Love Inspired Suspense April 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Laura Scott (free e reader .TXT) 📕

“Mercy, football is serious business.” Mae whistled softly.

Colt watched as his team worked in harmony, making a game plan. Leaving in a few weeks would be bittersweet. “We’ll start calling the people on Dandy’s list. I want to know who owns 4214 Pine Road. Poppy, see if you can come up with the property owner. Should be public record. Also, I would love to know who penned that anonymous letter to Dandy.”

“I can get you a list of people who attended the board meeting that night,” Georgia said. “I imagine the letter came from a parent whose child wasn’t granted permission to change districts. I’ll have to go to the office for it, though. Dandy’s files were backed up before they released her laptop to her mother.”

If there was new evidence, they’d find it.

And Jared’s killer would be found.

They only had to do it while keeping Georgia safe.

THREE

Sunday morning, Georgia woke and settled into her routine. She might not be able to control the case or the killer, but she could make her tea, read her Bible as the sun rose and pray. She needed the stability and security.

The attacks and the knowledge someone wanted her dead were paralyzing, but she’d been coping and she’d talked with her therapist yesterday for a solid hour and God multiple times a day. She wanted it all to go away. At least she had people protecting her. Who was protecting Colt? What if he got hurt? A tiny ball of worry pinched her gut.

Great, the tar ball was about to roll. Fighting it, she let the dogs out but refrained from going with them. It wasn’t safe. “Hurry up, boys,” she whispered.

The pups did their business and rushed inside, as if they knew it wasn’t completely out of danger. Nowhere was. Not even her own home. Georgia didn’t need to ask what proof she had to support that thought. It had been proven. The tar ball grew another quarter, and the pinch turned into a grip.

Replace the thoughts of no control with positive and uplifting truth. God was in control. He knew who was after her, and He alone had the power to save.

Turn the worry into prayer.

Lord, keep me safe. Give me strength. I’m weak. I have no control. But You do. You keep me in perfect peace. You shelter me with Your wings and hide me. You are my rock. My shelter from the storm, and, Lord, if ever I’m in a storm, it’s now. But I have to keep forging ahead. I have to be brave and courageous. I don’t have to be afraid. You’ve said it in Your Word 365 times. Once for every day of the year. I will not fear. And if I do, it doesn’t mean I have no faith.

“Good morning.” A whisper drew her attention, and she opened her eyes. Investigator Mae Vogel stood before her. Not more than five feet tall, fresh faced, blue-eyed. She wore a pale blue athletic suit.

“Morning.”

“I hope I’m not interfering with your routine.” Her smile was apologetic. Georgia didn’t have the heart to tell her she was. Georgia had invited the team to spend the night. The work had gone into the wee hours, and it was the least she could do.

“No. I made coffee, and the kettle is still hot if you prefer tea.”

“Thanks. I love Sunday mornings, coffee and Jesus. I think I even have a mug that says that. Do you have a local church that you recommend? I like to attend when I can, even if we’re traveling. Sometimes we all go together. Colt isn’t awake and I forgot to ask him last night.”

Colt had impressed her with his strong leadership and utmost respect for his team, and it was obvious they respected him. But that came naturally from anyone who spent more than five minutes with him. He was kind and commanding. Fair and friendly.

“He attended church with me, and I go to First Community over on Maple Street. It’s past town square about a mile. But they have an online service. I’m going to watch that this morning.” Her anxiousness would only serve as a distraction to anyone within five rows from her, and she’d end up leaving from being unable to sit calmly.

Mae poured her coffee and sipped it black. “Colt explained you suffer from anxiety with panic disorder.” She laid a gentle, tiny hand on Georgia’s upper arm. “We all understand, and this mess—these attacks—they can’t be doing anything but ramping up the fear gauge.”

Georgia appreciated her understanding and support. Another one of God’s graces.

“Hey, good morning.” Rhett Wallace entered the kitchen. Fully dressed and put together. He had warm brown eyes and thick dark hair with a little curl. He was the kind of guy a lost kid would single out for help.

“I’m going to church this morning. Colt said First Community was where he went. You going, Mae?”

“Yep. I have to get ready, though. Poppy is, too.”

“Colt said he was, too.” He eyed Georgia, and her face filled with heat.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine by myself for—”

Rhett shook his head. “We’re not risking it.”

Everyone wanted to go to church, and someone was going to end up on babysitting duty. Humiliation washed over her, and the tar ball grew. Now it was punching her gut.

Why did she have to be this way? “I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’ll keep away from windows and make sure the dogs go out before y’all leave.”

“Before we leave for where?” Colt asked as he breezed into the room, dressed casually. Jeans and a Mississippi State hoodie.

“Church,” Rhett said.

“Oh. I plan to read my Bible and watch online.” He headed for the coffeepot. “Thanks, Georgia, for the coffee.” As he strode by, she caught his fresh shower scent with a hint of masculine cologne. Couldn’t be aftershave, as he hadn’t shaved and sported a fair amount of stubble. Suited him