Betrayed Birthright

Betrayed Birthright
Liz Shoaf

SECRET HERITAGEAbigail Mayfield hopes her stalker won’t follow her to Texas—until someone breaks into her new home, leaving behind a photo of her late parents with a mysterious child. This time, with her guard dog at her side, the widowed music teacher refuses to hide. She can’t uncover why some is after her alone, though, not when the threat escalates from break-ins to attempts on her life. Saving her from a sniper's bullet, FBI agent turned small-town sheriff Noah Galloway makes Abigail’s safety his personal mission. With the investigation taking them cross country on the trail of her long-dead parents, the widowed single father can’t risk leaving his son an orphan. But Abigail needs him…because somewhere, buried deep in her past, lies a secret worth killing for.

SECRET HERITAGE

Abigail Mayfield hopes her stalker won’t follow her to Texas—until someone breaks into her new home, leaving behind a photo of her late parents with a mysterious child. This time, with her guard dog at her side, the widowed music teacher refuses to hide. She can’t uncover why someone is after her by herself, though, not when the threat escalates from break-ins to attempts on her life. After saving her from a sniper’s bullet, FBI agent turned small-town sheriff Noah Galloway makes Abigail’s safety his personal mission. With the investigation taking them cross-country on the trail of her long-dead parents, the widowed single father can’t risk leaving his son an orphan. But Abigail needs him...because somewhere, buried deep in her past, lies a secret worth killing for.

Abby had a sick feeling.

Maybe sensing her discomfort, Noah stepped closer. “I’m not leaving your side, Abby. Not until we find out what’s going on.”

She took a deep breath. “I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I have my dog and my gun. I want you to leave.” Her heart was pounding. She needed time to process the information he’d unearthed about her parents.

With a locked jaw, he stood. “Fine.” That was all he said before he walked out.

Quickly packing a bag, she called Bates to her side and locked the door behind them. She needed to talk to Grammy. She had the sinking feeling her grandmother knew more about her parents than she let on.

She opened the car door when she spotted something on the seat. The dog released a low growl when Abby tensed, staring at the item in horror. It couldn’t be...

In shock, she backed away. Her life was spinning out of control and nobody could stop the madness.

Dear Reader (#u9cbcf4e5-90fb-5b30-9d97-80317814011d),

The inspiration for this book came from my very own choir director. She is also a piano teacher, and I often marvel at the talent it takes to play the piano and teach voice lessons. I enjoyed creating a strong but soft woman. Southern women love hair, makeup and clothes, but have also been known to dig a fence-post hole or two. And, of course, my hero is thrown off balance when faced with such a contradictory lady. I hope you enjoy reading about Abby and Noah’s adventures as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Liz Shoaf

Betrayed Birthright is Liz Shoaf’s first published inspirational novel. She’s been writing for many years, and hopes this is the beginning of a long and fulfilling career. When not writing or training her dogs for agility trials, Liz enjoys spending time with family, jogging and singing in the choir at church whenever possible. To find out more about Liz, you can visit and contact her through her website, www.lizshoaf.com (http://www.lizshoaf.com), or email her at phelpsliz1@gmail.com.

Betrayed Birthright

Liz Shoaf

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

For even your brothers and the household of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you, even they have cried aloud after you do not believe them, although they may say nice things to you.

—Jeremiah 12:6

A special note to my dad, Reverend Kermit E. Shoaf, from your baby girl. You armed me with faith and courage to face whatever comes my way, and I thank you for that. I miss you and can’t wait to see you again when my time is at hand.

To my editor, Dina Davis, and her boss, for taking a chance on a newbie. And a special shout-out to all the various departments at Harlequin who work so hard to make dreams come true.

Contents

Cover (#u8e6c6212-d5db-5006-9954-1035fc0ab441)

Back Cover Text (#u60d717b1-34aa-5588-b19e-f5529c6afdcb)

Introduction (#u6d8f613c-27ad-5868-b80d-752d65a85674)

Dear Reader (#u05dfb014-23e4-5d9c-b398-81b7f497ecb8)

About the Author (#u8b693d48-cefa-5bb6-b187-00ce1e6f1edf)

Title Page (#u665ec322-dab1-52bb-a841-c16143abb86b)

Bible Verse (#u8304e34f-06af-5a54-81f2-c1495b02d7ec)

Dedication (#u62c29fa5-f9d5-5507-9929-a8610ce75ebc)

CHAPTER ONE (#uea1a3fb5-be2f-5efc-9e9a-9ddb0931dc9b)

CHAPTER TWO (#u4492abae-67ed-58b1-9efb-044eb68eb06b)

CHAPTER THREE (#u3a0efbea-3e5f-5354-89f1-a6ebad498751)

CHAPTER FOUR (#uccca0ba7-0983-5d09-bcf1-12072db26c7b)

CHAPTER FIVE (#u9d70c839-4f70-58e1-8339-581470ea9781)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINETEEN (#litres_trial_promo)