Dana R. Lynn - Amish Christmas Abduction

KIDNAPPED IN AMISH COUNTRY

After catching a glimpse of something she wasn’t supposed to see days before Christmas, Irene Martello is run off the road and barely survives. More shocking is the backseat whimper of an Amish toddler stowaway and the familiar sight of their rescuer—the man who’d let her down years earlier. Police chief Paul Kennedy fears Irene stumbled onto a kidnapping ring with two dangerous agendas: retrieving the girl and silencing the witness for good. Only Paul can keep them safe for the holidays. Guarding Irene means risking his heart—and his secret—but to save the child and the woman he never stopped loving, it’s a risk he has to take.

The sound terrified her.

The child’s scream.

She shot up the stairs, wishing Paul were here.

The child shrieked again and a voice growled, “Shut up or I’ll do it for you.”

Irene crept down the hall and saw him. The man she’d have nightmares about. As he lunged at her, she grabbed a vase and slammed it into his head. He staggered, giving her the moment she needed to grab the child.

“Irene!”

Paul! He’d come to save her!

As the man pulled a gun, Irene rushed into the bedroom and locked the door. From out in the hall she heard gunfire, a crash. Then quiet.

Her fear subsided when Paul busted open the door. From the look on his face, she knew the gunman had gotten away.

“I’m bringing the child home with me.”

She waited for the argument. Instead, he nodded. “We’ll keep a detail at your house.”

Then his face went ashen. “Irene, this isn’t over. They’re after the child, and because you’re the only witness, you.” She knew what he didn’t say. They’d keep killing till they got her.

Dear Reader,

When I first wrote about LaMar Pond, I had no idea where Paul’s story would lead him. I knew I wanted to give him a happy-ever-after, but had no plans beyond that. As the characters of LaMar Pond have evolved, the story of Irene and Paul began to play out in my imagination.

Paul is a man who had once hit bottom and who has fought to conquer his problems. Along the way, he developed a strong faith. He is a man who has much to offer a woman. Even if he doesn’t know it.

Irene has dealt with the horror of losing the husband she loved and raising their children by herself. Such a trial made her turn her back on God for a while, but He brought her back, loving her and showering His mercy upon her.

Irene and Paul are brought together by their shared quest to assist a child in need. As I wrote this story, I was reminded of how Jesus asks us to have the faith of a child.

I hope you enjoyed Paul and Irene’s story. I hope to continue writing about the people in LaMar Pond. I love to hear from readers. You can email me at WriterDanaLynn@gmail.com or visit me online at www.danarlynn.com. I am also on Facebook and Twitter ( @DanaRLynn).

Blessings,

Dana R. Lynn

DANA R. LYNN grew up in Illinois. She met a man at a wedding who she told her parents was her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married. Today they live in rural Pennsylvania with their three children, two dogs, one cat, one rabbit, one horse and six chickens. In addition to writing, she works as an educational interpreter for the deaf and is active in several ministries in her church.

Amish Christmas Abduction

Dana R. Lynn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

—Matthew 5:4

Rachael, Bradley and Gregory. There is not a day that I don’t thank God for the blessing of being your mom. Love you forever.

Brad...thanks for loving me and encouraging me to live my dream. Love you!

Acknowledgments

To my family and friends, who supported me and held me up in prayer...I appreciate you so much. Thank you with all my heart.

To my editor, Elizabeth Mazer...thank you for all your guidance. It’s a joy to work with you.

To my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray...thanks for believing in me. I am grateful for all your efforts on my behalf.

To my Lord and Savior...thank You for Your presence in my life. I am nothing without You.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgments

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

ONE

“Didn’t you see the sign? This is private property.”

Irene Martello stepped back from the door, her raised hand falling to her side... The man who answered the door glared at her. It was the most vicious stare she’d ever encountered. Anger at being treated so rudely warred with apprehension. She was here alone...unprotected. Would this man turn violent?

“I’m sorry to bother you,” she managed. “I was trying to find the Zilcher residence.”

She shivered as he glowered, his heavy brows lowering over black eyes. It was difficult to see his mouth through the thick black beard, but she had the distinct impression he was scowling.

“You have the wrong house. They live there.” He jerked his head sharply toward the house next door.

“Sorry...” She opened her mouth to apologize for any inconvenience, but stopped when there was a movement behind Black Beard. A young woman, somewhere in her late teens or early twenties, stood in an open doorway deeper inside the house. As the man whirled around and speared her with a glance, she fled back out of sight. Was that a child crying? Irene leaned forward instinctively, straining to hear. He returned that glare to Irene, and she straightened again. It was none of her business if he had children, she chastised herself. He narrowed his eyes at her, and she felt true fear at the way his eyes blazed at her.

Turning on her heel, she moved briskly back down the steps. Only the fact that the ground was covered with snow kept her from running as she hightailed it back to her SUV. After getting in, she started the engine with a shaking hand, then backed along the driveway and onto the dirt road. She drove past the mailboxes on the side of the road and realized that what she’d thought was a 1 had actually been a 7. A natural mistake to make.

In no time, she was in the driveway of the correct house. She fumbled around for her purse and laptop bag, completely aware that the man had moved outside and was watching her from his porch.

After pushing open the door of her SUV, Irene stepped from the vehicle, glad she’d opted for warmth rather than fashion as her heavy boots crunched the snow beneath them. Against her better judgment, she peeked at the man from house number seven. She instantly regretted it. His face had darkened even more. Turning quickly, her face heated as she felt his glare continuing to bore into her back. She took a deep breath, refusing to admit to herself how unsettling her encounter with the man had been.