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    Kauai Killer: A Psychological Suspense Novel
    Kauai Killer: A Psychological Suspense Novel
    Kauai Killer: A Psychological Suspense Novel
    Ebook389 pages5 hours

    Kauai Killer: A Psychological Suspense Novel

    By R. Barri Flowers

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    About this ebook

    Kauai Killer is a psychological suspense novel by award-winning and bestselling crime writer R. Barri Flowers, author of the Hawaii mystery and thriller novels, Seduced to Kill in Kauai, Dead in Kihei, Dead in Pukalani, Murder in Honolulu, Murder of the Hula Dancers, and Murder on Kaanapali Beach, among others.

    When Ian Butler and Suzanna McAllister got married on the breathtaking Hawaiian island of Kauai, it seemed like a match made in heaven. Years later, while living in Providence, Rhode Island, Suzanna found herself haunted by the murder-suicide of her parents when she was a little girl, the result of infidelity. Obsessed with the thought that Ian was also a cheater, Suzanna finally sought counseling to save her marriage and her desire to have a family.

    Ian, thirty-five and a successful stockbroker, loved his gorgeous wife who was three years younger, and wanted nothing more than to see her get past unwarranted fears of infidelity on his part. But after doing a colleague an innocent favor, Ian’s life turns upside down in ways he could never have anticipated in his worst nightmares.

    Suzanna is shot to death in their home and Ian is arrested and charged with her murder, implicated by the victim herself in a 911 call. Though the evidence points toward guilt, a good defense lawyer wins him an acquittal.

    Five years later, Ian has moved to the tranquil island of Kauai, finding the notoriety too much to keep his career going or the life he once cherished with Suzanna. He starts a new career as a writer of financial thrillers and begins a relationship with an attractive artist named Jeri Chen, while keeping his painful past where it belongs.

    Unbeknownst to Ian, Jeri has secrets of her own. With a new identity, she is on the run from a hitman working for a notorious Dallas drug kingpin. She wound up on Kauai, where life was laid-back and people minded their own business.

    Meeting Ian seemed like a dream come true. He was warm and attentive and didn’t ask too many questions or, for that matter, seem too forthcoming about his own history. She preferred it that way--enjoying each other’s company in moving forward and not looking back.

    But the past found a way to catch up to both of them in ways neither could have expected, placing their lives in danger and their future in doubt.

    Kauai Killer will take readers from life on the mainland to the beautiful paradise of Hawaii in a suspenseful psychological drama of love, obsession, vengeance, and murder.

    Bonus material includes a complete psychological suspense thriller short story, “Convinced,” a suspense thriller novella, Killer Connection, and excerpts from mystery thriller novels, Seduced to Kill in Kauai, Dead in Pukalani, Murder in Maui, and Murder in Honolulu.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherR. Barri Flowers
    Release dateSep 24, 2018
    ISBN9780463626566
    Kauai Killer: A Psychological Suspense Novel
    Author

    R. Barri Flowers

    R. Barri Flowers is the award winning author of romantic suspense, mystery, thriller and crime fiction with thirteen Harlequin titles published to date. Chemistry and conflict between the hero and heroine, attention to detail, and incorporating the very latest advances in criminal investigations, are the cornerstones of his crime and thriller fiction. He enjoys travelling around the country and abroad to scope out intriguing settings for future storylines, books, and miniseries.

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      Book preview

      Kauai Killer - R. Barri Flowers

      PART ONE

      KAUAI, HAWAII

      PROLOGUE

      Suzanna clutched the doll in her tiny hands while hiding in the closet. That was where she went for total darkness and to escape into her own little world, away from the tension and constant fighting in the house. It frightened her as to what the outcome might be.

      She tried not to make a sound while peeking through the crack in the closet doors. Her father entered the room. He was tall and handsome in one of the crisp uniforms he wore most days. His slicked back raven hair, parted on one side, had recently sprouted a few gray strands. He had deep green eyes and a cleft in his chin, both of which she had inherited.

      He loosened his tie and was headed toward the closet, but stopped abruptly when her mother entered the room. She was petite and pretty with long, thick black hair and big brown eyes that rarely sparkled these days. Her patterned multicolored dress hung loose over thin arms and legs.

      "Bastard!" Her mother’s voice spat angrily.

      "Yeah, I guess I am," her father uttered matter-of-factly.

      "How could you sleep with that slut?"

      "It just happened. Deal with it." He was unapologetic while rubbing his broad nose.

      Her face contorted into an angry scowl. I trusted you.

      "Maybe you shouldn’t have. Men sleep around all the time. It can’t be helped. This wasn’t the first time and it sure as hell won’t be the last. His tone suggested glee in confessing. Just accept it and we’ll both be a lot happier."

      "Bastard! Her mother snapped again, her lips tightening before she slapped him hard across the face. I hate you for what you’ve done and I’ll be damned if I’m going to stand by and let you humiliate me over and over again—"

      She watched her father run a hand slowly across his jaw. His eyes narrowed menacingly, but he made no effort to strike her mother.

      "I hope that makes you feel better, he said angrily, because it’s the last freebie you’ll ever get. We’re through!"

      "We’ll never be through, her mother snorted. Suzanna will always tie us together."

      "This isn’t about her. He lowered his voice sharply. It’s about us! I’ll always be there for Suzanna, but that’s all you’re going to get from me."

      Suzanna saw hatred in her mother’s darkened face that caused a chill to streak through her. Yet she remained motionless, holding her breath so they couldn’t hear it.

      "I won’t let you leave me," her mother stated firmly.

      "Don’t try and stop me, he warned. I’ve taken all the crap I’m going to from you. Now get the hell out of here before I do something we’ll both regret."

      Her mother wiped away tears from her cheeks and ran from the room.

      Suzanna’s heart was beating like crazy as she tried to assess what she had just heard. Did it mean things were never going to get better between her parents? Was it her fault? What could she do to make them love each other again?

      When the closet door opened, Suzanna took an involuntary step backward while looking up at her father’s hardened face. It seemed to soften as he gazed down at her.

      She wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure what. He too seemed unable to find words.

      There was the sound of feet moving across the hardwood floor behind him and Suzanna watched as her father closed the closet door, as if to protect her from danger.

      She looked through the crack in the doors and saw her mother pointing a shotgun at her father. You’ll never leave me and Suzanna, she shouted. I won’t let you!

      Her father showed no fear. Give me that damned gun, he demanded, stretching his long arm out. And I’ll forget this ever happened.

      Her mother stood her ground and, without uttering another word, fired the gun twice, causing him to fall backward and hard onto the floor. She stood over him and fired one more time, as if for good measure, silencing his gurgling sounds forever.

      Suzanna was more terrified than she had ever been. She put a hand to her mouth, biting back the urge to cry out. Her mother seemed to be looking directly at her, as though the closet doors were open, when she put the gun under her chin and pulled the trigger. She fell immediately to the floor with much of her face and head no longer attached to her body.

      Only then did Suzanna come out of the closet. She screamed hysterically while observing the nearly side-by-side still bodies of her dead parents lying in pools of their own blood.

      CHAPTER ONE

      Ian Butler stood calmly in a light gray satin tuxedo beside his best man and best friend, Timothy O’Keefe, as the moment of truth was about to happen. They were standing on Kauai, Hawaii’s North Shore in the quaint town of Princeville for a beachfront wedding. It was a perfect sunny day, in spite of the forecast for cloudy skies. Twenty-four hours earlier, he had checked out the Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse and the breathtaking Napali Coast in the company of his fiancée, Suzanna McAllister.

      At twenty-eight, it was Ian’s first—and hopefully only—trip down the aisle. Suzanna was three years younger and the complete package including beauty, brains, ambition, and most of all, was completely devoted to him—which hadn’t always been the case for other women he’d been involved with. They had met on a blind date and practically from that moment on had been almost inseparable. Or so it seemed. She couldn’t get enough of him and vice versa. They were in love.

      So when he asked her to marry him three months ago, it came as no surprise when she said yes without hesitation. If there was an instant of reflection on her part, it was probably because her parents were not around to attend the wedding. Or maybe they were in an odd way. Suzanna’s father, Roger McAllister, a Navy officer, had been stationed at a U.S. naval facility on Kauai when tragedy struck. He was shot to death by his Native Hawaiian wife, Alice, who then killed herself, when Suzanna was a child. Left to fill the void were an aunt and godparents.

      It was Suzanna’s wish to return to Kauai for their marriage, as a way to pay homage to her parents in the spirit of Hawaii and to put some closure to that dark period of her life. Ian fully intended to be the loving husband she deserved, while knowing he could never compensate for the absence of her birth parents and whatever they would have brought to the table had they lived long enough to see their daughter walk down the aisle.

      How are you holding up? Timothy asked in a low voice. An attorney, a year older, he sported a short black ponytail and goatee.

      I’m good, Ian responded equably, even as he was starting to feel his heart beat a little faster in anticipation.

      At least one of us is, his buddy half-joked. I’ve been where you are and I was tied up in knots till this thing was over.

      Ian smiled thinly, knowing that Timothy had been married for two years and, by all accounts, was just as happy as that first day of wedded bliss. He could only be so lucky. With Suzanna as his bride, it seemed pretty much a given that the marriage would go on for years to come.

      His pulse raced as he watched her walk toward him. Beside Suzanna was her godfather, Art Reisman. He cupped her arm proudly as they approached. When he released her to join him, Ian grinned broadly while gazing at his lovely bride. She wore a white Hawaiian midi dress and white sandals. There was a red hibiscus flower clipped on the side of her long brunette hair that was twisted into a chignon.

      When she flashed straight white teeth at him, her big green eyes sparkling, Ian nearly melted on the spot. So much for trying to keep it together.

      They read their own heartfelt vows to one another and exchanged rings, before the officiant pronounced them man and wife. This was followed by a lengthy kiss, declarations of love, and the sweet sounds of the traditional Hawaiian Wedding Song, Ke Kali Nei Au.

      As far as Ian was concerned, it didn’t get much better than this. Yet he was counting on the best still to come.

      * * *

      Suzanna Butler—no longer Suzanna McAllister—had waited for this moment all her life. Now it had happened. She had the man of her dreams and would never let him go. Ian Butler, her husband, was everything she wanted. He was devilishly handsome, attentive, sexy, successful, and only had eyes for her. That was definitely a good thing. She couldn’t stomach a bastard like her father. He got what he deserved. But her mother didn’t. She should have had a husband who was faithful and loving till death do them part.

      I’m sorry that you couldn’t see me on my wedding day, Mommy, Suzanna thought sadly as she rested her head on Ian’s shoulder during a matrimonial dance to the song, To You Sweetheart Aloha. She suspected that her mother’s loving spirit was there with her in Hawaii on the happiest day of her life.

      She would do whatever it took to make her marriage work and keep her man happy and always wanting for more. If that wasn’t enough…well, she didn’t even want to think about it for fear of the dark thoughts it might conjure up in her head.

      PART TWO

      PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

      CHAPTER TWO

      Suzanna stood behind the women’s fragrance counter at the department store where she worked part-time in Providence, Rhode Island, observing the customer, a tall, ultra-thin and well-dressed, thirty-something woman with shoulder-length wavy strawberry blonde hair and a perfectly sculptured face. She was trying to decide between Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle and Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue fragrances. Suzanna was certain the woman had had a nose job, cheek implants, and probably collagen injections in her full lips.

      She was the type of woman Suzanna hated. And the type she suspected her husband Ian loved. Or would love to take to bed if the perfect opportunity presented itself.

      But would it?

      As far as she knew, Ian had never cheated on her in seven years of marriage. Or had he simply been clever enough to cover his tracks well like so many deceptive, unfaithful men?

      Her father had clearly been quite adept at covering his tracks. Until his lust got the better of him and he left enough cracks in the lining for her mother to figure things out without trying too hard. It proved to be the death of them, which Suzanna had witnessed to her horror when she was just five years old. Her mother shot them both to death in a jealous rage driven murder-suicide.

      Sometimes Suzanna wondered if she was destined to follow in her parents’ nightmarish footsteps, cursed by birthright to kill and die at an early age due to insecurity, paranoia, and infidelity. Did she have such rage in her? Would Ian let her down by bedding another woman or walking away from their solid marriage, driving her to do the unthinkable?

      She turned away from those disturbing thoughts and refocused on the customer, offering her a fake smile. Tough choice, I think.

      The woman’s face flushed. "Not really. At least not as far as which one suits me. My husband is a different matter. He loves Coco Mademoiselle on me…says it turns him on. But I’d like to tantalize him with something different. Do you know what I mean?"

      Suzanna nodded, thinking of how she rarely wore perfume of any brand, as Ian had told her more than once that he preferred her natural scent to a manufactured one. Would it arouse him more if she were to try a fragrance? Or would it kill the mood before either of them could even initiate something?

      Why don’t you get both of them, Suzanna suggested. "If you open a store charge account now, you can save twenty percent on your purchase. And you’ll save even more by going with a smaller bottle of each. Better yet, if your husband doesn’t like the Light Blue, you can return it for a full refund."

      The woman grinned. You’re a very good saleswoman. I’ll take both fragrances in this size and see what happens.

      As she rung up the purchase, Suzanna felt a sense of relief that the woman was married and seemed happily so. That was one less woman available for Ian.

      Or did it really matter to adulterers whether the woman targeted was married or not once they had their lascivious sights set on her?

      * * *

      By two p.m., Suzanna had finished her shift. She looked forward to going home and making Ian a good dinner. Cooking had never been her specialty, but she had gotten better at it over the years and he seemed reasonably satisfied with her effort and the meals. He hadn’t wanted her to work outside the house, as if it was an affront to his manhood, insisting he could provide for her with his high paying job as a stockbroker. In the early part of their marriage, he’d even refused financial assistance from her well-to-do godparents, wanting to prove he was capable and resourceful enough to keep them afloat.

      Suzanna welcomed this kind of commitment from her husband and the dependence on him she had developed over time as a result. By all accounts he had done well for them with his job and investments, giving her all she wanted in terms of a nice house and other material items. But part of Suzanna still wanted some degree of independence, such as making her own money, no matter how little it was compared to what he brought in. That was something her mother had never known, with the entire burden of providing for their basic needs falling on her father—which he seemed to relish using against her mother whenever it suited his purpose. Suzanna often wondered if things would have turned out differently had her mother worked outside the home and had a life of her own.

      Or had her parents’ cruel destiny been set in stone no matter what—just as hers probably was.

      Ready to get on the freeway and head home, Suzanna decided instead to go to Downcity, the historic center of Providence, where Ian worked. I’ll just pop in to say hello and then leave him alone, she promised herself, tucking strands of her hair behind her ear habitually.

      She drove her red Toyota Camry down Memorial Boulevard, admiring the wonderfully renovated commercial buildings along the way. Soon she turned onto Pine Street and neared the Forrester Building, before entering its parking garage. After parking, she admired her still dazzling wedding ring, the best thing she owned, as it epitomized not only the dream honeymoon she and Ian had enjoyed in Hawaii, but their deep love for each other. That was something she vowed to never turn her back on.

      Suzanna took a quick look in the rearview mirror at her appearance. Her once long and curly dark hair had recently been straightened with added blonde highlights and cut to just above her shoulders for easier management. The cleft in her chin seemed to have lessened with time, which she considered a good thing, as it made her look less like the father who had passed it down to her as if a curse to forever remind her of his sins. That notwithstanding, she thought of herself as pretty with her mother’s high cheeks and otherwise even features, but not as pretty as some of the women who came to buy fragrances, such as the one with obvious cosmetic surgery and sculpted face.

      Or, for that matter, some women Ian worked with, like the new associate at the firm, Lauren Lorimar. With her luscious red hair, dainty nose, and perfect figure, Suzanna could only dream about measuring up to her, even if Ian would likely tell her she had absolutely nothing to fear in the looks department. Or him being tempted by someone so ravishing such as Lauren.

      Wish I could believe that, she told herself with an unhealthy dose of skepticism. Guess I’ll just have to keep trusting that he truly loves me and everything about me and he’ll never leave me for another woman.

      Suzanna put on some lip gloss and headed toward the elevator wearing a merlot printed top, black tapered trousers, and mules. She stepped inside, pressed the button for the sixth floor, and headed up to surprise her husband.

      * * *

      Ian Butler sat coolly at his oversized desk in business attire, his gray eyes staring at the screen of his laptop. Another great day on Wall Street. Meaning another reason to smile for his clients and himself. By and large, he’d done right by them with a nice return on their investments, and had been rewarded in kind through commissions, referrals, and other benefits of working for Quail, Richmond, and Rayburn, Inc., one of the top investment firms in the city. Success hadn’t been a given in his career, as he had to work his way up the ladder like everyone else before he could really shine. But he had stayed the course and refused to let occasional doubt cloud his judgment or resolve.

      Ian gazed through the textured vertical blinds and could see Lauren Lorimar approaching his office. She was a ray of light for the firm as a financial advisor. With a razor-sharp mind and a smoking hot body to match, she was just the type of sexy lady he could imagine taking to bed under different circumstances.

      But he had suppressed such urges for her and other gorgeous and desirable women he had encountered in the workplace. Apart from never wanting to cross the line between business and pleasure—or, for that matter, pleasure even outside the job in terms of hooking up with someone—he was a married man. Since making Suzanna his wife seven years ago in the paradise of Kauai, he’d made a commitment to love, honor, and always be faithful to her.

      He conceded it hadn’t always been easy to stick with the plan, especially with Suzanna’s insecurity, decided lack of confidence in him, and constant need for reassurance. Yet Ian loyally tried hard to earn the trust of the woman he had fallen in love with. She was everything he wanted and he had no desire to jeopardize their relationship—at least where it concerned cheating on her with Lauren or anyone else.

      Suppressing these thoughts, Ian watched as the firm’s newest female employee walked through the door, her long red hair in a French braid. As always, she was dressed provocatively in a low-cut top, form-fitting skirt, and ankle-strap sandals.

      Hey, she uttered in a girlish voice.

      He grinned. Hey.

      * * *

      Lauren Lorimar offered Ian a toothy smile, knowing that it usually made them hers for the taking, assuming she wanted to take them to bed or elsewhere. In this case, the jury was still out. Ian was certainly good looking in the way she defined good looking: wavy dark hair, appealing gray eyes, tall, slender in a solid way, well-dressed, not too old or young, and a tight ass. What was not to like? Well, some would say that he was a married man and should be avoided. Not her. She actually preferred men who were in legal relationships, given that she had no desire to be tied down to a marriage. Or to a man who saw her as marriage and mother material. No way.

      She loved being single and playing the field without any commitments. Was Ian one of those straight and narrow, home by five type married men? Or was he open to occasional straying, as long as the wife wasn’t the wiser?

      Got a sec? she asked him as a conversation starter, while managing to hold the smile.

      He seemed to need to think about it, before saying evenly: Sure. What’s up?

      You tell me, Lauren thought naughtily. Moving closer to his desk, she responded in businesslike fashion: I wanted to pick your brain, since you’re one of the best at the firm, on some recommendations I have for a new client who has some tantalizing assets to invest.

      She could tell he was flattered that she came to him. Good.

      I’d be happy to help, he told her.

      Lauren stepped even closer and talked just enough to get his expert advice in return, which she fully intended to use, before abruptly changing the subject. A few of us are going for drinks after work. Do you want to come?

      Ian squirmed in his high-backed leather chair, as though she was seducing him on the spot. I’d love to, but I can’t. My wife and I have other plans—

      She could tell he was lying. Or at least to the point that such plans could not be broken. But she wouldn’t pry or press the point. Not this time anyway. That said, she wasn’t one to give up easily on something—or someone—she wanted.

      Okay, I understand, she voiced tonelessly. Maybe some other time then…

      Yeah, some other time—

      Lauren fully intended to hold him to that.

      * * *

      Suzanna watched from the office doorway as Lauren leaned over Ian, her ample breasts in his face while talking in a nauseatingly high-pitched voice. She said something about stock quotes and Ian gave a little chuckle that Suzanna interpreted as being less about what Lauren said and more about how she said it, along with her body language.

      That bitch.

      Suzanna fumed. She’d known from the start that Lauren wanted to get in Ian’s pants. Or was it the other way around?

      She cleared her throat just enough to alert them that she was in the room. Lauren shot up straight as though a pole had suddenly been stuck up her ass.

      Hey, honey, Ian said sweetly from his chair and suddenly cocked a brow. What are you doing here?

      Suzanna sucked in a deep breath. Don’t make a scene, she told herself forcefully. She smiled thinly. Just thought I’d drop by on the way home from work to see if there was anything special you wanted for dinner.

      Ian and Lauren exchanged conspiratorial gazes before Suzanna smoothed the wrinkles of her pencil skirt. Thanks for the helpful advice, she told him.

      Anytime, he said with a stiff nod.

      Lauren looked at Suzanna with a disingenuous smile. Nice to see you again, Suzanna.

      Yeah, I bet, she thought contemptuously, picking up the overly strong scent of her perfume. You, too.

      After Lauren left, Suzanna closed the door behind her, then faced Ian while trying hard to remain calm, even if she was seething inside. He had stood up and was approaching her, his long legs moving deliberately through the gray tweed trousers of a suit that fit nicely over his tall, solidly built frame. She looked at his handsome, slightly tanned, oblong face and the neatly trimmed black hair surrounding it. He had recently begun wearing short sideburns that Suzanna still hadn’t decided if she liked or not. The physical attribute that had sold her most on Ian was his arresting eyes—deep gray with brown flecks—and the way they twinkled whenever he smiled honestly, which wasn’t always the case.

      He clutched her shoulders softly and gave her a quick kiss on the mouth as though to assuage his guilt. You could have called.

      Coulda. Shoulda. Woulda, she thought mockingly. I missed you, she told him genuinely. So here I am.

      It’s fine, he said, seeming to give in. As if he had a choice. But you can only stay for a few minutes. I’m really busy right now.

      She rolled her eyes. Yeah, I could see that when I walked in.

      His gaze narrowed and he gave a little sigh. You only saw what you wanted to.

      If you say so. She brushed past him and took a seat in one of the arm chairs in front of his desk. I was thinking we could have steak and scalloped potatoes, maybe some salad, and red wine.

      Ian sat in his desk chair. Whatever you want.

      She wasn’t about to let him off that easily. If you’d like something different, just say so.

      He leaned forward. Look, Suzanna, I’ve got a lot on my plate right now, figuratively speaking, and I’m not in the mood to debate this. I’m good with steak and the rest of it, okay?

      Okay, okay, she agreed readily, wondering why he was so testy. What the hell was he hiding anyway? Or was it hidden in plain view?

      Is there anything else...? His voice thickened petulantly.

      Do you want to get rid of me that badly? Suzanna challenged him.

      Ian’s hardened face eased up and he sat back. I don’t want to get rid of you at all—you know that. I only want to wrap up things here so I can get home to that dinner with you.

      Or you’d rather I leave so that homewrecking bitch can come back in and be all over you again and do who knows what else, she mused.

      She wants you, you know, Suzanna spoke candidly, against her better judgment.

      Who? He played dumb.

      Seriously? she thought, and responded bluntly: Lauren.

      He frowned. That’s ridiculous.

      Is it? I’m not blind, Ian. I just wish you weren’t.

      He shook his head in a manner intended to dismiss her point of view entirely. Look, whatever you’ve managed to conjure up in that mind of yours, I can assure you it isn’t true. There’s absolutely nothing going on between Lauren and me—insofar as desire either way or acting upon it—and there never will be. We’re professional associates. End of story.

      Suzanna sucked in a deep breath, trying to pull herself together. Maybe I did get carried away over nothing, she thought. Or not. I’m sorry, she told him, and meant it. Sort of.

      Ian stood and walked over to her, resting a hand on her shoulder while gazing down at her with gentle eyes. Don’t you know by now just how much I love you?

      Suzanna felt guilty for jumping to conclusions and badgering him and exhibiting her insecurities. She would try to make it up to him tonight with dinner and, more importantly, afterward.

      Yes, I know, she told him. But sometimes I just can’t help myself with these suspicions. I promise I’ll try to do better.

      He ran his hand along the side of her face, warming to his touch. Suzanna, you’re not your mother and I’m sure as hell not your father. The sooner you come to realize that, the sooner we can live our lives together happily and without unwarranted suspicions…

      She felt like crying. The legacy her parents had left her was admittedly hard to overcome. Yet overcome she must or risk losing the only man she had ever loved.

      She stood, fighting back the tears. I’ll let you get back to work now.

      Ian wrapped his sturdy arms around her. I do love you, he reiterated. Things are going to be fine between us. All I ask is that you trust me, as I do you.

      I will, she promised while trying to read between the lines.

      He kissed her on the cheek like a friend and grinned thoughtfully. See you when I get home.

      CHAPTER THREE

      They had purchased the 1930s renovated eastside two-story, four-bedroom Dutch Colonial on tree-lined Woodbury Street three years ago. Retaining much of its original architecture and old-world splendor with an open concept design, updated gourmet kitchen, and spacious living-dining room, Suzanna considered the place their dream home. She and Ian had put their own stamp on it with amazing eco and contemporary furnishings mixed with a few antique pieces they had picked up here and there.

      For Suzanna, perhaps the only thing lacking were

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