Die for Love (Book 2: Live, Love, and Die)

By Lana Mowdy

Zach and Miranda have overcome a jealous ex-husband, kidnapping, and murder, but the scars still remain. To live with Zach, Miranda must find her strength and put her past behind her. However, unfinished business seems to infiltrate their lives. Distrust, anger, and jealousy threatens to tear them apart. Although Zach and Miranda have united in heart and soul, can they find a way to pledge their lives without losing them in the process?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lana Mowdy
• Release date: Nov 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301797028

Lana Mowdy

About the AuthorLana Mowdy was raised in a small town in Oklahoma where she still resides with her sprawling, multigenerational family. She and her husband are raising four children with the recent addition of a beautiful granddaughter. Lana has been an avid reader and writer since grade school. Finding inspiration all around her, she lives creatively through photography, scrapbooking, quilting, drawing, and writing. Because she believes that education seeds power and independence, Lana has dedicated her life to teaching and learning. She holds a BS and MS and is currently working on a PhD in education.

Book preview

DIE for LOVE

Lana Mowdy

Copyright 2013 Lana Mowdy

Smashwords Edition

Cover by Ted Conley © 2013

Edited by Kelley Birk

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, the please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Discover other titles by Lana Mowdy at Smashwords.com

Tara’s Forgotten Son

Love or Die

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my wonderfully talented siblings, Kelley and Ted, for their contributions to this book including cover design, editing, and inspiration.

I am truly thankful for my children, who read unfinished pieces and made suggestions, gave me ideas, and kept me on track.

Finally, my husband. No matter what I try, you stand behind me all the way. My family is my greatest cheering section, and I could do nothing without you.

Chapter 1

Miranda sat at her desk staring at the ring that had graced her finger for a little over a week. A solitaire princess-cut diamond stood sheathed in prongs with rows of diamonds chips rising to meet it on either side.

Zach had presented this ring to her when he proposed at Emily’s wedding reception. At the time, she had willingly accepted, but as she stared at the token, fear gripped its claws in her heart.

Her first marriage had ended only a little over a year ago, and she still felt the sting of her ex-husband’s words. Even more powerful was the sting of his fingers on her face when he had kidnapped her and her daughter. Thankfully, she had escaped, but the wounds were still open, and every so often, she felt herself picking at the emotional scars.

She grabbed her coffee cup and drank deeply, fending off the stinging in her eyes, willing her throat to not to close. Refusing to head down the same old path, she glanced at the clock, gathered her things, and rose to leave. She reached up and pulled the pencil that had been holding her long auburn tresses off of her neck, and ran her fingers through her hair.

As she passed through her office, she noticed that all of her employees had already left for the day. Emily’s desk sat empty waiting for her to return from her two week honeymoon. If Miranda had ever wondered about Emily’s position in the company, she didn’t anymore. The entire office had been crazy without their secretary keeping everyone in line.

As the elevator doors opened to take her down, Miranda smiled to herself. It had been a long day, but she was heading to pick up her daughter, Elizabeth, from the in-house daycare on the first floor. Elizabeth was her world, and even a moment away from her seemed like a year. In just a moment, Elizabeth would be in her arms, and the rest of the world would melt away.

Miranda tapped her foot anxiously as the elevator slowly came to a stop. The doors slid open and she gasped. Directly in front of her was a scene filled with love and devotion unlike anything she had ever seen.

Zach sprawled on a decorative wooden bench with his legs crossed. On his lap, Elizabeth sat facing him, chatting happily. One of his arms was wrapped loosely around her, giving her freedom to move while protecting her from a fall. His other arm draped across the back of the bench making him look completely at ease.

The ring of the elevator caught their attention, and they raised their eyes to meet Miranda’s. She caught her breath again as she felt the warmth radiating from his eyes. Elizabeth’s face brightened as she struggled to leap from Zach’s lap. He stood to steady Elizabeth on the floor as Miranda met them both in a strong embrace.

His warm breath tickled her neck as he whispered, I missed you.

She grasped his hand and sighed, I missed you too.

I thought we would grab something to eat. Shall we eat out or pick up something to take home?

Without hesitation, Miranda answered, I would so much rather be at home, if that is okay with you.

Anywhere you are is where I want to be, he squeezed her hand, reached down to pick up Elizabeth. They walked out into the brisk October breeze.

****

Open cartons of Chinese food littered the coffee table in front of the muted television set. Discarded jackets sprawled over the backs of chairs, and kicked off shoes scattered the floor.

Zach pulled Miranda's feet onto his lap and began to massage them gently. She lay back on the couch and exhaled.

She still didn't feel comfortable in this apartment. After she had been attacked by Geena and watched her die, she had to move out of her old apartment. She had opted to stay in the same building, but the space had a completely different layout. Still, she remained uncomfortable. When her eyes were closed, images of Geena's lifeless body flashed through her mind.

You are sighing. What's going on in that beautiful brain of yours? Zachary asked as he continued to knead her aching feet.

She frowned, annoyed that he could read her expressions so easily. I was thinking about Geena.

Zachary nodded slowly, I know that the situation still bothers you. He paused for a moment, unsure of whether to broach the subject of her living arrangement again. I know we've talked about this before, but I think you need to get out of this apartment.

There's no reason to move again. It didn't happen here, and I'm no longer in danger.

Zachary searched her eyes for a moment before continuing. Miranda, the police haven't caught Corbin, yet.

Leaning her head against the arm of the couch, she covered her eyes with her arm. I know that, but I'm convinced he only wanted the money. He kidnapped us and delivered us to Ethan. Ethan paid him. Corbin disappeared. That's the end of that.

Zach eased out from under her feet and placed them on the couch before crawling to her head. I'm more concerned about Ethan. We thought he was dead. With the amount of loratab that you put in his beer, he should have been dead.

I know he should have died, but he didn't. Now he is in prison and that's where he is going to be for quite a while, her voice quavered as she reiterated the facts as she did almost every day.

He reached up and pulled her arm away from her eyes. Running his fingers through hair, he tried to help her relax. She could feel the tension slowly leave her shoulders and her neck, replaced by the tingles than ran through her body with his touch.

I want you to move in with me.

She groaned and turned away from him, You know I'm not ready for that.

Miranda, we are going to be married. I know that you are afraid to stay here by yourself. I have plenty of room at my house. We can stay there or we can buy something else.

Her face remained turned to the back of the couch as she refused to answer him.

Look at me. His voice was strong and firm, irresistible. Slowly she