Stolen Memories

by Liz Johnson

  The job was really everything she’d hoped for. But could she be so close to Zach and not speak with him? Or worse, could she push down her feelings and just be his friend?

  Grand Forks was safe. It was familiar. And she wasn’t alone.

  But it didn’t have Zach.

  As she fell onto the couch in the living room, the landline rang. That would be another reporter looking for her story, digging for something more than the AP article that had run online and in newspapers across the country. She’d had about a dozen calls from them, and still she didn’t want to talk about it again.

  Closing her eyes against the strength of the sun that made the living room curtains seem feeble, she prayed for peace. She needed to make a decision.

  “God, I could use a sign here.”

  Nothing happened. No clear sign or writing on the wall.

  She hadn’t expected that. But a strong feeling in her stomach would have helped. No clear answer presented itself, but a gentle peace rolled over her, swallowing her like a favorite blanket on a winter night.

  Before the attack, before her time in Minneapolis, God had felt so distant, like a dream that she couldn’t quite remember in the midst of the heartache of being dumped and publicly humiliated. In the middle of her amnesia, unable to remember the pain of a broken heart, she’d remembered the truth, what it was like to know God was close, to speak to Him like a friend, to call on Him in her hour of need.

  Despite the pain, God had not abandoned her. And He would see her through the difficult days to come, too.

  When the doorbell chimed, she pushed herself up to peek out the window. The figure on the front step faced away from her, his head hung low and his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans.

  Before she consciously recognized the slope of his broad shoulders, her heart began an erratic dance, alternately fluttering and pounding as she scrambled for the door. It took a lifetime to get over the back of the couch and across the entryway, and by the time she swung the door open, she was panting and dizzy.

  But there he stood, the man she’d been dreaming about.

  “Zach.”

  It was more breath than spoken word, but he turned his head just the same. A gentle smile crept across his mouth, and he pressed a hand to his chest like his heart was suffering the same sweet torture as her own.

  “Hi, Emma.”

  “Hi.” Could she sound any more vapid? But other words refused to surface, so she let her body take over, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him with all of the pent-up emotions of the past three weeks.

  His arms wrapped around her waist, and he whispered into her hair. “I tried to call.”

  “I haven’t been answering the phone. Haven’t wanted to talk to anyone.” Letting go only enough to look into his face, she smiled. “Until now.”

  His grin spread, but when he released her, she was forced to do the same. “Are your parents around? I’d like to meet them.”

  “No. They’re both at work, but they’ll be back tonight.” She waved him toward the living room. “Come in. Tell me what you’re doing here.”

  He stepped into the foyer, but stopped on the tile entry, his hands going back into his pockets, his forehead tense. He looked as unsure as a kid on his first day of school.

  Crossing her arms, she waited, watched. The strong line of his jaw worked back and forth, his nose twitching in the silence. This wasn’t good news. “Is it Frank? Did he escape or did the judge let him go?”

  “Frank?” He looked utterly confused. “No. Nothing like that.”

  “Then—please don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to see you—but what are you doing here?”

  The tiny dimple in his right cheek made its first appearance of the day. Throwing up his hands, he said, “I couldn’t stay away.”

  Her stomach did a full flip. She couldn’t have heard him right, could she? He didn’t mean what she thought he meant, did he?

  With outstretched hands, he took three steps toward her until he could twine their fingers together. “I let you go because I thought it was what you wanted. You talked about how much you missed your family, and I couldn’t ask you to stay, but I never wanted you to go.”

  “Why no-ot?” Her voice cracked, her mouth suddenly bone-dry.

  A muscle in his jaw jumped. “Because I am so in love with you.”

  The back of her eyes burned, and she blinked hard against the rush of tears. It was everything she’d longed for. Everything.

  And yet a voice in the back of her mind that sounded an awful lot like Samantha reminded her that he liked to take in strays. He’d been caring for lost animals for years, and he’d admitted that it was hard to give them up when the time came. Was she really so different from them?

  His outline turned fuzzy, and she broke his hold to brush away the moisture in her eyes.

  “Hey.” His thumb captured a tear that had escaped and headed toward her chin. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “I’m not a stray.”

  “I don’t understand.” His brows wrinkled like he was trying hard to.

  “You took in Gizmo and other animals and you care for them. And that’s part of who you are, and I love that about you. But I don’t want to be another stray.”

  His fingers combed her hair over her ear and then cupped her head as his dimple returned. “A stray? Not even close.”

  “No?”

  “Sweet Emma, I have fallen so hard for you. When your memories were gone, I got to see your true heart.” He shook his head as if he still couldn’t believe it, and her true heart pounded with joy. “You are filled with compassion and determination, and you’re full of pluck and smarts, and I’ve been a complete fool. I never should have let you leave Minneapolis without telling you the truth.”

  “Really?”

  “It’s no easy task loving a homicide detective, and I thought you’d be better off without me. I thought it would be best to give you up, to let you go back to your family. I was wrong.” The intensity of his tone sent tremors through her hands, and he glanced at the one he still held in his own. “Are you afraid? Did I scare you?”

  Words failed her, so she just shook her head, stepping into the circle of his arms. He smelled clean and earthy, like fresh rain. Resting her hands on his chest, she could feel his short gasp and the tempo of his heart as it sailed. Her breath caught as his smile turned saucy, his arms tightening around her back.

  “So, what do you say?” She still couldn’t see anything above his lips as they formed his question.

  “About?” she asked.

  “Well, I just told you that I’m in love with you. Do you have anything to say about that?”

  “I’m so glad.”

  He laughed, and she couldn’t wait a second more. Pushing onto her tiptoes and pulling herself up on his shoulders, she pressed her lips to his. Fire and pleasure shot through her, making every inch of her skin tingle with delight.

  She was safe. She was treasured. She was loved.

  All the fear and uncertainty was behind them; this was the future she wanted.

  When he finally pulled away, his eyes sparkled. “I’ll take that to mean you love me, too.”

  “I do. I so very much do.”

  He kissed her again, sweet and powerful. “I guess this means I’d better move to Grand Forks.”

  “And quit the force?”

  A shadow of sorrow crossed his face for a split second, replaced with a smile almost as quickly as it had appeared. “It’ll be worth it to be near you.”

  He’d never sacrifice a career he loved for a stray. Actually, he’d never have risked his life for a stray. Why hadn’t she seen it that night on the farm? She thought he’d just been doing his job, but the truth was he’d risked everything to save her life. He’d been willing to lay down his own life for hers. And there was no greater love than that.

  That sure knowledge warmed her chest until laughter bubbled forth. “Oh, please don’t quit your job. It’s so
much a part of who you are, of the man I’m in love with.”

  His face puckered as if he’d sucked on a lemon. “I don’t want to be that far away from you.”

  “Then I’ll move to Minneapolis. The children’s hospital called and offered me the job I interviewed for. I think I’ll take it.”

  Without warning he hauled her back to his chest and kissed her soundly. Pressing his forehead to hers, he took a ragged breath. “We’re going to have a good life together, Emma.”

  “I know.”

  Although not quite all of her memories had returned, she was certain that at Zach’s side, the best were yet to be made.

  *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE AGENT’S SECRET PAST by Debbi Giusti.

  Dear Reader,

  I’m so glad that you joined Zach, Julie and me in this exciting installment of the Witness Protection series.

  Writing about Julie’s amnesia was so much fun for me. I had to ask myself time and again what was so ingrained in her character that no amount of forgotten memories could steal it away. I was reminded of a promise in Hebrews that God will put His laws on our hearts and write His words in our minds. No matter how distant she felt from God, His promises were true.

  I hope you’ll remember that, during times when God feels far away.

  Thanks for spending your time with us. I appreciate it more than I can express. And I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at liz@lizjohnsonbooks.com, Twitter.com/LizJohnsonBooks or Facebook.com/LizJohnsonBooks.

  I’ve loved working with the other talented authors in this miniseries to give you a thrilling tale. Be sure to pick up the future books in the series coming in April, May and June.

  Liz Johnson

  Questions for Discussion

  Which character in this book do you most relate to? What makes you say that?

  From the first chapter Julie deals with amnesia. What would be the scariest part about having amnesia for you personally?

  There are some things that Julie believes she would never forget—like if she were married. What’s something that you’re certain you wouldn’t forget even if you lost every other memory?

  Julie remembers all the words to “It is Well with My Soul.” Is there a hymn that you think is so ingrained in your heart that you’d never forget it? What makes that song meaningful to you?

  Zach describes several characteristics that are at the very heart of Julie, that her amnesia can’t touch. What are a few traits that you believe you’d always carry?

  Can you identify with the inadequacies that Julie feels that make her compare herself to a stray? Why or why not?

  Much of Zach and Julie’s story is about waiting for God’s timing. As hard as they try to unlock Julie’s memories, it only happens in the right time. Have you had a similar experience where you tried to rush something that you couldn’t control?

  One of Zach’s best friends is LeRoy, a reformed drug dealer who runs a rehabilitation center. What do you think that friendship says about Zach’s heart?

  How do you think Zach’s history with friends like LeRoy helped him feel comfortable falling in love with a woman without any memories?

  Do you think that you could ever fall in love with someone without knowing his or her past? Why?

  Why do you think Zach and Julie are a good match for each other?

  Do you think that the marshals will find baby Kay and reunite her with her mom, Lonnie?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

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  PROLOGUE

  Eight years earlier

  The moon peered down between dark, billowing clouds and cast the Amish farmhouse in shadows. Rebecca Miller stepped from her car onto the one-lane, dirt road she knew so well and shivered in the frosty night air.

  Leaving two years earlier had sealed her fate. She would not be welcomed nor accepted back unless—and until—she asked forgiveness. Something she could never do.

  If only her father had believed her. Perhaps then, she would have remained in Harmony, Alabama, and spent the rest of her life wrapped in the familiar embrace of the Amish way.

  Instead she had created a new future for herself in the military. Seemingly a drastic shift from the peace-loving community of her childhood, but then too many ignored what Rebecca knew so well. Evil existed even among the Amish.

  After driving straight through from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, her legs were stiff and her shoulders tense.

  Cautiously she climbed the front steps, her breath clouding the air. She shivered, anticipating her father’s icy stare and quick rejection.

  Her sister’s words replayed in her memory. I fear for my life.

  Rebecca tapped ever so lightly on the unlatched door. An even more chilling shiver snaked up her spine.

  “Katie,” she whispered, pushing the door open.

  An acrid stench wafted past her before she saw her father and the dark circle of blood pooling on the wooden floor beneath his chest. The cloying scent of copper clogged her throat and sent a jab of fear deep into her heart.

  “Datt?” Without thought, she slipped back to her Amish past.

  He lay on the hand-hewn floorboards his bearded face pale and drawn, life ebbing from his glassy eyes. Trying to assess which of the many stab wounds to stanch, Becca dropped to her knees and touched his outstretched hand.

  Her father’s eyes widened ever so slightly.

  “Who was it?” she whispered, knowing even before he answered.

  “Ja-Jacob,” he stammered, ignoring the ban that forbid him from speaking to his daughter.

  A shuffle sounded overhead.

  Rebecca’s breath hitched. “He’s here?”

  “Yah.”

  An unseen sword pierced her soul, the pain so intense she gasped for air. “Katie?”

  He pointed to the pantry. “Go,” he demanded, with a flick of his hand.

  Recalling the times she and her younger sister had playfully hidden in the adjoining alcove, Becca hastened toward the pantry and inched the door open.

  Her heart stopped.

  Katie sat slumped against the wall, eyes open, face contorted in terror. Blood spilled from the gaping wound that sliced through her gut.

  “No!” she moaned ever so softly.

  Rebecca bit her fisted hand, unable to see anything except her sister’s lifeless gaze. Guilt overwhelmed her. If she hadn’t left, Katie would still be alive.

  Footsteps sounded on the stairs and warned of his approach. Rebecca scurried back to the kitchen. Her father’s head lay slack against his arm. She leaned down to touch his neck, feeling nothing except his soft flesh and prickly beard.

  No pulse. No life.

  A floorboard groaned on the landing. Close. Too close.

  “Goodbye, Datt,” she whispered.

  Rebecca opened the door and slipped into the darkness. Once at her car, she glanced back.

  Jacob appeared in the farmhouse doorway.

  She could see the outline of his face, his beard, his lips snarling as he stared into the night.

  “Who’s there?” His eyes found her in the shadows.

  He raised his fist in the air. “You cannot run from me, Rebecca. I will find you. When I do, you will die.”

  Copyright © 2014 by Deborah W. Giusti

  ISBN-13: 9781460328026

  STOLEN MEMORIES

  Copyright © 2014 by Harlequin Books S.A.

  Special thanks and acknowledgment are giv
en to Liz Johnson for her contribution to the Witness Protection miniseries.

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

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