âDONâT THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH IT.â
Just when she started to feel safe, small-town librarian Lorie Narramore begins receiving threatening notes. They prove that her worst fears have come trueâher dark past has followed her to Arkansas. And someone wants her to pay for what sheâs done. As the threats turn into full-scale attacks, Lorie has no choice but to rely on deputy sheriff Matt MacGregorâs protection. But after her harrowing ordeal with the law, can she truly trust a cop? And can Matt trust her to tell him the truth when the threats claim sheâs gotten away with murder?
Lorieâs cell phone rang.
Lorie checked the display, then looked at Matt. âI donât know who this is.â
Matt flipped open the phone and hit the answer button, putting it on speaker.
âYou have been a very naughty girl, havenât you, going to the law like that. Shame on you.â The robot-processed voice was back.
Lorie turned pale. Matt put a finger to his lips.
âBut then you know that, donât you? Iâm surprised at you, trusting a deputy. When he finds out the truth, youâll finally be accountable.â
Combined with the call Gerhardt had fielded, all Mattâs dark suspicions came flooding back. Was she responsible for more than justifiable homicide? Lorieâs expression held no hint of guilt, just confusion and fear.
âWhy are you tormenting me?â Lorie demanded. âWhat did I ever do to you?â
âWhy, you killed Grayson, of course. You have to be punished for that, since the court let you go. Youâll finally get what you deserve. I hope your life insurance is up-to-date.â
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading No Place to Run, the first of what I hope will be many novels set in my fictional county in beautiful Western Arkansas.
Books donât happen in a vacuum, and thatâs a good thing! So many things contribute to a story that sometimes itâs hard to know where to begin. This one began with a blank page and one sentence during that crazy time of year known as National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. Once the note appeared on the page on Lorieâs desk, the rest began to take shape.
The book has undergone many changes since its first mad rush of creation, but its message remains the same: love and forgiveness are two essential things in life.
As far as I know, neither the city nor county library systems of San Diego has ever held a charity auction at the Hotel Del Coronadoâor anywhere elseâand Iâm sure I donât have to tell you that the interlibrary loan system has nothing to do with transporting illegal substances! I have the highest regard for not only the library systems and the Hotel Del, but also the Coronado Police Department and San Diego County Sheriffâs Department. All of the countyâs law enforcement agencies, in fact! Lorieâs dim view is colored by her experiences, and is in no way intended to make light of the fine work done by the excellent men and women in law enforcement!
If youâd like to know more about Dainger County, please visit www.daingercounty.com. You can write to me at [email protected], or c/o Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
May the Lord bless you!
Marion Faith Laird
MARION FAITH LAIRD
shares a house with her mom and a gazillion books. She plays assorted musical instruments, including the organ at her church, composes and arranges music, sings, acts, and occasionally indulges in artwork. Sheâs always had characters running around in her brain, and is glad she has a new way to share them with others.
In addition to the arts, Marion loves making things. Sheâd time-travel to the Renaissance if she could to study art technique, but sheâd always come back home for her computer.
Growing up in a navy family, Marion has lived from one end of the U.S. to the other, and changed schools and curricula like some kids change shoes. Her peripatetic upbringing has given her a lifelong love of travel and learning, as well as awareness that while peopleâs customs may differ, their hearts are the same.
Marion is a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
âJohn 14:27
For Mom, who inspired me to read because she always was, and to write because she wrote and told amazing stories! Iâm glad sheâs here to read this.
And for Dad, who always encouraged me to follow my dreams. I wish he could hold a copy of this book, but Iâm sure he knows.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to my friend Anne, who introduced me to Love Inspired books back when they were Steeple Hill. I believe I can safely say that if it wasnât for her, this book wouldnât have been written. Sheâll always have a special place in our heartsâ albums.
Iâm indebted to the generous writers who helped me fine-tune my first chapter and cover blurb entry in Mills & Boonâs annual So You Think You Can Write contest, especially Laura Hamby, Valerie Parv, Rachel J. Stevens and Kathi Robb Harris. I also thank Danica Favorite, who assured me that the editors would contact anyone whose work they wanted to see, even if the manuscript didnât make it past the first round of voting. Many thanks to Tina James, who requested the full manuscript and a synopsis, Lynette Eason, who helped me improve my synopsis, and to Elizabeth Mazer, my editor, who called and bought the book! Through the revision process, sheâs helped make it so much better than it was in its beginning!