Sandra Orchard - Identity Withheld

WITNESS IN HIDING

After exposing an illegal adoption ring, newly named “Kara Grant” is promised safety in Witness Protection. But someone has found her—and wants her dead. If only she could trust the handsome firefighter who catches her fleeing from a suspicious fire. Jake Steele seems to think she’s guilty of burning her own home. But how can she tell him who she really is and what she’s been through without bringing danger to the widowed single father’s door? Yet with the criminals quickly closing in, taking such a risk might be her only chance at survival. Because the price she’ll pay for her silence could be her life.

“Kara, listen to me.”

Jake’s footfalls pounded behind her. She ran faster. “Kara,” he called. “If you didn’t set the fire, you have no reason to run,” Jake called. “The police will protect you from whoever you’re afraid of.”

She tripped over the curb as she chanced a glance over her shoulder.

Jake burst from between the houses just as she recovered her balance. His gaze slammed into hers. The dim light couldn’t mask the concern she saw flickering in his eyes. “I can help you, Kara.”

The sound of a siren broke his spell. He’d called the police. She gulped in a lungful of air. “If you really want to help me, Jake, forget you ever saw me.” She turned on her heel and ran.

“Kara!”

Blinding headlights blipped on, and she froze. Her heart jammed in her throat as the lights sped toward her. I’m going to die.

Hurled into the hedges on the other side of the road, her body exploded in agony. Then everything went black.

SANDRA ORCHARD

hails from the beautiful countryside of Niagara, Ontario, where inspiration abounds for her romantic suspense novels. Not that she runs into any bad guys, but because her imagination is free to run as wild as her Iditarod-wannabe husky. Sandra lives with her real-life hero husband, who happily provides both romantic and suspense inspiration, as long as it doesn’t involve poisons and his dinner. But her truest inspiration comes from the Lord, in the beauty of a sunrise over the field and the whisper of a breeze, in the antics of a killdeer determined to safeguard its nest and the faithfulness of the seasons. She enjoys writing stories that both keep the reader guessing and reveal God’s love and faithfulness through the lives of her characters.

Sandra loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website, or at www.facebook.com/SandraOrchardor c/o Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

Identity Withheld

Sandra Orchard

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

—Psalms 139:9–12

To the dedicated volunteer firefighters faithfully serving our small communities.

The Lord’s provision when I’m wrestling out a story always delights and encourages me.

I learn so much and am indebted to the many experts who tirelessly answer my questions. In particular, I’d like to thank retired volunteer firefighter Don Gretsinger, thirty-three-year veteran and retired district chief, Ivan Good, firefighter Harold Riemersma, and retired fire investigator Dave MacMullen for answering my many questions.

Thank you to midwife Brianna Timmers for helping me create a plausible backstory for Tommy’s mother. And a huge thank-you to paramedic Charlotte Cripps for teaching me so much about emergency procedures, both for this story and Sherri Steele’s story coming next year, and…for connecting me with Dave.

Thank you also to the WODE members who helped me brainstorm the proposal and work through various scenes. To Vicki McCollum for her ever-helpful feedback. To my editors Tina James and Giselle Regus for the many ways they helped make the story stronger. To Patti Jo Moore for her daily encouragement and prayer cover. To Nancy Miller for the many, many little things she does to give me more time to write. To author Laura Frantz and Amber Perry for answering all my questions about Seattle and area. To reader Susan Manchester for telling me about her dog Rusty, the inspiration behind Tommy’s dog. To Kara Grant for loaning my heroine her name. To the blog readers, newsletter subscribers and Facebook fans who brainstormed backstory and titles with me, and who made choosing actors to model my characters after so much fun!

And…a huge thanks to the world’s best brainstorming partner, Stacey Weeks, who put up with countless phone calls and emails to help me work my way through the smoky haze of the first draft.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text WITNESS IN HIDING After exposing an illegal adoption ring, newly named “Kara Grant” is promised safety in Witness Protection. But someone has found her—and wants her dead. If only she could trust the handsome firefighter who catches her fleeing from a suspicious fire. Jake Steele seems to think she’s guilty of burning her own home. But how can she tell him who she really is and what she’s been through without bringing danger to the widowed single father’s door? Yet with the criminals quickly closing in, taking such a risk might be her only chance at survival. Because the price she’ll pay for her silence could be her life.

Introduction “Kara, listen to me.” Jake’s footfalls pounded behind her. She ran faster. “Kara,” he called. “If you didn’t set the fire, you have no reason to run,” Jake called. “The police will protect you from whoever you’re afraid of.” She tripped over the curb as she chanced a glance over her shoulder. Jake burst from between the houses just as she recovered her balance. His gaze slammed into hers. The dim light couldn’t mask the concern she saw flickering in his eyes. “I can help you, Kara.” The sound of a siren broke his spell. He’d called the police. She gulped in a lungful of air. “If you really want to help me, Jake, forget you ever saw me.” She turned on her heel and ran. “Kara!” Blinding headlights blipped on, and she froze. Her heart jammed in her throat as the lights sped toward her. I’m going to die. Hurled into the hedges on the other side of the road, her body exploded in agony. Then everything went black.

About the Author SANDRA ORCHARD hails from the beautiful countryside of Niagara, Ontario, where inspiration abounds for her romantic suspense novels. Not that she runs into any bad guys, but because her imagination is free to run as wild as her Iditarod-wannabe husky. Sandra lives with her real-life hero husband, who happily provides both romantic and suspense inspiration, as long as it doesn’t involve poisons and his dinner. But her truest inspiration comes from the Lord, in the beauty of a sunrise over the field and the whisper of a breeze, in the antics of a killdeer determined to safeguard its nest and the faithfulness of the seasons. She enjoys writing stories that both keep the reader guessing and reveal God’s love and faithfulness through the lives of her characters. Sandra loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website, or at www.facebook.com/SandraOrchard or c/o Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.