One And Only: Emerald Lake Billionaires, Book 4

by Leeanna Morgan

  “I’ll be happier when Elizabeth arrives.” Blake glanced at their wedding guests. Their friends and family were quietly talking to each other and enjoying the stunning scenery.

  A friend of Daniel’s was softly playing an acoustic guitar. The song was one of Blake’s favorites and should have helped him relax, but it was doing the opposite. He’d had nightmares about Elizabeth suddenly deciding that she didn’t want to marry him. Nightmares that included an acoustic guitar and Rocky the rooster.

  “I’m glad you decided to get married at my house,” Daniel whispered. “It was a good choice.”

  All Blake could do was nod. Even the breathtaking view from the backyard couldn’t make him less nervous.

  More agonizing minutes went by before Daniel pulled out his cell phone. “Holly texted me. They’re on their way.”

  Blake didn’t think it was possible, but his heart pounded even harder. For someone who was used to managing million-dollar contracts and working through complex project plans, he was a wreck. He needed Elizabeth beside him, repeating the wedding vows they’d practiced until they could recite them backward.

  Daniel turned around. “They’re coming through the living room.”

  As the haunting notes of Pachelbel’s Canon in D major filled the air, Blake looked over his shoulder.

  Sarah walked toward him, smiling at the people seated either side of her.

  When he finally saw Elizabeth and her dad, his breath caught. She was so beautiful that he wondered why he’d taken so long to tell her how he felt.

  As she came closer, their eyes locked on each other, and she smiled.

  Hot tears filled his eyes when he remembered how close they’d come to not being together.

  He took a deep breath and held out his hand. When their fingers touched, he knew everything would be okay.

  Elizabeth squeezed his hand. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too. You look beautiful.”

  The blush that touched her face made him smile. Elizabeth was his beginning, his middle, and his end—the one and only woman he would love until the end of time.

  * * *

  TWELVE MONTHS LATER

  THE END

  Thank you

  Thank you for reading One And Only. I hope you enjoyed it! If you did…

  * * *

  Help other people find this book by writing a review.

  Sign up for my new releases e-mail, so you can find out about the next book as soon as it’s available.

  Come like my Facebook page.

  Visit my website: leeannamorgan.com

  Keep reading for a preview of Safe Haven, Tank and Hayley’s story in The Protectors Series! It’s FREE to download from your favorite ebook retailer!

  * * *

  If you have read all of The Protectors Series, keep reading for an excerpt from Falling For You, the first book in the Sapphire Bay series.

  Chapter 1

  “Someone’s found us, Sophie. Mom and I have to leave.” Hayley looked across the manicured lawn of the dementia unit. She was in trouble. If anyone overheard her phone call to her sister, it could make her life even more difficult.

  “But you’ve only been in Fort Wayne for three weeks. They can’t have found you so quickly.”

  “I don’t know how they found us in Indiana, but they’re here. Someone followed me when I drove mom home from the library.”

  “Are you sure they were following you? They could have been going in the same direction.”

  “We were definitely being followed, but that’s not the only thing that happened. A man came into the nursing home this afternoon. He wanted to speak to mom.”

  She heard her sister’s sharp intake of breath. “Did he see her?”

  “He didn’t get anywhere near her. There are strict rules about who can visit the patients.”

  “But he knows you’re there?”

  “Yes.”

  “This isn’t good.” Sophie sounded as worried as Hayley was. “Did you find out who he was?”

  “He didn’t tell the receptionist anything about himself, apart from being a phony long-lost cousin. I tried finding someone who could access the security footage, but it’s Sunday. The admin staff won’t be here until tomorrow morning.”

  “I’m sorry,” Sophie said. “I shouldn’t have said anything about the dietary supplement to my professor.”

  “You’ve found something that could help people with Alzheimer’s. You had to tell him. It’s not your fault he couldn’t be trusted. We’re okay for now, but I’m not taking any chances. We’re leaving tonight.”

  “Don’t leave until tomorrow morning. Someone followed me yesterday. I’ve spoken to the owner of a security company because I was worried about you. He’s sending one of his team to Fort Wayne.”

  Hayley focused on the vehicles in the parking lot. She wanted to believe Sophie, she really did. But after six weeks of being terrified that someone would find them, she’d had enough.

  “I don’t know if we’ve got time to wait for help.”

  “You’re safer in the dementia unit than driving on the road.”

  “I need to get mom away from here.” Hayley took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heart. A young woman crossed the parking lot and headed in her direction. “I have to go. I’ll text you when I find somewhere safe to stay.”

  Hayley disconnected the call and walked swiftly across to Angelique. “Were you able to download the security footage?”

  “I can’t access it, but I’ve called in a favor from another staff member. He’ll be here in an hour.”

  “Thank you.” Hayley hugged Angelique.

  “You’re welcome, but I don’t know why you can’t go to the police. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “I can’t risk anything happening to mom. The police won’t do anything until whoever’s following us breaks the law. She could get hurt while I wait for the police to do something.”

  Angelique walked back with her to the nursing home. “What are you going to do?”

  Hayley looked at the building where she thought they’d be safe. “Pack our bags and leave.”

  Tank looked at the exterior of Woodview, a nursing home on the outskirts of Fort Wayne. He didn’t usually meet clients at nursing homes, but it didn’t matter. It was no different from a consulate in Taiwan or a hotel in Kabul. When someone needed help, he was paid to look after them.

  He glanced at the background information he’d been given. Hayley Elliott was a twenty-eight-year-old nurse who worked in the building in front of him. Her mother, Alice Elliott, was an advanced Alzheimer’s patient at the same facility.

  His assignment was simple—bring them back to Montana.

  Their seats were booked on the next flight out of Fort Wayne. When they arrived in Bozeman, he’d drive them to Emerald Lake. In five hours, Hayley would be drinking coffee with her sister and mom, sharing stories about their adventure in Indiana.

  For him, it was a matter of case closed and onto the next one.

  But Hayley Elliott obviously had other ideas. For the last few minutes she’d been throwing suitcases into her car. She was in a hurry.

  He glanced at the other vehicles in the parking lot before getting out of his SUV. He didn’t want to scare her, so he made as much noise as he could.

  She moved one of the suitcases around, then reached for her jacket.

  He was only a few feet away from her but she still hadn’t noticed him. It was no wonder she needed protection. He cleared his throat. “Hayley Elliott? I’m—”

  She spun on her feet, her arm stiff and straight.

  Damn. He twisted sideways, blocked her with his forearm, but not quick enough to miss the pepper spray aimed at his face.

  The pain nearly blinded him. He moved forward, grabbing her as she ran around the side of her car.

  Instead of pulling away, she stepped into his arms and kneed him in the groin.

  He swore something fierce, turned her around and p
ushed her against the side of the car, trapping her between the cold metal and his aching body.

  “Let me go,” she screamed. “Help! I need help!”

  “I am the help,” he ground out. “Your sister sent me.”

  Hayley didn’t stop twisting and turning. “You’re lying. Get off me you big oaf.”

  “Your sister is Sophie Elliott. She works at Emerald Lake with Ryan Evans.”

  “Anyone with half a brain could have looked that up on the Internet. Tell me something the rest of the world doesn’t know.”

  “She’s discovered a treatment for people with Alzheimer’s. It’s not patented.”

  Hayley stopped moving. She sucked in a lungful of air. “Keep talking.”

  “John Fletcher owns the security company where I work. Your sister asked us to bring you and your mom back to Bozeman. If I didn’t think you’d spray me again, I’d give you my phone to call him.”

  She relaxed against her car. “I don’t know who John Fletcher is, but I believe you.”

  Tank wasn’t taking any chances. He blinked hard, trying to force the spray out of his eyes. “Where’s the pepper spray?”

  “I don’t know. You knocked it out of my hand.”

  There was no point looking for it. He couldn’t see anything.

  “I’m sorry for spraying you.”

  He grunted. “Kneeing me in the groin didn’t help, either.”

  “Are you okay?”

  He let go of her wrists and stepped away from the car. “My face feels like it’s on fire and other parts of my body aren’t much better.” If he rubbed his eyes he’d be in even more pain. He leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees.

  “I’ve got some ice inside. You could…you know…”

  “I’ll be okay,” he muttered.

  “It will help with the swelling.”

  Tank didn’t want to think about what his body was doing. “As soon as I can see, I’m taking you and your mom to the airport. We’re going to Bozeman.”

  “Not on a plane, we’re not.”

  He bit back a reply. “We’re flying to Bozeman tonight.”

  “Mom can’t fly. She gets really agitated.”

  “How agitated?”

  “Enough for the airline staff to stop her getting on a plane. It’s her Alzheimer’s. She doesn’t like the noise the engines make.”

  “Is your mom okay traveling in a car?”

  “Yes.”

  He stood up and held back a groan. “It looks as though we’re switching to plan B. We’ll drive to Bozeman.”

  Hayley sighed. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

  Tank frowned. He thought he did, but a five-foot-eight blonde with a can of pepper spray had surprised him.

  And that hadn’t happened in years.

  DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY TODAY!

  Chapter 1

  After six years of focusing on her career, it's time for Natalie to start living. And maybe Gabe, with all his issues, is the man who can help her take her first breath.

  Natalie parked her truck on the side of the road and rolled down her window. For nine years she'd missed seeing the sparkling water of Sapphire Bay, the mountains that rose around her like a warm and welcoming hug, and the wildflowers that grew everywhere. The colors, the light, the peace--it was all here and more.

  Her fingers itched to take out her sketchpad, but she had to keep moving. After countless delays and a diverted flight, it had taken three days to fly from Italy to Montana. She should have stayed with friends in Bozeman, caught up on the sleep she desperately needed. But once she'd made the decision to leave Venice, she'd wanted to get here as quickly as possible.

  With one last, lingering look at the bay, she started her truck and drove toward town.

  The number of vehicles on the road surprised her. So did the new stores that had opened. The sleepy little town with no traffic lights or fast food restaurants had changed. Cafés rubbed shoulders with antique stores. There was even a fashion boutique and a gallery. The buildings were so different that she nearly drove straight past the general store.

  The first person she saw when she walked inside was Mabel Terry. Her gray hair framed the same kind face and gentle blue eyes that Natalie remembered.

  Mabel was listening to a customer, smiling at what they were saying.

  While they were talking, Natalie found a shopping cart and wheeled it toward the shelves. She’d buy enough food for a few days, then come back when she wasn’t so jet lagged. Halfway around the store, she remembered the apple cider that Mabel's husband used to make.

  She spun her cart around and nearly bumped into another woman. "Oops. Sorry."

  "That's okay," the woman said. “I’ve done the same thing myself. The aisles aren’t very wide.”

  Natalie smiled and kept walking. After going up and down another two aisles, she stopped and frowned.

  "You look lost. Can I help?"

  The same woman she'd nearly collided with was standing beside her. "The owner of the store used to make his own apple cider. Do you know if he's still selling it?"

  "I sure do. Follow me." The woman pushed her cart across the store and stopped in front of a small refrigerator. "Here you go."

  Stacked in neat rows were at least a dozen bottles of Allan's homemade cider. "Thanks. I don't know how I missed them."

  "I'm not sure why they’re separate from the other drinks. But at least you know where they are now." The woman held out her hand. "I'm Brooke. I haven't seen you in Sapphire Bay before."

  "My grandparents owned a cottage here. I used to stay with them each summer, but I haven't been back for a long time."

  "I moved here two years ago and it's the best thing I ever did. Is this a visit or are you planning on staying?"

  Natalie looked over her shoulder. It was silly to think that anyone would care about who she was, but old habits were hard to break.

  A man took something off the shelf behind her.

  After he’d moved away, she answered Brooke. "I thought I'd stay for a few weeks and see how everything goes."

  Mabel Terry rushed across the store with her arms open wide. "Well I do declare! If it isn't Natalie Armstrong. It's been too long since we've seen you."

  Natalie returned Mabel's hug. "It's good to see you, too. I'm surprised you recognized me."

  “You haven’t changed one bit. We missed seeing you at your grandparent’s funeral.”

  “I was living in Europe and couldn’t get home.” Natalie swallowed the knot of grief that lodged in her throat. To this day, she regretted the decision she’d made. It had taken her too long to realize that work should never come before family.

  Mabel's generous smile turned into a frown. "I hope you pre-booked your accommodation. There's a craft fair and a concert this weekend. The hotels are full."

  "I'm staying at my cottage for a while."

  "The cottage at the end of Bluewater Place?" Mabel seemed confused. "But someone's living there. It was rented a couple of months ago."

  Natalie's eyes widened. "Rented? But I never gave my permission for anyone to stay there."

  "Are you sure the person's living in Natalie's cottage?" Brooke asked.

  Mabel nodded. "He's come into the store a couple of times but doesn't say much."

  A massive headache was building behind Natalie’s eyes. "I'll pay for my groceries, then go and see him. Someone’s made a mistake."

  Brooke took a business card out of her pocket. "Take this. If you get stuck, give me a call. I have a spare bedroom you can use."

  She didn't think she'd need it, but Natalie took the card anyway. "Thanks. I'm sure it will be okay."

  “Don’t forget your cider,” Brooke said quickly.

  Natalie added two half-gallon containers of apple cider to her cart. She might not need to use Brooke’s spare bedroom, but she would definitely need the cider.

  Gabe's fingers paused over the keyboard. He glanced at his story outline, then back at the page he
'd spent the last hour writing. It wasn't working. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't find a convincing way to make a dead body appear in Zac Connelly's orchard.

  His dog, Sherlock, looked up and sighed.

  Gabe smiled. "You're right. It's time for a break. Let's go for a walk." Before he could push back his chair, Sherlock was sitting in front of the French doors, waiting to escape.

  As soon as the doors opened, his black German Shepherd bolted down the path that led to Sapphire Bay.

  Gabe limped after him, wincing as a sharp pain shot down his right leg. He knew not to sit in one position for too long, but time had a way of disappearing when he was writing. In the next couple of hours he wanted the second chapter of his book finished. But that depended on the dead body currently floating in the Hudson River.

  Sherlock had disappeared, but he wasn't worried. The German Shepherd rarely went more than a hundred yards from him. He'd be in the forest, sniffing out a skunk, chasing a red squirrel, or terrorizing the neighbor's cat.

  He took a deep breath, enjoying the sweet scent of the pine trees surrounding the property. After spending most of his life in New York City, Sapphire Bay was like living in a parallel universe. He'd only been here for three months, but he couldn't imagine going back to the concrete jungle he'd called home.

  His cell phone rang and Gabe sighed. Sometimes, the rest of the world found you whether you wanted it to or not. He looked at the caller display before answering. "Hi, Caleb."

  "Where are you?"

  Gabe stopped walking. The urgency in his friend's voice worried him. "Walking toward Sapphire Bay. Why?"

  "Someone called Natalie is on her way to the cottage. She's the granddaughter of the original owner and didn't know you were renting it."

  "Why does that matter?"

  "She was going to stay there."

  Gabe rubbed his leg. "She can't. I'm here."