Star Witness

by Lisa Phillips

  She fingered the simple diamond on her left hand. In a month she would be walking down the aisle to him. She couldn’t wait.

  A TV anchorwoman toddled over to Mackenzie on her four-inch spike heels. A big guy carrying a camera on his shoulder followed close behind. The woman cracked a perfect smile and stuck her microphone in Mackenzie’s face. “Lani, darling! Tell the viewers what it was like being on the run in witness protection.”

  Mackenzie smiled. “It’s been a long time, Adelyn, but I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything else. Sometimes life throws you a curveball and you have to move with it, or let it pass you by.” She glanced at Aaron, talking to the mayor. “I’m glad I didn’t let opportunity slip through my fingers.”

  “Delightful! And who is this?”

  Mackenzie turned as Aaron slid an arm around her waist. “This is my fiancé. Aaron is a former soldier and the brains behind the sports-complex side of the center. All of the staff are former servicemen and women who have made tremendous sacrifices for this country. It is our great honor to have them come alongside to help serve the young people of this community, young people so often dismissed or overlooked.”

  Mackenzie didn’t think it was possible to smile any wider, but she did. “I can tell you, I am one extremely blessed woman.”

  “Sounds like it. How wonderful!” A sly smile lifted the anchorwoman’s mouth. “And when is the wedding?”

  Mackenzie could have laughed out loud. Reporters were always trying to get details of the small ceremony they were planning. Aaron squeezed her hand and answered for her. “Less than four weeks and I get to make this incredible woman my wife. Can you imagine? Talk about being extremely blessed.”

  The anchorwoman wrinkled her nose, probably upset that she wasn’t going to get anything juicy out of them. “Thank you for talking with us today, and best wishes for your venture.”

  The anchorwoman moved away and Mackenzie turned to Aaron.

  He kissed her. The noise of the crowd dimmed as he swept her up in the moment and the sweetness of his strength. After a minute, he leaned back. “I came over here to tell you something. I forget what it is, though.”

  She laughed.

  “Right, now I remember.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “There’s someone here to see you.”

  Mackenzie looked past him, to a face she hadn’t seen in years. The sight of her mother, thinner and so much older than she remembered, brought tears to her eyes. It had taken weeks after Aaron’s accident and the drama with Carosa being over before she found the courage to look up her mom and dad.

  Mackenzie’s father had passed away a number of years before from liver cancer. Her mom had been living alone in a condo in Miami. At first their communication had been awkward, neither really knowing what to say to each other. But when Mackenzie began to open up about what the years had been like and what she had come to realize about God’s grace, her mom had broken down, crying over the phone. It turned out that her mom had discovered a relationship with God after Mackenzie’s dad died and she’d been praying for her daughter every day since.

  The relief, the joy that they could have a relationship where they had both moved on from the past, was indescribable. It wouldn’t be an easy road, but both of them wanted to begin anew. Like so many things in their lives had.

  Aaron squeezed her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “Go say hi to her.”

  Mackenzie shot him a smile and crossed the distance to where her mom stood off to the side of the building’s entrance. She stopped short a ways away, suddenly unsure of herself despite all she’d accomplished. Mackenzie looked at the sidewalk, praying no one noticed her discomfort. This was the woman who let her walk away, valuing her own lifestyle more than her daughter. She took a deep breath and looked up, finding a smile she didn’t have to force.

  But when she looked at Clara Anders now, Mackenzie saw nothing of the woman from years ago. Instead there was only delight in the eyes full of tears.

  Mackenzie stepped closer. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Mackenzie.” Clara expelled a lungful of air. “That sounds so strange, calling you that. Are you really going to keep that name?”

  Mackenzie nodded. “It’s who I am now.”

  Her mom nodded. “I wasn’t sure before, but looking at you now, I understand.”

  She wrapped her arms around her mom. It took a second, but the smaller woman reached up and did the same. Tears ran down her face.

  “This is a wonderful thing you and Aaron are doing here. You should be very proud of yourself.” When they broke apart, Clara smiled. “I met your young man.”

  Mackenzie had a rush of nerves wondering what her mom thought of him.

  “He’s wonderful. I’m very happy you found the man God made just for you.” Clara’s eyes dimmed. “Your father was that man for me.”

  Mackenzie stiffened, not really wanting to dredge up what was gone.

  Her mom continued, “Somewhere along the way, we lost our direction. But from the beginning there wasn’t a doubt we were it for each other. There’s never been anyone else for me, then or since.” Clara shook her head. “Don’t mind me. I’m happy for you, my darling.”

  “Thanks, Mom. That means a lot to me.”

  “And can I hope that I’ll be part of your life going on?” A wistful smile crossed her face. “I quite like the thought of being a grandmother.”

  Mackenzie laughed. “I’d like that, too. But we’ll have to see what time brings.”

  She might have missed a lot of years and have a lot of history with her mom that both of them would rather forget, but that didn’t mean the future couldn’t be bright. She loved the idea of her mom being a part of their lives and the lives of the kids she and Aaron might have together. They could leave the bad stuff in the past and forge a new family dynamic together. Build for their children what she and Aaron never had.

  Thinking of him...she turned and scanned the faces around them. He was talking with Pastor John.

  As though he felt her gaze on him, he looked up and caught her staring. His face brightened into a smile, and she wondered that this man who had been so contrary and who held everything so close to himself, never giving away his feelings, now practically glowed with joy.

  He crossed the room, stepping around people milling and talking, partaking of refreshments. He ignored a waiter’s offer of a flute of sparkling grape juice and made a beeline for her.

  He slipped his arms around her waist. “Caught you.”

  “You certainly did. And I’m glad. Very glad.” The rush of emotion brought tears to her eyes.

  “Hey, no crying. This is a happy day, remember. What’s going on?”

  She sniffed. “No crying. I’ll try to remember that.”

  He gave her a gentle shake. “What’s up?”

  “I’m just really glad you found me and I found you, and God brought us together. Or however that all works. I’m just glad it did.”

  He cleared his throat. “Me, too. You have no idea how alone I felt before you came along. And you wouldn’t let me do what I’d always done. Thank God you weren’t content to let me hold back. You’d have walked away and I would have been...well, it definitely wouldn’t have been pretty. At all.”

  One corner of his mouth tipped up. “I’d probably be sitting in my boat, all alone with two days’ worth of stubble and a fishing pole that I’d run out of bait for, wondering where on earth I’d gone wrong.”

  Mackenzie laughed. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from RANCHER UNDER FIRE by Vickie McDonough.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for reading this book, my second story with Love Inspired Suspense.

  The twists and turns of life often
lead us to places we never expected. But it’s through these detours that God brings us to the place where He wants us to be. Only then can we fully experience the fullness of His love and faithfulness toward us.

  That’s what I’ve learned. It doesn’t matter where your feet take you, God will always bring you to the place where your heart can hear what He wants to say.

  To find out more about me and my books, you can go to www.authorlisaphillips.com or you can email me at lisaphillipsbks@gmail.com. If you’re not online, you can write to me c/o Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

  I would love to hear from you.

  God bless you richly,

  Lisa Phillips

  Questions for Discussion

  At the beginning of the story, Mackenzie was alone and a target. What do you think gave her the strength to not crack under that pressure?

  Have you ever been in a situation where you were targeted for one reason or another? How did it work out?

  Aaron was recovering from a mission where, his first time up to bat as team leader, everything went wrong. Have you ever had a circumstance in your life where everything went wrong?

  Aaron believed his failure meant everyone he worked with, everyone he loved, will reject him. Have you ever felt that way? If you’ve learned otherwise, what made you change your mind?

  Eric was essentially Aaron’s entire family. What do you think caused them to be estranged, given the deep bond between them?

  What do you think of Aaron’s desire to reconnect with his brother and the timing of it, coming on the heels of his failed mission?

  Have you ever tried to reconnect with someone with whom you’re estranged? What were the results?

  When Aaron and Mackenzie made the decision to investigate Eric’s coworkers in order to find the mole, what did you think of their decision, given that it posed a risk to their safety?

  Doug and Sabine, whose story was told in Double Agent, were Aaron’s closest friends. Do you have people in your life who will drop everything to help you out?

  After receiving the package, Aaron started to believe things might work out after all. Have you ever experienced someone reaching out to you that gave you hope in a dark time?

  Eva’s betrayal of Mackenzie came as a surprise to her. Have you had someone in your life who did this to you? How did you overcome it?

  Mackenzie’s guilt over the life she lived as a pop star stayed with her for years. Do you have things in your past you regret? If you’ve moved past these things, how have you done it?

  Mackenzie sacrificed herself to save Aaron and his friends. What did you think of her decision?

  Aaron raced to rescue Mackenzie from Carosa, but when the bombs went off, they don’t make it out of the building. In that moment, God was their comfort. Can you think of a time in your life God has done that for you?

  Aaron and Mackenzie began their own center, together, with bright hope for the future. Why do you think they chose to do this in particular?

  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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  ONE

  Mariah Reyes had to face the facts—she was lost. Hours of wandering on the desolate country roads of Northeastern Oklahoma had left her more confused than a chameleon in a bowl of Skittles.

  She checked for oncoming cars—not that she’d seen more than one in the past half hour—then reached for the map on the passenger’s seat. She peeked down at the line she’d drawn before leaving home that showed the way to Angelfire Ranch, but it didn’t help. Glancing up, she jerked the steering wheel to the right to get her car back in her lane and willed her pulse to return to normal.

  “This is crazy.” She slowed the car, pulled onto the gravel shoulder and searched her purse for her phone. Maybe she could find her way using the built-in GPS and maps. She turned it on and opened the map app. She’d already plugged in the address to Jackson Durant’s ranch, but she hadn’t wanted to risk driving while trying to follow the tiny GPS dot on her phone.

  She studied the barren winter wilderness while she waited for the map to load. Tall, yellow grass fluttered in the wind, and the few leaves still clinging to the almost-bald trees waved at her. The land here wasn’t as flat as the Dallas area, and there were more trees, but the emptiness of the countryside after the busyness of the big city left her feeling isolated.

  She checked her phone. With only one bar on her cell, the map wouldn’t load. “That’s great.” Mariah tossed the phone onto the passenger’s seat and blew out a sigh. So much for modern technology.

  Now what?

  She’d passed a farm several miles back, but she hated asking for help. She shifted the car in gear and drove forward. Just a few more miles, and if she didn’t find Angelfire Ranch, she’d turn around or ask someone for directions.

  Fifteen minutes later, she pulled into a parking lot containing half a dozen trucks and a single gray sedan. She looped her arm through her purse straps and read the name of the establishment made from cement blocks painted an icky avocado-green: Tank Up—Gas and Bar. She shook her head. “Only in Oklahoma.”

  A Coke and some chocolate would do a lot to improve her mood. She grabbed her map, pressed the remote to lock the car and headed into the store. Loud music, smoke and the odor of burned pizza greeted her.

  A slim clerk dressed in denim, boots and a cowboy hat nodded. “Howdy, ma’am.” His gaze dropped to the map in her hand. “Can I he’p you find somethin’?”

  She smiled. “Just let me grab a Coke first.”

  Mariah surveyed her surroundings—something she did as a habit. Probably the reporter in her wanting to know everything that was happening. The right side of the building housed a small convenience store while the left opened up to tables, chairs and a bar on the far wall. Neon signs shone through the cloud of smoke that hovered above a table where four men played cards and drank beer. The country music blaring from an old jukebox in the far corner whined a song she didn’t recognize. The buzz of conversation stopped, and the men at the table, along with another guy talking to the bartender, turned to gawk at her.

  Mariah spun around, snatched a candy bar off the rack and made a beeline for the soda fountain. Thanks to her father, men made her nervous, especially ones who were indulging in liquor. She never knew what to expect from them. Three years as an investigative reporter had boosted her courage and made her much more outgoing, but being the only woman with seven men—some of whom were drinking—increased her anxiety.

  She filled a disposable cup then hurried to the counter and paid for her items. She eyed a slice of cheese pizza in a warmer behind the clerk but decided she didn’t need the carbs. Glancing back at the clerk, she fished her wallet from her purse. “Could you please tell me how to find Angelfire Ranch?”

  The young cowboy smiled. “Sure thang, ma’am. Just head north four miles or so until you see a broken-down hay baler in a field then turn right. You’ll see the big Angelfire sign after a few minutes. Cain’t miss it.”

  She wanted to ask what a hay baler looked like, but several of the men from the table had risen and were ambling her way. Mariah gathered her things and rushed out the door. She didn’t breathe a sigh of relief until she turned her Mustang onto the road again.

  She made note of the mileage so
she could tell when she’d traveled four miles. At least she was closer to Angelfire Ranch than she’d thought.

  A motion in the rearview mirror snagged Mariah’s attention. A black truck—no two—spun out of the store’s parking lot and were approaching fast.

  Mariah pressed down the gas pedal, keeping watch on the odometer, the road and the trucks. Did they just happen to leave at the same time? Or were they following her?

  She glanced at the speedometer—seven miles per hour over the speed limit—and the nearest truck was still closing the space between them. Mariah grasped the wheel harder, and her pulse jumped into overdrive. Just when she thought the first truck would ram her, it whizzed into the other lane and passed her. She glanced in the passenger window of the second truck as it also zoomed by, but the tinting was too dark for her to see through.

  She relaxed her grip on the wheel and blew out an irritated breath. “Show-offs!”

  As the second black truck passed her, she looked for the tag number, but the lower half of the vehicle was covered in mud. Suddenly, the truck swerved back into her lane, and the taillights lit up. The gap between her car and the pickup narrowed. Mariah slammed on her brakes and swerved into the other lane, tires squealing. A quick glance revealed no oncoming traffic. Her left rear tire dropped off the tarred edge, and she struggled to get it back on the road. Gravel chunked against the underbelly of her car. She jerked the wheel to the right, bumped up onto the asphalt and slowed to a stop on the center line. The truck sped down the road and disappeared around the corner.

  Mariah’s heart pounded.

  What just happened?

  Had that driver deliberately tried to run her off the road?

  Blowing out a breath, Mariah checked for traffic then pulled onto the right side of the road again. She wasn’t easily scared, but the randomness of the attack left her trembling. Maybe the driver had drunk too much liquor—or maybe mistaken her for someone else. Or maybe he was hotdogging. That was the only thing that made sense.