Spotlight: Past Presence by Nicole Bross

Only by looking into the past can Audrey save her future.

Audrey Eames is happy living the wanderer’s life. After a near-death experience in her teens, Audrey can see people’s past lives whenever her skin touches theirs, and afraid of being labeled delusional, she’s never stayed in one place too long or made any deep connections.

So when Audrey’s estranged aunt dies and leaves her the historic Soberly Inn and Public House on the scenic Oregon coast, Audrey wants nothing to do with it. She’s determined to sell the inn and leave town before someone discovers the power she’s been hiding from the world, but clauses in her aunt’s will seem to block her at every turn.

Yet once ensconced in Soberly’s small town life, the people—particularly the inn's bartender, Kellen Greene—start to grow on her, and she begins to feel that maybe she’s finally found a place of her own. As accepting as the townspeople seem, Audrey fears their reactions—and Kellen’s rejection—and decides to keep her visions a secret. But all is not well in Soberly. Soon after Audrey arrives, people in town start dying in the same manner as in their past lives—but in this lifetime it’s murder. When suspicion starts to fall on Audrey and Kellen, Audrey vows to use her gift to find the murderer and protect the people she loves—before it’s too late.

Excerpt

“It’s been nice chatting with you, Miss Eames.” The night coach driver offers me his hand, palm up, as I prepare to step down and off the bus. With a smile, I accept—careful not to put any weight onto his fingers, which look swollen and red with age and the decades he’s been gripping the wheel.

He handed a woman, all swirling skirts, and ruffles, off the carriage-and-four. She was laughing at something her mother had said, but before she stepped up the gravel path leading to the doors of the grand estate, flung open to welcome guests to the ball within, she turned to give him a nod and a half-smile.

“Enjoy your evening, Miss.” He returned her nod as the heat crept up under his stiff white collar, but she had already caught up with her mother, and he didn’t  think she had heard him.

The way his hand clasps mine is the same. Some habits carry over from one lifetime to the next, as I’ve learned. The vision lingers in my mind even after I pull away and shoulder my duffel. The manor home looked English, and the woman’s dress was definitely late Victorian.

The sun is cracking the horizon, bathing the village of Soberly, Oregon, all twelve streets of it, in a glow that changes from sepia to marigold. The bus pulls away behind me in a cloud of exhaust and fine yellow sand, off to the next tiny hamlet along the coastal highway, leaving me standing in the empty street.

My destination is clearly visible—there is only one hotel here, the sensible, if unoriginally named, Soberly Inn and Public House. Standing one block away, it faces the sea and even from here I can see how the salt spray has faded the once-cobalt blue paint to a dull cornflower over the years. For reasons I don’t yet understand, the Soberly Inn now belongs to me, and I am here to claim it.

I had no idea my Aunt Roz had even owned the inn. The last time I saw her I was an awkward pre- teen, and she was less than twice my age. I sometimes remembered to email her on her birthday, but not, I’m ashamed to say, every year, although she never forgot mine. Yet despite our distant, superficial relationship, she had left this place to me, rather than the wife she left behind when she died of a rapidly progressing cancer ten days ago. Maybe she was an ex-wife now. I had no idea. We weren’t even Facebook friends. The notification of her death had come via her lawyer, not my father, along with the news that, for the first time in my life, I was a property owner. The news had affected me deeply, more so than I expected. Now, looking at Roz’s prize for the first time, the quiet ache in my chest ramps up to a throbbing spasm before fading again.

This was what my carefree aunt gave up her vagabond life for, and now she wanted me to do the same? I stare up at the building, taking note of the aged wooden siding where the paint has curled away in places, the cracked cedar shingles, and the plain-lettered sign swinging from two chains beside the entrance. ‘Shabby’ was the word that came to mind, and not ‘shabby chic,’ either. I could only imagine the interior was just as dusty and unremarkable as the exterior.

“What were you thinking, Roz?” I say under my breath. My feet are still planted in the same place because I don’t know where to go. There isn’t a soul in sight at this time of day, nor are any of the assortment of shops and businesses that line the main street open. I know there will almost certainly be someone at the front desk of the inn, but although I’ve come all this way, I’m not ready to make an appearance there yet, not without knowing what I want to say, something I’d neglected to plan on the long bus ride. I scuff one toe of my battered Chucks in the sand that’s accumulated along the curb, stalling. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the beach, I decide, as I step into the street with the rising sun at my back. The inn is a problem I delegate to Future Audrey. Right-now Audrey is going for a walk along the coast.

***

As it turns out, the only thing four hours of roaming the beach does is add hunger and the intense need to find a bathroom to my problems. Possibly a sunburn as well, judging from the pinkish hue my skin is taking on. I’ve always felt the injustice of not inheriting the platinum blonde or fiery red hair color that usually accompanies my level of fair skin. There’s nothing even remotely exotic or attention-getting about the flat, medium- brown I ended up with. At least I can be thankful it doesn’t frizz in the humidity, otherwise, I’d look like a positive nightmare right now.

The sun is almost directly overhead when I make my way over the last dune to the boardwalk. Although the village’s one cafe is now open and will serve my requirements, I trudge past it to the inn, standing a bit apart from the businesses surrounding it by virtue of its height, the only three-story building in a two-story town.

Faced with two doors, one into the inn itself and one into the pub, I choose the latter. It takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the dimness, but my stomach reacts to the environment immediately, growling audibly as the scent of fresh-fried fish greets me.

The pub is classic seaside kitsch, decorated with fishing nets and glass buoys, old traps, and a well-worn rowboat suspended upside-down from the ceiling. Maps of the coastline and faded photographs decorate the walls, as well as other assorted nautical ephemera, and together it paints a portrait of the rich coastal history of the town.

I’m still blinking away the daylight, taking this all in, when someone steps into my field of vision.

“Grab a seat wherever you want,” a guy holding a large plastic tub says. He’s clearing empty glasses and plates as he says it. I nod my acknowledgment because the pair of red Beats headphones he’s wearing will certainly drown out any verbal reply. His head is bobbing in time to music only he can hear as he disappears through a door leading to what I assume is the kitchen.

I duck into the washroom first, eliminating one of my problems. The maritime theme continues, with signs for pirates and wenches on the doors, and mirrors framed to look like portholes. Girls can be pirates too, and I don’t see why boys can’t be wenches. Geez, Roz. Sexist much? She’d been an ardent feminist in her early twenties. Had she stopped caring, or was I reading too much into a couple of bathroom signs?

The only table free seats six, so I choose a high stool at the near-vacant bar instead. I’ve arrived right in the middle of the lunch rush, from the looks of it. I still don’t know what to say to anyone here. “Hi, I’m the new owner,” seems arrogant, especially since I have no intention of keeping the place.

A menu appears in front of me, startling me out of my ruminations. Across the polished walnut bar stands a man whose skin is a shade lighter than the wood he’s resting his hands on. His smile widens as he stares at me expectantly.

“Sorry—what?” I shake my head, flustered. Who has teeth that straight, that white? Self-conscious, I half-cover my mouth with the back of my hand. Mine show clear evidence of my two-pot-a-day coffee habit. I don’t know what I was expecting, maybe someone of the same vintage as the decor, but it definitely wasn’t someone younger than me, although maybe only by a couple years.

“Drink?” he repeats, jerking his head at the long row of taps, each with a branded handle. Most of them I’ve never heard of, and I’m not a daytime drinker anyway. “This is a pub,” he adds and winks. The bartender who’s well aware of his good looks. I’m familiar with the type. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it my type, but I’d gone home with enough of them over the years.

“Sweet tea,” I say. “Extra ice.”

“Sure you don’t want a pint? Maybe a cold glass of white?”

I shake my head. “Tea’s fine.”

“G&T? I’ll put lots of ice in it.” He’s polishing up a tumbler, reaching for the bottle of Bombay on the shelf behind him. I roll my eyes, but I can’t keep the side of my mouth from twitching.

“Put that back. I just want the sweet tea. Are you on commission or something?”

“Nah, I just want to card you so I know your name,” he says. Unrepentant, he points to the sign nailed to a pillar that states We ID Anyone Under 25.

“You’re off the mark by a few years, my friend,” I tell him. He’s finally pouring my sweet tea from the soda tap into a massive glass full of ice.

“Bullshit.” As soon as he sets it down in front of me, I’m chugging it back, not breathing until the glass is half-empty. He snags it back and refills it while I wipe my mouth with a cocktail napkin. What I want to do is scoop the ice out and rub it all over my arms and face, which are starting to feel alarmingly hot. From all the sun, I tell myself. Not from the attention of this cocky bartender.

“We ID for all food orders too, you know.”

I lean in close and pause before speaking, making it clear I’m appraising him. “Maybe I’m not hungry.”

“You are. I saw you drinking in the smell of the fryer when you walked in. You got this dreamy smile that said you knew exactly what you wanted. So, let’s see it.” He holds out his hand with a crooked, teasing smile, but I push it away with the menu I haven’t even glanced at. He’s right. I don’t need to look at it at all, but I don’t want to admit that he can read me so well.

“You don’t have to show ID to order food here. You made that up.”

“So what? I can make up the rules if I want.”

“Oh, you must own the place?” I mirror his teasing tone, but I’m watching him closely, seeing how he’ll respond. I expect a smart ass reply in the same vein as our banter, but a shadow crosses his face and the smile slips. Shit. The owner just died, you idiot. As usual, the words spilled out of my mouth before I had a chance to think them through.

“I’m not, actually,” he says.

“I know. I’m sorry, that was stupid of me to say.” I bite my lip and plunge forward. “I’m Audrey. Audrey Eames. Roz’s niece. Umm, I’m the owner, I guess. So, they tell me. For now.” The silence stretches out between us as he takes all this in, frozen in place while I sit there, feeling like an utter moron with my hand outstretched, waiting for him to shake it. I’m just about to withdraw it into my lap when a wide grin cracks his face. He grips my hand so our forearms touch and our elbows rest on the bar, like we’re about to arm-wrestle. I’m drawn forward in the process so we’re almost nose-to-nose.

A gaggle of children ran through the field ahead of her and scrambled over the stile. They were jostling each other and shouting raucously, overjoyed to be free of the classroom for the afternoon. All but one, a small boy whose hand was clasped snugly into hers.

“Look, Miss Dean, a nest. The others missed it.” The boy spoke with a thick country accent as he pointed up at the treetops.

“Good eye, Wil. What sort of bird do you think made it?”

“Something big. A kite, maybe.” She nodded in agreement, and they continued on in companionable silence, following the sounds of laughter ahead.

“You totally played me, Audrey. I thought you were just another tumbleweed. I’m glad you’re not. Kellen Greene. It’s very nice to meet you.” The vision of his past- self fades from my mind, and I wonder what qualities he and the teacher have in common.

“A tumbleweed?” He squeezes my hand before releasing it, the pad of his thumb tracing a line up the side of my index finger like he’s trying to maintain contact up to the last possible second.

“Tourists that roll on through town with the wind, here and gone before you know it. They don’t bring anything with them, and they don’t take anything away either.”

“My bag should have clued you in that I wasn’t just passing through,” I point out, kicking it where it rests at my feet.

“Ahh, but there’s only one place to stay in Soberly,” he nods toward the ceiling and the rooms above, “and it’s full up, at least until Sunday.” Kellen walks over to the door leading into the back and swings it open. “Hey, Ma,” he shouts, drawing the attention of everyone in the pub. “Come meet your new boss.”

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About the Author

Nicole Bross is an author from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where she lives with her husband, two children and one very large orange cat. When she’s not writing or working as the editor of a magazine, she can be found curled up with a book, messing around with her ever-expanding collection of manual typewriters or in the departures lounge of the airport at the beginning of another adventure. Past Presence is her debut novel.

Contact Information

Website: nicolebross.com (coming soon, currently under construction)

Facebook: facebook.com/NicoleBrossAuthor

Twitter: @brossypants

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7877604-nicole-bross

Book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42856212-past-presence

Spotlight: The Making of Daisy Hart by Karen Tjebben

Cassie Bowmont had what it took to succeed, at least that’s what she told herself. Hoping a change of pace and new scenery would get her creative juices flowing, she rented a beach cottage in the small town of Avenel where she could dip her pen into the steamy depths of adult romance. She didn’t need or want any distractions to thwart her progress, but she hadn’t counted on Chris Walker. After deciding that he would be a great muse for the hero in her book, she realized that a summer fling with him was just what the Book Gods ordered.

When Chris Walker spotted the small car on the shoulder of the road, his hero complex kicked in. Unable to ignore a damsel in distress, he pulled over to be a knight in a Ford F-150. He stomped through the flooded road and convinced Cassie to follow him to safety. After a goodbye wave in the parking lot of a Piggly Wiggly, he figured he’d never see her again, but Fate had other plans. When their paths crossed once more, he paused long enough to notice the delight in her eyes, the playful smirk on her glossy lips, and the determination of her spirit. His heart stuttered. His brain flooded with need, and a crack penetrated the wall around his heart.

They knew the summer was all they’d have but falling for each other was inevitable. The pleasure of lust somehow transformed into the contentment of love. When a jilted lover returns and sabotages their relationship, they must decide if they will be prisoners to the past or sail into their future.

Excerpt

“Are you published?” Chris asked.

“Yes.” She nodded and added, “Self-published.”

“What genre?”  

Pink heated her cheeks. She wasn’t about to tell him that she wrote romance and was considering erotica. She hadn’t decided yet. She read both, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to be an erotica writer. She wasn’t sure she had enough sexual experience or creativity to write a book that needed eight to ten sex scenes. She thought she could handle two or three at the most per book, which was what most of the romances she’d read had.

“I’m debating between writing contemporary romance or romantic suspense. You know, chick lit.” She did her best to make that sound boring and uninteresting.

“Chick lit,” he repeated. The corners of his mouth turned up. Was that code for mommy porn? His cock perked up at the news. What kind of naughty thoughts went through her mind? Damn, she was already hot, but that information made her down right volcanic. He’d have to get his hands on one of her books to check it out.  

“You know, books you read at the beach, while waiting in line at the grocery store. Something with a Happily Ever After. Feel good books,” she added with a casual shrug. Then she cursed adding that last part.

His green eyes darkened with lust. Feel good books. He knew what that meant. Women all over America read books at night to ‘feel good’. Was she into that? Damn, his pants were getting tight in the crotch just thinking about the ways she could make him feel good.

She wanted to roll her eyes. Men were so predictable. They couldn’t help but think with their cocks. She should have known the man sitting across from her would be no different. He’d been a gentleman last night and had been polite so far, but the heat in his gaze betrayed the truth that his cock had taken over his brain once the conversation shifted to something that hinted at the notion of sexuality.

When would her bacon and eggs get here? She needed to finish this impromptu breakfast. She leaned closer to him and shook her head. “I don’t write about sex,” she stated matter-of-factly and a little annoyed.

It didn’t matter that she was going to write about sex. He didn’t need to know that was what she was considering. The way he looked at her suddenly made her feel dirty. Like she was some porn queen who’d fucked an entire town or a sports team. She wasn’t into group sex or even banging strangers. She liked to be wined and dined. She had high standards for men she’d be with romantically. But if the look he was giving her was typical for how men would approach her once they knew that she wrote romance, she’d have to come up with a pen name. It was becoming clear that keeping her writing persona separate from her true identity would be the best plan.

Chris leaned back in the booth and waved his hand as if wiping away dirty thoughts. “Of course not. I didn’t think you did.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Look, you don’t owe me an explanation. I love books. The only bad book is an unread book, right?” Hopefully that appeased her.  

Thankfully the waitress set their plates on the table in front of them at that moment. Clearing his throat, he thanked the waitress and grabbed a piece of bacon and shoved it into his mouth before he said something stupid.   

Cassie picked up her fork and jabbed the liquid center of her egg. The yolk spilled out and flowed over the egg white. Would everyone look at her like she was a weirdo if they knew what she wrote? Could she live with that?

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About the Author

Karen Tjebben lives in central North Carolina with her wonderful husband, twin daughters, and two hamsters. When her girls left for kindergarten, Karen discovered that she needed to fill her days with something, and that was the beginning of her writing career. She loves to create worlds filled with unique characters that she hopes will delight and raise goose bumps on her readers. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and seeing the world through her daughters' eyes.

Contact Information

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Spotlight: Lanterns In The Sky by P.S. Malcolm

Lanterns In The Sky
P.S. Malcolm
(The Starlight Chronicles, #1)
Publication date: April 2nd 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Everything was normal for Lucy Maisfer until the day a star fell from the sky and knocked her out. Upon waking, she comes face-to-face with Jason Woods, who also happens to be the mysterious new guy in her best friend, Valarie’s, life.

Then the strange dreams begin, and she learns about the Starlight Princess— who must not under any circumstance be reawakened. Driven to uncover the meaning of it, she finds herself caught up in a strange twist of events that eventually lead to bigger danger than she ever anticipated. Before long, Lucy is forced to make a choice between saving the world, or saving her best friend; only to discover that Valarie cannot be saved… that she has an even darker secret, and that her supposed star-crossed romance with Jason might not be so destined after all…

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—

EXCERPT:

Prologue

A pair of boots, complemented by the pitter-patter of bare feet, echoed through the empty, glimmering corridor. Hair rose on the fair skin of the brunette girl as a chill settled upon her. She wore fighting leathers and wielded a dagger. The chill on her skin was battered by a single, naked flame, flickering on the torch she held. It eradicated every shadow cast off the marble columns and towering archways surrounding them.

“Hurry! They’re catching up!” she insisted. Her other hand pulled a blonde girl in a lacy white nightgown along with her.

The girl in the leathers tried the nearest door— white and wooden with intricate gold detailing. The door handle simply rattled in its socket.

“Who is? What’s going on?” the other girl asked, her voice trembling. She shivered in her nightgown and brushed her hair from her eyes. Unlike the first girl, she hadn’t been expecting this—any of this—and had been safely tucked away in her quarters until the other girl had barged in to whisk her away.

The brunette turned to the blonde and looked her firmly in the eye.

“There isn’t time to explain,” she said darkly. Her severe words struck like ice, and all warmth seeped from the other girl’s chest as dread roped around her lungs.

The girl in the leathers tried the next door, which creaked open. They both hurried inside.

Looking around, the girl in the leathers remembered the first time she’d set foot in this room. It had been a much happier time. Now, the library looked as dark and dreary as she felt—books sat in their cases, watching tragedy unfold before them.

Three levels high, with bookshelves just as tall, the library was the most impressive part of the palace. But at night, it was a dark, forbidding maze, hiding secret passageways everywhere.

Those passageways would be the key to their survival.

The girl in the leathers tugged hard on a particular book, sitting in a particular bookcase, and the adjacent shelves began to slide away, revealing a tunnel.

“Do you trust me?” she asked, turning to the other girl, who frowned.

“Of course I do—”

“Well don’t. Don’t trust anybody. Just run.”

Frozen, the other girl struggled to make sense of the situation. Then, almost as though she remembered who she was, her authority started to thaw through the ice that had encased her, and a hard glare appeared on her face.

“I don’t understand—”

“There is no time! You must go!”

She hesitated. The last thing she wanted to do was run from the unknown, without a single reason why.

The girl in the leathers gritted her teeth. Knots formed in her stomach at the thought of what would happen if the other girl didn’t hurry up, and she cried,

“Go now!”

At last, the other girl caved and ducked into the secret passageway. The girl in the leathers watched her run until voices echoed through the
corridor outside, followed by heavy footsteps. Her stomach twisted, and she quickly yanked on the book once more. The bookshelf groaned as it slid back into place, trapping the blonde in the dark unknown with a loud, final echo.

Author Bio:

P.S.Malcolm (Pagan) grew up in Proserpine, Queensland-- a small, Australian country town on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. She was a storyteller from a young age and spent years perfecting her craft.

For two years, she juggled waitressing in tourist filled coffee shops while undertaking two degrees in Creative Writing online. She has always had an interest in writing, but never saw herself working in the industry until she made the choice to self-publish her debut novel, STUCK ON VACATION WITH RYAN RUPERT. Realizing that she loved the process of publishing her book, she pursued an internship at a publishing house and snagged a spot as Pen Name Publishing's Marketing Assistant.

In between interning and writing, Pagan opened her first business working as a freelance Marketing Strategist for Paperback Kingdom-- which helps indie authors with all aspects of their author careers.

Pagan also enjoys reading-- particularly fantasy and paranormal-- and is a passionate blogger. She reviews books that she has read on her personal website, and indie books on her business blog. Some of her favourite and most influential authors include Amanda Gernentz Hanson, A.G. Howard, Marissa Meyer and Michele Jaffe. She is a cat enthusiast, tea lover, and floral fanatic.

Her newest book, LANTERNS IN THE SKY, is set to be released by The Parliament House Publishing in Spring 2019.

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Spotlight: Relatively Sane by Whitney Dineen

Relatively Sane
Whitney Dineen
(Relativity Series, #2)
Publication date: April 1st 2019
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary

“The Masterson clan is back and funnier than ever in this delightful tale. Dineen’s comedic timing is pure gold!” -Jennifer Peel, Bestselling Author of My Not So Wicked Stepbrother

Catriona Masterton’s family is not normal.

Her father has a passion for taxidermized animals that he dresses in the family plaid. Her mother has a penchant for hoarding kitchen gadgets and other oddities that leave her sanity in question. Her grandmother, Nan, has never met a swearword she doesn’t like.

Despite all this, party-planner Cat leaves the hustle and bustle of New York City to move back to her tiny hometown outside of Chicago. She even buys her parents’ farm with plans to turn the barn into a stylish wedding venue.

Enter House to Home Television’s Renovation Brothers. Cat gets accepted as one of the show’s projects, bringing two gorgeous brothers to her doorstep. Unbeknownst to Cat, the TV hosts are behind a secret her newfound boyfriend will go to great lengths to keep hidden.

With all the upheaval—her parents’ chaotic move, her grandmother joyfully causing trouble wherever she goes, a film crew documenting her home being torn apart, and her boyfriend’s odd behavior—Cat’s starting to wonder if signing up for a reality TV show was a big mistake.

Will the renovation be a success? Or will secrecy and jealousy make Cat regret the day she packed her bags and left New York?

Find out in this hysterical tale packed with small-town charm, family drama, and true love.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

Book 1, Relatively Normal, is FREE for a limited time only!

—

EXCERPT:

As a kid, I had an ongoing fantasy. I’m waiting for the school bus to pick me up in front of my family farm, when a shiny black Lincoln Town Car pulls up next to me. A very attractive woman in the back seat rolls down her window and bursts into tears. She gasps, “Buffy, is that you?” (Note: I might have been enthralled with the television show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer at the time. I was definitely a fan of the name.) The woman and her equally handsome husband leap out of the car and throw their arms around me, engulfing me in a cloud of Chanel Number 5 and Versace Man.
Between sobs of joy, she calls to her husband, “Charles, it’s our baby. It’s really her!”

They tighten their embrace and I become the filling in a Pendleton wool sandwich. This wonderful, loving, perfectly ordinary couple, decked out in city clothes, explains how there was a mix-up at the hospital where I was born. Their baby and another were returned to the wrong bassinets after feeding time. They only discovered the truth when the person they thought was their daughter ran off and joined the circus as it passed through their town.

The woman says, “We knew then and there a mistake had been made. A child of ours would never dream of such nonsense.”

In retrospect, I realize I hadn’t thought this through very well. I should have wondered what kind of parents wouldn’t go after the child they’d raised and save her from a life of carnie living. At the time, I was too involved in my fantasy and the comforting explanation of why I was growing up in a near-insane asylum—a.k.a. Masterton Hall, a.k.a. an old farm house in Central Illinois. It was much easier to convince myself that I didn’t belong to the people who laid claim to me. I was Buffy Summers and my real family wasn’t embarrassing in the least.

This fantasy got me through some tough times. Like when my grandmother Nan called my little league coach a fukakta screwball who needed his eyes examined, I consoled myself that we didn’t share the same blood. As such, the shame I was feeling wasn’t really my own.

When my dad showed up to all my school functions wearing a kilt and boasting about the joys of being Scottish, I was comforted that the wrong girl was being called Catriona Masterton. When my mother bought six sauerkraut crocks because they were on sale, even though she hated sauerkraut, I said to myself, “Cat, these aren’t your people. Don’t lose hope. Your real parents will find you and take you away from all this.” When my brother Travis started to walk around the house in my mom’s high heels, I reminded myself that Buffy was an only child.

It wasn’t until high school that I finally accepted the Summers were no more than wishful thinking on my part, and that I belonged to the Masterton clan, hook, line, and sinker. Part of my acceptance was because I’d fallen head over heels in love with my childhood playmate, Sam Hawking.

Sam and I frolicked in the mud, learned to play cards, and studied for science tests together before discovering more adult games in the hayloft of my family barn. He gave my life meaning. He was enough reason to give up my dream of belonging to a normal family. If I wanted a life with him, I needed to stay right where I was. Goodbye, Summers Family! Hello, kooky Mastertons.

Sam made me feel things I’d never felt before. My body blossomed under his touch, my heart filled to the point of bursting, and my dreams shot out of the stratosphere. There was nothing he and I couldn’t do, be, or achieve as long as we were together. While my family was as odd as they came, around Sam I felt relatively sane. I’d even given us a celebrity couple name, SamCat.

Tragically, as often happens with first loves, we ultimately went our separate ways. The end of high school was the end of us. I was crushed, as it wasn’t my idea to break up, but college eventually softened the pain and my life moved on. My subsequent move to New York City propelled me into adulthood, which is where I met Ethan.

For two years, Ethan and I were a good couple. We were grown-ups together. We paid a mortgage, put money away for retirement, and we planned a wedding. Ethan was as different from Sam as I could find in a man. He’s what I thought I wanted, what I thought I needed. I was wrong.

Author Bio:

Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.

Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.

Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.

Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017

Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

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Spotlight: Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Gloria Silk

Nobody’s Baby But Mine
Gloria Silk
Publication date: April 28th 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

From USA Today Bestselling Author, Gloria Silk this is a gripping, romantic and sensuous novel of marriage, fidelity, fertility and the power of love.

“Gripping, romantic, sensuous and astute.”

“New women’s fiction that touches all of our emotions, fulfills our yearnings, and opens up new possibilities.”

Can Rachel and James find their way back into each other’s hearts after tasting temptation and facing devastating news? How strong is love in the face of reality? The seven year marriage between Rachel and her adoring patient saint of a husband has grown from great to blessed. But after years of failing to get pregnant all Rachel craves is a baby.

Her marriage to James is perfect…until she bumps into her sexy ex-lover, Brandon. Her desperate thought of wondering if he can get her pregnant makes Rachel realize that something has to change. After having more fertility tests she meets a beautiful pregnant career woman. It seems destined, and as they bond the young woman offers Rachel a gift that will change all their lives.

But has Rachel pushed her suddenly aloof husband away? Is it really his pressure at work or is he keeping something from her? Can they ever become a happy family, or is it too little too late? And where does Brandon come into all this when she discovers her husband’s biggest betrayal?

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Check out the Kickstarter for the sequel!

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EXCERPT:

March

The March rain pelting the kitchen windows made Rachel think of tears. And there were indeed tears in her eyes as she told JT that their best friends’ marriage was over. The inseparable love birds, Tina and Andy, were the last couple they thought would lose in the marriage roulette. Rachel had also thought that their two young children were another unbreakable bond.

Her husband frowned as he looked up from his poached salmon and asparagus laden plate. “I didn’t even know they were having problems.”

Her temples throbbed. She had been too self-absorbed with her own life and yearning for a baby that she hadn’t noticed any signs or cracks in Tina’s marriage.

Some friend you are, Rachel.

“He was having an affair with a friend of theirs since Justin was born. Tina didn’t suspect a thing…It’s so sad how everything can change so suddenly. Why would a man jeopardize his whole family life like that?”

How fragile life and relationships seemed.

Nervous for all marriages she thanked God for her own strong bond with JT. Despite their issues of unexplained infertility, their marriage was blessed even after seven-and-a-half years.

“I’m sorry to hear this. I’m shocked…but maybe he wasn’t getting what he needed from her—”

“What? Tina’s been a great wife and very patient with him all these years.” She felt her anger rise thinking of Tina’s meddling mother-in-law—so much like her own—and Andy’s fledgling music production business, which had ostensibly kept him away from home for days at a time. “It’s disgusting what he’s done.”

“I agree, but no one knows what really goes on behind closed doors.” He sighed, “But there’s never any excuse to screw up a marriage.”

Rachel shook her head. “No, and especially with Emily and Justin….” How would Tina manage with her five-year-old daughter and almost three-year-old son on her own?

He shook his head. “He’s a fool. I’m disappointed for them all.” He glanced at her, his fork half way to his lips, “Don’t worry, Rachel, I know how much you care for her. All you can do is be there for them.” He then put a salmon morsel in his mouth.

“Communication is the most important thing in any marriage, right?”

She felt JT’s eyes bore into hers as he watched her across the narrow mahogany kitchen table. Putting down his cutlery he reached for her hand nearest to him. She adored that sparkle in his gunmetal-grey eyes and that slow smile.

“We’re not like the rest, to do anything stupid and ruin everything.” With a quirked brow his thumb massaged the top of her hand.

Her heart skittered at JT’s deep knowing expression the way it had when they met at a mutual friend’s wedding in London nine-and-a-half years ago. He seemed to always know how to brighten her moods, make her smile, feel safe and whole.

He kept her grounded, focussing on what mattered most; them: them, together.

Rachel would concentrate on her part-time job with Gareth Robinson-Brown’s real estate agency and not drive herself crazy about why she was still not pregnant after five years of trying. She remembered JT’s wise words after their last specialist appointment a couple of months ago to stay patient and positive and not let anyone stress her out. That was why she had given up running her own team in a Central London agency three years ago.

Neither did she get too involved in her younger sister’s private life. Emotionally supporting the twenty-five year-old Abby without getting sucked into the turmoil of her sister’s love life was proving wise and healthier for both sisters. She pushed aside the uneasiness she had felt seven months ago when she had met Rick, the new boyfriend. Abby had seemed happy with a bright ‘I’m in love’ smile at her trendy restaurant in Islington, but the phone calls had petered out over the last couple of months. Rachel resolved to call and see how she was doing.

In the meantime, she would be truly present for Tina. She took in a breath and slowly exhaled and felt a smile play on her lips. “I know you’d never dare stray, because I’d just have to kill you.” She threw him an arch look.

JT grinned. “I’d never want to be with another woman but you, and you know it. And it can work both ways. I’d strangle any guy who even looks at you in that way.” His eyes darkened, his passionate lips thinning into a resolute line on that handsome rugged face, making her smile broaden. “Like your old boyfriend we bumped into… where was that? The French restaurant soon after we met.”

“Brandon.” Her pulse raced for a few seconds and then settled. “It was our second date.”

“Ah, so you still remember the name of that pretty-boy, no-good gigolo.” The twinkling glint in his eyes was warm and inviting. “You’ll have to make up for that, wench.”

“I truly love you, JT. How did I get so lucky?”

He smiled again. “You’re going in the right direction.” He let go of her hand for the moment it took to push his chair back and come and stand beside her. Holding both her hands he raised her left one to his lips. His touch was always simultaneously calming and arousing. He leaned towards her. “Am I reading those sexy brown eyes right? There’s more than one choice for dessert to make up for…”

She licked the corner of her lower lip while he stared at her mouth as if it was a luscious strawberry, his favourite fruit. Especially when served with melted semi-sweet dark chocolate.

“Devil’s food cake and chocolate dipped strawberries.”

His lips slowly gravitated towards her mouth.

Even after all these years together, Sundays were their full day and night for each other and no one else. Their routine became a variation of sharing a long shower or an indulgent hot soak in the tub before dinner.

Before long they lay in each other’s arms against the soft cushions on the large Persian rug. The large fire in the regal fireplace shed heat and golden light over their naked skin and the plush cream throw. The intermittent crackling of the flames accompanied Nora Jones in the background. The light banter between them changed as JT gently placed Rachel’s empty wine glass on the sofa table beside the plate with the single remaining chocolate-dipped strawberry.

He leaned closer. “I’ll make you forget everything and everyone tonight.” JT murmured low, nuzzling his lips against her ear and migrating to her other sensitive erogenous zones. Almost purring, she lay back welcoming his explorations. Her arms encompassed his broad shoulders. She closed her eyes and counted her lucky stars. Everything would work out, even filling the nursery with their gorgeous, healthy baby. Pushing the thought out by letting the languid feelings of their intimacy flood her mind, she gave herself over completely to the bliss.

“I’ll always adore you.” He groaned, inhaling into her throat. Her pulse and heart beats quickened as he explored her skin and his lips hovered so close to hers. “Don’t ever doubt it.”

“I know. I—I love you, too.” Shivers of anticipation made her voice shake. Then they were kissing, hungry and sated at the same time. As always, his touch and sure kisses covering her tingling skin melted her insides.

Lightly, her shaking fingertips traced a butterfly-light line from his neck to his shoulders. His hard biceps stiffened at her caress. She loved his strong physique. Running impatient fingers through his thick silky hair she directed his head lower and kissed him deeper. She was home, warm and stimulated, marvelling how neither tired of making love with each other despite their pressures. His work and her constant hopes for a baby.

Almost of their own volition, her hands roved down his straining back muscles, as her legs tightened around his taut buttocks and hips to meld even closer into each other.

Everything outside their circle vanished. Well, almost everything.

Author Bio:

Ever since Gloria Silk was little her passion was creating and sharing her romantic stories with others. She always loved reading contemporary and historical novels that grasped her imagination. Gloria now writes intense, sensuous love stories.

In addition to writing romance and women’s fiction, she enjoys writing intercultural romances and about family bonds. What can be more important in life than love and family?

Born in Russia, Gloria Silk has visited and lived in amazing, exotic places in the world. Loving Europe (especially the English, Italian and French countryside) and the Mediterranean, her other favorite country is Hawaii. She has yet to visit India and Australia, her dream destinations in the name of research, of course!

Being a writer gives her the privilege to explore, travel, and meet wonderful, new and exciting—and sometimes eccentric—people. Her background in English literature, writing, and psychology helps her create unique characters for her stories. Especially the charismatic heroes and feisty heroines who find themselves in sticky situations with each other, their families, and their cultures. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing readers love her warm heroines and the gorgeous enigmatic heroes, like she falls in love with them.

When she is not painting in various media or watching romantic movies, or cooking up a storm for her family and friends, she hangs out with her writing friends and other creatives.

Although she was brought up in England, she now lives – and writes – in the Toronto, Canada, with her own love of her life, soul-mate husband, her gorgeous and fun daughter and her smart, blonde Cockapoo, Princess Bella.

Please email Gloria Silk with any questions or comments at: contact@GloriaSilk.com

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Read an excerpt from Justice Mission by Lynette Eason

Caught in a killer’s sights…

Introducing the True Blue K-9 Unit series

After K-9 unit administrative assistant Sophie Walters spots a suspicious stranger lurking at the K-9 graduation, the man kidnaps her—and she barely escapes. With Sophie’s boss missing and someone determined to silence her, NYPD officer Luke Hathaway vows he and his K-9 partner will guard her. But he must keep an emotional distance to ensure this mission ends in justice…not cold-blooded murder.

SPECIAL EXCERPT FROM
Love Inspired® Suspense

Meet the men and women of the NYC K-9 Command Unit and their furry partners as they work to solve a case that hits too close to home.  

Read on for a sneak preview of

Justice Mission by Lynette Eason,

the explosive start to the TRUE BLUE K-9 Unit miniseries,

available in April 2019 from Love Inspired Suspense

ONE

Sophie Walters stood back to count the rows of chairs and relished the thought of the upcoming graduation ceremony that would take place shortly in the auditorium near the NYC K-9 Command Unit headquarters where she worked in Forest Hills, Queens. Today, several new four-legged recruits and their handlers would graduate and join the force in keeping New York City safe.

The unit was made up of officers who handled dogs with a variety of specialties. While based out of their office in Queens, the officers were assigned to divisions of the NYPD throughout the five boroughs of New York City where needed.

As the administrative assistant to Chief Jordan Jameson who headed up the NYC K-9 Command Unit, Sophie had a wide range of duties, but she’d be the first to admit, she loved the graduation ceremonies most.

Hands down, she loved her job and took pride in the fact that she was very good at it. Something the chief often praised her for. “You have an eye for detail and organization, Sophie,” he’d said on more than one occasion. “I don’t know what this place would do without you.”

If only he knew how hard she’d worked to develop that eye for detail. Sophie smiled, her heart grateful for the man who’d taken a chance on a young green college graduate three years ago.

A thud from the back of the auditorium drew her attention to the left-hand corner and she frowned. “Hello? Is someone there?”

Stillness settled over the large room. When nothing more happened and no one announced their presence, she returned her attention to the ceremony preparations.

Something was wrong. Off. But what?

A little prickle at the base of her neck sent shivers down her spine and she turned to assess the area once more. The auditorium chairs sat empty. She’d unlocked all of the doors in case she had some early arrivals, but the place was quiet for now. Quiet as a tomb. Now why would she think that? There’d been no more strange noises and nothing that should spark her unease. But she couldn’t help feeling like someone was watching.

But why?

And who?

“No one,” she muttered. “Quit jumping at shadows.” But something still nagged at her.

Sophie scanned the stage trying to put her finger on it. Six chairs aligned just right on the artificial turf. The podium with the chief’s notes for his presentation within easy reach, the mic was at exactly the right height, the graduation certificates were laid out in alphabetical order on the table…

The table.

She huffed. She’d placed everything on it without putting the black cloth on. Where was her mind this morning?

Definitely on her brother and the attention-stealing phone call she’d received last night. He’d called to tell her he was quitting college to join the Marines.

Seriously? He was nineteen years old. “What does a nineteen-year-old know?” she muttered. Nothing. Which was probably why he wanted to join the Marines.

But who was she to say it was a bad idea? He was right. They were different people with different lives, but she’d been ten years old when their mother had left and she’d taken on the role of mother figure for Trey. For the past fourteen years, he’d looked at her that way. And now he wanted her to just step aside while he made an important decision without discussing it? A small part of her reminded herself that he was technically an adult.

“But I’m the one who attended the parent/teacher conferences when Dad couldn’t get off work,” she muttered. “I’m the one who fixed his snacks and washed his clothes and held him when he got his heart broken by the girl who dumped him his sophomore year of high school.”

Stop it. Let it go for now and do your job.

Sophie removed the black tablecloth from the supply closet in the hallway, then hurried back toward the auditorium, her mind tuned in to the graduation details now.

She pushed through the auditorium door to the right of the stage and stumbled to a halt. A man in a baseball cap and sunglasses stood next to the podium with Chief Jameson’s red remarks folder open.

“Excuse me, what are you doing?” Sophie asked. He’d frozen for a slight second when she entered but closed the folder as she strode toward him. Her low heels clicked on the wooden steps and rang through the empty room. She approached him, intent on rescuing Jordan’s notes if need be. “The ceremony doesn’t start for another forty-five minutes. Did you need help with something?”

“Ah. No.” He turned toward her. “Thanks, but—” He kept his head lowered and she couldn’t make out a thing about his features.

A little niggle of fear curled in her belly and she remembered the loud noise, the feeling of someone watching her. She stopped so suddenly, she actually slid a couple of more inches on the wood floor. Had he been in the auditorium the whole time? Watching her? Waiting for her to leave so he could look through Jordan’s folder?

No, of course not. She was being silly.

“But?” She encouraged him to finish his statement even while she could feel his laser-like stare shooting at her from behind the dark glasses. “Were you looking for something in the folder? It’s just notes for a speech.”

Once again unease shook her. Maybe she wasn’t being so silly after all. Something wasn’t right with this.

Get away from him.

Goose bumps pebbled her arms, and she turned to run. His left hand shot out and closed around her right bicep as his right hand came up, fingers wrapped around the grip of a gun. Sophie screamed when he placed the barrel of the weapon against her head. “Shut up,” he hissed. “Cooperate, and I might let you live.”

A gun. He had a gun pointed at her temple. “What are you doing? Why are you doing this? I don’t have any money on me.” Her shaky voice tumbled from trembling lips. She clamped them down, fighting for control.

His grip tightened. “Go.”

Go? “Where?”

“Out the side door and to the parking lot. Now.”

“Why don’t you go, and I’ll forget this ever happened?”

“Too late for that. You’re coming with me. Now move!”

“You’re kidnapping me?” She squeezed the words out, trying to breathe through her terror.

“I said shut up! I’m not going to prison because of you!”

Still keeping his fingers tight around her upper arm, he gave her a hard shove and Sophie stumbled down the steps of the podium, his grip the only thing that kept her from landing on her face.

Her captor aimed her toward the door, and she had no choice but to follow. Heart thundering in her chest, her gaze jerked around the empty room. No help there. Maybe someone would be in the parking lot?

He pushed the silver bar and the steel door swung out. The gun moved from her head to dig into the center of her back propelling her out onto the asphalt. His other hand snagged the loose bun at the nape of her neck, yanking her head sideways.

She cried out even while she squinted against the glare of the bright morning sun. Normally, her penchant for being early averted a lot of things that could go wrong and usurp her daily schedule. Today, it had placed her in the hands of a dangerous man—and an empty parking lot in Jackson Heights. Where was everyone?

Think, Sophie, think!

A K-9 SUV turned in and she caught a glimpse of the driver. Officer Luke Hathaway sat behind the wheel of the SUV. “Luke!”

“Shut up!” Her captor jerked her toward a brown sedan with a glance over his shoulder. His grip didn’t loosen until he got to the driver’s side of the vehicle. “Open the door!”

No way. With a burst of strength, she jabbed back with her left elbow. A yell burst from him along with a string of curses. She slipped from his grip for a brief second until he slammed his weapon against the side of her head.

She screamed as pain raced through her and stars danced, threatening to send her into the approaching blackness. Her captor opened the door and shoved her inside before she could gather her wits. She landed halfway on the middle console and halfway in the passenger seat with the gearshift digging into her hip. Head pounding, heart thudding, the blackness faded and she cried out once again as he gave her another hard push, forcing her awkwardly into the passenger seat.

The door slammed.

“Sophie!”

She heard Luke call her name and tried to ignore the nausea climbing into the back of her throat as she grabbed for the passenger door handle. Her captor shot out a hand and grasped her by the hair. “Stay still, or I’ll shoot you now.”

The car roared to life and spun out of the lot.

*

Luke stared in horror as he realized he’d just witnessed Sophie being kidnapped. He pressed the gas and the SUV shot after the fleeing sedan.

Bruno, his K-9 partner seated safely in his spot in the back, barked. “I know, boy,” Luke murmured to the German shepherd. “I’m going after her.” Luke grabbed his radio. “Officer needs backup. I have 207 in progress. Repeat, kidnapping in progress. Sophie Walters, Chief Jameson's assistant is the victim. In pursuit of a brown Buick sedan, license plate Eddie-Larry-Peter-four-seven-five-eight. Closing in on pursuit position.” He gave his location and kept a watch for other cars and innocent bystanders.

Unfortunately, Sophie’s kidnapper didn’t have any such concern. The man swerved to the right and around a parked car, then up on the sidewalk. People scattered like ants. A trash can bounced off the windshield and Luke yanked the wheel to the left to avoid it. Two police cruisers fell in behind him.

Bruno barked again. Luke knew how the dog felt. “Going as fast as I can, buddy.” He lifted the radio once again. “Just hit Ninety-fourth, heading straight for Roosevelt Avenue. Need someone to head him off.” Luke wanted to gun the engine, but he didn’t dare. The streets weren’t packed, but enough innocent people were there to keep him careful.

In and out of traffic, the man drove, even in the wrong lane several times. Luke stayed with him. Backup stayed behind Luke. “He just took a right on Broadway. I’m guessing he’s heading for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Repeat, he’s heading toward the BQE.”

Luke received confirmation that officers were en route to that area. “Come on, come on. Slow down. Run out of gas. Anything.”

But the man kept going. Fortunately, Luke’s siren caught people’s attention so that they moved out of the way. Sure enough, the man merged from Broadway onto the BQE. “Heading in the direction of the Triborough Bridge. Somebody stop this guy, but be careful, he’s got a kidnapping victim with him. Sophie Walters. Civilian employee of the NYPD.”

“Copy that,” came the response.

The driver continued his game of dodge and somehow managed to avoid crashing into anything.

Luke followed, staying far enough behind so as not to miss a sudden turn, but close enough not to lose the guy. With each turn, Luke gave the directions, knowing backup would try to cut the guy off. Unfortunately, with no clear destination, he couldn’t give them clear enough direction.

Where was this guy going? How much longer could he drive like this without killing someone? Tension threaded Luke’s shoulders with knots. The kidnapper took another left, heading for one of the more crowded areas of Astoria. The potential for someone to get hurt had just jumped astronomically. Luke requested the area be cleared immediately but knew it wouldn’t be in time.

The fleeing suspect missed a city bus by a fraction of an inch and Luke barely squeaked past it himself. A young man on a delivery bike slammed into the side of a parked car in his desperate attempt to keep from barreling in front of the speeding sedan. Briefly, Luke hoped the poor cyclist hadn’t broken anything.

Luke braked hard when the sedan swerved. Tires squealing, it headed straight for a fruit stand on the corner. Screams echoed. People ran. The vehicle rammed into the stand, sending produce flying and the owner diving out of the way. Luke screeched to a stop and threw the car into park. He bolted from the driver’s seat and hit the remote button that opened Bruno's area. Bruno leaping out to follow as Luke raced toward the wrecked vehicle in time to see the driver grab Sophie by the arm and pull her from the car.

“Stop! NYPD!” Luke dodged the fleeing crowd and fought his way toward Sophie. “Sophie!”

“Luke!” Her terrified scream spurred him faster. Bruno stayed with him. Backup was right behind him, adding their commands to stop.

Sophie struggled against her captor, and he yanked her hard. She stumbled. Luke closed in, reaching for her. And then the man shoved her away from him. Sophie let out another scream as she flew toward Luke, barreling into him, knocking him off balance.

He fell back, tripping over Bruno, who yelped and scrambled to move out of the way. Luke’s back hit the sidewalk with a breath-stealing thud. Sophie landed on top of him and the last of his air left his lungs. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the man disappearing into the nearest building. Officers pounded after him.

Gasping, Luke rolled. “You okay?” he wheezed to Sophie.

She groaned and pressed a hand to her head.

Luke staggered to his feet, then helped her up as other officers rushed past them, going after the kidnapper. Two more slowed as though to check on them and Luke waved them on. They took off and Sophie leaned heavily against him. Bystanders crowded around, asking if they were okay while he held her, trying to discern where she was hurt.

Her usually neat bun had fallen, and her long brown hair lay in disarray across her shoulders. He brushed the strands from her eyes and she blinked up at him. “Talk to me, Sophie. You’re okay, right?”

“Yes. I… Yes,” she whispered. “I…I think so.”

He caught sight of the blood on the side of her head. “Wait a minute. You’re not okay. We need to get you checked out.”

“No, it’s all right. Just give me a minute to catch my breath and let my head stop spinning.”

“You’re hurt. You need a hospital.”

She touched her head with a wince. “No, what I need is to get back to the auditorium. We’ve got a graduation that needs to go on.”

“Sophie—”

“I’m serious. That guy was only after me because I saw him messing with Chief Jameson’s folder on the podium. I want to know what he was doing and if he left something behind that would tell us who he is.” She grimaced. “Then you can go after him again.”

For a moment Luke could only stare at her. She’d been kidnapped, knocked in the head, driven through the city at breakneck speed, and all she could think about was getting back to see what the guy had been up to? “You’re amazing.”

She blinked. “No. I’m mad.”

“All right. Let’s head back to the auditorium then. While we’re riding, you can fill me in on the details.”

“Thank you.”

Luke caught Bruno’s leash, and Sophie followed him—limping slightly—back to his Tahoe where she climbed into the front seat and fastened her seat belt. Luke settled behind the driver’s seat and held the radio to his mouth. “Any sign of the guy who kidnapped Sophie?”

“That’s a negative,” the voice came back at him through the speaker. “He disappeared after officers chased him through the store. We’re still canvassing the area.”

“Ten-four.”

By the time Luke pulled into the parking lot at the auditorium, Sophie had filled him in on everything that had led to her kidnapping. And Luke was inclined to agree with her. This wasn’t just some random snatching. The man at the podium had had a goal—and Luke was itching to figure out what it was.

Another car pulled into the lot.

“Everyone is arriving,” she said. “We need to make this fast so we can stay on schedule.”

“Sophie—”

But she was already out of the car and hurrying—limping—toward the door she’d been forced from about thirty minutes ago.

“The ceremony can start late, you know,” he murmured to her back. With a sigh, he let Bruno out and they followed after Sophie. Inside, he found her surrounded by other officers concerned with her safety. She repeated all of her “I’m shaken up, but fine” reassurances until they accepted the answer even if they didn’t fully believe it.

“Is she really okay?” Officer Zach Jameson asked. A fellow officer with the NYC K-9 Command Unit, Zach was also the youngest brother to Jordan Jameson, the chief. The family resemblance was startling with his brown hair and blue eyes. Luke noted Carter and Noah, the other two Jameson brothers, standing nearby with their K-9s seated at their sides.

“She says she is,” Luke said with a frown. “That’s all I have to go on.”

The Jamesons had made law enforcement their family business and all had arrived to attend the ceremony, then get back to work. Officer Finn Gallagher, another K-9 Command Unit member, stood nearby, green eyes watching. Usually the jovial, outgoing jokester of the group, he now sported tight features and a tense jaw.

Luke nodded to Chief Jameson’s wife, sitting in the front row and glancing at her watch. “Is Katie all right? She looks a little pale.”

Jordan’s wife had her blond hair in a French braid that fell over her right shoulder. Her blue eyes continued to bounce between her watch and the door her husband should have entered at least fifteen minutes ago.

“I noticed that, too, but when I asked, she said she was fine, just feeling a little under the weather and that she and Jordan had an errand to run after the ceremony so she thought she’d just come watch.”

“She’s always been crazy about the dogs,” Luke said. “And Jordan likes having her here.” He glanced around. “Speaking of Jordan, where is he?”

Zach shrugged, blue eyes narrowed as he watched his sister-in-law. “Katie’s wondering that, too. He’s usually here by now, going over his notes or shaking hands—and paws—with the soon-to-be new graduates.”

Sophie broke free of her concerned friends and headed for the stage. Luke and Bruno followed her up the steps and to the podium. “Where’s Jordan?” Luke asked. “Did he say anything about running late?”

“No. At least not before I was snatched.” Her hand shook slightly as she reached for the red folder. “Let’s see what my kidnapper found so fascinating about Jordan’s notes.” She flipped the folder open and an envelope fell to the floor. Frowning, she retrieved it, slipped a finger under the flap and pulled out the paper inside. Her eyes scanned it and she gasped, the color leeching from her cheeks.

“Sophie?” Luke hurried the last few steps to her side, thinking the knock on her head had finally caught up to her. “Are you okay? You need to sit down?”

“No.” She stared at the letter, and Luke frowned. No, she wasn’t okay, or no, she didn’t need to sit down? He stepped behind her to read over her shoulder.

I can’t go on anymore. Please make sure Katie is taken care of. Jordan Jameson.

TWO

Sophie fought to catch her breath. “This reads like a—a—” She couldn’t say it.

“Suicide note,” Luke finished for her, his brows drawn tightly over the bridge of his nose.

“No,” she whispered. “He wouldn’t.” Her eyes met Katie’s. Jordan's wife frowned even though she was too far away to know what was going on.

But one thing was certain. Jordan had too much to live for to take his own life. Just last week Katie had walked into headquarters to meet Jordan for lunch and then suddenly made a mad dash past Sophie’s desk and into the restroom. Concerned, Sophie had followed only to hear Katie throwing up.

“Are you all right?” she’d asked when the woman had finally emerged from the stall and finished with the sink.

Katie had checked under each stall, then turned to Sophie and grinned. “We’re alone so I can tell you that I’m absolutely perfect.”

At first, Sophie could only blink. Then gasp. “You’re pregnant!”

“Shh!” Katie had held a finger to her lips. “I haven’t told anyone yet.”

“What about Jordan?”

“He knows, but no one else. We’re kind of in shock, but it’s thrilling and we’re really just savoring the moment, you know? We plan to tell everyone soon. Probably after the first trimester.”

“Good for you.” Sophie had hugged her friend. “I won’t tell a soul. What did Jordan say when you told him?”

“He was over-the-moon excited.”

“Wouldn’t what? Sophie? Hello?” Noah Jameson’s voice brought Sophie back to the present.

She blinked away the memory and her gaze lifted to meet Luke’s, then slid around the others who’d gathered in front of her, their expressions confused and slightly wary. All except Noah’s. She never could read him.

Sophie passed him the note. Noah read it, his expression shutting down even more, then passed it to his brothers. “You’re right. He wouldn’t.”

“No, he definitely wouldn’t,” Zach said, pulling his phone from his pocket. “I’ll call him, and he’ll straighten this out.” They waited in silence as Zach stood and punched in his brother’s number, blue eyes narrowed. He ran a hand through his hair and pressed the device to his ear, his rising tension adding to the thickness already surrounding them all.

Seconds ticked.

“Answer the phone, Jordan,” Sophie whispered.

But Zach was already lowering the device. “It went straight to voice mail.”

“No,” Sophie said. “That’s not possible. He never turns his phone off. Especially not on a day like this. Straight to voice mail? That scares me a little.” A lot.

“It’s scaring Katie, too,” Noah said with a glance at his sister-in-law, who watched them from her first-row seat in the auditorium. Too far away to hear the conversation, yet close enough to know something serious was going on and Sophie knew they were going to have to fill her in.

As though Sophie’s gaze compelled her, Katie stood and walked toward them. Noah met her in front of the stage. “What is it? You’re all acting weird and being super secretive.”

“Can you call Jordan?” Noah asked.

“Why?”

“We need to know where he is and I’m sure if he’s got his phone on the Do Not Disturb setting for whatever reason, he’ll have it programmed so that you’ll ring right through.”

A door slammed in the back and laughter reached them.

“Let’s move out of the auditorium,” Sophie said. “People are starting to arrive and we’ll have more privacy in the room next door.”

She led the way into a room that held three sofas and a couple of chairs. A full kitchen dominated the back wall to allow for catered events. All of this registered in a nanosecond before they surrounded Katie and waited for her to dial Jordan’s number.

With a frown, Katie did as requested, listened for a moment, then hung up. “It went straight to voice mail.” Her eyes darted from one brother to the next.

Sophie’s nerves tightened, and Katie’s gaze landed on hers. Sophie knew what her friend was thinking. Jordan never turned off his phone. Ever. And if for some reason, he decided to do so, he’d let someone know in advance. Especially in case Katie needed to reach him.

“He’s not answering her either,” Noah murmured. “I don’t believe this. This isn’t good.”

“I have the password to his phone, so I can track it,” Katie said. “He always wants me to be able to locate him if I need to. I’ve never used it before. I’ve never had to.”

“Then I’d say this would be a good time to do it,” Luke said. “Do you mind seeing what you can find out?”

“Of course.” She punched in the digits, then lifted her gaze to meet his and the others who’d gathered around her.

“What is it?” Luke asked. “Can you tell us where he is?”

“Something’s wrong. It says his phone’s offline, but it shouldn’t be. He’s never offline.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m starting to get really scared. What’s going on?”

Carter shook his head. “We don’t know, but I’ve had enough standing around. I’m going to look for him.”

“Me, too,” Zach said.

“I’m coming, too.” Noah shoved his phone back on his clip and planted his hands on his hips. “But before we run out of here all hasty and unorganized, let’s get a plan of action together.”

Of course that would be Noah’s first thought.

“Wait a minute,” Katie said.

They froze.

“I don’t understand.” Katie looked crossed her arms. “Can someone please explain to me why you’re going to look for Jordan when he should have walked through door way before now?” Katie asked, her voice containing a slightly hysterical edge. “And then tell me why he would have his phone turned off because if you can’t, then something’s really, really wrong.” Worry drew lines across her forehead and at the corners of her mouth. Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I know I keep saying that, but I need to know where he is and if he’s okay. And you guys know something you’re not telling me. Now, please, what is it?”

Sophie bit her lip. “We found a note that seems to indicate he’s in trouble. Everyone is getting ready to go search for him.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“We’re not sure, but we’re going to find out,” Zach said. He put an arm around his sister-in-law’s shoulders. “Let’s go over here a second so we can talk.”

Noah and Carter joined the two off to the side, and Katie gave a sharp cry. Sophie figured they’d told her the contents of the note. Ignoring the need to rush over and comfort her friend, she turned to the others. “Just so I’m clear, I don’t believe Jordan wrote that note for one second, but we can’t take the chance that it’s not real. We have to act as though he did and that he means it.”

Luke nodded. “I agree. But where do we start looking?”

Zach and Katie had returned in time to hear her comment. Katie shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “He wouldn’t kill himself. He didn’t leave that note!”

“We know,” Sophie said. She faced Katie and took her friend’s hands. “We don’t believe it either. Something else is going on and we’re going to find out, okay?”

“Yes. Yes, we are.” Katie lifted her chin and swiped her hands over her face.

“The guy who snatched me was messing with the folder when I walked in,” Sophie said. “Maybe he put the note in there.”

"If that's the case, then we need to find Jordan immediately," Luke said.

Katie nodded. “Exactly, So, what’s the plan?”

“Was Jordan headed straight here when he left this morning?”

“No,” she sniffed. “He was going to take Snapper out to the Vanderbilt Parkway and run part of the bike path, then go to headquarters to shower and change before coming over here.”

“Vanderbilt Parkway,” Luke said. Also known as the Long Island Motor Parkway. A big part of New York's history, it was a great place to run or ride bikes now that automobiles were banned from it—and he knew it was part of Jordan's daily routine. “Then that’s where we’ll look first.”

“We need to check any of his favorite places, as well,” Sophie said.

“He had a lot of favorite places,” Katie said. “Not all of them are in Queens.”

Luke nodded. “Then we’re going to need more manpower. Someone call Gavin and fill him in on what’s going on.”

“Today’s his day off,” Sophie said, picturing the tall, dark-haired, brown-eyed handler. Gavin Sutherland was another K-9 officer. His Springer spaniel was well-trained to sniff out explosives. And while they may not need Tommy for that reason, she knew as well as Luke did that Gavin would never forgive them if they didn’t include him in the search for their boss. “We’ll also need to get a BOLO out on Jordan and get his face in front of people as well as notify officers in all the boroughs to be watching for him.”

“No,” Katie said.

Carter raised a brow. “No?”

“You know Jordan. He’d hate that. There’s got to be some other way.”

“But we need to find him fast,” Noah said. “In order to do that, we need as many eyes looking for him as possible.”

“But—”

“They’re right, Katie,” Sophie said softly. “I’m sorry, but they are. I’d rather live with his anger than something really be wrong and we not pull out all the stops.”

“And besides,” Luke said, “that guy was messing with the folder. It’s very possible he’s the one who put that note there. If so, this could be some kind of setup to make it look like Jordan’s going to commit suicide. If that’s the case, then speed is of the essence before…”

Before he was killed.

No one wanted to say it, but everyone sure thought it.

Katie swiped another tear and a heavy sigh escaped her. She finally shook her head and planted her hands on her hips. “Okay. Fine. You’re right. We need as many people looking for him as we can get.”

The brothers nodded.

“All right,” Luke said. “I’m going to see if Dani can trace his vehicle.”

“Good idea,” Sophie said. Danielle Abbott, one of the department’s technical analysts would use the GPS attached to the SUV to get a ping on its location.

“Zach,” Luke said, “you get the BOLO out.” K-9 Officers, Brianne Hayes and Tony Knight stepped forward with Finn. Luke turned to Katie. “Can you make up a list of all of Jordan’s favorite places and give it to these guys?”

“Of course.”

“Once Katie gives you the list,” he said to the others, “divide up. Bruno and I have the Vanderbilt Parkway.”

“And me,” Sophie said. “We can’t have the ceremony without Jordan, so we’ll just postpone it until he can be here.”

“Postpone the ceremony,” Luke said, “but you don’t need to go. You’ve just been through a major trauma.”

Sophie straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Jordan’s my boss, too. I’m as much a part of this department as the rest of you—”

Luke held up a hand. “I’m not saying you’re not.”

“Good. And I might even be able to identify the guy in spite of his ballcap and sunglasses. Maybe. So let’s not waste any more time debating whether I’m going or not.” She headed for the exit, limping slightly.

Luke frowned. “Fine. I’d rather have you with us anyway.”

“Thank you,” she tossed over her shoulder.

“At least then I’ll know you’re safe,” he muttered.

She grimaced but refused to comment. Instead, she prayed as they raced toward Vanderbilt Parkway. It seemed to take forever to reach it in spite of the sirens that moved traffic out of the way.

Dani had quickly gotten back to them, saying the GPS had been disabled on Jordan’s SUV and she wasn’t able to get a location on the vehicle.

“What could possibly be going on with him?” Sophie asked. “Jordan wouldn’t disable the GPS and he didn’t leave that letter, Luke. I think the man who grabbed me did.”

“I’d say that’s a real possibility, but we have to cover all the bases.”

“I know. I’m just saying that I’ve never seen Jordan so low he’d want to take his own life. Sure, he has struggles, but who doesn’t?” She shook her head as she envisioned confronting her brother about his—in her opinion—questionable decision to join the Marines. “But he’s not even close to being suicidal.” Especially with a baby on the way that he was excited about. But that wasn’t her news to share. “There’s something else going on and we need to figure out what it is.”

“What we need to do is find Jordan and let him tell us.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“Keep in mind, though,” Luke said, “everyone has a dark side they never show the world. A lot of people have a hidden pain that can sometimes overwhelm them and no one in their lives ever suspects.”

Silence fell between them for a moment.

“I know about hidden pain,” Sophie finally said, her tone subdued. “But that doesn’t mean it always leads to suicide.”

“I agree. But sometimes it does—or at least thoughts of it.” His low words had her looking at him more closely.

She had a feeling he was speaking from experience. “Did someone you know commit suicide?”

He blinked. “No, nothing like that. I’ve just worked with a lot of people over the years and I’ve worked a few suicides. People who’ve killed themselves, and their families had no idea they were struggling. I guess what I’m saying is that the face a lot of people show the outside world in no way reflects what’s really going on inside them.”

“Jordan’s not like that.”

“You know him that well?”

“Yes.”

“Huh.”

“What does that mean?” she asked.

“I guess I’m just surprised. We’ve known each other for two years, worked together on a daily basis and I don’t know you like that.”

She gaped. “You’ve never made the effort. Every time you’ve come into the office, you’re like, ‘Hi, how are you?’ And that’s about the extent of it.”

He shut his lips and she wondered if she’d spoken out of turn. Asking him about it would have to wait. Luke pulled into the entrance of the park. “Keep going,” she said. “You know where the bike trail is, right?”

“Yes.”

“I had to come out here on one of Jordan’s afternoons off to get his signature on some papers he’d been waiting on. He was running the trail with Snapper and said he’d come in to the office. It was a gorgeous day so I didn’t mind getting outside. If it had been raining, I’m not sure I would have offered.” She shot him a quick smile.

“Yes, you would have.” At her raised brow, he shrugged. “I’m beginning to get to know you a bit, I think.”

“It doesn’t take long. I’m pretty much an open book.”

“Hmm. Somehow, I wonder.” He cleared his throat. “Did Jordan have a favorite area out here?”

“Just the Parkway. Sometimes he ran, sometimes he biked, but he always had Snapper with him. And while it’s not near here, he also liked to run along the East River.”

“Someone else will check there.” Luke followed her directions to the entrance. While he drove, she took in the vast landscape unfolding before them. Right in the middle of Queens, the wooded area stretched endlessly. “I don’t know, Luke, this place is huge. There’s just too much ground to cover.”

“That’s why so many cops are looking for him.”

Already there were a multitude of law enforcement vehicles in the area. No one questioned one more pulling in. Luke got on the radio and reported his position and requested an update. “No one’s spotted Jordan yet,” he said.

“It’s still early.” She climbed out of the SUV and waited for Luke to release Bruno and join her. “This doesn’t feel right.”

“What do you mean?”

“While I know and understand that we’re following protocol in the way we’re conducting the search, I just feel like we’re on the wrong track and wasting precious time. We need to check that letter for fingerprints. Ones that don’t match ours.”

“It’s in an evidence bag. I’ll get someone to send it over to the lab immediately. Regardless of where Jordan is, that guy kidnapped you and we need to find out who he is.”

‘No kidding.” She bit her lip and glanced around.

“Jordan likes this path a lot,” she said. “Katie says when he needs to be alone, he spends as much time as possible walking, running or biking this trail and praying. She says it calms him and gives him focus.”

Officers talked with those enjoying the warm spring day. One held up his phone and showed a young couple the screen. Jordan’s picture, no doubt. They both shook their heads and the officer’s shoulders slumped slightly, but he nodded and made his way to the next person.

“What is it?” Luke asked her.

“What do you mean?”

“Something’s been bothering you—other than the obvious—since we found the letter,” Luke said. “So, what is it?”

Sophie pressed her lips together, then looked at him. “The handwriting on the letter was Jordan’s.”

He stilled. “Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. I see it every day. He’s forever writing notes and placing them on my desk.”

Luke stared at her. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

“Because I thought we’d have answers by now. I thought we would have found Jordan and he would have explained everything. The fact that we haven’t found him yet scares me to death, because while I don’t believe he’s suicidal, I definitely believe he’s in some kind of serious trouble and time may be running out for him.”

*

The problem was, Luke mostly agreed with her, although he couldn’t deny the little niggling of doubt that wanted to raise its head and demand attention.

He shoved it aside for the moment, slightly ashamed at the flare of uncertainty—and, if he was honest—jealousy of her unwavering loyalty to her boss. It hadn’t taken him long to discover there was a depth to Sophie he wouldn’t have guessed she possessed.

However, just in the last few hours, she’d proven herself a loyal employee—the kind who worked hard because of her innate integrity, not just because she was earning a paycheck. And she was Jordan’s friend as well as his assistant. She would defend those she cared about to the bitter end—including her fierce belief that Jordan wouldn’t kill himself. She’d made that abundantly clear.

And yet, Luke hesitated. While he admired that about Sophie, sometimes loyalty and devotion could blind a person to reality. Sometimes. He wasn’t saying that was the case with Sophie and their boss, but he wasn’t ruling it out either. And a small part of him couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to have someone like Sophie in his corner. For someone to have that kind of unshakable devotion to him.

Bruno jerked at the end of the leash, anxious to do his job. Only Luke didn’t have a job for him to do. Bruno was a cadaver K-9, whose specialty was finding dead bodies, and Jordan wasn’t dead. Luke’s jaw tightened, but he followed after the animal, determined to do his part in locating his boss. He had to keep believing it wasn’t too late. That he wasn’t too late. Please, God, please let us find him—alive—and let there be a reasonable explanation for his disappearance.

For the next two hours, he and the other officers searched the area without success. Jordan wasn’t there. Or at any of his favorite places according to reports coming in.

“Where could he be?” Sophie finally asked on the verge of tears.

Luke’s heart slammed against his chest in empathy with her worry. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re right, though. Maybe we need to sit down with Katie and talk through everything.”

“Like what?”

“Like Jordan’s morning. His schedule. What he said to her before he left? Everything. There’s no detail too small, but I’m pretty confident about one thing.”

“What’s that?” Sophie asked.

“Jordan never made it to the Parkway this morning.”

“Why?”

“Because Bruno didn’t even get a hint of his scent. That means he wasn’t there.”

“Then let’s go.” Sophie hurried to the SUV and Luke climbed behind the wheel after making sure Bruno was settled. He paused.

Sophie frowned. “What are you waiting for?”

“Do you have Katie’s number?”

“Of course.”

“Can you call her? I think we can do this over the phone and it will be faster than going back to the auditorium.”

“Sure. I can put her on speaker.”

Sophie dialed the number. It only made it through half a ring before Katie answered. “Sophie? Did you find him?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

Katie’s muffled sob echoed through the phone’s speaker, and Luke winced. Katie was one of the sweetest people on the planet and he hated she was suffering—that they were all suffering. “I’m here, too, Katie,” Luke said. “Listen, we’re not giving up, so just keep hanging in there, okay? But we think you can help.”

“Yes. Of course.” She sniffed. “Anything. What can I do?”

“Tell me about this morning when you last saw Jordan. What was his mindset like?”

“Um…nothing unusual. He seemed fine. And by fine, he was joking around about some things, talking about where we’d take our next vacation. He was proud of the graduating K-9s and handlers and said what a great addition they would be to the force. He was looking forward to the future,” she said softly. “That note wasn’t from him.”

“I don’t think it was either,” Sophie said, “but did you look at it?”

“No, I didn’t want to. Why?”

“It was his handwriting.”

Katie paused. “Then someone forced him to do it,” she said, her voice low, but firm. “The only way he would write that note is if someone held a gun to his head.” She paused. “Or threatened me.”

“I’d agree with that last part,” Sophie said.

“What time did Jordan leave this morning?” Luke asked.

“Before I did—around 8:30. He took Snapper with him for their run, then was supposed to go straight to headquarters where he was going to use the shower, dress, then head to the auditorium to go over his remarks before the ceremony.”

Luke paused, lips pursed. “Did you see him actually get in the vehicle and drive away?”

She paused. “Um…no. I didn’t.”

“I’ve got an idea,” he said.

“What’s that?”

“I don't think Jordan ever made it to the park to take Vanderbilt Parkway. I’m going to get Finn to bring Abernathy to your house and see if the dog can pick up Jordan’s scent and at least tell us which way he went when he left the house—and whether or not he was on foot or in his vehicle.”

“But the SUV is gone.”

“I know.” That didn’t necessarily mean Jordan was driving it. He kept that to himself. “I’ll meet you there.”

Luke hung up and dialed Finn’s number.

“You find him?” the K-9 officer answered.

“No. Sophie thinks we’re going about this all wrong and I have to say I kind of agree with her.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Meet me at Jordan’s house with Abernathy. Katie’s going to give us one of the chief’s shirts and you’re going to see how far Abernathy can take you.”

“Not a bad idea. I’ll meet you there in twenty.”

“On the way.”

When Luke neared the Jameson home in Rego Park, all he could do was pray Abernathy and Finn would find something that would give the next step in their search for Jordan. The three-story multifamily building was home to the entire Jameson clan.

“We’ll need to talk to Alexander and Ivy,” Luke said.

Alexander and Ivy Jameson, parents to Noah, Carter, Zach and Jordan, lived on the first floor. Jordan and Katie shared the second floor, and the other brothers, along with Carter’s six-year-old daughter, Ellie, had the large third floor apartment in true Full House fashion. Luke knew Carter’s wife, Ellie’s mother, had died in childbirth, leaving Carter devastated and in need of help with the newborn. The family hadn’t hesitated, jumping right in to do whatever Carter needed.

Luke had often envied the tight-knit family that was so very different from his own. With one brother and a father who blamed him for his mother’s death, Luke kept his distance from them.

“Mr. and Mrs. Jameson are out of town this week visiting relatives in Florida,” Sophie said. “I sure hope we can find Jordan and not have to tell them anything about all of this.”

“Okay. Then that’s the plan for now.”

He parked on the street just as Finn and Abernathy arrived. Katie’s car was already in the driveway. The door opened, and she stepped onto the porch. Luke drew in a deep breath. “All right, let’s do this.”

THREE

Sophie had prayed the entire drive to the Jameson home. Prayed and kept an eye on her phone. Of course it hadn’t rung and no one had called in on the radio to report they’d found Jordan. She climbed out of the SUV and stood beside it while Katie approached Finn, holding a bag in her gloved hands.

“Jordy dropped this shirt on the bathroom floor yesterday when he came in from his run,” Katie said. “I’m a little embarrassed to say that I left it there simply to see how long it would take him to pick it up. It was a private joke. He leaves his clothes on the floor, I leave my towels.” She sniffed and swiped a stray tear, then waved a hand. “Never mind. I’m chattering. I used gloves to put it in the bag so it wouldn’t have my scent on it.”

Abernathy, the eager-to-work yellow Lab, stood at Finn’s side, tail wagging, ears perked, eyes on the bag. The dog’s nose quivered as Finn took the bag. “That was good thinking. Are you sure you aren’t part cop?”

Katie offered him a small smile. “Being married to Jordy has taught me a lot,” she said softly. Tears stood in her eyes. “Please, just find him. I’ll never fuss about him leaving his clothes on the floor again.”

“That’s the plan. Let’s start inside.”

Sophie and Luke followed Katie, Finn and Abernathy inside. Finn pulled on a glove, then opened the bag and removed the shirt. He held it out to Abernathy who shoved his nose in it, over it and around it.

Once he was sure the dog had the scent, Finn let him take the lead even though they knew Jordan wasn’t inside. There was always the hope Abernathy would lead them to some sort of clue.

Sophie frowned. It was such a long shot. Were they were wasting valuable time searching the house when Jordan could be somewhere needing help? But these guys were the best. They did this on a daily basis and would be hyper diligent now that one of their own was missing. She knew this. She could trust them. Sophie kept her lips shut and let the professionals work.

Finally, Abernathy led them to the back door and out into the backyard. K-9 handlers were required to have an outdoor space for their dogs, and this house couldn’t be more perfect. Sophie remembered overhearing a conversation about how Alexander and Ivy bought the multifamily house when their sons were little and rented out the other apartments before giving them to their children when they were ready to live on their own. Even while her mind spun with facts she knew, she kept an eye on Abernathy and Finn.

Finn once again let the dog lead, all of his attention tuned to the canine’s body language. Abernathy covered the back area, then returned to Finn and sat.

“Nothing back here,” Finn said. “Let’s try outside the fence.” The gate opened into the small driveway that ran the length of the house.

The dog led them out into the street and ran a short distance before stopping and looking back at Finn. Sophie and Luke caught up.

“He’s lost the scent,” Finn said, “but I think this means that Jordan and Snapper definitely got in the vehicle and took off.”

“Then where’s the car, and where’s Snapper?” Sophie asked.

Luke shook his head. “Jordan could park that K-9 SUV anywhere and no one would think anything about it other than there was a cop somewhere close by. At least not for a while. We’ve got a BOLO out on it, but people will have to be paying close attention to the license plate.”

“I don’t know,” Sophie said. “Seems to me that might make it even easier to find.”

“Always looking for that silver lining, aren’t you?”

“Keeping hopeful, Luke, that’s all.”

“Good,” Finn said. “We need to stay hopeful. Prayers wouldn’t hurt either.”

“What about security footage?” Luke asked. “Katie probably knows the route Jordan takes every morning. We could check any cameras along that drive.”

“Good idea. As soon as we get that route, I’ll call it in.”

“I know the route,” Sophie said. She rattled it off.

Finn popped his phone from the clip on his belt. “I’ll call it in and we’ll see what Dani can pull,” he said.

While Finn put in the request, Sophie paced. “The longer, he’s missing, the chances of finding him drop,” she muttered. They knew that as well as she did. But she wasn’t really talking to them, just stating a fact and reminding herself that they needed to find him fast. “So, we know he got up, and his plan was to go for a run with Snapper and then go to headquarters to shower and change. On his way to the auditorium, he might have planned to stop somewhere and grab something quick like toast or a bagel.”

“That sounds right,” Katie said. “Only he never made it to the auditorium.”

Actually, they weren’t sure he even made it out of the neighborhood.

They all fell silent until Luke rubbed a hand down his cheek. “There’s nothing more we can do here,” Luke said. “Let’s get back to headquarters. Sophie, would you be willing to go through Jordan’s office and see if anything strikes you as off?”

“Of course.” Sophie looked at Zach, Katie, Noah and Carter. “Do we need to call your parents?”

Noah shook his head. “No, not yet. It’s only been a few hours. I’m not ready to sound the alarm yet.”

“Katie,” Sophie said, “do you want me to come back and stay here with you after I’ve gone through his office?”

“No. I’ll come back to headquarters.” Katie rubbed her arms as though chilled. “I can’t stay here right now.”

“Are you sure?” Sophie stepped forward and pulled the woman out of earshot of the others. “This is super stressful, and you need to rest. Take care of yourself.”

“I know. And I will. But I can’t…stay here and do nothing.”

Sophie understood that. “All right. You can rest on the sofa in Jordan’s office if you need to.”

“If I need to. I just want to be where everyone else is, so I can know the updates as they come in.”

Katie insisted on driving her own vehicle. Sophie didn’t blame her but was worried for her friend. Her pregnant friend whose husband was missing. Sophie ran places and people through her mind, desperately searching for someone who might have a clue where Jordan would be.

“Sophie?” Luke asked “You okay?”

Sophie blinked. And realized she’d been lost in thought the entire ride back to headquarters. She drew in a deep breath. “Yes, sorry. I was just…thinking.”

“Are you in pain?”

“My head hurts and my leg is bruised, but time and some ibuprofen will take care of those issues. I can ignore the discomfort for now.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” With Sophie favoring her bruised leg, they hurried toward the headquarters building. Just inside, her phone rang. She grabbed it from her pocket and checked the screen, then shook her head at Luke. It wasn’t Jordan. His shoulders dropped. “It’s my dad,” she said, lifting the device to her ear. “Hi, Dad.”

“Hey, sweetheart, something kind of weird just happened and I wanted to give you a heads-up.”

“Okay. What’s going on?”

Luke raised a brow and she shrugged.

“Someone just called here looking for you.”

“Looking for me? Who?”

“He said he was a friend from college, that he’d tried calling your number, but when you didn't answer, called me. Then he started asking a lot of personal questions which I declined to answer, of course. He finally cursed and hung up on me. It’s got me worried about you.”

Dread curled in the pit of her stomach, adding to the ball of worry for Jordan that was already there. “Okay, thanks for letting me know. I’ll take care of it.”

“Do you know who it could be?”

“I have an idea.” Her gaze locked on Luke’s. He stood there listening unabashedly. Sophie didn’t care. If she’d wanted privacy, she would have walked into the conference room.

“I have to leave to head for work. It's just an overnight run, but it'll be late tomorrow night before I'm back. You sure it's okay for me to leave?”

A truck driver, he was often gone overnight. As a child, Sophie had wished he could be home more. At this moment, she was glad he was getting out of the city. “I'm sure. I’ll talk to you later, Dad, thanks for letting me know.”

“I’m not going to kid you, Sophie, this scares me.”

“I know. And I promise I’ll take care of it.” She paused. “And if I have trouble doing that, I know people who can help.”

Her father let out a low laugh. “Yeah, I guess you do. Be careful, hon.”

“Always. Have a good trip.”

She hung up and stood silent for a moment while she processed.

“What was that all about?” Luke asked.

“My dad is a long haul trucker and was getting ready to walk out the door for an overnight run when his phone rang.” She told him about the call. “I think it’s probably the guy who tried to kidnap me this morning digging for information.” She shuddered. “What worries me is that he knows my dad's home telephone number. And in order to find that out, he had to know my name—and my dad’s.”

*

Luke definitely didn’t like the sound of that. He shook his head. “I don’t think you should go home. If he knows your name and number—and your father's—he most likely he knows your address, too.”

“Of course he does. I share a house with my dad and brother. But how would he find that out?” Sophie ran a shaky hand over her bun, then straightened it.

“He knows you work for the K-9 unit here in Queens. He may have even been in the auditorium watching you set up, just waiting for a chance to make his move.”

Sophie shuddered. “I did have an eerie sensation of someone watching me. Like someone else was there but didn’t want me to know it.” She paused and frowned. “As I told you, I even heard something but didn’t think much of it.”

“It wouldn't be too hard to figure out who was taken from the auditorium. All he had to do was ask someone.”

“Oh. Right. I should have thought of that.” She fell silent. “Then that means I definitely can’t go home. I have a separate apartment from my brother and father, but it’s still the same house.” A sigh escaped her. “I mean I have no choice. It’s not like I can afford a hotel.”

“I have a better idea,” Luke said.

“What?”

“Would you be willing to stay at my place?”

“Oh.” She chewed her lip.

“Well?”

“I’m thinking.”

“There’s really nothing to think about.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I don’t think you’re safe and I’d like you to come home with Bruno and me until we can find the guy who kidnapped you.” She blinked at him as though having trouble processing his words. “Sophie?” He gave her slight shake, eyes narrowed with concern. “Are you listening?” Had she gone into some kind of shock? A mental overload?

She finally blinked and met his gaze. “I think I’ve had enough for today.”

“I agree. I’ll take you to your place and you can pack a bag. Then we’ll go back to my house.”

“I think that would really inconvenience you. Don’t you have a couple of roommates?”

“Two. Sam and David. The good thing is Sam’s out of the country for a couple of days so you can use his room.”

The fact that she simply nodded told him how worn out she was—and was probably hurting even though she hadn’t said a word about being in pain. “How does some ibuprofen sound?”

“Like a really good idea.”

“You better keep some in your system. You’re going to feel it tomorrow even more.”

“I know. Thanks.”

Luke led the way to his Tahoe and Bruno jumped into his spot in the back. Sophie settled into the passenger seat and buckled up. Bruno leaned forward and settled his snout on her left shoulder, then licked her cheek with a swipe of his long tongue.

Luke gaped. “Bruno!”

“Don’t fuss at him,” Sophie said, wiping her cheek on her shoulder. “It’s sweet. I think he knows I need comforting and is offering it.” She scratched the dog’s ears, and Bruno rolled his eyes to Luke as though gloating in his successful attempt to gain Sophie’s attention.

Luke scowled at the animal, but it didn’t seem to faze the dog. With a huff, Luke pulled from the parking lot and headed for Sophie’s home in Woodside.

It didn’t take long to reach it and he turned onto her street. “Nice house,” he said.

“I like it. It’s been in the family forever. My brother and father live upstairs, and I have the downstairs. Someday, I hope to afford something of my own but for now, this works for me.” She quirked a small smile at him. The first one he’d seen all day. Then she scratched Bruno under his chin. Again. “I’d like a dog,” she said, “but dogs need space to run. I have a yard, but it’s too small for the size dog I'd want.”

“That’s why K-9 officers are required to have a yard.” He smiled. She knew that, of course, but it was small talk. Something to keep her mind on anything but the events of the day—and his off the fact that he was jealous of his dog.

He cleared his throat. “You ready?”

“Sure.”

He and Bruno followed Sophie to the front door of her duplex style home.

Which was cracked open.

She gasped and stepped back.

“That’s not supposed to be open, I’m guessing?” Luke whispered.

“No.”

“Stand back against the wall next to the door. Bruno, stay.” In the blink of an eye, the dog’s demeanor changed at Luke’s command. His ears went up and he was in instant work mode, waiting for the next order. Bruno sat next to Sophie and she placed a hand on his head. Luke pulled his weapon and stood to the side of the door. Using his left hand, he gave the metal door a light shove. It swung inward on well-oiled hinges.

Luke stepped over the threshold and glanced to the right. Kitchen with the stove light on. Living area to the left. Hallway straight ahead with the bathroom at the end and the bedroom to the left. Small and efficient.

And trashed. Sofa cushions lay on the floor along with the lamps that had probably been on the end tables. The intruder hadn’t spared the small buffet in the eating area either and the drawers had been yanked out, dishes crushed onto the hardwood floor.

A loud crash came from the bedroom area and Luke headed down the hallway. “NYPD! Come out of the room, hands where I can see them! Now!”

Silence.

“I’m not playing!” Luke said. “Come out with your hands where I can see them!”

A black-clad figure shot out of the room and slammed into Luke hard enough to knock the breath from him. And his gun from his grip. The weapon hit the floor and skittered across the wood out of reach. Gasping, Luke threw a blind punch that grazed a whiskered jaw.

Bruno growled and lunged forward, snapping at the attacker who stumbled back, tripped and fell with a thud to the wood floor. Only to lurch to his feet and come forward swinging as Bruno moved in. He caught the dog on the ear. Bruno yelped and darted away, shaking his head.

Luke dove after the man and wrapped a hand around an ankle, yanking him back to the floor. Bruno added his displeasure and snapped his teeth in the man’s face.

A foot kicked out and landed a hard blow to Luke’s temple, stunning him. Stars spun in front of his eyes.

Again, the assailant managed to find his feet—and headed for Sophie. She darted away. Bruno barked and launched himself at the man once more, this time closing his teeth around an arm. The pained scream echoed through the apartment.

Luke rolled in time to see Sophie swing a lamp into the man’s chest. The lamp fell, hitting Bruno’s snout before crashing to the floor. The dog flinched and released the attacker who rushed out the door.

Then Bruno was beside Luke, nudging him and whining.

Luke shook his head. While everything had happened in mere seconds, Luke raged that he couldn’t move fast enough. Finally, he made it to his feet while his head spun and nausea curled in his gut. “Sophie!”

“I’m okay.” She rushed to him. “Are you?”

“Fine. I’ve just got to learn to duck.” He grabbed his weapon and raced to the front door in time to see the man hop into a light gray Jeep he’d had double parked four doors down and peel away from the building. Luke slapped a hand against his thigh. He couldn’t see the license plate.

He snagged his phone and called it in with what little information he had. When he hung up, he drew in a deep breath and pressed a hand to his aching head, then turned to Sophie, who now sat on the sofa with Bruno’s big head resting on her knee. She examined the animal’s ear and nose with gentle fingers.

“Is he okay?” Luke asked. “Do I need to get him to the vet?”

“I think he was just stunned, but if you would feel better taking him to the vet, we can do that.”

Luke looked his partner over and sighed with relief when he found nothing concerning. “Good boy, Bruno.” The dog licked his hand, then turned back to Sophie and nudged her hand.

With the danger past, Luke allowed himself to take a moment to simply watch her. She continued to scratch Bruno’s ears, and Luke was hit with the longing to take the dog’s place. A brief flash of the two of them sitting on the couch, watching a movie and sharing a bowl of popcorn held him frozen for a second.

“Luke?” she asked. “You okay?”

He blinked. “Yeah, fine. Officers are on the way.”

“I’m sorry.”

“About what?” He stilled and frowned.

“For not finding a weapon or some way to help you.”

Luke went to her and pulled her into a hug. “It’s okay. I was just worried about you.” And because the feel of her in his arms made his head spin way too much, he released her and stepped back.

“I’m going to call my dad,” she said. “I need to let him know what happened. And I need to call Trey.”

“Of course.”

She dialed her brother’s number, waited, then hung up. “He’s not answering.”

“Try your dad.”

She did, and Luke couldn’t help notice her sigh of relief when he answered on the first ring. “Hey, Dad, I know you're on the road, but I need to let you know someone broke into my place.” Pause. “No, I'm fine. I'm with a friend from the station. Do you know where Trey is?” She shook her head at Luke. “Trey went hiking with friends and won't be back until Saturday,” she said, then went back to the phone and explained the fact that she was going to stay with Luke and his roommates for a while.

Her father said something, and she nodded with a glance at Luke. “I’m sure, Dad. I’ll be safe there and hopefully whoever broke in won’t be back. You still have several dinners in the freezer for when you get back from your run and most of the clothes are washed. Hopefully, by the time you and Trey get back, all of this will be over.”

Luke watched her, considering her words and what they meant.

She hung up and caught his gaze. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You do a lot for them, don’t you?”

She shrugged. “My dad’s done a lot for me.” She paused. “Don’t you help your family out when they need it?”

“Not really. We don't talk much.”

“Oh. That’s…sad.”

"I know." He cleared his throat. "But forget about that. While I want to hear more about your family, why don’t you start taking inventory? Just don’t touch anything. When the officers get here, they’ll take prints. Ours are on file so they’ll be able to eliminate those.”

She shook her head as her gaze swept the area. “I don’t think he took anything. He just broke everything.”

Luke noticed the shattered flat screen television on the floor. Her iPad and Blu-ray player lay in front of the television stand. Also broken.

“He stomped on them,” she whispered. “Why?” Tears leaked from her eyes and she swiped them away with an angry brush of her fingers. Before Luke could answer or offer more comfort, she leaned over and picked up a figurine from the floor. “This was on my coffee table. He swept it to the floor, but it didn't break which is a relief. A friend gave it to me.” She paused, studying it. “Although, it's worth several hundred dollars. And yet, he left it."

“Which means he was probably looking for something and this wasn’t a random criminal simply after items to sell for easy money.”

She frowned. “But what?”

He nodded to the corner of the room. “Your desk is turned upside down. If this was the same guy who called your father looking for you, then maybe he was searching for something that would tell him how to find you. And when he couldn’t, he took his frustration out on your stuff.”

“Why didn’t he just wait until I got home?" A pause. "Then again, maybe he did. Maybe he was in my bedroom just waiting to…” She shuddered. “I’m so glad you were here.”

Luke’s heart twisted. He went to her again and wrapped his arms around her to pull her into a hug once more. He could put his own feelings on hold and simply offer her comfort. For a moment, she stiffened, then leaned against him.

“I’m sorry, Sophie,” he said softly. “I know this has been a rotten day for you.”

“It’s been even more rotten for Katie,” she mumbled.

“Yeah. I can’t argue with that.” He sighed. And realized he didn’t want to let her go. While he could tell she was finding comfort in the embrace, he realized he was, too. Which made him frown. While she was changing his perception of her, he reminded himself she was still young. Very young.

Bruno nosed in between them and Sophie let out a watery laugh.

“I think he’s feeling left out.” She scratched his neck and the dog sighed his contentment. “All’s right with his world, isn’t it? He’s just happy to be with those he loves and having his ears scratched.”

“Yes, he’s pretty easy to please. Ear scratches, belly rubs and a hug every once in a while.”

“I think everyone could learn a few lessons from this guy,” she said softly.

"Amen to that."

"Did you know we're getting a new dog?"
"Who? You and your family?"

She laughed. "No, the department. Her name's Stella and she's a gift from the Czech Republic. She's supposed to be really special." Bruno licked her cheek and she huffed another choked laugh. "But not as special as you, Bruno, I promise."

Luke’s phone buzzed, and he snatched it to check the screen.

“Who is it?” Sophie asked.

“A group text from Katie. Just wanting an update.”

“Oh.”

While all was right with Bruno’s world, Luke’s was standing on its head. And Katie was growing more and more desperate as time passed without hearing from her husband. Frankly, he couldn’t blame her. Luke closed his eyes and hugged Sophie once again, this time allowing himself to take comfort from her. He said a silent prayer that Katie would get to hold Jordan in the near future.

Please let us find him.

Don’t miss

Justice Mission by Lynette Eason,
available April 2019 wherever
Love Inspired Suspense books and ebooks are sold.

www.LoveInspired.com

Copyright © 2019 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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About the Author

Lynette Eason lives in Simpsonville, SC with her husband and two children. She is an award-winning, best-selling author who spends her days writing when she’s not traveling around the country teaching at writing conferences. Lynette enjoys visits to the mountains, hanging out with family and brainstorming stories with her fellow writers. You can visit Lynette’s website to find out more at www.lynetteeason.com or like her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lynette.eason

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