Texas Twin Abduction

By Virginia Vaughan

This twin’s past is a blank…

And she might not have a future.

Waking up in a bullet-ridden car with a bag of cash and a deputy insisting she’s his ex-fiancée, Ashlee Taylor has no memory of what happened—or of Lawson Avery. But with her twin missing and someone hunting her down, she must trust him with her life. Can Lawson save her and her sister—even as Ashlee’s forgotten secrets become an inescapable trap?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Love Inspired
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781488061189

Virginia Vaughan

Award winning author Virginia Vaughan was born and raised in Mississippi and has never strayed far from those borders. Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself. Connect with Virginia at virginiavaughanonline.com.

Book preview

ONE

Deputy Lawson Avery was counting down the minutes until the end of his shift when he could go back to his ranch. He’d given this law-enforcement gig a try, but it wasn’t for him. He’d much rather be in jeans and boots than a uniform and could only be grateful that this was his last assignment.

He’d agreed to take this one last shift to appease his brother, Josh, the current sheriff of Courtland County, Texas, when Josh had called him in to sub for a deputy out with the flu.

Lawson had given being a deputy the same chance he’d given the other four jobs he’d taken in the past few years to try to find his place. He’d gone through the police academy, gotten his certifications and given the job eight months before deciding it wasn’t for him. He was more and more convinced that his place was at Silver Star Ranch. He’d never wanted anything other than managing his family’s twenty-six acres. His ex-fiancée had called him unambitious for not wanting something more, and he’d spent the past few years trying to prove her wrong until he’d finally realized that she was right. Ranching was in his blood and Silver Star Ranch had been in the family for six generations of Averys. His deepest desire was to keep that legacy going. If that was unambitious, then so be it.

His radio squawked, relaying a call about an abandoned car on the side of Boyce Canyon Road. He was only two miles away so he responded to Dispatch that he would check it out. He’d make sure it was his last official act as a deputy sheriff before he hung up his star for good.

He rounded a corner and spotted the abandoned vehicle. It was half on the shoulder and sticking out into the lane. A definite hazard to oncoming traffic. He switched on his lights to alert anyone rounding the curve and was about to run the license plate when he noticed something unusual. The back of the car was riddled with what looked like bullet holes. Someone had been shooting at this car.

He used his radio to call in the make, model and license plate, and also mentioned the bullet holes. He didn’t recognize the car and his instincts were on high alert. They only spiked higher when, as he approached, weapon at the ready, he spotted someone slumped over on the front seat. Long dark hair covered the face, but he could see from the petite form it was a woman. He checked the backseat and saw nothing. No one else was inside, but a purse and a duffel bag sat on the front floorboard.

Ma’am? Lawson knocked on the window and called to the woman. She was eerily still and didn’t respond to him. Ma’am? Can you hear me?

He tried the door and found it unlocked. He touched her arm and she let out a soft moan. She was alive. Ma’am, can you hear me?

She moved and he jerked backward. Suddenly, she sat up and glanced around. When she pushed the hair from her face, he gasped.

Ashlee!

He holstered his gun and knelt beside her. Ashlee, it’s Lawson. Can you hear me?

She turned to look at him, dazed and visibly confused. There was a gash on her forehead near her hairline. What happened?

You tell me. Are you okay?

She shook her head, but he thought it was more to clear it than to respond to his question. She grimaced and touched her fingers to her forehead. Are you hurt? he added.

She checked herself. My head hurts, but otherwise I—I don’t think so. She looked at him. Her eyes were just as deep a green as ever, albeit clouded with puzzlement at the moment. What...what did you call me?

I called you Ashlee. Was she having trouble hearing him? He’d heard that some head injuries could cause a ringing in the ears.

Do I know you?

That stung. Considering we used to be engaged, yeah, you know me. Lawson Avery?

Engaged? He still couldn’t be sure she was hearing everything he was saying...but there was no mistaking the confusion in her expression. Or the lack of recognition. Where am I?

It didn’t make sense that she didn’t know him. They’d been a couple for years and very nearly married before she’d left him the day before their wedding to pursue her career in the big city.

True, it had been six years since then—but surely that wasn’t long enough for her to forget him completely. Then he remembered her sister, Bree. Her identical twin sister. She’d left town over ten years ago and hadn’t even returned for the wedding-that-wasn’t. Even though they’d all grown up together, he supposed he might have changed enough in ten years to be harder to place. Was it possible he was talking to her instead? Bree? Is that you?

She glanced at him again, still confused. I thought you said my name was Ashlee.

Understanding dawned and he pressed her. Don’t you know your own name?

Anger flashed in her eyes. Of course I do. Yet he saw her mind turning over and over, looking for answers, until tears pooled in her eyes. I don’t. I don’t know who I am.

Amnesia. Possibly from whatever had caused those bullet holes—or maybe from hitting her head.

He used his shoulder mic to call Dispatch for an ambulance before questioning her further.

Do you remember what happened? How did you get here?

Panic set in and her breathing grew heavy. I don’t know. I can’t remember.

He reached in for her hand, noticing it was still small and delicate in his. It’s okay. We’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it out. He gestured to the purse on the floorboard. Maybe your identification is in there.

She snatched it up and dumped the contents onto the seat, grabbing for the wallet. She opened it, then handed it to him.

He focused on the driver’s license. Ashlee Taylor. Just as he’d thought. But how had she ended up in a shot-up car stranded on the side of the road here in Courtland County? Her parents no longer lived here, and she wasn’t close to anyone in town anymore. There was little reason for her to come back home for the first time in six years.

Little reason except him.

Stop it. Their relationship had ended the day she’d fled town, leaving him only a handwritten note and a broken heart. She’d said she couldn’t live her life in a backwater town. She wanted a big-city life and someone with ambition to be more than a rancher.

She’d ripped out his heart and hadn’t looked back.

Now she was in town again and needed his help.

---

The ambulance arrived and took Ashlee to the hospital for evaluation. She clung to her wallet despite the paramedics’ attempts to take it from her. She needed it. She needed it to remind her who she was. They finally relented and let her keep it with her as they arrived at the hospital and she underwent an examination.

How could she not know her own name? And why did it sound so foreign to her ears even when she stared at it on her driver’s license—or when that deputy had said it?

Lawson was more familiar to her than her own name. Something about the kindness in those blue eyes settled her. He seemed familiar, but she didn’t know why. Maybe because you used to be engaged to him. Then why couldn’t she remember him?

He knocked on the door of her hospital room and peeked his head inside as the doctor finished up his exam. Do you feel like talking? Lawson asked.

She was glad to see him, glad to have someone around that she—sort of—recognized. But when he entered, a woman walked in behind him.

Ashlee, this is Cecile Bradley. She’s an investigator with the sheriff’s office. She’d like to ask you some questions.

Ashlee folded her arms over her chest. She didn’t want to answer any questions, mostly because she was positive she didn’t have any answers. She didn’t know what had happened to her.

But Cecile’s tone was kind and understanding. Tell me the last thing you remember.

She tried to recall, but the only memory she had was of waking up in her car and hearing Lawson’s voice calling to her. She’d been comforted by his presence despite the fear of not being able to remember what had happened to her or even her own name.

But something was terribly wrong. A sense of dread crawled up her neck and tears pooled in her eyes. She didn’t know what had occurred or how she’d ended up in that car, but she knew something awful had happened.

We’re inspecting your car, Ashlee, and there are bullet holes in the back, like someone was shooting at you as you drove away. Do you remember anything about that?

She tried to push past the block of nothingness, but she couldn’t. I don’t know. I don’t remember.

Well, we’re still examining it. Maybe we’ll find something that helps. Cecile glanced at the doctor by the bed. How is she, Doc?

The doctor looked to Ashlee and raised his eyebrows, silently asking for her agreement to share her medical results. She nodded. Physically, she’s fine. A small gash on her head, a light concussion, but no other injuries. If she was in the car when those shots were fired, then whoever was shooting at her didn’t hit her.

Why can’t she remember anything? Lawson asked.

The doctor looked to Ashlee again, and this time, she decided to answer directly. She may not know much about herself, but she was already pretty sure she didn’t like having others discuss her situation as if she wasn’t even there.

They’ve told me it’s probably psychological—a result of emotional trauma from whatever happened to me, she said. My mind has blocked it out in order to protect itself.

What are the chances of her remembering? Lawson asked the doctor.

Ashlee felt a little frustrated that he seemed so determined to have this conversation about her, but not with her. Was there a reason he didn’t want to engage with her directly?

Engage. Suddenly, she remembered his words from earlier. Considering we used to be engaged, yeah, you know me. Okay, so maybe he did have reasons to avoid talking to her.

I really can’t say. That’ll take some time. The doctor nodded goodbye to them all. I’ll check in on you later, Miss Taylor, he said, then walked out.

Cecile turned back to her. Ashlee, we want to check into your background and your financials to try to see if we can figure out what you’ve been doing and why someone might want to hurt you. Is that okay with you?

She gave her permission. She, too, wanted to know, and hoped they’d uncover something that would help her piece together whatever was going on.

Lawson and Cecile left and Ashlee leaned back into the pillow and tried to think. This was all so confusing. She didn’t understand what was happening—but she knew she didn’t like it. Bullet holes? Amnesia? What was going on with her?

She felt the sedative the nurse had just given her start to take effect and sank deeper into the covers. The nurse had turned down the lights and left Ashlee alone to rest, but her mind was racing too fast to relax. All she could think of was Lawson and the soft lift of his voice as he’d called her name when she’d first awoken.

How could she have been engaged and not remember it? Not even remember the man she’d once loved. Still loved? No, he’d said they used to be engaged—making it clear that they weren’t anymore. Something must have happened to break them up. Maybe she didn’t even want to see him. That made her feel even more alone. She didn’t like it.

The door opened, but she didn’t react to it. In the few hours since she’d arrived, nurses and medical assistants had been in and out on a regular basis. That’s what happened in hospitals. Great. She could remember what a hospital was like, but not even if she’d ever been in one before. It wasn’t fair.

The light flowed in through the door, breaking into the darkness that soothed her. She hoped the nurse or whoever was there left soon. She felt someone reach over her head to her pillow. It didn’t need fluffing and she almost angrily said so, her nerves were so on edge. She opened her eyes and cold, hard ones looked back. She didn’t recognize the man who stood over her, but instantly registered him as a threat.

He grabbed the pillow from behind her and shoved it over her face before she could react. Fear ripped through her as she realized she was being attacked. He was trying to kill her!

She pushed at his arm, but her efforts didn’t move him. Panic mixed with fear as she knew her time was limited. She struggled and flailed, but nothing helped. He easily outweighed her.

Her life didn’t flash before her eyes. Nothing flashed before her eyes. Everything was still blank and she didn’t understand why this was happening to her.

God, please help me!

She was going to die, after all.

---

Lawson headed toward Ashlee’s hospital room. He shouldn’t have come back here. He shouldn’t even care what happened to her...but he couldn’t just dismiss her after what she’d been through, could he? He’d loved her once. He’d almost married this woman. He couldn’t leave her to face alone whatever she’d gotten into. There had to be a reason she was in his town. A part of him hoped she’d been coming to see him—that she’d known that despite their broken engagement, he’d still do whatever he could to help her combat the danger she now faced.

The hairs on the back of his neck shivered a caution before he even reached her room and his anxiety kicked up a notch. He pushed open the door. A man standing at Ashlee’s bedside was holding a pillow over her face. He was suffocating her.

Stop! Lawson shouted, reaching for his weapon as he approached, only to realize it wasn’t there. He’d left it in his locker back at the sheriff’s office once his shift had ended.

The man spun around and Lawson grabbed him, pulling him off Ashlee. The attacker stumbled backward, the pillow still in his hand, and Ashlee sat up, gasping for breath. The man tossed the pillow, then shoved Lawson against the wall, slamming his head against the window blinds. Lawson heard glass break. Momentarily dazed by the impact, he wasn’t able to react quickly enough as the assailant bolted for the door.

Lawson scrambled to the bed to check on Ashlee. Another few moments and that man would have killed her.

Are you okay? he asked her.

She couldn’t speak, but nodded in response to his question.

He hit the nurses’ emergency call button, then turned and ran from the room, chasing after the guy. He hadn’t gotten a good look at him, but the man had been wearing a white doctor’s coat. Lawson hurried down the hall, but didn’t see him. He checked in the stairwell, only to find the lab coat tossed on the floor. The guy was gone and he’d shed the only item Lawson could list in a description.

He rushed back to Ashlee’s room where a team of nurses was already helping her.

Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to stay outside, one of the nurses said, trying to push him from the room.

But Lawson refused to be budged. I walked in and found a man smothering her with the pillow. I chased after the guy, but he got away. Is she okay?

The nurse nodded. Looks like you found her in time.

He couldn’t believe it. An attack on her right here in the hospital. He shook his head as the full realization of what was happening sank in. Ashlee was in serious trouble. Someone wanted her dead.

At a nurse’s insistence, and only after she’d promised someone would stay with Ashlee at all times, he went downstairs to the emergency room for an examination, since his head had slammed into the glass window. He texted Josh about the attack, and his brother was at the hospital in a flash, yanking open the curtain to the exam room and demanding to know what was happening.

I’m fine, Lawson insisted once he told his brother about confronting the attacker.

The doctor who’d examined him concurred. I don’t see any evidence of a concussion and nothing that needs stitches. You’re free to go, Deputy.

Lawson thanked him, then stood up. His head was aching from the bump, but he was more concerned about Ashlee and discovering who was after her than he was about the pain.

Can you give a description? Josh asked him.

Lawson felt his neck redden as he shook his head. Not really, no. It happened so fast and the room was dark. He was a big guy.

What about the victim? Could she identify him?

I haven’t had the opportunity to ask. The nurses and doctor are still with her.

Okay, let’s head down to the security office and have them pull the video. Maybe they captured an image of him. Then we’ll go back upstairs to get her statement.

He went with his brother and waited while the security guard located and pulled up the footage.

There he is, Lawson stated confidently when he spotted a figure in dark clothes heading toward the exit after the attack. The man kept his face hidden as he walked and had his hat pulled low over his face. He pushed through the front entrance doors and disappeared into the parking lot.

The security guard pulled up another image of the parking lot and they watched