This is a suspense story about a woman's forgotten life and the mysterious connection it has to a five-year-old girl who was found late one night along the road.
While driving home one rainy night, Kate discovers a girl hidden along the roadside. When it is discovered that the girl has no family to care for her, Kate takes her under her wing in an attempt to show her the love that her life is lacking. From that point foward, things begin to rapidly unravel in her life as Kate remembers the horrible truth about her past. Memories, both good and unbearable, flood to her mind without warning, and her only real comfort comes from the smile of the young girl who refuses to speak. The images in her mind slowly begin to paint a picture of her forgotten life, and of what lies ahead. Her future, and the future of the young girl she cares so much about, lies in the hands of the only man who knows the entire truth, and plans to keep it that way.
Excerpt
After approximately five minutes or so, I was finally ready to get out of the car and look. I surprised myself with my unwarranted courage, as I was normally the type of person who would turn around and run in the opposite direction. Never before would I investigate the unknown, but I felt as if I had no choice but to look. I cautiously opened the door, mere inches at a time. I peered out through the open space, and then continued opening it another few inches, until the door was wide open. My feet touched the soggy ground and I stood. The mud oozed all around my shoes and even reached the bottom of my jeans. After pausing for a moment, I began to walk in the direction of the headlights.My heart pounded as if it was going to burst right through my chest. Even in the cool rain, I was burning. The sweat seeped from my palms and ran from my forehead. I could taste the saltiness as it streaked past my lips. I came upon the area where I had seen the shine, and I swallowed hard. My teeth clenched and I felt a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. I regretted leaving the safety of the Le Baron, but it was too late at that point. I slowly lowered myself to the ground before parting the tall grass with my hands. I gasped for air and dropped to my knees as I looked into the weeds. Before me were two water-filled eyes staring straight into mine. A small girl sat in a once pink dress, then saturated with mud, with her arms wrapped around her knees. Adorning her neck was a charm on a chain. The tiny silver charm was adog.
