by Katie Ashley
“Sorry. I was fixing Maddox’s tie,” I replied.
A mischievous glint flickered in Maudie’s eyes. “Oh, is that what you were doing?”
I giggled. “Yes, it was.”
“Well, now it appears that you’re finished, so come on outside. Your father needs rescuing in the worst way. He’s been ambushed by reporters and Dr. Bretsky most of the night.”
“Lead away,” Maddox said.
Maudie’s cane clunked along the floorboards—her slight limp was a daily reminder of her personal ordeal with Jensen. She had spent the past three months in extensive therapy, learning how to walk again. She’d made great strides, but she still wasn’t a hundred percent back to her old self, which is one reason why she’d waited to go back to work.
We were all riding on an emotional high when Jensen and his merry band of henchmen were put behind bars for a long, long time. I was equally thrilled to learn that West was also going to be doing some time for attempted robbery. With all the bad guys out of sight and out of mind, we were able to truly move forward and start the healing process.
As we passed the study, Maddox abruptly stopped. “Did you get a new desk?”
I followed his gaze to a mahogany monstrosity taking up the study’s back wall. It looked like a politician’s desk or some VIP. I couldn’t imagine why Maudie would want it.
Maudie’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yes, it’s my latest auction treasure. It’s over two hundred years old. The hand carving is gorgeous, not to mention some of the bells and whistles with interlocking drawers. I swear, it’s just like Queen Victoria’s desk in the second National Treasure movie!”
“That’s cool,” Maddox said, ambling over to it. He fiddled with some of the handles, causing a hidden side drawer to pop out. A yellowed piece of paper fluttered to the floor. “Hey, what’s this?” he asked picking it up.
Maudie gasped. “Don’t tell me it could be another treasure map?”
I shook my head wildly. “Oh no. Put it right back where you found it! I don’t want to ever see another treasure map again in my life.”
Maddox laughed. “Why not?”
“Don’t tell me you’d want a repeat of what we went through?”
He shrugged. “Some parts weren’t bad.”
“No, but at the same time, I just want to graduate college and live a normal life. I don’t want some evil twin of Jensen’s after me and reporters hounding me night and day.”
“I think we’re safe for now,” he replied, flipping the paper over to reveal an old newspaper clipping.
I swept my hand to my heart and sighed with relief. “Thank goodness.”
Maddox chuckled. He appeared at my side and took my hand in his. “You’re way too gullible.”
“And you’re so aggravating to tease me like that.”
“So we both like to tease each other. Worse things can happen.” He tugged my hand. “Come on, Princess. Let’s go make the rounds.”
I smiled and let him lead me out into the hallway. When we got outside, music floated back to us. Dad had ditched Dr. Bretsky and the reporters and was dancing with Mom. Byron Sutton, the mountain man who had given us a ride into town, was out of his overalls and into a suit. He was taking a turn with Maudie on the dance floor, and her face was flushed with excitement. I wrapped my arm around Maddox’s waist and smiled up at him. I couldn’t remember when I had been happier.
Even though we’d almost died, Maudie had been shot, and Dad had been kidnapped, the map and treasure hunt would always be one of the best things that ever happened to me. It had brought Maddox and me back together in ways I never could have imagined. Each and every day I’m grateful for his love, his truly compassionate heart, his giving soul, and his ability to give me mind-blowing orgasms.
I knew that the future looked bright with Maddox by my side.
Katie Ashley is the New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Best-Selling author of The Proposition. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her two very spoiled dogs and one outnumbered cat. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Harry Potter, Shakespeare, Supernatural, Designing Women, and Scooby-Doo.
She spent 11 1/2 years educating the Youth of America aka teaching MS and HS English until she left to write full time in December 2012.
To the people of Georgia and the Cherokee Nation: Thank you for letting me use a little ‘poetic license’ when it came to geography and New Echota. To my Cherokee ancestors who hid out in the mountains and caves of Gilmer and Union Counties to escape the removal, I hope I did justice to the honor and integrity of our people.
Marion Archer: How can I adequately thank you for your amazing eyes as a critique partner? I’m not sure where Search Me would be without your tireless efforts on numerous drafts. Besides your gift of plot and character enhancement, I’m truly blessed to call you a friend and prayer warrior. One day, my love, we shall meet ‘down under’, and I’ll get to finally give you a hug for all you’ve meant to me.
Rachel Simon: I cannot thank you enough for your love and appreciation of this novel—well, when it comes down to it, for all of my books! Even in its infancy, you loved the history, the characters, and the action/adventure. You pushed me to make it more and not give up on it. Your enthusiasm meant so very, very much, just as our friendship did. It took us four years to meet, but I’m so glad we finally got to! Love ya, girlie. And I hope and pray that all your writing dreams come true.
Melanie Kramer Santiago: I am forever indebted to you for reading Search Me in its early drafts and making me dig so much deeper on the action sequences. You truly helped to bring the book alive. Thanks for being there for me during the dark times. I truly treasure our friendship.
Hayley Varnholt and Rachael Allen, thanks for being early readers so many, many months ago! Thanks most of all for our Cheesecake runs and gossip sessions.
JB McGee: As always, thank you so, so much for your formatting and the special touches it adds to my books. Thanks for being such an amazing graphic artist and friend.
Marilyn Medina: My Golden Girl Twinsie and Eagle Eyes, I thank you for coming through for me once again!! Your humor, your support, and love, mean the world.
Cris Hardaly: You are the most amazing fan girl, cheerleader, pimper extraordinaire that any writer could ever hope for. I’m so grateful for our friendship and how you can always make me smile.
Raine Miller and RK Lilley: Thanks for your amazing friendship, love, and support. I couldn’t do this without you!!
Michelle Eck: Oh Captain, My Captain, thanks for always being there for advice and for pimping me and my books with your amazing gift for PR.
Shannon Furhman, Emilie Grey, Tamara Debbaut, and Lorraine Masterson: Thank you so, so much for your artistic gifts of fan art that helps to promote and celebrate my books. I don’t know where I would be without you ladies to bring my words off the paper and bring them alive through pictures. Thanks so much for your book support.
Karen Lawson, MRose Cam, and Amy Lineweaver: You “hot ones” rock my socks and make this journey so much easier.
Beat of the Heart—Runaway Train Book #2
Coming September/October 2013
After years of bad relationships and a cheating ex-fiancée, twenty-eight-year-old Mia Martinelli prefers healing her patients’ hearts on the Cardiac Care floor rather than risking having her heart broken again. But all that comes to a screeching halt when caring for the head roadie for Runaway Train puts her into the orbit of drummer and Latin Lover, AJ Resendiz. After a scorching weekend of steamy passion, Mia’s intentions of getting out with her heart unscathed is challenged by the stud with the wicked sense of humor, especially when he wants to continue seeing her. But when the harsh reality of AJ’s hoard of female admirers sends her insecurities into overdrive, Mia bails, leaving him handcuffed to his bathroom shower.
AJ never imagined that after two weeks of the best sex and female companionship he’d ever experienced, he would need rescued by his band mates from his showe
r prison. Although he tries to forget the sensual brunette whose curves made his mouth water, AJ can’t get her out of his mind…or his heart. Months later when he finally seeks Mia for answers as to why she left, nothing could prepare him for their life-altering reunion.
Can AJ prove to Mia that regardless of the women after his body, his heart belongs only to her?
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Epilogue
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Beat of the Heart
