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Plain Target
Dana R. Lynn
SANCTUARY IN AMISH COUNTRYHorse trainer Jess McGrath only wants to clear her disgraced brother’s name, but enemies keep coming out of the woodwork and danger only gets closer. Jess soon learns that no place is safe—and no one can be trusted…except for the last white knight she’d ever expect to ride to her rescue. Paramedic Seth Travis was the boy behind her high school humiliation, but he’s also the man keeping her alive. When they find sanctuary in the Amish community, can they uncover answers in time to stop a killer—and resolve their past in time to build a future together?
SANCTUARY IN AMISH COUNTRY
Horse trainer Jess McGrath only wants to clear her disgraced brother’s name, but enemies keep coming out of the woodwork and danger only gets closer. Jess soon learns that no place is safe—and no one can be trusted...except for the last white knight she’d ever expect to ride to her rescue. Paramedic Seth Travis was the boy behind her high school humiliation, but he’s also the man keeping her alive. When they find sanctuary in the Amish community, can they uncover answers in time to stop a killer—and resolve their past in time to build a future together?
“We can’t stay here. I think our being here has scared whoever is after you past the point of caution. We’re sitting ducks.”
“And how are we supposed to leave? And, even if we do leave, where would we go? The power is still down and the creek’s still flooded,” Jess countered.
She had a point. The situation wasn’t ideal. “We’re just going to have to rough it,” he announced.
Her brows lowered. Her teeth gnawed at her full lower lip. “Seth.”
“Yeah?”
“We’re about five miles out from where Rebecca’s parents live.”
“Do you trust her family?”
“Yeah. I’m sure her family would help us if we could just get to their house.”
He considered it. “Where do they live?”
She told him. “Most of the houses on their street are owned by the Amish. And the lumber mill Levi works at is close by. We could probably get over there and use the business phone to call the police.”
“Better there than here. If we can sneak into the woods without being seen, we have a chance.”
He waited for her slow nod.
“Let’s do it.”
Dear Reader (#uab789ce9-e69a-57a6-91aa-d025e8569df4),
I hope you enjoyed Seth and Jess’s story. While this is the third story set in LaMar Pond, it is the first book of a new miniseries which is connected by the local Amish community. I was glad to finally give Seth his own happy-ever-after. And a chance to play the hero. After seeing how much he adored his new sister and her kids, I had to find a special woman just for him. Enter Jess. Jess has been through so much in her life. She is by herself, but has confidence that she is not alone... God is always with her. Her faith has kept her going during all the trials thrown her way. It was such a joy to watch her grow closer to Seth, and in the process, help him regain the faith he had lost.
I was also glad to bring my experience of working with the Deaf and hard of hearing into the story. I had always toyed with the idea of having a Deaf character, and after having been challenged by someone close to me, I decided to take a risk. I have just barely scraped the surface of the richness of Deaf culture here, and I hope to be able to go deeper in the future.
Thank you for journeying with me. I love to hear from readers. Visit me online at www.danarlynn.com (http://www.danarlynn.com), or email me at WriterDanaLynn@gmail.com. I am also on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.
Blessings,
Dana R. Lynn
DANA R. LYNN grew up in Illinois. She met her husband at a wedding and told her parents she had met her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married. Today they live in rural Pennsylvania with their three children, two dogs, one cat, one rabbit, one horse and six chickens. In addition to writing, she works as an educational interpreter for the deaf and is active in several ministries in her church.
Plain Target
Dana R. Lynn
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:19
This book is dedicated to the memory of my Aunt Norma, who first introduced me to the genre of romance, sparking a lifelong fascination with Happy Ever Afters.
Acknowledgments: (#uab789ce9-e69a-57a6-91aa-d025e8569df4)
Although writing is a solitary career, I couldn’t do it without the love and support of so many people. First, to my wonderful husband, Brad, and our kids. You alternately kept me sane and drove me crazy during this process, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
To my editor, Elizabeth Mazer, who took the time to brainstorm with me to make this story come to life. You are awesome, and I am so grateful to be able to work with you.
A special bittersweet thanks to my late agent, Mary Sue Seymour, who passed away before this book was completed. She loved this project and cheered me on from the beginning. A woman of great faith, energy and kindness. I was truly blessed to have been able to work with her.
My heartfelt gratitude to my Lord and Savior. I pray that my words will always point to Your love and mercy.
Contents
Cover (#ub1898d68-f2c6-5fd4-9980-56328a6369f3)
Back Cover Text (#u6adeb175-0c06-5f4a-a95d-6b91b1b9f546)
Introduction (#u84eb830a-6079-52f4-baa2-ab6b9fb0f7b0)
Dear Reader (#u54937519-3d1c-5149-8fe7-21262a32a4ef)
About the Author (#uc6990982-b02d-5f5d-adc2-18bbcb7407d6)
Title Page (#u74b23683-3997-523d-ab9e-696c2b3ef6bd)
Bible Verse (#uc2a5be99-29a3-5dfd-aef2-535fa8678e72)
Dedication (#u53aecdc6-d6c8-5b85-a10d-fc839515ca23)
Acknowledgments (#u08206b67-ff53-549c-bea9-90ae6892e9ca)
ONE (#u84814de6-b4f6-5c62-be9f-f40220291761)
TWO (#u4f2191b6-a714-581c-8f48-f5184e294892)
THREE (#u51500aa6-aefa-54bf-9ea1-7047b7661370)
FOUR (#uac8ca21f-6922-522f-a176-c80f1f41c6d6)
FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
TEN (#litres_trial_promo)
ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)
THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
ONE (#uab789ce9-e69a-57a6-91aa-d025e8569df4)
“Fire!”
Jess McGrath tore the fire extinguisher off the wall before running back to the blaze in her brother’s office. For the first time in five weeks she entered the room where she had found Cody dead from his own hand. Behind her, her hearing aids caught the eruption of sound as her visitors, Rebecca and Levi Miller, scurried to help the two daytime workers release the horses into the pasture. Gratitude surged briefly. Rebecca was her oldest friend. No one else had stuck by her when the scandal started, leading to Cody’s disgrace and the near ruin of their training stables. Her Amish-raised friend didn’t even consider abandoning Jess. It was fortunate that Rebecca had persuaded her indulgent older brother to give her a ride in to visit Jess today on his buggy. With staff down to the bare-bones minimum, Jess needed all the help she could get.
Pulling the pin, Jess aimed the extinguisher at the flames consuming the exterior wall. Would it be enough?
Please Lord, let everyone and the horses be safe. The pictures on the wall connected to the stalls vibrated as the horses were led out. They would go directly to the pasture.
The flames died out and the extinguisher sputtered as it emptied. Jess stared at the destruction before her. Cody’s desk had taken the brunt of it, along with the wall. How had it started? The electrical systems had all been updated within the past three years. And no one had been in the office for weeks.
Not since the police had taken all Cody’s files when he came under suspicion for various charges of fraudulent practices. A third of the clientele to the stables and training facilities she owned with her brother had taken their business, and their horses, elsewhere. River Road Stables was facing bankruptcy if she didn’t find a way to improve business.
Her eyes landed on the still smoldering heap that had been a garbage can. It was unrecognizable. Only the fact that Jess knew what it should be helped her identify it. Her stomach turned. Trembling began from her toes up. Had the fire started there?
The floor vibrated, almost a heaving feeling. Jess spun around in time to see the large bookcase rock forward. The frame was anchored to the wall, but she could see the screws being ripped out. Even as she jumped out of its way, she knew she hadn’t jumped far enough. The heavy shelf toppled, knocking into her as it fell. She crashed to the ground. A sharp pain exploded in her head.
* * *
Jess struggled to open her eyes. The left side of her face ached. Her ears rang. With a groan, she lifted her head, only to drop it as nausea rolled over her.
A warm hand patted her shoulder. She risked opening her eyes again. A paramedic loomed over her, a concerned frown digging furrows in his forehead. He looked vaguely familiar. Her head ached too much to wonder where she had seen him before.
“Jessica? Jess, can you hear me?”
She blinked, incredulous. Who was this man? She had to have met him somewhere. Not only did he know her name, but he had also signed as he spoke. Of course, she was wearing her hearing aids, so it wasn’t fully necessary. It was appreciated all the same.
She moved her head. Oww.
“My head hurts,” she moaned.
He nodded, watching her carefully. “I think you may have a concussion. We’ll know better once a doctor examines you. I did check your vitals. They look good.” He continued to sign while he spoke.
“How did you know I’m deaf?”
His eyes widened, a surprised expression crossing his face. Followed immediately by a guilty one. His gaze shifted nervously before returning to rest on her face again.
“You don’t recognize me?” He seemed wary of her answer.
She shook her head slowly, wincing as her aching head protested. “No, but you look really familiar.”
He sighed. “High school.”
It couldn’t be.
Narrowing her eyes, she looked closer. It was. How had she not recognized him? But he had changed so much from the gangly sixteen-year-old boy she had known so briefly eleven years ago. His black curly hair was shorter, and his scrawny body had shot up in height and was well muscled. The nerdy glasses were gone. But the eyes...she did remember them. Deep brown eyes that she had crushed on for several months during her freshman year before realizing that the sweet boy she thought she knew didn’t exist. He had been a bad boy who was only interested in flaunting the rules and irritating his high-society parents.
“Seth Travis.” The words felt bitter on her tongue.
He nodded, then focused his attention off himself. “Do I need to sign, or can you hear me well enough if I just talk? I can help you faster if I don’t sign.”
“Yeah, as long as I have my hearing aids on and it’s quiet and I can see your face, I’m good.”
“I remember that.”
Of course he did. Seth had always been brilliant. On track to be the salutatorian. Not to mention his memory. She had been amazed at his ability to recall even the smallest of details. She didn’t remember him signing in high school, though. When had he learned? And why bother?
“I’m surprised you didn’t recognize me. What with my dad being the senator and all.”
She shrugged. “It’s been a long time since I saw you and you’ve changed a lot. And I don’t pay attention to politics. Never have.”
“So you never saw my old man on television?” His mouth curled in a slight sneer. Problems with his dad, apparently. It was none of her business, but she couldn’t say she approved of his attitude. She would never have disrespected her parents that way.
“I don’t own a TV.” She didn’t add that she had better things to do with her time than to watch the drama of the spoiled rich kid she remembered play out before her.
Rebecca entered the stables, and Jess settled her attention on her dearest friend. Rebecca’s brother, Levi, followed her at a slower pace. It still looked odd to see Rebecca dressed Englisch when she stood next to her Amish brother. But it warmed her heart, too, knowing that Rebecca’s family supported her choices. Jess knew that Rebecca’s social circle was very small, due in part to her deafness. It could have been smaller. If she had left her community after she’d been baptized, she would have been shunned, even by her family. The fact that she had decided to leave her Amish community instead of being baptized had enabled her to keep her close ties to her family.
