Free No Home for the Holidays by Lillian Duncan

wrong. Somehow they’d found his house. When he’d walked in for a short lunchtime visit, there they’d stood. With a knife to Catherine’s throat. She’d screamed out for him to run, but he’d stayed. In the end, the bad guys were dead, but so was his Catherine. Injured, he’d laid down by Catherine and waited to die.
    But God had other plans for him.
    When he was released from the hospital he’d resigned from the FBI.
    His heart was filled with anger and hatred. Life held no peace or joy for him. For months, he refused to talk or even see his family or friends. But with God’s help, he’d survived the darkness wanting only to serve God.
    And now here he was amongst the hatred and ugliness again. And he’d failed yet again. He slipped back to the darkness.
    A woman stood there—in spite of his eyes being closed. He could only see the back of her. She turned around. Catherine. Must be the drugs. He opened his eyes. She was still there. Definitely the drugs.
    “You’re not real. I’m hallucinating.”
    “Maybe.” She smiled at him. “Stop thinking you failed. You didn’t. And you won’t fail Chloe—unless you give up. Be strong and courageous. Isn’t that what you told her?”
    “There’s nothing I can do.”
    “The Lord is with you. Remember Philippians—I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. You are not alone, Colton. God is with you always. A righteous man gets up seven times.”
    “Or seventy.” It had been one of their favorite verses to encourage each other when the going got tough.
    She turned from him.
    “Don’t go, Catherine. Don’t leave me. I love you. I need you.”
    “Our time together is over. For now.” She turned toward him. “You are so brave, but so afraid of giving your heart to another. Don’t be afraid, my dear, sweet Colton. Love makes life worth living.” The fog closed in, and she disappeared.
    Alone. No Catherine. No Ramon or his goons.
    His gaze moved to the walls. Logs—a cabin? He was facing a sliding glass door. Lots of trees were visible. The area surrounding the mansion was different than these woods.
    They had moved him.
    His agent mind started working.
    The phone call must have been someone warning Ramon that the FBI was coming to search his house.
    Chloe must have called Robbie or the FBI. Probably Robbie. She was terrified of the LA office of the FBI. She’d believed someone in the LA office was helping Ramon Rivera. Obviously, she’d been right.
    Why hadn’t Rivera killed him? Because they wanted Chloe. And he was the map to finding her.
    Colton closed his eyes, praying for strength to not betray her. As long as she stayed in that hotel room, she’d be safe—as long as he kept his mouth shut.
    ~*~
    Agent Buckley turned down a tree-lined road. “I can see why the judge didn’t want to come downtown. He sure lives out in the country.”
    “Yeah, I wouldn’t want to make this drive every day.”
    Her stomach twisted. The scenery was familiar. Ramon had brought her out to a cabin a few times. It wasn’t one of his showy vacation homes. This place was for privacy. She was sure this was the way to his cabin.
    Panic seeped in.
    The agent was staring at her.
    Something stopped her from speaking. As long as he thought she was cooperating, she might have a chance of getting away. She touched the phone in her pocket. She’d call Robbie as soon as she could.
    The car was approaching a stop sign.
    Her hand moved to the door handle.
    She jumped out of the car and ran for the woods. The agent began screaming, but she kept moving. She zigged and zagged until she had no idea where she was. Finally, she stopped to call Robbie.
    He’d help her—them.
    She pulled out her cellphone as she sat down.
    “Hey, Chloe. Long time no see.” Ramon stepped out of the woods. Their eyes met and he smiled. “So, how’ve you been?”
    ~*~
    Colton opened his eyes.
    Catherine’s message had been clear. Don’t give up. Trust God.
    He’d told Chloe the same