Excerpts

"Frank is responsible for John's death," his hands dropped to his side. "I'd stake my life on it."
"Raven," she jerked his arm forcing him to stop. "You can't drop a bomb like that and walk away without explaining. Come clean, Jake. What do you mean he's responsible for Uncle John's death?" The warmth of his skin sent a rippling of sensations shooting up her arm. She removed her hand as though it had been burned.
"You said you don't believe them," he regarded her skeptically with a long, appraising glance. "And neither do I. If we're right and Bullet didn't trampled John like they're saying then someone's lying, and they went to an awful lot of trouble to make it look like an accident," he gripped her shoulders again. "It wasn't an accident, Palomino, he was murdered and Big Frank has more to gain than anyone."
"Why? Why Frank? What could he possibly have to gain with Uncle John's death?"
He drew a deep breath. "The ranch Palomino, he wants Broken Arrow."
"But why? I'm confused," she stated. "Why does he want it? Why Uncle John's ranch? What's so all important about Broken Arrow that anyone would kill for?"
"Gold!"
"Gold," she reeled in astonishment. "There isn't any gold on Broken Arrow. Is there?"

"I’ll get it," Natalie said.
Gladly, Maggie headed toward Laura’s office. She stopped just inside the door beside the curio cabinet where Laura’s lighthouses stood proudly on display, yet close enough to listen. Her freedom would be gone in a matter of minutes. She already resented the bodyguard her mother had hired, and she hadn't even met him yet. She listened as her mother greeted the man who held the power to turn Maggie’s world upside down. She waited on pins and needles for him to speak, so she could form a mental picture after hearing his voice. Her curiosity piqued.
"Please, come in.”
“Nice to see you again, Mrs. Wilson, these are my partners.”
“Have a seat,” Natalie offered. “As I told you on the phone Maggie agreed to my hiring you, but as expected has set down boundaries.”
“What boundaries?”
Maggie’s ear seemed glued to the door as she listened with interest. His deep voice sounded strong and forceful, yet struck her as soothing and comforting.
“That you give her some privacy."
"We can work with that."
"Before I introduce you to Maggie, I have a few questions.”
“Fire away.”
”I want to reiterate that Maggie’s safety is my main concern."
"I understand. Don’t worry. As I said earlier, someone will be with her twenty-four hours a day.”
“What about the letters?”
“Forensics will go over them thoroughly. Any information will be relayed on to you."
He sounded professional and thorough, like he was ready for anything. Maggie liked that in a man. Her nerves started to settle a little. Maybe this wouldn’t be too bad after all.
"Good. I’ll be leaving for Charlotte tomorrow. Have a seat. I’ll get Maggie.”
"Thanks."
Natalie stopped behind Maggie. “Mr. West is waiting . . .”
“So I heard.” Maggie drew a deep breath, turned and followed her mother to the living room to accept her fate.
She was surprised when the tall, black haired man wearing denims and a muscle shirt stood. His presence made the room seem smaller. Maggie wasn’t sure what she had expected, but it certainly hadn’t been this ruggedly handsome hunk.
A short, stocky man with ash brown hair and a petite blonde with huge brown eyes sat on the sofa.
"This is Eddie West, dear. My daughter, Maggie.”

"Call me Eddie," he offered his hand.
Laura came into the living room from the kitchen, “Hey everyone. Don’t mind me,” she hurried to the door. “I was just leaving.”
“This is Laura Deveraux," Natalie said, “Maggie’s friend.”
“Nice to meet ya’ll,” Laura waved.
Eddie nodded.
“Be back later.”
A shock of hair tumbled over Eddie’s forehead, which he immediately pushed back, "My partners, Cody and Aimee Daniels."
Maggie released Eddie’s hand. Even at her five feet seven inch height, she felt petite standing next to him. He was no stranger at the gym. Not exactly a bodybuilder, but he had nice biceps. His hand felt calloused, not what she expected from a bodyguard. "Nice to meet you," Maggie nodded to the couple now standing.
Cody and Aimee nodded.
His eye color was unusual, like a sapphire, only softer and deeper. She'd never seen anyone with quite the same color before.
Eddie glanced past her, his brow furrowed.
"Excuse me." He walked to the screen patio door, stopped for a moment, examined it then stepped onto the deck.
Cody and Aimee followed him outside to investigate.
Maggie watched with interest. What they saw that could be so intriguing baffled her. Obviously, it was something she didn't. After Eddie scanned what Maggie thought had to be the entire complex, he went back inside and closed the patio door.
"I advise moving Maggie to somewhere less visual and more private.”
Great! He's barely gotten here, and already he’s ordering me around. Just great!
“Maggie lives in a beach house in Wrightsville. Would that be better?” Natalie asked.
A silent scream swelled in Maggie. She clamped her jaws together to stop it from escaping.

Heather stretched back in a recliner and closed her eyes. Her senses came alive with warning at the sound of a soft clunk somewhere close by. Her eyes flew open in alarm just as a rock whizzed by her head. Startled, Heather jumped up in alarm, eyes darting to and fro until they spotted a movement behind a row of bushes. In her peripheral vision, she caught a shadowy figure emerging from the darkened corner of the house. A redheaded boy wrapped a slingshot tight, thrusting in the pocket of his denims. Only one redhead Heather knew was brave enough to pull such a dangerous prank. She took a few quick steps toward the boy and instantly recognized Tyler Clay. A troubled youngster from
Heather’s class the previous year.
His large turquoise eyes were wide as she closed the gap between them. The
wicked grin acros his face, openly displaying his guilt quickly disappeared when he realized he’d been caught. Heather grasped his arm. Tyler's facial expression changed to a sullen look, reminding her of his mischievous antics in the classroom. Every day was something different--either he pulled the girls hair, threw paper wads at other students, like pouring kerosene on an open fire or snickering, laughing, or talking. Always something to disrupt the class. His behavior had earned him several trips to the Principal's office. Now, his gaze lowered to the ground to avoid her eyes.