The Girl in the Woods: Book Two

By Edith Depew

THE CONTINUING SAGA OF THE GIRL IN THE WOODS – BOOK TWO.

When Abby Ketchum heads back to Eden, Florida her mind is filled with events of the past ten years. Murder, loss, fear and hope. Hope for her future and a life where she no longer has to hide her past or who she really is.

Abby never could have imagined what lie ahead and what she would have to endure once again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9781669875321

Book preview

THE

GIRL

IN THE

WOODS

BOOK TWO

EDITH DEPEW

Copyright © 2023 by Edith Depew.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/26/2023

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

852013

CONTENTS

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

ONE

A bby was thrilled to be back in eden, florida.

She had left Willis, Kentucky early that morning. Abby had stopped a few times to let the two dogs out to relieve themselves. She had rescued these two scared animals from a shelter that was about to put them to sleep. Her mind wandered to the murders that had happened eleven years ago. Her six-year-old little sister Chrissy with her big blue eyes, her little brother Grady at just three-years-old with blonde hair, her beautiful sweet mother Julia, and her dad Robert. Abby was the only one who had survived that night. If Gnarley, the drug maker and dealer, and his uncle the sheriff of Willis, Kentucky had had their way, Abby wouldn’t have lived either!

Abby thought of Juno and his dog Sam. They were gone now, but Juno the old marine had given up his life in Willis to keep Abby safe and get her out of there. He had taken her to Eden, Florida to live with his friends Tamara and Casey, and their granddaughter Ruby. Tamara and Casey knew Abby’s story but she was sworn not to tell Ruby until and only if she had cause to. Now she knew she could finally reveal her secret to Ruby, but Abby knew she wouldn’t do that until the time was right.

Abby looked back at the two dogs. One was a beautiful male brindle pit bull with gray, brown and black fur that all ran together. The other dog was a female brown and white pit bull mix. They had belonged to the men that had murdered her family. Before Abby got them, these animals had never known any human affection. Food was withheld from them quite often and they were beaten if they didn’t do what Gnarley and his guys expected. Abby had made friends with them by sneaking meat to them through their kennel. It had taken awhile but she had finally earned their trust and they let her pet them now. Abby had not named them yet, but they were her dogs now. She had yet to find out how they would be around other people or animals.

Abby thought of how she had successfully helped put Gnarley, his two men, Jesse and Lonnie, and the sheriff in prison back in Willis, Kentucky where the murders of her family had taken place.

Abby talked to the dogs like they were people, she told them Well dogs, I would like to take you to Casey and Tamaras place with me, but I have to make sure you won’t hurt other people or animals first okay. The dogs just looked at her!

Once Abby made it to Eden, she headed straight for the animal shelter. The animal shelter was a long building. It was on the main road but outside of the town limits. It had a chain-link fence in the back of the shelter where the shelter dogs could exercise at different times.

When Abby arrived, she parked and took a long stretch once she got out of her car. She headed through the front door and was met by a young man at the front desk who introduced himself as Allen. He ran the shelter. Allen was tall with smokey blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair. He was trim but his muscles moved when he did. Abby had never felt moved by the opposite sex before, but her stomach felt a funny little flutter around him. She knew she was attracted to him which was a new feeling for her.

Allen told Abby he would board the two dogs for her until she was able to take them. She told him a little about their background without revealing too many details. Abby didn’t want to tell anyone too much about who she really was until her, Tamara and Casey were all together again, so for the time being she was still known as Allie Owen.

Abby wondered why Allen looked a little flushed. It never occurred to her that he may have felt an attraction to her too.

Well, I’ve come a long way today and I’m pretty tired so I best go.

Don’t worry Allie, I’ll take good care of your dogs. What are their names?

I haven’t named them yet. I can’t tell you much about them right now except that they have been through a lot. I’m hoping we can get them to trust other animals and people. I’ll be here early tomorrow, Allen. Nice to meet you.

Abby headed to the out-skirts of the town of Eden towards Casey and Tamaras home. She knew it would be getting dark soon. As she pulled in to the drive, Earl the man she had hired to watch the animals and take care of the place, came out to greet her. Abby thought to herself he sure is a tiny little wiry man.

Hey Allie? Long time no see!

Well, I’m back now she said with a smile. Thank you so much for covering for me Earl Abby said.

You tell me when you want help Allie and I’m there for you.

Abby paid him his money plus a hefty tip. It had been well worth it to her.

Once Earl left, Abby went to the dog shed and let Dash out. Dash was so happy to see her, she almost bowled her over! It’s okay Dash, I’m happy to see you too girl.

After Abby had satisfied Dash that she wasn’t leaving again, she got her settled down with food and water and walked up to the house. Abby opened the front door and stepped into the foyer of Casey and Tamaras home. Memories came flooding back to when she had first met them. They had welcomed her with open arms and treated her like their own family. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought about Juno and Sam again, the old marine who had given up his life in Willis to save hers. She felt blessed to have friends like Juno, Casey and Tamara that would take a chance on her and keep her safe. They knew her story and she knew not many people would have gotten involved with the drama surrounding her.

As Abby entered the house to the big living room facing south from the foyer, she felt a warm feeling come over her. She had always been cared for and protected in this home. Her eyes took in the desk, chairs, books, and all of the paintings on the walls which had been painted by Tamara who was a landscape and great wild life artist. Abby looked over and saw the elk head hanging above the mantle of the big welcoming fireplace. They sure had enjoyed that big fireplace, especially on cold evenings. She remembered her and Ruby sitting in front of it, laughing and being silly. Many nights the girls would sit by that fireplace eating a big bowl of popcorn and drinking hot chocolate.

Abby looked at the wagon wheel light in the center of the great room up in the ceiling. She took in the big sofa and all the different easy chairs surrounding it. As she looked at the leather recliner that matched the sofa, she closed her eyes and could picture Casey sitting reclined with a book in his big hands smiling. Casey was always easy going and kind but you sure wouldn’t want to cross him Abby thought! There were the end tables on either side of the big sofa with their blue color and the tassels hanging off of the lamp shades. Beautiful curtains hung on the big windows and there was a large rug covering part of the wood floors. The whole house had wood floors except for the bathrooms, kitchen, and of course, Tamara’s art studio.

Abby’s eyes saw the piano sitting at the east side of the room and she automatically sat down and lifted the lid back. Her fingers ran over the keys as she sat there for a moment remembering. She started playing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and felt her whole body relax and just flow with the music.

Abby felt something on her leg and looked down and saw that it was Midnight, Ruby’s cat. Abby picked her up and went and sat in Casey’s recliner. As Abby stroked the cat and listened to its soft purring, she looked at the huge mahogany coffee table that matched the end tables, with the books and the big globe sitting on it. Finally, Midnight jumped up and got Abby out of her stupor. Okay Midnight, let’s go get you some food.

As Abby and the cat entered the large kitchen to the west of the living room, she took in the familiar scene. After she fed the cat and filled his water bowl he disappeared. Midnight had always been the kind of cat that came around only when he wanted to!

Abby looked to the west side of the large kitchen through the big window over the sink and noticed it was already pretty dark. She opened the refrigerator and got out some bread and peanut butter and made herself a sandwich. She had not eaten anything since early that morning. After she had eaten her sandwich and washed it down with a glass of water, she thought I better get myself to bed.

As Abby went into the bedroom that she had shared so long with Ruby, her eyes took in the two twin beds. Ruby’s bed was still covered with a purple spread and frilly pillow, which made Abby smile. Ruby