Sarah Varland - Mountain Refuge

ALASKAN RESCUER

When someone tries to grab Summer Dawson on a secluded mountain path, she escapes—but soon discovers she’s a serial killer’s latest target. Her brother’s friend, ex-cop Clay Hitchcock, promises she won’t become the next victim, though, even if it means putting himself at risk. Clay thought he was done with law enforcement, but after finding Summer running for her life off a mountain trail, he’s back in cop mode. Determined to protect her, Clay shadows the brave, beautiful mountain runner. Now if they want to stay alive, Clay and Summer must work together to bring down the crazed killer lurking in the wilderness.

SARAH VARLANDlives near the mountains in Alaska, where she loves writing, hiking, kayaking and spending time with her family. She’s happily married to her college sweetheart, John, and is the mom of two active and adorable boys, Joshua and Timothy, as well as another baby in heaven. Sarah has been writing almost since she could hold a pencil and especially loves writing romantic suspense, where she gets to combine her love for happily-ever-afters, inspired by her own, with her love for suspense, inspired by her dad, who has spent a career in law enforcement. You can find Sarah online through her blog, espressoinalatteworld.blogspot.com.

Also by Sarah Varland

Treasure Point Secrets

Tundra Threat

Cold Case Witness

Silent Night Shadows

Perilous Homecoming

Mountain Refuge

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

Mountain Refuge

Sarah Varland

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08062-0

MOUNTAIN REFUGE

© 2018 Sarah Varland

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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Version: 2020-03-02

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“What happened out there, Summer?” Clay demanded.

He kept his gaze steady on her. “Can you go over it for me so you’re ready with the details the police will need?”

“Who are you?”

“I told you. Clay Hitchcock, and I’m your brother’s friend.”

She shook her head. “I mean, who are you and why are you asking me questions like that?”

“I’m just someone who wants to help.” That was the truth now. He may have the heart of a cop, the mind of a cop, but he was a civilian. His choice, yes, but it was still taking some getting used to.

Her eyes narrowed but she took his answer. Not, Clay noticed, because he had done anything to convince her that he was trustworthy. No, the only reason she was willing to entertain trusting him at all was the fact that her brother liked him.

He made a mental note about her character—family was important.

Not that he necessarily needed to make notes about Summer Dawson’s character.

Still, his old habit of analyzing people, observing things about them, died hard. He might not have a badge, but he was still a cop inside.

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Alaska! While I love Georgia, where I was born and where I’ve set many of my stories, Alaska is my favorite state and I had so much fun setting a book in areas that are familiar to me. While Moose Haven is purely imaginary, if you ever find yourself in Alaska and can make it to the town of Seward, which is near Moose Haven in this story, I think you’ll find it’s pretty similar. I’m looking forward to returning to Moose Haven soon for Tyler Dawson’s story.

Writing about Clay Hitchcock was so fun for me because he’s been with me for five books now. When he first had a small side character part in my debut novel, Treasure Point Secrets, I knew I liked him. Summer was such a fun contrast to him and I enjoyed imagining their story.

Both main characters in this story struggled with some amount of guilt: Clay for feeling like he let down his fellow officers in Georgia; and Summer for the way her past actions had impacted her family. Guilt is a powerful thing, but God’s forgiveness is stronger. They both also struggled with grief, and Summer especially wrestled with how her grief had taken some of the fullness out of her life. I loved writing the hints in this book to Summer about how Jesus wants us to have an abundant life because those words are so true for us who are real people. Grief is difficult to work through, but I believe God still wants us to live abundantly, to be thankful for our lives and to hold on to hope.

Along those lines, in this story, I finally came right out and touched on the subject of miscarriage. If, like me, you’re one of the women who has lost a baby and needs someone to talk to, please know that I would be happy to chat by email. Also know that you are not alone. And that God is still love, and still faithful.

Hearing from readers is one of my favorite parts of writing and I’d love to hear from you! You can get in touch through email at sarahvarland@gmail.com, or find me on Facebook at Facebook.com/sarahvarlandauthor.

Sarah Varland

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.

—Hebrews 6:19

To Elizabeth, my editor. I often think that the books should have both of our names on them for how much what you do impacts the story for the better. I love working with you, look forward to your comments and smile when I read an edited section we added to the book and can’t remember if I wrote the addition or if you did. I had no idea when I started writing how much polish an amazing editor like you brings to a manuscript. Thank you for every single book.