by Mary Stone
I get it now, Katarina, and I’ll keep my promise. Your baby will always have a home with me.
“Bad dreams can be scary, but they’re just dreams, and they’ll eventually start to fade away, I promise. One day, your dreams will be full of good things, like superheroes and puppies.”
Beneath Ellie’s hand, Bethany’s bony shoulders changed from pliant to rigid. Ellie frowned down at the blonde head as she rewound her statement, searching the words for what might have upset her. “What’s wrong?”
When Bethany peeked into Ellie’s face, her expression was stricken. “Nothing, really. It’s just…I don’t want memories of my mama to fade away.”
Ellie put two and two together and wanted to smack herself. Nice one, Kline. You just made this poor baby worry that she was going to forget her dead mother.
Maybe Ellie should call the social worker back and suggest that the family therapy session come with a lifetime of parenting classes.
She cupped Bethany’s cheeks just as the little girl’s face started to crumple. “What if I promise to help you remember your mama? We can put together a photo album for you to go through whenever you want, and I’ll tell you stories about her whenever you ask. How does that sound?”
The girl gave a loud sniff and wiped her nose on the back of her hand, her blue eyes wide and hopeful. “Stories about how she was like a superhero and came to rescue me?”
Ellie’s own eyes started to burn, and she cleared her throat. “Yes, those stories, and any others I can think of.”
“‘Kay.” Bethany sniffed again, gazing up at Ellie with luminous eyes. “Also…do you think I could change my name one more time?”
Ellie’s eyebrows rose at the out-of-the-blue request. “I think it’s something we could certainly talk about.” She chose her phrasing carefully, unsure where this conversation might lead. Was Bethany considering switching to a simple name, like Sarah or Willow? Or was she enamored with some wild, new-age name, like Huckleberry Sage or Antarctica?
She might be new to this parenting gig, but her cop instincts warned of the inherent dangers in agreeing to a request without first sniffing out all the loopholes. Even when the requester was elementary-school-aged, or hell, maybe especially in those cases.
“Why, did you have a new name in mind?”
Bethany gave a shy nod before fixing Ellie with an expression far too solemn for her eight years. “I want to go by Bethany Katrina. Those were me and Mama’s names before the bad people took us away from each other. That way I’ll be sure not to forget her, right?”
Ellie’s throat swelled so much, all she could do at first was nod and take a mental note.
Next trip to the store, buy tissues. Lots and lots of tissues. Because clearly, this parenting gig is guaranteed to turn you into a big pile of snot.
Once she’d blinked back the tears and her heart stopped shredding into itsy bitsy confetti-sized pieces, Ellie agreed. “Right. I think that’s a wonderful way to honor your mama’s memory.”
“Yay!” A smile brighter than a rainbow bursting from the clouds after a stormy day lit up Bethany’s face, and like the resilient little chameleon she was, the girl scrambled off Ellie’s lap and bounced up and down. “When’s breakfast gonna be ready? I’m hungry.”
Laughing at the sudden one-eighty, Ellie poked the girl in the belly, eliciting a high-pitched giggle.
“What’s this I hear about breakfast?” Clay swooped in from behind them and leaned over Bethany, shaking his damp hair near her face and making her giggle even harder. He scooped her up and twirled around, showing off the flattering fit of his jeans while Ellie sipped her coffee and admired the view.
“Bethany was just saying she was hungry.”
Clay and Ellie exchanged a glance. As they’d discovered the first day they’d brought her home, Bethany was always hungry. The doctor had reassured them not to worry. Kids who’d suffered from starvation for any length of time were often ravenous until their bodies and minds readjusted to the idea of regular meals, and that because of her trauma, it might take a while for Bethany to put on weight.
“Is that so? Are you a hungry hungry hippo?”
Bethany snickered. “No, silly. I’m a hungry hungry Bethany!”
Clay slapped a palm to his forehead. “That’s right, how could I forget? Well, hungry hungry Bethany, what sounds good to you this morning?” He winked at Ellie over his shoulder, and she gave a rueful shake of her head.
Damn, he was good. The doctor had also told them that an important part of the rehabilitation process was making food fun again rather than a serious affair.
Bethany gnawed her lip before tugging on Clay’s neck and whispering in his ear.
When she finished, he rubbed his chin and nodded. “Waffles, huh? What do you think, Ellie? Waffles sound good?”
Ellie’s eyes wanted to pop out of her head. Waffles? She didn’t even know how to scramble a perfect egg…how the heck was she supposed to master waffles, of all things? Unless they were talking about the frozen kind that you popped in the toaster. She bet she could cook the shit out of those. “I…um…”
Clay took one look at her face and started cracking up. “New plan. Miss Hungry Hungry Bethany, if you can get dressed in less than fifteen minutes, I’ll take us all out to the best waffle restaurant in the world.”
Bethany squealed and clapped her hands. “Yes!” She whirled in a circle. “Can Aunt Jillian and Uncle Jacob come too?”
Ellie laughed. “Don’t you mean…can Sam and Duke come too?” The girl was still desperate for a dog, and little did she know that she’d be getting a chocolate lab for her ninth birthday, which was only a couple weeks away.
Bethany laughed. “Well, can they all come?”
Ellie tapped her on the nose. “Why don’t you go get ready and I’ll call them and ask.”
“Yay!” After twirling once more, the girl sprinted toward her room.
Clay cupped his hands to his mouth and hollered after her. “And if you’re ready in ten minutes, we’ll swing by and visit Aunt Caraleigh and Uncle Luke.”
Another squeal reached their ears before she vanished around the corner. Bethany loved visiting Clay’s sister and Luke and asked them every week when the two of them were going to move out into their own house.
Ellie had been truthful with Bethany, telling her that Caraleigh and Luke could leave the group home just as soon as they were ready, but first, they needed to make sure that after all the difficulties and traumas they’d experienced growing up, the two adults felt comfortable with the idea of living on their own. Happily, according to their last family conference, that date was coming up soon.
The way Clay’s eyes shined when he talked about his sister moving nearby was something that Ellie wished she could bottle.
Ellie crossed the dining room and leaned her head on Clay’s shoulder. “You know, I could never have done this without you. You’re so good with Bethany. She loves you already.”
“Oh, I don’t know, you seemed to be doing just fine on your own there before I crashed your girl party.” His hands slid around her waist, tugging her closer.
She pushed up on her toes to give him a kiss, smiling against his lips. “Does that mean you’re buying me waffles too, Mr. Best Waffle Restaurant in the World?”
Clay cradled her cheeks in his big, solid hands, leaning back just far enough so he could stare into her eyes, and only the tips of their noses touched. “Absolutely. All superheroes deserve waffles.”
Winding her arms around his neck, Ellie closed her eyes, allowing herself to bask in the moment. With Clay, she’d finally found her equal. A partner who understood how seriously she took her responsibilities and not only appreciated her for those choices but stood by her side no matter how bumpy the road.
She grazed her mouth across his before reluctantly stepping back. “I’m not sure I’m quite up to superhero caliber yet, but I’m glad the credits rolled on at least one villain. You know, maybe if I had one of those
cute little capes, though…”
Ellie was still smiling when she and Clay left the apartment with Bethany between them. The little girl clung to each of their hands as they walked through the building and emerged into a beautiful, cloudless day, jabbering on the entire time about waffles and syrup and whipped cream.
Anyone passing by would mistake them for just another happy family, heading out for a Saturday morning breakfast.
The thought dissolved a tight ball in Ellie’s chest that she hadn’t even realized was still there. Slowing to a stop, she tipped her head back to let the winter sun warm her cheeks.
“Everything okay?”
Her smile smoothed the crease from Clay’s brow. She squeezed Bethany’s hand and allowed the impatient eight-year-old to tug her into a quicker pace.
“It’s going to be.”
The End...And Only The Start
Closing a book and ending the story can be sad—to leave Ellie behind, even though her adventure has a satisfying outcome. She’s erased the circle of evil, found a kindred spirit, and become a true superhero. But on her path, we met someone whose journey is only beginning.
Charli Cross, the Savannah homicide detective Ellie and Clay worked with in the Ellie Kline Series, also has a fire within her soul to fight evil. In the upcoming Charli Cross Series, you’ll follow Charli and her partner as they work and sometimes risk their lives to combat the evil that likes to devour innocence. Charli’s fascination with serial killers stems from a horrible event in her own life, as a teenaged girl. One she won’t forget. She can't rest until she’s found justice. Come along with Charli as she fights to lay her ghosts to rest. If you dare.
To find out when the Charli Cross spinoff series becomes available, join my mailing list and never miss a new release!
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How did it all start for Ellie Kline?
Cold Start is a bonus story to the Ellie Kline series which introduces you to Ellie and friends. Rising to the rank of detective wasn't an easy feat for Ellie Kline. Discover her humble law enforcement beginnings— and why she was always in so much trouble— in this special bonus story.
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If you like the Ellie Kline Series, I’d love to introduce you to my Winter Black Series.
Winter’s Mourn (The Winter Black Series Book 1)
A killer is watching… Thirteen years ago, Winter Black came home early from a sleepover to find her parents brutally murdered and her little brother gone— taken by a serial killer called The Preacher. Now a rookie FBI agent assigned to her first murder case, Winter has returned to the small Virginia town where she grew up. But when bones found by a hunter lead to the discovery of a secret burial ground containing the remains of children, the investigation suddenly hits close to home. Will they find her brother’s bones in the makeshift graveyard next? Click HERE to Get Your Copy Now!
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I also have my brand new series to introduce to you, The Autumn Trent Series!
Autumn’s Game (Autumn Trent Series: Book One)
‘Till death do us part’ has never been so true...
As a child, a single blow from her father left her changed forever. Her body survived the aftermath, but her brain was altered in ways that were both good and bad. As a freak, she poured herself into her studies, accumulating all the knowledge she could, intent on whipping broken systems into shape. Take down criminals one by one, even if it means putting her own life on the line. When a brutal double homicide shocks the town of Sawmill, Oregon, the FBI needs Autumn’s specialized assistance. Click HERE to Get Your Copy Now!
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I also have another series that is getting rave reviews, Amelia Storm Series.
Storm’s Fury (Amelia Storm Series: Book 1)
A television documentary puts a spotlight on a four-year-old kidnapping. Amelia and her colleagues in the Organized Crime Division know there’s more to the girl’s case than meets the eye. The twelve-year-old wasn’t just abducted. She was targeted by a human trafficking ring. As Amelia falls deeper down the rabbit hole of Chicago’s criminal hierarchy in search of the girl, she finds herself uncomfortably close to the people she left behind so long ago. This time, though, she won’t run. Now, she is the storm that will unearth the city’s long buried secrets. Or die trying. After all, she has nothing to lose. Start reading Storm’s Fury now. Just click HERE!
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I’d also like to introduce you to my Kylie Hatfield Series.
Deadly Act (The Kylie Hatfield Series Book 1)
Kylie’s new job is turning out to be a real killer...
Nothing is going to stop Kylie Hatfield from becoming a full-fledged private investigator--not the police, her boss, or Linc Coulter, the maddeningly sexy ex-soldier who’s training (or trying to train) her nutty Newfoundland dog, Vader…not even the threat of an unexpected murderer, who wants to take more than just her life. Click HERE to Get Your Copy Now!
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Ellie Kline Series
Cold Truth (Ellie Kline Series: Book One)
Cold Hunt (Ellie Kline Series: Book Two)
Cold Threat (Ellie Kline Series: Book Three)
Cold Highway (Ellie Kline Series: Book Four)
Cold Grave (Ellie Kline Series: Book Five)
Cold Shadows (Ellie Kline Series: Book Six)
Cold Revenge (Ellie Kline Series: Book Seven)
Cold Trail (Ellie Kline Series: Book Eight)
Acknowledgments
How does one properly thank everyone involved in taking a dream and making it a reality? Here goes.
In addition to our families, whose unending support provided the foundation for us to find the time and energy to put these thoughts on paper, we want to thank the editors who polished our words and made them shine.
Many thanks to our publisher for risking taking on two newbies and giving us the confidence to become bona fide authors.
More than anyone, we want to thank you, our readers, for clicking on a couple of nobodies and sharing your most important asset, your time, with this book. We hope with all our hearts we made it worthwhile.
Much love,
Mary & Donna
About the Author
Mary Stone lives among the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee with her two dogs, four cats, a couple of energetic boys, and a very patient husband.
As a young girl, she would go to bed every night, wondering what type of creature might be lurking underneath. It wasn’t until she was older that she learned that the creatures she needed to most fear were human.
Today, she creates vivid stories with courageous, strong heroines and dastardly villains. She invites you to enter her world of serial killers, FBI agents but never damsels in distress. Her female characters can handle themselves, going toe-to-toe with any male character, protagonist or antagonist.
Discover more about Mary Stone on her website.
www.authormarystone.com
Donna Berdel
Raised as an Army brat, Donna has lived all over the world, but no place has given her as much peace as the home she lives in with her husband near Myrtle Beach. But while she now keeps her feet planted firmly in the sand, her mind goes back to those cities and the people she met and said goodbye to so many times.
With her two adopted cats fighting for lap space, she brings those she loved (and those she didn't) back as characters in her books. And yes, it's kind of fun to kill off anyone who was mean to her in the past. Mean clerk at the grocery store...beware!
Connect with Mary Online
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