Read And Then Came A Lion (Lions and Lambs Book 1) for Free Online

snuggled in his arms and in a deep, dreamless sleep.
    Early the next morning, Susannah stood beside the fire, holding a cup of steaming coffee, and watching the horizon for the first glimpse of sunrise. Birds twittered from cedar boughs and low brush. Squirrels dashed from tree to tree. She took a deep breath. Nothing compared to coffee beside a lake or creek at dawn, at least not in her opinion.
    Mark emerged from the tent, stretched, and ambled over to the fire. Susannah poured coffee from the French Press into a large mug and handed it to him.
    “Ah, so your mom did put that in the camping gear after all.”
    “Mom?”
    “Yeah, it’s been so long since we’ve gone camping, I couldn’t remember what to pack so I asked your mom to help.”
    “I see.”
    “So, what’s wrong with the old camp percolator? That’s always been a tradition.”
    “Boiled water and coffee grounds do not make for good coffee. Pine needles in pancakes are a tradition too, but it doesn’t improve the taste of them either.”
    Mark winked. “Just teasing you. I agree, this is good coffee and yes, I’ll pass on extra fiber in my breakfast. I don’t care for boiled coffee that could hold up a spoon.”
    “As for breakfast, how about fresh trout?”
    “Nothing better. Who’s catching and who’s cooking?”
    “You catch. I’ll clean and cook.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes. I feel like just sitting by the fire with my coffee for a bit.”
    “Okay, if you’re sure.”
    Susannah nodded.
    Mark set his cup down on the picnic table and gathered his fishing gear. He gave her a quick kiss and headed down the shoreline.
    Susannah settled into her chair, cradling her mug. Sometimes the simplest things were the most treasured. It had been a long time since she’d relaxed this much. Buddy nudged her leg. She reached down and rubbed his ears. Life couldn’t get much better than that moment. Yet, the quiet wouldn’t last. Once the sun was up, people would be moving around and the area would be buzzing with boaters, skiers, and swimmers. At least anglers were quiet, not like the ear-splitting dirt bikes and ATVs.
    She watched several men casting lines a little further down the shore. Another man stepped from the timber and strolled up the beach. He must be out for an early morning walk, as he didn’t carry any fishing gear.
    As he drew nearer the camp, her heart once again chose to stop beating. It was the pedophile from the first failed kidnapping. He stopped. Glanced in several directions and stepped toward her. Buddy rose, growling, the hair on his back raised.
    The man looked at him, then back to her. He seemed to hesitate. Behind him, Susannah saw Mark coming up the beach with several fish. The pedophile followed her gaze, turned, and went on down the beach.
    What was that all about? Had he come here looking for children? Her mouth went dry. Surely, he hadn’t followed her. How could he? It had to be some awful coincidence.
    Mark set the fish on the table. “What’s wrong?”
    “That man?”
    “The one standing close to camp? What was that all about?”
    “That was the pedophile that tried to kidnap the girl, Megan, at the park.”
    “He’s here?”
    Susannah nodded.
    Mark pulled out his cell phone and cursed. “No signal. Get in the car.”
    “Why?”
    “We’re going to call the police.”
    The nearest phone was a ten miles back at the Indian Creek store.
    An hour later, a single deputy responded to the report. Susannah thought the circumstances would call for more manpower, but the deputy explained he was the only officer available.
    That was only one of several disappointments. A thorough search of the campground netted only a few bears and a couple of noisy drunks, no known felons. The man had once again slipped away.
                  ***
    Rachel handed Susannah her mug, already filled with coffee. “So, how was the weekend?”
    “Well for starters, Mark and I are still married.”
    “That’s a good