Daylight Robbery (An Aspen Falls Novel)

by Melissa Pearl

  The list ended up being quite long when he included his two sisters and their husbands and kids, his parents, all the staff at the Aspen Falls PD and their partners, plus Louanne—the town grandmother.

  Melina had invited some of her work colleagues, plus Jarrett and Jess. Knowing the reporter, he’d end up writing some fluff piece on gratitude. He’d already published one on life’s unexpected miracles. Kellan hadn’t let him interview Rae. He hadn’t wanted her putting up with that, but he’d sat down for an hour and given Jarrett what the reporter termed “pure gold.”

  The article had run front page of the paper, and everyone in town was amazed by the fact that Kellan Marks’s daughter was back home once again. It was a lot of pressure on Rae, and Kellan constantly worried. But they’d been living together for six weeks now and things were going well.

  Having Melina around helped. Rae seemed desperate for a mother figure in her life, and the two had formed a close bond.

  Kellan had managed to track down Carrie. She was living with her husband and three kids on a remote island in the South Pacific, somewhere near Rarotonga. He was a doctor and she was raising the children island-style. They’d immersed themselves with the native tribe they were caring for and obviously had no intention of returning stateside anytime soon.

  Internet and telephone access to her location was sketchy at best, and finally contacting her had been a miracle of sorts. Their one call had been stilted, and Carrie hadn’t even known who she was talking to for the first five minutes. For a fleeting moment, Kellan had been tempted to hang up and not pursue it.

  Life had slipped into a happy zone. He had his daughter back and he was practically living with a woman he adored. He didn’t want that to be disrupted. He wanted to get Rae through counseling and tutoring. He wanted her to feel confident enough to test out high school. Her tutor was sure she’d be ready after the new year.

  That would be a massive change for her, and having Carrie turn up would throw things for a loop. But she was Rae’s mother and deserved to know her daughter was alive.

  And now she did.

  Her initial reaction had been complete shock followed by sobbing tears. She wanted to return to the States to see Rae, but she was in the third trimester of her fourth pregnancy and was unable to fly. The plan was for Carrie to come see them after the baby was born.

  Kellan had toyed with the idea of taking Rae down to see Carrie, but he wasn’t sure how she’d cope with meeting her mother and half-siblings in a completely foreign environment when she was already facing so many changes here.

  Kellan had tried to set up a Skype call with Rae and Carrie, but the connection had been so bad that they only saw each other for a flashing moment before the call was cut off. It had thrown Rae a little and when Kellan tried and failed to call Carrie back, Rae had softly told him to “just leave it.”

  The crestfallen look on her face had torn Kellan in half, and he’d been trying to persuade her to give it another try. But every time he brought it up, Rae shut down. Trying, only to fail, obviously hurt Rae more than she was willing to admit.

  And so they were stuck in a waiting game. Carrie was due in early December, and after the baby was born and it was safe for them to travel, she’d fly home to see her daughter face-to-face. It was no doubt the reunion Rae was nervously waiting for.

  “There you are.” Melina slipped out the back door. “I thought you might be hiding in the bathroom or something.”

  Kellan spun, expecting to see his daughter next to Melina, but the woman was alone. “Where’s Rae? Is she alright?”

  Melina tipped her head to the side and looked as though she could read his mind. “She’s doing great. She’s with Jarrett and Jess and—”

  “He’s not questioning her, is he?” Kellan frowned.

  Melina lightly slapped his arm and reprimanded him. “Of course not. They’re teaching her how to play rummy. And your parents are there too. Rae and your mom are adorable together. And your dad’s just sitting there watching them with this affectionate grin on his face. It’s beautiful.”

  Kellan’s entire body relaxed, his heart buzzing after Melina’s report.

  “You’re beautiful,” he murmured.

  She giggled. He loved that sound. Slipping his arms around her, he glided them down her back, then threaded his fingers together at the base of her spine.

  With a smile, she closed the gap between them and kissed him until his blood began to burn.

  “Careful, Miss Pryor. I might have to throw you over my shoulder and lock you in the bathroom for a little alone time.”

  She threw her head back with a laugh. “How absolutely college jock of you.”

  He grinned, nipping her slender neck. She let out a soft moan of pleasure. “And for the first time in my life, I want a party to hurry up and be over already.”

  His chuckle was deep and husky, his eyes hooded as he stood back and drank her in. “I’ll make up for it later, I promise.”

  “Oh I know you’re good for it.” She wiggled her eyebrows, her sexy smile unraveling his insides.

  Melina had an overpowering effect on him. Sometimes it rattled him, but most of the time he couldn’t help loving it. She was making him a better man. Helping him be a good father. He honestly didn’t think he could handle this massive transition without her.

  “Well.” She sighed. “As much as I would love to stay out here in the freezing cold making out with you, you have a speech to give. I thought now would be a good time.”

  Kellan nodded and followed her back inside.

  “Don’t forget to thank Rosie and Louanne for the amazing catering. Those pumpkin cupcakes are to die for.”

  “I won’t forget,” he murmured just below her ear then kissed her.

  She blushed and stepped aside, grabbing a glass off the table and banging it with the edge of a butter knife.

  The hum in the room started to subside, people turning to give their attention to Kellan as he stepped up onto a chair. “Well, I’ll keep this quick, but I just wanted to thank Rosie and Louanne for the amazing food.”

  A loud cheer crescendoed throughout the house. He chuckled as Rosie’s cheeks turned bright red and she buried her face against Blaine’s chest. He looked pretty damn proud as he smiled and kissed his girlfriend.

  Clearing his throat, Kellan captured everyone’s attention with two raised hands. As soon as the room settled down, he felt his throat thicken with emotion. “I also wanted to say how grateful I am for everyone in this room.”

  He scanned the people crowding out his house, loving the fact that he lived in a town filled with such incredible people. His team of officers and detectives, all so hardworking and loyal. They were like family, and as he caught Mick’s eye, he felt a lump forming in his throat. They were all alive and could celebrate Christmas with their families.

  Just like he would this year.

  His eyes kept searching the room until he spotted Rae. Her sunshine smile lit the room and tears glassed his eyes, his voice wobbling. “It’s been a tough few months, but out of that chaos came the beauty of gratefulness. Not to sound cheesy, but sometimes you really have to burn to truly appreciate the little things in life. Warmth, laughter, love, family…this town and…the person standing next to you.” He glanced at Melina. She winked and he grinned, taking the glass she passed him and raising it in the air. “I want to give a toast to every person in this room. You are so valuable to me. I love you all…and no one is ever allowed to quote me on that.”

  The room filled with laughter as people raised their glasses with a cheer.

  Kellan stepped off his chair and spun to look for Rae. She moved away from her grandparents and rushed to his side. Throwing her arms around his neck, she squeezed tight. “Good speech, Dad.”

  He closed his eyes, never tiring of that beautiful three-letter word.

  “I love you, sunshine.” He held her close, then kissed the side of her head.

  Stepping back, she smiled at him, he
r eyes suddenly glassy. With a thick swallow, she licked her lips and whispered, “I love you too.”

  It was the first time she’d said it since returning home, and it was all he could do not to cry. Brushing his knuckle down the side of her face, he tipped her nose, then raised his arm so Melina could slide in beside him. With her on one side and his darling Rae on the other, he’d never felt more complete.

  A new chapter in his life had well and truly begun.

  He wasn’t a fool. There would be pages of hard times ahead, but he now believed that happy endings were in fact possible, and he’d do everything in his power to ensure his new little family spent the majority of their time happy and secure in Aspen Falls.

  Dear reader…

  Dear reader,

  This wraps up the first six books of the Aspen Falls series, just the way I wanted. Kellan is finally reunited with his daughter—something I’ve hoped for him right from the start of this series. Melina is his perfect match, and I can see them forming a very happy family unit.

  But what will happen if Carrie comes back into the picture? And how will Rae cope with attending school for the first time in her life?

  These are questions I would love to see answered, but it’s really up to you.

  As one of our valued readers, Anna and I would like you to have a say in what you’d like to see next.

  There are a few options you can choose from, and all you have to do is FOLLOW THIS LINK to pick your top choice.

  We’re excited to see what you choose.

  Voting is open until December 1st, 2018.

  Thanks for reading…and happy voting!

  xx

  Melissa & Anna.

  Aspen Falls Novels

  All Aspen Falls Novels are available on Amazon.

  DEAD OF WINTER

  When Officer Blaine Hartford pulls over a distraught woman, he’s surprised to find his high school crush in the car. Old feelings are reignited as he tries to help her, but will she have the courage to tell him the truth…or are her secrets too ugly to share?

  DEAD SET

  Alaina is convinced her brother did not commit suicide, but no one will believe her. So, she hires a private investigator and the two soon find themselves caught in a dangerous game as the people desperate to keep the truth hidden will do anything to stop them.

  DARK HORSE

  When Sally’s life is endangered, Nate must overcome his fears from the past and do everything in his power to save the woman he loves. Filled with heart-wrenching romance and nail-biting tension.

  DIRE STRAITS

  Desperate to prove herself, Jessica will put everything on the line to help Jarrett find the truth. As the mystery unravels before them, they will soon realize that the fight is not just for themselves, but also for each other.

  DESPERATE MEASURES

  When a man she once loved breaks into her house, injured and in need of help, Detective Camila Perez isn't sure whether to boot him out the door or take him in. Will his secrets put them both in danger?

  Bonus Material

  Thank you for purchasing a copy of Daylight Robbery during release week.

  As a way to show their appreciation, Anna and Melissa have put together some bonus features for you: an interview, an exclusive short story, and the chance to vote on what you’d like to see published next.

  ANNA CRUISE INTERVIEWS MELISSA PEARL

  1.Melina has been interested in Kellan for years, and finally has the opportunity to get to know him a little better in Daylight Robbery. Have you ever experienced loving someone from afar, or having a crush on someone who wasn’t aware of your feelings? If so, how did that influence how you wrote about Melina’s attraction to Kellan?

  I feel like I spent most of high school crushing on guys who had no idea I liked them. I was very shy about my feelings and too embarrassed to ever come out and tell anybody what I really thought of them :)

  I don’t think Melina is shy in this same way, but she’s very good at reading people and I think she sensed that Kellan was just not ready for a relationship. She’s been quietly hoping and waiting for him to open up to her. For things to happen naturally, which is the way I always like relationships to happen :)

  2.Kellan is such a strong, resilient man; a man of few words, a man whose presence commands attention and respect. Who in your life, if anyone, inspired his character?

  I’ve always been attracted to the strong, quiet type. Ironically my husband is nothing like that - LOL. He’s strong, but he’s not quiet ;) But he’s my perfect match, so even though I think there’s something very sexy about men like Kellan, I’ll stick with falling for them in books.

  I can’t think of anyone I know personally that inspired Kellan’s character. I’ve no doubt based him on characters from books and TV shows that I’ve fallen for. Sam Swarek from Rookie Blue would be one key inspiration. I adore him.

  3.The theme of loss and despair runs deep in Daylight Robbery. Kellan lost his daughter and, in turn, Leah lost her parents. But hope is just as strong of a theme, especially when both are reunited in the end. Are there things you despair over? Likewise, what offers you hope in those dark moments?

  I hate that feeling of despair so much. That sense that I have no control and that injustice happens in this world. There are problems I can’t solve or make better. And those problems sometimes really eat at me.

  But I always have hope.

  I believe in Jesus and he is my hope. In all circumstances, I find myself turning to him, talking to him and believing in the promise of heaven. For me, it helps put life into perspective.

  4.Of all the female characters in the Aspen Falls books, which one do you think is most like you? Why?

  I’m probably most like Sally. Someone who likes to avoid conflict and is sweet and nice to everybody :) Sometimes I wish I was one of those strong, spunky people who took life by the balls, but I am who I am. At least I get to write about kick-ass female characters ;)

  5.There are so many characters in Aspen Falls whose stories remain to be told. If there were one more book in this initial series left to write, which character would you choose to write about and why?

  Ooooo - tough question! I love Aspen Falls so much. It’s a great town, and I’d love to go and hang out there one day. The Richmond family has some cool dynamics going on. Writing a story about Sally’s brothers or sister could be fun :)

  6.Kellan and Melina’s story feels like the perfect way to wrap up the initial Aspen Falls series. Did you know from the beginning that this was how it would end?

  Actually, no. That idea came to me when we were about halfway through the series. Kellan’s story has been with me for a LONG time. I didn’t know it would be part of the Aspen Falls series, but when we started planning, I realized that it would totally fit and I laid the foundations for the story in Book 1 - Dead of Winter.

  I love the way this book ends. It just seemed to work to wrap up the initial Aspen Falls Novels :)

  7.If you could choose one couple from Aspen Falls to peek into their future five years from now, who would you choose?

  Um - ALL OF THEM!!!

  Haha :) I LOVE epilogues and I always like to fast-forward into characters’ futures. I’d love to see where all six of these couples end up :)

  8.The fictional town of Aspen Falls is loosely modeled on a couple of small towns in central Minnesota. As someone who lives half a world away, what do you find the most attractive about this small American town?

  We have small towns in New Zealand, but they have a very different feel to small American towns. There is something very idyllic to me. I guess I only really see them from a Hollywood perspective—TV shows like Gilmore Girls paint a very pretty picture. Small towns like this just feel like the kind of place I’d love to live. That small, family kind of feel. It’s very me, even though I was born into a city.

  9.In all of the Aspen Falls books, love is the driving force, but the focus is usually on the ‘falling in love’ part
of the story. What relationship advice do you have for the couples you’ve written about, so that they can look forward to a lifelong relationship with their significant other?

  Falling in love is the fun part. But it’s also the nerve-wracking, self-doubting part. Being married, or living permanently, with a partner brings a certain sense of comfort. I absolutely love living with a person that I can be myself around.

  So my advice to all the Aspen Falls couples would be:

  - Always communicate honestly and with kindness.

  - Don’t take life too seriously. Learn to laugh together.

  - You’re a team. Treat each other with respect, listen to each other, compromise and work together.

  A SPECIAL SHORT STORY

  Done Deal is an exclusive short story just for you. If you’d like to find out what Alex has been up to in Red Lake, and see what happens when Cam decides to surprise him, then just CLICK THIS LINK to download their happily ever after story.

  A CHANCE TO VOTE

  If you’d like to vote on what Melissa publishes next year, then FOLLOW THIS LINK to choose one of the three options.