Gotcha! (31 page)

“You did make a mistake.” She said the words as if it were her last stand.

“I know, and it was a champion of mistakes, too. Which is why I did the whole billboard thing, to show you that—that I’m sorry. That you’re more important than my pride.”

She let go of his hands. “You should have told me about Lisa and your brother.” She released a shaky breath. “And the things you said, they—”

“They were horrible. I know. And I’ll regret that all my life. Just don’t make me have to live that life without you.” Their eyes met and held, and he’d never been more certain she loved him. His chest swelled with hope. “I need you in my life.”

A knock sounded at the door. Macy glanced up and then shot him a panicked look. “What do they want?”

He leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers. “A fairy-tale ending?”

“I’m not sure I believe in fairy-tale endings,” Macy said.

“Then I’ll have to spend the next forty to fifty years proving you wrong.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “Marry me, Macy Tucker.”

“If I say no, will you keep posting billboards?”

“Probably.”

“Will you end up marrying the woman who wants to lick you like a Popsicle?”

He laughed. “Sorry, but Nan doesn’t do it for me.”

Macy’s eyes widened. “She…”

“Yeah.”

Macy shook her head, then focused on him, but the look in her eyes told him everything was going to be okay. “You’re a lot of trouble,” she said.

He arched an eyebrow. “So are you.”

“Oh, pleeaase! What did I do?”

He held his hands out to count. “One: you messed with the family jewels. Two: you told the FBI I was a dirty cop. Three: you convinced me you were about to become a nun. Four: you made me go with you to buy tampons. Five: you wouldn’t admit I was your boyfriend. Six: you don’t eat bacon. But remind me to tell you that I found some vegetarian bacon I bought at the specialty grocery store. Seven: you stole my towel and my mama saw me naked…with a stiffy! Eight: you made me fall in love with you.”

He touched her face. God he loved touching her. “Nine, and this is a biggy: you named my penis Mr. Dudley!”

She leaned against him and laughed. “So I guess we’re both trouble, and that makes us perfect for each other, right?” She sat up.

“Right.” He studied her. “Is that…a yes?”

“What do you think?” she asked.

“I think I gotcha.” He smiled. “But I need to hear you say it.”

“You got me, Jake Baldwin,” She leaned in and kissed him.

He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her to show her just how right he and Mr. Dudley thought they were for each other.

I’d like to give credit to all those who have supported me. To my husband who reads my galleys faster than he reads any other books, who recommends my books to all his friends and rightfully takes credit for being my inspiration for all the good stuff. (Seriously, babe, those are your abs.) To my son, Steve Craig Jr., who said, “Next time, can you please put my name in the acknowledgments so people will believe you are my mom?” To Faye Hughes, the kind of friend who will stay up most of the night proofing revisions, and only complain for a few months…and counting.

To every fan who has ever e-mailed me and used the word/words, “wow,” “great,” “love it,” or “can’t wait to read the next one.” Seriously, thank you. And Mom and Dad, if that’s you getting different IP addresses, you can stop now. To Betty Hobbs and her daughter Tina Soltesz who pimp my books to everyone they meet and let me know when they spot one in a Goodwill store. (Hey, someone used me to get a tax write off. Cool!) To Val and Pat Sturman, for nothing less than a stomach virus keeps them away from an autographing, and whose own personal love story inspires my sense of romance. To Katy Budget Books for supporting me and so many Houston authors. You rock girls. To the real Faye Moore, another fan and friend whose zest for life is an inspiration to so many. To friends who believed in me as a writer before I did: Francyne, Nita, Leah, Linda and Janece—at one time or another you’ve all held my hand and given me just the right nudge—or shove—onto the correct path.

Thanks to my editor Chris Keeslar and to my agent Kim Lionetti for continuing to put up with me. (It isn’t easy, ask my husband.) And finally, to Renee Yewdaev, Cindy Johnson, and Tracy Heydweiller in the Dorchester Production Department for taking my editor’s handcuff idea and making it look awesome.

“This sequel to Craig’s
Divorced, Desperate and Delicious
is another delightfully entertaining novel with an intriguing mystery. Peopled with interesting new characters and familiar old ones, it also has its share of animal friends that add a lot of humor and warmth to the story.”

—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“I was simply delighted by this breezy, snappy, good-time story…. This book is sure to brighten your day.”

—Beyond Her Book Blog,
Publishers Weekly

“Christie Craig is the jewel of my finds when it comes to new authors to add to my favorites list. Her characters draw you in immediately, make you care about them in no time flat, and her humor is to die for.”

—The Good, The Bad, and The Unread

“Ms. Craig seems in touch with the readers’ desires. She does a great job of blending and sifting all the elements we love (heat, emotion, wit, and action) into one great story.”

—Once Upon a Romance

“Although the plot is threaded with sassy humor, a lighthearted touch, and misaligned lovers hinting strongly of Shakespeare, a deranged psychopath, a trail of murdered brides, and threats of real danger keep the story on the suspenseful side.”

—
Library Journal

“Once again Craig brings a wonderful story to life with a number of likable and interesting characters. There’s a quite decent mystery, a fair amount of suspense and two lovely romances.”

—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“If you want a sexy romance that will put a smile on your face, a Christie Craig book is the way to go!”

—Night Owl Romance

“A story that twines emotions and feelings with sizzle and steam, all wrapped around bits of humor…
Weddings Can Be Murder
combines passionate and intense characters with a plot that’s well-balanced and fast-moving. It’s edgy and fun.”

—Once Upon a Romance

“Christie Craig delivers humor, heat, and suspense in addictive doses. She’s the newest addition to my list of have-to-read authors…. Funny, hot, and suspenseful. Christie Craig’s writing has it all. Warning: definitely addictive.”

—
New York Times
Bestselling Author Nina Bangs

“Readers who enjoy Jennie Crusie and Janet Evanovich will fall head over heels for
Divorced, Desperate and Delicious
, a witty romantic adventure by debut author Christie Craig…. A page-turner filled with humorous wit, sexy romance and just enough danger to keep you up long past midnight.”

—
New York Times
Bestselling Author Dianna Love Snell

“Suspense and romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat…until you fall off laughing…. Christie Craig writes a book you can’t put down.”

—RITA Finalist Gemma Halliday

“This is an entertaining, fast-moving mystery and romance peopled with interesting, likable characters, as well as warm and cuddly animals. The main romance, as well as the secondary ones, are delightful, and the suspense is well done. This is an all-around enticing and fun story to read.”

—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“
Divorced, Desperate and Delicious
is funny, witty, suspenseful, and very entertaining…. This is a wonderful book. The characters are charming, and there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Christie Craig has a winner.”

—Romance Reviews Today

DIVORCED, DESPERATE AND DATING

WEDDINGS CAN BE MURDER

DIVORCED, DESPERATE AND DELICIOUS

LOVE SPELL
^®

June 2009

Published by

Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016

Copyright © 2009 by Christie Craig

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E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0688-6

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