Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (interesting books to read for teens TXT) 📕

time, which meant it was after 11:00 p.m. in Connecticut, and well past her mother’s bedtime.

Swiping the call open, she spoke without greeting. “I am so sorry for not calling you back. I got all your messages, but today got away from me.”

“Julia. Honey. I’m just so glad to hear your voice. I was starting to get worried. Well, I’m a worrier by nature,” she said, and gave a small laugh. “So I guess that’s no surprise.”

“I know, Mom. I should’ve at least sent a text but today got out of hand.”

“Oh, dear. A Sunday. What happened?”

“There was a death in town.”

“And you have to deal with it?”

“Well, yeah, Mom,” said Julia. “I mean, I am the sheriff.”

“I know. I know. I just wish after everything that happened last time you would’ve come home.”

They’d had this conversation more than once. During those first weeks of her recovery, Julia’s parents had come from Connecticut and stayed in Wyoming. Her mother had been white-faced with worry and her father had chuffed like an angry horse.

As they left, Julia’s mother had pleaded with her daughter to come home. Julia had refused, but her mother was undeterred.

After walking to the adjacent living room, Julia flopped down on the sofa. How could a few minutes on the phone with her mother drain her energy faster than a whole day of working a case?

“You know your father was talking to one of his friends at the club this morning.”

“Uh-huh.”

Her mother continued, “He went to law school with your father and works for the government. Well, as it turns out, he’s recently been named as the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Well, I don’t have to tell you that’s an impressive and important job.”

“Uh-huh.”

“And he asked about you. He said he could use people in his office like you.”

Julia sat up taller. “Like me?”

“I thought that’d get your attention. Anyway, he likes to hire attorneys who attended military academies. Says they’re more disciplined than the most.”

“I did go to West Point. There’s one thing you’re missing, Mom. I’m not an attorney.”

“Yet—”

Julia spoke over her mother. “And I don’t want to be an attorney, ever.”

“I know that’s what you say. Think of it this way—you didn’t like the idea of law school when you thought you were going to work with your father. Maybe that’s why you only lasted a year there. I understand that real-estate law isn’t for everyone. I also know that you want to be one of the good guys—working to keep us all safe and serving justice and stuff like that.”

Stuff like that?

Her mother continued, “Here’s where this is the perfect plan. You can still serve the community, but instead of going to war or facing down criminals during an investigation, which are all dangerous, you could make sure all the bad guys get sent to jail. Doesn’t that sound better?”

No, it did not.

Julia looked at her mangled hand. Then again, maybe her mother had a point. “Law school’s expensive, Mom. And it’s hard to pay for things if I don’t have a job—which I won’t if I leave Wyoming and finish two years of law school.”

“Live here—you can even move into the carriage house for privacy. Plus, your grandmother left you all of that money. You haven’t touched a cent.”

Julia worked her jaw back and forth. “I’ll tell you what, Mom. I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I ask, honey. Well, now that I’ve talked to you and I know you’re okay, I can at least get some sleep.”

“Thanks for calling, Mom. I miss you.”

“Love you. Bye.”

Stretching out on the sofa, Julia reached for the remote and turned on the TV. She was still wearing Luis’s flannel shirt. Tucking her nose into the collar, she inhaled deeply. His scent swirled around Julia, until she was light-headed with the smell.

But there was nothing to be gained by an attraction—much less a relationship—with Luis. In fact, if things went bad, she’d lose more than a lover—she’d lose a good, loyal friend, as well. Turning her attention to the TV, she flipped through the channels. As she was lying on the sofa, Julia admitted that her mother’s plan had merit. The job of a prosecuting attorney would check a lot of boxes. Yet, was she ready to make such a drastic change? A killer prowled the streets of Pleasant Pines, she couldn’t ignore that fact. Yet, her mangled hand still smarted. Her sleep was haunted with nightmares. Her aim with a firearm was horrible.

Would she ever be whole again? Would she ever escape the past enough to build a future in law enforcement?

And if not, then what?

Thank goodness she didn’t have to answer the question tonight.

Settling on a hockey game, she tucked a pillow under her head and let her mind wander.

But she returned to the same question again and again. Was now the time to make a move? Was it time to abandon her quest for justice...and was she on a mission she’d never be able to finish?

* * *

Holding the sensor for the motion light, the Watcher stood in the dark. Light from the TV swam over Julia, making it look like she was underwater.

On the table sat a pile of folders, an open laptop and photos. The Watcher could see a picture of hotel room and half of a two-dollar bill on the floor. It meant that Julia had discovered the most important secret. A stiff breeze blew around the side of the house, shaking the shutters. Shivering, the Watcher pulled their coat tighter.

Right now, as she stared at the TV screen, what was Julia thinking?

A voice, carried on the wind, whispered, You have to find out what she knows.

His whispered reply, But how?

The wind continued to blow, yet there were no answers on the breeze.

The files and computer sat on the table—so close and yet completely out of reach.

Unless...

Over the course of the day, the Watcher had learned everything about Julia McCloud, including her schedule. Dropping the sensor onto the cold