Distant Thunder

by Mary Alford

  The scent of rain saturated the air around her. With no choice but to head for shelter, Casey circled round to the woods behind the cabin, making sure to not leave any traces she’d been there.

  The small pond off to the right of her place came into view first followed by the cabin. The weathered boat bobbed up and down in dark waters.

  When she first moved into the cabin, it was February and the pond was frozen solid. She’d walked out to the boat many times when she had nothing else to do. Teddy told her he’d caught many a fish in the pond with the help of the boat. But it had grown old. Had a few holes. He’d patched them, but the boat still took on water occasionally, so he’d bought a new one and left the boat to the pond’s care for its final years. It seemed fitting to him.

  Casey stopped for a breath. Glanced behind her. Saw nothing. Was it safe to go inside the cabin?

  Please, God.

  She reached the back door. Hesitated. Unlocked it and ushered Samson inside before re-locking it.

  Teddy had left his state-of-the-art security monitoring system there for her. She checked the monitor. The system was down. No doubt affected by the impending storm.

  Even after she was inside, she couldn’t let go of her fears. It was August. Maybe the ghosts of that night two years earlier had come here to haunt her. It wouldn’t be the first time.

  She added more firewood to the woodstove.

  In the kitchen, she opened the pantry. Her meat supply was almost gone. She’d have to find a caribou or moose soon otherwise she’d patch the boat again and go fishing. And trapping season was right around the corner. She’d be okay.

  Taking out a jar of pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles, Casey set them on the counter. She fed Samson first.

  The first pellets of rain hit hard against the metal roof. No preamble drops, just a deluge. Instantly, the view of the pond disappeared. Though she could no longer see, it was out there still. She knew this for a fact. Just as she knew God was there close always. Even when she couldn’t feel His presence near her. Like now.

  Chapter Twelve

  “The agents on the plane are dead. I had them taken care of. Make sure neither of them walk out of that cabin alive.”

  Shock rippled through Parker’s body as he listened as his commander tell him he’d killed innocent lives.

  “Roger that.” He somehow pushed the words out.

  “You know what’s at stake. If anyone lives to tell, it’s over.”

  Irritation rose. Parker understood the supposed risks. He kept his annoyance from his tone. “I’ve got things handled. He should be at the cabin by now. We’ll give them a few minutes and then take the place.”

  A lengthy sigh came through the phone. “Good. Don’t screw this up.” The call ended.

  Parker faced his trusted men along with the others who had come with him to ensure he didn’t fail. All waited for his orders.

  “It’s almost time. Let’s get into position,” Parker said.

  He’d been surprised that Decklin hadn’t spotted them. Parker knew firsthand how skilled Reed was.

  His men moved through the woods, flanking the cabin and waited.

  Parker’s pulse drummed an unsteady beat. Sweat beaded his brow. Two years came down to this. Would he be successful? Failure wasn’t an option. Too many people were counting on him. Too many lives at stake. He couldn’t fail.

  ◆◆◆

  She’d been close enough for him to touch in the woods. Seeing Piper again threatened to take his legs out from under him. He’d stood on the other side of the tree she touched and somehow resisted the urge to reach for her.

  The dark hair surprised him. He understood why she’d died it. Bright red hair captured attention. It was the first thing to grab his eye when he met her. That and the fact that she was beautiful. She was even though she carried more than her physical scars.

  He’d come to the cabin alone. Left the extraction team with the plane at the airstrip. He had to do this himself. Jake had promised her protection, but Reed wasn’t taking any chances. He wouldn’t let her out of his sight until he’d cleared her name, and he didn’t care who he had to fight to accomplish that.

  Above, the skies threatened. One hour to capture her and get back to the plane. Plenty of time if all went well. Not much if it didn’t.

  As he reached the side of the cabin, he wasn’t sure what to pray for. Success? His success meant bringing her into custody. It could take years to clear her of the charges. Failure? It probably would cost him his life. If it came down to her freedom, she’d end his life in a heartbeat.

  The cabin had security set up to survey the front and back. He’d taken it out. The only means of entering the cabin undetected was a small side window.

  Reed eased up next to it as the clouds unleashed. The noise of the rain would help cover any sound, but it made it difficult to get the window latch open.

  Working quickly, he popped the latch. Slowly hoisted the window and hauled himself up to the ledge. Untangling the blinds, he jumped into the bedroom.

  His feet hit the wood floor with a thud. He quickly hurried to the open door and slipped behind it and out of sight. Through the crack between the door and frame, he saw her. She was on alert and staring out the window. What did she see?

  Unease shot through his body. He listened. Only the sound of rain could be heard. A breath escaped when suddenly the front door flew open. Driving rain whipped inside the cabin, drenching her in a second. This was his chance, even though the dog was on alert. He’d picked up Reed’s scent.

  Moving quickly, Reed drew out the needle. The dog growled. Crouched. Leapt. Reed stuck the needle into the animal’s neck. The medicine did its job, and the dog dropped to the floor with a yelp.

  She swung toward the sound. Reed pushed her against the wall before she had time to react.

  “Hello, Piper,” he murmured, his eyes locked on her expressive face.

  The disbelief in her wide eyes confirmed her surprise. “Reed? How…?” The rest wouldn’t come out. Through all her running, she had to know this day would come. Had to know he’d find her.

  Reed stared into the haunted eyes of the country’s number one terrorist, and his heart broke all over again. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and beg her to trust him. He was here to help her. Would she believe him? Her eyes said differently.

  This day was a long time coming, and yet there was no satisfaction in bringing her in. Only a hollow ache in the pit of his stomach that told him the truth behind what really happened that August day two years ago was a long way from being put to rest. Would it ever be? Or would they all die trying to uncover a truth that was as elusive as the men who hid behind its cause?

  And all he wanted to do was to live a normal life with her.

  He tried to tell her his heart’s desire, but before the words would come out, the world outside exploded in shock and awe.

  God help them all… he was too late.

  Want to find out what happens next? Check out Storm Warnings, part of the Summer of Suspense Anthology

  COURAGE UNDER FIRE SERIES

  Summer of Suspense – A USA Today Bestselling Anthology that includes Storm Warnings, the prequel to Mary’s Courage Under Fire Series

  Distant Thunder (The Prequel to Storm Warning) – October 2019

  Strike Force – Book one of Courage Under Fire Series – Coming December 2019

  And Coming in 2020

  Zero Visibility – February 2020

  Thin Ice – March 2020

  Chinook Winds – May 2020

  ALSO BY MARY ALFORD

  The Cost of Redemption Series

  Book 1 – Hallowed Ground

  Book 2 – Sacred Cause – Coming April 2020

  Book 3 – Consecrated Sacrifice – Coming Fall 2020

  Book 4 – Silent Night – Coming Christmas 2020

  Be the first to know when Mary Alford’s next book is available! Follow her at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-alford to get
an alert whenever she has a new release, preorder, or discount!

  From Love Inspired Suspense

  Amish Country Kidnapping - Coming January 2020

  Amish Country Murder – Coming March 2020

  Grave Peril

  Standoff At Midnight Mountain – A Scorpion Team Series from Love Inspired Suspense

  Framed For Murder – A Scorpion Team Series from Love Inspired Suspense

  Deadly Memories – A Scorpion Team Series from Love Inspired Suspense

  Rocky Mountain Pursuit - A Scorpion Team Series from Love Inspired Suspense

  Forgotten Past – From Love Inspired Suspense

  From Forget Me Not Romances

  An Autumn Chill

  Christmas at Cedar Creek

  Amish Christmas Wishes

  Past Sins

  Eye of The Storm

  Layers of The Truth

  Nowhere to Run – Love On The Run Series

  In Plain Sight – Covert Justice Series

  Saving Agent Tanner – Covert Justice Series

  Every Beat – Covert Justice Series

  For a full list of Mary Alford’s books visit: www.MaryAlford.net

  ABOUT MARY ALFORD

  USA Today Bestselling Author, Mary Alford, loves giving her readers the unexpected. Combining unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots that result in novels the reader doesn’t want to put down.

  Her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly bestselling list, and have finaled in the Daphne du Maurier award of excellence in mystery, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.

  As a writer, Mary is an avid reader. She loves to cook, can’t face the day without coffee, and her three granddaughters are the apple of her eye. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two cats and one dog.

  Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on:

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  Or any of the social media platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.