“What guarantee do I have, you won’t suddenly decide to start a brand new investigation on me next month or six months from now?”
“I’m handing in my resignation with the DEA today.”
Lance nodded. His hard eyes appeared to contemplate what Sam offered.
“Maybe you’d consider coming to work for me. After all, a man with your talent would be a great asset to me. Financially, I’d make it worth your while.”
Sam chuckled, amused by the man’s balls. “I don’t think so.”
“You seem to forget, I’m the one who pushed so hard to investigate you. Do we have a deal?”
“Well, hang on a second. What’s to protect me when another cowboy from your team decides to pick up where you left off? And you and I both know that’ll happen.”
“Nothing. But that’s not my problem. I’m backing off, resigning and with it, all my knowledge of you and Dan McKenzie disappears. This current investigation is now down the toilet.”
“Marcie. Such a sweet, lovely girl. I could never get past her granny. Tried a few times. That woman, I’d swear she’d go to battle with the devil himself to protect her Marcie. You must really love her.” Lance rocked forward and leaned on his desk. “I’m in a generous mood today. Mr. Thomas, please return Agent Carre’s weapon and escort him to the door.” Lance’s man handed Sam his Glock and then directed him to leave.
Lance Silver never looked up. “Mr. Carre, enjoy your retirement.”
Chapter Forty-nine
Marcie sat on the edge of a moss-covered bank, admiring the sculpted rocks sloping down toward Scotty Bay. Puffy white clouds filled the clear blue sky, really moving, the wind had picked up. Maple and fir trees rustled and swayed their lovely pastel shades of green, orange and yellow. What a fine fall day to take in Mother Nature’s glorious changes—to really clear away the confusion and bring some clarity to her busy mind, thought Marcie. She breathed deeply as she looked down on the bubbling water splashing over the rocky shore.
Diane didn’t join her. She must have sensed Marcie’s need for space. So she lingered, by the borrowed sedan. Sam had taken her truck when he went out earlier. Maybe he too, needed some clarity. Who wouldn’t after the drama they’d lived through the last few days, hell, for that matter, since she landed in his path in New Orleans.
Gravel rustled behind her,and a truck door closed. She didn’t need to look back. She could feel his warm approach from anywhere.
“The mist is rolling in.” He hunched down, wrapping his arms around her.
Marcie touched his arm and felt his possessive, loving hold sink right into her. “Diane called you?”
“She knew I’d worry, finding you both gone from the cabin.”
She leaned her head back against Sam’s shoulder. Her tummy started doing that peaceful everything’s-going-to-be-all-right thing. “I’m glad she did. We better go before we can’t see anything.”
Sam all but lifted her. His solid arm surrounded her waist, pulling her so close, not even a breeze could find space to separate them. She wouldn’t remember what the small detail was that made her look. But when she glanced out onto the bay, the view was impaired by the thickening mist. Then a window opened, with blue sky and Jerome’s golden hair blowing in the wind. He smiled, on the deck of his ship, with his darling Isabel beside him. Then he was gone.
She looked up at Sam. He watched the same spot on the bay.
“Wow, look at how thick the fog is.”
And she knew for her and Sam, they’d won.
Chapter Fifty
Marcie watched Sam through the front window as he threw a tennis ball to the fluffy, golden retriever, who frolicked and raced to fetch the fuzzy ball. They needed to leave soon. Sam had booked them a beachfront resort down in Mazatlan.
“Here’s your tea. Sit down child, before you fall over.” Sally placed a steaming mug on the beach wood coffee table, which she’d made from scraps that floated in from the ocean. She gripped Marcie’s hand and led her to the sofa, giving her arm a gentle shake.
“Marcie, you listen to me. I can see you fretting over what’s past. But you need to let it go. You’ve been handed a precious gift. Take it. Go on your holiday with your new man. Come back and build a life together. And never forget your gift.”
“Now that you’re listening and following the light, you already know your gift has returned. It’s getting stronger. And when you come back all rested and tanned, it’ll be time to resume your teaching. I’m happy for you. And know that your granny’s smiling down on you. You got a good man there. The right man—the man you asked for. You accomplished quite a feat, whether or not you realize it. You broke a destructive cycle that had been repeating for generations. That dark entity didn’t get you, or Sam, although it tried. New guides and angels come to us all the time, as we need them, to teach us and guide us on our divine path. You won, you both did. Now finish your tea, you have a boat to catch.”
“Sally, who’s my real father? Jerome said you’d help me find him.”
Sally pulled on her cream sweater and strode to the window, watching Sam and her fluffy companion, bouncing through the piles of falling leaves.
“When you get back, child, and settled with your man. And after you resume your teaching, it’ll be time. Then I’ll help you find him. Now go with God and remember the words of our native forefathers and the battle that wars inside each of us. Do you remember, Marcie? One is evil. It’s fear, anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, competition and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, friendship, respect, sharing, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. Do you remember who wins?”
“Yes, I do. The one you feed.”
Marcie left the warm, cozy cottage without another word. Her heart felt at peace for the first time ever. Sam turned to her when she stepped off the porch and watched her in his soft, loving way that turned her knees to jelly. Words weren’t necessary when a man could say it all of it with a look. You are everything—the sun, the moon, the stars and the whole world to him. His face lit up in the easy way she’d come to recognize over the past few days, since he’d tendered his resignation to the DEA. His walk was lighter, as if he’d shed every one of his burdens.
He skimmed his fingers up and around her jaw, and his eyes sparkled with humor.
Sam helped her into the truck. Before he could close her door she cupped his cheek and traced her finger over the pink nick on his chin, a casualty from shaving this morning.
“What is it?”
“Do you ever wonder what cost we pay for the choices we make? If it’s fate or something we created?”
He frowned. “I’m not sure how to answer that, hon.”
“You don’t need to. I think the answer will come.”
Sam leaned down and kissed her cheek and then her lips. “I have faith that it will. Now let’s go to Mexico.”
###
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading The Choice, Book 1 of Walk the Right Road Series.
If you enjoyed The Choice, then I’d love to ask you a favor and have you go back and provide a review from wherever you purchased this book (Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com etc.) and leave an honest review.
Authors live and die by their reviews so the few extra seconds it takes you, really help us authors out.
Other Works by Lorhainne Eckhart
If you loved The Choice, don’t miss Book 2 in the Walk the Right Road Series. Lost and Found is now available. To purchase Lost and Found, simply click here.
Lost and Found, Book 2
On a warm fall morning in Gardiner, Washington, Richard and Maggie celebrate happy couple Sam and Marcie's return. What happens next changes their lives forever. A hit and run driver on a deserted country road, and Richard and Maggie suffer a parents worst nightmare.
Now a year later Maggie McCafferty s
truggles to put her life back together...hiding her pain with outrageous behavior and her own secret she’s unwilling to share. Until her friends step in and her strong willed soon to be ex-husband sets out to bring Maggie home— the only way he knows. Just as Maggie begins to trust again, Dan McKenzie calls after disappearing for over a year. But now he’s back. And instead of Richard coming clean with the truth of their involvement, Richard digs himself in deeper, with mounting debts, a partner who refuses to buy him out—secrets shared only with Dan. Until one night a mysterious 911 caller witnesses a fight and Richard shooting Dan. But when the police arrive at the deserted construction site the only evidence of a crime is a pool of blood, and a surveillance video.
Under mounting pressure from the police Richard’s arrested and interrogated –except fiery secretive Richard is adamant he was home all night. In this bizarre twist of fate, Sam, Marcie and Diane work against the clock and wonder how well they really know their evasive friend. With Maggie by his side, Richard stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Richard didn’t do it, where is Dan? And who is the mysterious 911 caller?
The Forgotten Child
If you enjoyed The Choice then be sure to check out Lorhainne Eckhart’s Bestselling Western Romance, The Forgotten Child
How do you tell a man there is something wrong with his child?
Praise for The Forgotten Child…
Ms. Eckhart has crafted a delightful story with engaging characters, enough drama for a Hallmark movie, and enough unconditional love to last a life time. The Forgotten Child is one enticing story that will keep you engrossed until the very end, as the past collides with the present. So be sure to check it out!
Blackraven’s Reviews
READERS FAVORITE *5 Star Review A real page turner ~ fast moving plot ~ a must read!
Reviewed by Brenda C. for Readers Favorite
I didn't expect I'd fall for the four main characters as hard as I did, but The Forgotten Child is an amazing book, not just for a romance fan like myself, but for single parents who may or may not have a child with autism. It left me with a smile on my face but a small ache in my heart for all the Emily's and Brad's out there who don't always find each other. Overall a very sweet story that I could easily see as a movie one day.
~ Reviewer ~ Adria
Overview:
Emily Nelson, a courageous young mother, ends a loveless bitter marriage and strikes out on her own. She answers an ad as a cook and live in caregiver to a three-year-old boy on a local ranch. Ranch owner Brad Friessen hires and moves in Emily and her daughter. But Emily soon discovers something's seriously wrong with his boy. And the reclusive difficult man that hired her, can't see the behavior and how delayed his son is. So Emily researches, until she stumbles across what she suspects is the soft signs of autism. Now she must tell him. Give him hope, and help him come to terms with this neurological disorder--to take the necessary steps to get his child the help he needs.
As their lives become intertwined, it's unavoidable the attraction--the connection that sparks between them. And just as they're getting close, Brad's estranged wife Crystal returns after abandoning them two years earlier. In amongst the shock and confusion there's one disturbing fact Brad can't shake. How does she know so much of his personal business, the inner working of the ranch and Emily's relationship with his son?
Crystal must've had a plan as she somehow gains the upper hand, driving a wedge in the emotional bond forged between Brad, Emily and the children. The primary focus for care and therapy of three-year-old Trevor is diverted. The lengths Crystal will go--the lies--the greed, just to keep what's hers are nothing short of cold and calculating. Emily's forced out of the house. Brad fights to save his boy--to protect what's his. And struggles over his greatest sacrifice--Emily, and the haunting question--has he ultimately lost her forever?
To purchase The Forgotten Child simply click here.
About the Author
Lorhainne Eckhart began her writing career in 2008, when she published her first novel, The Captain’s Lady, a Contemporary Military Romance through The Wild Rose Press. You can find Lorhainne most days on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, contributing posts to her two blogs The Choice of Giving and Illusions while actively promoting her books, The Forgotten Child, The Captain’s Lady, her supernatural romantic suspense series, The Choice and Lost and Found . And a heartwarming children’s illustrated adventure, A Father’s Love.
Lorhainne Eckhart writes edgy romantic suspense. She warns her readers to expect the unexpected. She is a mother and an advocate.They live on a small Gulf Island and somewhere in her busy schedule she finds time to write.
Contact Information
Lorhainne Eckhart loves to hear from readers!
Contact at:
Email:[email protected]
Twitter: @LEckhart
Facebook: LorhainneEckhart
Blog: The Choice of Giving
Blog: Illusions
Lorhainne Eckhart Author Website
Goodreads
Copyright Information
COPYRIGHT © Lorhainne Ekelund, 2011, 2012, All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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.
Contact Information: [email protected]
Editor: WildAboutBones
ISBN: 978-0987822659
Table of Contents
Book Cover
Main Menu
About the Author
Other Works by Lorhainne Eckhart
Lost and Found, Walk the Right Road Series, Book 2
The Forgotten Child – Lorhainne’s bestselling Western Romance
A Father’s Love – A Young Adult Illustrated Historical – If you love Little House on the Prairie you’ll love A Father’s Love
The Captain’s Lady – Lorhainne’s Debut Novel through The Wild Rose Press. A Passionate Tale of Love during the Iraq War.
Contact Information
Copyright Information
Chapters:
Two Wolves
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
>
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-one
Chapter Forty-two
Chapter Forty-three
Chapter Forty-four
Chapter Forty-five
Chapter Forty-six
Chapter Forty-seven
Chapter Forty-eight
Chapter Forty-nine
Chapter Fifty
The Choice, A Powerful & Engrossing Romantic Suspense Series (Walk the Right Road Series, Book 1) Page 32