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    Lily: Planted Flowers Series, #1
    Lily: Planted Flowers Series, #1
    Lily: Planted Flowers Series, #1
    Ebook100 pages1 hour

    Lily: Planted Flowers Series, #1

    By Anna K Payne

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    About this ebook

    Pregnant. Divorced. Alone.

    Lily witnesses an argument turned murder. Linked to the crime scene in the eyes of both the police and the killer, Lily’s life is now at risk.

    As the attempts on her life escalate, Lily seeks companionship in a newly formed bible study. Through these friendships and a new man in her life she learns she is worthy of love. Will these relationships keep her safe? Or will they provide opportunities for the killer?

    Lily, Return to Happiness, is the first novella in a new Christian Suspense series by Anna K. Payne. These six stories follow women who hope to draw closer to God. The trials and dangers they face cement their bonds to each other, restore their relationship with God, and open their hearts to the men in their lives.

    Join Lily on her return to happiness journey. Buy Lily today!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAP Creations Publishing
    Release dateJan 19, 2017
    ISBN9781386386568
    Lily: Planted Flowers Series, #1
    Author

    Anna K Payne

    Anna K Payne loves a mystery. Her favorite movies include one-liners and things that explode. Her relationship with her Savior is her number one priority and her family come second.  But her passion and vision is to inspire hope, encourage others, love richly, and listen well through the strength of Jesus Christ. She seeks to inspire and encourage through her devotionals and cozy mysteries as well as aiding her family of writers publish their own books. https://www.instafreebie.com/author/AnnaKPayne

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      Book preview

      Lily - Anna K Payne

      Lily

      Return to Happiness

      Planted Flowers Book 1

      by

      Anna K Payne

      AP Creations

      Published by AP Creations

      Copyright © 2016 by Anna K Payne

      All rights reserved.

      Printed in the United States of America

      Dedication

      Welcome to Planted! Meet Lily, a woman in need of love and friendship. Walk with her on her return to happiness as she learns to trust God through fellowship with her study group. I will always be grateful to my study group leader, Wendy Isbell, who showed me the unconditional love of God.

      Check out the free membership website, PlantedFlowersSeries.com, for more free stories in the world of Planted Flowers.

      Chapter 1

      The sky is steel gray and the clouds move by at a fast pace whipping the blonde strands of hair into Lily's face. Her gaze is on the beach where she strides forward in a purposeful fashion as though she is fleeing imminent danger. The sadness on her face is only surpassed by the fierce strides and swings of her arms. Tears gather in her eyes but she quickly blinks them back. She will not cry again. She got herself into this mess so she will find a way out.

      This is her favorite beach. The sounds of the surf breaking soothe her soul like nothing else can. Only the rhythm of the waves brings her peace and allows her to keep moving forward. This beach has been her hiding place. Although today the crashing of the waves sound menacing instead of soothing.

      A faint sound jars her senses. Lily looks to her right and sees two men struggling with a gun. Lily swipes at her hair to try to see what is happening. She hears a pop like a gun. One man slumps to the ground. The other is left standing with the gun in his hand. The gun slowly raises and points toward Lily. She stares at the man's menacing face. But instead of shooting her he tosses the gun and runs away from her.

      The roaring in her ears is louder now. The wind is pushing her forward. She stumbles as she looks toward the ocean. Sand hits her face as her feet find temporary stability. Something over the water is coming ashore. Lily follows the cloud with her eyes and sees it spinning above her. She knows she should move but she doesn't know where to go.

      Suddenly, she feels her body propelled along the beach. It isn't wind pushing her because she can feel hands on her back and arm. Turning her head around Lily catches a glimpse of a man before her hair covers her face again.  She runs to keep up to help the man push her forward. That's when she realizes he's been yelling all along, the sound tossed away by the wind.

      Then the wind stops blowing her hair and she can hear her own rough breathing. She doubles over trying to catch her breath. The smell hits her first. The man shoves her further into the back of the building and into a stall. She is in the public restroom. The roar still exists and grows stronger but the brick building holds.  He knew where he was taking her.

      Questions pepper her mind. Who is this? Will he hurt me? Is he the murderer?

      Lily is pushed further into the stall and falls into the cement wall. A deep voice curses as Lily blacks out.

      Chapter 2

      When Lily becomes aware again, she can feel the man holding her in his muscular arms. He smells nice, she thinks. His chest is hard and his hand is pushing on her head. His deep voice keeps repeating the same thing over and over. She wonders how long he's been saying it. Lily lifts her eyelids and looks straight into determined brown eyes.

      It's about time. Can you stand? The handsome stranger helps her to her feet and steps out of the stall. Lily immediately misses the feel of his hands. Then she bends over and throws up in the toilet.

      His facial expression is somber as he checks her for injuries. You seem like you're okay. Anything hurt?

      Lily can't believe how dispassionate he sounds. He saved her life and yet, he doesn't sound breathless, angry, or concerned. He doesn't sound like anything, no emotion at all. It is like he has completely shut down.

      He raises his eyebrows. Lily remembered he had asked a question. I'm fine.

      Okay, let's go check out the damage. The man starts to walk away. Lily puts her hand on his arm. He stops and looks at her, waiting.

      My name is Lily. Thank you for saving me. Lily looks at him. His eyes soften some or maybe that is only her imagination. He looks at her hand on his arm and Lily pulls it back. As nice as he is to look at, she needs to leave the stink in the bathroom.

      Lily peeks out of the stall and sees debris by the outside door. He leans down to move it out of the way but stops. As he pulls his phone out of his pocket he squats and pushes buttons.

      This is Ramon. I'm at the west end of Main Beach Park. I'm in the community restrooms. A waterspout came ashore here. A dead body in debris is holding the door open.

      Lily gasps. He stands and looks at her. Yes. I haven't been outside yet. I took refuge in here with a woman who was walking on the beach. Hmmm. right. I'll be here.

      Ramon turns back to the body in the clump of debris. Lily notices a hand lying next to a palm leaf. She gags and rushes back into the stall. Since she has only been able to hold down a cracker this morning and three sips of white soda, nothing comes up. When she finishes her dry heaves she feels a presence behind her.

      Are you okay?

      Lily gives him a funny face. Sure. I'm fine. We can't get out of here?

      He shakes his head. Not without disturbing the body. We have to wait for the coroner to get here.

      Lily glances back at the toilet and she swallows carefully. He gently takes her arm and pulls her back out of the stall. Just stand back here.

      Sirens wail in the background. Lily hears footsteps crunching the sand. She sees someone at the door wearing a uniform.  A policeman appears behind them. Hey, Ramon. Who's the lady? He juts his chin at Lily. Lily wonders how the policemen knows this man.

      Ramon turns to look at Lily hovering in the background. She was walking on the beach. I shoved her in here. Ramon turns back to the body and the policeman nods to Lily.

      The man crouching by the body speaks up. Is the Coroner on his way? This man is definitely dead, but I don't think he died because of the waterspout. He pulls at a piece of paper and then a pen.

      Ramon squats down next to the body. What do you mean?

      The paramedic points under

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