Wait Until Dark: Carolina Moon Series, Book 3

by Christy Barritt

  Felicity held back tears as she realized the enormity of this moment—and the joy and waves of grief that accompanied it. “Thanks, Aunt Bonny. That means a lot.”

  “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride.” She patted Felicity’s face a little too hard.

  But that was okay.

  Felicity turned away from her aunt and glanced in the bedroom mirror, where she was getting ready. She sucked in a breath at her reflection.

  Was that really her? Had she been transformed into the woman in the mirror?

  As she’d planned the wedding, Felicity had tried to decide between formal or relaxed. She’d gone with relaxed. Good choice.

  Instead of having her hair neatly pulled back into a twist, she’d chosen to let her curls hang wild and free. She wore a simple white gown with a veil clipped at the back of her hair. Her makeup was light and natural–looking, with peachy cheeks and a light gloss on her lips.

  “Brody’s going to go crazy.”

  Felicity turned to the new voice in the room. She smiled when she saw Charity standing there. Charity was engaged to Joshua Haven. The two women had become good friends in recent months.

  “Isn’t he, though?” Aunt Bonny agreed, ruffling Felicity’s veil.

  “Thanks, you two.”

  Charity stared at her reflection in the mirror. “Are you nervous?”

  Felicity rubbed her lips together. “Not really. Just jittery. The good kind of jitters. The I’m-going-to-be-in-front-of-people kind.”

  “Well, everything looks beautiful out there. Daleigh is warming up now. The lanterns are lit along the aisle, which reminds me of a fairytale. And there are daisies. Lots and lots of daisies.”

  Felicity smiled. Daleigh McDermott had agreed to sing and arrange the music for the wedding. Felicity couldn’t be happier. She’d gotten to know Daleigh, and Brody was correct—the woman couldn’t be more down-to-earth.

  Felicity had decided to utilize all of her grandma’s old lanterns. Since the wedding was taking place at dusk, she thought the final look would be magical. Apparently, she was right. And daisies had always been her favorite flowers, as well as her mother’s.

  Felicity and Brody were getting married outside at her grandma’s house, now officially known as the Pasture Plantation. It was August, but it wasn’t too hot. The sun was setting and should be casting its magnificent colors over the river. The yard had been landscaped and looked lovely, especially with the white chairs set up.

  “Who would have thought six months ago that any of this would be possible?” Aunt Bonny powdered her nose before borrowing Felicity’s lip gloss.

  Her words rang true. The state had given Felicity a portion of the treasure. It was enough that she’d been able to restore her grandma’s house to its original glory. Felicity wasn’t going to be living here, however. Instead, she’d opened it up for tours. She’d hired the area’s best tour guide—Aunt Bonny—who’d been wowing guests since it opened a month ago.

  She and Brody were in the process of building a house on another piece of property down the road, right on the river. They’d be living at Brody’s place until then. When they moved, Aunt Bonny could live with them in a special place they’d designed downstairs for her.

  Meanwhile, Magnum and his men were going to be in jail for a long time. They’d been unable to claim any part of the treasure. Project Teach was preparing most of the treasure for display at the museum in Beaufort.

  About a month after the treasure had been discovered, Ricky had called and apologized. He’d asked to get back together. Felicity had no greater delight than telling him no.

  “I think I hear the music starting. You ready?” Charity asked.

  Felicity glanced at herself in the mirror one more time before nodding. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

  Charity adjusted her gown—she was her only bridesmaid—and then stepped out of the room. Felicity followed behind her, through the house, and onto the back porch.

  The sounds of Daleigh’s angelic voice drifted through the air as a refreshing breeze ruffled her dress. She smiled when she saw that all the seats were full. She’d gotten to know a lot of people in town through the church and Bible study and working with the historical society.

  She’d started her own business doing historical appraisals, and she was working to finish her PhD. She wanted to use her experience to help restore homes in eastern North Carolina. Now that she had the money her ancestor had left her, she would be able to do a lot of good with it.

  And Brody would be by her side the whole time.

  She felt like her life couldn’t be better.

  She looped her hand through Bonny’s arm. Her aunt would be escorting her down the aisle.

  Together, they started down the aisle.

  When Felicity looked up, she spotted Brody standing at the end. Her heart raced with anticipation. She couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with him.

  He wore black pants with a white button-up shirt. The scruff that she loved so much was trimmed and neat. But the smile on his face said it all.

  He was just as excited as she was.

  He’d never looked as gorgeous.

  Aunt Bonny gave her away, and Felicity kissed her cheek before helping her aunt to a seat. Then she joined Brody on the stage.

  As she took his hands into hers, joy filled her heart. Before the pastor even started, Brody leaned toward her.

  “I love you, Felicity French,” he whispered.

  Her cheeks heated with delight. “I love you too, Brody Joyner.”

  His eyes sparkled. “This is the best day of my life.”

  A smile stretched across her face. “Mine too. Mine too.”

  And, she knew without a doubt, that it was.

  Dear Reader:

  As a child, I remember driving from our home in Virginia down to North Carolina, where both of my parents were raised. Back then, I didn’t have to wear a seatbelt, so I’d pop my head between the two front seats and ask my parents endless questions about their childhoods.

  Some of my favorite stories they told me were about my dad’s hometown of Bath, NC. My parents would explain that Blackbeard used to live there, how buildings remained where he’d once dwelled, and how some people believed his treasure was still buried in North Carolina.

  Then they’d tell me about summers spent picking cotton and collards. They’d drive me past my dad’s old house, which was long overgrown with underbrush and vegetation. We’d eat eastern NC-style barbecue sandwiches. My mom would order fried herring when it was in season. We’d drink sweet iced tea on the back patio with friends while looking over fields of crops and battling mosquitoes.

  I remember saying, “One day I’m going to write a book about Blackbeard and Bath. I’m going to write a book about all of this. About your hometowns. About life in North Carolina.”

  Wait Until Dark is that book.

  I started this book fifteen years ago. Yes, fifteen years ago, long before I ever got my first book contract. Every few years, I’d pick it back up again and rework parts of it and then put it aside as other projects arose.

  Earlier in 2016, I had my ah ha! moment when I figured out the direction I wanted this book to go. I came back to it, knowing that this was the time I had to finish it.

  I hope you enjoy not only Felicity’s and Brody’s stories, but I also hope you enjoy this virtual visit to eastern NC and all it has to offer.

  Until next time,

  Christy Barritt

  www.christybarritt.com

  If you enjoyed this book, you may also enjoy these books in the Carolina Moon series:

  Home Before Dark (Book 1)

  Nothing good ever happens after dark. Country singer Daleigh McDermott’s father often repeated those words. Now, her father is dead. As she’s about to flee back to Nashville, she finds his hidden journal with hints that his death was no accident. Mechanic Ryan Shields is the only one who seems to believe Daleigh. Her father trusted the man, but her attraction to Ry
an scares her. She knows her life and career are back in Nashville and her time in the sleepy North Carolina town is only temporary. As Daleigh and Ryan work to unravel the mystery, it becomes obvious that someone wants them dead. They must rely on each other—and on God—if they hope to make it home before the darkness swallows them.

  Gone By Dark (Book 2)

  Charity White can’t forget what happened ten years earlier when she and her best friend, Andrea, cut through the woods on their way home from school. A man abducted Andrea, who hasn’t been seen since. Charity has tried to outrun the memories and guilt. What if they hadn’t taken that shortcut? Why wasn’t Charity kidnapped instead of Andrea? And why weren’t the police able to track down the bad guy? When Charity receives a mysterious letter that promises answers, she returns to North Carolina in search of closure and the peace that has eluded her. With the help of her new neighbor, Police Officer Joshua Haven, Charity begins to track down mysterious clues. They soon discover that they must work together or both of them will be swallowed by the looming darkness.

  Squeaky Clean Mysteries:

  Hazardous Duty (Book 1)

  On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire drops out of school and starts her own crime-scene cleaning business. When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. But the owner of the weapon is a powerful foe . . . and willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet. With the help of her new neighbor, Riley Thomas, a man whose life and faith fascinate her, Gabby seeks to find the killer before another murder occurs.

  Suspicious Minds (Book 2)

  In this smart and suspenseful sequel to Hazardous Duty, crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire finds herself stuck doing mold remediation to pay the bills. Her first day on the job, she uncovers a surprise in the crawlspace of a dilapidated home: Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue-suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this?

  It Came Upon a Midnight Crime (Book 2.5, a Novella)

  Someone is intent on destroying the true meaning of Christmas—at least, destroying anything that hints of it. All around crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire’s hometown, anything pointing to Jesus as “the reason for the season” is being sabotaged. The crimes become more twisted as dismembered body parts are found at the vandalisms. Someone is determined to destroy Christmas . . . but Gabby is just as determined to find the Grinch and let peace on earth and goodwill prevail.

  Organized Grime (Book 3)

  Gabby St. Claire knows her best friend, Sierra, isn’t guilty of killing three people in what appears to be an eco-terrorist attack. But Sierra has disappeared, her only contact a frantic phone call to Gabby proclaiming she’s being hunted. Gabby is determined to prove her friend is innocent and to keep Sierra alive. While trying to track down the real perpetrator, Gabby notices a disturbing trend at the crime scenes she’s cleaning, one that ties random crimes together—and points to Sierra as the guilty party. Just what has her friend gotten herself involved in?

  Dirty Deeds (Book 4)

  “Promise me one thing. No snooping. Just for one week.” Gabby St. Claire knows that her fiancé’s request is a simple one she should be able to honor. After all, Riley’s law school reunion and attorneys’ conference at a posh resort is a chance for them to get away from the mysteries Gabby often finds herself involved in as a crime-scene cleaner. Then an old friend of Riley’s goes missing. Gabby suspects one of Riley’s buddies might be behind the disappearance. When the missing woman’s mom asks Gabby for help, how can she say no?

  The Scum of All Fears (Book 5)

  Gabby St. Claire is back to crime-scene cleaning and needs help after a weekend killing spree fills her work docket. A serial killer her fiancé put behind bars has escaped. His last words to Riley were: I’ll get out, and I’ll get even. Pictures of Gabby are found in the man’s prison cell, messages are left for Gabby at crime scenes, someone keeps slipping in and out of her apartment, and her temporary assistant disappears. The search for answers becomes darker when Gabby realizes she’s dealing with a criminal who is truly the scum of the earth. He will do anything to make Gabby’s and Riley’s lives a living nightmare.

  To Love, Honor, and Perish (Book 6)

  Just when Gabby St. Claire’s life is on the right track, the unthinkable happens. Her fiancé, Riley Thomas, is shot and in life-threatening condition only a week before their wedding. Gabby is determined to figure out who pulled the trigger, even if investigating puts her own life at risk. As she digs deeper into the case, she discovers secrets better left alone. Doubts arise in her mind, and the one man with answers lies on death’s doorstep. Then an old foe returns and tests everything Gabby is made of—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Will all she’s worked for be destroyed?

  Mucky Streak (Book 7)

  Gabby St. Claire feels her life is smeared with the stain of tragedy. She takes a short-term gig as a private investigator—a cold case that’s eluded detectives for ten years. The mass murder of a wealthy family seems impossible to solve, but Gabby brings more clues to light. Add to the mix a flirtatious client, travels to an exciting new city, and some quirky—albeit temporary—new sidekicks, and things get complicated. With every new development, Gabby prays that her “mucky streak” will end and the future will become clear. Yet every answer she uncovers leads her closer to danger—both for her life and for her heart.

  Foul Play (Book 8)

  Gabby St. Claire is crying “foul play” in every sense of the phrase. When the crime-scene cleaner agrees to go undercover at a local community theater, she discovers more than backstage bickering, atrocious acting, and rotten writing. The female lead is dead, and an old classmate who has staked everything on the musical production’s success is about to go under. In her dual role of investigator and star of the show, Gabby finds the stakes rising faster than the opening-night curtain. She must face her past and make monumental decisions, not just about the play but also concerning her future relationships and career. Will Gabby find the killer before the curtain goes down—not only on the play, but also on life as she knows it?

  Broom and Gloom (Book 9)

  Gabby St. Claire is determined to get back in the saddle again. While in Oklahoma for a forensic conference, she meets her soon-to-be stepbrother, Trace Ryan, an up-and-coming country singer. A woman he was dating has disappeared, and he suspects a crazy fan may be behind it. Gabby agrees to investigate, as she tries to juggle her conference, navigate being alone in a new place, and locate a woman who may not want to be found. She discovers that sometimes taking life by the horns means staring danger in the face, no matter the consequences.

  Dust and Obey (Book 10)

  When Gabby St. Claire’s ex-fiancé, Riley Thomas, asks for her help in investigating a possible murder at a couples retreat, she knows she should say no. She knows she should run far, far away from the danger of both being around Riley and the crime. But her nosy instincts and determination take precedence over her logic. Gabby and Riley must work together to find the killer. In the process, they have to confront demons from their past and deal with their present relationship.

  Thrill Squeaker (Book 11)

  An abandoned theme park. An unsolved murder. A decision that will change Gabby’s life forever. Restoring an old amusement park and turning it into a destination resort seems like a fun idea for former crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire. The side job gives her the chance to spend time with her friends, something she’s missed since beginning a new career. The job turns out to be more than Gabby bargained for when she finds a dead body on her first day. Add to the mix legends of Bigfoot, creepy clowns, and ghostlike remnants of happier times at the park, and her stay begins to feel like a rollercoaster ride. Someone doesn’t want the decrepit Mythical Falls to open again, but just how far is this person willing to go to ensure this venture fails? As the stakes rise and danger creeps closer, will Gabby be able to restore thin
gs in her own life that time has destroyed—including broken relationships? Or is her future closer to the fate of the doomed Mythical Falls?

  Cunning Attractions (Book 12)

  Coming soon

  While You Were Sweeping, a Riley Thomas Novella

  Riley Thomas is trying to come to terms with life after a traumatic brain injury turned his world upside down. Away from everything familiar—including his crime-scene-cleaning former fiancée and his career as a social-rights attorney—he’s determined to prove himself and regain his old life. But when he claims he witnessed his neighbor shoot and kill someone, everyone thinks he’s crazy. When all evidence of the crime disappears, even Riley has to wonder if he’s losing his mind.

  Note: While You Were Sweeping is a spin-off mystery written in conjunction with the Squeaky Clean series featuring crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire.

  The Sierra Files:

  Pounced (Book 1)

  Animal-rights activist Sierra Nakamura never expected to stumble upon the dead body of a coworker while filming a project nor get involved in the investigation. But when someone threatens to kill her cats unless she hands over the “information,” she becomes more bristly than an angry feline. Making matters worse is the fact that her cats—and the investigation—are driving a wedge between her and her boyfriend, Chad. With every answer she uncovers, old hurts rise to the surface and test her beliefs. Saving her cats might mean ruining everything else in her life. In the fight for survival, one thing is certain: either pounce or be pounced.