“I need my computer.” Mia pointed to the sofa. “It’s under the couch.”
“I need the tape.” The detective held out his hand.
Mia stood rigid as he reached in her bra and pulled the recording device out. “I hope this is over, now.”
“Not yet.” Jake stood up with her laptop in his hands. “I want this to go on record.” He stepped close and wrapped his arms around her. “I love you, Mia Clark, but promise me this is the last time you’ll play detective. My heart couldn’t stand losing you.”
“You love me? Really?” Mia smiled wide. “You’re not just saying that because I said it first?”
“Being first doesn’t matter,” Jake leaned down and kissed her, “it’s staying in for the whole race that matters. Love me, Mia. Be my wife.” Love shown out his eyes as Jake stared at her.
Her heart thumped. “I love you, Jake. I want to be your bride.”
“Are we wrapped up, now?” The detective grinned. “I think we’re out of tape.”
“We’re good,” Jake stared lovingly into Mia’s eyes. “All I need now is time with my future bride.”
Mia sighed. “I love you.” All her doubts faded away as they walked about the room. “Can we have the wedding soon?”
“As soon as you want.” Jake pulled her into his arms for another kiss.
The End
###
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Flames of Deceit. This is my first romantic suspense novel. I hope you enjoyed reading Mia and Jake's story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
The heartbreak of watching the graceful old courthouse go up in flames tore at me until my imagination provided characters to share the pain. Because of the loss...the opposite theme from the trust and loyalty that win the day...both characters needed to have painful memories in their background.
Mia's story isn't tragic like Jake's but common, all the same.
Love, trust and loyalty are words we can all live by...look for them in your life.
If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review.
All the best,
Carol Hutchens
About the Author:
Carol Hutchens is a native Tar Heel...born and bred in North Carolina. After graduating from Appalachian State University, Carol taught school for thirty years before pursuing her dream of being a writer.
Books by Carol Hutchens:
Do you want to read sweet, contemporary romance? Then check out:
THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE [Redbud Romance #1]
A famous heiress and her actor fiancé want to avoid the media frenzy surrounding their coming wedding so they arrange for substitutes to take their place. When THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE falls for her groom, the story starts.
A BRIDE FOR MR. RIGHT [Redbud Romance #2]
Instead of a job using her shiny new degree, the heroine arrives in Redbud shortly after her grandmother’s funeral. She inherits her grandmother’s house and business. The bookkeeping service doesn’t earn enough to pay the bills, but rent on the office is paid for a year so she has to try to turn things around. But sparks fly when our hero returns to town, buys the building and evicts his only tenant, our heroine.
WHERE THE HEART IS [Redbud Romance #3]
In six short months, Lilly buried both her parents, was downsized from her job, and finds her fiancé in bed with her roommate. Determined to start a new life, Lilly arrives in Redbud to have a baby abandoned in her arms, and learn a famous NASCAR driver is trying to ruin her grandmother’s home. And that’s just her first day in town. From that day forth, Trey Lancer gives her headache after the other...and worms his way into her heart.
DR’S SURPRISE TRIPLETS, WIFE NEEDED
A Cinderella romance. But instead of three wicked stepsisters, Cydney Eller has pre-mature triplets left motherless after her sister’s accident. The prince is Dr. Daniel Prince who delivers the triplets and demands custody when he learns his brother might be the father. It isn’t a glass slipper, but preemie sized diapers and health emergencies that bring these two strangers together to protect three innocent babies. Can love follow?
THE BEST MAN
A second chance at love story. After her husband left her for dead when a tsunami hit their vacation island, Kate Summers returns to reclaim her life. Her return home from the dead is on the same day her husband is standing in church to marry another woman. Kate’s attempt to prevent a major legal disaster from happening, throws her right into the arms of THE BEST MAN. Does she dare trust in love a second time?
WHEN A DOG PLAYS CUPID [Cupid series, Book #1]
A story clipped from the headlines. When one of her patrons at the pet spa dies, naming Kit McFarlan co-guardian of a bad tempered Chihuahua that inherited her millions, fur flies. The woman’s nephew, and the co guardian, Drew Webber wants Kit to take charge of the dog. But Kit has secrets. She wants out of the pet business, but her grandmother borrowed money from Drew’s aunt. Kit must repay the loan to honor her grandmother’s memory, but she can not tolerate the grouchy three pound mutt. Can a nasty tempered ‘rat-dog’ play cupid for two people needing love?
LOVE OR DISASTER [Medical Conference Cruise]
This is a story of lovers reunited on a Medical Conference Cruise.
Doctors Hart and Stone, together again. Can they forget past mistakes make things right this time? Can her deep longing to have a baby overcome her pain at losing his child? Can his fear of a disease that could destroy his surgical skills, also destroy their chances of sharing their love?
A reunion romance, on a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands, what more could you want?
COMING SOON! WATCH FOR...
THE HERO’S BALL...Cupid Book #2
Can Kit’s friend from When A Dog Plays Cupid find her ‘real true love’ or will her secret new part time job ruin everything? Can the plus sized beautician win a return vet and local firefighting hero’s heart of will posing as a model for a plus size catalogue scare him away?
Can a war veteran find the courage to go against his family’s wealth and ambitions to make his own way in life? Does a name and position make the man, or does what he believes in stand for something?
Watch for ‘Cupid dog’s return’ when these two face their true desires.
http://www.carolhutchens.com
Table of Contents
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Chapters1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
ith friends
Flames Of Deceit Page 20
