street once and gave a final wave to all the neighbors, causing them to cheer in send-off. Then he looked across the street at me and nodded. We shared good memories between us, but every season had to change eventually. And then he grinned, gave me a quick salute, and got in his Tahoe and backed out of the driveway.
The neighbors were still cheering as he left Sycamore Street for the last time.
Nick squeezed my shoulder and went inside, leaving me to my thoughts on the porch. I wasn’t sure how long I stood there until I saw another car I recognized approaching.
Kate pulled behind my Audi in the driveway. The weather had warmed quite a bit over the last two weeks, but there was still a slight chill in the morning air. She had on boyfriend jeans and black-and-white-striped shirt and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.
“And to what do I owe the pleasure on this beautiful Saturday morning?” I asked. “I thought you and Mike were going to Aruba.”
“We don’t leave until tomorrow,” she said. “I’ll bring you back a seashell necklace.”
“Come on in,” I told her. “We’ve got muffins.”
“No, thanks,” she said. “I don’t want Mrs. Rodriguez to kill me. She’s scary.”
“Nick made an extra batch.”
“You married a smart man,” she said, grabbing a muffin.
Nick came out of the bedroom dressed in jeans and his NAD Squad T-shirt.
“I swear, I think you’re enjoying this,” I said.
“What’s not to like?” he said. “It’s the most entertaining day of my week. Beats the hell out of dead bodies.”
“I guess when you put it that way,” I said.
“What was that I heard about me being the smartest and most good-looking man on the planet?” he asked, kissing me on the top of the head as he went into the kitchen to pour himself and Kate a cup of coffee.
“None for me,” she said. “I can’t stay. I just came to drop these papers off.”
“What papers?” I asked.
“Ask your smart and handsome husband,” she said, putting a thick envelope down on the bar.
Nick looked nervous. And he never looked nervous. But he took the envelope and opened it up, pulling out a thick folder.
“Congratulations,” he said, pushing the folder toward me.
“For what?”
“You’re the proud owner of the McClean Detective Agency,” Nick said.
My mouth dropped open, and I stared at Nick.
“Do you think she’s breathing?” Kate asked.
“I sure hope so,” he said. “That’s a long time to go without taking a breath.”
“Addison,” Kate said, snapping her fingers in front of my face.
“Are you serious?” I asked. “This is a joke, isn’t it?” I looked back and forth between them, and they were both grinning like loons.
“It’s not a joke,” Nick said.
I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“This is the part where you’re supposed to say something,” Nick said. “I can’t tell what’s going on by your expression. Are you mad? Annoyed? Elated? Constipated? Give me a clue.”
I threw myself into Nick’s arms and kissed him with everything I had. I’d never felt so loved in my whole life.
“Why? How?” I asked.
“Because you’re too good at your job and you love it too much to not keep doing it,” Nick said. “You shouldn’t have to choose between something that brings you personal fulfillment and the baby. You’ll do an amazing job as both a businesswoman and a mother. As far as how, I paid Kate a ridiculous amount of money. It was easy after that.”
I couldn’t keep the tears from falling, and I kissed him again.
“That’s my cue to go,” Kate said. “I’ll see myself out.”
“Thanks for believing in me,” I said.
Nick chuckled. “Sweetheart, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there’s no holding you back.”
“Kate was right,” I said. “You are the smartest and most handsome man on the planet.”
He kissed my hand and pulled me toward the bedroom, his eyes laughing. “That kind of talk will get you muffins for life.”
About the Author
Liliana Hart is a New York Times, USAToday, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than sixty titles. After starting her first novel her freshman year of college, she immediately became addicted to writing and knew she’d found what she was meant to do with her life. She has no idea why she majored in music.
Since publishing in June 2011, Liliana has sold more than six-million books. All three of her series have made multiple appearances on the New York Times list.
Liliana can almost always be found at her computer writing, hauling five kids to various activities, or spending time with her husband. She calls Texas home.
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Also by Liliana Hart
Addison Holmes Mystery Series
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Whiskey Sour
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Whiskey, You’re The Devil
Whiskey on the Rocks
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Whiskey and Gunpowder
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Dirty Little Secrets
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Down and Dirty
Dirty Deeds
Dirty Laundry
Dirty Money
A Dirty Job
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The Harley and Davidson Mystery Series
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A Tisket a Casket
I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus
Get Your Murder Running
Deceased and Desist
Malice In Wonderland
Tequila Mockingbird
Gone With the Sin
The MacKenzies of Montana
Dane’s Return
Thomas’s Vow
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MacKenzie Security Series
Seduction and Sapphires
Shadows and Silk
Secrets and Satin
Sins and Scarlet Lace
Sizzle
Crave
Trouble Maker
Scorch
MacKenzie Security Omnibus 1
MacKenzie Security Omnibus 2
The Gravediggers
The Darkest Corner
Gone to Dust
Say No More
Lawmen of Surrender (MacKenzies-1001 Dark Nights)
1001 Dark Nights: Captured in Surrender
1001 Dark Nights: The Promise of Surrender
Sweet Surrender
Dawn of Surrender
The MacKenzie World (read in any order)
Trouble Maker
Bullet Proof
Deep Trouble
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Rush
Spies and Stilettos
Wicked Hot
Hot Witness
Avenged
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Stand Alone Titles
Breath of Fire
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All About Eve
Paradise Disguised
Island Home
The Witching Hour