That was Derrick’s only hope.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Harper watched as Jack settled her suitcase into the backseat of his pickup and thought about the contents inside. What was the proper attire for surrendering to the police? Should she plan to wear slacks and a nice blouse, try to show them that she was a normal person, a trustworthy professional? Or would that make it look as if she were trying too hard?
Did it matter what she wore? What she said? When she walked into that police station, would they see a twenty-eight-year-old healthcare worker who loved the old man she cared for as if he were her own grandfather? Would they see a woman who’d done everything in her power to protect him?
Or would they see an ex-con who’d run?
She couldn’t think about it or she’d melt into a puddle of fear.
Jack’s phone rang, and he walked away and answered it.
She and Jack had already been to his house so he could pick up a few things. He’d insisted she stay by his side, just in case Derrick was close. She hadn’t argued. Derrick was close. As stupid as it would sound if she said it out loud, she knew she was being watched. Eyes on her burned like the Vegas sun. Somebody was watching her. She’d forgotten the way she’d always felt, as if danger lurked around every corner. Back in Vegas, and even in Maryland, it had been so frequent that the anxiety had felt like it was part of her. And then she’d come here to this idyllic little town, and she’d felt safe.
For less than two weeks.
She could hear Jack talking quietly on the phone. Probably making arrangements for this last-minute trip.
She leaned against the side of his truck and inhaled a deep breath. The fresh country air was perfect. Just what she needed. So unlike the stale recycled air in prison.
Harper couldn’t go back. She couldn’t.
Was she really doing this? Was she really going to walk into a police station and tell them her story? And trust they’d believe her?
They wouldn’t. And then she’d end up behind bars. Again. For a crime she hadn’t committed. Again.
Her gaze shifted to the forest behind the house. She could run, just take off into the woods.
Right. How long would she last on the run? Hiding from Derrick had been one thing. But hiding from the police and… Garrison was former FBI, so they’d be on her trail. She probably wouldn’t last a day. And when they caught her, they’d never believe her story.
Anyway, even if Jack and his friends would take care of Red, Red would never understand why she’d abandoned him.
After what Derrick had done, her leaving might just kill the old man.
She had no choice. She had to go back to Maryland. She had to face whatever was coming and trust that the police would at least listen to her side of the story. This time, she wouldn’t go alone. Garrison had already compiled a list of defense attorneys. She’d make calls while Jack drove. An attorney on her side… This time, they’d believe her.
She told herself that, but nausea rose anyway.
Jack hung up the phone and walked toward her. “You okay?”
She crossed her arms against the chill in the air. “I’m ready.”
He studied her. “You’re white as a sheet.”
“I’m scared.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Did you kill those men?”
The question threw her. She blurted, “No.”
“Were you trying to kill Red?”
“Of course not.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Let’s trust the Lord on this one, okay?”
She had no idea how to do that.
Jack added, “Jesus said, ‘The truth will set you free.’ Do you believe that?”
The truth hadn’t set her free before. It had landed her in prison. But… she’d been guilty before. Not of murder, but of plenty of other stuff. She’d been guilty, and she’d served two years. As awful as it had been, prison had changed her. She’d come out determined to live right. She’d emerged sober, wiser about men and all the relationship issues she’d had before. She’d given up her dream of fame and fortune and gotten the job at the nursing home, where her favorite patient had told her about Jesus. Then she’d met Derrick. She’d been fooled at first, but when he’d shown his true colors, she’d ended that relationship. And through Derrick, she’d met Red, who’d told her more about Jesus. She’d believed in her Savior, and she’d been set free from her past because of Him. Prison had been awful, but it had been the beginning of this walk of faith.
“I do believe it,” she said. “Maybe I won’t be physically free, but He has set me free from my past.”
Jack stepped nearer. He took both her hands, looked into her eyes, and smiled. “I believe He means to set you free from all of it, right now. On the other side of this storm, you’re going to find peace. And I’m just happy to be along for the ride.”
She let out a short laugh that surprised both of them. “You might be a little bit crazy.”
“I’ve been called worse.” He wrapped his arms around her.
When his lips touched hers, those worries floated away like vapor. He tasted of confidence and love. How could she not trust this man who’d done so much for her already? Who was willing to go on this journey with her, to keep her safe, to stand by her through all the ugliness that was surely to come.
Maybe Jack was right. Maybe this was the beginning of the end. Maybe, soon, she would be safe.
Maybe this time, the truth really would set her free.
If you enjoyed Harper and Jack’s story, would you be so kind as to leave me a review? You can review Beauty in Hiding on Goodreads, Bookbub, and your favorite retailer.
* * *
Beauty in Battle
Book 3 in the Beauty in Flight Series
The truth is out, but will it set her free or land her in the grave?
Harper doesn’t want to return to Maryland to face the police. The mess she left behind makes her look guilty of the worst, but it’s too late to run again. Red is safe and the authorities are waiting. At least Jack is by her side.
Now that Jack knows the truth, his feelings for Harper are deeper than ever. He’s not about to leave her side, especially knowing a killer is after her.
But Derrick is on their trail, and he’s come unhinged. And he may not be the biggest threat lurking.
Don’t miss the exciting conclusion of the Beauty in Flight series. Buy Beauty in Battle today.
Acknowledgments
No story comes together without help. I owe thanks to my critique partners, Sharon Srock, Terri Weldon, Pegg Thomas, Jericha Kingston, Candice Patterson, Kara Hunt, and Normandie Fischer. You make me look good.
Thank you to my editor, Ray Rhamey, and to Misty Beller for all your marketing advice.
Thank you to my family for putting up with my crazy obsession with fictional characters.
All glory goes to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who enables me to do all He calls me to do.
Dear Reader
If you enjoyed Beauty in Hiding, would you leave me a review at your favorite retailer and, if you’re so inclined, on Goodreads or BookBub?
Sign up for my newsletter to receive a free copy of Convenient Lies. You’ll get information about future books, including the next book in this series. I promise not to sell or share your email with anybody, and I promise not to send you stuff every day. I will share my life with you a bit and, of course, tell you about my books and those of friends of mine that I think you’ll enjoy.
Thank you for reading! Nothing makes me happier than to share my stories.
In Christ,
Robin
* * *
Connect with me:
http://robinpatchen.com
Beauty in Flight
Beauty in Hiding
Beauty in Battle
Convenient Lies
Twisted Lies
Generous Lies
Innocent Lies
Chasing Amanda
Finding Amanda<
br />
A Package Deal
Copyright © 2019 by Robin Patchen
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Beauty in Hiding Page 21
