Debby Giusti - Stranded

AMISH COUNTRY REFUGE

Colleen Brennan has one goal—take down her sister’s killer. But chasing after evidence leaves her in the path of a tornado and stranded in an Amish community. With the killer nearby, Colleen must depend on the kindness of Special Agent Frank Gallagher. Although the army officer is recuperating from a battlefield injury, he wants to help the beautiful woman he rescued from the tornado’s fury. He can tell she’s hiding something important. But getting her to reveal her secrets may be his most dangerous mission ever.

Military Investigations: Serving their country and solving crimes

Ice froze Frank’s veins.

He jerked open the fire door and stumbled into the hallway.

“Colleen,” he screamed, racing back to her.

Hurling himself into the trauma room, he expected the worst.

She sat crumpled on the floor, her face twisted with fear.

“Frank,” she gasped with relief. Tears sprang from her eyes.

He was on his knees at her side, reaching for her. She collapsed into his arms. He pulled her trembling body close, feeling her warmth. Hot tears dampened his neck.

She was alive. Relief swept over him. A lump of gratitude filled his throat. He hadn’t lost her. Not this time, but he hadn’t reacted fast enough. She’d almost died because of his inability to protect her.

He rubbed his hand over her slender shoulders. “Shh. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

For now. But someone wanted to kill her. Whether she had been working with Trey or against him, he was determined to end her life.

DEBBY GIUSTI is an award-winning Christian author who met and married her military husband at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Together they traveled the world, raised three wonderful children and have now settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where Debby spins tales of mystery and suspense that touch the heart and soul. Visit Debby online at debbygiusti.com; blog with her at seekerville.blogspot.comand craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com; and email her at Debby@DebbyGiusti.com.

Stranded

Debby Giusti

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for his friends.

—John 15:13

This book is dedicated to Frank Forth,

a member of the Greatest Generation who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

Thank you, Frank, for your service, your love and your support.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text AMISH COUNTRY REFUGE Colleen Brennan has one goal—take down her sister’s killer. But chasing after evidence leaves her in the path of a tornado and stranded in an Amish community. With the killer nearby, Colleen must depend on the kindness of Special Agent Frank Gallagher. Although the army officer is recuperating from a battlefield injury, he wants to help the beautiful woman he rescued from the tornado’s fury. He can tell she’s hiding something important. But getting her to reveal her secrets may be his most dangerous mission ever. Military Investigations: Serving their country and solving crimes

Introduction Ice froze Frank’s veins. He jerked open the fire door and stumbled into the hallway. “Colleen,” he screamed, racing back to her. Hurling himself into the trauma room, he expected the worst. She sat crumpled on the floor, her face twisted with fear. “Frank,” she gasped with relief. Tears sprang from her eyes. He was on his knees at her side, reaching for her. She collapsed into his arms. He pulled her trembling body close, feeling her warmth. Hot tears dampened his neck. She was alive. Relief swept over him. A lump of gratitude filled his throat. He hadn’t lost her. Not this time, but he hadn’t reacted fast enough. She’d almost died because of his inability to protect her. He rubbed his hand over her slender shoulders. “Shh. I’ve got you. You’re safe.” For now. But someone wanted to kill her. Whether she had been working with Trey or against him, he was determined to end her life.

About the Author DEBBY GIUSTI is an award-winning Christian author who met and married her military husband at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Together they traveled the world, raised three wonderful children and have now settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where Debby spins tales of mystery and suspense that touch the heart and soul. Visit Debby online at debbygiusti.com ; blog with her at seekerville.blogspot.com and craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com ; and email her at Debby@DebbyGiusti.com.

Title Page Stranded Debby Giusti www.millsandboon.co.uk

Praise Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. —John 15:13

Dedication This book is dedicated to Frank Forth, a member of the Greatest Generation who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Thank you, Frank, for your service, your love and your support.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Gripping the steering wheel with one hand, Colleen Brennan shoved a wayward lock of red hair behind her ear with the other and glanced, yet again, at the rearview mirror to ensure she hadn’t been followed. She had left Atlanta two hours ago and had been looking over her shoulder ever since.

Her stomach knotted as she turned her focus to the storm clouds overhead. The rapidly deteriorating weather was a threat she hadn’t expected.

“Doppler radar...storms that caused damage in Montgomery earlier today...moving into Georgia.”

Adjusting the volume on her car radio, she leaned closer to the dashboard, hoping to hear the weather report over the squawk of static.

“Hail...gusting winds. Conditions ideal for tornadoes. Everyone in the listening area is cautioned to be watchful.”

The darkening sky and gusting winds added concern to her heavily burdened heart. She didn’t like driving on remote Georgia roads with an encroaching storm, but she had an appointment to keep with Vivian Davis. The army wife had promised to provide evidence that would convince the authorities Trey Howard was involved in an illegal drug operation.

Hot tears burned Colleen’s eyes. She was still raw from her sister’s overdose and death on drugs Trey had trafficked. If only Colleen had been less focused on her flight-attendant career and more tuned in to her sister’s needs, she might have responded to Briana’s call for help.

Colleen had vowed to stop Trey lest he entice other young women to follow in her sister’s footsteps. If the Atlanta police continued to turn a blind eye to his South American operation, Colleen would find someone at the federal level who would respond to what she knew to be true.

Needing evidence to substantiate her claims, she had photographed documents in Trey’s office and had taken a memory card that had come from one of the digital cameras he used in his photography business, a business that provided a legitimate cover for his illegal operation.