“You got it. I’m about twenty minutes away. Call you back in a bit.” Rachel hung up. She wished she had someone with her, too. Someone that had her back, like Red or Stacy. Or even Mike. She tried to think of the many ways the scenario could occur. Even though this couple adopted her baby illegally, she was aware that Sherri Trovare was probably not going to let her walk away with Mallory without a fight. As far as Rachel knew, Sherri Trovare probably thought this adoption was legal. She wondered what the Trovares had been told about Mallory’s real parents—her and Rick. It is unusual to adopt a child over the age of one. Why would someone want a child who was already a toddler? Most people adopted newborn babies. Of course, if you are desperate…
Rachel slowed down as she noticed her exit coming up. She took the ramp off the interstate and turned right at the light, following the instructions of the voice-activated GPS system. Now she was only two miles away from her baby.
Her sweaty palms gripped the steering wheel as she thought about what she was going to say to Sherri Trovare when she came to the door. The last thing Rachel wanted was to get a door slammed in her face. She needed to get in the front door. Sit down and talk to this lady. See for herself that Mallory was there. Rachel glanced at the clock. It was almost three thirty. Most likely Mallory would be home from school. Rachel decided that she would go for the truth. She would tell Mrs. Trovare that she worked for Florida Omni Search and that Mallory had been missing for almost six years. That they had a lead that suggested Mallory was living with them. She would initially withhold the information that Mallory was her daughter. Rachel didn’t want Mrs. Trovare to feel threatened. By the time Rachel had a chance to talk to her and hopefully see for herself that Mallory was indeed in the house, Red would have called the local police. Within a couple of hours, Rachel could be going home with her little girl. Waves of excitement pulsated through her.
The sign for Avondale Estates was on her left. She made the turn and found the Trovares’ house within seconds. They lived at the end of a cul-de-sac. A two-story redbrick home with black shutters surrounded by a neatly trimmed lawn sat on top of a small hill. Rachel parked on the street, next to the mailbox. She noted a lone gray SUV parked at the top of the long driveway. Before she stepped out of the car, she called Red as promised and told him she was on her way up to the house.
“Good luck. Be careful. If I don’t hear from you within thirty minutes, I’m calling the police.” He repeated their plan again.
“You got it.” She hung up before he could talk her out of it and tucked her cell phone in her pocket. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the photograph of Mallory. She kissed the picture for good luck and then put it in the zippered side pocket. Her breath quickened as she got out of the car and walked with anticipation toward the house. As she took the steps to the front door, she flashed on an image of Matt O’Malley on the couch with his children at the lake house, as he’d touched their faces and cried with joy as he hugged each of them in turn. Rachel wondered if her reunion with Mallory would have the same outcome. Would Mallory run to her mother, hug her tight, and cry joyful tears? Or would she be shy, not remembering Rachel, and hang on Mrs. Trovare’s leg, scared to go near her? Rachel didn’t think she could bear her daughter not remembering her. Whatever the outcome, Rachel was here now. There was no turning back.
She stepped forward and rang the doorbell.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have always loved New Orleans and have visited many times since I was a young girl. So it was only natural for me to want to use New Orleans as the setting in this Rachel Scott book and to incorporate all the wonderful things the city has to offer. I tried to stay true to the city by mentioning several landmarks and restaurants that exist there. Some places, like Madame Verdene’s Voodoo Shop, are fictional though. If you have never been to the Big Easy, I suggest you visit really soon!
A big thank you to my first readers, Shirley Satterfield, Chase Satterfield, Michelle Couch, Bud Satterfield and Mark Weinberg. Your valuable input is always helpful and much welcome!
Also, many thanks to the amazing editorial team at Thomas & Mercer for all your support and guidance.
Thank you to the real Stacy Case, Michelle Couch, June Hollis, and Cyndy Krapek for lending your names to my characters. You are forever immortalized.
Thank you to my family, for your unconditional love and patience, while I work long and crazy hours writing these books. I love you guys.
And lastly, a big thanks to my readers and street team members. You are the reason why I write. Thank you for inspiring me every day.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photograph by Sherri Butler, 2011
Born in Moultrie, Georgia, Traci Hohenstein has lived all over the United States, including California, Hawaii, and Mississippi. Her extensive educational background spans a wide variety of studies, and a concentration in journalism heralded a career in writing for various media outlets on local and national levels. Drawing inspiration from the sensational 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway, Hohenstein set out to create a series that explores the enigma of missing-persons investigations. She launched the suspenseful Rachel Scott Adventures series with Burn Out and Asylum Harbor, and now continues the saga with her third entry, Cut and Run.
Hohenstein currently resides in Florida with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing, she enjoys the simple pleasures of the beach—swimming, soaking up the sun, and spending time with her friends and family.
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