by Tonya Kappes
Finn got down off the ladder. The air between us seemed to electrify. My heart hammered inside my chest. I felt like a breathless eighteen-year-old girl.
“I heard.” He took another step closer to me. “Which means this was a good investment, since we’ll have another term together.”
“Yes,” was all I could make come out of my mouth. He was so good-looking, it made my mind mush.
“It seemed that the whole town went nuts over a few things in Beryle’s book.” He wiped his hands on a towel and walked into the kitchen. He grabbed a couple of beers and handed me one.
“She only really told on herself and how she didn’t write the books. I guess it was sort of a confessional. And how she did want to come clean with the affair.” We clinked our beer bottles together and both took a drink. “The publisher told Ruby they were still going to publish it, and the royalties will go to Hattie’s fund.”
“I saw Darby at Ben’s this morning, and she said that Preacher Bing signed all the money over to the estate, which is Ruby, and Ruby will pay all of Hattie’s bills like Beryle did,” Finn noted.
“I’m glad Hattie is able to stay and not uproot her life.” There was something so sweet and kind about Finn and how he did care for the people of Cottonwood.
Now that there wasn’t a case to focus on to keep my mind busy, I couldn’t stop looking at him.
“Now that I live practically next door, we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other outside of the office.” He took another step closer to me. He gazed down at me and ran his hand down my hair, making my skin tingle. “I think we make an excellent team.”
As if there was an invisible string pulling my lips to his, I curled up on my toes. Our lips met. The kiss sang through my veins.
“We do make an excellent team,” I whispered before he pulled me into his warm strong arms and kissed me again, this time with more passion.
“Oh, my stars!” Mama’s voice sang out from the open front door.
“Mama. Have you no shame?” I jumped away from Finn and curled my lips together.
“I waited outside like you said.” She smiled like a beauty queen that had just won the big title.
“I did, didn’t I?” I looked at Finn. “I’ll be right out, Mama.”
Mama clasped her hands together and twirled around on the balls of her feet. She shut the door behind her.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“For what?” He winked. “Dinner tonight? A real date.”
“I’d love to,” I answered, wishing it was already suppertime. I pointed to the door. “I better get out there and calm Mama down.”
“Yep, she’s probably already booked the church,” Finn joked.
I shook my head and walked out the door, briefly stopping on the other side.
The thought swirled in my head. I wouldn’t mind being a summer bride.
About the Author
Tonya has written over 20 novels and 4 novellas, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, three teenage boys, two very spoiled schnauzers and one ex-stray cat in Kentucky.
The Kenni Lowry Mystery Series
by Tonya Kappes
FIXIN’ TO DIE (#1)
SOUTHERN FRIED (#2)
AX TO GRIND (#3)
SIX FEET UNDER (#4)
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