Staying hidden has kept her alive...
But now she’s been found.
A remote Colorado mountain town and a fake identity have been Ashley Willis’s safe haven since fleeing after she witnessed a murder—but now the killer has found her trail. Desperate and terrified, she’s prepared to run again…but Deputy Sheriff Chase Fredrick won’t let her. With the lawman by her side, can she face danger head-on…and live long enough to bring a murderer to justice?
TERRI REED’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on the Publishers Weekly top twenty-five and Nielsen BookScan top one hundred lists, and have been featured in USA TODAY, Christian Fiction magazine and RT Book Reviews. Her books have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award and the National Readers’ Choice Award, and finalists three times for the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award. Contact Terri at terrireed.com or PO Box 19555, Portland, OR 97224.
Buried Mountain Secrets
Secret Mountain Hideout
True Blue K-9 Unit
Seeking the Truth
Military K-9 Unit
Tracking Danger
Mission to Protect
Northern Border Patrol
Danger at the Border
Joint Investigation
Murder Under the Mistletoe
Ransom
Identity Unknown
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk
Secret Mountain Hideout
Terri Reed
ISBN: 978-0-008-90084-7
SECRET MOUNTAIN HIDEOUT
© 2020 Terri Reed
Published in Great Britain 2020
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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“If the killer finds out that I can identify him...” A visible shudder rippled through her. “He will kill me.”
Her palpable fear sent all his protective instincts into high gear. Ashley was in danger. Her life threatened by what she’d seen. Reining in the urge to comfort and assure her she was safe, Chase let his training prompt him to ask, “Why does Detective Peters think you’re involved?”
Her shoulders slumped. “I don’t know.”
Was he being played? He sent up a quick prayer asking for God’s wisdom and guidance here. Keeping his voice from betraying the anxiety her words caused, he said, “We have to get you to the sheriff’s station so you can give your statement. You need to be brave now.”
For a long moment, she simply stared at him. He could see her inner debate playing out on her face. Trust him or not.
He couldn’t help her with the decision.
Finally, she seemed to deflate. “I’m so tired of being scared. I want to be brave.”
He covered her icy hand. “I’ll help you.”
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed visiting Bristle Township, Colorado. Having the Rocky Mountains as the backdrop for this book and the previous one, Buried Mountain Secrets, is such a special treat. I love the mountains, the rocky terrain, the forest and the many ways that the setting plays a part in the story.
Ashley Willis found a safe haven when she landed in Bristle Township. But she felt guilt and shame for the secrets she kept. Pairing her with Deputy Chase Fredrick seemed like a good match for he was a man of honor and integrity, a man who would protect her and love her regardless of her past. And he needed someone who could love him for the man that he was, not for the family he came from. Together, they made a formidable team and won each other’s hearts.
I hope to write more books set in Bristle Township, featuring the men and the women of the Sheriff’s Department.
Until then, may God bless you and keep you in His care.
Terri Reed
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity.
—Psalm 64:1–2
To the ones I love. May God shine His face upon you always and give you peace.
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