All she had to do was remain in character. Be polite, say âhelloâ and act as if she wasnât, at this very moment and every moment, terrified of someoneâespecially this someoneâfinding out her secret.
Resigned, she slowly faced Britneyâs older brother. She couldnât deny Nick Coletti was good-looking with his wavy dark hair, bittersweet-chocolate eyes and Roman features. He wore a snug, dark blue Police Academy T-shirt and faded jeans; a tool belt hung low on his narrow hips.
Her neck heated as she realized that not long ago, she wouldâve been all over him. Thank goodness those days, and the person she used to be, were both long gone.
Dear Reader,
This book came as a total surprise to me. Iâd already written three stories set in fictional Serenity Springs, New York, featuring connected characters, and I honestly thought all the stories in that town had been told.
I was right. But I was wrong, too.
You see, in my previous book, His Secret Agenda, thereâs a short scene featuring a nondescript woman. A woman on the run from her powerful, abusive husband. A woman with secrets. A woman who lies as easily as she breathes and whoâd do anything to keep her young son safe from the man whoâd hurt him. A woman I had to write about.
But I knew Faith Lewis couldnât stay in Serenity Springs, so I said goodbye to the town Iâd come to love and ventured east to another small town, this one on the coast of Maine, where Faith and her son could have a fresh start. Where she could learn to overcome her mistakes.
Although I hadnât planned on writing this story, I sure had a great time doing it. Faith and her hero, local cop Nick Coletti, donât have an easy time of things but once they earn their happily-ever-after, everything they went through to get there was worth it.
I hope you agree and enjoy Faith and Nickâs story!
I love to hear from readers. Please visit my Web site, www.bethandrews.net, or write to me at P.O. Box 714, Bradford, PA 16701.
Beth Andrews
Award-winning author Beth Andrews never fell for a cop while on the run but she did date her non-cop husband while attending cosmetology school. Though she only worked in a salon for a short time, sheâs kept up her stylistâs skills over the years by cutting her bangs (always a mistake) and coloring her hair in a never-ending battle against grays. Beth also loves to bake and is currently obsessed with finding the perfect red velvet cake recipe. To learn more about Beth, her books or to check out some of her recipes, please visit her Web site, www.BethAndrews.net.
For Helen.
Thank you for all your love and support!
PROLOGUE
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
EPILOGUE
NOT GUILTY.
The blood pounding in her ears, Lynne Addison stared blindly ahead as the judge thanked the jury and dismissed the case with a pound of his gavel. Lynne jumped, the sound echoing through her head.
At the table in front of her, her husband, Milesâthe man sheâd thought would make all of her dreams come trueâgave his female defense attorney a hug before shaking his other attorneyâs hand.
âOh, thank God,â Sondra Wilkins said from the bench seat beside Lynne. Milesâs secretary then stood and hurried over to congratulate her employer, the man she idolized so much she was willing to do anything for him.
Even destroy evidence and lie under oath.
The courtroom erupted with movement around Lynne as people collected their things and left to enjoy the rest of a warm spring afternoon. She forced herself to turn, to look over at the chubby, light-haired eleven-year-old boy across the aisle. He stood next to his distraught grandmother while she spoke to the two detectives whoâd gathered the evidence against Miles.
Lynne had overheard one of the members of Milesâs defense team remark on how unusual it was for a childâespecially the accuserâto be present when the verdict was read. But she understood why the boy was here.
Heâd wanted to see justice done.
At the bleak, dead look in his eyes, a primal scream rose in Lynneâs throat. She dropped her gaze to her hands, twisted tightly together in her lap, and clamped her lips shut. Damn it, if that poor boy was strong enough to survive not only being sexually abused by someone heâd trusted, but also the horror of having to testify about the unspeakable things Miles had done to him, then by God, sheâd be that strong, too.
She had to be. For her own sonâs sake.
Not guilty.
âArenât you going to congratulate me?â Miles asked as he approached her, his blue eyes shining.
She curled her nails into her palms. From all outward appearances, Miles was perfect. Handsome. Successful. A man who shared his time and talents with those less fortunate. A successful businessman devoted to her and their young son, Jon.