The mention of KT Morgan almost made Clarice throw up. She reached up and touched her throat, still bruised from Morgan’s hand. “And you believe a woman who broke into the house where my sister died.”
“I’d like you to reconsider taking a plea.” Daddy leaned forward and took hold of her hand.
She snatched her hand away. “I won’t spend the rest of my life in jail.”
“Then we have nothing else to discuss.” Daddy stood. “I’m taking in your child, getting her the help she needs. I see that same uncaring look in her eye that you have. We’re moving out of this state, so she doesn’t have to live with the stigma of what you got her involved in.”
“That’s what it’s been all about, hasn’t it? You want my child.”
“What?”
“You’ve done all this just to get my daughter. I wouldn’t be surprised if you and her weren’t in on this from the start.”
Daddy stepped back, his eyes wide as if slapped.
All three men stared at her. Finally, her lawyer spoke up. “I guess we’ll see you in court. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like a few minutes with my client.”
Daddy didn’t even look at her as he passed. He won’t win. And neither will Evenie. She’d not get the nice home with the pool. Not if Clarice could help it. She watched the door close behind the state attorney. She’d get someone on the jury to believe her. All it takes is one. And with Ms. Morgan’s prints on the window, that shouldn’t be too hard.
No way would she ever be found guilty. No way.
5:13 p.m.
Jonah’s fingers trembled. Why did they make these things so hard to tie? He exhaled loudly. Glancing in the mirror, he had to admit he looked good in the tux.
“Do I look okay?” Matthew stood beside him, staring in the mirror.
“You look very dapper.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you look good, Kid.” KT stood in the doorway. “So, you two ready for this marriage and family thing?”
“I am.” Matthew nodded. “I’m going to go see how Mom’s doing.”
Jonah’s heart pounded in his chest. He tried the tie again, but it did no good. He should have gone with a clip-on like Matthew.
“Here.” KT smacked his hands away. “Matthew doesn’t look any worse for wear.” She stared at the closed door. “I’m glad for that.”
“Me too. He hasn’t even had a nightmare. Still excited about that motorcycle ride. Wish I could say the same for Karen. If it weren’t for you watching him while we’re gone, I don’t think we’d be taking a honeymoon. At least not without him along.”
“I understand how she feels.” KT tied the tie, then turned him by his shoulders back to the mirror. “You look good, bro.”
“You, too.” He smiled at the blue lace dress hovering just above her knees. He rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck to one side. “I can’t believe how nervous I am.”
“Normal.”
The door swung open, and Matthew rushed back in. “You should see my mom. She is so pretty.”
Jonah couldn’t believe his luck. Two people he loved deeply were about to become his family. And having KT there to witness it. Tears welled in his eyes.
“Time to go,” KT said. “Before my brother turns into a puddle.”
Jonah chuckled and cocked his arm in her direction, which she took. “So, you two think you can stand each other for the next week while we’re gone?”
“Don’t give me time to think about it.” KT nudged him with her shoulder, “Like you said, you could end up with a kid on your honeymoon. Or worse, the kid could end up at Aunt Lou’s eating his vegetables.”
“Ick.” Matthew grimaced. “I want to stay with you.” He took hold of her hand.
“Why’s that?”
“I’m hoping to get another ride from Thunder.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
KT laughed again. “I’m definitely going to be the favorite aunt.”
Jonah shook his head. “Maybe I should have Aunt Lou babysit you both.” He chuckled, then led both into the church sanctuary.
The End
Thank you for reading Sucker Punched. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, I would appreciate if you wrote a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or Bookbub (http://bit.ly/2kPVxUS). You may also follow me on Bookbub if you are a member.
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Thank you again.
Kathryn J. Bain
www.kathrynjbain.com
About the Author
Kathryn J. Bain is the author of women’s fiction, mystery, and suspense, including the #1 Bestseller, The Chain You Forge, the Black and Bayou series, and the KT Morgan short suspense series.
Ms. Bain has garnered several awards, including First Place for Short Suspense in the IDA (Independent Digital Awards), two Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Awards and a First Place Royal Palm Literary Award for Inspirational Fiction.
A past President of Florida Sisters in Crime and Public Relations Director for Ancient City Romance Authors, Kathryn enjoys doing talks and teaching about writing.
Kathryn has also been a paralegal for over twenty-five years and works for an attorney who specializes in elder law.
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Other Available Titles from
Kathryn J. Bain
To view all my titles, go to my Amazon Author page:
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Black and Bayou series
Chasing a Dead Man, Vol 1 of the Black and Bayou Series, pub. 2021, Amazon Digital Services
THE KT MORGAN SHORT SUSPENSE SERIES
A Touch of Suspense (Vol. 1-3 of the KT Morgan Short Suspense Series), pub. 2017, Amazon Digital Services
The Visitor, pub. 2014, Amazon Digital Services
Small Town Terror, pub. 2015, Amazon Digital Services
The Reunion, pub. 2016, Amazon Digital Services
Run Away, pub. 2019, Amazon Digital Services
The Game, pub. 2020, Amazon Digital Services
Sucker Punched, pub. 2021, Amazon Digital Services
Other FICTION books available
Fade to the Edge, 2019, Amazon Digital Services
The Chain You Forge, 2017, Amazon Digital Services, #1 Bestseller in Holiday Fiction
Beautiful Imperfection, 2013, Harborlight Books
Game of Hearts, 2012, Astraea Press.
The Lincolnville Mystery Series
Breathless, pub. 2012, Pelican Ventures Book Group.
Catch Your Breath, pub. 2012, Pelican Ventures Book Group.
One Last Breath, pub. 2014, Amazon Digital Services.
Take Her Breath Away, 2016, Amazon Digital Services
MIDDLE-GRADE
Seven Sisters Road, co-written with Jessi Bain, pub. 2020, Amazon Digital Services
NONFICTION
30 in 30, 2018, Amazon Digital Services
Holding the Hand of a King: Forming a Deeper Relationship with God the Father, pub. 2017, Two Stone Lions Press
Also, check out Kathryn J. Bain Paper Products for Prayer Journals and journal-sized notebooks at https://amzn.to/2Oh5sld including
The Grandmother’s Psalms Prayer Journal
A Mother’s Heart, a journal-sized quoted notebook
The Psalms Blessing Journal, and
Motivate My Day, a journal-sized quoted notebook
Sucker Punched: A KT Morgan Short Suspense Page 8
