Clues of the Heart: Baytown Boys Series Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Clues of the Heart

  Baytown Boys Series

  Maryann Jordan

  Contents

  Title page

  Copyright

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Clues of the Heart

  Baytown Boys Series

  By

  Maryann Jordan

  Clues of the Heart (Baytown Boys)

  Copyright 2017 Maryann Jordan

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law.

  If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, then you are reading an illegal pirated copy. If you would be concerned about working for no pay, then please respect the author’s work! Make sure that you are only reading a copy that has been officially released by the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Design by: Becky McGraw

  Editor: Shannon Brandee Eversoll

  Proofreader: Myckel Anne Phillips

  ISBN: 978-0-9984832-9-0

  Dedication

  My husband worked for many years as a Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Public Accountant, Forensic Accountant, and Investigator. While his job was very different from Gareth and Katelyn’s, he was dedicated to finding the truth, catching criminals, and serving justice.

  He is my biggest fan, my staunchest supporter, and the one I go to when I have research questions. And last, but not least…the love of my life.

  Author’s Note

  I have lived in numerous states as well as overseas, but for the last twenty years have called Virginia my home. All my stories take place in this wonderful commonwealth, but I choose to use fictional city names with some geographical accuracies.

  These fictionally named cities allow me to use my creativity and not feel constricted by attempting to accurately portray the areas.

  It is my hope that my readers will allow me this creative license and understand my fictional world.

  I also do quite a bit of research on my books and try to write on subjects with accuracy. There will always be points where creative license will be used to create scenes or plots.

  Four years ago, my husband and I discovered the Eastern Shore of Virginia and fell in love with the area. The mostly rural strip of land forming the peninsula originating from Maryland, has managed to stay non-commercialized. The quiet, private area full of quaint towns captured our hearts and we rushed to buy a little place there.

  It has become our retreat when we need to leave the hustle and bustle of our lives. I gather ideas, create characters, and spend time writing when not walking on the beach collecting sea glass.

  Don’t miss any news about new releases! Sign up for my Newsletter

  Other Books by Maryann Jordan

  Alvarez Security

  Gabe

  Tony

  Vinny

  Jobe

  Love’s Series

  Love’s Taming

  Love’s Tempting

  Love’s Trusting

  Saints Protection & Investigations

  (an elite group, assigned to the cases no one else wants…or can solve)

  Serial Love

  Healing Love

  Revealing Love

  Seeing Love

  Honor Love

  Sacrifice Love

  Protecting Love

  Remember Love

  Discover Love

  Surviving Love

  The Baytown Boys Series

  Coming Home

  Just One More Chance

  Letters From Home

  Class of Love

  Freedom of Love

  Bond of Love

  The Fairfield Series

  (small town detectives and the women they love)

  Laurie’s Time

  Carol’s Image

  Emma’s Home

  Fireworks Over Fairfield

  Please take the time to leave a review of this book (on Goodreads, Amazon).

  Feel free to contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!

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  Email

  Website

  Chapter One

  A brisk breeze blew off the Chesapeake Bay, causing her to shiver as it tossed a few strands of black hair about her face that had escaped the knit cap pulled down over her ears. The dark night provided plenty of shadows for her to hide in secret. But Katelyn MacFarlane only had one thought at the moment…my ass hurts!

  The gnarled limbs of the tree were sturdy and she had spent plenty time during her childhood climbing up them with her gang of playmates. The boys had created a clubhouse and declared it a no-girl zone, but she quickly learned that by climbing nearby trees, she could spy on what they were doing and then report back to her girlfriends.

  But, at twenty-eight years old, it had been a long time since she had attempted to climb a tree, much less sit in one. For a moment, she wondered about the folly of what she was trying to accomplish. Sighing, she pinched her lips tightly together. I told her I would help and that’s what I’m going to do!

  Hoping to find a more comfortable position, she shifted slightly but stopped as the limb underneath creaked. Uncertain if it was due to the wind, her weight, or it was about to break, she halted her movements. Inwardly cursing, she grimaced, determined to c
omplete her task. Reaching up, she tucked a few more strands of hair into her cap, her fingers stiff with cold.

  The homes along the street resembled the rest of the little town. Cottages, most over a hundred years old and refinished to maintain their original glory. Some stately brick houses, standing guard over the neighborhood as they had for years. And all with large front porches to catch the sea breeze blowing from the bay.

  Sliding the binoculars to her eyes, she watched the front of the house. From her perch, she had a view of the street, driveway, the side of the dwelling, and the front porch. Most houses just had street parking, but a few homes had a driveway. Biting her lip, she thought about the back door, aware it was hidden from her view. Spying her car parked down the street, she wondered if she could possibly find out the information she was seeking while sitting in the warm interior. Glancing around, she decided there was no better position than where she was so she hoped whoever went inside would use the front door. Refusing to look at her warm car again, she turned her attention back to the house.

  After thirty minutes, she began to wonder if perhaps her tree-perch lookout was a mistake. The neighborhood was quiet and there was no sight of anyone at home. After another thirty minutes, she began to doubt her sanity at agreeing to play spy.

  Just as she was about to climb down, headlights turned the corner of the town street and, holding her breath, she watched as the vehicle pulled into the driveway. A lone female alighted from the car and made her way to the front door, wobbling on high heels, giggling as she dropped her keys. Finally, she managed to get the door open and staggered inside. A downstairs light came on and then a few minutes later it went off again. Almost instantly an upstairs light came on for about ten minutes before the house was plunged into darkness once more.

  Katelyn sighed heavily at the lack of anything to report other than her ass was numb, her arms and legs were aching, and her nose was cold.

  “You want to tell me what the hell you’re doing up there?” a deep voice came from below.

  Startled, she wobbled on her precarious perch and grabbed another limb for balance. Jerking her head around and down, she grimaced as she saw the man below, casually leaning against the trunk of the tree, one long, muscular legged crossed over the other as he stared up. By the dim light of the street lamp, she could see his face clearly, but it was more difficult to discern his exact expression. It appeared to be part amused, part incredulous, and part pissed. Just what I need! The town’s only private investigator catching me in a tree in the middle of the night, staring up at my ass!

  Embarrassed at her position, she lifted her chin slightly as she tucked a windblown strand of hair behind her ear and attempted to stifle a shiver—from the cold or from him, she was uncertain. Unable to come up with a plausible defense, she went on the offensive. “And just what are you doing here, Gareth? Are you following me? Spying on me?”

  A long, slow smirk formed on Gareth Harrison’s face. He had been in Finn’s Pub with all their friends when he noticed Katelyn had slipped out. Curious, he had followed her to one of the town’s residential streets and watched from a distance as she climbed a tree, staying in the shadows as she used binoculars to watch the house close by.

  “Spying?” he quipped, inclining his head toward the house she had been observing. “I’d say that’s a bit of the pot calling the kettle black, wouldn’t you?”

  Huffing, Katelyn moved her leg to the branch below and began to shimmy down the tree. Suddenly, her progress was halted as the back of her belt became entangled in one of the many branches poking her. Shifting upward did not help and as she reached back to try to pull away the offensive limb, she lost her footing. Yelping as she grabbed the rough-barked trunk, her legs jerked to find purchase.

  Gareth jumped forward hearing the limb creak, his hand reaching up to guide her foot to a more secure resting place. “You comin’ down or what?”

  “I’m stuck!”

  “Where?” he called out.

  “My belt. I can’t move up or down.”

  Hearing the frustration in her voice, he grinned as he said, “Well, since you don’t like me here spying on you, I’ll just head on home. Have a nice evening,” he called out jauntily.

  “Fine…just go. I can get myself untangled,” she bit out, trying to shimmy up and down to loosen her belt. Reaching behind her again, she began pulling at the branches. A chuckle sounded out below her, only serving to make her angrier.

  “Hang on, I’m coming,” he called. Deftly climbing up behind her, he stood on the branch below hers, sliding his hand slowly down her back until it landed on her belt.

  Her breath shallow, she stiffened as his large hand moved down her back toward her ass. Even through the layers of clothing she felt each touch. With his warm breath caressing her neck, she closed her eyes for an instant, unsettled by the closeness of him. Then his hand tugged hard on her belt and she was jolted from her sensuous musings.

  Squirming, she twisted her head around, finding his blue eyes right at the level of hers, his face only a few inches away. Her ready quip died on her lips as she dropped her gaze to his mouth.

  “Now, stop wiggling if you want me to get you untangled.”

  His voice slid over her and the chill from the evening left as warmth replaced her shivers. Irritated at her body’s response to his closeness she looked away, her fingers grasping the tree trunk even tighter as he tugged the back of her pants harder.

  “Okay, you’re loose,” Gareth spoke, his breath next to her ear, but he made no attempt to move. Being so close to her luscious body, he decided to take advantage of the moment, leaning in slightly. Her sweet scent wafted by and he leaned in, filling his nostrils.

  Katelyn closed her eyes for a second, the feel of the muscular wall behind her that was his chest sent tingles throughout her body. Just then another snapping sound from a weak branch jolted her from her desire for him to press his body into hers. “Well, if you’d get out of my tree, then I could be on my way,” she tried to bite out, but her words came out in a breathy rush.

  “Absolutely,” he chuckled. “I didn’t realize this was your tree.” Dropping to the sidewalk, he looked up, wondering what the hell she was doing in the tree in the first place. “Come on,” he lifted his hands to assist as her foot slipped once more.

  With another yelp, she felt her body floundering as Gareth’s hands landed on her ass before sliding firmly up to grasp her waist, easily settling her feet on the sidewalk. Attempting to re-establish some dignity, she tugged on the bottom of her sweater before straightening her cap. Clearing her throat before lifting her gaze to his, she nodded curtly. “Thank you,” she stated primly, as though he had simply opened a door for her.

  She started to walk away, when he reached out and grabbed her arm. “Oh, no, missy. Not so fast.” Seeing her attempt at wide-eyed innocence, he shook his head. “I want to know what you were doing,” and before she could come up with an excuse, he added, “and I want the truth.”

  “Or what?” she asked, her irritation growing into full-blown anger, placing her hands on her hips. “I don’t owe you an explanation!”

  He said nothing, enjoying the view of her squirming at the silence. Her knit cap now sat crooked on her head, more dark hair falling around her face. His eyes raked down her body, noting the dark turtleneck sweater and jeans, both showcasing her assets. His attention, riveted to her body, almost missed the way her eyes cut back to the unlit house she had been watching before moving back to his. Clearing his throat, he continued his glare, hoping intimidation would mask his roving gaze.

  “There’s no sense in pretending,” she admitted, with a little shrug. “I was watching that house.”

  “Why?”

  “I wanted to know if the owner was alone or had someone with her.”

  “Why?”

  Huffing, Katelyn said, “I was looking for a particular someone.”

  “Why?”

  Throwing her hands up, she said, “Are you just
going to keep asking why?”

  “Until you give me a straight and, I might add, a complete answer, then yes,” Gareth replied. He watched the blush stab her already rosy cheeks, the color matching her lips. It was hard to see her blue eyes clearly in the dim light from the street lamps, but he had them memorized. Blue. As blue as the bay on a day full of sunshine. Her hair was tucked up underneath the cap but he knew it normally hung long down her back, the thick, dark tresses waving. His fingers itched to reach out and feel the silky strands. She was not short, but compared to his height of over six feet tall, she would still tuck underneath his chin if his arms wrapped around her. And he wished they were wrapped around her instead of at his side, waiting for an answer. “Katelyn…” he prodded.

  “I wanted to know if Celia was entertaining a particular male visitor. And, since it appears she’s not, I’m going home.”

  Glancing at her small car parked a few spaces away, he nodded as he spoke through tight lips. “Fine. Go home. But then I want you in my office first thing tomorrow morning.” Seeing her about to protest, he added, “Or I’ll go straight to Aiden and Brogan with tales of your late-night shenanigans.”

  The thought of her bossy brothers halted her retort. If they found out what she had been doing, they could easily make her life miserable. Lovable, but overbearing, she wanted them out of her business and if Gareth gave up her secret, her plans would be a lot more difficult. Licking her lips, she countered, “I have to work at the diner tomorrow morning.”