Buried
NOWHERE TO HIDEFleeing to Alaska is the only option for Leah Marks after witnessing a murder. Afraid for her life, the legal investigator hopes a remote cabin will be a safe shelter. But the killer has tracked her to Mountain Cove. As he chases her into snow-packed Dead Falls Canyon, an avalanche buries them both. Saved by daring search and rescue specialist Cade Warren, Leah longs to tell him the truth. But how can she, without bringing even more danger into Cade’s life? Especially when they discover the killer is very much alive and waiting to take them both down.Mountain Cove: In the Alaskan wilderness, love and danger collide.
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NOWHERE TO HIDE
Fleeing to Alaska is the only option for Leah Marks after witnessing a murder. Afraid for her life, the legal investigator hopes a remote cabin will be a safe shelter. But the killer has tracked her to Mountain Cove. As he chases her into snow-packed Dead Falls Canyon, an avalanche buries them both. Saved by daring search and rescue specialist Cade Warren, Leah longs to tell him the truth. But how can she, without bringing even more danger into Cadeâs life? Especially when they discover the killer is very much alive and waiting to take them both down.
Mountain Cove: In the Alaskan wilderness, love and danger collide
âAre you in some kind of trouble?â Cade finally asked.
Leah turned away. âWhy would you ask that?â
âI donât know. Something about the way youâve acted sinceâ¦well, since I pulled you from the snow. Like youâre scared. Why are you in such a hurry to leave? I thought you were staying in the cabin tonight?â
She glanced at him. âI never said I was staying. I asked you to give me a ride back, thatâs all.â
âI just want to help.â
Leah sighed. âI know.
âI could take a look at it for you.â Now why would he offer that upâan attempt to snag her?
âNo.â Her reply was too emphatic.
He glanced her way, trying to watch her and the road. To his surprise a timid smile broke through.
âNot tonight, that is,â she added. She was trying to be friendly, warm up to him, but still, it seemed forced.
He risked another glance over and caught her eyesâthere he saw the truth. She was terrified and hiding something.
Who are you, Leah Marks?
ELIZABETH GODDARD
is an award-winning author of more than twenty romance and romantic suspense novels, including the romantic mystery The Camera Never Liesâwinner of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011. After acquiring her computer science degree, she worked at a software firm before eventually retiring to raise her four children and become a professional writer. A member of several writing organizations, she judges numerous contests and mentors new writers. In addition to writing, she homeschools her children and serves with her husband in ministry.
This is how we know what love is:
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
â1 John 3:16
This story is dedicated to all the true heroes in the worldâmen and women who risk their lives for others.
It takes many people to write a novel and I thank my wonderful and amazing family first and foremostâmy husband and children who let me spend hours far away from them in another world. Thanks to Shannon McNearâyou are always there for me! I couldnât do it without you, friend. Writer friends Kathleen YâBarbo Miller and Kellie Gilbert assisted me in figuring out my legal matters. I especially appreciate the technical expertise from my new friends in Juneau. I couldnât have come close to getting things right without the time and detail they offered. Bill Glude of the Alaska Avalanche Center, Doug Wessen, president of the Mountain Rescue Association, and my friend who works for the US Forest Service in Juneau.
If I got anything wrong, thatâs all on me, but remember, I write fiction, and I created a whole new town.
Contents
Mountain Cove, Alaska, North of Juneau
Gasping for breath, Leah Marks ran for her life, working her way through the deep snow from last nightâs winter storm, the semiautomatic in her pocket pressing into her side. What she wouldnât give for a pair of snowshoes.
How had Detective Snyder found her here?
At least sheâd seen him from a distance, giving her a few more precious seconds to make a run for it. She had to escape. She wouldnât use her weapon against him unless she had no other choice. Shooting a police detective, even if he was a dirty cop and a killer, wouldnât win her any points no matter which way you looked at it.
Approaching Dead Falls Canyon, she left the tree line and took the biggest steps she could, her hips aching with the effort. She couldnât outrun him this way, but she reassured herself with the fact that he struggled with the same obstacles.
The deep snow would hide the hazards, and Leah counted on that. As she made her way, a snowcapped Mount McCann loomed in her peripheral vision. Sheâd spent enough time on the ski patrol in the Cascades during her college days to recognize the avalanche risk was high.
As she entered the danger zone, a glance over her shoulder told her Snyder was gaining on her. As strong as she was, she couldnât keep up this pace, and as if to confirm the thought, she stumbled headlong into the powder. Leah grappled and fought her way out, gulping panic with each breath.
With her fall, sheâd have to turn and face him much sooner than sheâd hoped. Leaving town and hiding in an off-grid cabin in Alaska hadnât bought her enough time. Hadnât bought her safety.
