Sanctuary: Murrells Inlet Miracles, #1

By Laurie Larsen

Hardworking, successful lawyer Nora Ramsey, was at the height of her career. Now, she's questioning everything in Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina.

When she accepts her aunt's dilapidated estate as her inheritance, Nora is plagued with misgivings and doubt. When a mysterious black stallion appears on the property, she prays for guidance and receives it in the form of veterinarian Shaw Flynn.

Dedicated and rugged, he assists Nora through the trying time. In Shaw, she sees someone gentle, caring and deeply devoted to God. The more she's with him, the more he inspires her to embrace her own faith. And as their relationship blossoms into a something real and beautiful—like the coastal sunsets of Murrell's Inlet—Nora stumbles upon Shaw's deepest secret. Her trust is destroyed and the wisdom of her life-changing decision shaken as the future she envisioned is threatened.

As the truth becomes clear, can she find forgiveness within the sanctuary of her heart or will his betrayal destroy her faith in him once and for all? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random Moon Books
• Release date: Jun 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9780997563023

Laurie Larsen

Laurie Larsen is a multi-award winning author of inspirational romance and womens fiction.  Fans love her books for their heartwarming storylines and life-changing message of God's love.  Her stories mostly take place in her very favorite place in the world -- coastal South Carolina's beautiful Lowcountry. Laurie lives at the beach with her husband Norm and her feisty rescue dog Weezer, where, when she's not writing, she loves walking the beach, reading, traveling and pampering her adorable first grandchild!

Book preview

Sanctuary Book Description

Hardworking, successful lawyer Nora Ramsey was at the height of her career.  Now, she’s questioning everything in Murrell’s Inlet, South Carolina.

Inheriting her aunt’s ten-acre dilapidated estate, she prays for guidance over things out of her control.  When one of the horses needs medical assistance, Nora encounters the dedicated and rugged veterinarian Shaw Flynn.  As Shaw helps Nora with the horses, their relationship blossoms into something real and beautiful, like the coastal sunsets.  Not only is Shaw handsome, caring, and gentle, his undying devotion to God inspires Nora to want more in her faith.

But stumbling upon Shaw’s deepest secret destroys her trust in the man she was falling for.  Suddenly, the lies threaten the future she saw with him.  Can she find forgiveness within the sanctuary of her heart, or will his betrayal destroy her faith in him once and for all?

Chapter One

THE BLACK SEDAN CREPT through the residential streets of Philadelphia, while the moon above peeked out from a faint cloud cover.  High-rise towers filled with luxury apartments stood guard on both sides of the street.  A charcoal gray sky tinted the neighborhood in shadow.  Nora Ramsey glanced up from her laptop screen and turned toward the backseat window.  Day was done, and evening had arrived hours before.  Early spring’s chill was worse this time of day, causing a shudder in her shoulders.

She sighed and closed her computer.  When was the last time she’d returned home from work before the sun had gone down?  She shook her head.  Not any time in recent memory.

You okay, Ms. Ramsey?  Her driver spied her in the rearview mirror.

Oh sure, Benny.  She broke his gaze and looked out the window again.  Just wondering what it would feel like to work a nine-to-five.

The man, at least ten years her elder, she guessed, chuckled, and turned his eyes back to the road.  She could barely detect the salt in his salt and pepper hair in the darkness.  Yeah, you’ve been burning the midnight oil for a while now.

She nodded.  The Samson merger, her biggest project yet at the law firm, had been her baby.  She’d managed all the details and the team of lawyers and accountants who had made it happen.  And that was on top of her normal duties as a managing partner of Gibson, Monroe and Ramsey, Attorneys at Law.  She’d been excited that the other partners had put her in charge of this project that had literally put them on the map as one of the most prestigious real estate acquisition firms in Philadelphia, or, she could optimistically stretch that, even on the East coast. 

She lived for challenge.  She strove for results.  It’s what drove her, motivated her, kept her moving in this crazy career that she loved, and at times, hated.

It was nearly done.  All that remained now was the closing paperwork.  Maybe she’d take a vacation when it was finally closed, before she took on her next big assignment.  Heck, she deserved it, didn’t she?  She hadn’t taken a week off in years.  Could that be possible?

Well, the big project I’ve been working on for close to three years now, is about done.  Maybe my days will go back to normal.

He nodded.  Congratulations, then.  You must have worked very hard.

She smiled mildly, nodding her thanks.  He had no idea what he was congratulating her for.  The extent of the planning and execution she’d pulled off.  The achievement that she’d accomplished—the conflicts, the negotiations, the problems and resolutions.  Her senior partner, Henry Gibson, had told her what she’d done had been nothing short of a phenomenon, a marvel of organization and legal guidance.  He didn’t need to tell her the vast amount of capital this merger had brought to their firm.  She was well aware, and of course, that was the main reason she’d fought so hard to manage the project in the first place.  If she could pull this off, she remembered thinking at the beginning, it would cement her future forever.

And now she had.  She’d pulled it off.  She’d succeeded, and she was basking in the approval of the senior partner.

They were almost home.  She closed her eyes and sank back into the leather seat.  Her mind wandered. Would the firm throw her a congratulatory party, a happy hour or dinner with all her appreciative colleagues, telling her what a great job she’d done for the firm?  Speech, speech, she could imagine them chanting, her modestly refusing, smiling, hands up, putting them off, them refusing to relent until she finally stood to their applause and stepped to the microphone.

Here we are, ma’am.

Her eyes popped open.  Benny had turned in the front seat and was looking back at her, a polite expression on his face.  She looked out the window.  He had pulled the sedan to the curb of her high-rise and was waiting for her to get out.  Oh, so sorry, Benny.  Hold on just a second. 

Take your time.

She slid her laptop into her leather bag, slung it over her shoulder and gathered her purse.  She opened the door and, before stepping out, turned back to him.  Thanks for your kind words, Benny.  Tomorrow, normal time?

He grinned, nodded his head.  If that’s when you want me.

Please.  She waved and pushed out onto the sidewalk.  As she walked up the cement path toward the doorman of her apartment complex, it was not lost on her that Benny’s congratulations were her solitary celebration of her achievement tonight, and she’d just agreed to a 7 am pickup tomorrow for another full day of work.

She covered the distance quickly, noting the brisk snap in the early spring air.  Less than a shiver later, she stepped through the doorway as her building’s doorman welcomed her. 

Good evening, she said, and it dawned on her that she didn’t know his name, although he’d been opening the door for her for several months now. She’d find out.  Soon.  Just not tonight when her brain felt like slog and she probably wouldn’t remember it anyway.  Fifteenth floor.

He pressed the button which opened the door to the waiting elevator, and stepped inside to press the 15 button, then back out to allow her passage.  Have a good night.

What’s left of it, she thought, and rode the express to her floor.

Pulling her purse off her shoulder, Nora extracted her key from its zippered hiding place and stepped into her apartment.  Flipping the light switch, the modern home was bathed in bright illumination.  The marble floor, the walls covered with tapestries.  She hadn’t had time to decorate it herself, but she’d tried to convey her vision to an interior designer.  She liked the result.  She just wasn’t sure if it was her, necessarily. 

She paused to pick up the stack of mail from the floor, where it had landed when the building admin had slipped it through the slot.  A few steps through the foyer and she dumped everything – her purse, her laptop bag and her mail – with an exhale onto her rarely used dining room table.  Her shoes flipped off easily – heels, albeit shorter ones than she used to wear twenty years ago when she’d had way less mileage on her – and Nora padded to her bedroom.  Within five minutes she’d shed the professional wear, donned her pajamas and slippers, washed her face and was ready for whatever was left of her evening in front of the TV.

The gourmet kitchen beckoned her, boasting granite countertops, hard wood floors and stainless steel appliances, rarely used.  Or maybe it was the grumble of her stomach.  Looking first in the refrigerator, she pulled out a to go box of leftovers from the last time she’d gone out to dinner.  When was that?  Right, it was over a week ago when she’d taken a few of her team members out to that Italian place near the office. Opening it, she stuck her nose in. Ewww, she groaned and took it right to the garbage disposal. 

The remaining options in the refrigerator were sparse so she opened the freezer and pulled out her normal dinner selection: a Lean Cuisine frozen dinner.  It didn’t really matter which flavor it was. She pulled it out of the box and into the microwave. Next came a big glass of ice water and a small glass of wine.  The microwave dinged.  Dinnuh is served, she said into the quiet.

Plopping the steaming contents onto a plate was a technique she’d mastered.  What was on the menu tonight?  Some combination of chicken and vegetables.  Balancing all three in two hands to the coffee table, she tuned into the cable news channels, trying to get a quick overview of what was happening in the country and in the world.  She ate and drank the water, then picked up the glass of wine, retrieved the mail, and settled into her recliner.

In robot-mode, she processed the stack, separating into three piles: junk, bills, and otherwise.  One thick legal-sized envelope grabbed her attention.  Since it was the only item in the otherwise category, she started with it.  The return address was a law firm in South Carolina.  Was this firm mail, somehow misrouted to her home address?

A closer look revealed that the law firm was in Myrtle Beach.  She shrugged and slid her finger under the envelope flap, then pulled out the contents.  She scanned the professionally prepared letter, frowned and read it again.  With a gasp, she reached for her phone.

A few rings later, her sister Patty answered.  Hey sis, long time no ...

Aunt Edie died? she demanded.

Uhhh, hello to you, too, she said pointedly.

Nora huffed.  Social niceties had their place but not when she wanted information.  Yes, hello Patty, hope you’re well, did you have a nice day?  And oh, by the way, did Aunt Edie die?

Yes, her sister said, wisely getting to the point.  Like a month ago.

Holy smokes!  Why am I just finding out about it now?

I don’t know.  When was the last time you spoke to Aunt Edie?

Well ... never.  But just because we’d drifted apart doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want to be filled in on family news, such as my favorite aunt from my childhood dying.

Okay, sorry. Aunt Edie died from prolonged effects of the stroke she had about six months ago.  You knew about that, right?

Yes.

She was hospitalized after her stroke, eventually moved to a long-term care facility, and never really recovered.  Her whole left side was paralyzed, including her face, arm, and leg.  She couldn’t walk, talk, or move.  Had difficulties eating and swallowing. It was really more of a blessing than a sorrow that she passed on to be with the Lord.

This news, quickly delivered, induced a wave of sadness.  Aunt Edie, all alone, self-sufficient for the long years of her adulthood, suddenly unable to take care of herself.  Who took care of her?

You mean, who got her the care she needed?

Nora shook her head, overwhelmed at all the details that had needed to be taken care of, the decisions that were made.  Who helped her after her stroke?  Who selected the place where they nursed her?  Who visited her in her final months?  Days?  Yeah.

She had good friends there in Murrells Inlet.  She was a huge part of the community.  She had church friends, neighbors.  She was taken care of.

What about family?  Nora’s mother was Edie’s sister, her only sibling.  But she lived in Florida – had lived there since she and Dad retired twenty years ago, prior to Dad’s death.  And her two nieces – herself and Patty.  Nora in Philadelphia and Patty in Illinois.  Was that the only family she had left?  Aunt Edie had been widowed for most of her adulthood, her husband having died on the spot from a freak heart attack in his thirties.

Wow, she breathed.  The reality and permanence of Aunt Edie’s situation permeated her mind.  She would be Aunt Edie in a few decades.  Alone, nobody checking on her.  Except instead of being in a quaint beach town where neighbors watched out for each other, Nora would be in a pricey Philadelphia high-rise with a doorman and security doors where nobody knew their neighbors.  When it came her time, would anyone even realize she was gone?

I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, sis.  I figured Mom would.

Nora shrugged and said, Yeah.  Mom probably would, if she’d done a better job of calling her regularly.  Nora cringed when she thought of how many voicemails she’d received from Mom in the last month that she never returned.  Or returned, but gave her a five minute time limit.  Maybe Mom was meaning to tell her about Aunt Edie and Nora just hadn’t made enough of an effort.  But with her long days and exhausting schedule, the last thing she wanted to do was sit with a phone plugged to her ear for an hour listening, or pretending to listen, to all the details of her mother’s retired life. 

She squeezed her eyes shut and said a quick prayer of apology to God for that awful thought.  She was lucky to still have a mother.  She’d make an effort to stay in closer touch.

Did you get your inheritance? Patty asked.

Huh?

I assumed that’s why you’re calling.  You got the inheritance letter from Aunt Edie’s lawyer?

Oh.  Nora shuffled through the small stack of papers.  She hadn’t even gotten past the cover page where she’d learned of Aunt Edie’s death.  Yes, the next few were the will.  The lawyer had included the general wording, then had gone straight to the punch with what Aunt Edie had left her.

Oh, my gosh.

What?  What did she leave you?

Nora stared, her mouth dropping open.  The generosity of the inheritance astounded her.  "What ... what did she leave you?" she asked her sister.

She left us money to put into a college savings account for the girls.

Oh, how nice, Nora said slightly, still staring at the will page.

Yes, it sure was.  I mean, Brad and I had of course started saving for the girls’ college, but Aunt Edie’s gift will go a long way towards their expenses.  And if there’s any money left over, we can give them each a gift of funds to start their adult lives with.

Yeah, Nora said.

A quiet moment passed while she fully absorbed what her aunt was leaving her. 

What did you get?

Nora took a breath.  You’re not going to believe this, Patty.

What?

Aunt Edie left me all her property.  Ten acres, a barn, and the house in Murrells Inlet.  Everything – furniture, farm equipment.

Wow.

That’s ... extremely generous.

Yeah.

A guilty wave came over her.  Why would Aunt Edie leave her such a generous inheritance when she hadn’t even stayed in touch with the woman over the last few decades?  When was the last time she’d seen Edie?  Spoken to her?  I’m having trouble understanding why she’d leave this to me.

Aunt Edie loved you.  And me.  Both of us.  She never had kids, so we were like her children.

Yes, I remember going to her place every summer as kids.

Lots of sentimental value for the both of us.

But ... why me?

I guess Aunt Edie wanted to help take care of my girls’ education.  And since you don’t have kids, and she knew you loved visiting there, that gift was more appropriate for you.

Nora hesitated, not exactly sure how to put her concerns into words.  Until she just came out with it.  Are you mad that she left the property to me?

Not at all, Patty insisted.  No. Her gifts were well thought out.  I live in the Midwest.  I have kids to raise.  What would I do with a beach front farm property?

Nora nodded.  So, no hard feelings there.  That was a relief.

"Wait.  I’m a partner in a law firm in Philadelphia.  What am I going to do with a beach front farm property?"

Chapter Two

BY THE TIME BENNY PICKED her up bright and early the next morning, she’d pretty much convinced herself that she needed to sell Aunt Edie’s property.  After all, what would she do with it?  It was eight hours away by car, and it was a big property that needed daily care. Based on her childhood memories, she knew it required a lot of work to maintain.  It was a generous gift, and she wanted to honor Aunt Edie’s memory, but it just didn’t fit into her lifestyle.

She made a mental note to locate an appropriate real estate agency in the Murrells Inlet area of South Carolina and talk to them about listing it.

Benny dropped her off as usual, at the front door of the large office building that housed Gibson, Monroe and Ramsey.  She strode in and rode the elevator to the eighth floor.

The tension on the floor crackled like static electricity.  Nora felt it immediately.  Lawyers filled the hallway, lingering in their office doorways, peering down the hall, murmuring.

She stood and stared for a moment, then stepped to the receptionist’s desk.  Pam?  What’s going on?

The young woman squeezed her lips tight, then said in a deliberately low tone, The police are here.  They’re in Mr. Gibson’s office.

Nora frowned and her head swiveled to Henry’s office, the same direction everyone else was turning.  Whisper layered upon whisper built to a crescendo. 

But ... this was a law firm.  The presence of police officers was nothing new.  Although they didn’t generally engage in criminal defense, it wasn’t unheard of for law enforcement officers to visit.

What are they here for? she asked Pam, still gazing over the heads of those gathered outside the corner office, the one with the prime northeast view of the city. 

Keep this to yourself, she said, a meaningful nod toward the mass of firm employees, but they’ve come to interrogate him.  Evidently the FBI has been doing a covert investigation for some time.

A shiver danced down Nora’s spine.  She didn’t like the sound of that.  How could Pam possibly verify this information?  Was it gossip?  Rumor?  Or could it have a remnant of truth?  What are they investigating?

All I heard was ‘unethical business practices’ before Mr. Gibson escorted them back to his office.

A fierce wave of loyalty swept over her.  Henry Gibson had always supported her, had been one of her first supporters.  She wouldn’t be here now, as one of the managing partners of a large law firm, if he hadn’t seen something in her during their initial interview.  She owed her support to Henry Gibson, for no other reason than that he supported her.  Always had.  She had, of course, earned all the success she’d achieved, but Henry had always been behind her ... giving her encouragement, doling out the opportunities for her to succeed.  She made up her mind right then and there that she would stand firmly beside Henry in whatever it was he was going through right now.

Where’s Tony?  Tony Monroe was Henry’s long-term partner before they’d added Nora as a third partner two years ago.  Is he in there as well?

No, he’s in Jamaica.

Nora absorbed that bit of news.  Vacation?

Pam nodded.  It’s been planned for a while now.

It was up to her to show some leadership around here.  Their longest-standing partner had suddenly become an office spectacle and she, for one, would not stand for it.  Henry deserved better.  Thanks Pam, she said over her shoulder as she strode toward the firm’s long hallways of offices.  Back to work, she announced in a firm tone.  Come on now, I believe we have work to do.  Let’s go. Nothing to see here.  The lingering lawyers and paralegals acknowledged her with nods, and with last glances down the hallway, they turned back into their offices.

One young woman, who had only joined the firm three months ago, stayed put, her face covered with an expression of fear.  Nora passed her and caught her glance, frowning.  Ellen?  What’s wrong?

Is it true?

Is what true?

They’re going to arrest Mr. Gibson for illegal activity?

Nora shook her head.  The rumor mill was working overtime today.  Of course not.  Why would you think that?  Whatever the FBI thinks they know, I’m confident their investigation will prove without a shadow of a doubt that Gibson, Monroe and Ramsey is completely innocent of any wrongdoing.  It probably sounded like the party line, but she said it with conviction because she wanted to convince this young professional.  But also because she believed it with every bit of her strength.

Ellen’s gaze rested on Nora’s face tentatively, then she nodded, and said, Okay, if you say so, Ms. Ramsey.

Nora patted the woman’s shoulder.  No worries.  We’ll get to the bottom of this and take care of it.

Ellen nodded again and disappeared into her office.  Ellen didn’t seem convinced by her strong words, but at least she was willing to follow her instructions.  Now, she needed to make sure she could back up her words to the staff. 

Nora strode to Henry’s closed office door and rapped on it.  Not waiting for a response, she opened the door, walked in and closed it behind her.

The look in Henry’s eyes reached out and grabbed her first.  Fear.  Shame.  Then, like a movie director pulling the view back wide, she observed the rest of

Reviews for Sanctuary

[carolyn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found the book dull though that is just my personal taste. The cover was deceptive in a couple ways. It shows a photo of two young adults while the book was actually about older people (50 or so year olds). Also, the book was more about the woman and her career decisions with a lesser romance plot added in. I found it boring personally, however it has a good message and is clean and others may enjoy it more.