Finding Anna (Hidden Duet Book 1) Read online

  Finding Anna

  LM Terry

  Finding Anna

  Copyright © 2018 LM Terry

  Published by LM Terry

  All rights Reserved

  No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form, either electronically or by mechanical means without prior written consent from the author. Brief quotes are permitted in the instance of reviews or critical articles. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book can not be re-sold or given away.

  This book is intended for readers 18 and older, due to adult content and language. This is a work of fiction. Any names, places, characters, events or incidents come from the author’s imagination and are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover Art by Betibup33 Design

  DEDICATION

  ∞∞∞

  To my Husband and Children

  To my husband, thank you for always loving me unconditionally. Thank you for supporting me in making my dream become a reality. To my children thank you for listening to my endless chatter and always cheering me on. My family's love will always be the backbone of my success.

  To my Beta Readers

  Thank you ladies for taking time out of your busy lives to give my story a chance. For your advice and most of all your words of encouragement. You kept me going on the darkest of days.

  To my Parents and Sister

  To my number one fan, my sister, thank you for being the first person to be brave enough to dive into the story. To my dad for teaching me to work hard. And, lastly to my mother, she instilled a love in me for words and I will forever be grateful. I know that you have been an angel on my shoulder from page one.

  You fall, you rise, you make mistakes, you live, you learn. You’re human, not perfect. You’ve been hurt, but you’re alive. Think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, and to chase the things you love. Sometimes there is sadness in our journey but there is also lots of beauty. We must keep putting one foot in front of the other even when we hurt, for we will never know what is waiting for us just around the bend. ~ unkNown

  CONTENTS

  Finding Anna

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Preface

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  ChapterThirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Preface

  ∞∞∞

  Anna

  I woke up wondering why I couldn’t smell my mom’s gourmet coffee. My parent’s routine is usually like clockwork. Something feels off this morning. “Mom, Dad,” I say as I round the corner to the kitchen. It’s empty. My heart rate picks up as I slowly spin, a little niggle of fear creeps up my spine.

  My eye catches a white envelope left on the center of the table…with my name written on it. Well, the name that used to be mine. I have been living a dead girl’s life ever since mine was taken from me. It is my name! I slowly reach for the envelope, half expecting it to vanish before my eyes. I snatch it, running down the hallway back to my room, locking the door behind me.

  My hands tremble as I stare at the envelope. With my back against the door I run my finger across the familiar, beautiful, wispy handwriting that was my mothers. Not the dead girl’s mom but my mother…Anna Velazquez’s. I whisper the name to myself, “Anna Velazquez”. I have not spoken nor heard it since I was ten.

  I hold the letter to my chest. What does this mean? Are my parents finally coming for me? Sophia, my nanny told me they would come as soon as it was safe, that I would stay with the Madronos. I needed to pretend that I was their daughter. Just for a short time she said. That was nine years ago.

  I look at the envelope again. I have been waiting for what seems like an eternity for this, for answers. I run my finger under the seam, ripping it open unevenly. Inside is one piece of paper with a handwritten letter from my mother.

  Happy Birthday Dearest Anna,

  Is it my Birthday? I look up on the corkboard above my desk to the calendar. Yes, my nineteenth. How could I forget? I shake my head. It is because they have not allowed me to acknowledge my previous life. I have been celebrating Sarah’s birthday as my own for the past nine years…nine years. I focus my attention back to the letter.

  If you are reading this, then I have been successful in keeping you hidden. I hope that the Madronos treated you well. Lila was a dear friend of mine. When she lost Sarah in that horrible drowning accident I knew you taking her identity was the only way to keep you safe. My dream has always been for you to be happy and I pray that you are.

  Please know your father and I both love you very much. You are our world. By now I am sure you realize that this is your life. It is important that you do not try to locate us Anna. It is far too dangerous.

  I asked the Madronos to give you this letter on your nineteenth birthday. An account has been set up for you at the Hearthside Bank in Sarah’s name and you are now the owner of the ranch. The Madrono’s are on their way to enjoy a much-needed getaway. Don’t worry over them as they have been compensated for the promise of seeing you safe. I’m sure that this has not always been easy for them. I know that they missed their beloved Sarah as I missed you.

  I want you to be free Anna, free of your father’s business, free to live a life of your choosing. As long as you keep Sarah’s identity and do not try to find us you should remain safe.

  I love you Anna, more than you will ever know…Love mom

  The fire of anger radiates through me. It’s like a small ember has been smoldering in the pit of my stomach for the past nine years. I have been waiting for something, anything, and this is all I get, no explanation as to what they thought I needed to hide from. “What the fuck,” I whisper.

  I remember my mother, elegant and quiet. Always keeping me herded within her skirts. I was safe and protected on my father’s estate. Then she sent me away, sending me off across the border with only Sophia to accompany me. I have not felt safe or happy since that day. All I feel is empty and alone. It’s more than just a feeling…I am alone.

  I crumple up the letter in my fist and toss it in the wastebasket by my desk. Well, now what? I guess the only thing to do, put one foot in front of the other. That is what I have done my whole life, one foot in front of the other.

  I push myself off the door, turning to unlock it. I hesitate as I step back out into the hallway, poking my head out to make sure the unknown monster I have been hiding from is not waiting for me.

  I stop outside my parent’s room. I place my ear up to the cool wood and listen, nothing. It’s not like the Madron
os were ever mean, it’s just I always had the feeling they didn’t want me. I think they did in the beginning, hoping that I would somehow fill the void that was Sarah. I push the door open letting my eyes roam, stopping on the closet, empty except for a few stray hangers scattered along the carpet.

  I guess that is that. I am alone. Alone with my fear of the faceless monster. One foot in front of the other I repeat to myself, one foot in front of the other.

  Chapter One

  ∞∞∞

  Anna

  It’s been two weeks since my birthday. I guess I am coming to terms with living alone and the fact that no one is showing up for me. Maybe the faceless monster has given up too.

  I have been feeling guilty for being so angry at my mom. I am not naïve about the life I left behind on the estate. I remember the guards and the guns. My mother tried to distract me from them and my father’s business. I’m not even sure what his “business” was.

  My father was always locked away in his office. The only time I ever really spent with him was during meals. Even those times were interrupted, he constantly had to take a call, or a guard would come in and whisper to him. He would give my mother that apologetic look as he rose from the table.

  I do not know if my parents are still alive. I have considered getting a passport to go back across the border and search for them. I don’t. I can’t. Every time I park at my local post office to fill out the paperwork, I end up sitting in my car for hours, picturing my mother’s fear. She was so afraid the day she whisked me away.

  I wish I had a face to put on the unknown monster. Was it a disgruntled business partner? Was my father doing something illegal? I do not understand what I have been hiding from and that is what makes me hide from everything and everyone.

  My anxiety rises as I pull up to my job. It’s a little bookstore in a quiet community a few miles from the ranch. I was home-schooled, my parents encouraged me to take a position in town to help me socialize. I picked this place hoping that it would limit my contact with others. People go into a bookstore for an escape. They are looking for another world to meld into. They spend much of their time there with their nose in a book. It’s the perfect place for me to work. I don’t like being the focus of attention and here I am not.

  I am an avid adventurer through novels myself. Stories are my only outside understanding of life. I have had exactly two realities, one on my father’s estate and one here on the ranch. That is okay with me, I have traveled the globe going as far away as other galaxies, time traveling to different dimensions all while in the safety of my bedroom.

  I take a quick peek in the rearview mirror before getting out. Contacts check, hair up check. I look into my eyes again. Even they belong to Sarah, a deep warm brown. My real eyes, the one hidden beneath these dark depths are blue. I have worn contacts since I was ten. Sarah and I were similar but our eye color was not. My new parents insisted that I wear them.

  I have always tried to blend in, fly under the radar so to speak. Around the time of my thirteenth birthday it became harder and harder as I observed boys taking notice of my curving figure. I started wearing my hair up, no makeup and the least form fitting clothes I could find, it has seemed to work this far.

  I make my way across the street to the bookstore casing the area as I do. I’m always watchful never able to let my guard down. I tell myself that it is silly after nine years what am I afraid of? Whatever monster my mother thought was after me has vanished. Vanished just like Anna Velasquez.

  The door dings upon my entry and two gray heads peek up at me over the tops of their books. “Good morning Frank, morning Irene.” I smile as they both rise from their seats coming towards me for “hugs”. I brace myself for the contact.

  “Good morning Sarah how are you?” Irene says pushing me back to gaze into my eyes. “Honey, are you sure you are up to working today? You seem a little pale. Frank does she look pale to you?”

  “I think she looks fine, don’t make her self-conscious.” He winks, flashing me a warm smile.

  Guilt consumes me for lying to them. The day I found my mother’s letter I called them, telling them I was sick with the flu. I told them my doctor had advised that I take a few weeks off. I would have taken more time, but I know that they have plans in Dallas tomorrow, a big book fair of some sort.

  They have spent their entire lives here in this store. They even live in the small apartment above. I envy them, having each other to lean on, so comfortable in the world they carved out for themselves.

  “I’m fine, really. I wouldn’t want you to miss your trip. I needed to get out of the house, the walls were closing in on me.” It’s a lie, I could hide away in my room forever.

  They seem to accept that I am feeling better and make their way to their perch behind the counter. Just like two peas in a pod they put their noses back in their respective books.

  I sigh sauntering over to the coffee nook, drawn there by the comforting smell of rich beans brewing. It’s in a little space in the corner of the store. They set small tables for customers who want a quiet place to work or study. There are big picture windows letting in the warm sunlight. It was a nice addition they added shortly after I started there.

  I notice a laptop open on one table. I turn to my employers. “Do we have a customer already this morning?”

  Neither look up from their book, Irene nods in response. I stare out the window seeing a gentleman on his phone standing on the corner. I notice the car in front of the store, Kansas plates. He could be in town on business.

  I turn to walk away, then it hits me out of nowhere, an overwhelming urge. I nonchalantly walk over to the open laptop. The screen is still lit. He must have just received the call and stepped outside to take it. I look out the window. The man has his phone up to his ear, absently looking off in the distance across the street.

  I quickly without giving it much thought click on the Internet button and type Manuel Velazquez, my real father’s name in the white search box. I hit the return key. Waiting as the computer does its thinking I peer up to determine if either my employers or the man from outside is watching me.

  He is no longer standing on the corner. He is making his way up the steps to the bookstore. I see that my inquiry has brought something up. There is no time! I quickly click out of the browser and step back towards the counter retrieving my freshly poured coffee just as the door dings his arrival.

  I shake as I pull the cup to my mouth using both hands. What the hell was I thinking? Part of me is ashamed that I invaded a stranger’s space. The other half is humming from the thrill of doing something so daring.

  I hear the man pick up his things behind me then stop to ask Frank for directions to the nearest motel. I glance over as he picks up a business card off the counter. With the snap of a finger he is gone.

  My pulse slowly returns to normal. I scold myself for being so stupid. But, I know deep down it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. A computer that could not be connected to me. One that could have provided answers if only I would have had a minute longer.

  Chapter Two

  ∞∞∞

  Anna

  The next morning, I head to work early. I check my phone seeing a text from Frank letting me know they hit the road for Dallas. I smile to myself, besides my parents Frank and Irene are the only other people I communicate with. I told myself that I need to make friends here. I have just been waiting to go back to the life I once had, with old friends and family.

  I park in front of the store, I promise myself that I will try putting myself out there. I have wasted too much time waiting. No one is coming for me. Now that my parent’s and Sarah’s parents are gone I am finding myself craving human interaction.

  I glance around as I cross the street. It seems like there is more traffic than usual in the sleepy little community. I shrug off the thought grabbing my keys from my bag going in and starting the morning coffee.

  I sit behind the counter pulling my phone out of my ba
ck pocket. Last night I downloaded an app for the Hearthside bank, sure enough there was an account set up in Sarah’s name. I log in again. Current balance two million dollars. Two million dollars. I have always known my parent’s, both sets were wealthy. I have never wanted for anything, but I can’t wrap my mind around the number.

  I close out of the screen shoving the phone back in my pocket. The large amount in my account just adds to the unanswered questions. If my real parents had cash like this then why did they need to send me away? Why couldn’t they have used it to keep me safe? That and with the money I am sure they provided the Madronos that should easily have afforded me protection.

  Maybe they didn’t want me. Maybe it was easy for them to send me away. The letter, the account set up all those years ago tells me that my mom never planned for me to return home. The Madronos seemed to have had no problem walking away either.

  My throat tightens, I force myself to push the thoughts out of my mind. I don’t cry. I haven’t cried since the day I said goodbye to my mother and I refuse to start now. One foot in front of the other. I repeat my mantra in my head as I get up to organize a box of newly arrived novels.

  The door dings heralding a customer’s arrival. I look up seeing a police officer and another man wearing a suit and tie. I leave the pile of books and walk over to greet them at the counter putting on my best customer service smile. “Good morning, how may I help you?”

  “Good morning. Yes, I am Detective Liam Sharp, and this is Officer Gallagher.” He opens a little black case showing me his badge. “Could I please speak to the owner or the supervisor here?” he asks.

  “I’m afraid the owners are not in today,” I tell them. “Is there something I can assist you with?”