Blades, Betrayals and Broken Ties

by Emily Selby

  'On the count of three?' he asked, another cheeky smile playing on his lips.

  Her head spun, and her fingers trembled.

  What if he doesn't like his present? What if he thinks it's too intellectual?

  'One-two-three!' she called out on one breath and pulled her gift from his hand.

  She burst out laughing and he joined her. She ripped off the paper immediately. He was making her feel young again. Laughing and having fun with little things!

  'Oh, a book on criminals' motives. Just what I was thinking to read more about. Thank you.' Katie flipped the book to read the back blurb.

  Personal and relevant, yet safe... Just as her choice.

  'Did you read my mind?' she asked him.

  'I've tried my best mind-reading abilities. I'm pleased to hear I've got something right,' he replied still fiddling with the sellotape on the edges. 'It's a very good book, written by an FBI profiler.' He blew out a breath. 'You've done a solid job wrapping your gift.'

  'It's because you're doing it nicely. Rip it off, like I did,' she said, laughing.

  'I wanted to keep it nice, but if you say so,' he replied and tore through the remaining layer of tissue. 'Wow! Is this the book you've been talking about? The one on intuitive and analytical thinking?'

  'Yes. I thought you may have some time over the holidays for some light reading.'

  'I will, thank you. I was actually looking through books on the topic, saw this one and thought it would be great. And it'll make me think of you,' he said and jumped to his feet. He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and took them out immediately.

  Her heart set off to gallop.

  'Merry Christmas, Katie,' he said in a deep, smooth voice that sent a thrill down her spine.

  He stepped forward.

  'Merry Christmas, Jack,' she croaked and forced her melting feet to advance a few inches towards him.

  He stretched his hand as in a slow motion. She leant forward. His fingers landed softly on her cheek and a frisson of heat darted through her, nailing her to the spot. She touched his upper arm and her fingertips sealed into his steel-hard biceps.

  He moved a step closer, his blue eyes gazing at her, deeper and deeper as if he wanted to see right into her soul. He stroked her hair, ever so lightly, setting her scalp on fire.

  The musky scent of his aftershave tingled her nose. He leant over her, his face so close to hers she felt the prickling of his five o'clock shadow on her forehead. Her fingers itched to touch the firm line of his jaw.

  She closed her eyes. A warm, sweet waft glided down her face. With a sudden flow of force, her heels lifted her to her tiptoes.

  Is it really happening?

  His mouth touched her forehead, sending a cascade of crazy tingles and goosebumps all over her body.

  The kitchen door slammed open. 'Mum! Can I have- Oh, sorry! What are you doing?'

  Katie jumped back. Jack's head jerked upwards.

  'Exchanging Christmas gifts and wishes. Is everything okay? Did you see it's snowing outside?' Katie rattled off. Her hands were shaking, her cheeks sizzled, and her legs were liquid jelly.

  We're not doing anything illegal, for goodness’ sake!

  'Snow?' Julia's face brightened. She jumped. 'Can I go outside and see it, please?'

  'Have a look through the window first. And if it's still snowing, we can go outside a little later,' Katie replied, gradually regaining control over various parts of her body.

  'Fine. So, what did the inspector give you for Christmas?' Julia craned her neck. 'It's not fair you already got your present and I have to wait till Christmas Day.'

  Katie glanced at Jack for the first time since Julia's 'thunder entrance'. His blue eyes glinted. A dreamy smile flickered on his lips.

  'Why don't we all go and have a look at the snow,' he said. 'And you can call me Jack.'

  'Yay!' Julia screamed. 'Let's go, mummy and Jack!' she ran out of the kitchen. 'Meet you downstairs,' she yelled from the hallway.

  'Sorry about that,' Katie said quietly. 'The magic is gone...'

  'No it hasn’t,' he replied and looked at her, long and sweet. His hand cupped her shoulder, his thumb stroking her collarbone.

  Good Heavens, she was melting!

  'As long as we'll be able to pick up where we left off soon,' he whispered into her ear.

  Katie's chest exploded with butterflies, but something else happened. Something magical. It was as though something opened in her heart, letting out a dash of soft, warm longing. She shivered with delight.

  'Let's go and dance in the snow,' she said huskily and hugged herself.

  Keep it together, Katie! Stay in control.

  She rushed outside, grabbing her jacket on the way. He followed her, his steps thundering behind her, in a perfect harmony with the galloping lub-dub in her chest.

  'Mum, Jack - hurry up!' Julia yelled from the open door. 'Look at that!' she gasped, pointing outside at the white dots swirling in the air and hopping from foot to foot. 'Can I go outside, please?'

  'Be careful, watch out for cars,' Katie replied, stepping outside.

  She stood on the pavement and stretched out her arms. Her fingers tingled with dozens of tiny dots.

  'It is snowing!' Katie called out to Jack who leant on the doorframe. 'Come and check!' She stuck her tongue out and wiggled her fingers. Her face simultaneously burned and prickled, and the wind pushed speckles of soft cold dust into her mouth.

  Jack crossed the doorstep, holding her gaze and smiling. He stopped only a couple of feet away. He waved his hands in the air as if gathering snowflakes and pulling them into a snowball.

  'You still haven't replied to my questions,' he said.

  'Which one?' she asked, surprised to hear her voice so deep and hoarse.

  'About picking up where we left off.'

  'I didn't know it was a question.'

  'It was. But I was too anxious you might say no, and I didn't ask it.'

  'Or,' she replied, chuckling. 'You followed your hunch and didn't want to admit it.'

  He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. 'I've got some evidence to support it: your pupils were dilated, you lifted up on your toes. But how did you know what I was thinking? Are you a mind reader?'

  'No, just someone with an overdeveloped sense of intuitive thinking. And the answer to your unasked question is, yes, I'd love that.'

  'Wonderful,' he said and closed his eyes.

  A smile engulfed his face.

  'Merry Christmas, Sunnyvale,' he called out.

  'Merry Christmas!' Julia joined him, dancing and hopping in circles.

  'Merry Christmas,' Katie whispered, inhaling the fresh, cool air. 'Let the joy, laughter and love begin...'

  Did you enjoy Katie’s story? Would like to know what happens next?

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  Thank you for reading Blades, Betrayals and Broken Ties. I hope you enjoyed Katie’s new adventure.

  Let me and other people know what you think of the story, the characters, the mystery… by leaving a review (please, no spoilers :)).

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  Thank you

  Emily Selby

  Also by Emily Selby

  Did you enjoy Blades, Betrayals and Broken Ties? Can’t wait to find out what happens after that dinner date?

  If yes, then you absolutely have to read the next book - out soon!

  Book 6: Scissors, Siblings and Surprises

  This is the last day to decide what she wants to do with the inherited workshop, so Katie is desperate to have some peace and quiet to make up her mind. But instead, she finds a friend's husband holding a pair of blood-stained scissors and standing over a stabbed body of his brother.

  Is he the murderer, an important witness, or just
an unfortunate victim of a clever, multi-layer set-up?

  As usual, Katie and Jack embark on the mission to untangle a web of lies, secrets and local gossip.

  Don’t miss out - click here to make sure you get your copy of the book when it’s released!

  Have you read the previous books in the series?

  Book 1: Filigrees Fortunes and Foul Play

  The Paper Crafts Club Mystery Book 1

  Katie finds the body of her best cleaning client stabbed with a… quilling needle in an empty house, and ends up being one of the prime suspects. She meets DI Jack Heaton and sparks fly.

  Will she find the murderer before there is another victim and clear her name?

  If you haven’t read the story yet, click here to find out.

  Book 2: Dip Pens, Descendants and Dirty Deals

  Katie has just returned from a weekend away, only to find... another dead body right under her window and the beautiful ring missing from her drawer. Yes, that ring!

  Is the missing ring a clue to solve the murder mystery? Why was the victim killed using Katie's dip pen? And most importantly, will Katie find out who has been on a killing spree this time around?

  If you haven’t read the second book in Katie Redford's cozy crime adventures, click here to read it now!

  Book 3: Glitter, Greed, and Gatecrashers

  The long-awaited church fete has just closed for the night and everybody is looking forward to another day of fun and laughter. Maybe, except one uninvited guest... Katie finds his lifeless body, covered in glitter in the storage room.

  Among good 'ol secrets and gossip, and mind-boggling new technology, Katie, Jack and the rest of Sunnyvale police team race to find the murderer before another person dies. Will they succeed? Click here to find out.

  Book 4: Journals, Jealousy and Jilted Sweethearts.

  Remember Katie’s new cleaning gig for Jane and Keith Starr? Good, because Katie finds one of them dead. Which one? Why? And why it’s the wrong spouse?

  And, most of all, whodunnit…

  Murder, old secrets, new gossip, a little romance - the usual Sunnyvale stuff. Click here to read it now.