by Irene Hannon
A twinge of self-reproach niggled at her conscience, but she quashed it as she resettled the first lavender plant in the fertile earth.
There was no reason to feel guilty. On the few occasions their paths had crossed, he’d barely acknowledged her.
And just because she didn’t attempt to engage people didn’t mean she was antisocial. She was always polite to her customers at the town farmers’ market and in her tearoom, and she smiled and waved at familiar faces in town . . . even if she rarely stopped to chat.
But she was never unfriendly to anyone.
Although that was about to change.
She eased the second traumatized Super French into the hole she’d dug and doused the roots with water. If fate was kind, all of the plants would recover from the shock of their abrupt extraction.
Wiping her palms on her jeans, she detoured back to the workshop, snagged her jacket, and cut across the gravel parking area at the front of her property that was empty of customers’ cars on this Wednesday morning.
At least the pup hadn’t launched his sneak attacks on a weekend while she was busy serving afternoon tea to a roomful of people paying a hefty sum for a couple of hours of peace and genteel elegance.
She circled around the end of the hedge that lined her drive and strode through the adjacent yard, toward the front door of the small bungalow in need of a fresh coat of paint and some landscaping.
Maybe it was better she hadn’t known it was up for sale. The temptation to buy it—and protect her privacy—would have been strong.
And she did not need more maintenance cluttering up her already too-long to-do list.
As she approached the door, the muffled sound of yapping penetrated the walls.
Apparently the dog was a barker as well as a digger.
That figured.
She stepped up onto the porch, took a deep breath, and pressed the bell. It was possible the new owners would be nice. Apologetic, even.
One could hope, anyway.
Confrontation wasn’t high on her list of favorite activities.
But these people needed to get control of their dog—and she intended to make that crystal clear before she returned home.
Whether they liked it or not.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Suspense books laden with technical information—like this one—require countless hours of research. While the stories may be fiction, much of the backdrop and the law enforcement and military protocols are real. And I’m a stickler for accuracy.
During the writing of a book, I use many sources as I dig deep into my subject matter, and I always consult with professionals about questions unique to my story. With this book, I want to single out one particular source who went above and beyond.
FBI veteran Tom Becker, now chief of police in Frontenac, Missouri, was my go-to person for all things law-enforcement related this time around. Since he’s had careers with both the FBI and local law enforcement, he was able to provide insights into both. Thank you, Tom, for sharing your unique expertise with me; for your thorough, prompt, and patient replies to my queries; and for helping me make my books as authentic as possible. You are the best!
In addition, I want to offer a special thank-you to my husband, Tom—my real-life romantic hero; my mom (in heaven now, but always in my heart) and dad, Dorothy and James Hannon, the world’s best parents; all the readers who buy my books, thereby allowing me to tell my stories; and the amazing team at Revell, especially Dwight Baker, Kristin Kornoelje, Jennifer Leep, Michele Misiak, Karen Steele, and Cheryl Van Andel. Cheryl, who recently retired, was the guiding force behind all of my fabulous covers for Revell. A total pro, she was always a joy to work with. I will miss her!
I hope you’ll join me in April 2019 for another trip to Hope Harbor in Driftwood Bay, when a woman who runs a lavender farm/tearoom crosses paths with a man who’s in over his head juggling a new life, a grieving little girl, and a rambunctious dog that happens to like digging up lavender plants. And next October, I’ll conclude my Code of Honor series with Rick’s story—which also features the newest investigator at Phoenix Inc., the PI firm from my Private Justice series!
Irene Hannon is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than fifty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. She is also a three-time winner of the RITA Award—the “Oscar” of romance fiction—from Romance Writers of America, and a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame.
Her many other awards include National Readers’ Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers’ Choice, Booksellers’ Best, Carol, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement Award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist.
Irene, who holds a BA in psychology and an MA in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full-time. She is happy to say she has no regrets.
A trained vocalist, Irene has sung the leading role in numerous community theater productions and is also a soloist at her church. She and her husband enjoy traveling, long hikes, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop, and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.
To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com. She is also active on Facebook and Twitter.
Books by Irene Hannon
HEROES OF QUANTICO
Against All Odds
An Eye for an Eye
In Harm’s Way
GUARDIANS OF JUSTICE
Fatal Judgment
Deadly Pursuit
Lethal Legacy
PRIVATE JUSTICE
Vanished
Trapped
Deceived
MEN OF VALOR
Buried Secrets
Thin Ice
Tangled Webs
CODE OF HONOR
Dangerous Illusions
Hidden Peril
That Certain Summer
One Perfect Spring
Hope Harbor
Sea Rose Lane
Sandpiper Cove
Pelican Point
www.IreneHannon.com
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