Shadow of Fear — Jane Peart

When Challys Winthrop promises her dying mother to take care of her little brother, Ty, she knows it means keeping him away from her demented stepfather. But in order to do so, she is forced to go against her guileless nature and devise an elaborate plan to kidnap the child. Through it all, a shadow of fear follows her. Will she ever be free of her stepfather's hold on her and Ty?