Missionary Daddy by Linda Goodnight

Author:Linda Goodnight [Goodnight, Linda]
Format: epub
Tags: American Light Romantic Fiction, Romance: Modern, Contemporary, General, Romance, Fiction, Fiction - Romance, Romance - General, Christian, Religious - General, Religious
ISBN: 9780373874446
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2007-08-01T23:11:06.734000+00:00

Chapter Nine

Sam was trapped.

The doorbell rang again for at least the twentieth time, but she didn’t race down the stairs. She knew who it was.

Reporters.

She gazed out the window of her temporary bedroom to the chaotic scene below. A half-dozen media types camped outside the Harcourt mansion waiting for her appearance. She’d opened the door once, but not again. Not after the horrible things they’d said.

The telephone jangled. She didn’t dare answer.

She picked up the Richmond Gazette and read the piece again. The paper had received another letter, full of poisonous threats and accusations toward the ongoing investigation at the Tiny Blessings Adoption Agency.

This time, the author specifically mentioned the Harcourt family, spewing veiled accusations, claiming the living Harcourts were as guilty as the dead Barnaby Harcourt. At one point, the writer stated, “The Harcourts, especially Samantha the fancy model, have an inflated sense of self-importance.” The letter writer went on to rehash Ashley’s child born out of wedlock and hinted that Sam must be hiding some indiscretion to have remained in provincial Chestnut Grove for such an extended period of time.

As intended, the words stung. And had set the tabloids on fire with speculation.

Ever since Ross Van Zandt had begun his probe of the records, trouble had followed like hungry hyenas stalking a wounded antelope.

Though she and her family were no longer directly connected with the agency or the investigation, they couldn’t escape the past. After the recent discovery of Ben Cavanaugh’s false adoption papers in her wall, the pressure had mounted. Her grandfather had left behind a terrible legacy of lies, extortion and baby selling.

As a result, any number of people could be uncomfortable with Ross’s investigation, as well as with the stories in the Gazette and other less reputable papers. Jared Kierney, an honest reporter who had adopted through Tiny Blessings, was doing his best to show the agency in a positive light. He had also gone out of his way to de-vilify the remaining Harcourt family.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t working. At least not today.

For whatever reason, someone wanted an end to the investigation and news reports. And they weren’t afraid to send scathing letters to both the agency and the newspaper. Letters that fueled a ravenous media.

Yellow journalism prevailed, especially when a spokesmodel and her wealthy family were involved. Even her agent had heard the news and worried Style would pull her contract due to negative publicity.

A band of tension squeezed her forehead. She rubbed at it.

“Lord, if you’re available, I sure could use some peace and quiet.”

Someone pounded on the front door. Though she should be immune by now, Sam jumped. She doubted seriously it was the help she’d prayed for.

“Miss Harcourt. Give us a statement.”

Yeah, right. They didn’t want a statement. They wanted something scandalous or scintillating, especially if they could stick her picture above a misleading caption. Though she maintained a low profile, being the Style girl made her a target for every bozo with a camera and a hankering to make a few bucks.

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