One of the greatest joys of being an author is hearing from readers after they finish one of my books. The emails I’ve received about In the Shadow of Vengeance have genuinely touched my heart, especially those asking, “What happened to Elizabeth’s family?” I’m thrilled to share that Elizabeth’s siblings will each find their happily ever after, just as Elizabeth and Noah did, in their own love stories filled with love, redemption, and a wonderful family reunion.
The Thompson Family Christmas Reunion series delivers a heart-pounding trilogy filled with romantic suspense, second chances, and a riveting love story. I can’t wait for you to experience the magic, so here’s a sneak peek from Never Say Goodbye. Writing about Christmas in the charming small town of Tarroll, Iowa, brought me so much joy, and I hope this story fills your heart with the same warmth and excitement.
Excerpt from Chapter One
Tarroll, Iowa
The disastrous day was coming to an end. If anyone had asked Katherine Thompson about her chosen profession yesterday, she would’ve answered that she was living her dream.
Trauma nurse extraordinaire. This was what she worked for, at the top of her class, turning in nothing but her best work in nursing school, all to be part of the Tarroll's County Hospital trauma team. It was a great workplace, and she took pride in the unit’s stellar reputation. But after spending the last sixteen hours treating the victims from the worst ice-packed highway pile-up in fifty years, she questioned her sanity.
The night shift was now in control, and every muscle in her body screamed for her to head through the exit doors before chaos hit again. But some days were more challenging to leave than others, and this day had been one of her worst. The weight of the tragedy, the loss of lives, how could the universe allow this to happen three days before Christmas?
From an early age, Katie had clung to the belief that Christmas was a time for miracles. But today shattered that hope. As the tenth victim staggered through the trauma unit doors, her once rosy outlook began to darken. By the time the twentieth arrived, her faith in miracles had disintegrated entirely. The brutal contrast between her childhood dreams and the cold, unyielding reality crushed her spirit, leaving her hollow and numb.
How did she allow herself to put so much trust into one season? The fact that her sister, Elizabeth, was ripped from the family for fourteen years because of Elizabeth’s ex-husband’s crimes should’ve knocked Katie’s belief out the window.
But Katie’s family was whole again. Elizabeth returned after living years in witness protection, and her new husband, Noah McNeil, Erin, and Danny would’ve arrived at the family’s farm hours ago. All that was left was for Katie to pack her Jeep and head home for seven beautiful days.
So, what was she doing standing by the supply room, staring at the ER after clocking out? It was time to let the day go.
Don’t wear it home.
That’s what her mother said to her the day she graduated. Great advice. But how did you let go of a day like today?
“Don’t even think about it, Thompson.”
Katie glanced at the doctor standing behind the nurse’s station. She respected the doctor behind the man, but the man, Matthew Turner, was a constant thorn in her side.
“I’m just standing here.”
“No, you’re thinking of restocking something or some other fix-it thing. You can’t fix this. Besides, if you still have an ounce of energy left, then maybe it’s the perfect time to head back to my place for that drink we’ve always discussed.”
Matthew was a major flirt and hit on her all the time. But this time, he was looking after her.
“I’m heading home. Merry Christmas, Matthew.”
“One day, Nurse Thompson, you’ll not be able to resist. I’ll be there to catch you.” With that, he winked and moved into one of the examining rooms, the curtain closing behind him.
Her fist clenched just enough that her nails bit into her palm. The last thing she needed was to become another notch on that man’s belt.
She tugged her bag over her shoulder and moved past the supply door. Matthew was right on one point. The night shift had everything under control. But before she reached the exit, something dropped off the shelf behind the storage room door, clattering on the floor. She turned and gripped the doorknob, giving it a turn. It was locked. No one should be in there.
But whatever it was, it didn’t just jump on the floor by itself. She keyed in the code as if her fingers had a mind of their own and opened the door. One quick check, and then she was out.
From the threshold, everything looked in order, but at the same time, the thin hairs on the base of her neck prickled. Maybe her tired brain was playing tricks on her. Or she wasn’t alone. She took a step farther into the room. The door shut, and the gush of wind took her by surprise. It was the hard, muscular body that slammed her into the door that took her breath away. A rough palm came over her mouth.
“Thompson, as in little Katie Thompson?”
The voice alone charged the fight into her, and no one called her “little Katie.” She bit down hard on the thin skin between his thumb and forefinger, hoping it drew blood.
“Stop that. You didn’t have to take it out of my poor hand. I’ll remove it if you don’t yell,” he said as a deep groan escaped his throat, something that didn’t come from her bite.
“Come on, Katie, it’s me. You know I’ll never hurt you.”
Liar!
“Nod your head that you won’t scream for help, and I’ll release you.”
She gave him what he wanted, and he removed his hand.
“Now, the rest of you, Colten Everette. Get off me.”
“I can’t do that just yet. First, I don’t want to, and I can never let my guard down around you. I’m very familiar with your fists and how they like to fly off in all directions."
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