Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
indd 1
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 2
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 3
1/27/17 2:12 PM
Evangelical Christian
Publishers Association
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 4
1/27/17 2:12 PM
Dedication
To Jerry and Dianna Jenkins
Long after Ive officially lost my mind,
Ill still remember Thailand 2011.
Thank you.
With special thanks to Kelly McIntosh and JoAnne Simmons
(Barbour Publishing, Inc.) and to Jessica Kirkland (Kirkland
Media Management). I owe each of you lunch. . .for a year.
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 5
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 6
1/27/17 2:12 PM
Chapter 1
Risk!
Avery froze at the back of the chapel, barely able to
breathe.
She had come to meet with Tuck and show him the
secret she and Kendrick discovered, painted in vivid color
on the ceiling.
Instead she found herself staring at the most powerful
man on earth. Fortunately, he was kneeling with his back
to her and couldnt know she was there, but it was him all
right.
No matter how many times she had imagined meeting
the king, Avery had never dreamed it might happen by
accident.
Candlelight danced on the gold-gilded walls and
illuminated the stained-glass windows.
You have one chance.
She held her breath and started down the aisle,
determined to not let this opportunity pass. Every silent
The Paper Boat
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 7
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 8
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 9
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 10
1/27/17 2:12 PM
chapter 2
Cell Mate
Im dreaming, Avery told herself, keeping her distance from
the staring hooded figure. Youre dead, she said. Move
away.
The ancient woman who had snatched her from the
woods so long ago cackled and rasped, Which is it? Am I
dead, or do you want me to move?
Avery narrowed her eyes, ready to defend herself.
Relax, the woman said. Youre not going anywhere
anytime soon, and neither am I. Sit.
I dont have to do what you say.
The woman pulled her hood lower, but Avery could
still make out the dark, bulging eyes, wiry white hair,
and wrinkled skinas terrifying a face in the dark as it
had been in the light of day. Especially when Avery was
convinced she was seeing a ghost.
Sit! the woman hissed.
Avery folded her arms and planted her feet.
The Paper Boat
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 11
11
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 12
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 13
13
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 14
1/27/17 2:12 PM
Chapter 3
Day of Reckoning
The old woman folded her hands and spoke in a singsong
tone. I first came to this castle when my granddaughters
were small.
Kate and her older sister, Edith.
Are you tellin the story or am I? the woman snapped.
They were ungry and I had nothing to give em. Queen
Elizabeth promised me a job, but her sister Angelina
promised me the world.
So you served Angelina?
The woman shrugged. She told me if I helped her
get to the throne, shed give my granddaughters titles and
fortunes. I didnt realize elping Angelina meant urting
Queen Elizabeth.
Avery glanced at the cell door, fearing guards might
burst in and drag the woman away. Get to the point.
It was I who attended the birth. Nobody expected a
problem. Elizabeth adnt been sick or even in pain for the
The Paper Boat
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 15
15
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 16
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 17
17
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 18
1/27/17 2:12 PM
From the day Avery arrived, shed been sure her father
was looking for her and that her brother Henry was also
being held somewhere. But after returning to find squatters
had invaded her familys cottage and now learning the old
woman had never kidnapped Henry, she couldnt be sure of
anything.
And my mother. Could it be true? Did the old woman really
know?
That ray of hope gave Avery the courage to go on. She
needed a way out of the cell before the guards returned.
And she needed to find Kendrick before Kate did.
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 19
19
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 20
1/27/17 2:12 PM
chapter 4
A Secret Message
Avery awoke the next morning to cheering outside her
window. The crowd seemed to grow more excited, and she
realized what they were celebrating.
The old woman is dead.
But what had she done?
Averys stomach twisted, and she staved off thoughts of
food by praying for Henrythat he was healthy and happy,
and that, if he couldnt grow up with his family, he would
grow up surrounded by people who loved him.
More cheering outside.
Avery cringed.
I will be next.
h
The answer came sooner than expected.
Avery heard the heavy footsteps outside her cell and
braced herself, her heartbeat racing at the sound. She stood
The Paper Boat
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 21
21
1/27/17 2:12 PM
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 22
1/27/17 2:12 PM
chapter 5
TXT_Paper Boat.indd 23
23
1/27/17 2:12 PM
Continue Reading...
1/27/17 2:12 PM