Thanksgiving Target Read online

  He didn’t look distressed; in fact, his eyes were blazing with excitement, a wide grin splitting his face. “The hospital just called. Lissa’s awake! She’s asking to see me.”

  Thank You, Lord. Her heart swelled with joy, and she smiled, truly happy for him. “Max, that’s wonderful news.”

  “What are you waiting for?” he asked impatiently when she didn’t move. “Come on, let’s go.”

  She hesitated, then grabbed her purse and followed him down the hall to the lobby. Melissa was her client. There was nothing wrong with wanting to see, with her own eyes, that she was really all right.

  “Lissa’s waking up is nothing short of a miracle,” Max was saying, as they crossed the hospital grounds. “I didn’t deserve it, but God still granted me a miracle.”

  “A true miracle,” she agreed, privately thinking he did deserve it. He served his country and had put his life in jeopardy to save her. “Do you think we should tell her about Gary?”

  Max’s lips thinned. “Only that he’s been arrested and will be in jail for a long time. The slight detail about how he was using her to get to me can wait until later.”

  “I understand. She’ll have enough to deal with as it is. She needs to focus on getting healthy, nothing more.”

  Max nodded. Within minutes, they were upstairs in the fourth-floor ICU. “Lissa?” Max asked hesitantly, as he entered her room.

  Melissa turned her head toward Max. The breathing tube was gone, and the bruises were fading, but the fearful expression in her eyes still lingered. Her lower lip trembled, as if she were about to cry. “I’m sorry, Max. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I ruined your Thanksgiving homecoming. I’m so sorry.”

  “Shhh, don’t worry about a thing. None of this is your fault, do you hear me? None of it.” He crossed over to the bed and leaned over, pressing a kiss to her forehead and taking her hand in his. “I love you, Lissa. I’m so glad you’re doing better. Nothing else is important right now. Although you should know that Gary’s in jail. He’s never going to hurt you or anyone else, ever again.”

  “Jail?” Her eyes widened. “How? When?”

  “It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in on all the details later.”

  “Good. I’m glad he’s in jail. He hurt me.” Melissa’s eyes filled with tears, and Max wrapped her in a consoling hug, murmuring reassurances.

  Tara watched the two of them, her own eyes smarting with tears. As much as she cared about both of them, her presence wasn’t needed here. In fact, she was intruding on what was obviously a private moment between brother and sister.

  Tara took a few steps backward until she could ease away, leaving them alone in the room.

  Days later, Tara sat on the bank of the river, next to Gary’s abandoned cabin, as Beau sniffed the base of every tree. The crime-scene tape had been taken down, and now the place seemed broken-down and lonely. In spite of everything that had happened there, she found sitting on the bank, watching the rippling water of the Mississippi River flow past, extremely comforting.

  She hadn’t seen Max in almost a week. He’d called her several times, but she’d put him off, explaining she was too busy with work and dealing with her house to make time to see him. But that wasn’t entirely the truth.

  She wanted to see Max. She missed him. Terribly.

  The knowledge was troubling.

  She’d come here, after church on this Sunday afternoon, to try and sort out her feelings. Gazing at the mesmerizing water, she forced herself to be honest.

  In those moments, when Gary was on the verge of killing Max, her heart had squeezed painfully in her chest. She’d been willing to attack Gary, acting completely out of character, to save Max’s life.

  And afterward, when she’d realized Max had accepted the Lord as his savior, she’d known how much she cared for him.

  How much she loved him.

  She sucked in a harsh breath and closed her eyes. How could this be possible? She’d loved and married Ted. She and Ted had known each other for years, having grown up attending the same church together. He’d only been gone eighteen months.

  She’d just met Max. And under extreme circumstances, too. Surely these troubling feelings she had for him weren’t real.

  But if that were the case, why did she long to be with him?

  Help me, Lord. Give me guidance. Help me to understand what you want of me. Help me to understand my feelings. Help me so I don’t betray Ted.

  “Tara?” Her name spoken in the all too familiar deep voice interrupted her prayer and made her twist around. “What are you doing out here?”

  Max. Instantly her heart soared. He looked wonderful. So tall, so strong. In that moment, the sun broke through the clouds, illuminating the area around them in warm sunlight.

  The poignant moment made her catch her breath. Love could never be a betrayal. How could she have been so blind? God’s love was overwhelming and all-encompassing. Loving Max didn’t change her feelings for Ted. Her love for Ted had prepared her in loving Max.

  The abrupt realization clogged her throat so she could barely speak. “I could ask you the same question,” she said, her voice husky. Beau rushed over to Max, his tail wagging.

  Max bent down to scratch the dog between his ears, then straightened, his gaze guarded. “I came out here for the same reason you did, I expect. To escape the noise of the city. Seeking a little peace and quiet.”

  “Yes.” She was amazed he understood and felt the same way. But she wasn’t sure what his feelings were toward her. He’d kissed her, but for some men that didn’t mean much. She turned back toward the water. “It sure is beautiful out here.”

  “I’m glad you aren’t bothered by the memories of what happened here.”

  She slowly shook her head.

  Max was quiet for a moment and then came up beside her. “Tara, do you mind if I ask why you’ve been avoiding me?”

  The flash of hurt in his eyes made her feel guilty. “I’m sorry, Max. I didn’t mean to avoid you. I’ve been…confused, I guess.”

  “Confused?” He dropped down onto the ground beside her. Beau tried to jump into his lap then dashed off to chase a squirrel. “About what?”

  She ducked her head, embarrassed. Baring her heart wasn’t easy, but he deserved to know the truth. “About you. I care about you, Max. A lot.”

  “You don’t sound very happy about it,” he said dryly. “Tara, why is that such a bad thing? You must know I care about you, too. I’ve been miserable this past week without you.” He took her face in his hand and forced her to meet his gaze. “Tara, I love you.”

  “Really?” She couldn’t completely hide the doubt in her tone. She and Ted had known each other for years. How could she trust Max’s feelings were the same as hers?

  “Yes. Really. I love you, Tara, even though I know I don’t have much to offer,” Max said slowly. “And asking you to wait for me is asking a lot. But maybe when I return home in a few months, you wouldn’t mind if I called you? Then we could get to know each other again, under more normal circumstances.”

  “I would like that,” she admitted. But then, realizing she was being a coward, she decided to tell Max the truth. “But time and normal circumstance aren’t going to change how I feel about you, Max. I love you. With my whole heart and soul. I’m more than willing to wait for you, for as long as it takes. You have everything to offer me, because your love is all I want or need.”

  The muscles of his arms bunched under her fingers as his entire body tensed. “Are you sure? I’ll understand if you need time. I don’t want to rush you.”

  “I’m sure.” And she was. How could she have doubted God’s plan right from the start? He’d put Max in her life not just to be her mission but also to give her someone to love.

  “Tara,” he murmured, pulling her into his arms, for a sweet kiss. “I’m so lucky to have found you.”

  She smiled up at him. “Luck didn’t have anything to do with it. God brought us together, Max.”
/>   “You’re right. He did. And I’m eternally grateful.” Max gently kissed her again, and this time, she opened her heart to his. When he broke off the kiss, leaving her breathless, he suddenly jumped to his feet, bringing her upright, too. “Come on. We have to tell Lissa.”

  “We do?” Laughing, she followed him toward their cars. Beau quickly joined them.

  “Yes.” He stopped suddenly, turning toward her, his face serious. “Will you share Thanksgiving with us? Lissa’s being discharged from the hospital in a few days, and I promised to cook dinner to celebrate.”

  She would love nothing more than to be with him over the holiday, but still, she hesitated. “I’m not so sure how Melissa will feel about that. Maybe you and your sister should spend the holiday alone, the way you originally intended to. I can wait.”

  “But I can’t. Tara, it was Lissa’s idea to invite you. Besides, you’re part of my family now. You and Beau. Starting today and lasting forever.”

  Forever. She loved the sound of that.

  Dear Reader,

  God bless the brave military men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our country!

  In my first Love Inspired Suspense book, you will meet Lieutenant Max Forrester, on leave from Iraq and anxious to spend Thanksgiving with his sister, only to find she is clinging to life in the ICU after a brutal attack by her boyfriend. His path intersects with social worker Tara Carmichael, who is still grieving for her dead husband. The moment Tara and Max meet, their lives are irrevocably entwined together.

  As Max searches for the man who had hurt his sister, he discovers Tara’s life is in danger from a mysterious stalker, Tara soon realizes her mission is to help Max rediscover his faith and eagerly accepts the challenge, but neither of them is entirely prepared for the danger lurking right around the corner. Only after they embrace God’s love will they be free to love each other.

  I hope you enjoy reading The Thanksgiving Target.

  Yours in faith,

  Laura Scott

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  In the beginning of the story, Tara feels guilty for not doing more to protect Melissa Forrester from her abusive boyfriend. Do you think her guilt is misplaced, or could she have done more?

  Tara has reached out to Melissa. Are there people in your life who you could reach out to in love and faith?

  Despite Tara’s faith in God, she is struggling to accept the loss of her husband. Have you lost a loved one, and how have you used your faith to overcome your grief?

  Max has turned his back on his faith, especially after losing his best friend in Iraq. What is the turning point that leads him to the path of the Lord?

  Tara doesn’t understand her purpose in life or the mission God has for her. Identify your mission in life, and share with the group.

  Max agrees to attend a church service with Tara, but he doesn’t really participate. Have you held back from being more involved in your church community, and if so, why?

  Max decides he’s not good enough for Tara because he’s lost his faith. Discuss if this is his way of being noble or taking the easy way out.

  When Tara is kidnapped, she panics, allowing fear to overcome her faith. Has this ever happened to you? If so, explain.

  During Tara’s darkest hour of despair, she feels God’s presence and is filled with peace. Describe the situation in which you have felt closest to the Lord.

  Max uses his renewed faith to help him find Tara, who is being held in the rustic cabin on the Mississippi River. Have you ever experienced a similar revelation? If so, explain.

  Tara and Max believe their prayers and their faith in God have helped to heal Melissa. When have you experienced a similar miracle in your life?

  Thanksgiving is a special holiday, a time to rejoice in God’s love and to thank Him for all our blessings. Which blessings are you most thankful for?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-4353-2

  THE THANKSGIVING TARGET

  Copyright © 2009 by Laura Iding

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

  ® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

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