Linda Johnston O. - Not a Moment Too Soon

I know youre hurting, but let me help you. Dont push me away.

I wish I could change everything, Hunter, Shauna said, her pain magnified by his. She laid her hand on his bare arm. But I need you to trust me

She stopped speaking as his eyes, trained on hers, suddenly turned from dull green to flashing jade. He bent down, took her into his arms and kissed her. Hard.

She knew it was simply to shut her up. Prevent her from finishing what shed been saying. Because the fact was, he still didnt believe she could help him find his daughter.

But she kissed him back with a longing born of seven years of missing him.

He pulled back. Even as she knew he would. Even as she knew she should. This wasnt seven years ago, when they were lovers. This was today, and they were drawn together by circumstances too horrible to contemplate. And they didnt need any more regrets.

Not a Moment Too Soon Linda O. Johnston

LINDA O. JOHNSTON

A practicing attorney, Linda juggles her busy schedule between mornings of writing briefs, contracts and other legalese, and afternoons of creating memorable tales of the paranormal, time travel, mystery, contemporary and romantic suspense. Armed with an undergraduate degree in journalism with an advertising emphasis from Pennsylvania State University, Linda began her versatile writing career running a small newspaper, then working in advertising and public relations, and later obtaining her JD degree from Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh.

Linda belongs to Sisters in Crime and is actively involved with Romance Writers of America, participating in the Los Angeles, Orange County and Western Pennsylvania chapters. She lives near Universal Studios, Hollywood, with her husband, two sons and two cavalier King Charles spaniels.

To all fellow writers. We all sometimes wish that what we write would come true, dont we? Well, be careful what you wish for.

And, as always, to Fred, one writers dream who happily came true.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Prologue

did when she wrote something at her computer.

Most of the time, the tales that poured from her fingertips were fine, even delightful. Suitable for reading to the kids who came especially to her restaurant, Fantasy Fare, to hear them. She would laugh aloud as she read, in relief as much as enjoyment. Chastise herself gaily, push the print button and

As she automatically began to scan the words on the screen, she gasped aloud. This was one of those rare, yet nevertheless too-frequent, other times.

Oh, no, she whispered, though no one else was there, in her small, secluded home, to hear. Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. She repeated the words in a mantra born of despair as she continued to read:

Andee was scared. So scared. Daddy, she cried.

But Daddy didnt come. Instead, the bad man came back into the room.

Help me, Daddy!

Shauna stared at the hand clutching the computers mouse as if it belonged to someone else. The long, slim fingers with blunted, pink-polished nailsfingers that were so skilled on the computer keyswere trembling. Resolutely, she highlighted the entire file, prepared to push Delete. Get rid of it.

But that wouldnt get rid of the problem.

She did it nevertheless. Erased everything. Closed the file.

Opened it again.

The story was still there. Of course.

With a small moaning sound, she pushed Print.

There would be a physical record of what had already been set into motion.

Shauna took two long, deep breaths, steeling herself for what was to come. Anxiously running fingers through the sides of her long, ash-blond hair, she looked at the telephone beside her computer. It sat on the antique door that had been taken from her grandmothers house and was now propped on wooden file cabinets, serving as her desk.

She studied the phone, delaying the inevitable.

And then, filled with dread, she lifted the portable receiver and pressed in a familiar number. Elayne Strahms. She needed to speak with her immediately. Get another phone number from her.

For the little girl in her story was Elaynes grandchild.

Hunter Strahms daughter.

Chapter 1

Oasis, Arizona. Lord, it seemed like ages since hed been back. It was late afternoon, desert time, though hed already put in a full day of work and travel. He ignored the pounding of his heart as he hurtled through town, trying to silence the inner voice that told him he was on a fools mission. Wasting not just minutes, but hours of precious time.

Hed made the decision to come here first. Hed live with it.

Yeah, but would Andee?

Damn, he muttered aloud, forcing his thoughts from the direction that could only make him crazy.

He stared out the windshield. Oasis looked the same as he remembered. Exceptwhere was the restaurant he knew Shauna OLeary now owned?

Hed find out, if he had to. First, hed go see his mother. Would Shauna still be there? If not, his mother would know how to find her.