Authors: Kristen James
The Enemy's Son (25 page)
***
The smell of coffee and warm light streaming through the curtains woke Cora the next morning. She was snuggled down into Nick’s covers, still warm from where his body had pressed against hers just a while ago. They’d come back to his rented house and fallen into bed, exhausted beyond belief. It’d felt like heaven to sink down into his covers and fall asleep with him, one of his arms under her head and the other wrapped around her. She didn’t think they moved until after the sun came up, and then their closeness woke the passion in both of them. It’d been a nice way to start the day.
She stretched and smiled now, seeing Nick enter the room holding two mugs of coffee. It even smelled good now that she wasn’t running for her life and feeling sick. He grinned back when he spotted her in one of his white shirts.
He handed her a mug and settled in against the headboard. “I would have stayed in bed with you but Adam called. He brought that CD over so you could read your file.”
“I forgot about that.” Apprehension fizzed up in her stomach, but she took a deep breath and stopped it. Whatever was on the CD, she could deal with it. “Was there any information on there that the police needed?”
“Yup, information put the nails in Keith’s coffin. You were smart to save it.”
“Did you read my file?”
He shook his head, surprised. “No, that’s for you. Do you want to see it? I’ll bring my laptop in.”
She nodded, needing to know before anything else. He quickly retrieved his laptop and sat it on the bed for her. “The CD is already in.”
She opened the CD, scanned the file names, and opened the one marked “Cora.” A letter opened before her.
“Dear Cora, if you’re reading this, I guess I finally had the guts to explain things to you.”
So he did steal the money? Why did Nick and Adam feel she needed to know that?
“I hope things have come to light by now, I hope Keith’s behind bars. I’m not sure what you’ll know when you read this, so here’s the entire story. About a year and a half ago, I was approached by the FBI to help infiltrate Keith’s operation. They figured I should have earned his trust by then, after working there for three years, but they also hoped I knew what was going on and didn’t approve. Or didn’t want to rot in jail with them. They’ve been running drugs a long time. They grow and make the stuff and sell it to kids. The plan to expose and arrest them wasn’t so complicated at first, but the further I got in, I knew it’d be harder to get back out. I thought Alexander Pierce was a good guy, despite what he does for Keith. Well, he’s ripping the guy off, big time, and I don’t know how to keep myself from looking guilty. Keith knows we’re friends. As I write this for you, I can only hope the FBI can wrap up their investigation and we can bring him in. I can’t stay in here for much longer, especially since you might someday be in danger because of my job here and what I’m doing for the FBI. If I’m left high and dry, blamed for wrongdoing, or whatever the case, I pray I get a chance to explain things to you. You’re my baby, and I did everything I did for you. I want you to have a happy life, not like the one I ended up having. You’re the sun in my day, the reason for my smile, Sweetie, and I’ll always be thankful for you. Love, Daddy.”
Cora could hardly read through her tears. Not only was Jerry innocent, he was a hero. She felt so thankful that they had each other, and now Nick could know Jerry as well. She wanted him to read it and turned the screen toward him.
A few minutes later, he looked up, his own eyes shiny. “Jerry’s a good man,” he whispered solemnly. “Look what a wonderful daughter he brought up.”
“I can’t wait for you to get to know him.”
“Me, too.”
They both recognized they were two people adrift before, but not anymore. His warm brown eyes waited for her, full of love and promise.
Nick’s finger teased her lips as he said, “I want you to marry me and live here. I want today be to the first day of forever for us.”
Tears choked her and prevented any verbal response, but she nodded and wrapped her arms back around his neck.
She swallowed hard and said, “But I don’t want to be a Holloway.”
Nick surprised her with laughter. “Neither do I. We’ll find a new name for both of us.”
He couldn’t help but kiss her.
“I love you, Cora, and I always will.” His husky voice tickled her neck. In a hoarse voice, she tried to tell him she loved him back.
“I know, baby, I know.”
Maybe he understood that she had loved him before she even realized it, before she pushed her fears away and took hold of what they shared.
“Forever,” he breathed against her check, “Forever starts right now.”
The End
About The Author
Kristen James loves to watch wildlife in her yard and on the river by her house. Besides reading and writing, she loves traveling, cycling, hiking, berry picking, canoeing, fishing and camping, and especially doing these with her family. Life should be an adventure!
Visit
www.writerkristenjames.com
to learn more and read her blog. Connect on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/WriterKristenJames
and Twitter at @writerkristenj. She loves to hearing from readers!
Amazon author page with full book list available at
http://amazon.com/author/kristenjames
Praise for
More Than Memories
:
“I just loved this book! Primarily because Ms. James' equation for the plot kept me guessing the entire time. There was no predicting the conclusion, which was a treat for me in reading this genre. For that reason, I couldn't put it down. It read much more like a mystery than a romance. The characters drew me in. I cared about Molly, Trent and their friends. The subplots eased transitions and mentally stirred up the intrigue factor. I found myself constantly wondering... about everything. This felt like a love story in reverse only to have the characters come full circle with a new understanding of the past and a happy peek into the future. I look forward to enjoying the other titles noted above.” BigAl’s Books n Pals, 5 stars
Read more or purchase at
http://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Memories-ebook/dp/B004QS95FI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1299389013&sr=8-1
Praise for
A Cowboy For Christmas
:
“
A Cowboy for Christmas
is a great romance for the holidays or anytime you like. A bit fun and flirty read that will not disappoint.” Coffee Time Romance
“Kristen James has done it again with another romance novel to warm your heart. She has created truly down to earth and like-able characters with Missy and Brent. The story is perfect for the holidays! Not too long, not too short, I finished the book in about a day. Like her other book,
More Than Memories
, you become immersed in the story, the plot and the descriptive scenery.”
Read more on Amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/A-Cowboy-For-Christmas-ebook/dp/B0032JTTI0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1299527979&sr=1-1
Praise for
Embers of Hope, Flickers of Passion
:
A beautifully woven plot, Embers of Hope, Flickers of Passion, will have you crying with Cassie, cheering for Jason, and praying Eric does not return to distinguish the flames that are spreading between Jason and Savanna.
Read more on Amazon at
Reading Guide:
A Cowboy For Christmas –
flirty contemporary romance
More Than Memories –
emotional romantic suspense
Embers of Hope, Flickers of Passion –
emotional women’s fiction
The Enemy’s Son –
nonstop action, romantic suspense
The Fairy and her Giant –
Fantasy novella
Quick Reads –
short stories and two novellas
The River People –
Native American fiction
A Miraculous Fate
– a mystical thriller co-written with Tommy Garrison
Kauai Spy Games
– Spy/ CIA thriller co-written with Jeff Ivanov
Recovery of Agent M
– CIA/ Navy Seal military adventure co-written with Jeff Ivanov