town of Ouray, Colorado. I changed the name and county so I didn’t have to worry too much about the exact details but rather could have fun writing my story—you know, artistic license and all that! The toy store is loosely modeled after the real store there in Ouray—O’Toys, which is owned by my brother and sister-in-law! I had hoped to write a story that would include their store and the opportunity came when my editor contacted me about writing a story in Colorado. I love it when that happens!
I also love to hear from my readers. Please hop on over to my new website at elizabethgoddard.com to find ways to connect with me and sign up for my newsletter.
Blessings!
Elizabeth Goddard
The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence.
—2 Samuel 22:3
Dedicated to all those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us—both two-legged and four-legged creatures.
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to my new editor, Shana Asaro, for asking me to write a K-9 mountain rescue story! I’ve always loved these stories from LIS and this gave me a chance to showcase my own dog (though not a K-9)—an English mastiff named Solomon. As always, I so appreciate the encouragement and support from my writing friends—we’ve journeyed long and hard to get here! All my gratitude to my agent, Steve Laube, for believing in me. It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway—thank you, Dan, Christopher, Jonathan, Andrew and Rachel for your patience with this novel-writing mom.
Contents
Note to Readers
Southwest Rocky Mountains,
Colorado
The wind picked up and whipped big snowflakes around Deputy Sierra Young’s head as she followed Samson, her K-9 mountain rescue English mastiff, up the densely wooded incline. She maintained a steady pace but her heart rate increased along with her breathing.
She hoped the small plane hadn’t crashed too high in the San Juan Mountains. That could make it impossible for her and Samson, as well as the SAR—search and rescue—volunteers,
