt as icy as the northern wind. She wasn’t a fool—one couldn’t be a female executive in a mostly male industry without making a few enemies. But this? Trumped-up charges that would sound ridiculous to anyone who knew her?

  She could only hope word of this wasn’t leaked to the press. She’d be crucified before she even had a chance to defend herself. Tears stung the backs of her eyes, and she furiously blinked them away. Once again, she felt like that little girl who, no matter what she did, couldn’t manage to make her father proud. Even at age thirty-one, she never could seem to make herself stop trying. She’d even agreed to marry a man she didn’t love, just because her father wanted her to.

  She’d worked so hard to stay above reproach, and now this insanity. While she had no doubt she’d get this straightened out, it would take time. During which her reputation would be trashed and the multiple deals she had in the works as executive vice president of Colton Energy could fail. She needed those deals—they needed them and their stock to rise. Why would Mark Hatton make false accusations that could jeopardize the company he worked for? If Colton Energy went under, he’d lose his job along with all the others. As would she.

  To Layla, working for the family business was more than just employment. Her job, the company, was her entire life. Without it, she had no idea what she’d do.

  The drive to the Red Ridge police station seemed to take forever. She ran over a hundred different scenarios in her mind, discarding each one. She had to get this straightened out before her father learned of it.

  Finally, they pulled up to the back of the building. The place where she suspected they brought people in to book them. Embarrassment flooded her, even though she’d done nothing to be ashamed about.

  “Come with me,” the tall officer said, helping her from the back of the car. He took her arm and led her, still handcuffed, inside.

  Due to the lateness of the hour, the squad room seemed deserted. Only a skeleton crew worked these hours, apparently. Lucky for her, as that meant fewer people to stare. She wasn’t particularly close with any of her cousins on the force, even the chief of the K9 unit.

  “I’d like my phone call now,” she announced, trying to keep her tone cheery and optimistic.

  The officer barely even glanced at her. “Not yet. I’ll let you know when.”

  “Layla? Layla Colton?”

  She froze. She knew that voice. Hunter Black. He’d been a VP at Colton Energy—and one of her father’s favorites—when he’d abruptly quit to attend the police academy so he could work in law enforcement. Though at least eighteen months had passed since Hunter’s departure, her father still occasionally mentioned him, mocking his decision as unwise. Police officers only made a third of the salary Hunter had pulled in as an executive.

  “Hunter.” Slowly she turned, keeping her face expressionless. As before, a buzz of awareness skittered across her skin at the sight of him. He still wore his reddish-brown hair the same way, kind of spiky. And his bright blue eyes still crinkled at the corners.

  Of course his gaze immediately went to her bound wrists. “Why are you in cuffs? Are you under arrest?” He glared at the officer still holding her arm. “What the hell is going on?”

  Though she kept her shoulders back as the two officers filled Hunter in, she braced herself for Hunter’s reaction. He’d made no secret of his distaste for everyone and everything to do with Colton Energy before he’d left. The other executives had joked about how he certainly knew how to burn his bridges.

  To her shock, after hearing her charges, Hunter looked pissed. Not at her. He glared at his coworkers. “Why was I kept in the dark about this?” he demanded. “Is it because I used to work with her?”

  One of the men shrugged. The other nodded. “We couldn’t take a chance on you trying to influence our investigation.”

  Judging from the rigid set of Hunter’s jaw, he didn’t appreciate that statement at all.

  “Now if you don’t mind, we need to book her.”

  “Knock yourself out,” Hunter replied. To Layla’s disappointment, he turned and started to walk away. But he’d barely taken a few steps when he spun back around. “Let me see your evidence.”

  The first officer jerked his chin toward the other. “Show him.”

  Handing Hunter a manila folder, the second guy grinned. “I’ll need that back when you’re finished with it.”

  Grim faced, Hunter walked away, folder in hand.

  After she’d been fingerprinted and booked, Layla was finally allowed to call her lawyer. Luckily, since she dealt with legal matters constantly as part of her job, she had his number memorized.

  Once he’d answered—sounding groggy since she’d no doubt woken him—she filled him in as succinctly as possible. He promised to head to the police station right away, and she ended the call.

  “Now what?” she asked the officer standing guard.

  “Now you go to the holding cell with all the other women we’ve brought in tonight,” he said.

  “And then what?”

  “You wait.”

  * * *

  Hunter hadn’t been prepared for his reaction at seeing Layla Colton again. In the time since he’d left Colton Energy, he’d gone out of his way to avoid her, and not only because she’d reminded him of all the things one could do to sell their soul for personal gain.

  She was beautiful, in a remote, detached sort of way. He’d constantly fought the urge to see if he could make her smile, mainly because the few times she had, she went from beautiful to stunning. But she’d smiled less and less, probably because her father had never let up on his constant badgering of her.

  Hunter didn’t understand it. Layla worked harder than anyone else in the company, including the old man himself. Yet as far as Fenwick Colton was concerned, she was borderline incompetent, incapable of doing anything right, probably because she was his daughter rather than his son. Anyone else would have left a long time ago. But not Layla. Like the proverbial hamster on the never-ending wheel, she kept at it, determined to succeed at an impossible task.

  By the time Hunter had quit, he actually felt sorry for her. Didn’t like her, but pitied her.

  Thumbing through th
e pages, Hunter rapidly reached the conclusion that this case was 99 percent bogus. Mark Hatton, the former analyst and now junior salesman, claimed Layla Colton had sexually harassed and threatened him. There was no way. No way in hell.

  He read the text messages purported to be from Layla to Mark in disbelief. Supposedly, she’d gone from flirty to threatening. There were several suggestive photos Mark claimed she’d texted him at midnight. Layla posed in lingerie, looking sexy as hell. Privately, Hunter thought no red-blooded male could fail to react to these. But he found the idea ludicrous that Layla, who not only was known around the office as the ice princess, but also was engaged to one of the richest men in the state, would have sent these to a junior staffer.

  No matter was else she might be, Layla Colton wasn’t stupid. Far from it. And any woman who looked like her knew there were a hundred other ways to find a man willing to be your bed partner.

  Though Hunter hadn’t been a police officer for long, he’d learned years ago to trust his gut instinct. And right now, everything within him said Layla was being set up. Why, he didn’t know.

  Yet.

  He watched as they marched her off to the holding cell, wondering how she’d do in there with the drunks and the prostitutes. Judging from what he’d seen in the time he’d worked with her, she’d survive.

  Still, for whatever reason, he didn’t like the idea of her being arrested.

  Instead of trying to figure out why Layla’s arrest affected him so strongly, he read the report again. Objectively, it seemed like a strong case. Rather than he said / she said, Mark Hatton had backed it up with compelling evidence. He had not only the text messages, but numerous emails sent from her company computer. He even had security camera footage from his home, showing Layla standing on his doorstep, ringing the bell. When he hadn’t answered, Layla left a large envelope on the porch, tucked behind a potted plant, and walked away.

  If Hunter didn’t know Layla the way one does from working with her for three years, he would have closed the file and walked away. After all, she had money and connections and would most likely settle out of court, her reputation untarnished.