Love Inspired Suspense April 2015 #2 by Dana Mentink, Tammy Johnson, Michelle Karl Page B

and so are you. That’s all that matters. God’s watching out for you.”
    It was a sentiment she wanted desperately to believe, but the knowledge of what happened to LeeAnn kindled new fear inside her. No one was completely safe. Ever. She could accept that for her own life, but not for June, and she would do anything in her power to protect her daughter. “I’ll come when I’m done with the police.”
    â€œUmm, now don’t get upset, but they told me you shouldn’t visit for a few days, just until they make sure about things, in case Tucker’s following you.”
    Keeley’s eyes filled. She’d had a feeling it was coming but the words cut like glass. “I can’t... I’m not allowed to see her?”
    â€œJust for a few days,” Viv crooned. “Derek knows what he’s doing.”
    Derek Uttley? “I didn’t know you were on a first name basis.”
    Viv sighed. “Honey, I’m retired. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a social life.”
    Keeley knew her aunt had met Uttley when her car was stolen a few short weeks after she moved to Silver Creek following LeeAnn’s murder. She wanted to ask some questions, but despair clogged up her mind.
    â€œWe can Skype as many times as you want. I’ve told my other clients that I have to take some time off for the next week, and I arranged for the kids to go to another day care, just to be on the safe side.”
    So Aunt Viv’s business was now affected, too. Tucker had the power to hurt everyone she loved. Keeley swallowed the burn that crept from her stomach into her throat. “Okay,” she whispered. “Just until we solve the problem.”
    Viv talked on for a while longer, but Keeley could not hear over the rushing in her own ears. She felt the same sick desire take hold again as it had the moment she’d heard about LeeAnn, the need to clutch the steering wheel, stomp the gas and drive as far and fast as she could.
    You’re not a mother, Keeley.
    You don’t know what to do.
    Panic, hot and acidic, bubbled inside as she fought the urge to run away.
    God will not call you to do something He hasn’t equipped you for
. Her sister had scrawled it on the bathroom mirror with lipstick after June was born, and they had both read it over and over. But He’d done just that, hadn’t He? Keeley was not ever planning to have kids of her own, and now here she was, mother to her sister’s baby, and a child with special needs at that.
    Her fingers grew slick with cold sweat as she gripped the wheel, struggling with her own internal darkness.
    â€œKeeley? Are you still there?”
    She forced in a breath and shoved away the panic. “Yes, I’m here.”
    â€œOkay. You sort of faded away for a moment.”
    Faded away into a place she must not allow herself to go. June needed her. God would give her the strength. She might not be the best stand-in for a mother, but she was only one June had. She wiped a shaking hand across her forehead. “Can I say good night to her?”
    â€œSure. She’s pretty tired, though. All ready for bed.”
    â€œWearing her pink jammies?” Keeley said through tears.
    â€œPink with the kitty on the front, her favorite. I have to quickly launder them during the day or she pitches a fit at bedtime.” Aunt Viv put June on the line.
    â€œHey, Junie Jo,” Keeley said, fighting for a serene tone.
    June breathed noisily into the phone. “Hi, Mama.”
    â€œI—I can’t come get you tonight. I’m sorry. But I’ll see you real soon.”
    There was a soft sucking sound, and she imagined June slurping on her two fingers, as she’d done since shortly after her birth.
    â€œDid you brush your teeth?”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œGood girl. Say your prayers with Aunt Viv, okay?”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œGood night, Junie.” She swallowed hard. “I love