“Apparently Caroline copied your key weeks ago. Back when you were a one-woman show, caring for an endless stretch of land without any security measures in place,” Fiona chided. “In her free time, she’s been casing the place, learning our habits. All very clandestine.”
What! “I never knew.” Never even suspected. And Jane (apparently) suspected everyone of everything!
“Don’t worry,” Beau said. “It won’t be happening again.”
“Of course it won’t.” Fiona came over to give his hand a comforting pat. “Now, where was I? Oh yes.” She rested a hand on her hip. “Caroline stopped coming once you installed the cameras. She convinced Emma that Dr. Hots was having an affair with you too, Jane, and that he’d stashed compromising photos and videos of Emma out here. A way to make the nurse more of a suspect.”
Well. No wonder Emma had been so rude during Jane’s appointment. “What about Anthony Miller? What part did he play?”
“He came with Emma to help her steal those photos and videos that don’t exist. Oh!” Fiona brightened and clapped. “Conrad asked me to do him a favor, and you’ll never guess what, Jane.” Without pause, she blurted out, “He asked for my famous blueberry pancakes! That’s the real reason I offered to cook for you. Not because I love you more than life itself.”
Joy washed over Jane. Could this night get any better? “Then why aren’t you cooking, woman?”
Her friend laughed and padded back to the kitchen to finish gathering the necessary supplies. “So? Tell me! Did anyone find any gold?”
“Not a speck,” Beau said.
“Well…” Jane nibbled on her bottom lip. “Caroline did discover some.” The PA’s exact words: I never should have told him what I’d found at the cemetery. “Whatever she found, she found before Dr. Hots dug up plot 39.”
Fiona stopped seasoning the pan, a stick of butter in one hand and a spatula in the other. “I’d heard the rumors, of course, but I never thought… I mean, if there was gold out here, your Pops would have ferreted it out. I swear that man could find a penny in a mud puddle.”
Beau leaned toward Jane, his gaze dead serious. “You require full-time security. And a dog. Or three. Big ones. The toughest street mutts at the pound.”
“Agreed,” Fiona said, wagging the spatula in her direction.
“Well, Rolex has gotta agree as well and I don’t think that’ll happen.” Jane shrugged, all what can you do? “Since my tours are such huge earners now, I can afford to pay someone a semidecent wage. Do you happen to know anyone who’s looking for—”
“No need to search,” he interjected, then tipped his glass to his lips and drained his tea. Ice clinked together. “I accept the position.”
“Sorry, but you don’t get the job.” She meant that with every fiber of her being. “You haven’t taken a cent for your previous hard work. You tear up my IOUs and refuse to give me itemized bills.”
His expression turned…what the heck was that look? He’d never radiated such determination.
“Very well.” Beau stood and, without another word, stalked off.
Um. What? Jane and Fiona locked eyes. “What just happened?” She didn’t know about her friend, but she kind of felt like a raccoon caught in a trashcan who’d just been illuminated by a car’s headlights.
“Will he come back?” Fiona whispered.
“I don’t know.” But oh, she hoped so. She really liked having him in her life.
But he did return several minutes later, with a pen and piece of paper in hand. He reclaimed his seat and slid the paper Jane’s way. Confused, she glanced down. What the…? A handwritten bill for services rendered. Except he’d listed only the benefits Jane had given him.
Things Jane Has Done for Beau:
Talks about setting him up on dates, but never delivers—$50,000
Time with Rolex—Negative 1 Million Dollars
Hats—Negative 2 Million Dollars
The feast—8 Billion Dollars
The View—Everything I own
The Smiles—Priceless
Jane blinked back tears and swallowed. Then swallowed again. When she’d first reconnected with Beau, he’d been unable to relax. So much tension had radiated off the man, it had inspired her quest to find him a girlfriend and a buddy—she planned to set him up with Eunice or Ana. And yet, Jane was the one who’d given him the gift of a smile. Laughter, too. She’d even helped him relax. If she could do it, anyone could.
The fine lines around his eyes were no longer etched as deep. Not constantly, anyway. His spine had softened, no more a rod of unbending steel. This was exactly what she’d dreamed for him. Only better. Because they were friends, and there was nothing better. Ladling didn’t lose friends to curses.
Now, her goal for him shifted. He deserved more relaxation and laughter. He deserved a happily ever after. And Jane could help him find it. With the case solved, that double date might even happen next weekend.
“For your information,” she said when she found her voice. “Time with Rolex is worth at least a million on the plus side.”
He gave her a look that conveyed a clear message: You know better. “I was being generous with the negative million.”
She tried to maintain a stern expression but laughed. “Fine! You’re hired. But this time I am paying you, and you are accepting every dime, and you are not ripping up the checks. The moment you stop taking my money, you’re fired.”
He opened his mouth to argue but changed his mind. “I don’t need the money,” he grumbled.
He didn’t? Well, well. A new mystery to solve. “I don’t care, Beau. No pay, no work. I mean it.”
“Fine,” he said, echoing her agreement.
“Now that that’s settled, why don’t you two go wash up and change into clean clothes. I need a few moments of privacy to add my secret ingredient,” Fiona said, mixing and heating her brown sugar butter syrup in a pot. “Beau, you’re staying the night, of course. Or morning. Whatever. You’re sleeping here. Feel free to raid the closet in the guest room. That’s where I’ve stored Gary’s other shorts.”
His cheeks turned bright red again. “I’m good. As Jane can attest, I always keep spare clothes in my truck.”
She lost track of their conversation as her mouth watered. Mmm. Vanilla teased her nose. Leave the kitchen when she was mere minutes away from tasting pancake heaven? She nearly whimpered, but she followed Fiona’s request anyway. She and Beau stood and shared a soft smile before branching off in different directions. He jogged outside while she flew up the stairs.
During the fastest shower of all time, Jane was careful not to wet her bandage. As the warm water rained over her, she noticed cuts and bruises she must have received during her battle royale with Emma. Aches and pains began to make themselves known too, muscles protesting.
She yawned as she dressed in a soft fitted white tee and flowing pajama pants and stuffed her feet into her favorite house shoes: kitten heads bobbed with every step. Her eyes burned with fatigue, her adrenaline crashing fast. Suddenly she only wanted to crawl under her covers and sleep for days.
Miss those blueberry pancakes? Never! And okay, yeah, maybe she hoped to see Conrad, too. Where was he?
Jane descended the stairs, deep in thought. She’d been separated from the agent for six hours. That was six hours too long! She really, really, really needed to see him again. To burrow against his strong chest and breathe him in. To finally utilize her bragging rights. She’d identified the killer before he had, and she had every intention of rubbing the information in his face.
Fiona had just turned off the burner as Jane soared into the kitchen, unable to stop smiling. Beau had beat her there and already occupied his chair. Rolex hadn’t moved from his spot in the center, glaring at the man who’d invaded his house. Jane stopped, just stopped, and drank in the sight. What a beautiful family. A sight she wouldn’t mind viewing every day for the rest of her life.
And Conrad? Did she want to add him to the picture forev
er? Would the Ladling curse ever lift?
A knock sounded at the door. A hard double-rap, and her breath caught. Conrad! She would bet hard earned money on it. Who else nearly beat down a door with a simple double tap?
Beau made to rise, but Jane waved him down.
“Let me,” she said, already turning. Fueled by adrenaline once again, she skipped to the front room, her steps suddenly lighter. Then, he was there, right in front of her, nothing but cedar and spice between them.
Their gazes locked, a thrill of awareness zooming through her. His arms were spread, one hand on each side of the door frame. Like Jane, he’d showered and changed. His dark hair was still damp, the strands sticking out in spikes. Had he rushed over immediately afterward?
“Hello, Conrad.”
“Hello, sweetheart.” He ran his heating gaze over her and smiled slowly, a little wickedly. “Are you ready for our talk?”
Up Next:
Fifty Shades of Grave
Book 2 in the Jane Ladling Mystery Series
About Gena Showalter
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of multiple "unputdownable" series in paranormal, contemporary, and young adult romance.
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Learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com
Also by Gena Showalter
Immortal Enemies
Start with: Heartless
·
Rise of the Warlords
Start with: The Warlord
·
Lords of the Underworld
Start with: The Darkest Night
·
White Rabbit Chronicles
Start with: Alice in Zombieland
·
Tales of an Extraordinary Girl
Start with: Playing with Fire
·
Everlife
Start with: Firstlife
·
Original Heartbreakers
Start with: The Secret Fling
·
Angels of the Dark:
Start with: Wicked Nights
·
Otherworld Assassins
Start with: Last Kiss Goodnight
·
Non-Fiction:
(Co-written with Gena Showalter)
All Write Already
·
Gena’s Complete List of Releases:
GenaShowalter.com/books
About Jill Monroe
Jill Monroe is the international best selling author of over fifteen novels and novellas. Her books are available across the globe and The Wrong Bed: Naked Pursuit has been adapted for the small screen for Lifetime Movie Network.
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When not writing, Jill makes her home in Oklahoma with her husband, enjoys daily walks with her dog Zoey, texting with her two daughters who are away at college and collecting fabric for items she'll sew poorly.
* * *
Learn more about Jill at jillmonroewrites.com
Also By Jill Monroe
Sworn Series:
Sworn Promises
Sworn Duty
Sworn By A Kiss
Sworn Protector
·
Wrong Bed Series
Naked Thrill
Naked Pursuit*
*(Now a movie from Lifetime Movie Network)
·
From Hallmark:
At The Heart of Christmas
·
Spicy Romance:
Fun & Games
Treasure in the Sand (novella)
·
Non-Fiction:
(Co-written with Gena Showalter)
All Write Already
·
Jill’s Complete List of Releases:
jillmonroewrites.com/books
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