Unexpected Guest: A Riverton Crossing Novel - Book Three
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Unexpected Guest
A Riverton Crossing Novel - Book Three
Savannah Maris
Contents
Acknowledgments
Riverton Crossing Series
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
BONUS SCENES (PART ONE)
BONUS SCENES (PART TWO)
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events portrayed in this book are the product of the author’s imagination or are either fictitious or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
ISBN-13: 978-1986025355
ISBN-10: 1986025357
Copyright: Copyright © 2018 Savannah Maris
All Rights Reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in whole or in part by any means.
Author: Savannah Maris
Editor: Jennifer Roberts-Hall
Cover Design: MadHat Covers
Acknowledgments
These acknowledgements are for the ladies who have helped me along the way. These women have so graciously given of themselves and their time. I couldn’t do this without any of them, and I just wanted them to know how invaluable they are.
To Pam Bajuscik and Nikki Martin, you ladies have been with me from almost the very beginning. You are two of my original beta readers, and I’m glad you’ve stuck with me through this adventure. Thank you for your time, feedback, and support.
To TK Woods, you were the first person I ever told about this crazy idea of mine. From the very beginning, it was your encouragement that made me feel I could do this. Thank you for your encouragement, time, feedback, and pictures. Most of all, thank you for your friendship.
To Jessica Foster, this was the first book we worked on together, but I hope not our last. Thank you for your time, feedback, encouragement, and friendship. You saw this book in its rawest form and loved it anyway. The feedback you gave helped mold it into the finished product we all get to enjoy. You love these characters as much as I do, and that means a lot. I wish I had stronger words to say for how much you mean to me, but thank you is all I have. I’m grateful to have you in my life.
To Pam Snell, I have no words to express my gratitude for you. You stepped into my life, and never looked back. I feel as if I’ve known you for years, but it’s just been a few short months. I love how much you love these characters and how you tell me they remind you of someone. Thank you for coming into my life, for all you do, not just as a beta reader or sounding board, but also with Savannah’s Sexy Sweethearts. One day we will get this exercise accountability thing down.
To Judy Wagner and Dee Shelvey, this is the first book we’ve done together. Thank you for coming on board as beta readers. Your time, feedback, and support mean so much to me. Even though they’re set in the South, the fact that someone from Illinois and Canada enjoys these books makes my heart happy. You ladies are so special to me.
To Ashley Jasper, the first person I ever Facebook stalked. Ha! Thank you for agreeing to beta read for me. Who knew one critical review with positive undertones could lead me to you. Thank you for your time, feedback, honesty, and encouragement. I hope to continue to improve in your eyes.
To Shari Ryan, again I have no words to express how much you mean to me. From helping/mentoring me, to encouraging me, to even being a beta reader, to my covers, teasers, and formatting. Girl, I don’t know what I’d do without you. You have made this journey so easy, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To Linda Russell, you truly are my Fairy Godmother. I had no idea how to start this journey, and now here we are three books into it. I would be so lost without you. Your knowledge and professionalism have made navigating these waters so much easier and more fun. Thank you for brightening my day with encouraging messages, for helping me stay on track, for being a cheerleader when I need it, and most of all for being a friend.
To Annelle Willard, thank you for lending a critical eye when I couldn’t see how to improve my blurb. Without hesitation, you gladly gave me feedback that caused me to think. Thank you for helping me look deeper into the book and not just on the surface.
To Jennifer Roberts-Hall, this is our first book together. I’m excited to see where this relationship will go. Fresh eyes mean so much, and you’re coming into this three books into the series. Thank you for taking on a new client on the other side of the continent.
To the readers, female and/or male, thank you for taking the time to read stories that are so much fun to write, but also mean so much to me. It’s all for you.
Riverton Crossing Series
Unwelcomed Greeting, book 1
Unfinished Business, book 2
Unexpected Guest, book 3
Uninvited Visitors, book 4 (coming Summer 2018)
1
We love you, too.”
Ginger watched as Evan, her fiancé and the father of her unborn child, drove out of the driveway and turned on the blue lights. Please be safe. She wiped her eyes as she closed the door and walked toward Evan’s brother, Mitchell, and his fiancée, Kayla (known as “Mak” to only Mitchell).
“Jimmy said we can pick up Mak’s car. You ladies want to get out after we finish breakfast?”
Kayla cut her eyes to Mitchell. “Are you serious? I finally get my car back?”
He chuckled. “Yes.”
“It’d be nice to get out even if it’s just to ride to the garage. Do you think we could stop to look at wedding dresses, too?” Ginger asked.
The color drained from Mitchell’s face. “Um…I didn’t think men were supposed to do that. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Evan asks me every day for a date. I’ve got to give him some kind of progress report today, and we’ve got to shop sometime. So are we taking a day and going to Charleston or Savannah?” Ginger said.
“I don’t know,” Mitchell replied.
“If I can’t leave here without you or Evan until they arrest Frank Smith, it’s going to be hard to get a wedding done.”
“I can see that, but Evan will kill me if I let you go out alone,” Mitchell countered. His eyes begged for understanding from Ginger and Kayla.
“There’s no rule about you not seeing my dress. You just can’t see Kayla’s,” Ginger said with a smile.
“Mitchell Riverton, a girl only gets married once. It’s been a long time coming for us, so dammit, I want it to be something to remember.” Kayla scowled with her hands on her hips.
M
itchell’s eyes were wide as his hands went up. “Okay, okay. We can swing by the shop on Main Street that usually has wedding dresses in the window. We’ll go before we head to Jimmy’s.”
With a big smile on her face, Kayla stood to kiss Mitchell. “Thank you.”
He wrapped her in a tight hug. “You’re welcome.” His forehead was resting on Kayla’s when Ginger gasped loudly. As they turned toward her Mitchell asked, “What’s wrong?”
Ginger shook her head as she slid her phone toward Mitchell and Kayla. Mitchell looked at her screen and reassuringly said, “Ginger, you know this doesn’t mean anything.”
“I know, but he’s been gone what…a half hour and someone’s already reporting that Ruby is at the police station?”
“If she is, it’d have to be official business. She wouldn’t go there otherwise.”
“I know, and I trust him. I just want this to stop. When will they leave us the hell alone?” Ginger’s voice rose with her anger. “I swear the next person who mentions Ruby Johnson to me, I’m going hormonal on their ass.”
“Calm down,” Mitchell said. “It’s not good for you or the baby. If something happened to y’all, it wouldn’t be just me Evan killed. He’d hunt down whoever is sending those texts. Let’s get dressed and get out of here.”
Ginger went to her and Evan’s wing of the house while Kayla and Mitchell went to theirs. With both couples sharing the house on Riverton Ranch, it was nice to have four separate wings in the home.
Ginger wanted to send Evan a text letting him know the grapevine was out in full force this morning but didn’t want to worry him even more. She knew what this life was going to be like, but the Riverton Crossing grapevine was relentless. She’d have to figure out a way to block it out, but right now her emotions were all over the place.
Maybe once they got married, the gossip would stop.
Mitchell retrieved a small handgun from the lockbox in their closet. He was checking that it was loaded and the safety was on when Kayla walked out of the bathroom.
“Is that absolutely necessary?” she asked.
“According to Evan and Ben, yes. Ben made sure I had my concealed weapons permit the day he told Evan that Ginger couldn’t leave the ranch without one of us. Dammit, I hope they figure this shit out soon.”
“Me too.” She walked up to Mitchell and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you for doing this. You don’t have to come inside with us. Ginger isn’t a flashy person, but she doesn’t know if she wants a formal dress or not. She just needs to see what’s out there. I’m sure it won’t take her long.”
“You can make it up to me later, baby,” Mitchell said as he wiggled his brows up and down.
“Deal.” Kayla’s lips stretched into a big smile.
Mitchell put the gun in the small of his back and swatted her ass as they walked out of their room. By the time they made it to the kitchen, Ginger was there staring at her phone again.
“What did this one say?” Mitchell asked, knowing she must have received another text.
Kayla took Ginger’s phone and looked at it. “Ruby was there for thirty minutes, and then Evan escorted her out.”
“Ginger, I think it’s best if we leave your phone here. I’ll let Evan know you’re with me,” Mitchell said.
Ginger nodded and didn’t pick up her phone when Kayla laid it on the table. With an arm around Ginger, Kayla said, “Come on, girl. Let’s go see what kind of wedding dress you like.”
They walked out and got into Shelby, Mitchell’s silver mustang.
2
Even though the ride into town was uneventful, Ginger was chewing her bottom lip. As if Kayla had eyes in the back of her head she said, “Ginger, Evan won’t appreciate your bottom lip being chewed off unless he’s the one doing it. Stop it.”
Ginger giggled. Her friend knew her so well without even looking at her. “How did you know?”
“Are you kidding me? You do that every time you’re nervous. Is it because you’re out without Evan, or because you’re going to look at wedding dresses?”
“Both.”
“Mitchell isn’t going to let anything happen to you, and we’re just looking at options. We’re not buying anything today. Having said that, it’ll be all over town you’re looking for a dress before we get home. Even if the store keeps the secret, someone on the street will say they saw you walk in there.”
“Good. Maybe his phone will get blown up. Too bad it’ll be with something he wants to know,” she said with a smile on her face. “We could always say I’m with you.”
Arriving between the breakfast and lunch crowds, Mitchell parked right in front of the doors to the dress shop. “Ladies, do you think we could keep this to a half hour? We’d probably do well to get home before Evan.” Mitchell looked in the rearview mirror before he turned to Kayla.
“Are you coming in with us?” Kayla asked.
“Do you want me to?”
“No, I may see something I want to look at.”
“Then scoot. I’ll be right here.” He gave Kayla a quick peck on the lips.
The girls rushed inside, moving straight toward the back of the store where all the white dresses were hanging. While they flipped through several, a middle-aged lady who Kayla knew as the owner of the store walked up to them.
“Is there something, in particular, you’re looking for?” she asked.
Both girls froze as if they’d been caught taking candy from a candy jar. “No, ma’am. We’re just looking,” Kayla said.
“Well, I heard you and Mitchell finally got engaged. I’m honored you’d look here for a dress.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Kayla tucked some blonde hair behind her ear then quickly added, “Ginger and Evan are engaged, too, so she’s also looking for a dress.” Ginger shot Kayla an evil look.
“Oh, you’re Evan Riverton’s fiancée. I’ve heard so much about you. I sure hope this means he’ll stay away from that Ruby Johnson. You need to know that he’s been seen with her twice,” the lady said in a conspirator’s whisper.
Ginger’s mouth fell open, and her face turned red, but before any words came out, Kayla said, “Well, look at the time. Mitch was expecting us five minutes ago. I’m sorry, Ms. Morris, but we need to get going. Thank you for the chat.” Kayla ushered Ginger out quickly.
As soon as they walked outside, Mitchell pushed off the hood of his car and met them at the door. “What happened? Y’all were only gone fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll tell you in the car.”
Mitchell opened Kayla’s door as she all but shoved Ginger inside. When she got in, he closed the door and jogged around to the driver’s side. Opening his door, he caught Ginger in the middle of a rant.
“Can you believe she said that to me? When will it stop? Evan needs to handle this soon because my hormones can’t take much more.”
“What the hell happened? Do I need to go in there?” Mitchell’s brows were furrowed. Kayla explained what Ms. Morris said to Ginger and why they left. Mitchell shook his head. “Ginger, you know not to listen to that shit, right?”
“I’m trying, Mitchell, but it’s hard when cheating is the one thing that will drive me to the edge. I know he’s not a cheater. I trust him, but at some point either he’s going to have to do or say something, or I will. I’m new here and don’t want to piss everyone off, but if they catch me on a bad day, I may not care.”
“I’ll talk to Evan.”
“No, I’ll talk to Evan,” Ginger said.
“Are you sure? It’ll be better if he gets mad at me. Think of the baby.”
Ginger leaned forward and kissed the back of Mitchell’s head. “Thank you, but you can’t fight all my battles for me. Me not having my phone with me, you can handle that argument,” she said with a slight smile as Mitchell turned out of the parking place.
He glanced in the rearview mirror and nodded with a smirk on his face. Ginger wondered what he was coming up with to drive Evan over the edge.
3<
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Mitchell pulled into Jimmy’s Garage just as Jimmy was heading out the door. Jimmy owned the only garage in Riverton Crossing and had the best parts to fix up a vehicle. He inherited the garage from his father several years back when his dad retired.
Mitchell jumped out of his car to catch up to Jimmy. “Hey man. You in a hurry or do you have time for me to get Mak’s SUV?”
Jimmy stopped when he saw Mitchell coming toward him. “Yeah, I’ve got a minute. Going to tow that old Camaro for your brother.”
“The one you towed from the ranch a while back?”
Jimmy nodded. “One and the same. Seems Judge Bishop drove it to the swamp.”
“For what?”
“Don’t know.” Jimmy shrugged. “I guess you’ll need to talk to Evan.”
“Okay. Thanks for the info. How much do I owe you?” Mitchell asked as he followed Jimmy back inside to pay the bill. A few minutes later, Mitchell walked outside while Jimmy pulled the SUV out of the bay. “Thanks, man,” he said when Jimmy stepped out.
“Anytime. I better go before Evan thinks I’m not comin’ and blows up my phone,” he replied before jogging to the tow truck.