Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
I caught Ian’s reflection in the window as he approached me. His Viking garb had been replaced by jeans and a black sweatshirt. Handsome and hunky didn’t do him justice. He has the most gorgeous blue eyes, and his dark hair skims his broad shoulders, add to that his Scottish brogue and an all-around great guy, and I still pinch myself thinking it is all a dream. Only in Amy’s romance novels does something like this happen. Of course, she reminds me that all romance novels have happy endings, and I have to admit I’m kind of counting on that.
Ian’s arms circled my waist as he stopped behind me, the top of my head just about reaching beneath his chin, since he had a good six, maybe seven inches on my five feet four-inch height.
“That crime scene is going to get buried quick with how much snow is falling,” Ian said.
I leaned back against him, glad to be in his arms. “They’ll tent the area and continue working for now. The CSU commander will call it if he determines it’s too dangerous to continue,” I said, my dad having explained it all to me after I endlessly pestered him about it when I was young.
Beau hurried into the room, slipping into his down jacket, a knit cap already on his head. “I’m headed over to Amy’s to clear her driveway and sidewalk and her neighbor, Vera’s, as well. She called to let me know that she’d be doing the rest of her day’s appointments by phone. I’m staying there. I’m not leaving her alone with this storm and the chance that her father could drop by.”
“That’s great,” I said relieved. “I was thinking I might have to go there myself.”
“Not necessary, Pepper,” Beau assured. “I’ll keep her safe.”
He sped out the door and got busy cleaning the snow off his SUV while it warmed up.
“That leaves you and me,” Ian said, turning me around in his arms and taking the mug from me to place on a nearby table.
I laughed. “And all the models here. It appears you have a full house.”
“The forest in the winter provides great shots for backdrops and with my company now doing book covers, it really helps as do the photos my sister takes in Scotland.”
“She likes photography?” I asked, knowing only that his sister Esi was twenty-four, nothing more, though I was curious.
“Esi loves it and drawing as well. She’s thrilled to join the business and I’m thrilled to be working with her. I am also beyond thrilled to work on this now—triple—unsolved murder mystery with you.”
“How macabre is it that we find fun in solving murder mysteries?” I asked, cringing at the bizarre thought.
“It’s mysteries in general,” he corrected. “Like me, you cannae let anything go unsolved. You have to know. What surprises me is that you haven’t tried solving this crime that has plagued your da for thirty-five years.”
I grinned. “Who said I haven’t?”
Ian laughed. “I knew it. I knew you could not ignore a murder.”
I kissed his cheek. “You know me so well.”
“That I do, mo ghràdh, and I intend to get to know you even better.”
His lips touched mine and that was it. The man really did know how to kiss. He hit all the right buttons and I melted in his arms.
“What are you doing mugging it out with your boyfriend in front of everyone?”
Leave it to my brother Josh to spoil the moment. I sent him an evil look, which of course he ignored.
“Dad says you need to get home before it gets worse than it already is. I’ll give you a lift.”
Which actually meant, Dad sent him here to take me home.
“I can get home on my own. I’m a big girl now in case you haven’t noticed,” I said.
“That’s debatable,” Josh said with a laugh.
I caught Ian roll his eyes and shake his head. He did know me well.
I was about to argue with my brother when I realized there was a good reason to take him up on the offer… information.
“I’m feeling charitable today, so I’ll let you drive me and Mo home so Dad doesn’t worry, and so you get to brag that you got me to do as Dad intended.”
Josh smiled, victorious. “Come on, Mo, I’ll settle you in the backseat.”
Ian smiled as he helped me into my jacket. “You’re going to get information out of him, aren’t you?”
“I knew you were smarter than my brother.”
“Not smarter, I just know you better,” he said with a wink.
“Are you busy? Can you come over to my place soon? I want to show you what I have so far on the Carson murder case.”
“I have a couple of phone calls and a Zoom meeting, then I’m free for the rest of today.”
“No more photo shoots?” I asked.