A brand new Never Too Late for Love Romantic Suspense collection!
Holiday Heroes includes two wonderful books in one great set, perfect for a holiday reading escape!
About the book:
The holidays lost their shine for Will Frasier after his wife passed. Bucking traditions, he’s headed for Key West to do a friend a favor. One that brings him face to face with a woman who still believes in miracles… and that it’s never too late for love.
Available December 6, 2023 on Kindle Unlimited
Sneak Peek!
Chapter 1
“Patio’s clear, Mo.”
From behind the bar, Maureen Lassiter smiled at Lisa, the lone waitress on duty tonight. “Thanks. You set the gate?”
“Windows and door too,” Lisa confirmed. “We’re zipped up tight,” she said, breezing into the kitchen.
“Great.”
Maureen and Lisa were the only staff remaining at the Beachcomber. She’d sent the cook home to his family after the final call for food a couple of hours ago. She could serve up a salad or some of the soup they kept simmering if a customer insisted on eating. Otherwise, everything from here on out would be easy clean-up. She didn’t want to keep Lisa a minute longer than necessary. The woman had a big extended family and the little ones were hyped up for the holiday.
Maureen eyed the Beachcomber’s main room with pride. This place was her responsibility and she figured the regulars were a testament to her good work. She’d tended bar here since coming to Key West for a fresh start. And when the original owner had sold it to her, she’d continued his legacy, keeping things geared toward the locals with great food and company. The Beachcomber had been the perfect venture for her as a single mom, giving her the challenge she craved and the flexibility to be available for her son, Tim.
These days, he did most of the heavy lifting, though Maureen remained the owner on paper. But she didn’t work full shifts too often and her legs and feet were protesting. Maybe she should’ve accepted Tim’s offer to tag along on his family vacation in Walt Disney World.
That place knew how to infuse the holidays with magic. Definitely more magic than the strings of colorful lights in shark and mermaid shapes and the swags of greenery she’d draped over the doorways and around the bar top.
Except her feet would be aching just as much in Orlando. Probably more. Tim’s four-year-old twins, one girl and one boy, would be having the time of their lives meeting their favorite characters and heroes. Loading up on treats, marveling at shows, and squealing through age-appropriate rides.
It would’ve been a blast.
“And it’ll be even better when you go back with them in a year or two.” Her son and his wife were big Disney fans.
The man sitting alone at the bar cocked his head. “What’s that?”
She glanced over at the familiar face. Officer Jenkins was with the Key West police department. Experienced and kind, he was one of the good guys in the world. He was alone tonight, but he and his wife were regulars. More than that, they both constantly sent new business her way.
“Just muttering to myself,” she said, smiling. “Tim took the family to Disney World.”
“The twins must be flying high.” Jenkins shook his head. “Why’d you stay behind?”
“Because the twins must be flying high.” She chuckled and he joined in. No point in mentioning her doctor’s recent orders to rest a knee that was giving her trouble. “This first trip is special. I’ll join them next time.”
“Good for you. Just remember the winter months aren’t nearly as hot.”
“Please.” She waved that off. “We live in the tropics. We know how to cope with heat and humidity.”
“True. And it is the happiest place on earth in any weather.” He cashed out and wished her a Merry Christmas. He and his wife usually traveled to see her family in Atlanta, so Maureen didn’t expect to see him again until after New Year’s.
Lisa cruised through the dining room, gently nudging along the last few customers while Maureen’s thoughts drifted back to her family. At this hour, they were surely sacked out in the hotel room, dreaming sweetly of the day’s adventures.
The happiest place on earth wasn’t for the faint of heart or a bum knee.
She took a breath and carried glassware back to the dishwasher. This wasn’t a day for self-pity, despite the unexpected changes she’d been dealing with since passing fifty. If anyone had issued warnings that gray hair, achy joints, and wrinkles could appear overnight, she missed those alerts.
Of course, she wouldn’t have been thrilled about those telltale signs of a body’s experience even if she’d been vigilant. Ignoring her grumbling knee and her crying feet, she carried clean glassware back to the bar, pleased to see the last customers had headed out.
“It’s officially only two more days until Christmas,” Maureen said just after midnight as they worked through the last of the closing chores.
“Do you want to join us for dinner on Christmas Day?” Lisa offered, not for the first time.
“No, thank you,” Maureen declined once again. The girl was an absolute love. “I have my grocery order all set, including champagne for Christmas morning. It’s going to be amazing.”
“If you change your mind, you know where to find us. We serve dinner at three.”
Maureen knew the time as well as the one-rule dress code: no jammies at the table. “If I change my mind, I’ll let you know.”
Lisa shook her head. “Not necessary. Just come on over and join the chaos.”
“I promise to do that if I get lonely.”
When they finished, Maureen stood in the open doorway, soaking up the salty night air blowing in from the ocean as she watched Lisa walk out to her car. Lisa drove off with a wave and Maureen stepped inside and locked the door. Maybe Lisa was too young to understand or maybe she just didn’t share Maureen’s need for quiet time. Being alone never bothered her.
Though it had bothered plenty of other people in her past.
“One reason they are in the past,” she told herself briskly. She turned up the music to finish the register count and prep the deposit. It was late and she was tired, but half an hour now would make a world of difference tomorrow.
She felt more than heard something bump into the patio. It wasn’t uncommon. The bar backed right onto the beach and people wandered through all the time, not always sober enough to navigate the pathway.
As she turned down the music and turned on the security lights, she saw a shadow and a quick blur of movement.
Swearing under her breath, she checked the lock between the patio and the bar. Lisa had secured everything, just as she’d said. There was no reason to think anyone could come in. No way she was going to invite trouble in by opening that door.
She could, however, go around from the kitchen and make sure everything was okay.
With her phone in hand and the flashlight carving a path through the darkness, she marched back, making no attempt to be quiet. If someone was up to something, she wanted them to know she was coming. If they were smart, they’d move along. “We lock the door for a reason,” she called out. “The bar is closed!” No sound at all. “You’re trespassing.” Maybe the extra motivation would be helpful.
Instead, her flashlight caught on two people, one slouched back against the half wall of the porch and the other turning and bolting away into the darkness beyond the reach of her security lights.
She had half a mind to let the person sleep it off. The police patrolled the area and eventually they would find this person and make them leave. But something about the person’s stillness bothered her. She noticed the scruffy beard and shaggy hair. He looked as if he’d been out on the water all day. Maybe a few days. Mirrored sunglasses were hooked in the pocket of his shirt, reflecting the security lights overhead.
“Hey are you okay?” She took a step closer. “Sorry I scared off your friend.” Another step and still no reaction. This guy was out cold.
Cautiously, she approached, until she was close enough to realize he wasn’t passed out. He was dead.
She pressed her fingers to his throat, looking for a pulse. Instead, she found a hole in his shirt and under it, a small wound near his collarbone.
Doing her best not to disturb anything further, she scurried back to the bar. Fumbling with her keys, she managed to get inside and lock the door again. Heart racing, she called the police.
So much for going home and putting up her feet.
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