“Chase—”
“Holly—”
We both started at the same time.
“You first,” I said.
“We shouldn’t get married.”
I nodded, relief filling me.
“I could be the man you needed me to be for a year. But I can’t be that person for the rest of your life.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have too many skeletons in my closet. Too many things I need to work out.”
“So you were just marrying me because you felt sorry for me?”
He reached for my arm. “No. By all means, no. I’d like nothing more than to marry you. The fact is that you deserve someone better than me.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” I frowned. “But I have to agree that we shouldn’t get married. It was a crazy whim that seemed like a great idea when I thought I only had months to live.”
His shoulders visibly relaxed. “So you agree?”
“Absolutely.”
“How about we back up a few steps and start from the beginning? Maybe with a date?”
I grinned. “I’d like that very much.”
“Friday at seven? I can pick you up.”
I looped my arm through his. “It’s a date.”
###
If you enjoyed Random Acts of Murder, you might also enjoy Random Acts of Deceit:
“Break up with Chase Dexter, or I’ll kill him.”
Holly Anna Paladin never expected such a gut-wrenching ultimatum. But the man threatening her makes it clear he’s dead serious. With home invasions, hidden cameras, and bombs threats, Holly must make some serious choices.
Whatever Holly decides, the consequences will either break her heart or break her soul. She tries to match wits with the masked man, but he’s always a step ahead of her. The more she fights, the deeper she’s drawn into the perilous situation.
Dealing with the ultimatum, her sister’s wedding problems, and riots that have broken out in the city, Holly’s nearly at her breaking point. She must discover the identity of this mystery man before someone she loves dies. But the deceit is threatening to pull her under . . . six feet under.
Coming in November:
Random Acts of Malice
You might also enjoy the Squeaky Clean Mystery series:
Hazardous Duty (Book 1)
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire drops out of school and starts her own crime-scene cleaning business. When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. But the owner of the weapon is a powerful foe . . . and willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet. With the help of her new neighbor, Riley Thomas, a man whose life and faith fascinate her, Gabby seeks to find the killer before another murder occurs.
Suspicious Minds (Book 2)
In this smart and suspenseful sequel to Hazardous Duty, crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire finds herself stuck doing mold remediation to pay the bills. Her first day on the job, she uncovers a surprise in the crawlspace of a dilapidated home: Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue-suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this?
It Came Upon a Midnight Crime (Book 2.5, a Novella)
Someone is intent on destroying the true meaning of Christmas—at least, destroying anything that hints of it. All around crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire’s hometown, anything pointing to Jesus as “the reason for the season” is being sabotaged. The crimes become more twisted as dismembered body parts are found at the vandalisms. Someone is determined to destroy Christmas . . . but Gabby is just as determined to find the Grinch and let peace on earth and goodwill prevail.
Organized Grime (Book 3)
Gabby St. Claire knows her best friend, Sierra, isn’t guilty of killing three people in what appears to be an eco-terrorist attack. But Sierra has disappeared, her only contact a frantic phone call to Gabby proclaiming she’s being hunted. Gabby is determined to prove her friend is innocent and to keep Sierra alive. While trying to track down the real perpetrator, Gabby notices a disturbing trend at the crime scenes she’s cleaning, one that ties random crimes together—and points to Sierra as the guilty party. Just what has her friend gotten herself involved in?
Dirty Deeds (Book 4)
“Promise me one thing. No snooping. Just for one week.” Gabby St. Claire knows that her fiancé’s request is a simple one she should be able to honor. After all, Riley’s law school reunion and attorneys’ conference at a posh resort is a chance for them to get away from the mysteries Gabby often finds herself involved in as a crime-scene cleaner. Then an old friend of Riley’s goes missing. Gabby suspects one of Riley’s buddies might be behind the disappearance. When the missing woman’s mom asks Gabby for help, how can she say no?
The Scum of All Fears (Book 5)
Gabby St. Claire is back to crime-scene cleaning and needs help after a weekend killing spree fills her work docket. A serial killer her fiancé put behind bars has escaped. His last words to Riley were: I’ll get out, and I’ll get even. Pictures of Gabby are found in the man’s prison cell, messages are left for Gabby at crime scenes, someone keeps slipping in and out of her apartment, and her temporary assistant disappears. The search for answers becomes darker when Gabby realizes she’s dealing with a criminal who is truly the scum of the earth. He will do anything to make Gabby and Riley’s lives a living nightmare.
To Love, Honor, and Perish (Book 6)
Just when Gabby St. Claire’s life is on the right track, the unthinkable happens. Her fiancé, Riley Thomas, is shot and in life-threatening condition only a week before their wedding. Gabby is determined to figure out who pulled the trigger, even if investigating puts her own life at risk. As she digs deeper into the case, she discovers secrets better left alone. Doubts arise in her mind, and the one man with answers lies on death’s doorstep. Then an old foe returns and tests everything Gabby is made of—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Will all she’s worked for be destroyed?
Mucky Streak (Book 7)
Gabby St. Claire feels her life is smeared with the stain of tragedy. She takes a short-term gig as a private investigator—a cold case that’s eluded detectives for ten years. The mass murder of a wealthy family seems impossible to solve, but Gabby brings more clues to light. Add to the mix a flirtatious client, travels to an exciting new city, and some quirky—albeit temporary—new sidekicks, and things get complicated. With every new development, Gabby prays that her “mucky streak” will end and the future will become clear. Yet every answer she uncovers leads her closer to danger—both for her life and for her heart.
Foul Play (Book 8)
Gabby St. Claire is crying “foul play” in every sense of the phrase. When the crime-scene cleaner agrees to go undercover at a local community theater, she discovers more than backstage bickering, atrocious acting, and rotten writing. The female lead is dead, and an old classmate who’s staked everything on the musical production’s success is about to go under. In her dual role of investigator and star of the show, Gabby finds the stakes rising faster than the opening-night curtain. She must face her past and make monumental decisions, not just about the play but also concerning her future relationships and career. Will Gabby find the killer before the curtain goes down—not only on the play, but also on life as she knows it?
Broom and Gloom (Book 9)
Gabby St. Claire is determined to get back in the saddle again. While in Oklahoma for a forensic conference, she meets her soon-to-be stepbrother, Trace Ryan, an up-and-coming country singer. A woman he was dating has disappeared, and he suspects a crazy fan may be behind it. Gabby agrees to investigate, as she tries to juggle her conference, navigate being alone in a new place, and locate a woman who may not want to be found. She discovers that sometimes taking life by the horns means staring danger in the face, no matter the consequences.
Dust and Obey (Book 10)
When Gabby St. Claire�
��s ex-fiancé, Riley Thomas, asks for her help in investigating a possible murder at a couples retreat, she knows she should say no. She knows she should run far, far away from the danger of both being around Riley and the crime. But her nosy instincts and determination take precedence over her logic. Gabby and Riley must work together to find the killer. In the process, they have to confront demons from their past and deal with their present relationship.
While You Were Sweeping, a Riley Thomas Novella
Riley Thomas is trying to come to terms with life after a traumatic brain injury turned his world upside down. Away from everything familiar—including his crime-scene-cleaning former fiancée and his career as a social-rights attorney—he’s determined to prove himself and regain his old life. But when he claims he witnessed his neighbor shoot and kill someone, everyone thinks he’s crazy. When all evidence of the crime disappears, even Riley has to wonder if he’s losing his mind.
Note: While You Were Sweeping is a spin-off mystery written in conjunction with the Squeaky Clean series featuring crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire.
Other Books by Christy Barritt
Squeaky Clean Mysteries:
#1 Hazardous Duty
#2 Suspicious Minds
#2.5 It Came Upon a Midnight Crime
#3 Organized Grime
#4 Dirty Deeds
#5 The Scum of All Fears
#6 To Love, Honor, and Perish
#7 Mucky Streak
#8 Foul Play
#9 Broom and Gloom
#10 Dust and Obey
#11 Thrill Squeaker (coming soon)
The Sierra Files:
#1 Pounced
#2 Hunted
#2.5 Pranced (a Christmas novella)
#3 Rattled (coming soon)
The Gabby St. Claire Diaries (a Tween Mystery series):
#1 The Curtain Call Caper
#2 The Disappearing Dog Dilemma
#3 The Bungled Bike Burglaries
Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries:
#1 Random Acts of Murder
#2 Random Acts of Deceit
#3 Random Acts of Malice (coming soon)
Carolina Moon Series:
Home Before Dark
Gone By Dark
Wait Until Dark (coming soon)
Suburban Sleuth Mysteries:
#1 Death of the Couch Potato’s Wife
Stand-alone Romantic-Suspense:
Keeping Guard
The Last Target
Race Against Time
Ricochet
Key Witness
Lifeline
High-Stakes Holiday Reunion
Desperate Measures
Hidden Agenda
Mountain Hideaway (coming soon)
Dark Harbor (coming soon)
Cape Thomas Mysteries:
Dubiosity
Disillusioned (coming soon)
Standalone Romantic Mystery:
The Good Girl
Suspense:
The Trouble with Perfect
Nonfiction:
Changed: True Stories of Finding God through Christian Music
The Novel in Me: The Beginner’s Guide to Writing and Publishing a Novel
About the Author:
USA Today has called Christy Barritt’s books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.”
Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times’ Reviewers’ Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.
She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado.
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.
Find Christy online at:
www.christybarritt.com
www.facebook.com/christybarritt
www.twitter.com/cbarritt
Sign up for Christy’s newsletter to get information on all of her latest releases here: www.christybarritt.com/newsletter-sign-up/
If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review.
Other Books by Heather Day Gilbert
God’s Daughter, Book One in the Vikings of the New World Saga
Trial by Twelve, Book 2 in A Murder in the Mountains Series
Indie Publishing Handbook: Four Key Elements for the Self-Publisher
MIRANDA WARNING
A Murder in the Mountains Novel
1
Heather Day Gilbert
Miranda Warning
By Heather Day Gilbert
Copyright 2014 Heather Day Gilbert
Cover Design by Jenny Zemanek at Seedlings Design Studio
Published by WoodHaven Press
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, posted on any website, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations in printed reviews and articles.
Author Information: http://www.heatherdaygilbert.com
Sign up for Updates and Sneak Peeks of New Releases here
~*~
Dedicated to the grandmas whose prayers hold up the mountains on their backs—
I hope to join your ranks someday.
To my sister-in-law, Kathleen Taylor, for reading this book and encouraging me to publish it.
To my mom and mother-in-law, Betty and Jane, for being there for me, just like Nikki Jo is for Tess.
To my husband David, for being honest on early drafts of this story and pushing me to dig deeper into Rose's personality.
And to my children, my parents, my siblings, my friends, and my readers. I hope you enjoy this story, because it would never exist without your support.
1
~*~
I chose the day I would die.
My husband’s deep brown eyes glowed as he handed me the cocoa. “Maybe you’ll sleep better tonight, Rosey.”
I was tired of the charade between us. I never wanted to smile at his dinner parties again. Never wanted to beg him for the children he wouldn’t give me. I’d never again clean up his clothes, covered in moonshine vomit.
I gulped the foaming, lukewarm liquid, a smile on my face. And that was the last time Paul Campbell would ever see me smile.
~*~
“Checkmate, girlie! Put that in your pipe and smoke it!”
The steely-haired matriarch sitting across from me clicks her heavy rings together, eyes sparkling over her glasses. Miranda Michaels has a heftier dose of spunk than your average assisted living home resident.
“Are you sure you didn’t cheat? Seems like that rook was over one…”
She smiles broadly, rolling her wheelchair back from the marble-topped table. “Listen, young’un, not to be mean, but you haven’t played for a while. Maybe you just need to practice some?”
I can’t resist it when she kicks in the Southern charm.
“I know you didn’t cheat. I just can’t concentrate today—sorry.” I reposition the ivory pieces on the board.
Miranda rolls around to my side. “Can we talk in my room? I’ve had something on my mind, too.”
The comforting smell of her favorite Black Cashmere lotion surrounds me. She doesn’t douse herself in Youth-Dew perfume, like most of the older ladies here.
I pat my hair, trying to smooth down a particularly willful cow-lick. She picks up on my insecurity before I say a word.
“That bob is quite becoming on you, what with your sleek dark hair. Reminds me of a flapper.”
“Thanks, but I think she cut it a little lopsided.” I
roll her chair toward the long hallway. The usual suspects populate the Recreation room. Blue-haired women gossip as the assistants give them eye drops. Grizzled men watch TV, snatching peeks at the prettier assistants.
Miranda cranes her neck at me. “Tess Spencer, when are you going to learn to take a compliment?”
Even though Miranda has had a heart attack and a stroke, her keen insight still amazes me. At home, I secretly call her the Grande Dame to Thomas. For a sixty-nine year old near-cripple, she’s tres formidable.
In her suite, which is more like a small apartment, I roll her over to her blue satin couch and help her sit. I set the kettle brewing on her small stove for her afternoon cup of Earl Grey—a ritual she’s maintained since I met her four years ago.
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