Free Hidden in Shadows by Hope White Page B

lucky number. It symbolizes the Trinity and there are three people in my family.”
    She waited for the blog to open. And waited. “I need a faster computer.”
    It finally popped open, but her page was blank. Then, suddenly, the image of a coffin floated across the screen.

SEVEN
    â€œW hat the…?” Krista said.
    Luke nudged her out of the way. “Someone broke into your account.”
    â€œHow can they do that? Why would they do that?”
    â€œCould be kids messing around.” But Luke knew that possibility was slim. “Let’s not assume anything until I check it out. Get me your Internet provider information and pass codes and I’ll have my people look into it.”
    â€œOkay, thanks.” She went upstairs to her office.
    Luke knew it was safe up there because he’d checked it out when he got the box of Christmas decorations. He eyed the screen with the floating coffin. What had this woman stepped into? Now they were coming after her online?
    Holiday music drifted through the shop from the corner speakers. She must have turned it on upstairs. Although it brightened most people’s lives, Christmas songs were just another reminder of the things Luke never had: thoughtful gifts of love, family gatherings, turkey with cranberry sauce and stuffing.
    His dad had died in a freak car accident when Luke was only five, leaving Mom to raise him by herself. Mom could barely pay the light bill much less buy unnecessary presents for her kid. She did the best she could on her secretary’s salary. For the first few years after Dad’s death, their local church had provided them with holiday meals and presents from strangers.
    Luke felt ashamed about needing handouts. At ten he told his mom he didn’t want anything from the church people. He’d rather go without than suffer the embarrassment of kids at school knowing what he got for Christmas because, well, their families footed the bill.
    He wondered if that’s what drove Krista to being so independent. He’d read her background, knew about her father’s murder and her mother moving to Wentworth when Krista was young.
    It seemed he and Krista had more in common than Luke wanted to admit, only, Luke never found comfort in a God who took both of his parents away.
    â€œHey, is Natalie here?”
    Luke turned to the back door. Timothy, Natalie’s fiancé, stepped into the kitchen.
    â€œI haven’t seen her.”
    â€œHuh. I thought she said to meet her here at nine.”
    â€œWe don’t open until eleven,” Luke said.
    â€œWe?” the man chuckled.
    Luke didn’t answer. He didn’t have to explain himself to this guy.
    â€œSo you’re the chief’s friend from New York?” Timothy strolled into the kitchen and leaned against the counter to face Luke.
    â€œI don’t remember saying I was from New York, but yes, I’m friends with the chief.”
    â€œWhat’s your interest in Krista?”
    Luke narrowed his eyes at the guy. “Who wants to know?”
    â€œMy fiancée, actually. She can’t figure out why you’re always hanging around.”
    â€œThe chief is worried about Krista and asked me to keep an eye on her.”
    â€œYeah, well, there are lots of guys who would kill for that job. Why you?”
    â€œMaybe because I’m former military and the chief trusts me to follow orders?”
    Timothy nodded and glanced at the laptop. “Whoa, what happened there?”
    â€œEither the site is down or someone broke in. Not sure yet.”
    â€œKinda strange, all this stuff that’s been happening. Someone breaks into Krista’s house, the shop and now her computer?”
    â€œA lot of action for a small town.”
    Timothy crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah, ever since you showed up.”
    The guy was a few inches shorter than Luke but built like a wrestler. Still, Luke didn’t want to get into a