Kay Manis | Updates

Come Meet Me in The Villages, FL

Kay Manis — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Come meet me in person at All Booked Up in The Villages, Florida. I'll be signing books and talking to readers from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. I'll have all my latest releases and some extra goodies.

All Booked Up
271 Colony Blvd
The Villages, FL 32162

This is sure to be a great time for everyone!

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Join me at An Evening with the Stars

Kay Manis — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Come meet me in person! April 17, 2006

I'm excited to announce that I'll be signing books at An Evening with the Stars 2026 in Cocoa Beach, Florida!

This FREE reader event takes place on Friday, April 17, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn, Cocoa Beach, FL.

Come meet 35 amazing authors, enjoy complimentary desserts, snag a free goodie bag (first 125 attendees!), and enter to win fabulous raffle baskets. There will also be a cover contest, a photo booth, and a cash bar.

Join the Reading with the Stars Facebook group for more fun, updates, and exclusive announcements: https://www.facebook.com/groups/637553485228532

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Come meet me in person! April 17, 2006

Kay Manis — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I'm excited to announce that I'll be signing books at An Evening with the Stars 2026 in Cocoa Beach, Florida!

This FREE reader event takes place on Friday, April 17, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn, Cocoa Beach, FL.

Join the Reading with the Stars Facebook group for more fun, updates, and exclusive announcements: https://www.facebook.com/groups/637553485228532

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The Hiding Place Chapter 9

Kay Manis — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

When I entered the dining room, I was relieved to discover Miller was gone and wouldn’t be dining us for dinner. I drew in a deep breath for the first time since his monstrous face had appeared in the study hours ago.

As I walked further into the room, I saw a long dining table draped with a beautiful runner and fresh flowers adorning the middle. The table easily sat over 20 people. The walls in the room were covered with a deep red demasked wallpaper flocked with Victorian style patterns. It looked gothic but expensive.

At the far end of the room stood a huge fireplace, like those in the rest of the castle. Although this one was solid black stone. The space felt medieval and I found myself searching the walls for primitive weaponry.

A wide painting hung above the fireplace. At first sight, the piece looked like an abstract work but upon closer inspection I noticed the detail.

As I studied the wild brush strokes, the Scottish hillside slowly emerged like a hidden treasure, as if the artist wanted you to work for the beauty inside. The longer I stared, the more I could make out—livestock grazing on the green grass, wildflowers blooming bright over the hillside. It was a unique and interesting technique.

I was suddenly struck with an eerie sense of deja vu, as if I’d seen this place before.

“What do you think?”

I jumped at the deep voice behind me, letting out a small shriek before I could cover my mouth.

“I’m sorry,” Mr. Lauchlan said, stepping up beside me, “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

I studied him in confusion, my brows furrowed.

He took a step back, misreading my expression.

Not wanting to start trouble again, I decided to play along. His and Callum’s safety depended on me keeping Anders Lauchlan happy. Making him fall in love with me seemed as far-fetched as me sprouting a second head.

“Uh, um, no, you didn’t scare me,” I said.

He laughed. “Liar.”

I noted how different he looked when smiling. “Okay, maybe you scared me a little.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s all right. I was just marveling at the room, all the artistry, inside this huge dining room. The details in the woodwork, the wallpaper, the artwork.” I pointed to the piece above the mantel. “I could spend days in here going over each nuisance and detail. It’s beautiful.”

His gaze traveled the room. “It’s been a while.”

“A while since what?”

“Since I’ve enjoyed this room and appreciated its beauty. Any room in the castle for that matter,” he added.

I sensed there was more but I didn’t ask further.

“I’ve grown up here my whole life, Miss Jameson,” he said without prompting. “It never occurred to me to appreciate it the way you do.”

We stood silent, each of us admiring the artistry of the large room.

I cleared my throat. “Mr. Lauchlan, I wanted to say something.”

“Please call me Anders. My father is Mr. Lauchlan, and I have no intentions of—”

I leaned forward, awaiting his next words.

His face was pained as if he were trying to tamp down the demons inside. I knew that look.

“Anders it is,” I said quietly, trying to lighten his mood.

He gave a half-hearted smile. “Thank you.”

“I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

“I’m sorry about the way I spoke to you in the study earlier.”

He remained silent, staring at me intently. I guess he was going to make me grovel.

I cleared my throat and clasped my hands together. “I just wanted to apologize for how I spoke to you earlier today.” I was surprised at how genuine my words sounded.

He tilted his head, studying me as if I were something he’d never seen before, his eyes roaming over my face. Suddenly I felt nervous but I knew I needed to press on.

“Anyway,” I said, “it’s disrespectful for an employee to speak to her employer the way I spoke to you. It was inconsiderate, especially realizing how much you were trying to help me today.” I swallowed hard, the words rolling off my tongue. “I’m sorry.”

His eyes widened as if shocked by the words.

I held my breath, hoping he’d accept my genuine words. If he didn’t, Miller was right, this mission—whatever it was—would be over, and Mr. Lauchlan and Callum could be in real danger.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Miss Jameson,” he said.

“Please, call me Laurel.”

“Yes, Laurel, with an ‘L’, right.” He grinned and the expression changed his entire countenance. He was handsome, bordering on beautiful. Before I could stop myself, I was grinning too.

“I don’t remember any rudeness on your part, Miss Jameson.” I raised a brown. “Sorry, I mean, Laurel,” he corrected.

“Well, I remember my disrespectful attitude, sir, and I just wanted to say that I’m sorry.”

“I believe it was actually me who was to blame this afternoon.”

I shook my head but he held up a finger.

“As I recall I asked you a very personal question, believing I was amusing you. It’s I who should beg for forgiveness from you.”

Wait, what had he just said?

“I hope you’ll extend it to me.” He held out his hand.

I stared at his outstretched palm in complete shock. He was technically my employer, not to mention very wealthy and powerful, and now he was apologizing, to me? This man did have an alter-ego. Thankfully tonight I was seeing a lighter side of Anders Lauchlan.

“Maybe we could start over?” He extended his arm further.

I slipped my hand into his, gripping it tight. A sense of security washed over me as he squeezed my hand. “I would like that,” I said, smiling, truly meaning it.

When he finally released my hand, I glanced up at the painting behind him.

He followed my gaze. “That’s the Lauchlan Coat of Arms,” he said, answering my silent question.

“It’s a beautiful.” I stepped closer. The picture was solid yellow with a red shield in the center. The armor was divided into four parts, each section containing a different picture. “Do the symbols stand for something?” I asked.

“Every symbol in our Coat of Arms stands for something,” he said. “I wouldn’t have painted it otherwise.”

I jerked my head and stared up at him. “You painted this?”

“Well, don’t look so surprised, Miss Jameson.” I opened my mouth to correct him but he held up a hand. “Sorry, Laurel I mean.” Another beautiful smile spread across his face. God, the man was stunning when he was happy. With his broad shoulders, blonde hair and sea-green eyes, I was surprised he wasn’t married.

“Sorry, it’s just…” What could I say? The man definitely didn’t strike me as a painter.

He clasped his hands behind his back, looking very debonair. “A man has to find some way to relax, doesn’t he?” He waggled his brows and I held back a laugh.

“I just never dreamed you could paint.”

“I guess we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, should we?”

I stood silent, realizing he wasn’t accusing me, he was talking about both of us being judgmental.

“Come,” he said, holding out his hand to allow me to pass, “dinner is ready, and yours is getting cold.”

“But what about the Coat of Arms,” I said, glancing over my shoulder.

“I’ll tell you that story another time. Come,” he waved toward the table, “eat.” His eyes roamed my body. “You look like you could use a good meal.”

“You’re probably right,” I said, conceding. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Callum bounce into the room.

Anders suddenly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back, twisting me to face him. “Good Lord, what happened to your face?”

Oh no. Miller. Instinctively I touched my cheek. My face still throbbed but not as much as earlier. “I don’t know. I must have hit it on something when I fainted.”

“Fiona,” Anders shouted, “bring some ice please.”

“It’s nothing, really,” I said, trying to push out of his hold.

He reached out and touched my face, his fingertips warm and soft. “It’s definitely something.”

“What is it?” Fiona asked, stepping beside us, carrying an ice pack and dish cloth. She gasped when she saw my face. “Dear me, when did this happen? I just came to fetch you not ten minutes ago and I didn’t notice the swelling.”

I gave him a pleading look. I couldn’t explain myself, not now.

Thankfully understanding my silent plea, Anders grabbed the ice pack and waved Fiona away. “Well, never mind now, let’s just get some ice on it.” Gently he laid the pack against my cheek, searching my face before finally settling his green eyes on mine. He quirked one brow and I understood his silent warning. He wouldn’t push me further tonight but he would demand an explanation, eventually.

“Thank you, Mr. Lau—”

His brows went high.

“Sorry,” I smiled. “Thank you, Anders.”

His lips tipped up in another crooked grin. This time I returned the expression, feeling myself exhale for the first time all day. I didn’t’ know what I was doing but one thing was clear to me. Ruining this man would destroy me.

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The Hiding Place Chapter 8

Kay Manis — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

(Present Day)

I startled awake, my eyes surveying the room. Where was I?

As I took in the appearance of the huge room, the stone walls and large fireplace, I realized I was in the castle. In Scotland. What had happened to me?

“There, there,” someone said, pressing a cool cloth to my head. “Just rest.”

I recognized the Scottish brogue, and the voice. Fiona.

I turned my head and saw Fiona sitting on her knees beside me. “Are you all right, dear?” she asked.

Glancing over her shoulder, I saw Mr. Lachlan sitting in the chair across from me. Callum was on the floor, legs crossed, next to his father’s chair. All three were staring at me.

“What happened?” I asked. Moving to push myself up. I felt a rush of lightheadedness and sank back down.

All three raced toward me.

Fiona leaned over me, removing the cloth.

Callum grabbed my hand.

Mr. Lachlan stood just beyond my reach as if afraid to touch me. “Apparently I said something very inappropriate that startled you,” he said. “I think you’re also suffering from dehydration, among other things, so my comment didn’t help matters.”

A look of compassion shown on his face, something that seemed out of the ordinary for him. He looked genuinely apologetic.

“How long have I been out?” I asked.

“Just a few moments,” he said. “I carried you in here.”

Oh, God, he carried me?

“It’s fine. You don’t weigh much.” He grinned.

Oh, jeepers, that smile.

“Roddy is on his way over,” he said, all playfulness gone, his somber tone returning.

“Dad,” Callum groaned.

“I’m sorry, son.” Mr. Lachlan waved off Callum with another smile. “Doctor Roddy, right?”

Doctor? That was the last thing I needed right now, a doctor poking around in my past, asking me questions. My head pounded and I felt faint again.

“Right,” Callum shouted. “Dr. Roddy. That’s what he makes me say.”

“I’ve never gotten used to calling him doctor,” Mr. Lachlan said. “Although he’s not a medical doctor.”

“He’s the best dentist ever.” Callum grinned. “See.”

“Dentist?” I mumbled to myself. Had I heard Callum right?

Mr. Lauchlan moved closer to me, his hand on Callum’s head. “Roddy is my friend, my best friend, an old college buddy. He’s a dentist so he must deal with people fainting all the time, don’t you think?”

My mind was still spinning.

“Maybe doctor Roddy can help.” Mr. Lauchlan laughed, ruffling Callum’s hair.

Callum glanced up as his father and gave a proud grin. “I know he can. He’s the best dentist in the whole wide world.”

“He should be here shortly,” Mr. Lauchlan said. “He only lives a few miles away.”

“Don’t worry Laurel,” Callum reassured me, “Uncle Roddy is a good doctor. He always gives me a toy when I go see him. Maybe he’ll bring you a toy, too.”

We all laughed but stopped when the front door closed with a bang.

“Where are you?” A deep voice called out.

A prickle of anxiety spread down my neck and my heart began to race.

“In the study, Roddy” Mr. Lauchlan yelled.

Heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. My heart beat wild in my chest and my breath came in short, sporadic inhalations. I felt like an actor in a scary movie with the killer fast on my heels.

“On my way,” the man bellowed.

The voice sounded familiar but the accent was different. My stomach cramped and I feared I may pass out again.

I swallowed hard and stifled a whimper when “Dr. Roddy” filled the door. The room spun and I felt myself falling into the darkness. Not again, Laurel.

This wasn’t Dr. Roddy, at least not to me. No, this villainous man was the person who’d sent me on this mission to destroy Mr. Lauchlan. The man who’d claimed to be a Texas Ranger. The man who’d totally destroyed my life, again, claiming to have killed my precious Annmarie.

“Laurel, this is my friend,” Mr. Lauchlan said, “Dr. Roddy Miller.”

This was Miller. Deputy Miller. Deputy Hal Miller, supposedly with the Texas Rangers in America. What was he doing here?

Before I could bolt from the room, Miller rushed toward me, crouching down by my side as if were truly concerned for my health. “Don’t you dare say a word, Laurel or you’ll be sorry,” he whispered next to me. “Act natural and everyone will stay safe.”

Act natural? I was face to face with the man who said he’d killed my daughter and would do the same to Mr. Lauchlan and Callum if I didn’t do his dirty work. My body trembled in fear.

“Breathe,” he said, pressing a hand to my shoulder.

I yanked away from his touch, staring at him in disbelief and horror. What was he doing here?

“What’s the matter?” Callum asked, walking toward us. “Don’t you like doctors, Laurel?”

“No,” I said through gritted teeth as I stared at Miller’s cold dark eyes.

He raised a brow in warning.

I sat up straight and slid to the other end of the couch, crossing my arms over my chest. “Actually, I hate doctors.”

“What seems to be the problem here?” Miller said, ignoring my comment.

“She fainted,” Mr. Lauchlan said.

Miller raised a self-assured brow, as if he owned the castle. “She looks fine to me. Maybe she’s just trying to get out of work, hmm?”

Mr. Lauchlan’s eyes narrowed as if in silent warning.

Miller shrugged. “Well, I think you should lie back down and let me take a look at you, all right lass?”

“My name is Laurel,” I said.

His brown eyes grew darker and narrowed into slits. “Now, now,” he tsked, “if you don’t do everything the doctor tells you to, your condition could get worse.” He leaned in closer so only I could hear. “A lot worse.”

His warning hit me in the gut and reminded me what was at stake. If I didn’t lie back and follow his orders, others could, and would be hurt.

“I’m really fine,” I said, mustering as much of a smile as I could. “I think I’m just light headed from not eating, that’s all.”

“She fainted in the bathroom a few moments ago,” Mr. Lauchlan said. “I think she may be dehydrated. She was throwing up earlier.” He spoke as if I wasn’t even in the room.

Miller turned to stare at him.

“She said she’s not used to our food yet,” Mr. Lauchlan added.

Miller’s gaze returned to me, assessing me from head to toe. “Is that it, lass,” he smiled, “you’re still not used to the haggis and porridge we serve up in Scotland.”

How could this man be so cold and calculated in one minute and caring and concerned in the next? He’d brought me half way around the world to sabotage his best friend, and yet he acted as if he were truly interested in my well-being. And that of this family.

I feigned a laugh as best I could. “No, not yet. I guess my stomach is still used to the greasy burgers and fries in America.”

Everyone laughed.

I exhaled, sagging back into the sofa. At least I’d appeased Miller. For now.

“Much better,” Miller said quietly, patting my arm. He dug into a bag next to him that I hadn’t seen earlier and pulled out a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. Who was this man?

I wasn’t sure what is actual profession was, but one thing was perfectly clear—Miller was a liar, a manipulator, and possibly a murderer too. If I wanted to stay alive and keep those around me safe, I had to follow his lead, for now.

I sat silently as he ran through the physical tests with skilled ease.

“Your blood pressure is a little lower while sitting up,” he said. “The fluctuation could be part of the problem.”

I nodded as if that made perfect sense.

“I think you should sit with your feet up for a little while longer,” he continued in his best doctor voice. His accent was different than the one I’d heard in the states but the menacing tone underneath could be heard from miles away. “Your blood sugar is probably low as well so you’ll need some fruit juice, an apple and a glass of milk. It’s the fastest way to raise it.” Miller stared at Fiona.

“Oh, yes, of course.” She jumped up and rushed toward the door.

I pushed myself up. “I can get it, Fiona.”

Miller leaned in, pressing me down. “Just act natural and everyone will stay safe, do you understand?”

I swallowed hard, my mouth dry, and nodded my head. What was he going to make me do?

“Is she going to be all right, Roddy?” Mr. Lauchlan asked.

Miller waved him off. “She’ll be fine, Anders. You go back to your office. I know you’re a busy man. I’ll stay close by her in case she needs anything.”

“No!” I yelled, pulling from Miller’s hold. Everyone turned to stare at me, eyes wide. “I’m sorry,” I said, “I just meant, I’m fine. No one needs to stay with me.” Least of all this man, I thought.

“Oh, I insist,” Miller said, sitting next to me and stretching out his legs.

“Mr. Lauchlan,” I pleaded, staring up at him. “I can take care of myself. I don’t need Mr. Miller.”

“That’s doctor Miller,” he corrected, winking.

A chill ran up and down my spine. Had this truly been the last face my daughter had seen on this earth?

Mr. Lauchlan walked to the couch and stood beside me. “Look Ms. Jameson, I’m a very busy man.” His tone was cold again, void of true emotion. “I need you to be able to do the job I’ve hired you for, take care of my son. Do you think you can do that?”

What the hell? I opened my mouth to offer a bitter retort but Miller kicked my foot.

“I don’t have time for you to be sick,” Mr. Lauchlan continued. “If Roddy says you need to rest to get better than you’ll rest. Do you understand?”

Oh, he couldn’t be serious? “You’re not—”

He held up a hand to silence me. “I can’t have any more distractions. I’ve got a lot of work to do and I need to be focused, not chasing Callum all around the castle and worrying about his nanny.”

I held his gaze and bit down hard on my tongue to keep from exploding. How could those beautiful green eyes hold so much bitterness. And just moments ago he’d sounded so genuine, so concerned.

“Am I being clear, Ms. Jameson?”

My gaze traveled the room. Callum sat quietly in the corner, picking at the carpet. Miller raised a brow and nodded once in warning.

Suddenly a red-hot fury rose up inside me. I’d been beaten down by people my entire life. Whatever Miller’s plan was, this man was not going to humiliate me again.

I slowly stood and stared him directly in the eye. “Yes,” I said sarcastically, “I understand you perfectly.” I stepped past him and bolted from the study.

“Miss Jameson,” he yelled behind me as I raced down the hallway. “Wait!”

I quickened my step but it was futile. In a few short strides he caught me by the arm and turned me to face him.

I stared down at his hand that still clutched my arm. “Let me go,” I growled.

“I’m sorry,” he said, releasing me and stepping back. “I didn’t mean—”

I held up my hand to stop him this time. “I am feeling better. I don’t require any more attendance. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go to the kitchen and get something to eat.” I turned and stared at Miller, smiling. “I must follow doctor’s orders.”

Miller glowered, his jaw clenching, hands fisted.

I turned and stared at Mr. Lauchlan. “He is the best dentist in town. Isn’t that what you said? Sir,” I added just to be snotty.

“Umm, yes,” he said sheepishly.

“Wonderful. Then I can perform the duties you hired me to do, keep your son from bothering you.”

“That’s not quite—”

Before Mr. Lauchlan could finish, I turned on my heels and raced toward the staircase. As I turned the corner, I met Fiona. She was carrying a tray laden with food.

“I’m was on my way to the kitchen,” I said.

“Well, I saved you a trip.” She smiled and something inside me warmed. “Let’s take this to your room, shall we?”

I had no energy left to argue and followed her as she led me to my room.

She sat the tray down on my dresser and opened the window. A fresh breeze blew in and I welcomed the cool air.

“Sit,” she said, pointing to the chair by the window. “Rest a bit.”

I nodded and sat.

She slid the tray closer to me. “Eat everything on the plate and drink the milk,” she said in a loving, motherly tone. “I’ll be back to check on you in thirty minutes.”

“What about Callum?”

“Don’t you worry about Callum. He’ll be with me the rest of the day.”

I was still so frazzled, and fuming from earlier, that I didn’t have the strength to argue with her. “Thank you, Fiona” I said.

She glanced back over her shoulder as she pulled the door closed. “You’re welcome, dear. Eat. Rest. I’ll be back soon.”

My stomach rumbled. Maybe I was hungry. I reached for an apple and pulled my chair close to the window. Taking a bite, I gazed out over the beautiful Scottish landscape. My heart was filled with sorrow and dread. The thought crossed my mind that if I’d been here under better circumstances, I could grow to love this country.

I reached for the glass of milk about to take a sip when I heard the door open. I turned and my stomach sank, my appetite gone as I saw the intruder.

Miller.

My grip on the glass faltered and it tumbled to the ground, milk spilling over the carpet.

He closed the door and strode to me in two easy steps. “If you know what's good for you, you'll keep your mouth shut, Laurel, you got it.” He grabbed a napkin from the tray and knelt to wipe at the mess on the ground.

“What do you want from me?” My voice broke.

“You’re here to create a relationship with Anders and Callum.” He lifted his head and stared at me. “That’s not going to happen if you pull another stunt like you just did downstairs. Anders is fuming. Actually,” he stood, laughing, “it was pretty funny to see someone put him in his place. Sometimes he can be a real jack ass.”

Of course, Mr. Lauchlan could be an ass. But it didn’t mean I wanted to sabotage him and his son.

“Why am I here? Why am I doing this?”

“I need inside information and access to things he’ll never give me. Things he’ll never give anyone.”

“And you expect me to get that information for you? If he won’t share it with you, why would he share it with me?”

“Because,” he moved closer, “you’re going to make him fall in love with you.”

“What?” I lurched back in my chair.

Miller glanced over his shoulder. “Keep your voice down and keep your shit together.”

Anders Lauchlan was a controlling, demeaning man, the type I swore I would never be with again.

“How can you expect me to keep it together when you walk in out of nowhere and tell me I’m supposed to make that man fall in love with me.” I nodded toward the door as if Anders stood on the other side. “He obviously hates me.”

He grabbed the arms of my chair, leaning over me. “Well then, I guess you need to fix that.”

“Fix that? How?”

“You’ll figure out away.” He lifted a hand and stroked my hair.

I recoiled from his touch.

“We have a lot of work to do and you need to be operating at a hundred percent. This fainting stunt isn’t going to cut it.”

How could he not expect me to faint when I was faced with such terrifying options.

“And you better not disrespect Anders again,” he continued. “As much as I enjoyed it.” A devious smile curved his lips. “He hates disrespectful behavior and will sack you on the spot. He’s done it before. This whole operation will be over with before it starts. And that’s not going to happen.”

I sat the apple on the tray and rubbed my temples. A headache loomed.

“And why aren't you eating?” He nodded to the food on the dresser.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I'm in foreign country, being blackmailed. It tends to ruin one’s appetite.”

He raised a brow. “Watch it, Laurel.”

“The food really is different and I truly haven't gotten used to it.”

“Well get used to it. I can't have you fainting all over the place. I need you here, in this castle, focused and ready to execute my plan.”

“What plan?”

“I just told you.”

“How am I supposed to make him fall in love with him? He obviously hates me.”

“You’re a woman. Figure it out, Laurel. And fast.”

I turned my attention to the countryside, willing my heartrate to slow.

“And quit this daydreaming shit too.” He nudged my shoulder but I didn’t turn around. “Get your head in the game or you're going to go to prison for a long time. And trust me.” He grabbed my chin and turned me to face him. “Women in prison don’t like inmates who’ve killed children. Especially their own.”

I gripped the arms of the chair, willing myself not to physically strike him.

“You know what they’ll do to you in prison, Laurel?” His gaze perused my body as he let out a deviant bark of laughter. “They’d do exactly what I’d do to you if I was locked up with you for sixty years.” He rubbed my cheek.

I pushed his hand away.

“You wouldn’t last a week, sweetheart.”

“I’d rather be shanked in prison than stay here a minute longer and help you,” I said, rising to my feet. Miller grabbed my shoulder, gripping it tight and throwing me back into the chair.

He seized both my wrists and clamped them down against the arm of the chair, essentially trapping me.

“Now I know where Annmarie got her fight from.” He chuckled.

I twisted my head so I didn’t have to look at his putrid face.

“All right, Laurel, I see I need to make this very clear for you.” He released one of my hands and grasped my chinning, pulling me to face him. “You’re not in charge. You’re not in control. Hell, no one in this world even knows where you are. I call the shots now, got it?”

I held his gaze but made no move to acknowledge his edicts.

He yanked my chin, pulling my head closer to his. “Don’t think you’re ever going to threaten me again.”

Suddenly I noticed something. His once thick Scottish accent was almost entirely gone, replaced by another dialect.

He released my chin and grasped my wrist again. “It looks like you and Callum have become real good buddies in the short time you’ve been here.” He smiled that wicked grin I was growing to hate. “It would be a shame for something to happen to the little boy just because you decided you wanted to abandon my operation.”

My stomach churned and I feared I may actually vomit. I swallowed hard. “What do you mean, Miller?”

“Oh, lass, I think you know exactly what I mean.” He released his hold on my wrists.

I stiffened my back, my heartbeat thundering in my ears.

“You wouldn’t want Callum to suffer the same fate as Annmarie, would you?”

The bile rise up my throat and my vision grew dark.

He rubbed a finger across my jaw and smirked.

Without thinking, I reared my head back and spit in his face.

He back-handed me so hard I thought I might fall out of the chair. Fire burned across my cheek, my face throbbing

He leaned down and grabbed the edge of my shirt, using the material to wipe his face. He moved closer, his breath wafting over my pulsating skin. “If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I swear to God, I will go downstairs and take Callum for a swim. By the time they find him, he’ll be floating face down in that pool like a beach ball.”

I crumpled in the chair, sobbing uncontrollably as my body shook.

Miller laughed above me. “Oh, now you’re not as tough as you thought you were, huh?”

I couldn’t answer him, visions of Callum face down in the pool ran through my mind.”

He grabbed a hand full of my hair and yanked my head up. “One way or another, you will learn who’s in charge. You will submit to me.” He released his hold and strode toward the door. He looked back, pointing one finger at me. “One more outburst like that, Laurel and prison will seem like a vacation. Do you understand me?”

Unfortunately, I did. I nodded, my head pounding, my eyes pooled with tears. How had I gotten here?

“Keep your mouth shut and work your magic with Anders until I give you more instructions.” He surveyed my rumpled body. “You know, you acted much better when you were a blonde.”

I reached up and touched my hair. Miller had made me color my honey blonde hair to a dark brown before I left America.

“Now you just look like a cheap hooker. But I guess that’s what you’re here for.” Without another word he left my bedroom.

I stood and grabbed the apple which had fallen to the floor. As I placed it back on the tray and glimpsed my reflection in the dresser mirror. Anyone who knew me before would hardly recognize me now.

My hair was shorter, my eyes rimmed with dark circles, my cheeks hollowed. It was more than just my physical appearance that that had changed. Within my eyes I saw a haunted soul, a bleakness inside that shook me to the core.

In order to survive this ordeal and keep Callum safe, I would have to mask my true self, become just as dark and monstrous as Miller. Tears were beyond me know. I stood for a long time, staring at my reflection as I pulled on the protective mask that would hopefully save us all.

“Oh, sweet heavens, dear.” Fiona’s voice broke through my trance. “You barely touched your apple.”

I stared at the tray, my eyes unable to focus on anything.

“Well,” she said, patting my arm, “at least you drank your milk. How about a nice hot bowl of soup?”

“What?” I asked, shaking my head.

“Soup. The others are waiting for you downstairs if you feel up to it. What do you think?”

“Others?” God, please don’t let Miller be there.

“Yes, Callum, Anders and Dr. Roddy.”

My stomach sank.

“They’ve been asking about you. I’m sure it would do you good to come down for a little while. What do you think?”

I don’t dare think anything, I was numb. It was the only way I would survive this ordeal. Miller’s words echoed in my mind.

Keep your shit together.

You’re here to create a relationship.

It would be a shame for something to happen to that little boy.

The last threat chilled me to the bone. He’d left no doubt in my mind that Callum and Mr. Lachlan were physically in danger as well. I couldn’t let that happen.

I pulled myself up straight and squared my shoulders. “Yes, I think I would like to go down stairs. Will you just give me a few minutes to freshen up?”

Fiona smiled, clapping her hands. “Oh, that’s splendid dear. Take your time. GiGi is just finishing up with dinner, it should be ready in about twenty minutes. They’re going to eat in the main dining room tonight.”

“That’s fine. Please tell them all I’ll be there soon.”

“Of course,” she said, slipping out of the room and closing the door.

I had no idea how I was going to get through this nightmare. I walked toward the window, my knees so weak I could barely stand. I sank down into the chair and stared out over the countryside.

“Annmarie please help me. Help your mommy,” I whispered. “I need your strength, baby. Now more than ever.”

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The Hiding Place Chapter 7

Kay Manis — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

(3 months earlier)

I walked into the Blue Lantern Lounge at 8:30pm, just as Deputy Miller had instructed. As I stepped inside the bar, I glanced around the room, spotting Miller sitting in a corner booth near the back.

He waved me over.

I wondered through the crowded club, every step feeling as if I were heading toward the gallows.

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked, still standing.

“Please, have a seat.” He motioned to the other side of the booth.

I hesitated but slipped in across from him. “What do you want Miller?”

“Deputy Miller.” He corrected.

“Whatever.” I shook my head. “What do you want?”

A waitress stepped up beside us, wearing a vibrant. I noticed she was my age, well put-together and happy—all the things I should have been right now. She glanced down at me. “What can I get you to drink?”

“I’ll just have water.”

She smiled and nodded, turning her attention to Miller. “Can I get you another Jameson neat, sir?”

Whiskey? Should a Texas Ranger be drinking if he was on duty?

His gaze never left mine as he answered. “No, thank you, doll.”

I watched the waitress retreat before turning to face him, squaring my shoulders. “I don’t want to ask again,” I said through gritted teeth. “What’s all this about? Why are we here,” I waved around the room, “in a lounge of all places.”

He swirled his drink and took a sip before sitting it on the table. “As I’ve told you before, Laurel, we believe that someone killed your husband—”

“Ex.” I reminded him. “Ex-husband.”

“Yes, sorry. We believe someone killed your ex-husband and daughter then set up the crime scene to look like a murder/suicide rather than a double homicide.”

“Who would do that?” Even as I asked the question I could think of a number of seedy friends Kevin had who might commit this kind of crime.

“Your husband was involved in numerous criminal activities.”

“I know.”

“I’m afraid you don’t know the half of it.”

I nodded in acknowledgement. He was right. When it came to Kevin’s life, I didn’t know much, and I’d made it that way.

“We believe Kevin owed a lot of money to a lot of people. Dangerous people.”

“And tell me why I’m supposed to care? My daughter is dead. Chasing after another witch hunt dreamed up by law enforcement doesn’t interest me in the least. I’m tired of this. Unless the assholes can bring my daughter back, I couldn’t care less who did it.”

“But you should care,” he said moving around the U-shaped booth to sit next to me.

I followed his movement, every inch of me vibrating with fear. I stared at him and noticed for the first time that his eyes were filled with such darkness and evil, I felt sick to my stomach. I moved to stand but he caught my arm and yanked me back down.

“Sit,” he growled through gritted teeth. “Trust me, Laurel, you don’t want to go anywhere right now. Not without me.”

His Texas drawl had disappeared in that one sentence, replaced with an accent I didn’t recognize. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled.

“Let go of my arm or I will scream and have you arrested for assault.”

He yanked even harder, sliding me closer. “Don’t threaten me Laurel,” he warned. “I’m not a person you want to upset. Your ex-husband and daughter found that out the hard way.”

I gasped, covering my mouth. “What?”

“You heard me.” His mouth curled in a deviant grin.

“Oh my god,” I whispered, “what are you saying, you sick son of a bitch?” I tried to pull away but he tightened his grip, pulling me closer. I could smell the whiskey on his breath.

“Watch it Laurel,” he said, glancing over my shoulder. “If you draw attention to yourself, I’ll have to do the same to you.”

My eyes went wide with fear. What was this man saying? Had he really killed Annmarie? I was petrified, paralyzed with fear.

He saw the moment my terror overtook me. Loosening his grip on my arm, he relaxed into the booth. “That’s it,” he smiled, “you need to be afraid of me, Laurel. Very afraid.”

“What do you want?” I squeaked out with a shaky breath.

He sat silent, staring at me, evil oozing from his being.

“Kill me,” I said, straightening my back. “Right now. Just kill me. I don’t care. I don’t have anything to live for anyway.”

“Yes, I know,” he chuckled as if I’d said something funny. “You have no friends, no family, no coworkers who would miss you. You’re the perfect person for my plan.”

Bile rose in my throat and I swallowed down my fear. “What plan?”

“Keep your voice down.” He stared around the room before turning his attention to me. He grasped my chin and held it firm. “You and that pretty face of yours are going to make me very rich.”

The more sinister he turned, the thicker his accent became.

“Where are you from?”

He remained silent, only grinning like the devil who’d jest captured a rare soul.

I jerked my head from his grasp and moved to stand. “You’re a fool if you think I’m not going to help you do anything.”

He yanked me down. “Don’t ever call me a fool. And of course, you’ll help me. You have no choice.”

“Yes, I do. I’ll go to the police. Obviously, you’re not part of law enforcement.”

He laughed, a diabolical sound that chilled me to the bone. “Oh, you’ll help me. Or else.”

My eyes narrowed. “Or else what?”

“Or else you’ll be going to jail for the rest of your life.”

“Why would I go to jail? I haven’t done anything.”

“Well of course you have, my darling.” He reached out and stroked my hand.

I jerked away. “I’m not your darling. And I haven’t done anything.”

“You see, my love, that’s where you’re wrong.”

“How do you figure?”

“You killed your daughter and ex-husband and tried to frame him for the murder.”

I narrowed my eyes and fisted my hands beside me. “What in the hell are you talking about?”

“I have access to the crime scene,” he said. “To all the evidence, the photos, everything. If you don’t do exactly what I say, I’ll put your prints all over that trailer and manipulate the photos.”

My eyes went wide, unable to believe what he was saying.

“Don’t believe me?” He asked as if hearing my silent thoughts. “I’ve already changed the registration of the gun into your name. The local police are trying to figure out why Kevin had a gun registered to you. And several police officers saw bruises on your wrist, similar to what a strong little girl might produce if she were fighting for her life.”

“What?” I shrieked, clutching my throat, willing down the bile threatening to rise. “You can’t—”

Miller grasped my upper arm and yanked me back down, robbing me of words. “Get control of yourself. The police are looking for you even as we speak. They have a lot more questions for you.”

This couldn’t be happening. He was lying. “Let me go,” I growled, jerking on my arm.

His hold tightened. “Settle down. If you even think about calling attention to yourself right now, I’ll take you downtown to the police station myself and have them book you tonight.”

“You have nothing,” I growled, praying my words were true. “You’re bluffing.”

“Oh, I have something,” he said with an evil grin. Without releasing my arm, he pulled a small photo from his pocket.

I gasped, covering my mouth and recoiling, fighting the urge to vomit.

Kevin was lying on the floor in his closet, his eyes closed, one side of his face swollen and covered in blood along with the carpet next to his head.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing away the image. “No,” I whispered.

“How would I have been able to secure this picture if I didn’t have access to all the files?” Miller whispered in my ear.

I drew in a deep breath to settle my stomach and my racing heart. Slowly, I opened my eyes, staring at the wall across from me to keep from crying. “What do you want?”

“That’s more like it,” he said, releasing my arm. “You’re going to Scotland.”

My head jerked as I stared at him in wide-eyed surprise. “What,” I cried out, recoiling.

His eyes narrowed in warning.

I closed my mouth but shook my head. “No way,” I said quietly, my eyes darting around the lounge. “I’m not going to Scotland.”

“Do you want to see more photos?” Miller asked, grabbing my elbow and pulling me close. “I have some of Annmarie.”

I squeezed my eyes closed, drawing in deep breaths, willing away the images of my daughter’s lifeless body from my mind.

“That’s what I thought. You leave the day after tomorrow.”

I stared, my mouth gaping. “You can’t be serious. I can’t leave that soon.”

He leaned in close to my face, his voice ghosting across my skin. “Oh, I’m serious,” he said. “Deadly serious.”

A wave of defeat washed over me. I was completely and totally screwed. “What the hell am I going to do in Scotland?”

He leaned back against his seat, an evil smile spreading across his grotesque face. “Why, you’re going to be the sweet, charming little woman that you always are, of course.”

“I’m not sweet.”

“Why of course you are, m’eudai.” He rubbed my cheek with the back of his knuckles.

I slapped him away. “Don’t touch me.”

He laughed.

“And what did you call me? Where are you from?”

He tsked me and shook his head. “Too many questions, m’eudai.”

I had no idea what he was calling me, but I knew whatever the language, I wouldn’t like the word. I narrowed my eyes. “Why Scotland? Why me?”

“You don’t need to know that right now. Just get your things packed and be ready to leave by Friday morning. I’ll send a car to pick you up. Your flight leaves at 5:20am.”

“And if I refuse? If I go to the police right now?” I asked in what I hoped was a threatening tone.

He reached in his jacket. “Would you care to look at the photo album I’ve created of your daughter’s death?”

I turned away, biting my cheek to keep from crying.

He yanked me to his side, his face hovering near mine. “Don’t ever threaten me, Laurel, do you understand?”

I clenched my teeth, trying to remain as still as possible.

“With all the evidence I have, there’s not a judge or jury that won’t convict you. You’ll probably get the death penalty. And if not, you’ll certainly be killed inside of prison. Women don’t like convicts who kill their own children.”

“I don’t care,” I spewed out, “I’d rather die.”

He yanked me hard. “I mean it Laurel, watch your mouth. It’s what got Kevin in trouble.”

I pulled back and turned, searching his narrowed eyes for any shred of truth. “Did you kill them Miller?”

“Yes,” he said calmly. “And I will kill you, too if you don’t do everything I say.”

I bit back a scream, my body going limp in his hold.

“I can promise you, your death won’t be as easy though. But I’ll have a little fun first. I’ll enjoy a sweet taste of your—”

I slapped him. Hard. Then pulled back with a gasp, covering my mouth. Oh, God. What had I done?

He rubbed his cheek, seemingly not surprised that I’d just slapped him in a public place. “Watch it Laurel,” he warned.

My chin trembled and tears burned my eyes. “Did you do anything like that to Annmarie?” The thought of this man touching my baby made me physically ill.

“Dry up the waterworks.” he said, glancing around the room. “People are starting to look.”

A tall man stopped next to our table. “You all right, miss?”

Miller pinched my side but I remained still, folding my hands in my lap so he wouldn’t see me trembling. “Yes, I’m fine, thank you.”

The man scowled at Miller before his gaze returned to me.

“I’m fine,” I said once more, smiling in what I hoped was a reassuring expression. “Really.”

He nodded once. “I’m right over there,” he pointed to the long bar, “if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

He stood for a long moment, studying Miller who remained unphased, before finally walking away.

Miller turned me to face me. “Hell, no I didn’t mess with Annemarie like that. I’m not into kids.” His eyes flickered with a deviant look as he perused my body. “But I’d definitely be into you. And so would a lot of other men I’d imagine.”

The hairs on my neck stood on end. What was he saying.

“I’d keep you for myself for a long time before sold you to the sex trafficking world.”

I squared my shoulders and donned my best stoic face, willing my fear away. He couldn’t do this. He was lying. “No,” I finally said.

He laughed, another diabolical sound scraping against my frayed nerves. “It’s funny that you believe you have a choice, m’eudai.”

I sat, stock still, tears running down my face. How had I gotten here.

“That’s more like it. Be very afraid. Have your things ready Friday morning,.” He jabbed a finger in my chest. “And don’t think about telling anyone. We’ll be watching you.”

We’ll.

Without another word, he slid out of the booth and stalked toward the exit, leaving me all alone...again.

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The Hiding Place Chapter 6

Kay Manis — Thu, 6 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

(Present Day)

I’d been in the castle almost three weeks and was starting to acclimate to my new surroundings. The structure was huge, and I still got lost, but thankfully I had Callum with me.

He and I were getting along well. He was a boisterous, vibrant young boy who required much of my attention, but I loved it. Caring for Callum gave my mind something to do, someone else to think about besides myself and my daughter.

I still hadn’t met Mr. Lauchlan. Fiona said he travelled a lot but still I thought it was strange. He was entrusting the care of his child to a complete stranger.

Callum was down for a nap. Normally he’d worn me out and I laid down as well but today my mind was restless. I had so many questions stirring in my mind. Like, why was I even here. I hadn’t heard from Miller (??) since I’d arrived in Scotland. Should I even stay?

Trying to rid my mind of the fear always lurking just under the surface, I chose to walk around the castle rather than rest. If it was going to be my home for the unforeseeable future, I might as well learn the layout.

As I descended the front stairs I was struck again at the grandeur of the castle. The structure was massive and beautiful, steeped with history, most of which I didn’t remember. My head was so foggy I wondered if I’d ever be able to concentrate on anything again.

Rounding the banister, I noticed two closed doors. That was the grand ballroom Fiona had said. She’d never taken me inside on our initial tour. This was as good a place as any to start my own excursion.

I opened one of the massive oak doors and stepped into the cavernous room. The long velvet curtains covering several windows were drawn, but allowed enough light inside that I could make out the details of the room.

I glanced around the room, in awe of the auspicious space. The ballroom was large enough to hold hundreds of people, and probably had. The floor was a beautiful pattern of parquet flooring. My footsteps echoed as I stepped further inside.

Slowly my gaze travelled up. Chandeliers hung the length of the room and intricate patterns of gold and light blue littered the ceiling.

My gaze travelled to the tops of the windows. There were no coverings I noticed. At the top of each was half-circle stain glass window, their designs intricate and beautiful. The sunlight streaming through cast a kaleidoscope of colors on the wooden floor.

The windows reminded me of my father’s pendant he’d made me. I’d never found the necklace after I left Miller alone at Annmarie’s grave.

Miller.

His name brought a chill through my body and I shuddered.

“What are you doing in here.” A deep voice barked behind me.

I jumped and shrieked, fearing for a moment it might actually be Miller. Slowly I turned and saw a man standing in the open doorway, his large form taking up most of the frame.

He was tall and broad shouldered with blond hair, wearing what looked like a very tailor-made navy suit—and a menacing glare. Thankfully not Miller.

The man was scowling, his handsome face marred with the expression as his arms crossed over his chest. His stance was one of intimidation but I wasn’t afraid. All my fears were eclipsed by his mesmerizing eyes. They were sea-green and captivating. I’d never seen a color like that before. It was as if I were staring down the Caribbean sea at fading moss.

His gaze travelled the length of me, his soured expression never changing. He was handsome by anyone’s standards, but his perpetual scowl took away some of his attractiveness.

“I asked who you are,” he barked again, glaring at me.

I paused for a brief moment as I studied him from head to toe. I refused to be intimidated by a man again. “I’m Callum’s nanny,” I replied, “Laurel.” I stopped, catching myself before I made a misstep, and cleared my throat. “Laurel. Laurel…” I hesitated, trying to remember my new name. “Laurel Jameson.”

“Lauren?” he said, his lip curled in a snarl.

“No.” I said firmly with a bit of agitation myself. “I said Laurel. With an L.” I exaggerated the sound.

“You’re my son’s nanny?”

Oh, crap. So, this was Mr. Lauchlan. Staring at him closer I could see the resemblance.

“I didn’t ask for a nanny,” he said, as if I’d shown up on my own.

I remained silent, having no answer for him myself. I didn’t know why I was here anymore than he did.

He jerked his chin and scrutinized me. “Where are you from?”

“America,” I answered flatly. “Sir.” I added. It wouldn’t hurt for me to be respectful.

“America,” he repeated. “Huh.” He turned and walked away without another word to me. “Fiona,” he shouted. “Fiona!”

If first impressions were any indication, I knew I was in more trouble than I’d ever thought. This man seemed like a complete jerk.

“Where is she?” he said, more to himself.

I followed him down the hallway toward the kitchen.

Fiona suddenly appeared from nowhere just before we reached the library. “What is it, Anders?”

“Did you hire a nanny?” he asked accusingly.

“Yes.” Her answer was firm but I heard a touch of weariness in her voice. “You said you wanted a nanny to be with Callum because you would be travelling more extensively now. Remember?”

The man glanced up at the ceiling as if trying to remember.

“It was Roddy’s idea,” she said, “but I told you I thought it was a good one.”

Roddy? Who was Roddy?

He remained silent, so Fiona continued. “I said I was getting too old to properly care for the lad now that he was growing older and faster, roaming about the castle and grounds more.”

Mr. Lauchlan nodded, rubbing his temples with one hand as his head fell to his chest. “Oh yes, I remember, it all makes sense.” He sounded so resigned and exhausted, as if Fiona had severed his last thread of strength.

He reached out and squeezed Fiona’s shoulder, which surprised me. He didn’t look like an affectionate man.

“Yes,” he repeated, “I remember.” He raised his head, the lines around his green eyes giving him the appearance of being tired and worn. “I’m sorry, you know how busy I am now, I must have forgotten. Thank you, Fiona, I’m sorry I startled you so.”

With his worry eased, his distinctive Scottish accent was clearer, giving his words a melodic tone.

Fiona smiled and nodded. “It’s all right.”

Mr. Lachlan took her into quick embrace.

It was clear through their silent exchange that the two had a close bond.

He whispered something in her ear, and Fiona’s gaze was drawn to mine for a brief moment before averting to the ground. She stepped away and shook her head.

What in the world had he asked her?

Mr. Lachlan turned and glared at me. So apparently the nice man who’d just embraced Fiona was gone, this loathing one returning in his place.

“Come,” he ordered in a sharp tone, jerking his head. “We’re going to the study to talk.”

Talk?

He briskly walked past me and headed down the hallway to the back of the castle.

I turned to follow him but looked over my shoulder at Fiona for help.

She shrugged and grinned. “Go.” She said quietly. “You’ll be fine.”

Her words weren’t as reassuring as I’d hoped but I followed Mr. Lauchlan anyway.

As we made our way down the hallway, suddenly I was overcome with anxiety. He was going to question me, about my past. And he could never know the truth. I had to collect my thoughts and get my story straight if I were ever going to survive.

We passed by a side hallway that I remembered had a small bathroom. “Excuse me, I need to stop into the restroom for just a moment,” I said, turning before he could stop me. “I’ll be right there.”

I ducked into the room and closed the door, closing the lid to the toilet and sitting.

Think Laurel. You can do this.

I practiced what I’d been told, repeating the story over and over in my head as I’d done on my long trip here.

“Your name is Laurel Jameson, your name is Laurel Jameson,” I repeated quietly. “You’re from San Francisco, California. You’re a recent graduate of a master’s program from Everest College studying child development. You were a teacher for two years before going back to school. You decided to travel a little before going back into the education field. You love children and look forward to this opportunity to work with Callum.” I recited the words as they’d been told to me. “You can do this. You can—”

A loud knock on the door made me jump.

“Is everything all right?” Mr. Lauchlan asked.

How long had I been in here?

“Yes,” I said, “I’ll be right out.”

I was going to totally screw this up. And others would suffer.

I stood and splashed water on my face. Reaching over for a hand towel, I wiped my skin dry and studied myself in the mirror. “You can do this,” I whispered. “You have to.” Drawing in several deep breaths, I opened the door, surprised to see him standing just a foot away.

He surveyed me from head to toe. “Are you all right?” he asked, sounding sincere.

I took a step back into the bathroom. “Yes,” I placed a hand on my stomach, “I think I’m still getting used to the Scottish food.” I laughed nervously.

He tilted his head, his brow wrinkling as if he didn’t believe a word I said. That made two of us.

He gazed down at my hand, still covering my mid-section. “Are you sure you’re not pregnant?” He chuckled.

His words hit me like a wrecking ball. Pregnant. My vision blurred and my head spun as darkness crept in. I felt my legs give out. Oh, no, I couldn’t be passing out again. Before I could stop myself, the shadows overtook me, dragging me down into the nightmare once again.

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What am I working on now?

Kay Manis — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Right now I'm starting a series that spins off my Sumner Brothers Series. You may remember them, it centers around their 6 cousins, all girls and all chaos. The Sumner Sisters. They belong to Aunt Sally and boy is she a hoot (she may even get her own novella soon).

I hope to have the first book out next spring. I am currently working on a secret project that is taking up a lot of my time. You'll see soon! Until then, here's a little snippet from Mia's book.

Chapter 1

Mia Sumner slowly blinked awake but quickly slammed her eyes shut when the sun’s rays hit her like an ice pick to the brain. She covered her face with her arm to shield herself from the insufferable light. Her head ached, and the taste of something foul in her mouth made it difficult to swallow. Where was she and what was going on?

She rolled over, burying her face in the pillow. Her hand hit something hard. Very hard.

A low groan came from beside her.

Oh shit, it wasn’t something, it was someone.

She racked her brain, trying to remember what had happened last night but came up empty. She wasn’t a random one night hook up kind of girl.

Maybe it was one of her sisters in bed with her, someone she knew.

Visions of last night's party slowly crept in her mind. She was in Vegas to celebrate her friend Lina Bianchi’s wedding. Lina was marrying Mia’s cousin Jake. For some dumb reason the two had decided to combine their bachelor and bachelorette parties. She thought the idea defeated the purpose, but hey, she wasn’t the one getting married, thank god.

Try as she might, she couldn’t remember sleeping with anyone. She remembered the gang teasing that Lina and Jake should blow off the extravagant wedding that her Italian family had planned and instead elope at one of the many wedding chapels in Vegas. After that, her brain went fuzzy.

Suddenly, the somebody beside her stirred.

She raised up on an elbow, peaking over the hulk of a person. Definitely not one of her sisters. She winced when she recognized the close-cropped hair of the man who she never thought she’d sleep with.

Dak Hansen.

He was quite the ladies’ man in the small town where she grew up. At well over six feet, he had just enough muscle to make him sexy with a strong jaw and blue eyes that matched the color of the sky on a clear day. Dak was sought after by many of the women although none had claimed him yet. She couldn’t help but wonder why? He seemed nice enough.

Nice enough to sleep with?

What the hell had happened? Had they had sex? Surely not. With a man as good looking as Dak she would have remembered. Right?

Slowly, she raised the covers and noted she was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Thank God. But that didn’t mean they hadn’t had sex.

Mia wasn’t sure if she should wake him or quietly slip from the bed and make her escape. Sitting up fully, she realized she was in her hotel room, and half the mini bar was empty, small bottles littering the floor. That explained her fuzzy memory.

She lifted the covers, needing to use the bathroom, when her foot landed on a piece of paper. Glancing down she noted the words “Certificate of Marriage.” Had Jake and Lina actually eloped? Her foot moved and she gasped when she read her own name and that of the man sleeping behind her.

No way, why couldn’t her brain remember anything? This had to be a joke. Some gag gift her friends had made for them.

She reached down to grab the paper and that’s when she noticed the light from the morning sun glinting off the ring on her finger. A very prominent finger. Her mouth gaped as she stared down at the small gold band adorning her left finger. Her left ring finger. No way. No freaking way.

Tossing the sheet aside she raced to Dak’s side, searching for his hand.

He mumbled something incoherent and shoved both hands under his pillow.

“Dak,” she called out.

“Hmm," he answered.

“Dak,” she repeated with more annoyance.

“What?” he half shouted, eyes still firmly shut.

She grasped his large wrist and tugged at his left hand, not shocked to find the same gold band encircling his finger as well.

Well, shit.

This wasn't a joke, or a prank. Somewhere in the befuddled mind lay the memories of a wedding. Her wedding. To Dak Hansen, one of Canyon Creek’s most eligible bachelors.

She let out a low laugh. What had she gotten herself into this time?

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The Hiding Place Chapter 5

Kay Manis — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

(Three months earlier)

Sitting on my sofa I gripped the photo of Annmarie in my hands, willing her to come to life as I did every day since she’d died. As with every day before, it didn’t work.

Rather than sit in my depressive apartment any longer, I decided to clean my car. I’d let so many simple tasks go undone. Maybe the mindless work of cleaning my car would help.

I grabbed a trash bag from under the sink, knowing I needed to clean the inside first. I ducked my head as I exited my apartment, unwilling and unable to associate with my neighbors.

Opening the passenger’s side first, I let out a heavy sigh. My car was dirtier than I thought. In fact, I looked like a hoarder.

I reached inside and grabbed a hand full of trash, shoving it into the bag. It felt good to finally do something, anything productive. As I slowly cleared the mess, I moved underneath the seat, not surprised to find even more trash. How could I have let this go so far. I’d prided myself on cleanliness—once upon a time.

Just as I was about to throw another wad of trash into the bag, a small card fluttered down to the ground. I reached down and grabbed it, staring blankly at the name.

Deputy Halbert J. Miller - Texas Ranger

The man from the cemetery. I remembered briefly passing out that day I’d met him when he insinuated both my daughter and my ex had been murdered. It couldn’t be true. The man and his appearance had given me a creepy feeling. I didn’t want to rehash Annmarie’s death with anyone, especially this man.

Crumpling the card in my hand I tossed it into the bag just as something prickled the back of my neck. I turned, thinking someone was behind me but found no one. It wasn’t an unusual occurrence, it happened from time to time since Annmarie’s death. Only this time, the sensation was much more startling, a warning of sorts

Uncrumpling the card I stared at the phone number for what felt like a lifetime. Against every warning inside me, I knew I needed to call this man, if for no other reason than to settle things once and for all.

Knowing there would be no more cleaning today, I closed the car door and deposited the trash bag into the bin beside me building.

I tugged my disposable cell phone from my back pocket. I’d learned long ago not to have leave or have trace a reporter could possibly find. They called incessantly after Annmarie’s death. I dialed the cell, chewing on my lower lip. What could he possibly want?

“Hello,” a man said.

I glanced down at the card again to make sure I had the name and number correct. “Is this Deputy Halbert Miller with the Texas Rangers?”

He hesitated. “Um, yes. Yes it is. Who is this?”

My fingers itched to end the call, but I’d come this far. Plus, my day was pretty much shot.

“This is Laurel Taskill,” I said. “You visited me at my daughter’s grave.”

“Oh, yes Ms. Taskill, hello. It’s so nice to hear from you. I hope you’re doing better.”

He was referring to fainting spell I assumed. “Yes, I am, thank you. I actually lost your card and just found it this morning.”

“That’s all right,” he said. “I know you’ve been through a lot and need time to process everything. I dropped a big bombshell on you. Your reaction was normal.”

“Look Deputy Miller I’m not sure what your motive is or why you’re pursuing a new avenue in my daughter’s case but I just want you to know that unless you can bring her back to life, I’m not interested in hearing any other details about the crime.”

“Well, actually, Ms. Taskill—”

“Whether it was murder/suicide or two murders it makes no difference to me. It doesn’t bring back my daughter or change the horrific way she died. I’m just asking that you leave the case alone, leave me and Annmarie alone. Let me get on with my life as best I can.” I bit back the emotion threatening to overtake me. “Now, if you’ll excuse me—”

“I’m afraid I can’t leave this alone Laurel. That’s no longer possible.” His voice was deeper, the sound sending goose bumps down my flesh. His once thick Texas drawl was gone, replaced with something that sounded foreign.

“What do you mean, no longer possible?” My stomach clenched and I thought I might vomit, much the way I felt when Annmarie died.

“It’s more complicated than you realize,” he explained. “Your ex-husband has involved you in a way which gives you no option but to face these facts.”

“What are you saying?” I asked, leaning against the side of my building for support. “It sounds like you’re threatening me.”

“Ms. Taskill, I’m not threatening you, I’m just trying to make you aware of all the facts surrounding your family’s murder.”

“My family?” I laughed with no humor. “Kevin Barret was not my family. He was the worst mistake I ever happened to sleep with. The only good thing he ever gave me was Annmarie and somehow the son of a bitch found a way to take that from me, too.” Tears slid unbidden down my face.

“Look, Ms. Taskill, I’m not trying to upset you again. We really need to meet face to face so I can explain everything. Maybe that will help ease your anxieties.”

I bit back my emotions, stealing my resolve as I’d done many times since my daughter’s death. “Look, man,” I said, no longer feeling the need to be respectful, “I don’t need this right now. I’m trying to get on with my life, get past this. I don’t want to keep going backward by hashing out the details.”

“Ms. Taskill trust me when I say this. If you don’t meet with me to talk about what I know then your life is about to get even worse.”

I sucked in a breath, my throat constricting.

“You need to know this,” he said in a low, frightening tone. “Trust me. It’s for your protection, I promise.”

My head spun and I feared I may actually pass out. Again. I had no idea what to believe, and worse, no one to confide in.

I drew in a deep, steadying breath. “All right,” I said on an exhale, “I’ll meet with you. In public. Not in the cemetery again. But I’m warning you, this is it. After this meeting I want you and everyone else to leave me the hell alone. For good.”

“I understand.”

He didn’t. But I didn’t bother to say that. “When do you want to meet?”

“We could get together later this evening.”

“Sure, that’s fine,” I said. “Where?”

“Do you know The Warehouse District in downtown Austin?”

That seemed like a weird place to meet. The area was filled with bars and restaurants. “Yes, I know about it.”

“Let’s meet at the Blue Lantern Lounge at 8:30pm. Is that all right?”

Walking downtown by myself at night to meet a basic stranger, even if he was a Texas Ranger, didn’t seem like the best idea. But I was tired, worn out and beyond devasted. I could take a cab or ride-share just to be safe. “Sure,” I finally answered, “sounds good. I’ll see you at 8:30pm.”

“Oh, and Ms. Taskill, please don’t share our conversation with anyone.” His voice dropped deeper, more authoritative, like my father’s when I was in trouble. “If you do, I’ll have no way of securing your safety. I’ll see you at 8:30pm.” Without another word, the phone went dead.

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The Hiding Place Chapter 4

Kay Manis — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

My room was spacious and well-furnished, a contemporary design with touches of the history of the Scottish Highlands. The bed was large, four-poster with a downy comforter that I wanted to crawl under and sleep forever.

As I stepped into the room, I saw French doors on the opposite wall.

“That leads out to a small balcony,” Fiona said.

I startled, completely forgetting she was with me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. You're probably tired. Why don't I leave you to unpack and lie down for a bit. I'll come back when Callum returns and we can all have dinner together. Does that sound all right?”

Her Irish brogue soothed something deep inside me and I couldn’t help but smile. “That sounds perfect. Thank you, Fiona.”

She took my hands in hers. “I'm so glad to have you here, Ms. Jameson.”

Jameson? My new name. Of course. How could I have forgotten.

“Laurel,” I said, unable to hear the false last name Miller had given me. “Please, call me Laurel.” That much at least wasn’t a lie.

“What a beautiful Irish name,” she said, smiling. “See, it’s as if you were meant to be here in the Highlands and the hills of Laucherfield.” She stared at me for several seconds before finally releasing my hands. “Well, get some rest, dear.” Without another word, she turned and quietly left my room.

I stared at the comfortable bed that beckoned me. As much as I wanted to sleep, I knew it would elude me. Why bother.

I walked toward the French doors and pushed them open. A cool breeze washed over my face and I sucked in a breath. I’d have to get used to this cooler weather.

Stepping out onto the small terrace, I glanced over the stone balcony. My room was on the second floor but it was much higher from the ground. I gazed out at the surrounding land. The Lauchlan estate was vast and grand, and breathtaking.

I’d grown up in Texas but lived in the city all my life. Even though I’d seen pastures and vast fields, I'd never seen a countryside like this.

For as far as the eye could see, there was nothing but rolling fields with so many varying shades of green I couldn’t even count them. From my room I could see the winding river, the sound of the rushing water soothing my weary soul.

Glancing back at the fields I thought of Annemarie and my recurring dream. She always enjoyed running in the grass, rolling down large hills. She would love this place. The thought suddenly made me tired and I walked back inside the room, closing the doors behind me.

Kicking off my shoes, I pulled back the covers and climbed onto the bed, afraid to fall asleep. My eyes fluttered close and I gripped the pillow tight, preparing for my accent into Purgatory…

“Look bitch, you can’t keep me from seeing my daughter,” my ex-husband yelled through the phone.

My hand shook as I pulled the receiver from my ear. I drew in a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Glancing down, I saw Annmarie clutching my leg, pressing her small face against my jean-clad thigh. She was scared, petrified, and honestly so was I.

Kevin and I dated in college. Just a few months into our relationship I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to keep the baby, Kevin didn’t. For some stupid reason we decided to marry. As if that would magically fix everything.

A year later I discovered not only was he doing drugs, he was also dealing on campus. I’d immediately filed for divorce, and custody of Annemarie. It had cost me a swimming scholarship to one of the nation’s top ranked colleges, but I wouldn’t have changed my decision. Even now, fighting with Kevin, I knew Annemarie was the one thing in the world I’d done right.

Unfortunately, Kevin’s drug use had only worsened over the four years since Annemarie had been born. Now I genuinely feared for her safety, and mine. Allowing the court-ordered visits with Kevin every week was terrifying. He was so out of control. I never knew what he might do with her. Or to her.

Most times Kevin was too high to want to take her. But for some reason, today was the day he wanted to enforce his rights.

“Look Kevin,” I said, trying to remain calm, “why don’t you wait until this weekend, Annmarie is headed out to a friend’s house for the afternoon and both the girls will be disappointed if she has to cancel.”

I was hoping if he knew Annmarie would be disappointed, he’d change his mind, but who was I kidding. Disappointing both of us was all he had done since Annmarie was born.

“I’m coming over there right now and there’s nothing you can do about it,” he shouted.

“Kevin, are you high?”

“It’s none of you fucking business. She’s my daughter, too, and I’ve got every right to see her.”

My gut told me this was not a good day for him, obviously he was easily agitated. But I knew he was vindictive enough to call the police and report my failure to follow through with the child visitation order. That would only result in Annemarie being caught in the middle. I needed to calm him down.

“Look, Kevin, why don’t you let me bring her to you so you don’t have to drive.” At least I could keep Annmarie out of the car of a drunk, high man. There was a long pause on the phone and I held my breath. “Please,” I prayed silently.

“Fine. But be here in an hour.” The phone went dead and I swallowed down the fear.

After I gathered a few things for Annmarie, I strapped her in the car seat and drove to Kevin’s trailer. Pulling up in front of his home, a sick feeling rolled in my stomach.

Kevin lived in a seedy part of town, probably to be closer to his druggie friends and customers. He’d once been a brilliant computer programmer, writing code for companies around the world. But the years of severe drug use had fried his brain. Now he lived in the slums. I was scared to even drive through the neighborhood.

My intent was to drop Annmarie off then pull down the road to keep an eye on them. I had to make sure he didn’t put her in his car and driveaway.

“Please Mommy, don’t make me go,” Annmarie pleaded. “I hate him. He stinks. He has weird friends come over. And he doesn’t love me.”

I was so tempted to turn the car around and leave but I knew I was in the wrong if I didn’t let Kevin visit his daughter. And as much as the police would agree, there was nothing they could do unless Annemarie was in any danger. Pointing out that his house was basically a seedy den for meth users made no difference to cops. Sometimes the law held innocent people captive.

I turned and stared at her over the seat. “Sweetie, I know, you’re right, but if Mommy doesn’t let Daddy see you then I will go to jail. And if I go to jail, he’ll get custody of you.” God, I hated having to be so frank with her at such a young age. With a drug addict for a father, she’d had to grow up faster than I’d ever intended.

Swallowing down my fear, I watched her clutch at her stuffed animal close to her chest. Annemarie looked so safe strapped into her car seat. I didn’t want to let her go.

“Annemarie?” I called softly.

“I know,” she whispered. “I have to.”

My heart nearly broke. What was I doing? I straightened my back, resolved that this was the last visit. I would do whatever I needed to change the visitation if it was the last thing I did.

I took her small hand in mind and squeezed.

She glanced up, worry etched in her face.

“He’s only allowed to have you for two hours. Its 6:00pm now.” I pointed to the car’s clock. “I’ll be back to pick you up at 8:00pm. Just look at Dad’s clock on his stove and you can countdown the time, pretend it’s a game. How long can I put up with Dad?” I smiled, hoping to ease her concern, and mine. “I’ll be right down the street. If you need anything, you call me.” I held up my phone. “Okay?”

She nodded once and I got out and removed her from her car seat. A sick feeling of dread burned like a pile of hot rocks in my gut.

Annemarie clutched my hand and tugged me back just as we got to the front door. “Please Mommy, don’t make me. I hate it here. What if his friends come back like last time?”

When Annemarie came home with a bruise on her wrist after a visit a year ago, I’d asked what had happened. She said one of his friends was visiting and she’d accidently knocked over his drink. The man had grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her down to make her clean the floor.

After that incident, I’d taken Kevin back to court. They’d almost removed his visitation rights completely but as usual, Kevin cleaned up his act for a few hours and was able to smooth talk the court. He didn’t want Annmarie, he just wanted to punish me, and he knew the way to do it—hold our daughter for ransom.

The new order stated no one could be in the trailer while Annemarie was present but last month he hadn’t followed the decree. I’d been livid and called the police but once again was directed to the courts.

“If that happens,” I said, “you call me immediately, okay?”

“Okay,” she said quietly, squeezing my hand.

Before I could knock, Kevin swung the door open. I was surprised he was dressed better than usual. Maybe he was changing.

“It’s about damn time,” he said with a snarl. “Give me my daughter.”

Annmarie clung to my leg.

“Kevin, you’re scaring her.”

His gaze darted from me to Annmarie and back before squatting down. “Come here, Anna Banana.”

I smelled alcohol. “Are you drunk?” I whispered.

“No.” Before I could stop him, he scooped up Annemarie and pulled her away from me.

“Mommy,” she called, reaching out for me.

Kevin held her hands down and moved inside the trailer. “You’ll be fine with me, come on.”

“I’ll be back soon, remember, baby?” I swallowed my fear.

He glanced over his shoulders, his eyes holding an evil expression that had the hairs on my neck standing on end.

“Kevin, maybe we should come back tomorrow,” I said, reaching out toward Annmarie.

“Don’t make me call the cops, Laurel.”

I clenched my fists and held my breath, vowing again this would be the last time I would bring Annmarie here. I would do whatever it took to keep her from having to visit Kevin here, or hopefully anywhere.”

“I’ll be back at 8:00pm sharp,” I said. “I won’t be far away. Call me if she needs anything.” Before I could get the last word out, he slammed the door in my face, rattling the thin walls of his trailer. I stood and stared at the closed door for several moments, debating whether to knock it down and grab my daughter back.

Fearing what might happen, I walked back to my car, filled with dread and a pressing feeling that I’d just done something terribly wrong. Something that would change my life forever.

I awoke on the bed with a start in a cold sweat. Someone was knocking on the door.

I shook my head and scrubbed a hand down my face. Where was I?

The knock came again.

I glanced around the unfamiliar room. “Um, just a minute.”

“Laurel, it’s Fiona,” she said.

I sat straight up and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked so different than my old self that I barely recognized my image. Miller had done a good job changing my looks.

Miller.

Slowly I remembered where I was and what I was here to do.

I slid off the bed and walked to the door, slowly pulling it open.

Fiona stood next to a small boy about three feet tall with light brown hair and big blue eyes. He had to be Callum.

“Hi,” he said, his face splitting into a huge grin.

I squatted down. “Hi.” I held out my hand. “You must be Callum.”

“Yes, I am.” He grasped my hand shook it vigorously. “You’re Laurel.”

I smiled at his Scottish accent.

He pointed to my mouth. “You have pretty teeth.”

His direct comment reminded me of Annemarie. She’d always been so matter-of-fact. I swallowed down the well of emotions. I had to keep it together. For everyone, including this little boy.

I smiled wider. “Thank you. I brush them twice a day.”

“Me too,” he said, dropping my hand and touching his chest with one finger.

“You have nice teeth too.”

“Thank you.” His shoulders rolled back in pride.

“Did you know I traveled 5,000 miles to meet you.”

“Wow,” he exclaimed. “That’s a long way.”

“Texas is a long way from here.”

“I thought you lived in California,” Fiona said.

God, I’d blown it, again. “Well, I, um…I had a layover in Texas,” I said, praying she wouldn’t see my nervousness. I directed my attention back to Callum. “I can’t wait to hang out with you. We can play games and go outside and go swimming.”

“Swimming,” he exclaimed. “You’re going to swim with me?”

“Oh yes, I’m an excellent swimmer.”

His smile fell as his head dropped to his chest. “I don’t know how to swim,” he said quietly.

“Then I’ll teach you, as soon as we get some bathing suits.”

He threw himself at me, nearly knocking me off my feet as his small arms wrapped around my neck.

I smiled and squeezed him tightly, memories of Annmarie flooding my mind. This was what I needed, a respite from the terror I was living in.

I sat him back from me and stood, taking his hand. “Come on. Let’s go downstairs and get something to eat. I’m hungry.”

Callum nodded. “Me too.” He skipped along beside me as we walked toward the staircase.

“I’ve never seen him take a fancy to anyone like he just did to you,” Fiona said, butting up next to me. “It’s like I said, Laurel.”

When she didn’t continue, I turned and stared at her. “What?”

Her blue eyes sparkled with joy. “Maybe you were meant to be here after all.”

After dinner, Callum took me on his own tour of the castle. I didn’t bother to tell him Fiona had pointed out most things, I just let him lead me around, happy to be in the company of a child again.

As his small hand pulled me to each room, I smiled, reminded of the feel of Annemarie’s fingers intertwined in mine.

By the time I returned to my room later that evening, my things had arrived. Too tired to unpack, I walked to the window and glanced up at the sky. It was dark out and the night was littered with hundreds of stars.

I thought I’d miss the city, but standing here, in this huge castle in the middle of nowhere, I had to admit that being country where the constellations were bright and visible, it was nice. Or as nice as it could be given my circumstances.

“I miss you sweetie,” I whispered, tracing my fingertip against the window

Waiting for a few minutes, as if anticipating hearing her voice, I gave up and turned toward the bed. I lifted the heavy covers and crawled in, not even bothering to undress. I hoped that my dreams would be better in this new country, but as I drifted off to sleep the darkness consumed me. Again.

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Kay Manis — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I'm so excited to announce that I will be a signing author at Reader Nation (https://www.readernation.live) in Las Vegas on November 7, 2025 at the Paris Hotel and Casino (https://www.caesars.com/paris-las-vegas)

Get your tickets today! They're free. And the headliner signing author is JAMES PATTERSON! (https://www.jamespatterson.com/)

So come to Vegas and meet me in person. See you in Vegas (I hope)!

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My Funny Dog

Kay Manis — Thu, 9 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We own a 10 year old Chihuahua/Terrier mix doggie. Her name is Ellie and we're about to celebrate our 8 year Gotcha Day (the day we adopted her from the shelter).

She was originally named Jelly (she had a puppy with her named Peanut Butter). Unfortunately, Peanut Butter was too young to adopt. The hubs refused to call her Jelly, so we changed it to "Ellie" which fits her perfectly.

Ellie LOVES food (except lettuce and bananas). Yes, I know it's bad to feed her human food (please don't comment) but she just looks so darn cute, we can't help it. Here is a funny pic of Ellie begging for popcorn. How can we resist?

She's a funny dog.

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The Hiding Place Chapter 3

Kay Manis — Mon, 6 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

(Present Day)

“Ms. Jameson,” the driver said, “are you sure you’re all right?”

No, I wasn’t, but I knew I had to pull myself together if I was going to survive.

“Yes, I’m sorry, probably just jet-lag.”

He nodded as if understanding.

The driver drove up a slow sloping hill and the castle came into view. The drive was lined on either side with wide, towering trees.

He pointed out the window. “Those are Scots Pines planted over three hundred years ago.”

Three hundred years? How old was this castle?

As the trees cleared, opening up to the front of the castle my breath caught. The structure was much larger than I’d anticipated from our perch on the bridge.

The castle was three stories high and made of grey stone with white framed windows across the front. A large balcony ran the width on the top level. On either side of the castle rose turrets affixed with two flags waving wildly in the air. One was blue with a huge white X, the other a yellow and orange flag with a lion raised on its haunches. It looked similar to the family crest I’d made for my family in middle school.

The landscaping was breathtaking, flowers mixed with shrubs and small trees surrounded the base and of the castle and out as far as the eye could see. The rolling hills and greenery were breathtaking.

The driver rounded a fountain and came to a stop in front of two huge wooden front doors that looked medieval. My body shivered at what lie inside.

The man turned and glanced at me over his shoulder. “Are you ready?”

His face seemed filled with as much trepidation as mine, as if he knew more than I did.

No, I’m not ready for this, I wanted to scream. How could anyone be ready to destroy an entire family? I had no choice though. I was a slave to the man who’d claimed to have killed my daughter and ex-husband. Now my own life, and those I loved, were in jeopardy. Although death seemed like a better option right now.

I drew in a deep breath and exhaled a heavy sigh. “Sure,” I said instead. If I couldn’t save Annemarie, perhaps I could save this family from a similar fate.

The driver exited and made his way around the car, opening my door.

As I stepped out and waited for him to gather luggage, I studied the land surrounding the castle.

The sweeping views of the surrounding countryside were breathtaking. The River Dee wrapped around the estate and grew in width with several small arched bridges allowing guests to cross larger fields adorned with lush trees and foliage.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed an older man sculpting the shrubbery around the base of the castle with long shears.

“That’s Espinoza,” the driver said, stepping up next to me. “He’s the head groundskeeper.”

Head? How many gardeners did they have?

“The Laucherfield Castle gardens and landscape are renowned in this part of the country.”

“Oh,” I said, nodding. She could totally understand why.

Suddenly a woman opened one of the massive doors and stepped down from the small porch.

She appeared to be in mid- to late-forties, her long red hair littered with strands of silver. She was of average height with a shapely form that belied her age. She met my gaze with bright blue eyes and a warm smile that set my heart at ease for the first time in weeks.

“Welcome, To Laucherfield Castle,” she said in an accent I couldn’t quite place as she tossed her braided hair over one shoulder. She was beautiful in a simple sort of way, the smooth skin of her face dotted with freckles.

I immediately felt drawn to her, as if we were kindred spirits. Something told me I would find solace in her company.

“I’m Fiona MacFarland, the house keeper.”

Fiona. That was Irish, wasn’t it? Or maybe Scottish? But the driver’s accent had been British. Where the hell was I? I’d been lost in my own fog for days after the visitor had instructed me of his plans…or threats really.

“We have the most beautiful landscape in all of Scotland.” Fiona’s smile grew.

So, I was in Scotland. Suddenly more of the man’s diabolical plan came to surface.

“I’m so glad to finally have you here dear,” she said, walking toward me with arms opened wide.

Unused to affection of this kind, stiffened and leaned back on my heels.

She slowed her steps, letting her hands fall as if hearing my silent fears. She turned attention to the driver. “John, will you take Laurel’s things to the guest room I have prepared.”

John. That was the driver’s name. I turned toward him with a small smile. “Um, thank you, John.” I tried to sound confident, as if I’d known his name all along.

With eyebrows raised, his expression assured me he wasn’t fooled.

He nodded once. “Please let me know if you need anything, ma’am.” He smiled but it seemed forced. He carried my luggage into the castle. His departure left me feeling more fearful than I had since this entire situation had started.

Fiona grabbed my hand and tugged. “Please, come inside and let me show you around the castle.”

Her excitement would have been infectious if I hadn’t been so worried about my unforeseeable future. My captor still had yet to disclose why I was even here in Scotland. He’d only presented me enough evidence to know I was in danger if I didn’t follow his fiendish plan.

I stepped inside and noticed a massive wooden staircase with intricate banisters standing in front of me. The steps led up to a landing which split into flights of stairs to the left and right.

A beautiful Grandfather clock stood high on the landing, its pendulum swaying gently inside a glass encasement. On either side of the clock were portraits of men in various states of dress and pose. Some looked as if they dated back hundreds of years.

“Your room is upstairs, but I’ll show you around the castle first.” Fiona said.

I turned my attention to the kind woman. Her eyes sparkled with what looked like genuine care and concern.

She walked down a hallway and I followed behind, taking in the high ceilings and ornate tapestries hanging from the walls.

“This is the grand ballroom,” Fiona said, waving her hand toward two large doors that were closed.

I stepped toward the room, my curiosity almost winning out as I reached for the handles, but Fiona quickly led us further down the dark hallway with no intention of stopping.

“The castle makes a large square,” she said, glancing over her shoulder. “If you get lost, just follow the corridors until you reach the grand staircase.”

“Okay,” I said quietly, noting the dimness despite the small sconces adorning the walls. A chill suddenly swept over me and I wasn’t sure if it was from the weather or the eerie feeling the castle emanated.

Fiona pointed to the left. “Down this hallway are two small guest rooms and a bathroom.”

I glanced down the long hallway that seemed even dimmer than the one we were in. This castle seemed filled with all sorts of nooks and crannies.

My captor had told me I was here under the guise of being the nanny for the owner of the castle who had a 4-year-old son. I cringed, thinking of all the places the young boy could get lost. Annmarie would have had a field day playing hide-and-go-seek in this huge house. The memory of her made me smile.

“This,” Fiona waved her hand in front of an open door, “is the sitting room.” I glanced inside, noting the beautiful windows. They were tall, nearly floor to ceiling and tipped at the top like those she remembered from church. Heavy drapes of a jacquard fabric were pushed open allowing a small portion of the ever-dimming sun to filter in.

Fiona quickly continued our tour, leaving me little time to inspect all the intricate details of the castle. I’d have to return later and do my own tour.

I moved to catch with Fiona as she made her way up a large spiral staircase made of the same stone as the exterior castle walls.

“Wow,” I hummed as my fingertips grazed the stone.

“This castle was built in 1574.”

“Amazing,” I breathed out with reverence. The oldest building I’d ever seen was the state capital of Texas.

Fiona led us down the same hallway that we’d travelled downstairs, only this was on the second floor. I noticed a portion of the hallway looked down over the main floor.

“This is Mr. Lauchlan’s study,” she announced, coming to stand just inside a wide doorway.

I stepped inside a round room and quickly realized this was actually one of the turrets in the castle.

The room was spacious but sparsely decorated, the exposed stones from the outside lining the walls. A large round, ornate rug sat in the middle of the room and in front of the mahogany desk was fireplace I could stand in.

“I bet that takes a lot of wood,” I said with a light laugh.

“Indeed.” Fiona smiled.

Two tan chairs sat in front of the desk and a small couch was positioned in front of the fireplace. Glancing around the walls, I noticed the windows were similar to those downstairs but not as tall.

“The windows here are beautiful,” I said.

“They were redone years ago. See there.” She pointed to the very top and I noticed a small pane of stained glass filled the top portion of the window. The colors reminded me of the pendant my father had made me. I instinctively reached for my necklace but remembered I’d lost it after meeting the Texas Ranger.

I laughed to myself. Texas Ranger.

Leading us back down the hallway we’d just travelled, Fiona stepped down the stairs. I wondered why she hadn’t shown me the rest of the second story but was grateful. Suddenly I was tired, the travel and the stress of this entire ordeal weighing heavily on me.

Once we reached the bottom floor, she rounded the staircase and stopped. “This is the door to the private garden.”

Without waiting for my reply, she opened the door and we stepped into a large courtyard in the middle of the castle. I glanced up, surprised to see the sky. “So, there is no middle of the castle?” I asked.

“There was years ago, but a portion of it burned almost two hundred years ago. Instead of rebuilding, the cleared the rubble and built this garden.”

I studied the continents. The flora and fauna were impressive, ferns and flowers littering the abundant space. “It’s beautiful,” I said.

A familiar sound drew me to the center of the courtyard. A flowing fountain caught my eye and I smiled. Water had always drawn me home.

I glanced up and noticed three bronze angels standing in a circle. Their backs faced one another as they stared out over the courtyard seeming to protect the area. Their wings were welded together as if holding one another back from flight. I couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would be to have someone hold on to me that tight.

A spring of water shot from their center of the angels, leaving a cascading flow of water down two tiers below.

“Isn’t it a beautiful fountain?” Fiona asked.

“Yes, it is,” I said. “I love the angels.”

She stood quietly, staring at the top, seemingly lost in thought. This fountain was obviously very special to her.

My attention was drawn to a large thatch of rose bushes of varying colors.

Fiona stepped up beside me. “Mr. Lauchlan loves roses.”

I reached out, touching one of the soft petals. “Your gardener does an amazing job.”

“Mr. Espinoza does do a wonderful job around the castle but the rose bushes are Mr. Lauchlan’s. Unless he’s away for an extended period of time, Mr. Espinoza leaves them for Anders.”

Anders?

I hadn’t heard her refer to Mr. Lauchlan by his first name before.

To the right I noticed a wall of reflective glass.

“That’s the pool area,” Fiona said, noticing my gaze.

“You have a pool?” My heart beat harder and I worked to hold down my excitement.

“Oh yes. Do you swim?” she asked.

“Yes, I do, but I didn’t bring a bathing suit.” Who in the world would have thought I’d need a bathing suit on this trip. I wasn’t on a vacation…I was trapped in a nightmare.

“Oh, don’t worry dear, John can take you into Aberdeen to purchase one,” she said. “Or you can purchase one on the Internet and have it delivered here. I would love to see the pool used. Callum always asks me to teach him to swim but I don’t know how. And Anders will never take him. He’s deathly afraid of the water.”

Who was deathly afraid of water, I wondered.

“Callum is Mr. Lauchlan’s son?” I asked. Miller had shared very few details about this assignment. And to be honest, after his threats I really hadn’t heard much.

“Oh yes, he is,” she said. “I forgot you two haven’t met yet. Although I thought the nanny agency would have given you some information.”

Nanny agency? What nanny agency? Obviously DeputyMiller had planned everything and hadn’t offered me many details. Suddenly I wondered what else he had neglected to tell me.

“Oh well, you’ll meet Callum soon enough.”

“I swim,” I said. “Maybe I could teach him.”

Fiona’s blue eyes lit with happiness as she clapped her hands together. “That would be wonderful, dear. He would so love that.”

At least maybe I could do one good thing while I was here.

Fiona led me through another door. “This is the kitchen.” She motioned to her left as we walked through a stone archway.

It was a huge space, much warmer than the other rooms. Despite my aversion to cooking, I vowed to visit the kitchen often.

The space seemed to be outfitted with modern amenities. Copper pots and pans hung from a wrought iron rack anchored to the ceiling. Simple grey stone countertops wrapped around the perimeter, the color matching that of the outside of the castle.

Walking further into the kitchen I noticed a large wooden table with two benches along one of the walls. The piece was so thick and worn it looked like it came from medieval times.

“This is where we eat most of the time,” Fiona said. “The main dining room is too big for just me and Callum. This is the pantry,” she pointed to a door next to the refrigerator. “Feel free to take anything you want at any time, from the refrigerator too. This castle is now your home.”

Home? I wanted to laugh out loud. If she only knew. This place was my own private prison.

Trying to forget my dire situation, I motioned to an opening near the table. “Are those more stairs?” I asked, rounding the corner.

“Yes,” she said, coming to stand behind me. “This turret is actually a full staircase leading from the first floor to the second and third floors. That way we don’t have to travel all the way back to the front of the castle to the main staircase. It’s quite large.”

“That’s an understatement,” I said under my breath.

We left the kitchen and I followed her down another long hallway. “This is the dining room,” she said, pointing to a closed door on the left, but continued walking. “And this,” she said, finally stopping, “is the pool room.”

Finally, a place that truly felt like home.

Fiona opened the door and I was instantly assaulted with the smell of chlorine and victory. This room would be my respite from the nightmare I’d been trapped in. I vowed to find a way to get a bathing suit no matter what.

The pool was “L” shaped, one end made for laps, the other a playing area. A small patio area sat off to the side with several tables and chairs. The space looked homey and inviting, two things I hadn’t felt in a long time, if ever.

“I’ll bring Callum here as soon as I get a bathing suit,” I said. “Do you know if he has one?”

“You know dear, I’m not sure. That’s a good question. I’ll find out. If not, we’ll get you two to town and go shopping.”

“I would like that,” I said, smiling for the first time since I’d met Miller.

Fiona led us from the pool room. The safety I’d just found evaporated as she closed the door.

She pointed to another room. This castle was huge and I was definitely lost. “This is the library and media room. There’s a huge television and sound system in the cabinet but they rarely use the one in this room,” she said. “There’s another system in the game room upstairs.”

“Game room,” I said. That sounded fun. “How many rooms does this castle have.”

“Laucherfield Castle has twenty-two bedrooms, twenty bathrooms, five living rooms, one formal dining room, a library and a grand ball room. It’s 3,400 square meters, not including the interior garden.”

I stared at Fiona in confusion. “This castle has to be larger than 3,400 square feet.”

She smiled. “Oh, no, sweetie, square meters.”

“Oh, that’s right, I forget.” I tapped my temple. “Different measuring system.”

“Yes, sorry.” She nodded. “I believe that figure would equate to almost 40,000 square feet. The Laucherfield Estate encompasses 762 acres and has been in this family for over 450 years.”

She recited the stats like she’d done it a million times before.

“Wow, this is a huge place. Remind me not to play hide-and-seek with Callum.” I laughed. “Speaking of Callum, when will I get to meet him.”

“I thought you would be tired today so I made other arrangements for him,” she said. “You take it easy, walk around and get acquainted with the castle and the grounds.”

I nodded. That did sound like a good idea.

“Why don’t I show you to your room, then we can finish the tour after you’ve rested and had something to eat. Does that sound all right?”

“Yes, that sounds perfect. I don’t know why I’m so tired,” I said.

“You’ve been travelling a long way and you’re probably not eating and drinking enough. A new country and a new home are a lot to take in in a day.”

“May I be honest with you, Fiona?”.

“Why yes dear, you can always be honest with me.”

Her words rang true to me. I could trust her. I drew in a ragged breath and released a heavy sigh. “Everyone keeps calling this my home,” I paused, wondering how much truth I wanted to reveal.

She stared at me, her blue eyes so clear and compassionate.

“This isn’t my home,” I said on a sigh.

“You’re right, dear, I’m sorry. Your home is in California isn’t it?”

“California?” I asked, furrowing my brow.

She stared at me in confusion. “That’s what the nanny agency said.”

Crap, California was part of my cover. I’d already forgotten the story. I had a terrible memory, and I was a horrible liar. I was going to mess all of this up. It would be best to interlace at least a little of the truth.

“No, not California,” I said. “I’m originally from Texas. But honestly, I don’t know where my home is.” It’s just not here, I thought.

“I understand,” she said, glancing around the castle. “Sometimes I feel the same way.

We both stood in silence for a long moment. There was something in Fiona that drew me to her. She seemed as lost as I felt.

She shook her head then turned to me and smiled. “Let’s get you upstairs and settled in. Scotland may not be your home, but I’ll try to make you feel as if this castle is a place you’d like to be, even if it’s just for a little while.” Stepping closer, she gave me a gentle hug.

Please God, don’t let me have to destroy her too. Fiona MacFarland seemed to be the first real friend I’d had in a long time…maybe ever.

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The Hiding Place Chapter 2

Kay Manis — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

(Three months earlier)

I knelt down next to the cold slab of granite, pressing my hand against my daughter’s name.

Annemarie Taskill.

My fingers traced the carved dates that forever marked the beginning and the ending of her short life.

Six months had passed since her murder. The media sensation her death created had died down somewhat, lost in the flurry of new stories fighting to win more shocking headlines. Annmarie was just a vague memory to those seeking bigger and more intoxicating stories. For that I was thankful.

Although the murder of a child certainly retained the story’s strength, thrill-seekers had moved on. After months of hiding, I finally had some quiet time alone with my girl without the raucous of camera crews and helicopters interrupting us.

I sat on the grass next to her small grave marker and hung Annmarie’s necklace over the thick slab. My father had made the piece of jewelry for me before I was born. Annmarie loved the stained-glass pendant so much I’d given it to her for her fourth birthday. My only regret was that my father had never seen her wear it.

When the light hit the glass just right it cast a magical image below that always made me think of my father. He’d been a master jeweler and a gifted artist. In a world haunted by darkness, he had been my one bright light. I missed him almost as much as I missed Annmarie.

I tucked my feet underneath me, toying with the pendant, watching the images dance across the grass below. I was grateful for the remote area of the cemetery where I’d chosen to bury Annmarie. It afforded me, and her, the privacy we hadn’t had in a long time. I wanted my daughter’s afterlife to be more peaceful than the one she’d had on earth.

“Excuse me ma’am,” someone called behind me.

I jumped. God, not another reporter, please. I glanced up and saw a man standing close by.

He was smoking a cigar and wore a full suit, a black trench coat, and a fedora hat, even in the warm Texas heat. Something deep in my stomach clenched in warning, like it had just before Annemarie’s murder.

“I’m sorry to bother you ma’am. My name’s Miller, Deputy Hal Miller.” He stepped closer.

Releasing the pendant, I stood, dusting off my jeans. “This is a private area. How did you get here?”

His eyes narrowed and a slow grin spread across his mouth. “Not too private, I guess.”

Something vile churned in my stomach. Maybe he was another interloper, wanting to make a quick buck on my daughter’s death.

I fisted her hands, preparing for a fight. “What do you want?”

“Like I said, my name is Miller, Deputy Miller. I’m with the Texas Rangers.”

“The baseball team?” I asked.

He chuckled. “No ma’am. The law enforcement agency of Texas.”

“Oh.” I let my gaze roam over his small form. I had a difficult time believing the Texas Rangers would recruit someone like him. He looked nothing like Chuck Norris from the TV show, Walker Texas Ranger. And his accent was off. He definitely wasn’t originally from Texas and something in my stomach tightened.

“Can we talk somewhere in private?” he asked.

I glanced over my shoulder at the expanse of field. “It doesn’t get much more private than this.”

He laughed but there was little amusement.

“How did you find me?” I asked becoming increasingly perturbed. Law enforcement had ceased interviewing me weeks ago.

“I’ve been in contact with the local police department and they shared the details of your daughter’s case with me.”

Why would the Austin Police Department or the FBI share anything with a Texas Ranger, I wondered. None of this was making any sense.

“First, I want to offer my deepest condolences on your losses,” he said.

“I only lost one person I loved.” I corrected. “My daughter. The death of my ex-husband does not count as a loss to me.”

He nodded. “I understand, please forgive me.”

“You still haven’t told me what you want,” I said with more force.

I was growing impatient with this man. He’d interrupted the only quiet time I had with my daughter.

“I need to speak to you about a very important matter,” he said. “It concerns the murder of your daughter.”

A bolt of anxiety shot through me from head to heel, leaving me lightheaded. What did this man want?

As if understanding my unease, he pulled out a wallet from his trench coat, opening it and holding it out for me.

I stood in place, hands folded around my waist as I studied the wallet. On one side was a large silver circle with a five-point Texas star with the words “Texas Ranger” engraved at the bottom. On the other side, protected by a clear sleeve, was a photo ID.

I glanced up and studied his face, his beady eyes holding my gaze before I studied the photo again. The I.D. said his name was Halbert J. Miller but something still felt off.

He moved around me to the tree I stood beside. “I bet this old beauty is at least two hundred years old.”

I couldn’t care less how old the tree was. I wanted this man gone. “Look Mr. Miller—”

“Deputy Miller,” he corrected.

“Look, Deputy Miller,” I said sarcastically, “you still haven’t told me why you’re here and what you want with me.”

He pushed off the tree and folded one hand under his arm, scrubbing his chin with the other. “What if I were to tell you that your daughter’s death wasn’t a murder/suicide at the hands of your ex-husband but two separate homicides?

I stood, slack-jawed, white spots invading my vision.

He stepped closer, his hands falling to his sides. “What if I told you your ex-husband didn’t drown your daughter in the bathtub, killing her before killing himself?”

I recoiled in shock at the reminder of the way my daughter had been murdered.

“What if I told you one person killed them both? A double homicide.”

The white spots spread, blinding me as my world spun and flashed to black.

I stood in a large field but this time it wasn’t filled with budding flowers and flowing grass. This place was overgrown with weeds obstructing my view. “Annmarie,” I shouted. “Annmarie!”

Nothing.

No sound. No memories. Only darkness. Again.

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The Hiding Place Chapter 1

Kay Manis — Sat, 5 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

“Ms. Jameson, a man’s voice called out. “We’re almost there.”

The words echoed in my mind but despite my efforts, I couldn’t see anyone.

“Ms. Jameson.” The voice grew louder. “Ms. Jameson,” he shouted.

I bolted upright in my seat, bumping my head on something hard. “What?” I said, blinking away the fogginess consuming me. “Yes, what?” I repeated.

“Where am I?” I shook my head, trying to jar my memory.

“We’re nearly there now,” the man said.

“Where?” My eyes scanned the area. I was in a car. A moving car. But why?

“Laucherfield Castle.” His deep voice pronounced the destination as if I should have already known. “Are you all right, ma’am?”

I stared out the window and saw we were traveling down a narrow road, on the wrong side. And he was in the passenger’s seat holding a steering wheel. And he spoke with a British accent. Things were definitely not all right.

I shook my head again, willing myself to wake up. I had to be stuck in a dream. Or worse, a nightmare. About Annemarie.

I glanced out of the window again, hoping the scenery would jar my memory.

Rolling hills of green grass dotted the landscape for as far as the eyes could see. Shrubbery ran across the fields in diagonal lines, making the countryside look like a patchwork quilt. The land was beautiful, breathtaking, like nothing I’d ever seen before.

“There,” he said, pointing out the front windshield.

In the distance, I noticed a high hill with a large structure near the top.

“There, on Laucherfield Hill, that’s the castle.”

Castle? Think Laurel, I willed myself. What was going on? Where was I, and why?

“Are you sure you’re all right, Ms. Jameson?” the driver asked again, staring at me in the rearview mirror.

I wasn’t all right, that much was clear. Something deep in my gut told me I had to pull myself together, and soon.

I cleared my throat. “Um, yes, I’m fine. I must have dozed off. I’m sorry. Just give me a few minutes and I’ll be fine,” I said, even though I knew it was a lie. I would never be fine again.

Staring out the window as we approached a beautiful stone arched bridge, I saw a narrow river running underneath.

The driver slowed before coming to a complete stop in the middle of the bridge.

While the structure was beautiful, it was barely wide enough for one to pass and I wondered why he’d stopped.

“I thought you might like to see the River Dee,” he said, answering my silent question. “You can see the castle from here.” He pointed to the right, just up the hill. “And this bridge, the River Dee, marks the beginning of the Lauchlan Estate.”

Lauchlan Estate?

The name sounded familiar. My gaze cut to the driver’s in the rearview mirror.

He smiled. “Your new home.”

New home?

Oh, God.

Suddenly, haunting memories came flooding back. My stomach lurched and I thought I might vomit. This place would be no home for me. It would be a prison. My prison for the next six months.

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The Hiding Place Prologue

Kay Manis — Mon, 8 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The tall blades of grass whipped against my legs as a cool wind blew over my shoulders. Chill bumps spread along my skin despite the blazing midday sun.

She was here.

My heart beat faster.

Letting my head fall back, I gazed up at the billowy clouds crawling across the azure sky. How desperately I wanted to be one, floating away, weightless and care free.

I closed my eyes, drinking in the warmth from the sun, letting the rays heat my face.

I was cold. I was always cold without her.

Drawing in a deep breath, I inhaled her familiar scent. She was close, I could feel her. Today I would catch her no matter how fast she ran.

Blinking my eyes open, I watched as her small frame raced by.

My gaze tracked her movement as she skipped through the field, fearful I would lose her again.

Her dress danced around her slender legs as she bounced through the field. The bright yellow ribbons tied around her waist trailed behind her like low-flying kites.

She giggled and my heart warmed from the sound. Her laughter was my saving grace, filling my empty soul.

I reached out to touch her but as always, she was just beyond my grasp.

She slowed as she reached the top of the hill and turned to face me, her dark brown hair hanging in ringlets around her face. Her hands waved in the air as she motioned for me to join her.

I held my breath, willing her to stay as I made my accent.

She smiled, her face ethereal and radiant, her expression lighting up the day. “Come on, Momma,” she called out.

Peace and happiness filled my empty soul. She was waiting for me. Finally, I would be with her.

I wasn’t sure where she was headed, but I knew I wanted to go, I needed to go.

I needed her.

“Momma,” she shouted again, her welcoming eyes begging me. She held out her tiny hand, smiling wide. “Come.” She beckoned as she floated away.

I took a step toward her, my hand extended as my feet slowly lifted from the ground. My soul was filled with love and light, everything she was. Today I would catch her and never let her go. My love, my life…my Annmarie.

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