Amber Alert: Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 1) Read online

  Amber Alert

  A Christian Contemporary Romance

  with Suspense

  Linda K. Rodante

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Preview As Long As You Both Shall Live

  Dedication and Thank You

  Author Biography

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Sharee Jones stalked over the dark field away from the church. Moonlight yellowed the area in front of her and a breeze tossed her mass of curls.

  Calm down, Sharee. The teen didn’t push your loyalty buttons by design. Abbey Somers had no idea she’d trampled the character of a woman who supported you after a broken engagement two years ago—while slogging through a tragedy of her own.

  Sharee inhaled, catching the scent of jasmine and damp earth. All she needed was a few minutes of peace. No one would miss her for a while. Ahead of her, the inky blackness of the pond reflected the moon’s light, and cypress trees stood like sentinels against the sky. Bushes clung to the bank except where the church’s maintenance crew of one had cleared them.

  She crossed the last few feet to the pond, put a hand against the tree’s trunk and stared at the moon’s cold presence.

  A growl rose from the darkness. Her heart lurched, and she froze.

  Grrr…

  She strained to see through the darkness, but black foliage obscured her view. She inched her head sideways. A bear? Surely not this close to the city, but… Someone had reported a Panther the other day. Her heart started an erratic beating.

  Come on, Sharee, you can’t freeze. Move backward. Slowly. A step at a time...

  Clouds raced past the moon. The night shadows flitted over the animal. Whatever stood there, it was huge.

  The growl came a third time. Her throat constricted.

  God, I need help.

  She glanced over her shoulder. The church lights glowed fifty yards away. A long fifty yards. She swallowed. Just stay still. Don’t move.

  The creature snarled and shook its head. Recognition hit, slid over her. A dog.

  Her throat closed, and the scar under her hair constricted. She gave a quick look at the church. People filled the fellowship hall there. The baby shower proceeded without her. If something happened, no one would miss her. Not for a while.

  She prayed again and forced herself to edge backward. The animal’s liquid eyes caught the moonlight and followed her. She stopped. Something large was in its mouth. As she tried to focus, the dog dropped its head and released its prey. A rounded form rolled across the dark ground. Her heart jumped.

  A baby?

  No!

  No, it had to be a doll. What if she tried to get it? Crazy. She could throw something. If she threw her shoe, would he chase it?

  Sharee leaned forward, narrowed her eyes and tried to see better. A sharp, quick bark jolted her. The tingling beneath her hair increased. Don’t freeze, Sharee. Think!

  “Cooper!” A shout came from her left. “Cooper, come!”

  She wrenched her head in that direction, but one dark silhouette melted into another. She couldn’t see anyone. The dog turned and trotted off. As he neared the trees, moonlight outlined his massive form, and the night swallowed him.

  Thank you, Lord.

  Her shoulders dropped, and the tightness in her chest eased. Bending over, she snatched the object from the ground. As her fingers closed around the hard plastic, a wave of thankfulness surged through her. A baby doll. Nothing more.

  The pale light illuminated its life-size form. She turned it, and the canine’s saliva oozed through her fingers. Ugh. She shifted her hand to find a dry spot, and the moonlight fell on the doll’s face. Sharee stared.

  The eyes were black ovals, and a long, deep gash opened the throat. Her hands tightened. The dog couldn’t have done this. Could he? Someone had mutilated it. Some sick person.

  Her focus returned to the trees. No dog. Nothing there. Good. She turned and started in the church’s direction. Its lights formed the same welcome glow she’d seen on many Christmas cards.

  “Sharee?”

  Her breath caught. She stopped and spun around. A tall figure closed the space between them. The same dappling shadows that had danced over the dog flickered across him.

  He stopped next to her. “Sorry about the dog. He likes to run when I take him off the leash.”

  The ball in her stomach eased, and relief spread upward as she recognized his voice. John Jergenson, maintenance crew of one. Ah. She had seen the animal before, a year or so ago. But at half the size.

  “That’s Cooper? He’s grown. He’s huge, in fact.”

  “If I’d known someone was outside, I would have kept him close. He didn’t scare you, did he?”

  “No. I’m fine. I came out for a breather. The baby shower’s gone on for a while. I just needed a moment.” The dog materialized beside him, and she stepped away. “I never realized Labs got this big.”

  “He’s large for the breed. Especially, if you’re shor—” He stopped.

  “Especially, if you’re short? Petite or vertically challenged?” She tried to contain the spurt of annoyance, but she’d heard the euphemisms too many times.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean…”

  “And he’s huge. And running loose. He’d scare anybody.”

  His pause lasted a second. “Except you.”

  “What?”

  “You said he didn’t scare you.”

  She took a long breath. Why had she snapped at him? The man had always been polite. Distant, but polite. Perhaps the irritation with Abbey still lingered. She tried to catch his expression, but the evening light and his height—six-foot-something to her five-foot-two—prevented a helpful view of his face.

  “All right. Sorry. Yes, he scared me.”

  She heard his chuckle.

  “Well, I’m sorry he interrupted your break.”

  Yeah, a break. Lynn had almost pushed her out the door. “Take five, girlfriend. If you clobber the girl now, it will definitely have an effect on the baby shower. Marci won’t miss you for a few minutes.”

  John shifted, blocking the moonlight. “You and Lynn have been here all afternoon, and you have a crowd tonight. I would have slipped out myself.”

  Of course he would. Crowds, as everyone knew, were not for him. “So, you’ve been here today, too? On a Saturday. Extra work this week?”

  “Some things I wanted to finish.” His voice flattened. He wrapped the empty dog’s leash around his hand.

/>   She’d heard the tone before—the one that kept her and every other church member from inquiring into his life. He could say “none of your business” with just the tone of his voice.

  He motioned toward the doll. “You brought some of the decorations with you?”

  “No. Cooper had this in his mouth. Now that scared me. It looked real.”

  “It did? Moonlight can do that. Distort things.”

  “Yes. And look at it.” She held it out. “Someone has blackened its eyes and slit its throat.”

  He took the doll and examined it. “Someone’s got a bizarre sense of humor.”

  “I don’t call that humor. It’s gruesome. Especially tonight.” When he just looked at her, she added, “Because of the baby shower.”

  He flipped the doll over once more, frowning. “Yes, I see what you mean. You said Cooper had this?”

  “Yes.”

  “I didn’t see it when I made rounds.”

  “When was that?”

  “About two hours ago. Not long after your party started.”

  “Shower.”

  His brow lifted. “Shower?”

  “Baby shower.”

  “Oh.” The moonlight caught the twist of a smile. “Of course.”

  “I better get back.”

  “I’ll walk you in.” He gave a sharp whistle and called the dog.

  Her shoulders tightened. The dog appeared, running out of the gloom. When he stretched his nose at her, she edged away. John reached for the Lab’s collar and tugged him to his side.

  “He won’t hurt you.”

  Memory of the dog’s growl brought her head up. “Since you’re here, you mean.”

  He shook his head. “No. He’s gentle, despite the size. But I’ll walk you in. Don’t worry.”

  “All owners think their dogs are friendly. Not all are.”

  “True.”

  “And I don’t need an escort.”

  His mouth twisted again. “I’m going that way myself.”

  “Oh. I… Okay.” She clamped her mouth shut.

  They both turned and headed for the church. The moonlight painted a silver line around the pond’s edge, and a soft breeze circled filled with the scent of night-blooming jasmine. Crickets chirped. Sharee breathed in the peace.

  As they neared the fellowship hall, the back door opened. Light splashed across the walkway, and the pastor of New Life Church appeared. A moment later, the door reopened.

  “Pastor Alan.” Roseanne Sawyer stepped into view, her hand reaching for him.

  The pastor slanted a look over his shoulder and sidestepped the hand. “Yes, Roseanne?”

  In the light spilling from the window, the woman’s red hair and jeweled purple tunic stood out. Crystal earrings twirled. “I need to talk to you, Pastor.”

  “Something special?”

  “My finances. I’ve juggled my money and my budget since the divorce, and I just don’t know what to do anymore.”

  The pastor thrust his hands into his pockets. “You’ll need someone trained in that field. I’m not a financial counselor, as my wife will confirm. Come by the office tomorrow, and Daneen will give you a referral.”

  “But you’re the one I want. I don’t trust others. You…”

  “Roseanne, let’s you and I and Daneen talk tomorrow. I’m only here to pick her up from the shower.”

  “But I don’t know if I can make it tomorrow—”

  Sharee and John stepped forward into the light, and her words trailed off.

  “Hello, Roseanne.” Sharee forced a smile. She never knew if it would work but trying was necessary.

  Roseanne frowned as her gaze shifted from Sharee to John and back. An eyebrow arched. “Where have you two been?”

  Sharee glanced up at John. The short beard gave him an easy-going look, but the brown eyes held an unmistakable irritation. He said nothing.

  She gave Roseanne another smile. “I just wanted to get away from the shower for a few minutes. So, I walked out to the pond.”

  “Really?” The gaze flicked back and forth once more. “But aren’t you in charge?”

  “Lynn and I are. It’s under control, don’t worry.”

  “Oh, I’m not worrying. It will be breaking up in a few minutes, anyway.” Her eyes dropped to the doll John held, and her mouth opened. “Where did you get that?”

  “In the field.”

  “What’s wrong with it?”

  “Someone playing a joke, I think.” John’s tone ended the conversation. He turned to the pastor. “You have a few minutes, Alan?”

  “Yes. Walk with me to the office.” The pastor looked at Roseanne. “Call in the morning, Roseanne. Daneen can help you.” He made an indication with his head, and the two men fell into step beside each other. The dog trotted at their heels.

  “Well, what was that? He can talk to John but not to me?” Roseanne’s voice hyped.

  Sharee bit her lip. “It is late.”

  “Not for John, obviously.”

  “No, but Pastor Alan doesn’t see women outside office hours or by himself.”

  “Yeah, well, now I have to come back tomorrow.” Roseanne crossed her arms over her chest. “Where did John find that doll?”

  “The dog found it. Someone slit its throat and gouged the eyes out. Kind of gruesome.”

  “In the field?”

  “Yes. I don’t know why kids do that stuff.”

  Roseanne said nothing but stared into the darkness where the men had disappeared. With a quick look back at Sharee, she reached for the fellowship hall door, opened it and vanished inside.

  The door closed like a slap.

  What is it today, Lord? I’ve tried with Roseanne. I’ve tried with Abbey. Two new people in the church, and I keep running into walls. She sighed and followed Roseanne inside.

  Lights and laughter met her, startling her back into the baby shower as if she’d stepped from a hot, humid day into air conditioning. Her shoulders loosened and her gaze traveled the room. White cloths covered a dozen tables. Cobalt, sapphire, and silver balloons rose from the center of each. Tulle, intertwined with silver ribbon, swirled around a large table at one end. She and Lynn Stapleton had spent hours cooking and decorating. Now, chocolate cake leftovers, soiled dishes, and torn gift wrappings littered it.

  She smiled. Good.

  Another quick glance showed her that the girl she’d clashed with earlier had disappeared. Abbey Somer’s rant against their guest of honor had caused turmoil minutes before the shower, and her smirks during the event had caused Lynn to shove Sharee out the door.

  Sharee glanced at Marci Thornton, the mother-to-be. The woman looked exhausted, even as she continued to smile and hug the women surrounding her as they said their goodbyes.

  Where’s Stephen? He should be here to pack the car and drive her home. Marci’s doctor had restricted her driving privileges. No surprise. At eight months along with her seventh child, Marci looked like she could deliver any minute.

  Lynn broke from the group and sent her a look that told her what she wanted to know. Everything had gone smoothly. Good. Marci’s pregnancy had raised a storm of controversy. Why did people think it their place to criticize how many children a couple had? A stack of used cups flew into a plastic bag she’d grabbed. No, she hadn’t just stood and listened when Abbey Somers started criticizing her friend. She’d spoken up and ignited a conflict between herself, the teen, and others.

  She should have handled that better. Being ten years older than the teen should mean something. Sighing, she dropped a bunch of plastic ware into the bag, wishing she could drop some marbles of understanding into the agitator’s head with as little difficulty.

  “Well, Miss Jones,” Lynn said, “I’m glad you made it back.”

  Sharee smiled. Lynn held a plastic bag, too, into which she stuffed used paper cups, plastic ware, and napkins.

  “Have I ever left you to clean up by yourself
?”

  Lynn shifted waist length hair out of her way and grabbed another pile of used plates. “After Abbey said what she did, I thought you might take the rest of the night off.”

  Sharee’s smile widened. “She stretched my new resolution to the breaking point, that’s for sure.”

  “I do think I saw you swallow what you wanted to say one time.” Lynn laughed when Sharee wrinkled her nose. “Don’t worry. If you hadn’t said something, I would have. And it wouldn’t have been pretty either.”

  “That’s good to hear.”

  Lynn grinned. “Everything went well while you were gone, and the nay-sayers didn’t sour the shower. Marci has lots of beautiful things for the baby.”

  “That’s what’s important.”

  Sharee eyed her friend’s designer outfit. The word “beautiful” described Lynn the way sensuous described JLo. Lynn’s five-foot-seven-inch height, long blonde hair, and blue eyes made her runway material. Sharee wrinkled her nose again. Even if she straightened her head full of curls and put on five-inch heels, she’d never make it into the competition.

  “What?” Lynn asked.

  “You look great. As always.”

  “And you do, too. You know I envy your curls. My hair refuses even the slightest wave.”

  Sharee rolled her eyes. “Here we go again. You want my curly hair, and I wish mine were straight.”

  “And together we cover all the bases.”

  Sharee closed the trash bag and hoisted a dirty serving dish. “Everyone loved your fancy appetizers.”

  “They should have. I spent oodles of time on them.” Lynn stopped at the next table. “I plan on getting some of the women to bring meals to Marci’s place the first week.”

  “Good. She’ll need it. And I’m asking Pastor Alan about the Christmas program.”

  “You haven’t asked yet? You know he needs time to think things through.”

  “It’s only September.”

  “Late September.”

  “He’ll be fine.”

  “With all the stuff you want to do? He’ll have a cow.” Lynn grinned and headed for another table.

  Sharee grabbed a serving dish and headed for the kitchen. Maybe she’d talk with Pastor Alan and Daneen this week. She elbowed open the kitchen door.

  ~.~.~