Dana Mentink - Secret Refuge

HIS CHANCE AT REDEMPTION

Former parole officer Mick Hudson blames himself for the death of Keeley Stevens’s sister. If he hadn’t paroled a criminal, she might still be alive. When he hears that the suspected killer has been spotted in Keeley’s hometown, he worries she might be the next victim. Keeley doesn’t want to take help from the man who could have prevented her sister’s death, but she has more than herself to worry about. She’ll do anything it takes to protect her family. And Mick will risk his life to make sure that the past does not repeat itself.

Wings of Danger: The path to love is treacherous

“I thought you left town.”

“Came back.” Mick’s gaze made Keeley squirm.

“What do you want?” Keeley asked.

“Do you have reason to think Tucker knows the child is his?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The little girl your sister gave birth to. Tucker’s the father, isn’t he?”

“Who do you think you are?” she said, fear sparking into anger. “Coming into my life and prying into private information that you have no right to. June is mine, I’m her legal guardian, and her biological father is none of your business.”

“It’s Tucker’s business. He’s come back to take her and punish you.”

“You have no right to interfere. You’re not a cop.”

“I’m trying to help.”

“The time to help was when Tucker should have been under house arrest. You helped then, didn’t you? You made sure he was a free man, and then he killed my sister.”

“I…don’t want to cause you any more pain.”

“Then go away.”

DANA MENTINK is an award-winning author of Christian fiction. Her novel Betrayal in the Badlands won a 2010 RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, and she was pleased to win the 2013 Carol Award for Lost Legacy. She has authored more than a dozen Love Inspired Suspense novels. Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her via her website at danamentink.com.

Secret Refuge

Dana Mentink

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

—Psalms 130:3

For those special needs children who have flown into my life and taught me about love.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text HIS CHANCE AT REDEMPTION Former parole officer Mick Hudson blames himself for the death of Keeley Stevens’s sister. If he hadn’t paroled a criminal, she might still be alive. When he hears that the suspected killer has been spotted in Keeley’s hometown, he worries she might be the next victim. Keeley doesn’t want to take help from the man who could have prevented her sister’s death, but she has more than herself to worry about. She’ll do anything it takes to protect her family. And Mick will risk his life to make sure that the past does not repeat itself. Wings of Danger: The path to love is treacherous

Introduction “I thought you left town.” “Came back.” Mick’s gaze made Keeley squirm. “What do you want?” Keeley asked. “Do you have reason to think Tucker knows the child is his?” “What are you talking about?” “The little girl your sister gave birth to. Tucker’s the father, isn’t he?” “Who do you think you are?” she said, fear sparking into anger. “Coming into my life and prying into private information that you have no right to. June is mine, I’m her legal guardian, and her biological father is none of your business.” “It’s Tucker’s business. He’s come back to take her and punish you.” “You have no right to interfere. You’re not a cop.” “I’m trying to help.” “The time to help was when Tucker should have been under house arrest. You helped then, didn’t you? You made sure he was a free man, and then he killed my sister.” “I…don’t want to cause you any more pain.” “Then go away.”

About the Author DANA MENTINK is an award-winning author of Christian fiction. Her novel Betrayal in the Badlands won a 2010 RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, and she was pleased to win the 2013 Carol Award for Lost Legacy. She has authored more than a dozen Love Inspired Suspense novels. Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her via her website at danamentink.com .

Title Page Secret Refuge Dana Mentink www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Quote If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? —Psalms 130:3

Dedication For those special needs children who have flown into my life and taught me about love.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

The handprint showed clearly in the dust on her driver’s-side window, as if someone had leaned there to look inside Keeley Stevens’s Jeep.

Who would be looking inside her aged vehicle? Nothing worth stealing in there.

The outline on the glass blurred as she washed the imprint away with the hose.

His face, Tucker’s face, rose from the shadows of memory. Her sister’s murderer. He had long fingers like that.

“Knock it off, Keeley,” she told herself. It was purely melodrama. She never should have watched that black-and-white mystery movie marathon the night before. The handprint was the work of a teen messing around, no doubt the kids she’d hassled earlier in the week. Or maybe her paranoia had taken root the morning before, when she’d noticed the long-haired man watching her from across the street as she gassed up her car. He was too far away to see clearly. Just a guy enjoying a smoke. Normal. She would not let a teen prank and her own nerves undo her. And no more mystery marathons. Strictly the cooking channel. Maybe she’d learn how to make something with more than three ingredients.

When the rinsing was complete, she loaded up her Jeep and drove out of town, heater turned on to high to fend off the early-spring chill. It had to be the cold that made her skin prickle, because she would not allow fear to nest in her soul. Once she did, it would lay down roots and conquer her. Keeley would not be conquered. Ever. But still the feeling that started when she saw the long-haired man remained alive in her stomach, somewhere down deep.

Had Tucker returned?

I murdered your sister, and now it’s your turn , she imagined him saying.

“Toughen up, girl,” she muttered to herself. Tucker was no doubt hiding from the cops in some faraway city. He’d murdered LeeAnn nearly two years ago, only two months after his parole agent had allowed for the removal of his tracking bracelet. Ironic, since he’d never been incarcerated for anything other than car theft, not a violent offender. No, not violent, until the day he’d smashed in LeeAnn’s skull and stuffed her body into the trunk of his car, intending to flee.

And if he had made a successful escape? Would she ever have known what had happened to her sister? But LeeAnn had been able to send one frantic text before he killed her.