by Laura Scott
“Not necessary?” Duncan frowned. “I’d rather Chelsey be safe.”
Slade shrugged. “We can certainly provide new identities for you both, if that’s what you’d prefer.”
Once again, Duncan thought about his dad, Ian O’Hare, his sister, Shayla Callahan, his brother-in-law, Mike Callahan, and the other Callahans.
Plus his nephew, Brodie, and niece, Breena.
He would miss his family very much. But there was no way on earth he could live without Chelsey. “I want Chelsey to be safe,” he repeated. “Whatever it takes. And her staying here in Wyoming doesn’t seem reasonable.”
“Okay, we’ll put some things in motion.” Slade stood and crossed over to the door. Then he paused and glanced back over his shoulder. “I did a little research on you, Duncan. Not only are you a cop, your dad is a retired cop, and your sister married into a family full of law enforcement types. If you ask me, there isn’t a safer place for you and Chelsey than with them. After all, Milwaukee is pretty far from Jackson, Wyoming.” Slade opened the door and left.
Leaving Duncan to absorb the impact of his words.
Was Slade right? If there weren’t any true organized crime members to come after them, was it really necessary for him and Chelsey to disappear forever?
Or was this nothing more than wishful thinking on his part?
The door opened again and this time, Chelsey stepped in. He rose to meet her halfway, stunned when she launched herself into his arms.
“Oh, Duncan, that took forever. I couldn’t wait to see you.”
He nestled her close, lowering his cheek to her hair. “I’m okay, Chels. How are you?”
“Fine now,” was her muffled reply. She wound her arms around his waist and hung on as if she’d never let go.
He didn’t mind. If he had his way, he’d never let her go, either.
“I love you, Chelsey.” He’d promised himself if they got away from Goldberg alive, he’d tell her how he felt. “I know you probably don’t feel the same way, and I know you don’t want to mistake friendship for love, but it’s important to me that you know the truth.”
“Duncan.” Her voice was so low he could barely hear it. She hesitated, then lifted her face to his. Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I love you, too, and I realized my feelings for Brett weren’t the real thing because I was attracted to you from the start. I’ve fallen in love with you, but I can’t ask you to give up your family for me.”
“Really?” He searched her gaze, afraid to hope. “Slade told me that I’m the one who is more at risk as far as needing to testify against these guys, Chelsey. So if anything it would be me needing the protection of being in WITSEC, not you.”
Her brow furrowed. “Slade said that?”
The tiny flicker of hope in his heart went out. “Yes, but even so, Chelsey, I don’t think staying in Wyoming is in your best interest. I thought it might be better for you to relocate to Milwaukee, the place where you once lived with your parents. My family will look after you for me.”
“And where will you be, Duncan?”
He longed to kiss her, but forced himself to do what was best for her. “I plan to trust God’s plan for us. And if that means me disappearing, while you stay safe with my family, then I’ll gladly take that. Anything is possible as long as I know you’re safe.”
Her blue eyes softened. “And what if I want to be with you?”
His heart stuttered in his chest. “I’d like nothing more, but I need you to be sure, Chelsey. This is a big step with some level of risk involved.”
There was a series of shouts and cries from outside the interview room. Duncan reacted by spinning Chelsey away from the door and placing himself in front of her, ready to fight if necessary.
The minutes ticked by slowly, then Slade poked his head inside. “You both okay?”
Duncan gave a curt nod. “What happened?”
“Fight broke out in the jail cell. Wolfe lost his temper and attacked Strand.” Slade sighed. “Strand won that fight, but Wolfe has died of his injuries. Looks like the only one you have to testify against is Strand, who doesn’t have nearly the same high-powered attorneys Wolfe had access to.” The marshal grinned wryly. “Our job just got a whole lot easier.”
The news swirled in his head. “You really think it’s safe enough for me to return to Milwaukee with Chelsey?”
“I do.” Slade didn’t hesitate. “I wouldn’t lie to you, Duncan. Not after all this.” Slade reached up to rub the back of his neck. “I have to go. Thanks to that fight, there’s more paperwork to complete. The locals have to report to their boss, while I have to report up to mine.”
Duncan turned to face Chelsey. She stepped into his arms, wound her arms around his neck and drew him down for a kiss.
He loved kissing her and didn’t want to stop, but they still needed to talk. “Chels?” he managed when he could breathe.
“Hmm?” She rested her head in the hollow of his shoulder.
“I love you and I want you to be safe.”
She lifted her head, smiling at him. “I love you and want you to be safe, too. Sounds like the best option is for us to live in Milwaukee.”
“Are you sure about that? About leaving the hotel behind?” He forced himself to ask the question, mentally bracing himself for her response.
“Yes, I’m sure that I want to be with you, Duncan. Even though Travis Wolfe wanted to buy the hotel, I happen to know the federal government will also be interested in taking it over, as the land is part of the Grand Teton National Park. They offered before, when my grandparents had the place.”
He was humbled by how she was willing to give up her parents’ home for him. “I’d like to plant a couple of trees in your parents’ memory.”
Her smile widened. “I’d love that.”
“Chelsey, will you please marry me? I don’t have a ring, but I want you to know that I love you with all my heart. I’d be honored if you’d agree to be my wife.”
“Yes, Duncan, I’ll marry you. I only have one request.”
Anything, he thought. “Like?”
“No big fancy ceremony, just your immediate family and a few close friends. And I’d really like to be married in a church.”
It was very different from what she’d planned with Brett, but he wasn’t complaining. “Done. You’ll like the church Shayla and Mike have taken me to. It’s perfect for a small, intimate wedding ceremony.”
“Good.” She tugged his head down toward hers. “Please kiss me again, Duncan. Because this is the happiest day of my life.”
He was more than willing to oblige her request. Because it was the happiest day of his life, too.
EPILOGUE
Four months later...
October in Wisconsin was beautiful. The blue skies were clear and the leaves on the trees were a burst of yellow, orange and red. Chelsey knew she and Duncan were blessed to have such a wonderful wedding day.
She stood in the back of the small church she’d grown to love, in a simple dress that didn’t have a long train or a veil. As the organ music swelled she looked up the aisle and saw Duncan standing in a dark suit, no tux, waiting for her.
She smiled. There wasn’t a single doubt in her mind or her heart about marrying Duncan O’Hare. Thankfully, their testimony against Wesley Strand had resulted in a guilty verdict. Nettles, Martin and Goldberg all agreed to plea deals. The nightmare in Wyoming was over, but the move to Milwaukee had been the right decision. She’d lived there for the first fifteen years of her life, so it was a bit like coming back home.
And there was Duncan. The most wonderful, kind, caring and compassionate man she’d ever met. He’d do anything to protect her and always followed through on his promises.
There wasn’t anyone in the world like him, and she was blessed and humbled that he’d chosen her to be his wife.
&n
bsp; The church was filled with people, more than she’d expected. But not only was the Callahan family huge and growing by the minute, there were Duncan’s close friends: Hawk Jacobson, his wife Jillian, and their two kids; along with Ryker Tillman, his wife Olivia, and their two kids.
She liked how Duncan had surrounded himself with family men. Well, except for Slade and Colt, who hung back as if afraid to be bitten by the love bug.
“Ready, Chelsey?” Per her request, Duncan’s father, Ian O’Hare, was the one giving her away. Maggie Callahan O’Hare, Ian’s new wife, also treated Chelsey like a daughter. She felt it was fitting for both of them to be an intricate part of their wedding and she already loved them both, very much.
Her parents would have adored them, too.
“Yes.” She slid her arm through the crook of Ian’s elbow and together they began their walk down the aisle toward the front of the church. At one point she must have picked up the pace because Ian whispered, “Slow down, lass, I promise he’ll wait.”
That made her smile. And when she caught Duncan’s gaze, the love shining there was enough to bring tears to her eyes.
As Ian handed her over to Duncan, she gave her soon-to-be father-in-law a quick hug, then clasped both Duncan’s hands in hers. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you, too,” he whispered back.
Feeling secure with Duncan’s and God’s love surrounding them, they turned to face the pastor.
It was time to begin their new life, together.
* * *
If you enjoyed this book, don’t miss these other stories from Laura Scott:
Shielding His Christmas Witness
The Only Witness
Christmas Amnesia
Shattered Lullaby
Primary Suspect
Protecting His Secret Son
Soldier’s Christmas Secrets
Guarded by the Soldier
Available now from Love Inspired Suspense!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Shielding the Amish Witness by Mary Alford.
Dear Reader,
I hope you’ve enjoyed the third and final book in my Justice Seekers series. You met Hawk, Ryker and Duncan in the Callahan Confidential stories and I knew each of them deserved their own happily-ever-after. You might be happy to know I’m hard at work on another three-book series featuring—you guessed it—the US Marshals, where you are likely to meet Slade, Colt and Tanner again.
If you’re interested in learning about my upcoming book releases please drop by to visit my website at www.laurascottbooks.com. Take a moment to sign up for my monthly newsletter. I offer a free and exclusive novella to all subscribers.
I adore hearing from my readers, so either drop me a note through my website, or find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LauraScottBooks/ or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/laurascottbooks.
Until next time,
Laura Scott
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Shielding the Amish Witness
by Mary Alford
ONE
She’d put thousands of miles between herself and what happened, but she hadn’t been able to erase the horrific memory of watching her friend die. It had played through her mind during every one of those miles, like a movie stuck on a never-ending loop.
All her fault. Cheryl was dead because of her.
The fear stalking her since she’d left New York showed no sign of easing as she crossed into Montana. Because she knew what Vincent was capable of. He’d proved it by killing his wife in cold blood without a single hint of remorse.
Faith had prayed that the terrible things she’d read in her late husband’s note would turn out to be a cruel joke, but the rage on Vincent St. Clair’s face when Cheryl confronted him with the evidence had annihilated that hope, and it confirmed he was the monster her husband wrote about. And so much more.
If you’re reading this, then Vincent followed through with his threat and killed me...don’t let him get away with it, Faith.
She swiped the back of her hand across her tired eyes and focused on the road in front of her. She was barely hanging on and still couldn’t wrap her head around the truth. Vincent was Blake’s older brother. Both were decorated police detectives. How was it possible they’d been on the take for years?
Since she’d found the note Blake had taped to the bottom of his desk, Faith had existed in a state of shock. The first person she’d thought to call was Cheryl.
Faith jerked the car onto the shoulder of the road and screamed into the confines of its interior. Pounded her fists against the steering wheel. If she hadn’t been weak—hadn’t called her friend for help—Cheryl would still be alive.
The horror of watching Vincent shoot his wife at point-blank range would forever be imprinted in Faith’s mind. If Vincent had been ruthless enough to kill Cheryl simply because she’d seen the evidence Faith’s husband had accumulated, then what would he do to Faith if he caught her? She’d grabbed the evidence and run, started the car and flown from the garage. She’d been so certain Vincent would shoot her dead right there, but God had protected her. She’d gotten away, but she’d been looking over her shoulder ever since.
“I’m so sorry.” A broken sob escaped. Her heart drummed away the seconds while she glanced around at the isolation of the countryside and shivered. Sitting still was dangerous. Thirty-eight hours ago, she’d barely escaped with her life. But it wouldn’t end there. Vincent knew she had evidence that would put him away for a long time. He’d follow her to the ends of the earth to silence her.
Faith eased the car back onto the road and punched the gas. Staying alive meant quickly getting the car out of sight. Vincent was aware of the type of vehicle she drove. He’d find a way to locate her. Every second she was out in the open, her life was in jeopardy.
Her gaze landed on the cell phone in the cup holder, and a terrible truth dawned. As a detective, Vincent would know how to track her phone. He could be following her now.
Faith grabbed the phone and powered it down, praying it wasn’t too late.
She topped a hill. The snow flurries that had begun almost from the moment she crossed the state line continued to strengthen. An early spring storm was approaching.
Her fingers dug into the steering wheel as she drove through the deteriorating weather. More than anything, Faith hated bringing this nightmare to her sweet Amish grandmother. If there had been any other option, she would have chosen it instead.
A set of headlights struck the rearview mirror, momentarily blinding her. Faith whipped around in her seat. She hadn’t seen a soul in hours. The wide-open territory surrounding the Amish community of West Kootenai was sparsely populated. There were few travelers. Especially after dark. Especially in this weather.
Her stomach plummeted. Was it Vincent?
You’ll never get away from me... Vincent’s parting words had felt more like an omen.
Tension bunched between her shoulder blades while she strained to see more details on the vehicle beyond the headlights.
As far as she knew, her husband and Cheryl were the only ones who had knowledge of her Amish past in Montana.
After she moved to New York, every time she mentioned once being Amish, she’d get asked dozens of questions about why she left. In the end, it was just easier to keep that part of her life secret.
Had either Cheryl or Blake mentioned her past to Vincent?
Please, God, no.
She picked up her speed while keeping close watch in the mirror. The vehicle topped the ridge behind her, its pace normal for the conditions.
She blew out a shaky breath, nerves shot. It was probably someone who had gotten trapped in the storm like her. Her grip relaxed on the wheel. She’d been jumping at shadows since leaving New York.
The car’s headlights picked up the sign nailed to a tree by the side of the road announcing the different shops found in the West Kootenai community. Almost home. Just a little bit farther.
A wealth of childhood memories rushed through Faith’s mind. For more than twenty years she’d longed to come back. With no other choice available, she believed God’s hand had guided her throughout every mile of this frightening journey.
The Silver Creek Bridge appeared through the swirl of snow in her headlights. So many of her early childhood memories were tied to this creek. Her grandfather had taught her how to fish here. They’d searched for gold along the banks of the stream.
A smile played across her face at the way her grossdaddi could make anything seem like an adventure to a young child.
Tires squealed close and the sweet memories evaporated while goose bumps flew up her arms. A massive truck was a few feet off her bumper. She’d been wrong. This wasn’t an innocent traveler. Her worst fear screamed out of her nightmares and into reality.
Vincent had found her. Staying alive was going to take all her skills.
He flipped his lights on bright to intimidate. Faith buried the accelerator and pushed the car to its limits. Her tires spun on the slick road. Even though it was springtime in other parts of the world, here in Big Sky Country, winter still had the community in its grip.
