Love Hidden in Plain Sight (Preview)

Chapter One

Abby shuddered as the door moaned and creaked when she pushed through it. Her blood ran cold as a chill raced down her spine. Perking her ears, she hovered over the threshold, expecting to hear her stepmother Priscilla’s shrieking voice. A moment passed as she stood there between the bitter cold of Summit Falls, Colorado, and the toasty warm comfort of her father’s house. Holding her breath, she dared to step inside. 

The last embers of the evening fire were smoldering in the fireplace. The low orange glow gave Abby just enough light to peer into the sinister shadows. Swallowing hard, she crept into the house and swiftly closed the door, hoping the chilly draft hadn’t reached the hallway. 

“Where have you been?” 

Tingles shot through Abby’s body as she slowly turned to find Priscilla sitting at the kitchen table. Shadows masked her expression, but Abby could hear the undertone of disapproval instantly. A small light flickered in the darkness as Priscilla struck a match and lit the oil lamp, illuminating the room. 

“You told me to deliver the package to Mr. Brodger’s.”

Priscilla’s eyebrow arched as her expression remained stoic. Abby swallowed hard and moved to the end of the table. 

“And you expect me to believe it took you two hours to deliver it?” 

“It’s snowing,” Abby explained. There was no mercy in her stepmother’s eyes, no remorse either. 

“You were supposed to be back here within the hour. What took you so long?” Priscilla asked, and Abby wondered if she would have had a warmer welcome from the blizzard raging outside. 

“Mr. Brodger told me to come inside and warm myself before leaving. He insisted I stay until the snow eased before trying to make my way back.” 

“You’re lying.”

“Why would I lie about something like that? Have you looked outside?”

“Please, the snow is barely sticking to the ground. You’re just lazy. I bet you haven’t even gotten to the horse’s bedding, have you?”

“I did it before I left,” Abby answered. 

“And the chickens? You know in this bitter cold they won’t lay any eggs, and then what will we do for breakfast?”

“They’re taken care of as well,” Abby said. “If they don’t lay anything it won’t be because of anything I did or didn’t do.”

Priscilla rose from the table, her eyes narrowing as she moved closer to Abby. A whiff of peppermint lingered on her stepmother and made Abby’s nose crinkle. She knew it was to mask the alcohol but didn’t dare say anything. 

“Why your father settled in this God-forsaken place, I’ll never know. But we’re stuck here whether we like it or not. Now get to your room. Tomorrow is going to come far too soon.”

Abby didn’t hesitate. She turned on her heels and rushed from the kitchen, down the hallway and slipped into the sanctuary of her room. Letting out a heavy sigh, Abby peered through the shadows as she entered the comforting solitude of her bedroom. The floorboards shifted and moaned as she treaded toward her bed. Flopping down onto the lumpy mattress, she stared up at the ceiling. 

This was her life and she hated it. She hated the fact that ever since her father passed, Priscilla grew more and more demanding, practically treating her as if she were a servant instead of a daughter. Tears welled in Abby’s eyes as she thought on happier times. 

“Please, Lord, help me find a path out of this life. I know the Bible tells me that no one can straighten what you’ve made crooked, but surely you haven’t forsaken me. Show me a better life. One where I’m far away from my stepmother.” As Abby mumbled her prayer, she wiped away the moisture on her cheeks and rolled over, clutching her pillow tightly. 

She stared at the white flecks of snow falling against the darkening sky until sleep overtook her. Pounding on the door rattled her awake. She shot up from the bed as the door opened. 

“You’re still in bed? And in your clothes from last night, no less? Get up.” Priscilla snapped her fingers and shook her head. 

Abby rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The morning light poured into the room and gave the room a grayish tint. It was overcast again, and she couldn’t help but wonder if it had snowed even harder last night. 

She stretched her aching bones as Priscilla rapped her foot against the wooden floor. The irritation on Priscilla’s face was evident, but Abby didn’t understand why. It felt as if she’d just fallen asleep. 

“I need you to go to Mr. Saiman’s house today. He has something for you to fetch,” Priscilla said. 

“I’ll take one of the horses.” 

“You’ll do no such thing,” Priscilla gasped. 

“But it’s a five mile walk to his place,” Abby said, shocked. 

“Well, then I suggest you get going. And I want you back here before noon.”

“Why can’t I ride there?” 

“I’ll be taking the horses to get shoed while I’m in town.”

“All of them?” Abby questioned as Priscilla tossed her the thick coat from off the back of the chair. The fur coat smacked Abby hard in the face. Although she didn’t mind the softness of the fur, it was the buttons that stung her the most. 

“Yes, now get a move on. And if you’re not back by noon, so help me… Well, I don’t know what your punishment will be, but I promise you aren’t going to like it. Now, get.”

Begrudgingly, Abby slipped her arms through the coat. The inner lining chilled her for just a moment before it started to warm up. On her feet, Abby marched past Priscilla and made her way down the rickety stairs. A warm aroma swirled around her the moment she came down the steps. 

“You made pancakes?” Abby asked over her shoulder as Priscilla trudged past her. Priscilla shook her head and headed for the table. 

“If you had woken up sooner, you might have been able to have some,” she said. “But now, you don’t have time for any of them.” 

“I could take a few and eat them on the way.” 

“Fine,” Priscilla answered. “I can’t have you starving and dying on your way to Mr. Saiman’s, now can I?” 

Abby grabbed a few of the pancakes from the platter in the center of the table and swiftly shoved two more into her pockets. She didn’t mind that they wouldn’t be smothered in maple syrup as long as she could get a quick bite. 

Charging out the door, Abby found herself a bit grateful to have nearly the whole morning away from her stepmother. She found the outdoors lovely. It hadn’t snowed as much as she thought it had the night before, and the sun was peeking through the wispy clouds. The icicles were starting to melt and drip, signaling spring was near. But the ice and melting snow also meant wetter, and muddier, conditions. 

Pulling the coat tightly around her, Abby started toward town. The soft glow of lanterns swaying from the storefronts made them look as if they were fairies fluttering about the town.

“I was wondering if I’d get to see you today.” 

The familiar voice caused Abby to turn. A huge smile stretched across her face as her best friend Izzy came bounding out of the tree line. Abby glanced over her shoulder, double-checking to ensure Priscilla wasn’t watching her before she turned back to Izzy. 

“It’s good to see you too,” Abby said as Izzy scooped her arm through Abby’s and marched with her toward the town. 

“I was certain your stepmother would have you bound and chained to the homestead today,” Izzy said, pulling out a few strips of dried beef from her pocket. Abby’s stomach growled upon seeing the food Izzy offered. 

“So did I. But here I am.”

“Here you are,” Izzy said, her smile infectious. “Here. These are for you as well. I snatched the from the pantry early this morning.” 

“You didn’t have to do that you know. Believe it or not, my stepmother does feed me,” Abby said, pulling out the pancakes from her pockets. 

“But these taste better, trust me. I gorged myself on some of them last night. My brother changed up the recipe and they’re even better than the last batch.” 

“Where did he even find the meat?” Abby asked. 

“Went hunting a couple of weeks ago and came across a huge buck. We have venison coming out of the smokehouse now,” Izzy said. “I’ll trade you?” 

“Deal,” Abby said, exchanging the pancakes for the meat. 

“So, your stepmother must not have been too angry with you coming in so late, if she let you come out.”

“She was pretty upset with me. I told her that it had been snowing and Mr. Brodger told me to stay for a bit.”

“Did she believe you?” Izzy asked, her eyes widening with wonder. Abby shook her head and let out a heavy sigh.

“What do you think?” 

“I think if you were a better liar she would have,” Izzy said with a bump of her hip, causing Abby to nearly stumble and take them both down. “Where does she have you going today?”

“Mr. Saiman’s place. She says I’m to bring her back a package,” Abby said with a mouth full of the jerky Izzy had given her. 

“Mind if I come with you? I’ve got nothing better to do and it’s such a lovely day,” Izzy implored as she batted her eyelashes. The pleading look on her face made Abby nearly choke on the food she was eating.

“Fine. But I’ve got to be back before lunch or I’m going to get into trouble,” she said as they passed the sheriff’s office. 

“Well, we can’t have that happening, now can we?” Izzy said with a wink. 

Abby smirked and shook her head as they trotted down the main street of Summit Falls. The shops were already busy preparing for the day. The barber was busy sweeping the thin layer of snow off the boardwalk in front of his shop as the baker peddled steaming loaves of bread he must have just pulled from the oven.

Although Abby secretly wished she could be somewhere else, Summit Falls was her home. There was a charm to it that could make even the grayest days feel bright and homey. 

“Do you feel that?” Izzy asked, tilting her head to the sun’s rays parting the clouds. “It feels like change.”

“Spring will be here soon, and I can’t wait to see the flowers on the mountains again.”

“It’s more than just the seasons changing. It’s like a fresh start. Something big is going to happen, I feel it in my bones,” Izzy cooed. But her smile vanished almost as quickly as her eyes settled on the wagon parked beside the grocer’s. 

Abby’s heart sank as she swallowed hard. The warmth that caressed her face froze over as Wesley stepped out of the shop carrying a heavy sack of flour. 

He paused. Abby could feel his eyes boring into her as she strolled by, trying hard not to give him a second glance. 

“Pay no mind to him,” Izzy whispered into Abby’s ear. 

“I thought he was gone for good,” Abby said in hushed tones. “What is he doing back here?”

“I didn’t want to tell you, but I’m certain you’re going to find out eventually. He came back because he wanted to raise his family here,” Izzy said. 

“His family?” Abby’s heart pounded in her chest. The words were like a blow across the face. It was only last year she had made plans to run away with him and elope before any storms could block the pass and prevent her family from coming after her. But when it came time to leave, Priscilla forbade her from leaving the house and a month later, Wesley married another. 

The pain of his betrayal rose within her, and it felt as if her heart was being ripped open once again. She tried pulling in deep breaths to steady herself, but the chilly air capturing her breath gave her away. 

“Breathe, Abby,” Izzy reminded her. “Don’t let him see that he’s hurt you. He’s not worth it.” 

“I know,” Abby choked out as she stole a glimpse of him. “There’s a reason we were pulled apart. But it still hurts.” 

“Come on,” Izzy said, tugging on Abby’s arm. “You’ve got other things to worry about, and if we want to see the fawns in the fields, we’re going to have to pick up the pace.”

Chapter Two

“That’s the last of it,” Ben said, dropping the trunk in the center of the cluttered room. He stretched and arched his spine, hoping to ease the pressure in his lower back. 

Eli glanced over his shoulder as he pulled back the ratty, thin curtain, letting the dim rays of light come pouring in. Dust danced and drifted on the gray beams of light as Eli wagged his hand to clear the air. 

Ben made his way over to the window and peered out. The house couldn’t have been in a more suitable location. From the eastern window, the town of Summit Falls was clearly visible, and to the west, vast, tall trees stretched on for miles. 

“We should probably go into town and introduce ourselves,” Eli said, “once we have settled. I don’t think a place like this will let us stay strangers for long.” 

“And what are we posing as this time? We can’t say we’re cattle ranchers, we haven’t brought any cattle with us,” Ben said, finding himself entranced by the sheer size of the trees looming over the roof of their new house. 

“What if we say we’re loggers? Plenty of trees around here, doubt anyone will be suspicious of that,” Eli stated as he turned his back to Ben and started for the boxes Ben had brought in. 

“That could work. But we need to get our story straight before we head out. The last thing we want is to get caught in a lie,” Ben stared out at the town, wondering if he’d be able to pick out members of the Kane Gang from so far away. Resentment pricked him while his eyes studied the buildings. Deep down, Ben knew luck was never on his side, and if he was going to get the justice he so longed for, he would have to be patient. 

“This isn’t my first rodeo, Ben,” Eli grumbled. “I know how this works.”

“Not saying you don’t. I just know that every time we get to a new place, you’re eager to jump right into things. This time, we need to take extra precautions,” Ben warned as he peeled his attention away from the window and moved to the boxes lining the walls. 

“Well, what do you expect? We’ve been at this for years now. I doubt the Kane Gang will just show up at our front door and introduce themselves,” Eli teased. Ben arched his eyebrow as his expression hardened, clearly unamused by his friend’s response. 

“Look, all I’m saying is what if we never find them? What if we actually set roots down this time?”

“And let them get away with what they’ve done? No. Out of the question,” Ben retorted. “You know as well as I do that people like the Kanes don’t just stop their evil ways. If anything, they grow more and more violent and greedy. How many other people have to suffer what we have?”

Eli dropped his shoulders and let out a heavy sigh of resignation. “You don’t have to tell me. I’m just saying that we’ve been tracking them for years. And in all the places we’ve gone, none have been like this place. Look at the town, Ben. It’s not a large city like the other places. Small towns like this are harder to keep secrets in than bigger ones.”

Ben moved swiftly to Eli and placed his hands on his shoulders. Looking him squarely in the eyes.

“I hear what you’re saying, Eli. But I need your help. This may be a small town, but it’s still big enough for a two-man job. Not to mention that you heard what our lead said. This place is where they are, I can feel it in my bones.” 

“And what happens if this isn’t the place? What if we stay here and learn all we can only to have to chase after another lead?” Eli asked, worry etched into his brow. 

“Then you can stay,” Ben answered. “I won’t ask you to come with me again. But you know what those men did to my family. I can’t let something like that go. Justice will be served.”

“Justice or revenge? Because from where I’m standing, it looks to me like you’re approaching the line of no return,” Eli said, his voice bending with concern. Ben softened as he dropped his hands. “You know what Pa said. You can’t let your personal feelings get involved with the mission. And I think you may have made this your life’s purpose.”

“What if I have? Is there anything wrong with wanting to see bad men behind bars?” Ben asked. 

“No,” Eli answered. “But becoming a vigilante isn’t the way to go about it. Neither is wasting your life hunting down the people who wronged you. Look, I understand you want to see them all pay. But maybe it’s time you let this go.”

“I’ll make you a deal,” Ben said, choosing his words carefully. “If this place turns out to be just another dead end, I’ll consider giving it up. But if there’s even the slightest hint that the Kanes are here, or in the next town over, I’m going to pursue them with or without your help.”

“And then what?” Eli asked, tilting his head as Ben marched over to the boxes they had brought into the house and started pulling out the rolled-up sheets of paper. “What happens next?”

“What do you mean?” Ben asked as he piled his papers on the small table. 

“I’m saying, what happens next? Will you be satisfied once you’ve caught them?”

“Absolutely,” Ben answered quickly. 

“And you’ll be able to leave everything behind?”

“Yes,” Ben said returning to the boxes to unpack his books and set them down next to the windows. “I know you think I’m obsessed with the Kanes, but I’m not.”

“Could have fooled me,” Eli huffed. “But I’m going to hold you to your word, Ben. I’ll help you here, but I can’t waste my life like this anymore. It was fun in the beginning. But look around you. What have you got to show for the past five years, other than a pile of notes you’ve collected from various people across five states?”

“Look, I understand that you’ve never been on the receiving end of the gang’s wrath. It wasn’t your family that had everything taken from them. It was mine. The Kane Gang took everything from me… everything. I can’t let them get away with doing what they did to me to anyone else. I can’t. My path is set. You do what you want.”

Ben pulled the wooden chair to the table and plopped down. He hunched over the table, carefully studying all the notes and bits of information he’d gathered on the Kane Gang he’d collected over the years. His frustration with Eli stewed but he didn’t allow that to distract him from the reason he’d come to Summit Falls. 

“I know they’re here. This has got to be their base of operation,” he mumbled as he unrolled one of the papers revealing the map with dots scattered around Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, and Kansas. All the markings pinpointed spots where the Kane Gang had struck, and each dot gave Ben the confidence he needed to prove this was where he would finally come face to face with the men who had wronged him. 

Eli glanced over Ben’s shoulder and stared at the map they’d seen a thousand times before. The points Ben had marked off showcased an elaborate pattern that seemed to be lost on Eli, no matter how many times Ben tried to explain it. 

“You know the only way you’re going to find out for sure is if you get out there,” Eli said. “Why don’t you go and scout the town. See what you can find out about the place. After all, they could be five miles or fifty by the dots on this map. We could easily be in the wrong spot.”

“I don’t think we are, but you’re right. The only way to know for certain is to go greet the townsfolk,” Ben said. 

“I’ll stay here and try and sort these boxes. Just do me a favor, will you?” Eli asked as Ben rose from the chair and started for the door. He paused with his hand on the knob. 

“What’s that?” Ben asked, donning his hat, and shrugging into his heavy fur-lined coat. 

“Keep an open mind about this place. Don’t read into things,” Eli said.

“Now when have I ever done that?” Ben asked, cracking a smile. Eli couldn’t help but smirk and shake his head. 

“Oh, a few times. Actually, more than I’d like to count. There was that one time—” Eli started as Ben pried open the door. 

“I’m leaving now,” Ben called over his shoulder as he closed the door behind him. 

The fresh mountain air swirled around him and filled his lungs. It was as if he were breathing for the very first time. An icy chill gripped him, and he shivered, drawing his coat closer to him to trap the heat of his body as he made his way down the steps and climbed back into the wagon. 

“I don’t care what Eli says, this is the place. I know it,” Ben murmured to himself as he cracked the reins. The horses, startled by the tapping of the leather on their backs, snapped to attention. 

Out of all the places Ben had been to, he couldn’t help but admire Summit Falls. The town was rather pristine and welcoming. As he rode down the sloppy, muddy path toward the town, hope budded within him. He knew in his bones he’d find everything he was looking for here, including settling his vengeance on the Kane Gang. But as Ben drew closer to the town, an unsettling nagging in his stomach gnawed at him. The possibility of Eli being right about the small town not having any connection with the Kane Gang started to seep into him. 

The town was far too welcoming. Even though he was a stranger, everyone seemed genuinely pleased to see him there. Smiling faces and a brief wave of a hand greeted him at every corner. Doubt started twisting its vines around his confidence as he pulled off at the grocer’s and climbed down. 

“Good day, stranger,” an elderly man said with a tip of his hat. “Is there something I can help you with?” 

Ben glanced around as he noticed the women pointing and sharing hushed whispers at his arrival. Clearing his throat, Ben flashed a brilliant smile at the elderly man and bounded up the steps to the boardwalk. 

“Well, seeing as how I just moved here, I’m in need of supplies,” Ben answered proudly. 

“How about that,” the elderly man said. “I’m Mr. Jones, sole proprietor of this fine establishment. Do come in.”

Ben stepped into the shop and to his surprise found it larger than he anticipated. While the shelves weren’t stocked to capacity, they did have a good amount of dried goods and other things. 

“If you’re here, that means the pass was opened. Although this year’s winter was milder than last, I suppose that ain’t saying much,” Mr. Jones said as he grabbed his broom and busied himself tidying up the place a bit. “Where’d you hail from?”

“New York,” Ben answered honestly. 

Mr. Jones let out a whistle and shook his head. “That’s quite a journey. And in winter no less. Surprised you didn’t freeze to death on the way out here. Most folks come in spring. But like I said, it was a mild winter. I hope your journey wasn’t too bad.”

“Mr. Jones?” A small voice pulled at Ben’s attention. He turned to find a young woman with stunning green eyes peeling back the hood of her coat. Ben couldn’t help but notice how her light brown hair flowed over her shoulders and framed her face perfectly. She couldn’t have been older than twenty-five, and there was an innocence to her that captivated him. 

“I’m sorry to bother you. But I was wondering if maybe our order was ready?” the girl asked, in a sing-song tone that was pleasant to the ears. 

“Ah, yes, Miss Donovan, let me get that for you,” Mr. Jones said. Ben’s body went rigid the moment he heard the name. His skin tingled as he moved slowly, pretending to be transfixed by something on the next shelf over… to give him a chance to see the young woman better. 

“Here you go,” Mr. Jones said, handing over a small box into the girl’s waiting arms. “Do tell your stepmother that we are out of the peppermint and will be getting more next week.” 

“I doubt she’ll be pleased with that, but what can you do?” Miss Donovan said with a pleasant smile. “Do have a good day, Mr. Jones.”

Without another word, Miss Donovan slipped out of the shop with her load. As she passed, she glanced through the window. Ben couldn’t help but wonder if she was just as intrigued by him as he was by her. 

“Sorry about that,” Mr. Jones said, pulling Ben’s attention away from the girl. “Now, what can I help you get stocked up on?”

“If you’ve got bread, I’ll take that and whatever slab of meat you may have,” Ben answered. 

“I’m afraid you’ll have to see the butcher for the meat,” Mr. Jones answered. “But I can help with the bread.”

With the few supplies Ben managed to get from Mr. Jones, he made his way back to Eli as fast as possible without drawing suspicion. He flew through the door and scrambled to the table. 

“Someone has a fire lit under them,” Eli said as he came into the dining area. “I take it you found something.” 

“You know how we found out the Kane Gang has some connection with the Donovan family?” Ben asked, as he grabbed one of the notebooks off the table and started thumbing through it. 

“Let me guess, you met one?” 

“Not exactly. But they do live here, in Summit Falls. A young woman came into the grocer’s with the last name,” Ben said, his heart pounding wildly in his chest as he scoured his notes. 

“There could be several people with that surname. It doesn’t mean they have any connection to the gang,” Eli said. 

“I know, but I think it’s a lead worth looking into.”

---

“Love Hidden in Plain Sight” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

Struggling in the aftermath of her father’s death, Abby faces imminent financial ruin at the hands of her manipulative stepmother’s schemes, whose dangerous connections to a notorious gang cast a shadow over her existence. Lost in a forced marriage of convenience with a wealthy philanthropist, Abby never expected to find in him a hidden gem. Ben, an undercover bounty hunter set on revealing the town’s mysteries, hides past that could turn the marriage upside down.

But can she really trust him?

Ben and his steadfast partner Eli embark on a mission to unearth the truth behind the Donovan family’s involvement with the notorious Kane brothers gang. Even though he is committed to the purpose of uncovering the truth, his fascination with his new wife cannot be contained. With their every exchange, Ben inches closer to the heart of the town’s dark underbelly, but also to hers.

Is her innocence and resilience able to captivate him forever?

As their bond deepens, Ben’s pursuit of revenge threatens to unravel their newfound happiness. Abby struggles with betrayal and heartbreak, torn between her feelings for Ben and the painful truth of his past deception. With their love tested by secrets and lies, will Abby and Ben face their challenges together? Or will they lose their chance at redemption and a future filled with unexpected blessings?

“Love Hidden in Plain Sight” is a historical western romance novel of approximately 50,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Get your copy from Amazon!