Áine Walker flees danger to Montana, where she finds safety, love, and passion with Jeb McNeil. Together, they face a relentless enemy, discovering courage, trust, and a chance at redemption.
Áine Walker flees danger to Montana, where she finds safety, love, and passion with Jeb McNeil. Together, they face a relentless enemy, discovering courage, trust, and a chance at redemption.
Áine
Walking down the sidewalk, the resounding echoes of my footsteps evoke a sense of urgency, sending shivers down my spine with every stride. My heart races, fear gripping me tight. It’s been four days since my life was turned upside down, four days since I saw him—the Skeleton. Sleepless nights, no appetite… I feel like I’m barely hanging on. I keep glancing around, expecting him to appear.
Living in New York has taught me to mind my own business. It’s a city of noise and people, but it can make you feel more alone than you ever imagined. I thought I could handle it. I thought I was strong enough to navigate it all on my own—until I saw him.
That night, he changed everything. The towering figure with silver hair and sunken eyes, committing an act so brutal I can still hear the sickening thud of his fist connecting with the helpless man in the alley. His cold, dead eyes haunt me, following me even into the sanctuary of my apartment.
Navigating the streets has become a perilous game of survival. Every morning, as I move through the anonymous crowds, I find a semblance of peace amidst the hustle and bustle, seeking solace within the walls of my office until evening, when it’s time to return home. But today is different. Trapped by rush-hour delays, I am left isolated on the sidewalk, with a growing sense of vulnerability hanging over me. As I walk, I can feel the weight of someone’s gaze, watching my every move. The screech of car tires echoes off the buildings, mingling with the blaring horns of rush-hour traffic. The bitter scent of exhaust fills the air, stinging my throat as I struggle to breathe. Every streetlamp casts long shadows that twist and reach toward me, as if they know what’s coming.
I’m almost at my apartment building when I notice a dark sedan parked nearby. Before I can react, someone grabs my arm and shoves me hard toward the car. I trip, the unforgiving concrete rushing up to meet me. Pain shoots through my knees as they slam against the pavement. Tears blur my vision as I look up—into the cold, dead eyes of the man from my nightmares. The Skeleton stands over me, his lips curling into a sickening, twisted smile.
Panic surges through me. I don’t have time to think, only react. I ball my hand into a fist and drive it into his knee. His grip loosens just enough for me to scramble to my feet and run toward the coffee shop in the distance, my breath ragged, my body aching, desperate to get away.
But he’s relentless. His footsteps pound behind me. Just as I reach the sidewalk, his hand clamps onto my arm, yanking me down again. His body crashes on top of mine, crushing the air from my lungs.
“Stop fighting me!” he snarls, his breath hot and foul against my cheek. “You’re coming with me. We need to talk about what you saw.” He pauses, then adds with a twisted laugh, as he hoists me back to my feet. “I won’t hurt you… much.”
I force myself to go limp, feigning surrender, waiting for the right moment. He drags my limp body along the rough concert sidewalk toward the waiting sedan, but as he reaches for the door, he loosens his grip for just a second, leaving himself exposed. That’s my chance. I drop to my knees and, with all the force I can muster, punch him square in the crotch.
His strangled yell fills the air as he releases me, doubling over, his hands flying to his groin. His face flushes crimson, veins pulsing in his forehead. I keep moving and don’t stop to watch. Summoning all my strength, I rise unsteadily and sprint urgently towards the coffee shop, which is just a hundred feet away. I can see people milling around, sitting at tables in the cool evening air. If I can reach them, I tell myself I will be safe from him.
As I stumble into the crowd of concerned onlookers, a woman rushes over and gently places her hand on my arm. Her voice is warm and full of concern. “Are you okay? Do you need me to call the police?”
I glance behind me, spotting the Skeleton limping back to his sedan. The screech of tires echoes as he speeds off, his figure disappearing into the night. I turn back to the woman, still shaking.
“I’m okay,” I whisper, though my knees are throbbing, and my mind is racing. “I just need to sit down for a moment.” With trembling hands and a grimace, I shift from one leg to another, the pain from my fall and being dragged around catching up to me.
“Oh, of course! Here, sit down,” she says, concern filling her voice. She pulls a chair from a nearby table and gently guides me into it. “Let me get you a glass of water. Are you sure you don’t want me to call the police? That man looked like he was serious about catching you.”
Noticing her coffee shop logo-adorned shirt, I realize she must be a server. “No, but thank you for helping me.”
With a pat on my arm, the server smiles. “No worries. I’m glad I could help. Let me fetch you some water.” She quickly turns away and heads toward the front of the coffee shop.
I wait for her to leave before rising from the chair and walking the final block to my apartment. The decision is already made. I can’t stay in New York. This city, once the backdrop to my ambition and success, has become a prison. The Skeleton is out there, and no matter where I go, his presence lingers. I need to leave.
When I reach my apartment, I double-lock the door, leaning against it as I exhale a shaky breath. The wounds on my knees sting as I shuffle to the couch, the adrenaline fading. Blood trickles down my legs, staining my shoes. My body aches, but it’s nothing compared to the dread weighing on my chest. The thought of the Skeleton finding me again is unbearable.
Then, like a ray of hope amid the turmoil, my phone rings from inside my purse. Thankfully, it’s within reach, saving me the effort of getting up with my aching knees. Pulling out my phone, I see its Ivy, my best friend and cousin. Taking a calming breath, I answer.
“Hey girlie, how are you?” I whisper, my voice tight.
“Áine, are you okay? You sound funny,” Ivy asks, her voice full of concern.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Rough day at work. How are you and your new man doing?” As I wait for Ivy to speak, an idea pops into my mind. A few months ago, Ivy had invited me to visit her in Montana. Moving there was her way of starting over after her husband died, and she described it as a beautiful place. Montana seems like the perfect place to hide from the Skeleton.
Before I can ask about visiting, she blurts out, “Well, about that. I’m calling because I need you to be my maid of honor at my wedding in a month. Can you take some time off work for the wedding?”
The news catches me off guard. Ivy, my cousin who moved to Montana to start over after her husband’s death, was finally finding happiness again. It’s a beacon of hope in the darkness. And then it hits me. This is my way out.
“Congratulations, girlie! I’m so happy for you and Gabe! Of course, I’ll be at your wedding. I’m excited to be your maid of honor!”
“Do you think you could come a few weeks early?” Ivy asks, excitement in her voice. “I’d love to catch up before the big day.”
As Ivy speaks, it hits me I can’t return to this city with the Skeleton still alive. I need to leave this place for good. Without hesitating, I make a choice that will change my future. “About that. How would you feel about me moving to Montana? I’m tired of the city and all the stress.” I clench my hands and hold my breath, waiting for her response.
“Really? That’s the best idea I’ve ever heard! I miss you and having you nearby would make me so happy! Are you sure? I know how important your job is to you.”
“Yes, I’m sure. I need a change, and Montana is a great place to start over.” As I grip the phone, I let out a sigh, releasing the breath I’ve been holding.
“I know there’s more to the story than wanting a change, Áine. Just get here, and we can talk about it. I’ll take any reason for you to move closer. Gabe and I would love to have you at the ranch. Do you need us to drive up and help you move?”
“No, I only have a few personal items I want to bring. I’ll leave tomorrow morning and see you in a few days. I can’t wait to see you. Love you, girlie.” I settle into the couch, feeling some of the weight of uncertainty lift as I consider moving to Montana.
“See you soon! Call me before you leave and every few hours. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“Will do. Night, and talk to you tomorrow.” I hang up the phone.
Determined, I slowly rise from the couch and hobble towards the bathroom to clean and tend to my scrapes. After that, I need to pack. Ivy’s invitation to Montana offers a glimmer of hope, a chance to escape the clutches of fear and uncertainty.
Áine’s Salvation by Ann Dunbar follows a brave young woman fleeing from danger and finding love when she least suspects it.
In Dunbar’s latest book in the Evanston series, we follow Áine as she witnesses a gruesome murder and narrowly escapes being kidnapped by the perpetrator whom she calls the skeleton man. When her best friend Ivy invites her to be the maid-of-honour in her upcoming wedding, Áine sees a safety net to fall into and drives non-stop to Ivy’s family’s sprawling Montana ranch. The first time Áine locks eyes with Jeb McNeil, the foreman of the ranch, sparks ignite between the pair and Jeb vows to protect Áine at all costs.
Áine’s Salvation is the definition of the romantic suspense genre. We know the love between Áine and Jeb will be tested by a traumatic event; in this case, Áine’s stalker tracking her every move and their inevitable meeting. The element of suspense added to the heat between our beloved characters as we witness Jeb’s devotion growing and his need to protect Áine is proven.
The characters in this book become real people in the mind of the reader. Áine and Jeb were thoroughly flushed out but the unsung heroes of the story were Ivy and her husband Graham. Ivy, Graham, and their children give Áine’s Salvation an element of coziness.
Áine’s Salvation was difficult to put down at points thanks to tension coming from multiple angles. The pressure of the skeleton man potentially finding Áine is enough to keep the reader on the edge of their seat with concern for our main character but the love connection between her and Jeb is more than enough to keep the reader waiting for each kiss. Dunbar weaves a well prepared story with characters who feel real.
I would thoroughly recommend this book for readers who enjoy a beautiful ranch setting, spicy tension, with a shot of thriller. No reader will be disappointed by the conclusion of Áine’s Salvation.