Rocky Mountain Revenge

by Rhonda Starnes

  “Penny for them.”

  “What?” She opened her eyes to see him walking toward her.

  “When I was younger, any time I looked deep in thought, Grandma Bradshaw would offer me a penny for my thoughts.” He sat beside her on the couch, his smile reaching all the way to his eyes. “I always thought it was the funniest thing to say. But just now, seeing your brow furrowed, I suddenly realized I’d give much more than a penny to know what you’re thinking.”

  “I was thinking how blessed I am. Yesterday, I didn’t think I’d live to see today.” She shrugged. “But here I am. I’m not going to take that for granted.”

  He took her hand in his. “Grace—”

  Her cell phone rang, cutting off his words. Bridget Vincent’s number flashed on the screen. Reaching for it, she slid her finger across the screen and hit the speaker button.

  “She’s awake, Grace! Chloe is awake!”

  “What?” Grace looked at Evan. “I thought Dr. Carson wasn’t going to try to bring her out of the coma for another day or two.”

  “I don’t know what happened. Or why he changed his mind. All I know is I stopped by to visit, you know it kind of became a habit, seeing her every day, and...”

  “Bridget, you’re rambling,” Evan interjected. “Does Chloe seem to be okay?”

  “I’m sorry. Yes, she seems perfectly okay, other than a headache, but I guess that’s normal. I mean she did sustain a bump on her head.”

  “Bridget, you’re doing it again.” Grace laughed, having a hard time rallying anger at the talkative girl. “Can you stay with Chloe until I get there?”

  “Yes. Of course.”

  “Great, see you soon.” She disconnected before Bridget could start rambling again. Then reality hit. “Oh. You weren’t planning to drive me back to Denver until this afternoon. If you need to work this morn—”

  “Nope. I’ll take you as promised.” He looked around. “Are your bags packed?”

  “By the door.” She nodded at the small overnight case she’d put there earlier.

  He frowned. “What about the rest of your bags? I assumed you wouldn’t be coming back for a while.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Isn’t that why you closed the clinic?”

  “I closed the clinic because the doctor said I needed to wear this sling for three or four days. But also so I could go back to Denver to oversee my apartment being packed up.”

  “You’re moving?”

  “Yes. Back to Blackberry Falls.”

  His eyes widened, and she rushed on, needing to explain her change of heart. “The past five days have taught me this is where I belong. With people who love me enough to want to know everything going on in my life, so they know I’m okay. And when I’m not, I know they’ll be there to pick me up and cheer me on.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay with the gossips knowing all of your business?” he teased.

  “I have lived in my apartment for ten years. Not one person in my building has a clue about the struggles I’ve been through. And if they did, they wouldn’t care. They would think it wasn’t their business.” She nodded toward the basket on the table. “Your mom made me breakfast. Officer Wilkes has offered to mow Chloe’s lawn, and Lieutenant Johnson is driving my vehicle to Denver so I’ll have it to bring Chloe home. Oh, and Valerie is coming over in a little while to get Barkley so he can stay with her until Chloe and I get back.”

  “Have you forgiven Valerie?”

  She recalled her friend’s tearful phone call a few hours earlier. “Nothing to forgive. James manipulated her, like he did everyone else. He’s the one who set her up with Avery Hebert, and he’s also the one who told her I saw Avery’s face when he attacked Chloe.” Grace smiled. “Valerie is a friend, and I appreciate her desire to help me during this time.”

  “It’s nice having people there for you. Helping you out and showing support.”

  She nodded. “Yes, that is nice. It’s also nice being near the ones you love.”

  She bit her lower lip. Time to tell him. If he rejected her, she’d be okay, but she would never forgive herself if she didn’t tell him what was in her heart.

  She took his hand in hers, her eyes never leaving his. “I’m sorry I hurt you. That it took me fifteen years to realize how rare our love was.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I hope, now I’m moving home, you’ll give me a second chance. And...” She took a deep breath.

  “And?” His eyes twinkled.

  “I know we can’t rush things. I mean Camden has to get to know me. But I hope someday we can be more than friends again.”

  “Are you asking me to marry you?” He wasn’t cutting her any slack, but she didn’t care.

  “Maybe someday I will.”

  “Why wait?”

  “You don’t even know anything about my life these last fifteen years.”

  “I know enough about who you are now to know I still love you. Nothing that happened will change that.”

  Her hands shook, and he squeezed them. “Evan Curtis Bradshaw, I love you, and I do not want to spend another minute of my life without you and Camden in it. Will you marry me?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” He lowered his head and claimed her lips, and she knew she was finally home.

  EPILOGUE

  Five months later

  “I can’t do this!” Evan threw his hands up and stared at his reflection in the mirror. “Why did I let the salesman talk me into getting a self-tie bow tie?”

  “Because, my friend, pre-tied bow ties look cheap and lack the elegance of a self-tie. And on your wedding day, it’s important to look refined.” Ryan laughed and turned Evan to face him, his fingers working quickly to complete the task at hand. “You’re nervous, that’s all.”

  “Nervous? I’m not nervous. I am ecstatic. This is the day I’ve dreamed of for half of my life.” Evan caught a glimpse of Lisa’s mom in the doorway, a sad smile on her face. He turned to her. “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

  She smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. “I know.”

  Ryan quietly slipped out of the room, leaving them alone.

  “Lisa loved you, and I know you loved her, too.”

  “I miss her,” he acknowledged. “I will always miss her.”

  Sally Miller gave him a hug and then pulled back. “She would want you to be happy. So do her dad and I. We can’t bring her back, but promise me, you will keep her memory alive for Camden.”

  “Of course! And, since Grace’s parents are deceased, both of us hope you and Dean will be grandparents to any brothers or sisters Cam might have one day.”

  A smile lit her face, and she placed a hand on his cheek. “We’d be honored.” Wiping her eyes, she added, “I was afraid you’d get busy with your new family and forget us.”

  “You can’t get rid of me that easy.” Evan bent and kissed his mother-in-law’s cheek. “I love you, Mom.”

  “It’s time.” Ryan entered the room, Camden and Barkley at his heels. The latter wore a special doggie bow tie that matched the ones the wedding party wore.

  “I’ll leave you guys and get to my seat,” Sally said, bending to kiss Camden on the top of his head.

  “Okay, guys, let’s do this.” Evan led the way out of the room to where the preacher waited.

  The small group went down the hall and entered the front of the auditorium through a side door.

  The decorations were simple and elegant. Candles flickered on the windowsills, and the pews were adorned with sprays of white flowers and greenery.

  In spite of an early season snowstorm that deposited an unexpected eight inches of snow overnight, the small church where Evan and Grace’s families had always worshiped was packed with friends, neighbors and loved ones.

>   The music began and Evan, with Ryan, Camden and Barkley at his side, turned to face the double doors his bride would walk through. The doors opened and Chloe, wearing a long navy blue gown, entered.

  When she reached the stage, his soon-to-be sister-in-law smiled and whispered, “Wait until you see your bride.”

  A moment later, Evan’s breath caught as Grace glided down the aisle toward him. She was wearing her mother’s wedding dress, a flowing white gown with a beaded-lace bodice, her hair gathered into a low bun. Her face was beaming.

  He met her at the foot of the stage, unable to take his eyes off her. “You. Look. Gorgeous.”

  She laughed. “What? This old thing?”

  “I love you,” they said in unison.

  The preacher cleared his throat. “Would you two care to join me on the stage, so we can proceed with the ceremony?”

  The audience laughed, and Evan offered his arm to Grace as they took the steps to their happily-ever-after.

  * * *

  Uncover the truth in thrilling stories of faith in the face of crime from Love Inspired Suspense.

  Look for six new releases every month, available wherever Love Inspired Suspense books and ebooks are sold.

  Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Explosive Situation by Terri Reed.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading my first Love Inspired Suspense. I hope you liked Grace and Evan’s story. When we are faced with loss and difficult times, it’s easy to lose faith and turn from God, like Evan did. Often, it takes another life-altering event to lead us back to God for the strength that only He can provide.

  As I was writing this story, I knew Grace had to be a strong woman who had moments of vulnerability but would ultimately face danger with strength and, well, grace. I also knew Evan had to be a man of action who loved his family and his hometown, but who, being a widower, guarded his heart and didn’t believe he deserved a happily-ever-after.

  I would love to hear from you. Please connect with me at www.rhondastarnes.com or find me on Facebook @RhondaStarnesAuthor.

  All my best,

  Rhonda Starnes

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  Explosive Situation

  by Terri Reed

  ONE

  A prickle of unease tingled at the base of K-9 detective Henry Roarke’s neck. Squirreled away in the records room of the recently formed Brooklyn K-9 unit with his bomb-sniffing beagle, Cody, lying at his feet and dozens of his fellow officers in the building, he knew there was no reason for the unsettling sensation of being watched. Yet it was something that he had been feeling the past several months. Even before the incident that had landed him in hot water.

  Eyeing Cody, who lifted his head but made no sound, Henry couldn’t decide if he was being paranoid or had just been cooped up in here too long, especially with the humid July heat adding its own special brand of oppression to the windowless room. Yet he couldn’t shake the disquiet alerting his senses.

  With slow, deliberate movements, he set down the file folder he held, straightened his spine and turned around, fully expecting to find an empty doorway. Instead, his gaze collided with the amber-colored eyes of Internal Affairs Lieutenant Olivia Vance. He suppressed a groan of frustration.

  She stood tall and regal in a black pantsuit with her brunette hair pulled back into some sort of fancy bun, which emphasized the slender column of her neck visible above the collar of her white shirt. Her tawny skin had the glow of health and her full lips were tinged a slightly rosy color that emphasized her very feminine and pretty mouth. He jerked his gaze back to her eyes.

  The woman exuded a professional aptitude that would normally draw Henry in. He liked women who were confident and sure of their place in the world—not that he’d dated much the past six years. After his long-term girlfriend Kathy’s refusal to bond with Riley, he’d made a vow not to let anyone in his life until his sister was on her own.

  Except this woman was here to dig into his life, not start a romance. Olivia was tasked with determining whether the allegations brought against him by a twentysomething-year-old punk, who’d resisted arrest and made a grab for his sidearm, were reason enough to recommend to the review board that Henry be brought up on assault charges. Charges that would end a career he loved.

  Sharply turning back to the mound of folders he was organizing, Henry asked, “Can I help you, Lieutenant?”

  “I need to interview you.”

  He slanted a glance at her.

  “If you would please accompany me to an interrogation room.” She gestured to the open doorway and empty hall behind her.

  Jaw clenching, Henry marshaled his irritation as best he could. “With all due respect, ma’am, I’ve already spoken to Lieutenant Jabboski. Can’t you read his report?”

  Olivia’s delicately dark, winged eyebrows rose. “I’m sorry to inform you that Lieutenant Jabboski’s skills as an investigator were lacking. He made few notes and relied heavily on his gut feelings. I, however, do not.”

  The original Internal Affairs investigator had recently suffered a mild heart attack and retired, leaving the investigation to be completed by the recently promoted Olivia. Though Henry had never met the woman, he’d known of her for years. He was friends with her two older brothers, both officers working out of Manhattan precincts and also knew one of her sisters, a paramedic. Each had described Olivia as a taskmaster, meticulous and overbearing. Traits that lent themselves to the career she’d chosen.

  “Because I am basically starting from the beginning,” the lieutenant continued, “I need to hear from you regarding the events that took place on the night in question.”

  Henry’s coworkers had already been interviewed by the Internal Affairs lieutenant. And no matter how much each one had assured him that the investigation wouldn’t amount to anything, anxiety twisted in his chest. Now it was his turn to fall under this woman’s scrutiny. “I’d like my union rep to be present.”

  After a second’s hesitation, she inclined her head. “That is your right. I will wait to hear from you and set up a time in the future. Meanwhile, have fun with your file folders—though I seriously doubt any of them are about to explode.”

  Henry drew back his chin at the jab. “Excuse me?”

  She shrugged and gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I was told you were chomping at the bit to get back to full duty. Apparently, I was misinformed.” She turned to go.

  “Lieutenant, wait!” Henry was indeed eager to reclaim his position on the bomb squad. He was tired of the menial assignments and there was only so much training he and Cody could do in a day before the dog needed a break. “I’ve changed my mind. We can do this now. Here.”

  He’d talk to her without his union rep because he hadn’t done anything wrong, but he wasn’t about to let her put him in an interrogation room like he was some criminal suspect.

  For a moment, she seemed to consider his words, then nodded before withdrawing a small notepad and pen from her suit jacket. She stepped just inside the doorway. “Okay, then. Tell me about the night of March twenty-seventh.”

  Resigning himself to repeating what he’d told Jabboski, Henry said, “A call came in about a possible bomb threat at Owl’s Head Park’s skate park. When we—”

  The chime of an incoming text on his cell phone filled the room. Henry grabbed the device from the top of the filing cabinet. He hoped the text was from his sister saying she had made it safely home from her summer class at Brooklyn College.

  He still wasn’t used to the idea of his baby sister going to college. She’d elected to take summer classes to
jump-start her freshmen year. Plus, it would keep her busy because her regular summer job of nanny for the neighbors was on hold while the family was out west visiting relatives.

  “Excuse me,” Olivia’s voice snapped. “We’re in the middle of an interview.”

  Henry met her gaze. “I understand, ma’am. This will only take a minute.”

  He opened his text messages, aware of Olivia’s displeasure emanating from her like daggers poking into his skin. He turned his back while he read the text. It was from Riley. She was on her way to Coney Island. Her class had ended over an hour ago. No doubt she was already at the boardwalk and texting him had been an afterthought. She was in so much trouble.

  He blew out a breath as he quickly typed a response, reminding her they’d discussed her going straight home after her class. She may be eighteen and technically an adult, but until she was on her own and not living under his roof, she still had to abide by his rules. And she’d just broken one.

  He pinched the bridge of his nose as he set the phone back on the filing cabinet. His head throbbed with a brewing headache. Why had no one told him parenting a teenager would be so difficult? He didn’t regret taking in his half sibling after the death of their father and her mother six years ago. But there were times when he pondered what it would be like to be free of this constant gnawing worry.

  “Can we proceed?” Olivia’s voice was edged in impatience.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He couldn’t believe he had to go through this again. He had had complete confidence that Lieutenant Jabboski would have told the review board that Henry had acted appropriately. Now the investigation was starting from scratch. And with the disapproving glare that this woman was serving him, he doubted she would find much in his favor.

  Reining in his frustration, he said, “When Cody and I, along with Detective Bradley McGregor and his K-9, arrived—”

  His phone chimed again with another incoming text. He cringed. Now what? He hoped Riley was saying she was headed home.