Crushing On You: Travis and Gabriella (An Emerald Falls Romance, Book One) Read online

  The man’s head jerked in her direction as if she’d startled him.

  Despite the distance, she guessed he was about her age, maybe a little older. Pretty hot too. Was he a realtor? Then again, she didn’t think she had seen him around town.

  He slid a pair of dark sunglasses over his eyes before he nodded in her direction, then he walked toward the car, climbed in, and drove away.

  A little put off by the man’s lack of friendliness, she lifted her eyebrows in disapproval before going back to her studio to continue working.

  Sawyer Cooke couldn’t help it. As he drove, his gaze shot to every car with a driver.

  What if they had found him? They would kill him. No question.

  Trying not to dwell on the situation he was in, he continued driving. The house his friend Paul was letting him stay in suited him fine, but he needed to get a few supplies. He’d left home in such a hurry that all he had were the items he’d been able to throw into a suitcase, plus his laptop. And though Paul’s house was furnished with his late mother’s belongings, there was no food in the place.

  As he drove to the large town nearest Emerald Falls to buy what he needed, he pictured the woman who apparently lived next door to his new home. From where he’d stood on his front porch, her red hair had been unmistakable and her smile had been open and inviting.

  That was an invitation he would just have to pass up. Getting to know the neighbors would only lead to trouble.

  Sawyer frowned.

  It was too bad. She was attractive. But it didn’t matter anyway. She was probably married or had a boyfriend.

  His frown deepened.

  Plus, the more people he meet in this little town, the more danger he might be putting himself in.

  Pushing aside thoughts of the woman who’d greeted him, Sawyer focused on his errand.

  Dangerous Lies Chapter 2

  “Was this puppy your idea or Travis’s?” Amethyst asked Gabby as she sat in Gabby’s living room that afternoon and watched the yellow lab frolic on the rug.

  Gabby laughed. “It was Travis’s idea, but it didn’t take a lot of convincing. After Buttercup’s owner—” She smiled. “I mean, Daisy’s owner, claimed her, I realized I wanted a dog.”

  Amethyst thought about the yellow lab Gabby had recently fostered, a dog who’d been hit by a car and brought in to the clinic where Travis worked as a veterinarian. Once the dog had been ready to leave the clinic, and with the owner being unknown, Gabby had offered to foster her. She’d initially named her Buttercup, but when the owner had been located, it had turned out her name was Daisy.

  Amethyst’s eyebrows rose as she looked around for Gabby’s gray tabby. “What does Sadie think about this new family member?”

  “She’s not too sure, but I think she’s adjusting.”

  “That’s good.” She paused a beat. “So things are going well for you and Travis?”

  Gabby’s smile grew. “Yes. We’ve been getting together several nights a week.” Her smile dimmed. “I can’t believe I almost gave up on him.”

  “The important thing is, you didn’t. And now look at you.”

  Her smile brightened. “I know.” Then her eyebrows pulled together. “What about you?”

  Amethyst didn’t want to get into her lackluster love life. “Business has been awesome. I’m busier than ever.”

  Gabby laughed. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

  With a smirk, Amethyst shook her head. “My focus is on growing my business.” Then the words she’d earlier recalled from her mother filled her mind. “I’m sure my love life will take care of itself.”

  “I’m the last person to give advice, but I just want to see you happy.”

  “That’s because you’re so happy, Gabs. And I’m happy for you.” Even as she thought it, Amethyst wished for her own happily ever after.

  “Thanks.”

  “I think we’re due for another girls’ night out,” Amethyst said.

  “I’d love that.”

  “I’ll see when Chloe and Ashleigh can get together and I’ll let you know.”

  “Perfect.”

  They talked about other things, and when Amethyst got home later that evening, she saw the BMW in the neighbor’s driveway again.

  That was interesting. Maybe the owner rented the house. That would make sense since he was never there. Kind of a waste to let the house sit empty.

  Curious, she decided in the next day or two she would bring over a batch of freshly baked cookies to welcome her new neighbor.

  The next day Amethyst spent the morning working on her custom jewelry orders, but when she stopped to take a break, she went into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. Standing in front of the kitchen window, which looked out over her small backyard, she sipped the cool liquid. After only a moment, movement in the new neighbor’s backyard caught her eye.

  Craning her neck, she peered out the window and tried to see past the fence that separated her yard from the neighbor’s. The fence was six feet high, but even so, she was able to see something happening on the far side of the neighbor’s yard. She focused on the space between the slats. It looked like her neighbor was digging.

  What would he be planting at that time of year? It was mid-October. Then again, they were in California. The temperature in the Central valley wouldn’t drop for a few more weeks.

  Still, she found it odd.

  Lifting her shoulders in a shrug, she finished her drink, then went back to work.

  She would make those cookies later that afternoon. Then she would have an excuse to go next door.

  When the doorbell rang that afternoon, Sawyer’s heart began to pound and his first instinct was to run.

  He had to chill out. If it was them, they wouldn’t bother ringing the doorbell.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Sawyer took a moment to gather himself before going to the door. He looked through the peephole, and when he saw the woman from the house next door, his shoulders slumped in relief. A moment later he pulled the door open.

  “Hello,” the woman said with a friendly smile.

  Her red hair was even more beautiful when he saw it close up, but her hair was only the beginning. Emerald-green eyes sparkled under thick lashes, and when she smiled, Sawyer was immediately captivated.

  Careful, Sawyer. Remember, you’re not here to get to know anyone.

  He pushed a smile onto his mouth. “Hi.” Though he found her stunning, there was no question that he had to keep his distance. Not only did he not want to put anyone else in danger, but if he let people get to know him, that would only increase the chances of him being found by the wrong people. That was a risk he was not willing to take.

  “I’m Amethyst,” she said. Then she gestured toward her house. “I live next door.”

  Not wanting her to think he was the kind of neighbor she could befriend—although in other circumstances he’d want to do more than befriend her—Sawyer decided to keep his answers brief. With a nod, he said, “I’m Justin.” At least that’s what he was going to tell people.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Justin.”

  It sounded strange to hear her call him that, but he would get used to it in time. He had to.

  Amethyst held out the plate of cookies. “Just a little ‘welcome to the neighborhood’ treat.” She waited for Justin to take the cookies she’d just baked, then took a moment to study his face. Strong jaw, nice nose, broad shoulders. Yes, very good-looking. Even more, there was something in his light gray eyes that grabbed her attention.

  What was his story?

  “Thanks,” he said as he took the plate from her outstretched hand.

  “I guess you’re new to Emerald Falls,” she said in an attempt to start a conversation. “Where are you from?”

  Amethyst saw panic slide over his face, but when he smiled a split-second later, she decided it must have been her imagination.

  “I’m kind of in the middle of something,” he said, then he stepped back
and placed his hand on the back of the door. “Thanks for the cookies.”

  When he closed the door in her face, Amethyst was shocked. “You’re welcome,” she murmured. A moment later she turned and walked back to her house as a mixture of irritation and curiosity swept over her.

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  Dangerous Lies

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  Books by Christine Kersey

  Park City Firefighter Romance

  Rescue My Heart

  Hearts On Fire

  Emerald Falls Romance Series

  Crushing On You: Travis and Gabriella (An Emerald Falls Romance, Book One)

  Dangerous Lies: Sawyer and Amethyst (An Emerald Falls Romance, Book Two)

  Searching for Love

  Falling for You (Searching for Love, Book One)

  Finding Reese (Searching for Love, Book Two)

  Surrender My Heart (Searching for Love, Book Three)

  Bring Me Home (Searching for Love, Book Four)

  Lily’s Story

  He Loves Me Not (Lily’s Story, Book 1)

  Don’t Look Back (Lily’s Story, Book 2)

  Love At Last (Lily’s Story, Book 3)

  Life Imperfect (Lily’s Story, Book 4)

  Parallel Trilogy

  Gone (Parallel Trilogy, Book 1)

  Imprisoned (Parallel Trilogy, Book 2)

  Hunted (Parallel Trilogy, Book 3)

  After (a parallel story)

  The Other Morgan (a parallel story)

  Over You Series

  Over You

  Second Chances (sequel to Over You)

  Witness Series

  Witness (Witness, Book 1)

  Retribution (Witness, Book 2)

  Standalone Books

  Suspicions

  No Way Out

  Box Sets

  Parallel Trilogy

  Lily’s Story

  Searching for Love bundle

  About the Author

  Christine has always loved to read, but enjoys writing suspenseful novels as well. She has her own eReader and is not embarrassed to admit that she is a book hoarder. One of Christine's favorite activities is to go camping with her family and read, read, read while enjoying the beauty of nature.

  I love to hear from my readers. You can contact me in any of the following ways:

  @CKerseyWriter

  ChristineKerseyAuthor

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