Love Inspired Suspense May 2015 #2 by Debra Cowan, Susan Sleeman, Mary Ellen Porter Page B

hurried movements, searching for her gun. Finally, she touched the edge of the cool metal.
    Yes!
Only an inch more.
    A hand came around her ponytail. Jerked hard. Pain screamed through her scalp. He kept pulling, bringing her to her feet. His arm snaked around her waist. He dragged her toward the door as if planning to abduct her.
    She couldn’t let that happen. Self-defense courses her father had insisted she take came rushing back. She threw herself back, hit him hard and unsettled him. He flailed around, trying to regain his balance.
    She dived for the gun.
    â€œKrista, are you all right?” a male called from outside the back door.
    Cash Dixon?
    â€œCash, is that you?”
she yelled, her mind racing to figure out her next steps.
    Her attacker paused to listen for a minute. A perfect opportunity to act. She grabbed the gun and scrambled to her feet in front of the door. Lifted the weapon. Aimed.
    The intruder held his hands up and inched backward.
    â€œStop,” she screamed, but even she could hear the uncertainty in her voice.
    He kept moving.
    She raised the gun higher. He suddenly turned and bolted down the hallway toward the back door. She held the gun at the ready but couldn’t shoot. Didn’t know if she could ever shoot another person. She stepped into the hallway. A wave of light swept in from the open door leading to the deck. She could see a man with a flashlight standing just outside.
    Dear God, please let it be Cash.
    Her attacker barreled ahead, plowing Cash to the ground. The light went out.
    Terrified to act, Krista waited—the gun still in her hand.
    â€œKrista, it’s Cash Dixon.” The worried voice came from the deck. “Are you all right?”
    â€œI am now,” she managed to say.
    â€œStay there,” Cash called out. “I’m going after the intruder.”
    Relief flooded through her, and she collapsed. The gun’s heavy weight pulled her trembling hand to the floor.
    The gun. No!
She couldn’t let Cash see the gun. She doubted her father had gotten it legally. If Cash caught her with it, he’d assume the worst.
    â€œLiebchen,” Opa’s sleepy voice rumbled down the hallway. “What is all the noise?”
    â€œEverything’s okay,” she called out as she tucked the gun in her waistband and covered it with her shirt. Despite her shaking knees, she counseled herself to act calm as she went to meet him. In his condition, worrying about her was the last thing he needed.
    He rubbed his eyes and blinked. “What is going on?”
    â€œA man broke into the house. I fell asleep on the couch but a noise woke me up.” She nodded in the direction of the back door. “Cash Dixon showed up and scared him off. He’s still out there, trying to chase the man down.”
    Concern tightened Opa’s eyes. “The bomber?”
    â€œI don’t see who else it would be.”
    â€œKrista.” Cash’s voice came from outside.
    â€œBe right there,” she shouted, then turned to Opa. “Would you go meet him? I want to splash some water on my face.”
    â€œOf course.” Opa squeezed her arm. “But then you will let Cash help us. He is a good man.”
    â€œYou thought Toby was a good man, too, Opa.” Despite her love for him, she couldn’t temper her tone. “He might have been a respected member of your church, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a liar and a thief.”
    Opa grimaced. “You are upset so I will ignore your hurtful tone and suggest you pray about this. God will reveal what to do.”
    â€œLike he did with Toby?”
    â€œYou did not give Him a chance then. You gave up too soon.”
    She sighed. “I love you, Opa, and I respect you and your opinions, but this is one area we’ll have to disagree on.” Thankful she’d tucked the gun in the back of her jeans, she gave him a quick hug, then released him before he felt her