Finding Mercy

Finding Mercy
Karen Harper

Hidden in the heart of the Home Valley, a secret danger takes root…Quiet, cautious Ella Lantz has spent her entire life in the close-knit Amish community of the Home Valley. Tending her lavender fields, she finds calm and serenity in purple blooms, heavenly scents and a simple life. But the sudden arrival of a strange visitor to her parents' home heralds a host of new complications.Alex Caldwell is unlike any man Ella has ever met—clearly, he's no "Pennsylvania cousin," whatever the elders may say. In fact, Alex is a Wall Street whistle-blower under witness protection…and he's brought a world of trouble to the Lantz doorstep. As Ella comes to trust—even love—a man so utterly worldly, she realizes her life has already changed forever.When it becomes violently clear that even the Home Valley is no refuge, Ella and Alex are driven into the wider world to hide. And with such a high price placed on their silence, they may not survive to share their love.…"Harper, a master of suspense, keeps readers guessing about crime and love until the very end." —Booklist, starred review, on Fall from Pride

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Hidden in the heart of the Home Valley, a SECRET danger takes root…

Quiet, cautious Ella Lantz has spent her entire life in the close-knit Amish community of the Home Valley. Tending her lavender fields, she finds calm and serenity in purple blooms, heavenly scents and a simple life. But the sudden arrival of a strange visitor to her parents’ home heralds a host of new complications.

Alex Caldwell is unlike any man Ella has ever met— clearly, he’s no “Pennsylvania cousin,” whatever the elders may say. In fact, Alex is a Wall Street whistle-blower under witness protection...and he’s brought a world of trouble to the Lantz doorstep.

As Ella comes to trust—even love—a man so utterly worldly, she realizes her life has already changed forever. When it becomes violently clear that even the Home Valley is no refuge, Ella and Alex are driven into the wider world to hide. And with such a high price placed on their silence, they may not survive to share their love....

Finding Mercy

Karen Harper

www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)

For all the Kurtzes who enjoy Ohio Amish country: Margaret, Ruth, Barb, Bev and her friends. And as ever, for everything, to Don.

Contents

Prologue (#u33813598-adb4-5336-9473-6232ffc4de3c)

Chapter 1 (#u6ed7a5a6-98ea-5069-a7f3-4be4718fa4a0)

Chapter 2 (#ude17f0f2-5df4-58e8-8307-c772de2cff79)

Chapter 3 (#uc128bc1c-d1c7-5f25-9164-3ba300b72a9e)

Chapter 4 (#u6448af23-e32f-590b-95fb-8d7d215d0c40)

Chapter 5 (#u2e9c7cee-3ac1-5538-bd39-687228522853)

Chapter 6 (#u52024112-f9c3-571e-ba4c-03375ec75f89)

Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 21 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 22 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 23 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 24 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 25 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 26 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 27 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 28 (#litres_trial_promo)

Author’s Note (#litres_trial_promo)

Prologue

April 12, 2011

ALEX CALDWELL WAS sick to death of having to hide like a hunted animal trapped in a borrowed lair. How had his well-planned life imploded so fast? From a great career with a corner office forty stories up overlooking the Hudson River to a room in a one-floor Georgia motel with a single, curtained window. From skiing vacations in Vermont and golf in the Hamptons to running in place in front of a TV. From lobster and steak dinners to carryout and fast food that was all starting to taste like cardboard.

Damn his mentor and former boss Marv Boynton and his under-the-radar schemes that had brought down SkyBound, Inc., along with Alex’s career and hopes! He couldn’t stand just hiding and waiting for the trial to start anymore. The Atlanta spring weather shouted to him, and he was going out for a run, no matter what his government watchdog said.

“I’m going to jog a couple of times around the building,” he told Jake, who was slumped against his headboard, staring like a zombie at a cable news show.

“Not on my watch, you’re not. I know you’re going stir-crazy. You think this is my idea of a great assignment? But you’re a precious commodity, Metro Man, and—”

“I asked you not to call me that. Use my name. It may be all I have left.”