Free Colleen Coble by Rosemary Cottage

this. When it’s all over, we’ll take a nice trip to Jamaica, and I’ll make it up to you.”
    His smooth voice always got past her defenses. She still remembered the first time she’d seen him. He was thirty-two, tooold for her according to her dad, but that just made him more appealing. He reminded her of Ewan McGregor, and his blue eyes seemed to see the real person she was underneath. He’d flirted with her and bought her flowers that day in Atlantic City. They’d struck up an e-mail friendship that soon became more.
    Was he ever going to marry her? She didn’t know, but she’d do anything for him, and this trip was all about proving it. “I love you. I wish you could have come with me.”
    “I love you too, honey. We’ll be together soon. Be careful and keep me posted.”
    Her lips curved. “I will.”
    Still smiling, she ended the call. He wouldn’t have called to check on her if he didn’t love her. And he wouldn’t be attending to every detail if he didn’t want to make sure she was safe. He might not be effusive with his words, but his actions showed he cared.
    She dropped her phone back in her purse and went upstairs. Every time she’d been here, Amy was around. Heather liked digging into people’s pasts, and Amy hadn’t revealed much about herself. This was the perfect time to snoop. Looking around the spare bedroom that had belonged to Amy’s dead brother hadn’t revealed much of anything.
    Heather pushed open the door to Amy’s room and stepped inside. A quilt in blues and white covered the queen bed. The hardwood floors gleamed. The furniture was white too, and the pale blue walls and furnishings were welcoming.
    There were pictures on the wall of her and a man. Heather froze when she recognized the man with his hand on Amy’s shoulder. Ben. The picture showed a loving relationship between them. His fingers curled around the top of her arm, and he was smiling down at her with an indulgent expression. Amy was laughing as she shook water out of her hair.
    Obviously they were close.
    Heather moved from the pictures to the dresser and went through the drawers. She found nothing but clothing, so she moved to the closet. She’d begun to push aside the clothing when she heard a sound and whirled to see Amy standing in the doorway.
    Amy looked more astonished than angry. “What are you doing?”
    “I—I was chilly and didn’t bring a sweater. I looked for you to ask if I could borrow one, but I couldn’t find you.” Heather kept a pleading expression on her face and hoped Amy would buy the explanation.
    The question in Amy’s eyes cleared. “I have several sweaters and zip-up sweatshirts.” She went to the dresser and pulled out the bottom drawer. “I’m happy to loan you one. How about this one? It will look good with your hair and skin.” She held up a pink cardigan.
    Heather loathed the color pink, but she forced a smile to her face. “Perfect.” Though she was anything but cold, she slipped it on. “I thought we were about the same size.” She started for the door, then paused and glanced back at Amy. “Nice picture there on the wall. Who’s the handsome guy?”
    Amy’s smile vanished. “My brother, Ben. He died several months ago.”
    Heather thought she managed to keep the shock out of her expression as she mumbled something about being sorry before escaping to the hall. The man she had known as Ben had a different last name. Maybe Grant could tell her what was going on.

N INE
    W hat do you mean you asked Amy to dinner?” Curtis wanted to bolt back to the Coast Guard cruiser in spite of the enticing aroma in the kitchen. He sniffed. “Beef enchiladas?” He’d know that scent anywhere.
    “I thought I told you yesterday, Curtis.” A huge red apron covered Edith’s shorts and tank. She vigorously tossed the salad ingredients. “I like her.”
    He liked Amy too. That was the whole problem. His gaze landed on Raine, who was putting her doll in its little pink high