by Debby Giusti
Smoke and flame billowed from the incendiary devices.
The weight of the dogs knocked Colby to the floor. He fought to free his arms, his legs. They were on him, over him, growling, biting, tearing at his flesh.
His only thought was Becca.
* * *
The threadbare rug caught fire. Smoke and tear gas mixed into a deadly combination.
Becca’s heart stopped.
Colby lay on the floor, overpowered by the savage Dobermans. His gun out of reach.
One of the dogs backed into the fire and yelped.
He threw his weight and flipped the other Doberman onto his back. The dog pawed the air. Colby righted himself, and both animals ran yipping out the back door.
Jacob coughed and rubbed his eyes. Then, as if in slow motion, he raised his gun and took aim.
In half a heartbeat Colby would be dead, killed by the man who had taken everyone Becca had ever loved.
Ignoring the caustic tear gas that burned her throat, she groped along the floor, unable to find Colby’s gun. Please, God!
Her fingers wrapped around the grip. Using two hands, she raised the weapon and squeezed the trigger.
Jacob gasped as the bullet pierced his chest. His eyes widened. He stared at her through the smoky haze. Disbelief washed over his face. He fell to his knees and crumbled chest-first onto the floor.
His blood, dark and thick, spilled across the hardwood planks just as her father’s blood had done so long ago.
Before she could process what had happened, Colby was lifting her, holding her, running with her to safety.
TWENTY-FOUR
Colby ushered Becca from the smoke-filled cabin into the still-remaining daylight. He pulled her close and stared into her eyes, needing to ensure she was all right. “Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head and nestled against his chest. “I’m okay.”
All around them cops raced into the cabin. Jacob was dragged outside. He was alive, but only barely. EMTs worked to save him.
Firemen poured water on the blaze. The smell of smoke and tear gas filled the air.
The dogs were found and tranquilized then carted off to the pound.
Additional medical personnel approached Colby. “We’ll need to treat those bites, sir.”
He held up his hand, unwilling to move away from Becca. “Give me a minute.”
Lewis raced forward. “You two okay?”
Colby nodded. “Who tossed the gas?”
“McDougal. I thought you made the request.”
“No, but it may have saved our lives.”
“You should thank him,” Becca suggested, easing from his arms.
“Good idea.” Colby spied the former sheriff heading to his car and hustled toward him.
“Wait up, McDougal.”
“Nice job, Colby.” He laughed nervously. A muscle twitched in his neck. “That’s one dude who needed to be taken down.”
Confused by the former sheriff’s comment as well as his unease, Colby thought back to what he knew about the case. Slowly one of the missing pieces fell into place.
“Funny,” Colby said, sauntering closer, “that you didn’t ask who was in the cabin since you buried Jacob eight years ago.”
McDougal quickly shooed off the remark. “The body was badly burned. Of course, I thought it was Jacob back then. Who else would have been in Yoder’s house?”
“His brother, Ezekiel, was visiting. What a shame you jumped to the wrong conclusion. Or was there a reason you said Jacob had died in the fire?”
Colby spied the mayor backtracking into the crowd. “Where’re you going, Tucker? Back to Harmony to buy more land?”
The mayor grumbled. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the Yoder property. You needed another entrance into your mega subdivision. The widow Mary’s farm was headed for foreclosure until Jacob took up with her. He turned the farm around, but you still wanted the land. That’s why McDougal had to claim Jacob’s body was recovered in the fire, so you could buy the property after the estate went to probate.”
The mayor’s eyes widened. “That’s preposterous.”
Samuel Hershberger, wearing his volunteer firefighter shirt open over his black pants and suspenders, stepped from the crowd of law enforcement personnel and first responders. “Jacob Yoder was my neighbor. His was not the body I pulled from the fire that night long ago.”
Lewis patted McDougal’s shoulder. “You knew the body you uncovered wasn’t Jacob’s, which means you falsified official documents. We need to have a talk.”
On the way to the squad car, the sheriff pointed to the mayor. “I know where to find you, Tucker. Don’t leave town.”
Colby glanced at the ambulance. EMTs were still hovering over the stretcher where Jacob lay.
One of the paramedics approached Becca. “Yoder’s calling for you, ma’am. He’s agitated. Might calm him a bit if you’d talk to him. He keeps saying Mamm, Mamm.”
“That’s Pennsylvania Dutch. He’s calling for his mother.” She glanced at Colby.
“I’ll go with you,” he assured her.
She hesitated a moment and then nodded. Together they walked to the stretcher.
Jacob raised his head. His eyes were wild with fear, his lips dry and caked with blood.
“I...I’m sorry.” He grabbed Becca’s arm. “For...give...me, Mamm.”
Jacob thought she was his mother. He was dying and wanted forgiveness, yet he had killed everyone Becca loved. How could she forgive him?
She stared down at Jacob for a long moment then her gaze softened as if the weight that she had carried for too long had eased.
She pulled in a deep breath and patted Jacob’s hand.
“I...I forgive you, Jacob.”
* * *
“It’s over.” Becca stepped into Colby’s arms as the ambulance pulled away.
Law enforcement still had more to do at the crime scene, and cops hustled back and forth between their squad cars and the cabin.
Looking up at him, she sighed. “I need to apologize for Thursday night. I gave my heart too readily when Jacob first came into my life and carried that burden, along with feeling responsible for Katie’s death. I told her to wait for me at home that night, otherwise she might have been safe staying with Elizabeth. I was afraid your questions would force me to reveal my own guilt.”
“Oh, honey, it wasn’t your fault that Katie died. You’re not to blame,” he insisted.
Becca nodded ever so slightly. “I’m beginning to realize that you’re right, but I still shouldn’t have gotten upset with you.”
He touched her chin and tilted her head back so he could see into her beautiful eyes that made him forget about killers and attack dogs.
“I thought I’d lost you that night, Becca, in one way, and then today I thought I’d lost you for good.”
“Oh, Colby, I tried to take care of myself—only I needed you. Just as I needed God when I shut Him out. My datt said I had a problem with pride.”
“Your father had the problem. How could he not be proud of you, Becca? You’re the most wonderful person I’ve ever met. You’re beautiful and determined and strong and committed to doing what’s right. I grew up surrounded by love and you had no one. Yet what you did for Jacob taught me about forgiveness and compassion. Jacob took everything from you. I don’t know how you could forgive him.”
“I had to or my heart would have turned as dark as his. I thought about the lessons I heard each Sunday as a child, about God’s forgiveness and his love, about everlasting life and salvation. I now see the goodness of the Amish way that I turned my back on years ago.”
He pulled her closer. “I love you, Rebecca Meuller and Becca Miller, whichev
er name you choose.”
His smile faded replaced with an intensity he hadn’t expected. “I’d like you to take my name someday.”
“Oh, Colby.”
He touched his finger to her lips. “Shh. Don’t answer me now. We need more time. We need to heal. We need to laugh together and play together and work together. Then, I promise, we’ll discuss the future, a future together.”
She lifted her lips to his. “I love you, Colby Voss, and—”
Whatever else she was going to say would have to wait for another time because, at that moment, he lowered his lips to hers.
As they kissed, she snuggled into his embrace and Colby realized what the Amish had always known. Simple pleasures were the best. Having Becca, sharing their love, becoming a family someday soon, those were the God-given blessings that would last forever.
EPILOGUE
Four months later
Becca reached for Colby’s hand as they walked along the beach. The waves lapped at their feet, and the sun hung low in the evening sky.
“Your family’s Virginia Beach home is beautiful, Colby.”
Breathing in the salty air, she turned to see their footprints in the sand. Becca remembered a scripture reflection about Jesus carrying a person along the shore during troubled times so that instead of two footprints there was only one.
“I told you my father talked about having to carry such a heavy cross,” she said. “As much as he talked about God, he never knew how much he was loved by the Lord. If my datt had worried less about himself and more about others, he might have felt his load ease.”
Colby squeezed her hand. “You and Katie were a help to him, I know.”
“I was too headstrong.”
He laughed. “I call that determination, which saved you when you were being held captive by Jacob.”
She nodded. “He was a twisted soul who manipulated women for his own desires, including me. But I was young and didn’t see who he really was until I took care of his wife.”
“At least he lived long enough to confess everything to the sheriff, including that he had started the fire that killed his wife and brother.”
“The last I heard,” Becca said, “McDougal still claimed he had thought the body recovered from the fire was Jacob’s.”
Colby nodded. “At least the good folks of Harmony forced the mayor out of office. Tucker sold his real estate holdings and moved north, which left McDougal without a job. His house is in foreclosure, and his trial is still pending for falsifying documents.”
“I’m sure justice will be served,” Becca said as she sidled closer to Colby. He put his arm around her shoulder as they walked on, both lost in thought.
“My parents like you,” Colby finally said.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. They show their love with food. Mom made her special homemade carrot cake for dessert. Dad had the butcher cut extra-thick steaks that he’ll grill tonight. You’ve definitely stolen their hearts.”
She laughed. “If we stay too long, I’ll gain weight.”
“Gloria gave you a thumbs-up.”
“She’s darling and seems to adore her brother. As do all the girls. I told them they had trained you well since you’re such a gentleman.”
He playfully splashed water on her legs. “Now you’re making fun.”
She stopped and looked into his eyes. “Actually I love having a man take care of me.”
“You do.” He gazed at her, his brown eyes reflecting the love she felt for him.
“Colby, I never thought I’d find a man to love. Not a man who made me feel so special.”
“You are special, Becca.”
He kissed her long and hard until their toes were buried in the wet sand.
Then turning her around, he pointed to the shoreline. “Someday, I’d like to have a home on the water. Maybe a beach house.”
“You mean after the military?”
He nodded. “Although by that time, the kids will be in college, and I’ll need two jobs to foot the bills.”
“Maybe your wife will work.”
“Whatever she wants to do.”
Becca pretended to walk again. “I’m sure you’ll be happy.”
“Hey.” He touched her arm. “Where are you going?”
“Don’t you need to find a wife before you plan your future?”
“You’re right.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, his expression suddenly serious. “Becca, would you marry me and be my wife?”
“Oh, Colby.” She held out her hand and he slipped the ring on her finger.
She nestled closer, feeling his strong embrace. All the love she had for him welled up within her. She’d found the perfect man, a wonderful, righteous man to walk with her into the future.
“Yes,” she said, “I’ll be your wife, and we’ll have lots of babies, if God wills it, and a house on the beach and a lifetime of love.
Later they drove back to the Voss home. A huge sign hung over the door. “Welcome to the family, Becca! We love you!”
She smiled, wrapping her arm around Colby as they climbed the front steps. After all this time, Becca had a home and a family that cared for her. But more important, she had Colby, the man of her dreams, who would love her and cherish her forever.
Pulling her close, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her once, twice, three times before he opened the door. She felt a sense of homecoming and knew that the rest of their lives would be as special as today had been with the sunshine and the warm water and blue sky.
With Colby at her side, their life together would be simply wonderful.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from DARK TIDE by Susan Sleeman.
Dear Reader
I hope you enjoy The Agent’s Secret Past, the sixth book in my Military Investigations Series, which features heroes and heroines in the army’s Criminal Investigation Division. Each story stands alone so you can read them in any order, either in print or as an ebook: The Officer’s Secret, book 1; The Captain’s Mission, book 2; and The Colonel’s Daughter, book 3; The General’s Secretary, book 4; and The Soldier’s Sister, book 5.
In this story, Special Agent Becca Miller must revisit her Amish past in order to solve a murder on post. Teaming up with Special Agent Colby Voss causes problems, both professionally and personally, and forces secrets to be revealed. With nowhere else to turn, they each must turn to God. If you need help, call on the Lord. He will be your shelter in the storm.
I want to hear from you. Email me at [email protected] or write me c/o Love Inspired, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279. Visit my website at www.DebbyGiusti.com and blog with me at www.seekerville.blogspot.com, www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com and www.crossmyheartprayerteam.blogspot.com. As always, I thank God for bringing us together through this story.
Wishing you abundant blessings,
Questions for Discussion
Compare and contrast the guilt Colby and Becca carried. In either case were their feelings justified? What did they each need to learn?
Why did Becca turn away from God? Has there been a time in your life when you’ve walked away from the Lord? What brought you back?
The Amish call themselves plain. Name some of the positive aspects of their way of life. Are there negatives, as well?
Where did Becca get her determination and self-sufficiency? Did they serve her well or were they stumbling blocks?
Was Colby’s protective nature a strength or a weakness? If you asked his sisters, what would they say? What did Colby need to learn?
Were there facets of the Amish life that Becca embraced
even after she joined the military? Have you ever wanted to simplify your life? What steps would you take to do so?
In what ways did Becca see herself in the widow Fannie Lehman?
Was Becca able to forgive Jacob? If so, why? Is it easy for you to forgive others or do you hold on to past hurts?
How did Jacob’s childhood impact his adult life? Did he love his mother? What did he need to tell her at the end of the story?
Who was buried in the Yoder graves? Did Jacob kill his brother? Did he kill his wife? Who set fire to their home?
Had you previously heard about Pinecraft? Did it surprise you to learn about the Amish vacation spot? What did Becca see there that touched her heart?
Colby grew up in a loving family. Why was he worried about Gloria? How were he and his sister alike?
If not for Jacob, do you think Becca would have remained Amish? Was her father a bad man? Did he love his daughters?
Becca mentioned both her need to control situations and her own pride. How are pride and control similar?
Explain the importance of the treasures Becca kept in her room. What did they symbolize? Did you have a treasure box as a child? Do you remember the mementoes that were special to you?
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.
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ONE
He’d come for her again. Here in the dark—fog oozing over the edge of the floating home’s deck and clouding the Columbia River. He’d followed her from San Diego to Portland and burst through the door to her friend Lilly’s house. Splintered and hanging by a hinge, it served as a warning of his deadly determination. Gina had stepped out for only a moment, leaving her precious baby niece in her friend’s care, and now Sophia and Lilly were helpless inside.