Free The Unrelenting Tide (Islands of Intrigue: San Juans - Christian Romantic Suspense) by Lynnette Bonner Page A

before Mrs. Abernathy recovered. “Now don’t be so hasty, girl. I didn’t say I didn’t want the quilt. Only that the quality was a little inferior.” She snorted most inelegantly. “My, a little testy today aren’t we? Hold on while I get your money. I suppose that quilt will have to do for the guest cabin.” She stormed out of the room, mumbling under her breath.
    Devynne grinned and did a little jig, pumping her fist. She twirled around only to see a young man halfway down the great room stairs, staring at her mouth agape.
    Her face heated. “Oh, hello.”
    This must be Mrs. Abernathy’s son. He was usually away at college, but she recalled now that Mrs. Abernathy had said he was coming home for a visit.
    “I know you!” he blurted.
    Devynne glanced behind her to be sure he wasn’t looking at someone else and then a cold chill clenched a fist around her.
    “I thought you were dead!?”
    “Excuse me?” The words emerged tattered and thready. But even as she expressed the question, Devynne knew he’d recognized her.
    He rushed down the last few steps and stopped a few paces away. “ Genesis Expedition? Surf Justice? I was so disappointed when they reported you died after the last shoot of Justice .” He took her in from head to toe, then slapped his thigh. “I knew it couldn’t be true. You’re one of the best actresses ever! You’re Shania Hane, right?”
    Mrs. Abernathy scuttled back into the room, a check flapping in her hands. “Oh Stephan don’t be ridiculous. This is Devynne Lang from The Healing Quilt. Not that silly actress you fawned over for years.” She turned back to Devynne with a roll of her eyes. “He had pictures of that poor young woman plastered all over his room. Even moved to California for a few years in hopes of meeting her, can you believe that?” She snorted and gave her son a derisive look. “Like her security detail would have ever let you get near her.”
    A queasy feeling dropped like a rock into the pit of Devynne’s stomach. She forced herself to meet the young man’s eyes and smile. “Sorry to disappoint. Did you ever…get to meet her?”
    He shook his head. “Came really close a couple times though.”
    “Oh do listen to us go on.” Mrs. Abernathy dismissed the conversation with a swish of her wrist. “There now, here’s a check for the amount we agreed on,” she said as she pressed it into Devynne’s trembling hands.
    Devynne swallowed hard, willing herself to remain steady as she stared at the check not really seeing it.
    He’d had pictures of her all over his walls. Had come to California to meet her. Had gotten close a couple times. She felt sick. Yet, with all the evidence, she’d felt sure they had her stalker in jail.
    “Well, you don’t have to look so shocked.” Mrs. Abernathy snapped.
    “Devynne’s focus zeroed in on the amount of the check.” Never before had Mrs. Abernathy mistakenly paid her extra. “N-No.” Devynne stammered. “No. This is too much, Mrs. Abernathy.”
    The elderly woman waved an elegant dismissal. “No I’m sure you wrote it down wrong. I distinctly remember that being the amount. You take it.”
    “Well,” Devynne, at a loss for words, finally quit staring at the check long enough to say, “Thank you.” She faced the door, forcing one foot in front of the other.
    Mrs. Abernathy squawked. “Well I never! You are going to leave the quilt, aren’t you?”
    “Oh.” Devynne blushed. “Yes. I’m so sorry. Here.”
    As she stepped out the door, Stephan called. “It was nice to meet you!”
    She merely offered a weak wave, unable to say the same to him.
    All the way back to Jackie and Lamar’s place she reminded herself that her stalker was in jail. Carcen had told her she was safe now. But he’d also told her he wanted her to come to him with any concerns. This was something he needed to know. It wasn’t normal for someone to pick up and move three states away just in the hopes of meeting someone they