The judge nodded. “So, it’s Doctor Adams then?”
Nessa glanced between the two men before responding. “Um, yes, your Honor. It is, but I’m more comfortable using Professor as my title when possible.”
“Very well. Thank you for clarifying, Professor.”
Dylan’s mother was the last person to introduce herself. “Kaye Adams, your Honor. I’m here representing the Norfolk Public Library.”
“I don’t see—”
Rev. Price was cut off by his attorney’s hand on his arm. He frowned but heeded the silent warning.
The judge shifted a few of the papers on the table. “Mr. Sellis, please begin.”
The lawyer on the far right of Dylan cleared his throat. “Thank you, your Honor. We apologize for the abruptness of this hearing, but Coldrick Farm was due to be sold this afternoon. However, new evidence has been found that will be used to put forth an application for the property and its buildings to be registered as a nationally designated historical site . . .”
Nessa gaped. What evidence?
When she glanced at Dylan in confusion, he winked at her then reached over and squeezed her hand. Unable to ask the question aloud, she tried to focus on what the lawyer was saying. “. . . Plaintiff’s exhibit A, which is a report from Director Jared Cherwonka, of the Archaeological Society of Virginia, stating that several artifacts found in a hidden space in the basement of the main house have been chronologically dated to the early and mid-1800s. Director Cherwonka confirms the items are true to that era and that the shackles found were commonly used on slaves during that time.”
“Objection,” Price’s female attorney interrupted. “The director was not able to irrefutably state the items had been connected to slavery, only that they were similar to items used on slaves. Thus, there is no definitive connection to the Underground Railroad.”
“Objection noted. This is a hearing, not a trial, Ms. Calvin. I’ll weigh all evidence and testimony submitted by both parties. Continue, Mr. Sellis.”
“Thank you, your Honor.” He slid several photos in front of the judge. “Plaintiff’s Exhibit B. This is a diary that belonged to a teenage girl, Emily Coldrick, dated 1848 to 1851. It was discovered last night in the basement of the Norfolk Public Library on Baker Street by Mrs. McBride and her son, Mr. McBride, who are present at this hearing. The diary is currently in the possession of the Codicology Department at the Archaeological Society where proper testing will be performed on it to verify its authenticity.”
Nessa knew codicology was the study of codices, or manuscript books, written on parchment as physical objects, and that department was exactly where she’d planned to send the diary if she’d ever found it. How had Dylan and Kaye located it—in the basement of the library of all places?
The lawyer continued. “As you can see, the Codicology Department was able to photograph several pages for the purpose of this hearing. In the handwritten text, Emily Coldrick describes how her father was what was known as a stationmaster. He’d helped dozens of quote-unquote ‘fugitive slaves’ escape to freedom by hiding them in a crawl space under the floor of the kitchen’s pantry. There are numerous entries referring to this, so this is just a sampling. With the evidence provided, we’re requesting that your Honor rule in favor of voiding the Intent to Sell to JP Enterprises, which is owned by Reverend Price, so we may file the application to have Coldrick Farm placed on the National Register of Historic Places.”
The rest of the hearing was a blur, with objections being made, items being placed into evidence, and arguments going back and forth. At the end of the hearing, the judge had ruled the sale of the farm would be suspended pending further investigation, giving the Archaeological Society time to completely analyze the contents of the diary. Reverend Price was none too pleased, as he glared at Kaye McBride on his way out of the room.
The older woman snorted before turning to Dylan and Nessa. “I’m thinking of running for chairman of the board of the library this fall when a certain someone’s term is up for election again. What do you think?”
“I think you’ll win in a heartbeat.” Dylan leaned over and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Put me on your campaign team.”
Nessa shook her head, still trying to wrap her head around everything. “Kaye, I can’t believe you found the diary. I don’t know how to thank you.”
His mother grinned. “I do.” Her chin jutted toward Dylan. “Give the big jerk a second chance.” She winked at Nessa. “But make him grovel a bit first.”
The laughter that spilled from Nessa’s mouth was music to Dylan’s ears. His mother patted his shoulder. “Make sure she forgives you in time for Sunday dinner, so you can introduce her to the rest of the family.”
“You got it, Mom. I’ll talk to you later.”
After giving Nessa a hug, his mother strode out of the hearing room. Dylan glanced around and realized he and Nessa were the only two people left. He leaned against the edge of the table and crossed his arms. “So, are you willing to give me that second chance?”
She shrugged, clearly feigning indifference. “You might be able to convince me. What did your mother mean about Sunday dinner?”
“It’s my brother’s birthday, and we’re all going to Mom’s house to celebrate. I’d love for you to join us.”
“Hmm. I seem to recall there’s supposed to be some groveling first.”
Pushing off the table, Dylan dropped to both knees and took her hands in his. When Nessa’s jaw gaped and her eyes went wide, he chuckled. “No, I’m not proposing.” He winked. “Although, you can expect that in the near future. I’m down here, begging for forgiveness, Nessa. I’m so sorry. I’ve never been in love before—not the deep forever kind—and I, honestly, got scared. I can’t guarantee I won’t screw up again and be an ass every once in a while, but I will try my best to never hurt you like that again. I know in my heart you weren’t using me, and I hate myself for making you think I was calling you a prostitute.” He lifted her hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Forgive me, please, and put me out of my misery. I’ve missed you so much.”
Bending down, Nessa cupped his jaw and kissed him. It wasn’t a gentle kiss, but a claiming one. She was his, and he was hers. After a few moments, her mouth left his. The love he saw in her gaze nearly brought him to tears. “I love you, Dylan, and, yes, I forgive you, on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You forgive me too.”
“Considering I did that a few days ago, you’ve got yourself a deal.” He got to his feet.
After grabbing his briefcase, he tucked Nessa into his side as they walked out the door. In his mind, he was already planning his proposal. Two thousand feet in the air might be the perfect place to do it.
The End
The Bid on Love series unites the talents of eight romance authors to bring you stories that will leave you breathless and begging for more!
Book 1: Souled by KL Shandwick
Book 2: Going, Going Gone by Samantha A. Cole
Book 3: Joker by M.A. Stone (Coming June 18th)
Book 4: A Chance at L.O.V.E. by KL Myers (Coming July 2nd)
Book 5: For Her Amusement by Heather Anne (Coming July 16th)
Book 6: Stab at Love by Kristine Mason (Coming July 30th)
Book 7: Bidding on the Bodyguard by Kristi Avalon (Coming August August 13th)
Book 8: Afraid of Love by Annelise Reynolds (Coming August 27th)
Other Books By Samantha A. Cole
The Trident Security Series
Leather & Lace: Book 1
His Angel: Book 2
Waiting For Him: Book 3
Not Negotiable: A Novella Book 3.5
Topping The Alpha: Book 4
Watching From the Shadows: Book 5
Whiskey Tribute: A Novella Book 5.5
Tickle His Fancy: Book 6
No Way in Hell: A Steel Corp/Trident Security Crossover: Books 1 & 2
Absolving His Sins: Book 7
Option Number Three: A Novella Book 7.5
Salvaging His Soul: Book 8
The Deimos Series
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Handling Haven: A Trident Security/Delta Force Crossover - Deimos Book 1
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Cheating the Devil: A Trident Security/Delta Force Crossover - Deimos Book 2
The Trident Security Omega Team Series
Mountain of Evil: TS Omega Team Prequel
A Dead Man’s Pulse: TS Omega Team Book 1
Forty Days & One Knight: Book 2—Coming Soon
Summer’s Fall: Book 3—Coming Soon
The Doms of The Covenant Series
Double Down & Dirty Book 1
Entertaining Distraction: Book 2
Hammered & Nailed—Coming Soon
The Malone Brothers Series
Take the Money and Run: Book 1
The Devil's Spare Change: Book 2
The Ultimate Price: Book 3—Coming Soon
The Blackhawk Security Series
Tuff Enough: Book 1—Coming Soon
Stand Alone Novels
The Road to Solace
Special Projects
First Chapters: Foreplay Volume One
First Chapters: Foreplay Volume Two
First Chapters: Foreplay Volume Three
Word Search For Warriors: Authors For a Cause
About the Author
A proud member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Samantha A. Cole is a retired policewoman and former paramedic who is thrilled to add award-winning author to her list of exciting careers. She has lived her entire life in the suburbs of New York City and is looking forward to becoming a snow-bird between New York and Florida someday. Her two fur-babies, Jinx and Bella, keep her company and remind their mom to take a break from writing every once in a while to go for a walk, which is the best way to deal with a stubborn case of writer’s block.
An avid reader since childhood, Samantha was often found with a book in hand and sometimes one in each. After being gifted with a stack of romance novels from her grandmother, her love affair with the genre began in her teens. Many years later, she discovered her love for writing stories was just as strong. Taking her life experiences and training, she strives to find the perfect mix of suspense and romance for her readers to enjoy.
Her standalone novel, The Friar, won the silver medal in the 2017 Readers' Favorite Awards in the Contemporary Romance genre out of more than 1000 entries.
While the original planned stories for the Trident Security series have been completed, they have brought many opportunities for Samantha to spread her wings and bring her readers more characters and stories to love. Look for her new Trident Security Omega Team series, Doms of The Covenant Novella series, Blackhawk Security series, and more from the Malone Brothers series, in addition to several standalone projects.
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Going, Going, Gone
Copyright © 2018 Samantha A. Cole
All Rights Reserved.
Suspenseful Seduction, Inc.
Going, Going, Gone is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover designed by Judi Perkins of Concierge Literary Design—www.cldesignsky.com
Editing by Eve Arroyo—www.evearroyo.com
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
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