Cold Fear

by Susan Sleeman

“Come in,” he called out, expecting Leah or her mother, but Hannah poked her head inside.

  “Wow,” she said, her eyes wide with admiration. “You’re really good.”

  “Thanks, but I’m just a hack.”

  She shook her head. “No, you’re not, and you know it. You should play at our cookout down at the beach today.”

  Their lunch cookout was only a few hours away. He couldn’t just perform after all this time. “I’m so out of practice.”

  “Would you do it for me?” Her pleading tone was one he’d heard often enough and at times had even given into.

  As he would do now, because he couldn’t bear to see another woman disappointed in him. “Sure.”

  “Mind if we talk a minute?” she asked.

  Yeah, he minded when his emotions were so raw, but she was a good friend, and he needed a good friend right now. He patted the corner of the bed. “I’ve been expecting you.”

  A delicate eyebrow went up in surprise. “You have?”

  “Yeah. You butt in whenever one of us has a personal issue, so I figured you’d want me to talk about it.” He grinned at her.

  She rolled her eyes and sat on the corner of the bed, her slight weight barely making the mattress move. “You never said why you and Leah broke up the first time.”

  The familiar pain settled in his gut, and he had to take a breath before answering. “I loved music but never the way she did. I played to relax and spend time with her. But we caught the eye of a record label executive, and they offered us a recording contract.”

  “That’s amazing.”

  “Yeah, it was…until it wasn’t.”

  “What happened?”

  He looked down at the guitar, the memory as real as if it had happened yesterday, and he recounted the story for Hannah. “They wouldn’t offer her a solo gig. I essentially killed her career before it started, and we broke up.”

  She shook her head. “You didn’t kill it. Look how successful she is.”

  “Yes, but it took a few more years for her to get there.”

  “Then that was what God wanted.”

  “Why does what God wants have to be so hard sometimes?” He sighed. “I loved her, you know. Man, I really did and sticking to my guns, knowing she would leave?” He closed his eyes for a second, the memory painful. “Was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

  “You still do love her from what I can see,” Hannah said. “So why are you letting her go?”

  “She needs to leave.”

  “She might not if you ask her to stay,” Hannah said softly.

  Hannah was a wise woman, and he wanted her to be right, but that was only wishful thinking. “It’s not that simple. Nothing has changed between us. Leah still needs the security of making money. Which means travel and concerts—and now she’s got the public clamoring for interviews and all. I don’t want to live that life.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe if we’d reconnected right after I’d been injured and left PPB, things would be different. But now I’m here, and I’m not leaving. We’re a family, you know. And now, thanks to you and Gage—all the others, too—I can see what I’m missing in life. I want to settle down. Enjoy raising Owen. Stay here. Not take endless trips in buses and spend nights in hotels. I love her, but I can’t deny who I am. And what I believe God wants for me.”

  “I applaud that, Riley, I really do. A man who knows his mind and is willing to follow God’s will no matter the consequences is a powerful thing.” She squeezed his arm. “Just know that it will work out. It always does.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. But it could mean a world of hurt before it does.”

  Leah trudged across the sand dune toward the music floating into the salty ocean air, shocked that the morning had flown by and the whole group was gathered around a campfire. She was drawn to the music as much as she was repulsed by the sound. Riley was playing the first song they’d written together. A song of love and a future that they’d never had. The melody drew her like the Pied Piper’s flute, and she wanted to forget her career. Forget her need for security. Forget the fickle public and untrustworthy people surrounding her. Throw herself into Riley’s arms and stay. Broke and poor…just stay. Be loved and give love.

  Oh, Riley.

  The pain was almost more than she could bear, and she dropped to the sand warm from the overhead sun. It cradled her knees and reminded her of the hours of lazy summer fun with Riley. She’d splash in the ocean as he surfed, and then they’d build a fire and noodle around on their guitars, creating music that no one had ever heard. What she wouldn’t give to have such blissful days again, Owen at their side.

  Her alarm sounded on her phone. Abrupt and sharp it pealed into the open air, belying the quiet comfort surrounding her.

  Time to go. To climb in her taxi and leave. Leave all of this behind.

  She dried her tears and rose. She climbed the dune, knowing the Blackwell team members were having lunch on the beach. As she crested the top, she stopped dead in her tracks. Riley had quit playing and singing. He was holding Owen. Showing him chords on the glossy black guitar that was part of their matching pair.

  Their son’s pudgy face was alive with such joy, such happiness, she had to take a breath or risk hyperventilating. She took another one. And another. Owen was a happy child on the whole, but this look—the love in his face mixed with a sense of belonging—was new to him. To her. She’d never had this with her father. The man who walked out like she meant nothing.

  She didn’t want Owen to have to experience any pain when it came to his father. She wanted him to know joy and happiness and the love of an amazing man. And Riley was just that. An amazing wonderful, awesome, godly man who would never leave Owen. Never leave her.

  Oh, man. She’d been such a fool. Thinking money would secure her son’s happiness. It wouldn’t. Being with his father full-time might not either, but it was a step in the right direction. And being with his mother, too? It would bring her happiness as well.

  She took out her phone and dialed Kraig before she changed her mind again. “I’ve had a change of plans. I won’t be able to make it today. We can discuss the remainder of the tour, but I’ve got something to do right now that can’t wait. I’ll call you tomorrow.” She quickly hung up and silenced her phone because she knew he would call back. She shoved it into her pocket and jogged down the dune to where the group sat around a blazing fire, some roasting hotdogs others already eating theirs. Laughter and witty banter flowing through the group.

  One by one, they looked up, caught sight of her and conversation stilled. Gazes narrowed. A few were angry. She got that. She’d hurt one of their own, and she was a pariah in their group now. But she couldn’t let that deter her.

  She headed straight for Riley and Owen.

  “Mommy.” Owen squirmed free to grab her legs and hug them.

  Riley frowned. “Did you come to say goodbye?”

  “No,” she said and took his hand to tug him to his feet. “I came to say hello.”

  His uncertain expression sent an ache through her heart.

  She smiled to ease his apprehension and took his guitar to gently lay it in the case. “We need to talk alone for a minute.”

  He stood staring at her. Not moving, a hard kind of certainty in his eyes. Certainty that they were over. Her fault. She’d hurt him so badly again, but had she left things too late?

  And how did she proceed? She hadn’t planned this out and everyone was watching them. Now uncertain herself, she glanced at the others.

  Hannah met her gaze and offered an encouraging smile, bolstering Leah’s confidence.

  Hannah held up a bag of marshmallows. “Owen, do you want to make s’mores?”

  “Yes!” Owen ran to her.

  “Thank you,” Leah mouthed for Hannah’s support and turned back to Riley.

  She took his hand. He tried to remove it, but she held tight and dragged him away from the group. She kept going until they were out of earshot. She’d rat
her not still be in full sight of the others, but with a flat, wide-open beach, she had no choice.

  She faced Riley and drew in a breath to reinforce her determination.

  He freed his hand, his expression tight. “What’s going on, Leah?”

  “I’ve come to ask you to marry me.” She smiled and tried to take his hands.

  His eyes narrowed, and he stepped back. “I’m not in the mood for jokes.”

  Not the reaction she expected at all. She stepped closer to him. “No joke. I’ve been so dumb. Choosing the wrong thing when the right thing was right in front of me. I want a future with you. A family with you. Owen and more children.”

  “And how did you reach that conclusion?” His lips pressed flat.

  She didn’t think this would be so difficult for him to accept, but she deserved his suspicion. “Seeing you and Owen just now. His expression. I kept telling myself that financial security would ensure his future, but a father who loves him will do far more to ensure that. I thought this was all about me making our future secure. But it’s not about that.”

  She paused and breathed deeply to go on. “It’s about my father bailing on us and me vowing to always provide for Owen, not trusting anyone else. But you aren’t like my father. Nothing like him. You’re trustworthy and loyal, and I know I can count on you. I don’t have to do this alone.” She paused, tears wetting her eyes. “If you’ll have me after everything I’ve put you through, I would like us to make this work and be a real family.”

  He tilted his head and stared at her. “You really mean this? You’re not going to change your mind?”

  She shook her head emphatically. “No, I’m positive. You have every right to be skeptical. I would be if I was you. But I already called Kraig and told him I wasn’t coming. I owe it to my fans and team to work out the rest of this tour, but maybe Gage would give you some time off and you and Owen could come with me.”

  “What about all the interviews and people wanting your story? You’ve got everyone’s attention now. Your career will really take off.”

  She pulled her hand through her hair. “Well, I was thinking maybe I could do remote interviews...maybe from here? I don’t have to do too many, and Gabby can handle the social media news. I just owe it to my fans to give them the truth of what happened—otherwise all kinds of crazy stories will come out. I don’t want that to be my legacy…for Owen’s sake. Then I will be done with this life and settle down. I want to be far away from that crowd and be a good mother to Owen.” She paused. “You’re already a wonderful father. I want us to be a family together.”

  He met her gaze and watched her carefully.

  “I love you, Riley,” she rushed on. “I’ve never stopped, and I promise I never will.”

  He started to reach for her hands, then let his arms fall to his side. “What about your music when the tour is over? You love performing, and I don’t want you to resent me someday because you gave it up to be here.”

  “I haven’t thought that far.” Devon’s suggestion came to mind. “Do they have churches around here?”

  “Of course, why?”

  “I could fill that need by playing in a worship band, if one would have me. Maybe playing with you again and writing songs. Just for fun. Or maybe we could sell the songs. I don’t know, but I do know I’ll be okay and never resent you.”

  His eyes were wide now and glowing. “You really mean this, don’t you?”

  “I do. So what do you say, Riley Allen Glen?” She looked up at him, knowing her love equaled the light burning in his eyes. “Will you marry me?”

  “Yes. Yes. Yes!” He lifted her into his arms and spun around until he dropped to the sand, cradling her against the fall. “Yes. I’ll marry you. Today if you want. Or tomorrow. Or the next day. Any day.” He held her snugly in his lap and kissed her with abandon, and she kissed him right back, getting lost in his love for her.

  “What’s the matter, Mommy?” Owen’s voice came from nearby. “Did you fall down? Are you hurt? Is Daddy kissing it away?”

  “Yes, Daddy has kissed all my hurt away.” Leah smiled at Owen. “And if you get hurt in the future, he’ll kiss your hurt away, too.”

  Riley tugged her to her feet, scooped Owen up into his arms, then pulled them together into a family hug. “Any hurt we face in the future, we face together. The three of us. Forever.”

  Waves of joy left Leah breathless. Being held in this man’s arms, him by her side loving their son, and God completely in control of their lives was all the security she would ever need.

  Get Alex and Whitney’s story in book 6, COLD PURSUIT!

  She’s on the run…

  When Whitney Rochester’s brother-in-law kills her sister, Whitney fears for the life of her niece and nephew. She can’t leave them in her murderous brother-in-law’s care so she goes on the run with the children to be sure they’re out of his reach. Or so she thinks until a killer shows up—weapon in hand—at the ski resort where she works and targets her.

  But he’s in pursuit.

  Former Recon Marine Alex Hamilton is working an undercover investigation at the resort when a crazed man wielding a gun takes out a guy in close proximity to Whitney. Despite not having the support of the Blackwell Tactical team, other than their forensic expert, Samantha Willis, Alex isn’t about to let the shooter harm Whitney or anyone else. When a blinding snowstorm triggers avalanches in the area, it’s too dangerous for the police to reach the secluded resort to stop the killer. Alex and Sam must protect everyone at the resort while they feverishly work to figure out if Whitney or the victim were the intended target. As Alex and Whitney grow close and the killer strikes again, Alex has to find and take down this madman, even if it means risking his own life.

  PRE-ORDER COLD PURSUIT TODAY!

  Enjoy this book?

  Reviews are the most powerful tool to draw attention to my books for new readers. I wish I had the budget of a New York publisher to take out ads and commercials but that’s not a reality. I do have something much more powerful and effective than that.

  A committed and loyal bunch of readers like you.

  If you’ve enjoyed Cold Fear, I would be very grateful if you could leave an honest review on the bookseller’s site. It can be as short as you like. Just a few words is all it takes. Just click or tap on the link below and you will jump to the right page to post your review. Thank you very much.

  COLD FEAR REVIEW

  Dear Reader,

  * * *

  Thank you so much for reading COLD FEAR, Book Five in my Cold Harbor series. You’ll be happy to hear that there are more books in this series!

  Book 1 - COLD TERROR

  Book 2 - COLD TRUTH

  Book 3 - COLD FURY

  Book 4 - COLD CASE

  Book 5 - COLD FEAR

  Book 6 - COLD PURSUIT

  Book 7 - COLD DAWN

  I’d like to invite you to learn more about these books as they release and about my other books by signing up for my NEWSLETTER. You’ll also receive a FREE sneak peek of my latest book and learn about my monthly giveaways. I love to interact with and hear from readers, so hop on over and let’s connect via the newsletter, on social media, or even send me a message.

  * * *

  Thanks again for purchasing COLD FEAR!

  * * *

  Susan Sleeman

  Want to read more of The Cold Harbor Series? Keep reading for a sneak peek of all the books.

  COLD TERROR - Book 1 - Gage and Hannah’s story

  Forensic artist Hannah Perry’s skills make her a valuable asset to the police in solving criminal investigations.

  A young woman has been murdered. Her body unidentified. Her skull recently discovered by the police, and Hannah feels compelled to help find the killer. Even if she’s on a much-needed vacation on a secluded island with her young son. She could work on the reconstruction in the evenings while her son slept. But as the woman’s face takes shape, an assailant invades Hannah’s cabin and tries to
end her life. Before he can permanently silence her, she and her son flee the island in a small boat. Trouble is, as they approach Cold Harbor, ocean waves capsize the boat, enveloping them both in cold terror.

  * * *

  But it also makes her the next target.

  Former SEAL Gage Blackwell can’t believe his eyes as he plunges into the raging waters to rescue the pair. Owner of Blackwell Tactical—a law enforcement training facility and protection services agency—Gage pulls the woman he once loved from the angry ocean. When he learns of her attack, he vows to protect her while hunting down the killer. Alone and vulnerable, Hannah has to accept Gage’s protection—even if it means staying close to the man who’d once walked out on her without a backward glance.

  COLD TRUTH - Book 2 - Coop and Kiera’s story

  Want to play a game…

  When research chemist Kiera Underwood receives a cryptic phone call about her twin brother, she tries to contact him to no avail. Her twin sense tingles, warning her that something is wrong. When he doesn’t return her call and his supervisor at Oceanic Labs claims he didn’t come into work, she heads to Cold Harbor. But when she arrives in town to find the door to her brother’s house ajar, she races to the lab to question his fellow employees.

  * * *

  Solve the puzzle and save your brother…

  Kiera’s terrified when an attempt is made on her life. Then Blackwell Tactical operative Cooper Ashcroft delivers her second shock of the day. Someone stole a deadly biotoxin. The main suspect? Her brother—and Blackwell Tactical has been hired to bring him in. If that wasn’t distressing enough, she’s suspected of colluding with him. She had nothing to do with the theft, and despite the evidence staring her in the face, she knows that her brother is innocent of all charges. She sets out to prove it, putting her in the thief’s crosshairs. As Coop tries to protect her as well as solve the crime, he grapples with the possibility she’s telling the truth and someone has likely abducted her brother—perhaps killed him. Now Kiera’s life is in serious danger and Coop must protect her while discovering the cold truth behind the theft.