by Irene Hannon
A soft smile tugged at Cindy’s lips as she refolded the check into the letter and handed them back. “I agree with that last line.”
He returned her smile and tucked the letter into his pocket. “That’s encouraging to hear.”
With a sigh, she gave the exhibit hall one more scan. “I can’t believe the big event is over. At least the display will be up for a few months. Give me a minute to turn off the...”
Once again, he grabbed her hand as she began to walk away.
Looking over her shoulder, she arched an eyebrow in query.
“Actually, I think the real big event is about to begin.”
At the sudden huskiness in his tone, her heart stumbled.
He tugged her closer to the glass display case and gestured to the antique wedding gown that had survived for more than one hundred years. “There’s something missing from that display, you know.”
At his unexpected comment, she frowned and inspected the gown and the grainy, enlarged wedding photo behind it. Emma had worn a wreath of flowers in her hair and carried a bouquet, so of course those were missing. But she’d even found the bride’s wedding shoes buried in the depths of the trunk, and they, too, had been restored for the display.
“Okay, I give up. What’s missing?”
In silence, Scott reached into his pocket, pulled out his hand and unfolded his fingers to display a Victorian-era engagement ring in pristine condition.
Cindy stared at the round, flat-mounted diamond swimming amid a sea of six violet-blue sapphires that had been cut to form a pointed oval around it. Those stones, in turn, were surrounded by an intricate, filigreed platinum frame featuring additional smaller diamonds. The frame was joined on each side to a gold band to complete the circle.
It was the most stunning and unusual ring she’d ever seen.
And she knew immediately who’d once worn it. She’d noticed it in a few of the photos from Emma’s scrapbook.
She looked up at him. “Emma’s engagement ring. Where did you get it?”
“Gram inherited it, along with the trunks, but Dad’s aunt sent it under separate cover because of its value. Gram’s had it in her safe deposit box all these years. She’d totally forgotten about it until you started on this exhibit. She gave it to me a few weeks ago, and I had it cleaned and polished.” He paused. Took a deep breath. “Now I’d like to give it to you.”
It was a statement, not a question, and he didn’t seem to expect her to respond.
Good thing.
She doubted her voice would cooperate.
Without breaking eye contact, he twined his fingers with hers and stroked his thumb over the back of her hand. “I know you want to move slowly. I understand and respect that. You haven’t been a widow long, and the last thing you and Jarrod need in your life is more upheaval. I’d planned to take it slow, too, after all the mistakes I made in my last relationship. But I knew from the beginning you were different. And over the past few months, as you’ve graced my life in more ways than I could have dreamed, I’ve fallen in love with you.”
His voice hoarsened, and one side of his mouth quirked up. “Sorry. I’ve never proposed before. And in case you have any doubt, that’s what I’m doing. I understand if you need more time, but I want you to know I can’t imagine my life without you. I want to be like Elijah, confident even when we’re apart that you’re waiting for me with a light on in your heart, if not in your window. I’m not perfect, as Gram or Devon will be the first to tell you, but I do take my commitments seriously, and I’ll work hard to be the best husband and father possible. For always. So if and when you’re ready to say yes, I’ll be waiting.”
As he finished, Cindy felt the pressure of tears behind her eyes and in her throat. “I can’t begin to imagine what I’ve done to deserve the gift of your love.” The words came out in a whisper.
The green of his irises deepened to jade, and he lifted his free hand to stroke her cheek. “I’m the lucky one if you love me back.”
Once upon a time, Cindy had thought it would take a long time for her to be sure about her feelings for this man.
She’d been wrong.
In the five months she’d known Scott, his kindness and caring and compassion had chased away all her doubts. With his quiet strength, deep faith, absolute integrity and steadfast devotion to those he loved, he’d won her heart. Forever.
She lifted her left hand, touched the ring, then extended the fourth finger. “I’m ready now. And the answer is yes.”
Joy filled his eyes—yet he hesitated. “Are you certain? I don’t want to rush you.”
“I couldn’t be any more certain. I love you, too, Scott. So does Jarrod.”
In the quiet of the museum—beneath the smiling photograph of Elijah and his bride, surrounded by the mementos of their century-old romance—he cradled her hand in his and slipped the ring over her finger. “How does it fit?”
“Almost as if it was made for me.”
“Good. Because it’s yours now.”
Once more, Cindy looked at the antique wedding gown and the photo of the newlyweds. “I wonder how they’d feel about me wearing this?”
“Gram told me there was a note with it, in Emma’s hand. She saved it for you, but she passed on the last line so I could share it when I gave you the ring. It said, ‘May some future bride who wears this ring find as much joy and contentment in her marriage as I have known in mine.’ So she always intended for it to be passed on. Now—” Scott took her other hand
“—given the setting, I think we should seal this engagement in a very traditional, old-fashioned way, don’t you?”
Smiling, she stepped into his arms. Where she belonged—for always. “No question about it.”
She tipped her head back to welcome his kiss, and at the tenderness and love in his eyes the rest of the world melted away.
But as he leaned down to claim her lips, she did catch one quick glimpse over his shoulder of that happy couple from long ago.
And as they smiled back at her from the antique wedding portrait, she had a feeling they would approve.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed Irene’s book, be sure to check out the other books this month from Love Inspired!
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to Starfish Bay, a charming spot on the Northern California coast that exists only in my imagination—and the pages of my books.
One of the joys of being a writer is creating interesting places and people. Sometimes the place comes first; sometimes the people. With this series, I focused first on place. I wanted a spot that would capture the imagination of readers as much as the setting of my previous series, Lighthouse Lane, did. I’ve received so many letters from readers who were charmed by that tiny byway on Nantucket Island. I hope all of you who were captivated by Lighthouse Lane—along with many new readers—will fall in love with Starfish Bay, too!
Please watch for the final book in my Starfish Bay series coming next year. In the meantime, I invite you to check my website at www.irenehannon.com for more information about my other books.
Irene Hannon
Questions for Discussion
Based purely on the first scene between Cindy and Jarrod, what is your impression of her as a mother? Support your opinion with examples from that scene.
By the end of the first chapter, what is your impression of Scott? Did it change over the course of this chapter?
Gram says that Scott has an overdeveloped guilt complex. Do you agree? Is guilt a bad thing—or a good thing? Why or why not?
Cindy is struggling to juggle the demands of parenting with a full-time job. Do you think she handles this well? What are some of the challenges single parents face?
Cindy and Scott get off to a rough start. Why were they able to overcome that and move on? What qualities are helpful in making any relationship smoother?
What did you think of Devon? Did your opinion of her change at the end of the book? Why? Have you ever known anyone who ref
used to take responsibility for his or her life? What is the best way to deal with a person like that? Did Scott do the right thing when he refused to continue sending her money?
What role did faith play in the lives of the main characters in this book? How did it affect their outlook and their choices?
Like Scott, Cindy deals with guilt in this book—in her case, for falling in love again so soon after her husband’s death. Do you think this guilt was warranted? Why or why not?
At the beginning of the book, Gram has given up on life. What happened through the course of the story to lift her spirits? Is there an older person in your life whose spirits need lifting? How might you help raise them?
Scott had some fences to rebuild with Jarrod after their antagonistic beginning. What are some of the things he did to win the boy’s trust and repair their relationship?
Describe the qualities in Cindy and Scott that made them fall in love with each other. Use examples from the book to illustrate how they demonstrated these qualities.
Near the end of the book, Jarrod tells Cindy that it’s scary to like somebody too much because it’s hard if they go away. But he says it would be worse if you’d never known them at all. Do you agree? What Bible verses might comfort someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one?
What is the one thing you will most remember about this book? Why?
Dangerous Secrets
Shirlee McCoy
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Excerpt
Chapter One
The porch light was out.
Shauna Trenton made a mental note to change the bulb as she pulled into her driveway. One more thing to add to her ever-growing Saturday to-do list. And she’d better not forget to do it or she’d hear about it on Sunday. Her day of rest.
More like a day to listen to her mother explain all the reasons why Shauna needed a man in her life. As if having a boyfriend or fiancé or husband would solve all of life’s troubles. Shauna nearly snorted at the thought. Matthew sure hadn’t done that. All her former fiancé had done was cost her a boatload of cash and a broken heart. Not the first time her heart had broken, but it would be the last.
She grabbed her book bag and purse from the passenger seat and opened the car door. The cool November day had turned into a cold, dark night while she’d met with parents and discussed their children’s progress. At least tomorrow was Saturday. No parents. No students. Just a whole day puttering around the house, catching up on chores.
Exciting.
“Pitiful is more like it,” she muttered as she fished keys out of her purse and jogged up the porch steps.
A soft sound carried through the darkness. Footfall on grass, fabric rustling as someone drew near. Shauna stiffened, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. She glanced over her shoulder, her heart leaping as she saw a shadow moving across the lawn. Medium height. Heavyset. Face hidden in darkness. A neighbor or a stranger?
“Can I help you?” She kept her gaze focused on the approaching figure as she shoved the key in the lock and tried to turn it. It stuck. Of course. Fixing the old lock was another to-do list item. She wiggled the key, her palm sweaty and slipping on the metal door handle.
“Come on!” The key turned, and she shoved the door open as the figure sprinted forward, pounding up the stairs behind her, slamming into her with enough force to send her flying into the door frame.
She screamed, her purse and book bag dropping as she turned to fight. Screamed again as she caught sight of a faceless, featureless person. An inhuman creature.
No. A human wearing a mask.
Carrying a knife!
A knife pointed at Shauna’s heart.
“Whatever you want, you can have it.” The door was right behind her. Another step and she’d be inside. If she didn’t get a knife thrust through her chest first.
The knife-wielding lunatic snagged the book bag and purse, the knife grazing Shauna’s brand-new pants and slicing a neat hole in them.
At least it hadn’t sliced her leg, but it might if she didn’t get her head together and move.
“Everything okay over here?” A masculine voice broke through the darkness, and Shauna’s attacker turned toward the sound.
This was her chance, and Shauna took it, jumping back and slamming the door, her fingers shaking as she tried to turn the lock. It finally slid home. She pressed her back against the door, her heart beating so hard she thought it might burst from her chest.
The doorbell rang, the lilting chime making her jump.
“Who’s there?”
“Your new neighbor, Levi McLeary. Is everything okay?”
Levi McLeary? As in sinfully handsome, darkly compelling Levi McLeary? Shauna’s first date, first kiss, first love?
No way. It couldn’t be him.
She peered out the peephole, searching the darkness and finding a tall figure standing on the porch. The tilt of his head, the confident ease of his stance...they were hauntingly familiar, and her breath caught, her pulse raced.
It was him.
After twelve years, Levi was back.
Shauna didn’t know if she should open the door, or run and hide.
“Ma’am?” He called out, and she knew she had no choice.
She took a deep breath, braced herself and unlocked the door.
Chapter Two
Levi didn’t know who he was expecting to see on the other side of the door, but he knew who he wasn’t expecting to see.
And there she was. Silky red curls shining in the light from the foyer, blue eyes hidden in shadows. Shauna Trenton. Just as beautiful as she’d been the day he’d walked out of her life.
“Levi! What are you doing here?” She sounded as surprised as he felt, and her hand shook as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I heard someone scream. I thought I’d better come check things out. Is everything okay?”
“Someone came at me with a knife. Took my purse and a book bag filled with paperwork, and then ran off when he heard you coming. I need to call the police.”
“Tell them the guy headed east on Arden Street. Dark-colored car, older model Chevy or Ford station wagon.”
“You saw him?” Her voice trembled, and she scanned the area beyond the porch.
“I almost caught him. He was getting in the car as I crossed the yard but drove away before I could reach him.”
“Did you get a license plate number?”
“If the car had one I didn’t see it. But he did leave his knife behind, and that might help the police find him.”
“His knife?”
“It’s over there.” He gestured to a butcher knife lying a few feet away, and Shauna’s eyes widened.
“He must have dropped it when he heard you coming.” She crouched, and reached toward the knife.
“Better not touch it. There might be prints on it.” Levi grabbed her hand, nearly releasing it again as heat raced up his arm. Twelve years apart and a simple touch still shook him to the core.
If Shauna felt the same, she didn’t show it. Just tugged her hand away. “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. I’d better call the police now. The sooner they start looking, the more likely it is they’ll catch him.”
She hurried into the house, and Levi followed, ignoring the frown she shot his way as she lifted the phone and dialed. Despite her seeming calm, her hand still shook and her eyes were fill
ed with fear. She was terrified, and there was no way he planned to leave her alone. Not with a potential killer on the loose.
Shauna met his eyes, the wariness in her gaze unmistakable. He should step away, give her some space, but he hadn’t expected to see her his first night back in Deer Park, Washington. Now that he had, he couldn’t stop looking. Couldn’t stop remembering the way her arms had curved around his waist when they were teenagers, the way she’d shared her dreams so willingly. Small-town dreams that he hadn’t wanted for himself. He’d told her that the day he’d walked out of her life.
He hadn’t regretted it, though he’d always regretted hurting her.
Maybe that’s what he should say to her when she hung up the phone.
She frowned again, turning her back on him.
Or maybe not.
Chapter Three
Shauna hung up the phone, shooting Levi a look that told him exactly how she felt about having him in her house. Not happy. And he couldn’t blame her. They hadn’t parted on good terms, and that had been all on him. She’d wanted to compromise, find a way to work things out. He’d wanted a fresh start with nothing to hold him back from pursuing his dreams.
No one to hold him back.
“The police will be here in a few minutes. If you want to go back home, I’ll give them your contact information, and they can let you know if they have any questions.” Shauna was hinting broadly that she wanted Levi to leave, and if he’d been another kind of man he might have.
But he wasn’t.
When he started something he finished it. He’d run out of his house when he’d heard her screaming, planning to do whatever it took to help. He wasn’t going back to his house until he was absolutely certain he had helped, that Shauna was safe, and that there was no danger of the knifeman showing up on her doorstep again.
