By the Book

by Kay Lyons

  Claire turned and spotted her father as he approached her from across the yard. Two hours ago, she’d accepted his arm for the walk down the aisle to where Denz and Tommy waited, both tall and handsome in their suits.

  She hadn’t been able to look away from her gorgeous fiancé—Oliver’s new head of security—as she’d moved past the small group of friends gathered behind Oliver and Marsali’s new home.

  Her new home.

  Due to Denz’s new position, Oliver had offered to sell the small guest house at the end of the street as part of Denz’s employment package. After all, it couldn’t hurt to have someone like Denz actually living next door.

  Denz’s comprehensive security plan and Oliver’s job offer had led Denz to create his own security firm. His company now handled security for all of Oliver’s film ventures as well as their personal security in Carolina Cove, plus a rapidly growing list of clients in the area.

  While Denz’s job still involved an element of danger, he was more businessman, logistics engineer, and coordinator than bodyguard, and he did his job exceedingly well. Especially since he knew what was involved to guard someone so closely.

  Another change had been Denz contacting his father. The man had come for a visit a month ago and decided to move from Savannah to Carolina Cove. As of Friday, he lived in the apartment above her father’s garage, and George and her father had become fast friends.

  Her gaze shifted and settled on her son, seated at a table beside his plus-one, a pretty brunette girl from Tommy’s school. Tommy had reminded her of what she’d said about no one wanting to go to a wedding alone, and that’s when she’d realized her son had his first crush.

  Tommy caught her watching them and smiled shyly. Tears flooded Claire’s eyes, but they were happy ones born out of a heart ready to burst because it was so full of love.

  Tommy had made a huge turnaround since they’d come here. He’d settled into school, was doing great in therapy, had joined the lacrosse team, and his grades were back up. She was so proud of him, and she loved the relationship Tommy and Denz shared.

  They had their “guy time” at the gym four days a week, and Denz encouraged Tommy’s interest in computers due to the security aspect and job potential for cybersecurity. Tommy loved the idea and, as of now, considered it his future career.

  She inhaled as her father grew closer, and used the moment to imprint the view in her mind because the yard held all of her favorite people.

  Eliza had insisted on gifting Claire and Denz with her services, and when added to the beautiful backdrop, Claire felt their intimate wedding was the most breathtaking of all.

  “You know, I’ve never seen you this happy. Ever,” her father said.

  She shifted her gaze and realized her big, tough father struggled to hold back tears. “I…don’t think I’ve ever been this happy,” she said, admitting that the life she’d shared before was good—but it wasn’t the same as this.

  It was amazing what time and maturity could do when it came to opening one’s eyes.

  “Well, I’m happy for you both,” Tom said, giving her a hug. “You were a beautiful bride, Claire. I’m glad I got to see it this time,” he said with a wink.

  Music started to play and she felt Denz’s presence behind her. She turned and watched him approach. “Hi, husband.”

  “Wife,” he said with a dip of his head and a too sexy smile. “Dance with me?”

  She placed her hand in his and let Denz lead her to the center of the beautiful travertine patio. He drew her into his arms and they began to sway back and forth.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”

  She closed her eyes and rubbed her temple against his chin, loving the feel of his skin. “Hmm. Several times. And just so you know, you clean up pretty well yourself. This day couldn’t have been more perfect, could it?”

  Denz stopped moving and she stared up at him, loving the love she saw in his mahogany gaze and the tender way he looked at her.

  She smiled at him and rose onto her toes to press a soft kiss to his lips, relishing the moment because her tough guy struggled to express himself. “I know,” she said softly, still amazed by the fact his temporary status had turned into something so permanent. “Me, too.”

  WANT TO READ OTHER BOOKS SET IN MY FICTIONAL COASTAL TOWN OF CAROLINA COVE? CHECK OUT AN EXCERPT OF THE LAST GOODBYE:

  Dominic Dunn hit his turn signal and waited for a family of five to cross the sidewalk before he turned into the Carolina Cove Inn lot and parked, dread filling his stomach. Just the sight of the happy families and tourists wandering the sidewalks, lounging on restaurant patios, and enjoying the lively Saturday night left him angry. He should've ignored the letter. Ignored his next-door neighbor and best friend, ignored his boss and coworkers who said he had to honor Lisa's last request and come here.

  "Mister? You gonna get out?"

  The boy's voice startled Dominic and he turned to see a kid around eight years old watching him. The salt-air breeze blowing through the open windows of his car brought with it the smell of fried foods from the restaurants nearby, and seagulls squawked as they flew overhead.

  "Mister?"

  "Yeah," Dominic said, only then realizing he'd pulled into a parking place and was literally sitting there with his foot on the brake as he debated his choices of whether to throw the new car in reverse and floor it to get out of Carolina Cove as quickly as possible… or stay the prepaid two weeks Lisa had booked for him before her death.

  "Doesn't look like it. Are you drunk?"

  A rough-sounding chuckle left his chest. "Do you get a lot of drunk people here?"

  "Sometimes."

  "I see. Well, I'm not drunk. Just trying to decide if I want to stay here."

  "Oh. You got a reservation?"

  Did the kid ever stop asking questions? A memory formed, that of his son, Elijah, at the same age. "Yeah, I do."

  "Then why don't you wanna stay?"

  Dominic glanced at the clock and noted the time. If he left now, he'd add another six hours to his drive from Atlanta. Not how he wanted to spend what was left of the day. Maybe he should spend the night and head back to Atlanta first thing in the morning? "You've convinced me. I guess I will stay."

  "I'll show you the way to the office."

  "Do your parents know you're out here near the street? You're awfully young to be wandering about on your own."

  The kid’s shoulders squared and he lifted his chin to a defiant angle.

  "I'm almost ten."

  He looked younger, maybe because of his small stature. "Well, almost ten or not, there are a lot of strangers milling around, and it's not safe for kids these days. Are you visiting?" He sounded like an old man talking about "the good old days" but it was true. What kind of parent just let their kid wander the streets in a beach town full of people, some of whom probably waited on the opportunity to grab a kid and head out of town?

  "No. I live here. You coming or not?"

  The kid had spunk, Dominic had to give him that.

  He rolled up the windows of the Porsche 911, killing the powerful engine with another press of a button. He felt a little conspicuous driving the flashy car, but he had to admit he loved the power. Just like Lisa knew he would.

  He opened the door and climbed out of the low vehicle, yet another thing to get used to after driving a family-friendly SUV for so many years.

  "Wow. You're tall. My mom is too. I hope I'm tall when I grow up."

  Dominic locked the car and fell into step behind the boy. "I see the sign for the office. You can head home if you like."

  "No. I need to check in anyway." The kid turned around and walked backward, rolling his eyes in classic kid fashion. "Or my mom will freak out and call the police again."

  Again? "Does that happen a lot?"

  "Her calling the police or freaking out?"

  "Take your pick."

  "Yeah."

  Yeah to… both? Dom bit back another chuckle. Given th
e kid's intrepid personality, he probably kept his mom busy.

  The kid flipped face-forward and Dom watched as the boy ran up the two steps leading to the office. He yanked open the door.

  "Mom! Reservation!"

  Dom noted the wide southern porch with its rocking chairs and a few chairs and tables before he followed the kid inside, well able to see why Lisa had liked the inn so much if the porch and office interior were anything by which to judge. It was her style of decorating. Beachy but understated.

  The office walls were a soft gray with blue and sand-colored accents. There was a comfortable-looking couch and chair in the waiting area, a rope swing hanging from the ceiling in front of a painted mural of the beach and ocean behind, and on the opposite side, a coffee bar, popcorn machine, and snack area with a couple of parlor-type tables and chairs.

  "Mom!"

  "Samuel, how many times have I told you? No yelling. Inside voice," a woman stated as she appeared from a hallway behind the chest-high desk.

  Dominic stilled, uncomfortable with the stomach-punching fact he found her beautiful. He'd guess her age to be early to mid-thirties, tall like her son said, at around five eight. Her auburn hair was scooped back and held at her nape, but curly tendrils framed her face and highlighted striking eyes that matched the blue of the ocean painting behind the check-in area.

  "But, Mom, you have a reservation and sometimes don’t hear me."

  "A— Oh,” she said, locking gazes with Dominic. “Sorry about that. Welcome to Carolina Cove Inn. I'm Ireland Cohen, the manager."

  He forced himself to focus on her name rather than her beauty. "Ireland? Like the country?"

  "Yes."

  "Unusual name."

  "Unusual family," she said by way of explanation. She flashed them both a smile. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long?"

  "Not at all. Samuel kept me company."

  "Mom, you should see his cool car! I'll bet it goes really fast. Does it?"

  "It does."

  "Maybe you'll take me for a ride sometime?"

  "Samuel."

  "I'm leaving tomorrow."

  "Oh."

  "And even if he wasn't, Samuel, that's not something you ask our guests. We've talked about this, remember?” the boy’s mother said while sliding her son a stern glare.

  "Yes, ma'am."

  Samuel glanced at Dominic and rolled his eyes, and yet again Dom found himself stifling a chuckle. And wondering at the last time he'd laughed so much in such a short span of time. "Tough break, kid."

  "Let's get you checked in. Name?"

  "Dominic Dunn."

  "Domin—"

  His name ended with a gasp and Ireland's eyes filled with tears. She blinked rapidly and managed to keep them from falling, but in that instant, he knew she recognized him—and knew his reason for being there.

  CLICK THE LAST GOODBYE TO KEEP READING!

  Kay Lyons Books

  MONTANA SECRETS SERIES:

  HEALING HER COWBOY

  IT HAD TO BE YOU

  HERS TO KEEP

  MILLION DOLLAR STANDOFF

  HIS CHRISTMAS WISH

  THEIR SECRET SON

  THE SEASIDE SISTERS SERIES:

  THE LAST GOODBYE

  LATTES AND LULLABYES

  MAP OF DREAMS

  WORTH THE RISK

  LOST LOVE FOUND

  TAMING THE TULANES SERIES:

  SMALL TOWN SCANDAL

  THEIR SECRET BARGAIN

  CROSSING THE LINE

  THE NANNY’S SECRET

  SOMEONE TO TRUST

  THE STONE RIVER SERIES:

  WORTH THE WAIT

  NOT BY SIGHT

  THROUGH THE VALLEY

  LEAD ME NOT

  CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY WOOD

  THEIR CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

  SECOND CHANCES

  SMALL TOWN SCANDALS SERIES:

  BRODY’S REDEMPTION

  FALLING FOR HER BOSS

  WITH THIS MAN

  SECRET SANTA SERIES:

  SECRET SANTA

  SECRET SANTA II: A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER

  MAKE ME A MATCH SERIES:

  ROMANCE RESET

  RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

  THE MATCHMAKER’S SECRET

  PERFECTLY MISMATCHED

  BY THE BOOK

  FAQ

  Is Carolina Cove a real place?

  Carolina Cove is purely fictional; however, it is loosely based on one of my favorite places—Kure Beach, North Carolina. Kure Beach is home to a wonderful pier, a pavilion for special events like weddings and birthdays, swings facing the Atlantic, pelicans Pete and George, coffee shops, restaurants, and more. It’s also close to the North Carolina Aquarium, Carolina Beach, and Wilmington.

  * * *

  Can I stay at the Carolina Cove Inn?

  While Carolina Cove and the Carolina Cove Inn are purely fictional, there are plenty of motels and rentals in the area to enjoy.

  * * *

  But the pier is real?

  Yes! And it has quite a history. Be sure to check out the Kure Beach Pier Cam for a view of Kure Beach and the Atlantic.

  * * *

  What about the restaurants and coffee shops and places you’ve mentioned in the series?

  London’s Lattes is based on two of my favorite local coffee shops in Kure Beach and Carolina Beach. Are there more? Yes, plenty. But those two shops I know well because I’ve visited fairly often while writing these stories. Neither of them on their own was perfect for what I had in mind for London’s, however, so I basically combined the two and ta-da! London’s Lattes was born. But, no, if you go into either of them, you won’t find London’s exact business. Isn’t fiction wonderful?

  * * *

  Why make up a city? Why not use Kure Beach?

  One of the best things about writing fiction is that when a story appears a certain way, you can write it just that way. Carolina Cove and the characters appeared to me in story form and while Kure Beach IS one of my favorite places, I had to change some things to better fit the series as well as steer far away from any real-life persons/families for obvious reasons. Doing so, that meant also changing the name of the city, etc. But, that said, you will find a slew of similarities in the fictional city and the real one. :)

  * * *

  Where is the dream catcher mailbox?

  Unfortunately the dream catcher mailbox is pure fiction and an idea taken from a “beach mailbox” I visited once many years ago. The dream catcher mailbox first appeared in the SEASIDE SISTERS SERIES.

  * * *

  How did you research the matchmaking aspect?

  Oh, the answer to this was fun! Wilmington actually has a professional matchmaker. I interviewed her to get my details straight and learned a lot about a very fascinating business!

  MAKE ME A MATCH SERIES:

  ROMANCE RESET

  RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

  THE MATCHMAKER’S SECRET

  PERFECTLY MISMATCHED

  BY THE BOOK

  About the Author

  Kay Lyons always wanted to be a writer, ever since the age of seven or eight when she copied the pictures out of a Charlie Brown book and rewrote the story because she didn’t like the plot. Through the years her stories have changed but one characteristic stayed true— they were all romances. Each and every one of her manuscripts included a love story.

  Published in 2005 with Harlequin Enterprises, Kay’s first release was a national bestseller. Kay has also been a HOLT Medallion, Book Buyers Best and RITA Award nominee. Look for her most recent novels with Kindred Spirits Publishing.

  For more information regarding her work, please visit Kay at the following:

  www.kaylyonsauthor.com

  @KayLyonsAuthor (Twitter)

  Kay Lyons Author (Facebook)

  Author_Kay_Lyons (Instagram)

  Kay Lyons, Author (Pinterest)

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