Hideaway

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Long ago we realized that any success in our efforts to write a readable novel was dependent on the goodwill of many people. Many thanks to Joan Marlow Golan, our editor, whose enthusiasm for this work has been a great encouragement. We also thank our agent, Karen Solem, whose wisdom and sweet spirit have guided us.

Thanks to Lorene Cook (Cheryl’s mom) who continues to put feet to her prayers for us.

Thanks to Ray and Vera Overall (Mel’s mom and dad), who never cease to encourage.

Thanks to our writing families online, ChiLibris and WritingChambers, who touch us from across the country and around the world.

Thanks to Jennifer Whitt, who was willing to allow us to pick her brain for her expertise with dreadlocks.

Thanks to C. J. McCormick, DVM, who lent us access to his vast knowledge of the peculiarities of animals.

Thanks to James Scott Bell, author and friend, who gave us his legal expertise.

Thanks to Jon Suit, former mayor Monett, who was able and willing to tell us far more than we will ever understand about small-town politics.

Thanks to Barbara Warren of Blue Mountain Editorial Service, for the nice slash and repair job, and for the input on gardening.

Thanks to Brenda and Doug Minton, for having a heart for the children most in need—and for having a garden that refuses to grow beneath the walnut trees.

Thanks to Jackie Bolton, who understands the psyche of a teenager—because her own heart is still young.

Thanks to Jack and Marty Frost, who never let up on us to do our best, and who quickly forgive us when we fail, time and time and time again.

Thanks to Jim and Louise Brillhart and Ardis Bareis for allowing us to take your names in vain.

We wish to give credit where it is due, but any mistakes or discrepancies are purely our own.

We earned them, we intend to keep them.

Chapter One

The scream of an ambulance bounced through the mauve-and-burgundy corridors of the Missouri Regional Hospital on the west side of Columbia. An elderly man moaned. A baby’s cry stung the air through the center of the eight-room emergency department.