Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Jane looked over the notes Benjamin scribbled in the margins. Hmm. Looked like he’d experimented with different ciphers, attempting to decode the nonsense phrases on the list. He’d also been obsessed with circles. Wow. He’d drawn rings on every available space.
Ohhh. Benjamin had believed the list of seven was part of his treasure hunt, hadn’t he? Did he think the phrases were keys to finding the gold?
Had he actually found gold–the very treasure some town’s people believed remained hidden here? Curious, Jane flipped to the last passage he’d written. Well. It ended abruptly. In fact, he’d halted writing mid-sentence.
I’m right. I know I’m right. I’d bet my life on it. I would even
Gah! Why had he stopped there? She needed to know because…. just because! And there was a way to find out. All she had to do was retrace Benjamin’s steps, going on a treasure hunt of her own. Bonus: She might gain a true distraction from her troubles and a boost to lift her out of her post-farewell-to-the-best-tush-in-the-GBH depression.
Something Jane had learned after finding three dead bodies on her property—she thrived during investigations.
A hard double rap sounded at her front door. With a gasp, she whipped up her head. Conrad! Only he knocked with such authority and distinction. Her heartbeat kicked into warp speed. Her ex was here. Why?
Rolex acted as Jane felt; he jumped to attention, his hair standing on end, his claws flaring.
She set the journal aside and scrambled to her feet. Tremors plagued her limbs as she smoothed the sides of her dress. Seriously, what was the former special agent doing here? Should she face him, or stay still and quiet until he bolted?
The hard double rap sounded again. “I know you’re home, Jane. Let me in. We need to talk.”
His husky voice sent shivers down her spine, and she moaned. Talk? Had he come to request another chance with her, after all?
Flutters erupted in her belly. Head high and palms damp, she marched to the entrance and twisted the knob. Hinges squeaked, her home opening up to the outside world…and there he stood. Tall, muscular and gorgeous, with dark hair, bronzed skin and a powerful body framed in fading sunlight.
He wore a cable-knit sweater and worn jeans, the hems frayed a bit around his combat boots. Heat radiated from him, chasing away the evening chill. The world’s most incredible scent hit her awareness. Dry cedar and those tantalizing spices. Will never get enough of his smell.
A duffel bag dangled from one of his hands. A leash hung from the other, with an orange and white corgi named Cheddar panting at the end of it. The pooch used to belong to a nurse currently in prison awaiting trial for murder. At the woman’s request, Conrad had taken over the pet’s care. A kind, caring deed that made him even hotter. Not that Jane had noticed.
Rolex took a post at her feet, daring the adorable canine to come any closer.
“Hello, Jane.” Conrad all but purred the words.
“Mr. Ryan,” she replied, hoping the formal address masked her sudden breathlessness.
The corners of his mouth curved up. Nope. There’d been no masking. “Mr. Ryan,” he said. “I like it. Makes me feel bossy.”
Um, was he flirting with her? “You can’t win me back,” she blurted out to save his very life.
His amusement only intensified. “Who says I’ll try?”
Ouch. So, yeah, that kind of stung. “Yes. Well. I’m doing magnificently, by the way. Some might even say glorious. Not that you asked. You look as if you’re doing magnificently and glorious as well. Some might say too magnificent and glorious but that’s neither here nor there.” Stop rambling! “Anyway. How are you? Truly? How’s life as a new fur-dad?”
“Fatherhood agrees with me. Cheddar is a very good boy.” His gaze slid over Jane’s purple fit and flare. “You look as lovely as usual.”
See! Ridiculously charming. “Thank you.” Needing protection from his incredible appeal, she crossed her arms over her middle. “Why are you here, Conrad?”
“Happy to explain.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Over drinks.”
She blinked at him, her pulse racing. “Uh…”
A wide grin blooming, he stepped around her to lead the eager pup inside the cottage. Rolex, the world’s most perfect feline, hissed and darted off. He’d met the corgi once before and hadn’t scratched or bopped him a single time. Meaning, yes, they were basically best friends.
Heart thumping against her ribs, Jane pivoted and followed Conrad deeper into the house. Into the kitchen, to be exact, where he puttered around as if he owned the place. And oh, he looked good doing it. As if he belonged among the chipped yellow laminate countertops and mushroom covered bread box and canister set. A favorite of Grandma Lily, who’d done the decoupage herself.
As the bane of Jane’s existence poured two glasses of sweet tea, she eased into a barstool on the other side of the counter, next to her guest’s bag. Cheddar settled at Conrad’s feet, and Rolex jumped on the counter to glare at the dog. So precious!