Arrest of the Heart

by Judy Kentrus

  A loving smile filled Edie’s face. “That’s my guardian angel.” Edie fingered her black pearl necklace and gave a quick wave.

  “Girls!” Julie called in a loud whisper. “Talk after the ceremony.”

  The wishing sisters grinned at one another, shrugged their shoulders, figuring they were going to get into trouble anyway, and happily waved to all the angels in the balcony.

  The End

  Author’s Note

  I hope you enjoyed Arrest of the Heart. Lincoln and Jessie are dear to my heart. Readers fell in love with Linc in book one, so he deserved his own HEA. How could I not bring back Scott and Julie and Russell and Alexis? Edith Amanda fit right in with Trouble and Double Trouble, hence the wishing sisters.

  I am currently working on my next book, “Riding on a Star.” Samantha Kingsley takes center stage, along with her mischievous ducks, Cupcake and Muffin. Sam has given up on ever having her own HEA, but Luke “Star Hunter” O’Ryan is determined to make all her dreams come true. The next few books will take place in Laurel Heights and will include Sam’s new shop, Tea in Time. Your favorite characters will make cameo appearances, so you can find out what is happening in their very hectic, fun lives. There will also be a delicious recipe or two. I’ve included the first chapter in the back of this book. It is another romantic suspense.

  Thank you and Happy Reading!

  Judy

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  **** FIND OUT HOW IT ALL STARTED ****

  ELUSIVE OBSESSION, Book One, Scott and Julie’s story. Five Star Reviews!

  “I don’t believe I’m doing this!” Julie muttered, trying to adjust the heart-shaped neckline of her black, sequined costume. The B-cup is too small and my breasts are popping out. I’m a widowed mother of two children and a Girl Scout Leader, but here I am about to expose myself to a bunch of elderly males with nothing but horny memories!”

  Julie’s last minute favor to her sister changes her life in ways she never imagined, popping into the arms of Scott Landis at his birthday party.

  MAID TO ORDER, Book Two, Russell and Alexis’ story. Five star reviews!

  Russell Long volunteers to take his best friend’s children to Disney World while Scott and Julie are on their honeymoon. The care-free bachelor returns from vacation to discover an ad in the personal column: Wanted: Wife, little or no experience. Willing to pay $20,000. The intended joke backfires and he is drawn into the scandalous life of Alexis Snow, owner of Mary Maids Janitorial Services and a former world-class fashion model. Once framed for smuggling stolen jewelry, someone from her past is out to destroy her life, once and for all. Fun, romantic suspense.

  BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE IN PRINT.

  SNEAK PEEK OF BOOK FOUR

  RIDING ON A STAR

  Chapter 1

  Walk away, just walk away, Samantha Kingsley told herself for the hundredth time as she parked her Harley in one of white lined parking spaces of the newly remodeled Adams Security building. More than two dozen spaces were occupied, despite it being four o’clock on a Sunday afternoon. When Lincoln Adams, her former boss and best friend had called to discuss a highly critical situation, she couldn’t say no. After her last undercover assignment, she offered to help out on a freelance basis. Sam didn’t need a crystal ball to know what he wanted to discuss.

  Right now, her life couldn’t be better. Within the next few months she’d realize her dream and open “Tea in Time” her small bakery and tea shop in the quaint town of Laurel Heights. She’d been supplying her cookies and pastries to Sallie Mae, the owner of the Spoonful Café, for the past seven months and the customers were eager to purchase her sinfully delicious baked goods.

  Four tall glass doors dominated the entrance that opened into a spacious, modern lobby. Three Adams Security guards manned a horseshoe shaped reception area twenty-four seven. A scattering of light passed through a checker patterned wall of glass blocks that proudly displayed the black and silver Adams Security shield.

  “Hi, Sam, bring us any of your great cookies?” one of the guards asked.

  “Sorry, Eric, this is an unexpected visit with the big boss. Stop by the Spoonful and I’ll spell you a cup of coffee and a cherry-cheese Danish.”

  “You’re on. You’ll have to take the stairs. All the elevators are locked down because they’re updating the security status.”

  “No, problem.” Sam pushed open a metal door and walked up stairs to the administrative level. A small panel to the right of the entry door displayed a keypad. She punched in her code and stepped into a long, building-sized area. A small portion of the third floor that housed the administrative offices was still under construction and sectioned off by steel rods and two by fours. All of the windows in the century-old brick building had been replaced and decorative skylights had been added to the slanted roof line. The concrete-like floor had been seal coated and her boot heels echoed off the hard surface. She paused to admire at the expansive, mountainous landscape that depicted a Jim Brandenburg picture of nature in all its red-gold glory.

  She continued down the wide open corridor to the last office in the building. Two men, both on their cell phones, were deep in conversation. She recognized Nate Haines, the FBI agent. He’d lost weight since the last time she’d seen him almost seven months ago. His shadowy black beard was gone and he’d trimmed back his dark brown hair. Tan chinos and a tailored shirt with fine navy lines were his dress for a Sunday afternoon. Once again, her brain shouted, you know what this is about. Walk away.

  Lincoln Adams smiled when she walked into his spacious office. He, too, had chosen to dress casually in slim fitting jeans and a black sweater. The rear wall of smoked glass windows offered a perfect view of the newly remodeled train depot across the road. Two black office chairs sat in front of the gray and silver marble-topped desk. One corner displayed a picture of his wife Jessie and daughter Edie on Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn. A smaller frame held a black and white sonogram of his future son or daughter.

  “Hi, boss, when do they plan to finish with the interior on this level?” Sam asked, kissing her friend on the cheek before making herself comfortable on the wide-cushioned seat. Inside, her nerves were tighter than a bowstring.

  “In about a month.” He sat in his high-backed leather chair and twisted the wedding ring on his finger. He’d been dreading this meeting with Sam, but it couldn’t be put off any longer. Lives were at stake. “Normally the contractors work nights and weekends, but Nate and I wanted privacy for our meeting. Connor and Brandon’s company completed the installation of the heat and air conditioning. The specialized security and electronics is up and running, so we can monitor all of the new professional and residential systems that were installed. That’s why I stipulated the first and second floors be completed first. We’ve got more business than I ever expected, not that I’m complaining. With me flying into Manhattan twice a week and worrying about Jessie, I haven’t been able to stop by the tea shop.”

  “I met Jessie and Edie coming out of the post office on Friday. She’s quite large. Are you sure there’s only one baby?” Sam winked. “The renovations have taken a lot longer than I anticipated because of all the changes I wanted. Luckily, Russell’s blueprints were up to code. The custom-designed glass atrium took the most time, but they will be adding it to the side of the building in another month, weather permitting. Working for Sallie Mae has kept me busy and taking care of the farm animals. Cindi Pearl helps out, but you’ve got her busier than a one-armed paper hanger.” Lincoln didn’t even crack a smile at her joke.

  Nate finished his call and took a seat next to Samantha. He had to be comatose not to appreciate the beautiful woman with the champagne blond hair. Her long lithe body had been poured into black leather pants and a form-fitting biker’s jacket. Most of the
time he felt like shit, and getting involved with a woman was the last thing he needed. His leg and hip were still bothering him. At times he felt like a hundred rather than thirty-seven years old. He folded his hands atop his cane. “Sorry, I had to take that phone call.”

  “I’ve known you two a long time and you’ve got trouble written all over your handsome faces.” She brought her long braid over her shoulder and feathered the brushy tip. “What is it?” Walk away! Walk away!

  Linc rolled a narrow flash drive between his fingers and retrieved a manila folder from the side of his desk. The words confidential had been stamped across the top. “Sam, you know I’d never ask you to do something if I didn’t feel we were out of options. Nate, why don’t you start?”

  “I went back to work a month ago, and I’ve been assigned to a goddam desk for a few more months. You were involved in my previous investigation into the trucking company smuggling illegal booze and un-taxed cigarettes. The case is still open and I’m determined to get these sons-a-bitches. The wife of the first independent trucker killed reached out to me and asked if I’d made any progress into the investigation of her husband’s death. I owe her for coming in initially so we could set up a task force. She claimed her husband took expert care of his truck and there was no way his brakes had failed. He’d also suspected he’d been conned into transporting stolen cigarettes.” Nate’s voice took on a somber note. “Two more independent truckers have been killed. The accidents took place in two different states, so they appear unrelated.”

  “Nate has come up with an idea that he’s asked me to run by you,” Linc said.

  Her suspicion had been correct, but remained silent. Walk away, now!

  “His proposal is you go under cover as an independent driver. They would never suspect a sassy, sexy woman. A confidential informant working in the company said Andrew Sayers has moved up in the organization. I personally want that bastard for shooting Jessie.”

  “Right now, the company is experiencing top-level turnover,” Nate added. “The founder of the company passed away a few months ago and his two sons, a daughter, and a nephew inherited the company. We also learned that they’re in trouble with their insurance company.”

  “Adams Security and Investigations has been retained to look into insurance fraud, your specialty. Nate and I wouldn’t ask this of you if we didn’t think you could handle yourself. This is a life-threatening situation, yours, so give it serious thought before you take on this assignment.”

  Sam didn’t have to be reminded that Nate and Treig Taylor, Lincoln’s brother-in-law, a former agent for the Alcohol Beverage Control, had barely escaped with their lives. She feathered one of her dangling, gold duck earrings with her finger and closed off the part of her brain that advised she walk away. The fee she intended to charge would pay for the equipment in her bakery kitchen and the ornate tables and chairs for the interior of the Victorian-themed tea room. “When would I have to start?”

  “As soon as possible,” Nate said. “The company is currently looking for drivers.”

  “I have a personal vendetta against Andrew Sayers. I’ll need all the background info on the owners, accident reports, the info your task force has gathered, and any suspects. Include the name of your confidential informant.”

  Linc passed her the small drive, folder, and a specially programmed burn phone. “Everything you’ll need is right here.” Lincoln winked, knowing she would understand. “Your handle is the password. I will let the insurance company know our agent will be working undercover.”

  “I’ll need a couple days to get things in order. Sam Morlock’s foreman can oversee the construction on the tea shop. I should be able to live at home, but Cindi can take care of the animals while I’m on the road. She gave Linc a confident smile. “Tell the insurance company my fee for doing this assignment is triple Adams Security fees, plus all expenses.”

  Samantha pushed up from the chair and gave Linc and Nate a military salute. “I’ll be in touch.”

  An hour later, she added a log to the fire in the original walk-in brick hearth, before settling in one of the two wing chairs that afforded the perfect spot to absorb the warmth from the dancing flames. The previous owners had attached the former summer kitchen to the rear of the house, creating an inviting, intimate parlor. She loved the rental property so much, she’d bargained with Henry Long for the two-hundred year old original stone farmhouse, barn, and outbuildings, along with the two-acre pond that she needed for Cupcake and Muffin, her pet ducks.

  She savored the intense flavor of her Earl Gray tea and tucked her legs on the wide plaid cushion. The thick manila folder was balanced on her lap. The files were already downloaded to her laptop, but she wanted to review the physical paperwork. The top four items were eight by ten color photos of the owners of Trans-American Motor Freight. The first two were of an attractive man and woman, Edward and Edwina O’Ryan, thirty-three year old fraternal twins. The third picture was of the thirty-nine year old nephew, Jonathan Ellis.

  Her hand trembled when she lifted the fourth picture. The last time she’d seen that compelling handsome face with the intense green eyes, she was practically naked and giving him a lap dance.

  One year ago

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