because they both dwelled on an unhappy past rather than accepting the new chance for love that was awaiting them. We can’t go back and fix mistakes—and would probably make things worse if we tried. Each challenge is a way to learn and grow, each new day a precious gift. We only need to accept God’s love and forgiveness, trust Him and willingly place the rest of our lives in His care.
I can be reached by email at [email protected], or via my website, www.valeriehansen.com.
Blessings,
Valerie
Special thanks to former air force sergeant Nancy N. for her advice and to our pastor, John, who also served, as did his son.
Terri Reed, Dana Mentink, Maggie K. Black, Lenora Worth, Lynette Eason, Laura Scott, Shirlee McCoy and I all did our best to support each other’s efforts and learn proper air force protocol for this series. It was difficult, but we gave it our all.
God bless the men and women of our current military who daily give far more and those who have sacrificed in the past to keep us free. We are grateful beyond words.
Contents
She was being watched. Constantly. Every fiber of her being knew it. Lately, she felt as though she was the defenseless prey and packs of predators were circling her and her helpless little boy, which was why she’d left Freddy at home with a sitter. Were things as bad as they seemed? It was more than possible, and Staff Sergeant Zoe Sullivan shivered despite the warm spring day.
Scanning the busy parking lot as she left the Canyon Air Force Base Exchange with her purchases, Zoe quickly spotted one of the Security Forces investigators. Her pulse jumped, and hostility took over her usually amiable spirit. The K-9 cop in a blue beret and camo ABU—Airman Battle Uniform—was obviously waiting for her. She bit her lip. Nobody cared how innocent she was. Being the half sister of Boyd Sullivan, the escaped Red Rose Killer, automatically made her a person of interest.
Zoe clenched her teeth. There was no way she could prove herself, so why bother trying? She squared her slim shoulders under her blue off-duty T-shirt and stepped out, heading straight for the Security Forces man and his imposing K-9, a black-and-rust-colored rottweiler.
Clearly, he saw her coming because he tensed, feet apart, body braced. In Zoe’s case, five and a half feet was the most height she could muster. The dark-haired tech sergeant she was approaching looked to be quite a bit taller.
He gave a slight nod as she drew near and greeted her formally. “Sergeant Sullivan.”
Linc Colson’s firm jaw, broad shoulders and strength of presence were familiar. They had met during a questioning session conducted by Captain Justin Blackwood and Master Sergeant Westley James shortly after her half brother had escaped from prison.
Zoe stopped and gave the cop an overt once-over. “Can I help you with something, Sergeant Colson?”
“No, ma’am.”
A cynical smile teased at one corner of her mouth. “Oh? Then why is it you’re always following me? Don’t you ever get a day off?”
“Just doing my job, Sergeant.”
She