Love Inspired Suspense July 2015 #1 by Valerie Hansen, Sandra Orchard, Carol J. Post Page A

dashed off in pursuit of Abby.
    Glancing at the open yard, Daniella wished there were more trees and bushes to hide behind. Then again, the lack of a lot of vegetation near the house also meant no one could jump out to pounce on her. On them.
    She eyed the long driveway. “You’re sure nobody followed us?”
    â€œI’m sure. When I called in to tell my boss what I was doing, I asked for a few of my buddies to run interference, just in case. None of them spotted trouble or they’d have radioed me.”
    â€œThat’s a relief,” she said. And it was. Except it was also temporary. Everything in her life was. She was out of a job due to having been identified, she had no home because the apartment was known to her worst enemy, and all her efforts at staying in the shadows had been for nothing. She didn’t even have Puddy anymore, and he was the closest thing she had to a real, true friend. One thing was certain. She could not just abandon the cat any more than this K-9 officer would ever give up Abby.
    Following Isaac up the wooden front steps to the covered porch, Daniella stopped him with a touch. “Tomorrow, I’m going back to rescue my cat,” she said flatly.
    â€œYou couldn’t find him today. What makes you think you’ll succeed tomorrow?”
    â€œBecause I’ll be going into my apartment alone.”
    â€œOver my dead body,” Isaac countered.
    â€œHopefully, it won’t come to that,” she shot back cynically, calmer now that she’d made a decision to act. Anything was better than feeling helpless and vulnerable.
    â€œNot funny.”
    â€œIt wasn’t meant to be. The more I think about it, the more I realize Puddy was scared of you as well as the dog. If you stay outside and I go in by myself, he should come out of hiding.”
    â€œThat’s assuming he’s still in the apartment.”
    â€œYes. It is. I don’t buy your idea that somebody let him out. He’s always been an indoor kitty. Chances are he wouldn’t have run out even if the door was left open.”
    â€œDo you have a death wish?” Isaac asked, frowning.
    Daniella shook her head. “Tell me. What would you do if Abby was lost in your house and you were about to move away? Would you leave her with food and water and turn your back on her?”
    â€œThat’s different.”
    â€œNo, it isn’t.” She blinked to clear her vision and try to regain more control of her turbulent emotions. “That cat has been my sole companion for over five years. I am not abandoning him. Period. Understand?”
    When she saw that she had convinced Isaac, she brushed past him and entered the house. If she failed to honor her commitment to a helpless animal, how could she ever hope to be trusted with the kind of love and acceptance for which she yearned? It was the little things in life that formed a person’s character. Sure, traumatic events played a role, but it was small kindnesses and daily thanksgiving that truly shaped people’s lives.
    And evil acts that tore them apart, she thought sadly. There was nothing she could do to erase the damage her father had done, nor could she forget his wickedness.
    But that didn’t mean she was going to surrender—to him or to her fear. She wasn’t in this alone anymore. Whether he knew it yet or not, Isaac Black was clearly on her side.
    Picturing him boldly stepping between her and the news people, despite his injured leg, she let her imagination equip him with armor and weapons and a trusty steed—tricolored, with floppy ears and a wagging tail!
    A combination of nerves and a sense of the absurd brought giggles, then snickers and finally tears that rolled down Daniella’s cheeks as she doubled up laughing.
    â€œWould you mind telling me why you find my house so funny?” Isaac asked, sounding a tad miffed.
    She could not, would not, tell him, of course. What she did