Stalked By the Lumberjack
1. Prologue
Prologue
Savannah
One Year Ago
T he beauty of Magnolia Falls takes my breath away as soon as we arrive in the small town. It’s located in the Tennessee mountains, just a few hours away from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, but unlike them, Magnolia Falls is remote.
Surprisingly, the town isn’t marked on the map I have, but my only friend Olivia received information about it through a connection with a distant family member. More importantly, Derek, my bastard of a husband, will never think to look for me here. With mountains, valleys, and beauty all around, I feel thrilled at the prospect of establishing my new life in this quaint town. With a population of only a few hundred people, you can travel for a considerable distance without spotting another soul, especially if you bypass the main street. This small town will provide a protective shield for Kenzi, keeping her safe from her father. Just thinking of my husband, Derek, has me trembling in fear.
It’s rare to find places like this nowadays. This town is picture perfect, almost as if time has stood still. On the main paved road through the valley are an assortment of small businesses. Dotted along the thin and curving road, the tiny stores look like something off a vintage postcard. Olivia mentioned that during her visits as a small child, the downtown sidewalk was always beautifully decorated for Christmas, resembling a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie. It’s exciting to think about the freedom we’ll experience during our first Christmas here. Our home and lives will overflow with happiness and cheerfulness. My precious girl will never have to experience negativity, violence, or suffering again. Kenzi can finally experience a true childhood and feel secure for the first time in her young life.
I feel instant relief as we pass by the shops and stores, knowing the alternative is too frightening to consider. As we leave the valley and ascend the mountains, the road becomes treacherous. Extremely curvy and winding, with no lines marked on the road. There is barely any room for oncoming traffic, so when you meet someone from the opposite direction, the other person has to move over and allow you to pass. The winter months will surely present difficulty in passing them, but for now, I just need a safe place to land. We’ll deal with everything else once we get settled.