A suspected murderess flees her former life in search of tranquility, but the past refuses to die, threatening to destroy her new found happiness.
Lilly Price is an abused woman on the run, but she can’t hide forever. Desperate to escape public scrutiny following accusations that she hired a hit man to kill her fiancé, Lilly hopes to rebuild her life in a new town.
Widowed Zach Woodbridge is in no hurry to find another bride. He longs for a peaceful summer, writing at his lakeside cottage. Things change after an introduction to his grandmother’s intriguing new assistant, Lilly.
When Lilly’s secrets are revealed, can their fragile relationship weather the storm? And when a man from her past wishes to reclaim Lilly, using any force necessary, can she and Zach protect the people they love?
Excerpt:
Zach took the spot next to her, and his thigh rested against hers as he sat back against the cushions. He seemed blithely unaware he touched her, but Lilly’s body was all too aware of his proximity.
The rose perfume Margaret loved to squirt around the room wafted up as Zach shifted on the couch, and Lilly managed not to turn her nose up. She wished she dared lean in close to discover his scent. Maybe it could banish the essence of old lady.
A member of the kitchen staff arrived with the coffee and Margaret poured. Lilly snuck another discrete glance at the clock, relieved to see it moving along. Although she enjoyed spending time with Zach, this afternoon had been exceedingly uncomfortable. Only a half hour to go.
“Now, Lilly,” Margaret said as soon as the three of them were alone in the room, “Zach has a favor to ask you, and I sincerely hope you’ll consider helping him out.”
Lilly took a sip of her sweetened coffee and tried not to look apprehensive. What could Zach possibly need from her?
“As you probably know,” Margaret continued, oblivious to Lilly’s anxiety, “Zach has come here to concentrate on writing a mystery novel.”
Lilly smiled despite her nerves, excitement overcoming her. There were few things she’d rather do than lose herself in a novel. “Yes, we already talked about that.” She flicked her gaze to Zach. “Did you need some help researching? I’d be more than happy to help if you’ll let me read your book as you go along.”
Zach looked amused, though he didn’t display his devastating smile that had shaken her so much. “The book is not what I need your help with.”
“Oh.” Lilly stifled her disappointment. She’d hoped Zach would trust her with his work. She loved books more than anything else. During her darkest times she could always escape into a book, travel to a different world and forget her troubles for a while.
Zach leaned forward to set his cup on the coffee table and grinned at her. “I could probably be persuaded to allow you to see it.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” It might also provide more opportunity to spend time with him.
Margaret smiled at both of them. “I knew you two would hit it off. That’s what makes you so perfect for what we need, Lilly.”
Lilly’s anxiety flooded back. “And that would be?”
“Here’s the thing.” Zach shifted in his seat and picked at a piece of lint on his pants. “It’s been over three years since I was widowed, and Mother’s worried about me being on my own. She set up a dinner party on their boat for tomorrow night.” He shook his head, irritation in his green eyes. “I’m going to be trapped for hours with a group of women my mother has hand selected. Apparently, they all think one of them will be my new wife, that this is some sort of game to win my affection. If I show up alone, they will be on me in an instant. I can’t imagine what Mother was thinking.”
“Everyone wants to marry a Woodbridge, you see.” Margaret reached forward to pat Lilly’s hand. “That’s where you come in. You can be his date.”
This was the last thing Lilly expected. However, Zach’s comment about a fish disaster now made sense. What were they thinking? She was the hired help, not a pretty socialite appropriate for a man in Zach’s position. “His date?” she finally asked in a small voice.
“Well, of course, dear,” Margaret said, “to keep the other women away. Zach’s mother won’t stop this unless we dissuade her. If Zach comes to all her events with you, she’ll have no choice but to give up and stop forcing women on him.”
“I really don’t understand,” Lilly said. She turned to Zach. “Why don’t you go on a few dates and make your mother happy?”
“I don’t have time for romance right now,” Zach explained. “Besides I came here to spend time writing. When I arrived on Wednesday, Mother told me about the party and the women who are attending. She seems to think I’ll fall madly in love with one of them. If I allow her to, Mother will force prospective girlfriends on me all summer.”
“It would be really good for you, Lilly.” Margaret’s voice held a coaxing note. “You could get out on the town and meet people in the area. You told me the other day you really haven’t connected much with anyone here or found new friends.”
Lilly wondered whom Margaret imagined she would make friends with; perhaps the staff hired to wait on the guests. As far as any of the people there would be concerned, Lilly would be only an employee of the family. If the partygoers ever did learn who she was, learn she was actually their social equal, her shady past would put an end to any good will.
“I don’t think this will work out.” Lilly picked her words carefully. “I’m sure your parents have certain expectations. Your grandmother’s employee is hardly going to fulfill your mother’s dream of the perfect date.” Besides, if she lost her heart to Zach, she’d only face heartache when he no longer had use for her.
“You’re wrong. You’re perfect.” Zach reached out and took Lilly’s hand in his own. “When I spoke to Mother, I told her I was capable of choosing my own relationships. As far as Mother knows, you’ll be totally devoted to me, since you have no family or other social connections to distract you.” He winked. “Besides, you are so beautiful, my family will be won over in no time.”
Lilly pulled her hand out of his and brushed aside the compliment. She tried hard not to feel offended by his unconscious arrogance. Before she lost everything, she probably looked down at poor people the same way he now looked at her, without ever knowing she did it. What would Zach think if he discovered she used to have money and connections and family of her own?
The silence stretched out between them. Lilly tried to think of a way to refuse him without putting her job in jeopardy. She couldn’t afford to offend Zach or Margaret.
If only Zach had asked her on a date without all this explanation. She would have loved to go with him.
Zach seemed no longer able to take the tension. “I would pay you for your time, of course.”
Lilly sucked in a breath and leaned away from him, her heart clenching. “You want to pay me to date you?”
“Now, dear,” Margaret said quickly, “that’s not really what he meant.”
“I didn’t mean that to be insulting.” Zach leaned forward to capture Lilly’s free hand in his own. “I need a date and Grandma said you are in a tight situation financially. It would be fun and benefit us both. Just hang out with me on the weekends. I’ll even buy you new dresses. No one outside the family has to know you don’t have money.”
Lilly’s heart beat fast. “It’s such a lovely offer,” she managed through clenched teeth. Stay professional, Lilly. She stood, ignoring the lance of pain that jabbed through her thigh. “I’m afraid I really must decline. Mrs. Woodbridge, my shift is over now. I’ll see you Monday.”
She limped, full speed, toward the exit. Lilly turned the handle, but Zach’s hand rested against the door before she could open it.
“Hang on a minute here. What do you mean you ‘must decline?’” Zach shook his head. “I’m sorry if I offended you, but don’t let emotion cloud your judgment. I need you, and you need money. I’ll offer a really good wage and I’m less demanding than my grandma, I’d bet.”
Any concern about the loss of her job faded against her growing rage. “Sir, if what you are looking for is an escort, I am sure they have a service you can call.” Anger clipped each word. “If you are looking for more than a date and need bed services too, find yourself a hooker. I am no prostitute!”
Zach couldn’t have looked more stunned if she’d slapped him, and his hand dropped away from the doorframe. “I truly didn’t mean it like that. I’m so sorry.”
Lilly yanked on the door so hard it flew open and bounced off the wall. She stormed to the elevator without saying another word. Fortunately, the elevator doors snicked open as soon as she touched the call button. She marched into it and reached behind her back to punch the lobby button, refusing to look back at him.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter extras ~ Author’s Note
Crime & Passion Page 36