Hideaway At Hawk's Landing. Rita Herron

       Prologue

      “Please, you have to take my baby.” The young girl hid in the shadows of the awning, shivering as a dreary rain drizzled down, adding to the winter chill in the air.

      Mila Manchester’s heart ached for her. She knew her story. She was thirteen years old. Her name was Carina. Her mother had died in childbirth, and her father had abused her. Then he’d sold her to a man who used her as a sex slave.

      Mila had helped Carina get to a shelter when she’d first escaped the monster.

      Now Carina’s slender pale face was shielded by a scarf, and her clothes were dark, allowing her to blend into the night.

      A disguise.

      She was terrified for her life.

      The baby whimpered and Carina rocked her gently in her arms. “If he finds out little Isabella is his, he’ll kill me and do God knows what with her.”

      Fear and grief laced the girl’s voice. Carina was just a child herself. She should be in high school, hanging out with girlfriends, attending football games, shopping for dresses for the school dance.

      Mila had wanted to report the situation to the police, but the girl had begged her not to. She’d confided about her pregnancy and claimed that the man didn’t know. If he found out, he’d never let her go.

      And if she went to the police, he would find out.

      “Please, you’re the only person I trust, Dr. Manchester. Promise me you’ll give her a good life,” the girl cried.

      “Of course I will,” Mila said. How could she turn her away? “But what about you? Do you want to stay with me—”

      The girl shook her head, her eyes wild with panic. “No, he’ll find me and kill both of us.”

      Mila’s heart pounded. Unfortunately, she was right. “What will you do then?”

      “I talked to those women at the shelter like you suggested. They know somebody who’ll give me a new identity. They’ve even found me a place to stay so I can go to school.”

      So, the underground team was still operating. They’d helped so many abused women and children that she’d been afraid the police would shut them down.

      Emotions clogged Mila’s throat. This girl needed a chance to have a life. And so did the baby.

      A noise sounded from the street, and the girl glanced over her shoulder. “They’re waiting. This might be my only chance.” She kissed the baby on the cheek. “I don’t want you to think I’m a terrible mother—”

      “I don’t,” Mila said. “It’s obvious you love her, or you wouldn’t have come here.” But how could she take care of the child when she was just finishing her medical residency herself?

      The girl suddenly threw herself against Mila and broke into a sob. Mila wrapped her arms around her and the infant and soothed her. “It’s okay, sweetie. What happened to you isn’t fair or right. You deserve to go to school and make a life for yourself.”

      The girl nodded against Mila, but she was crying and trembling as she turned and fled toward the waiting car.

      Mila blinked back tears. She could take the child to the authorities. They’d find her a home. One with two parents.

      But then she’d never know what happened to her...

      And what if Carina came back one day looking for her daughter?

      She looked down into the baby’s sweet face. Her big eyes were watching her. Then the baby curled a tiny hand against Mila’s breast.

      Mila’s heart melted. This baby needed her. She’d raise her as her own.

      And she’d do anything to protect her.