Christmas Amnesia

by Laura Scott

  They were the first ones in line at the courthouse doorway. She showed her badge so the sheriff’s deputy waved her through without making her go through the metal detector. Noah had to go through the process of emptying his pockets and being scanned through, but since he was a witness, he couldn’t carry his weapon.

  Up in Judge Dugan’s courtroom, Maddy took her seat at the prosecutor’s table and pulled out her notes.

  This was it.

  The moment she’d been waiting for. Despite losing a few of her witnesses, she still had what she believed was a solid case. In fact, the news of Lance Arvani’s death had rippled through what was left of Pietro’s organization and Jackson Dellis was among others who were now willing to talk in exchange for a lighter sentence.

  Dellis had admitted that setting up his own murder had been an attempt to discredit Noah Sinclair and his subsequent testimony against Pietro. A plan that had, unfortunately, backfired. Maddy was sure that putting Dellis on the stand would be the final nail in Pietro’s case.

  Over the next ninety minutes, the courtroom filled up. Two deputies brought in Alexander Pietro, dressed in a suave pin-striped suit that was supposed to make him look professional but only reminded her of old gangster movies.

  A woman dressed in a tight gold sweater dress and spiked heels entered the gallery, choosing to sit almost directly behind Pietro. Maddy frowned, wondering who she was. Pietro didn’t have any family that they’d been able to find, and his former girlfriend, Rachel Graber, had been gunned down outside her safe house.

  Maddy leaned toward her brother Matt. “I need to know who that woman is,” she whispered.

  Matt nodded, rose to his feet and subtly snapped a picture with his phone before leaving the courtroom.

  Judge Dugan called the proceedings to order and once they finished with their jury selection, Maddy was allowed to call her first witness, Milwaukee police officer Noah Sinclair.

  Noah did an amazing job on the stand, the way she knew he would. The jury listened intently to his testimony and one of the younger female jurors kept staring at Noah with obvious interest.

  Maddy swallowed the ridiculous surge of jealousy and continued asking questions related to Alexander Pietro’s arrest. By the time she finished and Pietro’s lawyer had a chance to cross-examine Noah, it was clear that Pietro’s defense was in trouble.

  When Noah was finished, Judge Dugan excused him from the stand. Maddy looked at her notes for a minute. “The People would like to call Officer Charles Wynn to the stand,” she said, turning toward the back of the courtroom.

  Without warning, the woman in gold lunged at Maddy, her long fingernails aimed directly at her face. Before Maddy could do more than take a stumbling step backward, Noah grabbed the woman around the waist and swung her away from Maddy. The woman’s talon-like fingernails raked down Noah’s neck, drawing blood before he managed to get her under control.

  “Order,” Judge Dugan shouted, banging his gavel. “Order in the courtroom!”

  The bailiff and another deputy ran over to help subdue the woman, slapping cuffs on her and hauling her away. Maddy rushed toward Noah. The scratches were long but not deep. “Are you all right?”

  “I’ll live,” Noah grunted.

  Matt came in and headed toward them. “I guess I’m too late to tell you that the woman is Aleshia Tanner and she’s Pietro’s newest girlfriend.”

  Maddy let out a sigh. “I figured something like that.”

  “I want this courtroom cleared immediately,” Judge Dugan said. “Counsel will report to my chambers in five minutes.”

  Maddy didn’t want to leave Noah, but she didn’t want to be held in contempt, either. “Matt, stay with Noah, okay? I’d like you both to wait for me. This shouldn’t take long.”

  Judge Dugan was not at all happy with the defense and quickly made his feelings known. “The courtroom will be closed to the public moving forward,” he said in a stern voice. “And I strongly suggest Mr. Pietro consider accepting a plea bargain. After that fiasco in there, the State will give him a better deal than the jury will.”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” Pietro’s attorney muttered.

  “Twenty-five years with the chance at parole after twenty instead of life in prison without a chance of parole,” Maddy said. “The offer is only good until tomorrow morning. Trust me, the jury won’t hesitate to sentence him to life without a chance at parole.”

  Pietro’s attorney nodded again and quickly made his escape.

  As she left Judge Dugan’s chambers, she stopped short when she saw ADA Blake Ratcliff standing just outside the doorway, obviously coming from some other trial. Instantly nausea swirled in her stomach. “What do you want?” she asked harshly.

  “Hi, Maddy.” He smiled without humor. “I’ve been waiting for a chance to talk to you.”

  “Too bad. I’m not interested in talking to you.” She was glad that her voice sounded strong, hoping he wouldn’t notice the way her hands trembled. How was it possible that she once thought he was handsome? His fancy suit and slicked-back hair seemed ridiculous compared to Noah’s rugged attractiveness.

  Blake took another step toward her. She froze, then raised her chin as if daring him to come closer. Her brothers had taught her to fend for herself, and right now she couldn’t think of a better person to lash out at than the man who’d tried forcing her against his desk.

  Suddenly Noah came around the corner, his gaze zeroing in on Blake the way an eagle spied a fish. “Didn’t you hear the lady? She said she’s not interested in talking to you.”

  Blake scowled and turned toward Noah. She took advantage of Noah’s interruption and quickly walked past, holding her head high. Once she reached Noah’s side, she glanced back over her shoulder.

  “Don’t come near me again, Blake,” she warned. “Next time, I’ll press charges.”

  Blake’s face turned beet red with anger, but when Noah wrapped his arm around Maddy’s shoulders, he shrugged, turned and walked away.

  “He’s the one who tried to hurt you, isn’t he?” Noah asked in a low voice.

  Maddy raised her gaze to his. “Yes.”

  Noah’s brown eyes darkened with anger. “You really should press charges.”

  “Maybe I will.” She slipped her arm around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder. “Blake isn’t important, Noah, but you are.”

  “Me?” He sounded confused.

  She shifted so that she could see his face. “I care about you, Noah. I know you said you didn’t do relationships, but I hope you’ll make an exception for me.”

  “Maddy, I—don’t know what to say.”

  The flame of hope in her heart flickered. “Say you’ll give us a chance.”

  Noah’s answer was to pull her close and to kiss her. She clung to him, reveling in his embrace. This was what had been missing from her life. A man, a partner to share things with.

  To love.

  “I’ll be honored to give us a chance, because I love you, Maddy,” Noah whispered in her ear.

  The flame brightened, filling her heart with warmth. “I love you, too.”

  “Oh, yippee skippy,” Matt said in a sarcastic voice intended to be overheard. “Another Callahan bites the dust.”

  Noah let out a choked laugh but didn’t loosen his grip. “I don’t think being in love qualifies for biting the dust.”

  “Go away, Matt,” Maddy said, waving a hand at him. “We don’t need you after all.”

  “Good thing she loves you, Noah, since I distinctly remember telling you to stay away from her,” Matt said.

  “Knock it off already!” Maddy threw the words over her shoulder. “Three’s a crowd, Matt.”

  “Okay, but you need to answer your phone, sis,” Matt said. “Your boss is on the line. Apparently Pietro accep
ted your offer. The trial is officially over.”

  “That’s great news,” Noah agreed.

  “Yes.” Maddy rose up on her tiptoes to kiss him again. The trial was over.

  But her life with Noah was just beginning.

  EPILOGUE

  Christmas Eve

  Maddy opened the door, smiling brightly in greeting. Noah stepped over the threshold into the Callahan family home, struck anew by the plethora of Christmas decorations. The place looked amazing, and he was glad Maddy was living there while her condo was being rebuilt. Although she’d already mentioned that living downtown had lost its appeal.

  He hoped that meant she’d be willing to consider living somewhere more modest, like the small home he’d purchased last summer. It wasn’t nearly as grand as her mother’s home, but it was a start.

  “Noah!” Maddy greeted him with an exuberant hug and kiss. He held her for an extra minute, savoring the cinnamon scent that clung to her skin. “You’re late,” she accused softly.

  He wasn’t about to explain why he’d run late, at least not yet. “Everyone else is here?” He swallowed hard. “Your entire family?”

  “Yep. Come on. Dinner won’t be ready for a while yet, so everyone is gathered in the family room.” She took his hand and tugged him toward the sound of voices intermixed with laughter.

  The idea of giving Maddy his gift tonight had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now he was having second thoughts. The family room was chock-full of Callahans. He knew them all by name, of course, and in birth order, too. Marc was the eldest, married to Kari, then came Miles, who was married to Paige. Then there was Mitch, Michael, Matthew and finally Maddy.

  The woman he loved with his whole heart.

  Maddy took a seat on the corner of the sofa and indicated he should sit beside her.

  Instead he walked around until he was directly in front of her and dropped to one knee.

  The room instantly went silent; even the kids didn’t make a sound. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not, but he’d come this far. It was too late to turn back now.

  “Maddy? Will you please marry me?” He took the ring box out of his pocket, opened the lid and held it out to her. Picking up the diamond ring had been the reason he’d run a little late.

  “Oh, Noah! Yes! Of course I’ll marry you!” She didn’t bother looking at the ring but launched herself into his arms.

  “Yay!”

  “It’s about time!”

  “Wow, that was quick!”

  “Aw, isn’t that sweet?”

  The comments from her family were like white noise in the background. Nothing mattered at that moment except Maddy.

  She’d said yes!

  “Is there gonna be a baby in her tummy, too?” a young voice asked. “Like Auntie Kari?”

  The adults laughed at Abby’s innocent question. Noah hoped his face wasn’t too red.

  “Wait, what?” Maddy pulled out of his arms, turning to look at her eldest brother. “You’re having a baby?”

  “We are,” Marc confirmed. “In about four and a half months, so please plan to have your wedding before Kari delivers.”

  “Yeah, because, um, so are we,” Paige spoke up, blushing as Miles placed his hand over her still flat belly. “Having a baby, I mean. About the same time as Marc and Kari.”

  The room broke out into laughter and applause with a few low male groans from the brothers who were still single. Noah didn’t mind fitting in his wedding to Maddy before or after babies. This was the family he’d dreamed of.

  With Maddy at his side, he was exactly where he belonged.

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed this story, pick up the first two CALLAHAN CONFIDENTIAL stories from Laura Scott

  SHIELDING HIS CHRISTMAS WITNESS

  THE ONLY WITNESS

  and these other stories from Laura Scott:

  WRONGLY ACCUSED

  DOWN TO THE WIRE

  UNDER THE LAWMAN’S PROTECTION

  FORGOTTEN MEMORIES

  HOLIDAY ON THE RUN

  MIRROR IMAGE

  Available now from Love Inspired Suspense!

  Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com

  Keep reading for an excerpt from UNDERCOVER AMISH by Debby Giusti.

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  Dear Reader,

  Christmas Amnesia is the third book in my Callahan Confidential miniseries. Thanks to all of you who wrote to me letting me know how much you’re enjoying the Callahans. This book revolves around Assistant District Attorney Madison “Maddy” Callahan.

  When Maddy is assaulted outside the courthouse, she loses her memory, a catastrophe since she’s preparing for the biggest trial of her career. Office Noah Sinclair arrives at the hospital in time to save her life, and while he certainly knows Maddy, she doesn’t remember him. As Maddy tries to remember and flees the gunman chasing after her, she soon realizes Noah is the only man she can trust, with her life and with her heart.

  I hope you enjoy Noah and Maddy’s story. I’m also hard at work on the next book in the Callahan Confidential Series. I love hearing from my readers. If you’re interested in contacting me or signing up for my newsletter, please visit my website at www.laurascottbooks.com. I’m also on Facebook at Laura Scott Books Author and on Twitter @Laurascottbooks.

  Yours in faith,

  Laura Scott

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

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  Undercover Amish

  by Debby Giusti

  ONE

  “Hey, lady, that woman on TV looks just like you.”

  Hannah Miller ignored the wizened old man with the scruffy beard and bloodshot eyes, who undoubtedly was talking to her since she was the only woman in the gas station. Instead of responding, she handed her credit card to the attendant behind the counter. “Twenty dollars on pump four.”

  Averting her gaze from not only the older man but also the cluster of guys ogling the model on the cover of the latest edition of a men’s sports magazine, she squared her shoulders, raised her chin and hoped she looked more confident than she felt. A truck stop off the interstate was the last place Hannah wanted to be in the dead of night, but she needed gas. She also needed to find her sister Miriam and to learn the details of her mother’s death as well as the whereabouts of her youngest sister, Sarah, who had disappeared along with Miriam.

  Refusing to be deterred, the old guy with
the beard pointed to the flat-screen TV hanging on the wall. “Check it out, lady.”

  As much as she didn’t want to respond to his comment, she couldn’t stop from glancing at the television. Her heart lurched and a tiny gasp escaped her lips. Her middle sister’s face stared back at her from the thirty-two-inch screen.

  A reporter, holding a microphone, stepped toward Miriam as the news video continued to play. “Ms. Miller, do you have any comment about the man who murdered your mother?”

  “No comment.” Miriam pushed past the reporter and climbed aboard a Gray Line bus.

  “The suspected killer is dead,” the man with the mike continued, “along with a deputy sheriff who was involved in Leah Miller’s death. Now her daughter Miriam is leaving Willkommen. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said the tragedy is an isolated incident. The crime rate in the town and surrounding Amish community is low, and tourists shouldn’t be discouraged from visiting the area.”

  The video ended and the late-night news anchor returned to the screen. “That footage, shot six weeks ago, is the last taken of Miriam Miller, although there is speculation she returned to Willkommen and is hiding out in the North Georgia mountains. The police now suspect the carjacking that claimed Leah Miller’s life could be tied to the disappearance eight months earlier of Rosie Glick, an Amish girl believed at the time to have run off with her Englisch boyfriend.”

  Hannah’s heart pounded and a roar filled her ears. Seeing the news feed made the information she’d learned about her family only hours earlier even more real. She desperately needed space to recover her composure, but the insistent bearded man sidled closer.

  “’Spect your last name must be Miller.” He raised his voice. “Except for your blue eyes, you look so much alike that you’ve got to be kin to that woman on the news whose mother was killed. Gunned down in a carjacking was the story I heard.”

  Hannah pursed her lips and hoped her icy glare would convince the attendant who still held her credit card not to divulge her name. Evidently the kid behind the counter was smart enough to pick up on her cues. He returned her card without comment.