Water Element by Janine Donoho Soundings
Is there hope for a grieving mother’s heart?
Ecopsychologist Dr. Margo Updike loses herself in a shadow life after her daughter’s tragic death. When a century storm deposits a young girl on Maggie’s secluded beach in Puget Sound, a miraculous renewal begins. Then the apparent orphan exhibits signs of neglect and worse, prompting Maggie’s vow to protect and heal her—no matter the cost.
The arrival of a mysterious man claiming to be Sorcha’s father upends Maggie’s life. She finds Morrissey strangely irresistible even as her friend Sheriff Ajax Smith questions the man’s motives and odd behavior. As a serial killer’s victims begin surfacing in Seal Cove, Jax must curb his suspicions to enlist Maggie as a profiler.
Will Jax and Maggie find the murderer before he strikes again? With Morrissey’s secrets trapping Maggie on destructive shoals between reality and legend, can she grasp his true nature before losing her chance to rebuild a life worth living? To what depths—and heights—will she go for a daughter, a beloved man and, ultimately, her humanity?
said, “Let’s go out to the deck.”
Sorcha and shushing the dogs, they let themselves out through the sliding door.
The friends headed for the covered space around the hot tub. With Kaci’s help, Maggie
removed the locked cover.
girls, for the important talks they gravitated toward Ephraim’s tub, then built
of cedar staves.
feature. This is Mom’s state-of-the-art spa. I think it’ll do.”
looks before stepping out of their mules and clambering onto the top platform. With
a controlled slide, they occupied the dry space. Wriggling her wool-clad toes, Kaci
said, “Comfy, Mags. You could fit six adults in here easily.”
scads of grandkids.”
who gripped it for comfort. “Now. Tell me what happened this morning.”
finishing with, “She didn’t even seem cold afterward. I was practically blue and
the dogs were exhausted. How can a four-, maybe five-year-old girl swim that far?”
Kaci’s mouth formed a silent wow. She
said, “No wonder she’s tired. But kids have faster metabolisms than adults, don’t
they?”
some other bizarre things are starting to surface.”
“Kaci, she didn’t know how to use doorknobs. And the bathroom seems like foreign
territory. I caught her squatting in the mudroom before you came. She thinks it’s
a fine game when I set her on the toilet. Just laughs and giggles. And she hasn’t
put three words together.”
you, though. And didn’t I hear an accent? Plus Sorcha’s not a common name. What
is it? Russian?”
at opening and shutting cabinets and drawers until the salmon distracted her. I’ve
put the pots and pans away twice now—with her helping me. She’s so bright and aware,
I’m afraid that at the very least, she’s been secluded to the point of abuse.”
the earth as Goddess and has tattoos covering nearly every inch of her body.”
Thanks so much, Kim, for hosting SOUNDINGS on your dynamic site. I relish connecting with readers and try to respond to all comments. Thank you again.