Secret Admirer. Karen Rose Smith

the right person for me.

       Acknowledgments

      Lord Jesus, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart always be pleasing to You.

      To my granddaughters, Ava, Makinze and Baylee. You are all so special to me and my heart is filled with happiness just to see your smiling faces. I love you all so much.

      To each member of Mary’s Book Crew. Your support means so much to me. You are all dynamos and awesome ladies. A true dream team. I am so grateful to have each of you on my side.

      To my agent, Rachel Kent, who has been there for me through the good, the bad and all my wild questions in between. Thank you!

      To Ann Ellison. You were always such a positive influence and a strong Texas lady. I miss your support, but our loss here on earth is Heaven’s gain.

      To Cheryl Baranski. You were such a wonderful example of what a true warrior of God should look like. I know God is thrilled to have you home.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       About the Author

       Booklist

       Title Page

       Copyright

      Note to Readers

       Introduction

       Dear Reader

       Bible Verse

       Dedication

       Acknowledgments

       ONE

       TWO

       THREE

       FOUR

       FIVE

       SIX

       SEVEN

       EIGHT

       NINE

       TEN

       ELEVEN

       TWELVE

       THIRTEEN

       FOURTEEN

       FIFTEEN

       SIXTEEN

       SEVENTEEN

       EIGHTEEN

       NINETEEN

       TWENTY

       TWENTY-ONE

       TWENTY-TWO

       TWENTY-THREE

       TWENTY-FOUR

       TWENTY-FIVE

       EPILOGUE

       Extract

       About the Publisher

       ONE

      Breathe! The disjointed thought sped through Rachel Albrecht’s mind. Her eyes snapped open. She struggled to draw enough air into her lungs. Something covered her mouth and nose. Her heart accelerated as she glanced around the familiar bedroom she once shared with her husband, unable to understand what was happening.

      Her last memory was of falling asleep in her favorite chair reading the Bible while waiting for her sister, Eva, to return.

      Now darkness flooded the room. The lantern’s wick had gone out.

      Through the pitch-black of night the truth became horrifying. A strange man towered above her, his big gloved hand covering part of her face. She clawed at it as the last bit of air left her body.

      He leaned in close, his face completely obscured by a ski mask, only his eyes visible. They burned into hers, the evil filling them chilling.

      “You’re coming with me,” he growled, then removed his hand and hauled her from the chair. The Bible fell to the floor at her feet.

      Air rushed into her lungs and she coughed, her eyes filling with tears as she continued to drag in breaths.

      “Let’s go,” he ordered and pointed to the door. He shoved something against her side. A gun! The sight of it promised all sorts of unwelcome outcomes. She needed help.

      His