Secrets Lurking in Pinecrest By T. E. Killian Series Book 2 A Cozy Mystery With A Forest Service Investigator Main Character!

 

Sunday morning in Pinecrest brought a calm serenity, as families made their way to the little church nestled against the backdrop of tall pines and towering mountains. For Mary, it was a cherished routine to attend the service with her best friend Abby. As they entered the church foyer, familiar hymns filled the air coming from speakers on the walls. Mary exchanged warm greetings with familiar faces. The two women took their usual seats, and as they settled in, Mary’s eyes caught something unexpected — Mike, accompanied by his parents, finding seats not too far away. The coincidence brought a gentle smile to Mary’s face. She hadn’t expected to see Mike at church. Yes, she knew his parents were members, but this was the first time she’d seen him there. After the service, as the congregation dispersed, Mary lingered for a moment, scanning the crowd. It didn’t take long for her gaze to find Mike and his parents. With a subtle nod to Abby, she made her way toward them, hoping to catch Mike before he left the church. “Good morning,” Mary greeted, the words carrying the warmth of familiarity. “Mike, I’m glad to see you here this morning.” Mary noticed that Mike’s parents looked at each other, then stepped over to where Abby was standing. Mike’s eyes met hers, a hint of surprise giving way to a welcoming smile. “I guess I’d forgotten that you came here.” Mike’s parents were now exchanging pleasantries with Abby. As conversations flowed seamlessly, they all began making their way into the foyer. Once they were there, Preston met Abby, and they approached Mary and Mike. Abby, always the one to make plans on the spur of the moment, suggested, “Why don’t we all go to The Supper Club for dinner? It’s been a while since we’ve all sat down together.” The idea met with unanimous agreement, and soon, the group made their way to The Supper Club. The bell above the entrance jingled lightly as they stepped inside, greeted by the comforting aroma of home-style meals, which the restaurant always served on Sunday afternoons. In the foyer, as they waited for a table, the four younger people were standing together. “So, what brings you to church today, Mike?” Mary asked, her tone light and curious. Mike chuckled, his eyes reflecting a sense of ease. “Just felt like a good day to be here. Sometimes, it’s nice to step into a quieter space.” Abby chimed in, “Well, we’re glad you joined us. Church, then lunch—it’s like a Pinecrest tradition.” She turned to her fiancé and said, “And, of course, it’s a much more pleasant experience now that Preston is the pastor.” Mike’s parents decided that instead of trying to get a table for six, they took one table and the four younger ones took another table nearby. Seated at a corner table, menus in hand, the group settled into the easy banter that came with years of friendship and community bonds. The conversation flowed seamlessly, blending tales of the week’s events with plans for the upcoming ones. Mike, Mary, Abby, and Preston found themselves in a moment where they set aside the trials of the week for the simplicity of shared company and the comforting clatter of plates and cutlery. The restaurant, with its warm ambience and the comforting aroma associated with it, became a haven for shared stories and laughter. Seated around a corner table were Mary, Mike, Abby, and Preston, their conversations weaving seamlessly between tales of the week’s events and the subtle beauty of Pinecrest life.

Once they finished their meals and laughter echoed, the talk shifted. The air around Mike seemed heavy, a cloud of concern settling in his eyes. Abby, perceptive as always, gently prodded, “What’s on your mind, Mike? You seem a bit troubled.” Mike sighed, glancing briefly at Mary before meeting Abby’s eyes. “It’s my fiancée, Celina. I’m worried about her. She came here Friday and left for home early this morning. I’m afraid she just doesn’t like it here. She was unhappy the whole time she was in Pinecrest.” Abby, always the caring friend, leaned in. “Was she angry when she left?” He hesitated, as if wrestling with unspoken thoughts. “I’m not sure. She said she needed to go home early. She was staying at my parents’ house and before I could get there this morning, she was gone without even saying goodbye.” Preston, the pastor with an innate sense of empathy, spoke softly, “Relationships can be challenging, especially when big changes are involved. Have you talked to her about it?” Mike nodded, his gaze drifting to Mary for a moment before returning to the group. “I tried, but she wouldn’t talk about it. I just want her to be happy, but I don’t know if Pinecrest is the place for her.” As the afternoon progressed, they left The Supper Club, the cool October air greeting them as they stepped outside. Abby and Preston, ever the thoughtful friends, suggested dropping Mary off at her trailer. As they stood outside her door, Abby’s eyes gleamed with a conspiratorial glint. “Mary, spill it. What’s going on between you and Mike?” Mary, surprised, tried to cover it up. “Nothing, really. We’re just friends and you know he’s engaged.” Abby wasn’t buying it. “Come on, Mary. I’ve known you too long to believe that. There’s something more there, isn’t there?” Preston, with a gentle smile, added, “Abby’s right. We’ve seen the way you two look at each other. There’s a connection that doesn’t need words to confirm.” Mary, feeling a bit embarrassed, shrugged. “We’re just friends. But it hurts to know he’s engaged.” Abby, with an arched eyebrow, pressed on. “And if he wasn’t engaged?” Mary hesitated, her thoughts flickering between Mike and Marcus. “It’s complicated, Abby. You know Marcus is interested, and I’m just not sure...” Abby interrupted, “I really don’t think Marcus is the problem. Is he Mary?” Mary nodded, the admission hanging in the air. “He’s a great guy, but it’s just not the same.” Preston, always the wise counselor, offered, “Life is too short to settle for something that doesn’t make your heart race. Maybe it’s time to have an honest conversation with both of them.” As Abby and Preston departed, leaving Mary alone with her thoughts, she didn’t like the lonely feeling that overcame her. The trailer, usually a haven, felt like a confining space. She paced, pondering the tangled threads of her emotions. Marcus was kind, reliable, and interested in her. Yet, whenever her thoughts drifted to a future, it was Mike’s face that emerged. The connection they shared, the unspoken moments — all those thoughts lingered in her heart. As the night came on, Mary sat by the window, watching the shadows play on the quiet streets of Pinecrest. The weight of her feelings and the uncertainty of the path ahead left her restless. The sound of the wind in the pines outside seemed to echo the murmurings of her heart. Marcus, the safe choice, needed her full attention. Mike, engaged and troubled, existed in a realm of unspoken possibilities. In the quiet solitude of her trailer, Mary found herself at a crossroads, torn between the steady rhythm of the familiar and the uncharted melody of something more.

~~~

Mary had held a secret love for Mike since their teens when all of them were part of the same group of students graduating... Mike went on to become a ranger and had moved to a new assigned area where after a number of years, he became engaged to a young woman living there. Mike had returned through the years, as Pinecrest Station was his home base and by then Mary had started working for the Station as dispatcher, and anything else needed. She enjoyed the job...

But her best friend, Ashley was now engaged and both were thinking about just how different it would be once she married--to the new pastor, no less, which meant that she'd be called to be involved even more at church. Ashley knew of Mary's first love, but kept on her, suggesting that she needed to forget him, and start dating more often. And so when she was asked to go to dinner, she went! And enjoyed it... What she didn't know that when Mike came back and saw Mary at the Station, she was quite changed from his memory... In fact, he couldn't stop looking...

Mike was now an investigator and was called on to deal with illegal aspects that were slightly beyond the normal duties of rangers... In fact, when he got back into Pinecrest, he quickly was told to be on the lookout for poachers that had been seen in the area. Mike would be patrolling throughout the forest, based upon reported sightings... He was busy, so he was caught off guard when his fiance came to visit without prior notice. He was living in a trailer, so she had to be hosted at his parents home. There really wasn't any place where she could stay and be happy. Nor was she thrilled to realize that her normal fine dining activities with Mike were at locations where home cooking was the routine... Everybody could tell that she was unhappy; however, Mike had been transferred to Pinecrest and would probably remain for at least 3 years...She ultimately decided that she wasn't willing to share Mike's life if it meant it would be in Pinecrest...Somehow, it didn't bother Mike as much as he thought it would...

And when the first dance of the season came in Pinecrest, it seemed just natural that the "new" foursome, which matched Mary and Mike, was fine for everybody, especially Mary... You know, she never did tell him that she'd been in love with him since she was 15... LOL

So, soon the investigation of poaching gets even more of a problem when there was news that drugs also were being passed through their little town... and Mike as the Forest Service Investigator, was right in the middle of it... And, while he was dealing with all of that, a surprise occurred in Mike's life. His first wife had died and he was awarded total custody for his beautiful daughter... This latter event brought the entire town into the lives of this brand new threesome, resulting in one of the most heartwarming stories that the town had ever celebrated! Enjoy! And, if you liked this story, type in T. E. Killian in the search box in the right column for 3 equally delightful books!

GABixlerReviews

First in Christian Clear Creek Series, Ryan's Ruin, by T. E. Killian is Delightful, Heartwarming and A Little Bit of Murder Mystery...

 

After a mostly sleepless night, Ryan was still planning to go through with it, but he had come up with a plan. He knew his sisters and Margie left the house between nine and nine-thirty on Sunday mornings. Since he wasn’t going to Sunday School, he didn’t have to leave until after ten-thirty. So that would give him plenty of time to get ready after the others left the house. But the question that had really kept him awake for most of the night was why. Why, after all these years, had he agreed to go to church and with Candy at that? And why did he agree so quickly and so easily, too? He didn’t really have answers to any of those questions, even now in the light of day. So, as he sat at the kitchen table drinking one last cup of coffee, he decided not to think about any of that anymore. The others had all breezed through the kitchen numerous times, getting coffee or breakfast. Now, it was about time for them all to leave. 

This was the moment he’d been waiting for. Or was he really dreading it? At any rate, they all trooped through the kitchen and past him and through the garage door. Hazel was in the lead as usual, with Ernestine right behind her and Margie bringing up the rear a little way behind her aunts. Ryan had to laugh at the comical procession they made as they filed past him. His little niece was really maturing. She was at least three inches taller than her aunts now, too. Finally, they were all gone. Now what? Did he really want to go through with this or not? And if so, why? Why did he say he would go to church now when so many had tried to get him to go over the years? Why did he decide to go when a newcomer, an outsider, even a competitor, asked him to? He sat there for a few more minutes and finished his coffee. Then he remembered that he’d decided not to think about any of that anymore. He was going, and that was that. 

But despite that resolve, as he was climbing the stairs to go to his bedroom, the answer to all the questions flying around in his head hit him like a two by four between the eyes. Candy! In spite of his concerns about her coffee shop maybe hurting his business, he liked the woman. No, it was more than that, much more. The fact was, he was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. And that was what was bothering him the most. Wasn’t that reason enough not to go? He kept arguing with himself all through getting dressed and driving out to the church. When he parked in the church parking lot, he noticed that Candy’s son, Connor, was standing on the concrete slab outside the front door, watching him. The kid disappeared inside the building and a moment later, Candy came out and stood there, looking his way. When he didn’t get out right away, she started walking briskly toward him. He jumped out of the truck and they met on the sidewalk leading from the parking lot to the front door. She was beaming at him so much that he almost turned around and hightailed it toward home. But a closer look at her stopped him in his tracks. She was wearing a dark blue dress, and it made her look fantastic, too. Whoa, stop that. “Oh Ryan, I’m so glad you came.” When she smiled at him like that, he knew why he’d come to church for the first time in thirty-five years. 

He didn’t know what to say back at her, so he didn’t. He just walked beside her through the double glass doors and on into the foyer. Of course, Ryan should have known that pushy preacher would be there just waiting to get his hooks into him. He had never really cared much for that preacher. It seemed like the guy was always coming by at his sisters’ urging to try to talk him into going to church. Well, right now, the man looked like he’d just won the lottery. He was beaming from ear to ear and as he walked toward Ryan, his belly jiggled with each step. And of course, his equally obnoxious wife was right behind him, making all kinds of excited sounds, which sounded more like a pigeon to him. That was enough to turn Ryan around and head back home, but he suddenly felt Candy’s light touch on his arm. That stopped him cold. That touch calmed him down and put him in just the right frame of mind to face that preacher and his wife. He was surprised again when neither the preacher nor his wife said a word about it being about time or any such nonsense as that. Instead, Martin Howell shook Ryan’s hand. “Welcome to First Baptist Church Ryan. It’s good to see you here.” His wife came up to him then and tried to pull him into a hug like he was her long-lost relation or something. Well, he let her get half way but that was all. He sure didn’t hug her back, that’s for sure. 

When he chanced to glance at Candy, she had her other hand over her mouth, like she was trying not to laugh right out loud. Well, as he thought about it, though, it was just a tad funny after all. But he wasn’t about to laugh, not here at least. After running the beltline, so to speak, of the pastor and his wife, as well as several of the deacons, Candy was finally able to get him into the big room where they had church. Of course, Ryan had been in the building quite a few times over the years for weddings and funerals. But today, the whole place had an entirely different feel to it. He couldn’t figure out what that difference was, though. Well, he knew it was too good to last. As soon as Candy led him to a row of chairs where her kids and Margie were sitting, his sisters saw him. They were sitting across the aisle with some friends of theirs. But they both let out whoops, jumped up, and rushed over to where he and Candy were. Hazel was in the lead, as usual. She stopped in front of them and grinned up at Ryan. Then she giggled. “I told you so.” With that, she hugged him, then turned to Candy and hugged her, too. He heard her whisper something to Candy that sounded like, “Thank you, Candy.” As was normal for her, Ernestine stood a few feet away, stiff as a board, frowning at him. And when she spoke, he knew he could have predicted exactly what she said if he’d just thought about it. “About time.” With that, they all settled down in their seats. He wound up on the aisle with Candy on his right and the three teenagers on her other side. He looked that way and saw Margie grinning at him. 

He smiled back at her and turned his attention back to Candy, who was talking to him. “The kids usually have a service of their own next door, but the Youth Minister is sick today.” He was thankful that Candy explained everything else to him, as it happened all through the service. Otherwise, he might have been sitting when he should be standing, or vice versa.

All through Sunday School, Candy had been nervous and had kept looking at her watch. She was just so afraid that Ryan wouldn’t come. She realized it had to be hard for him suddenly to come to church after so many years. She kept praying he would indeed come, though. Then, when Sunday School was over, she had sent Connor outside to watch for Ryan. She still wasn’t sure he’d come. But then Connor had come in with a smirk on his face. “He just drove up.” She hadn’t known what to do. Should she wait for him here? Or should she go out to meet him? She tried to look through the glass doors but couldn’t see him from that angle. So, she slipped out to stand just outside the doors. When he sat in his pickup for a minute, she realized he might be getting cold feet, so she headed toward him on the sidewalk. That was when he climbed out of the truck and started toward her. When they grew close, she almost laughed from relief when she saw that smile. He was giving her that crooked smile again. What must he be thinking right now? Whatever it was, she knew somehow, she needed to make him feel comfortable quickly and try to keep him that way. She met him at the beginning of the sidewalk and smiled at him. “Oh Ryan, I’m so glad you came.” 

Earlier in Sunday School, she had explained to Tiffany and Sabrina that she wouldn’t be in the choir that morning and why. They had been so excited that they’d stopped right where they were in a hallway and prayed with her for Ryan. That had touched her so much to have such friends who were so strong in their faith. Now, the service was almost over, and she had been trying to help Ryan to know what was going on at all times and especially what was coming next. She didn’t want him feeling awkward in any way. That was when she looked up into the choir loft and saw that woman who owned the appliance store giving them a dirty look. Oh my. What had she done now? 

As they were standing to leave, she leaned toward Ryan and spoke softly near his ear. “Ryan, is there something between you and Naomi Tidwell?” He turned to her. “No, not really. Why do you ask?” She suppressed a giggle and nodded toward the choir with her head. “She’s giving both of us a rather dirty look right now.” When he looked that way, he groaned. “Oh no! Not now!”

~~~

This novel, Ryan's Ruin, is the first in the Clear Creek Series by T. E. Killian. I found myself smiling almost all through the book. You see, I had already read the next two books, so I knew what the ending was going to be! LOL And, I had already met the man who is named in the story's title--Ryan. I bought all of these at one time and had just started reading the first I came to on my Kindle. However, I would highly recommend you start with the first book and move through the three books in order.

Ryan and his two sisters own a small mid-town cafe which had become somewhat worrisome; he was concerned whether he could meet the costs for keeping the family inherited business in the future. So, while he was pondering what to do, he had a new neighbor move in next to his family home where he and his sisters still lived. His niece who also lived with them saw that there were teens about her age, and she excitedly starting talking to and about them...

It was then that he learned that the teens' mother, Candy, who was also a widow of ten years, was going to open a cafe exactly opposite him on the main street! He was devastated, sure that another cafe would be the ruin of their own business! Worse, she seemed like little miss sunshine, just like his talkative sister, and everybody was welcoming her to her new home and town.

On the other hand, readers will quickly discover that the people in Clear Creek, or most of them, that is, were very kind, welcoming, and, worse, involved in the local Baptist Church! Groaning, he just knew that his two sisters would be hounding him even more to go to church since Candy and her son and daughter were anxious to meet new friends there.

Worse, two of his poker buddies had immediately asked Candy out and, after a while, Ryan even became a little jealous, maybe of their loyalty to him? Or, was it really because Ryan also had noticed Candy's blue eyes, her blond hair, her...everything...

To make matters worse, the arrival of two recently released jailbirds were beginning to hone in on the family who had moved in next door. Hunter, the town's chief of police and also boss for Ryan, who was the town's mayor, had explained that the two brothers had always heard that the older woman who had died and was the owner of the house into which Candy and her family had moved, had a lot of money that she had kept hidden, and safe, within that house!

It wasn't long before the brothers started harassing Candy and even breaking into her home. Hunter knew that somebody had to help guard Candy and her children, but knew he didn't have the staff or time to do it. Given the proximity of their homes, Hunter finally convinced his best friend Ryan to guard the house each night! Ryan set up a camp bed downstairs in a small storage room, but that didn't stop their meeting from time to time as they came or left the house... And, slowly, a relationship developed... along with their mutual backstories that were very similar... But whenever something about the church or praying came up, Candy quickly realized that Ryan's quickly tensed up and pulled away... A great start to a wonderful series.

GABixlerReviews

A Heartwarming Christian Romantic Suspense Novel From T. E. Killian...

 

God has a plan for each of us, and those plans tend to overlap quite a bit sometimes. But the problem is, what’s good for one person may not be good for the next person. See what I mean?” Hunter only nodded. “Well then, does Karrie seem to be permanently damaged by being away from you?” Hunter frowned and thought about that for a moment before shaking his head. “But now you and Karrie are together and maybe even for the long haul this time. Do you see how God has prepared each of you for this very time?” Hunter’s mind was suddenly on overload. He stood and walked around his desk. “Enough! I appreciate you two coming over here and helping but right now, I’ve got to get somewhere alone so I can let loose and empty my mind. But I promise you I’ll think about all the things you’ve told me, just later. Okay?”

~

They entered the foyer of the church and, after greeting Pastor Howell, who met them at the door, Sabrina stood off to the side so she could watch for Hunter. She sure hoped she wouldn’t have to wait long. Already, people were giving her strange looks. Finally, about five minutes later, she saw Hunter’s truck pull into the parking lot. But he didn’t get out right away. Was he going to leave now without even coming in? She was trying to decide if she should go out there or not when his door opened and he stepped out. At first, he just stood there, looking toward the entrance. Then he started walking toward it, but very slowly. Again, she wondered if she should go out to meet him or not. That was when she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Pastor Howell standing there. “He has to do this completely on his own, Sabrina. It’s the only way it’ll work for him.” When she gave him an incredulous look, he chuckled. “I’ve known Hunter for twenty years. He’ll always follow through with what he says he’ll do.” He held up a hand with the palm up to her. “That is as long as no one else interferes with those plans.” He smiled and added. “Just be patient and all of your plans will come about too.” Before she could react in any way to that bomb, he walked to the other end of the foyer just as Hunter stood hesitating on the other side of the door...

~

So, he took a deep breath and stepped past Karrie, out into the aisle. That first step forward was the hardest step he’d ever taken. He’d jumped out of airplanes in the Army and that first step that took him out into the open air had been a scary one, but this one at least rivaled that one. He had only taken one step when he felt movement to his left and looked down to see Karrie at his side, grinning up at him. She mouthed, “Me too!” They took another step, then he felt movement on his right, and there was Sabrina, also grinning up at him. Wow! When they made it up to the preacher, who seemed to know what was going on, Hunter looked at Sabrina and she gave him a sheepish grin. He knew then she must have told the preacher ahead of time. Well, that was good. Maybe this way he wouldn’t have to do so much explaining to the preacher. The preacher held out both hands to Karrie, who took them, and he talked softly to her for a moment, then turned to Hunter. “Are you coming up here to proclaim that you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior Hunter?” Hunter could barely manage a choked ‘yes’ past his clogged throat. He couldn’t take his eyes off his little girl who was so grown up now. The preacher prayed quietly with all of them, then turned his mic back on to address the church. “Brothers and sisters, I would like to introduce to you a new brother and sister in Christ. I’m sure most of you know Hunter Billingsley, our chief of police, but you may not know his daughter Karrie, who has recently come to live with him.” After that, the preacher told everyone about him and Sabrina getting married, then he prayed again, and the service was over. But just as he thought he could breathe a sigh of relief, the whole church descended upon them. Hunter was glad that Sabrina had prepared him for this. The first ones to make it to Hunter were Ryan and Chase, and they were both grinning and pounding him on the back. Finally, it was over and the whole group was sitting down to dinner at Ryan and Candy’s house. As usual, the teenagers were all eating in the living room, leaving the dining room for the adults. Hunter looked around that table and couldn’t keep the grin off his face. Just a year ago, the three men, no make that four men at the table, were all single and planning to stay that way. Now, even Pete and his office manager, Beverly, had just announced a few minutes ago that they were getting married, too. He had quickly looked at Sabrina’s face and knew that she had already known. Her face was simply beaming with joy.

~~~

When someone decides to hear about Jesus and his possible role in their lives, many are as confused about it as was Hunter Billingsley, the police chief of Clear Creek. He was a good man and had been in the position for twenty years. In fact, he had come to Clear Creek to join the police force. Only to have his wife soon take his daughter and leave, divorcing him at some point. It was a difficult time because his ex-wife refused to allow Hunter to have much interaction with his daughter. And, he learned later, that she had filled Karrie's mind with lies about her father, telling her that he had not wanted either of them...

Hunter was in the midst of stopping a bank robbery and dealing with the aftermath while at the local library, a young girl, obviously in distress, came in looking around... Sabrina, the head librarian came and talked with her, taking her into her private office. At that time, she wouldn't say her name and Sabrina quietly talked with her, asking if she was hungry and then providing for her needs. Ultimately, she was to learn that Karrie was Hunter's daughter.

Sabrina had had a few squabbles with Hunter over the years, but she really had never had the chance to get to know him. She could tell, however, that Karrie was not ready to be turned over to her father, even if he was the sheriff. Actually Hunter was relieved. Although he had been thinking more and more about Karrie, he had known that his ex-wife had placed many obstacles between he and Karrie. Surely, he needed to learn more before he could even start to interact with a young teen who he barely knew... 

Sabrina is an interesting character, one that readers will find, little by little, to be an extraordinary woman. She had never married, at 41, and had thought she was content with her life, until her two best friends had both married within a short period of time. It was through those events that Sabrina had gotten to know a little about Hunter, since the two men her best friends married were best friends of Hunter...

Karrie had remember Sabrina from the short time she had been in Clear Creek when she was little. She agreed to go home to stay with her, at least until she could deal with her past and possible future. When her mother's newest husband started touching Karrie inappropriately, she knew she had to leave. On the other hand, from what her mother had told of her father, he was mean and would likely not be willing to have her stay. But she had no place else to go. She had hitchhiked 300 miles and Sabrina knew she needed time to just relax and start to feel better. It was quite some time before she was able to tell Sabrina about what her stepfather had done...

When she did, she was so upset that she called Hunter who then made calls to his lawyer to start action for him to have custody, immediately.

While the family drama is moving forward, Hunter is threatened with a rock thrown through his window with a message "You Will Die..." Hunter had chills going down his back, wondering who and why somebody wanted him dead... Suddenly there was an important reason for Karrie to continue to stay with Sabrina--to ensure her safety... But even that didn't stop the villain as the next rock was thrown where Sabrina and her father, along with Karrie, worked to restore Mustangs. Now Hunter's women were being targeted!

The majority of the book relates to the developing relationships among Hunter, Sabrina, and Karrie and their lives... Reading about Karrie's growth as she lived with those who loved her was truly wonderful. And, once she was more secure, she started being the young teen who she was supposed to be... Truly heartwarming as she helped in molding a new family now based in Christian love. With less than 5% of the book dealing with villain action, the development of a new life for those who fell in love with each other, including Karrie, with her father and her new Mom, Sabrina, is simply too good a book to miss. Do check it out!

GABixlerReviews

Chase's Return: The Clear Creek Series Presented by T. E. Killian

When I need a break from everything, I turn to a cozy mystery, preferably with a cat character... And I found just what I needed with Chase's Return by  T. E. Killian, with a wonderful cat named Garfield!

She’d thought she had loved Bobby, and she’d thought he’d loved her too. But boy was she ever wrong. At least she’d been wrong about Bobby. He couldn’t have loved her, not after the way he’d put off starting a family and then finally how he’d literally run off with another woman. She had to be honest, though. She had loved Bobby. So how could she know if hr love for Chase was strong enough? The words to a song were trying to invade her mind just then. It was an old song, and she was pretty sure that Frank Sinatra had sung it. What was it? She searched her mind and came up with part of the lyrics. ‘Love is lovelier, the second time around.’ That was it. Then she remembered that the title was ‘The Second Time Around.’ After some more thinking, she remembered a little more. ‘With your feet firmly planted on the ground.’ She laughed so loud that Garfield, who was taking a nap on her bed, raised his head to give her one of his looks. Well, she knew she didn’t have her feet firmly planted on the ground this time, either. But she was thinking that this time her love might just be enough to keep the man. Or was it just that Chase was a totally different kind of man than Bobby had been? She hoped and prayed that was the case. 

She started getting ready for her date then. She wanted to look nice for Chase, but couldn’t decide what she should wear. She finally settled on one of her favorites, a dark blue summer dress she knew highlighted her long blond hair perfectly. So, what if it was February? Her coat would keep her warm on the way and the restaurant would be warm once they made it there. She had barely finished and was leaving the bedroom to wait in the living room when the doorbell rang. Once she opened the door, she couldn’t help but notice the look that Chase gave her. That appreciative look made her feel special, even cherished. They both just stood there, staring at each other. He was wearing a dark green long sleeve sweater with tan corduroy slacks. He didn’t look so bad himself. 

Finally, he asked to come in, saying he had something Hunter wanted him to ask her. But as he was going through the open door, he stopped to look at the door facing. His whole body seemed to tense up. “Let’s go sit down for a minute. I have to call Hunter right away.” They both sat on the sofa as he made the call. Tiffany couldn’t tell anything from what Chase said to Hunter on the phone. All she knew was that he was somewhat agitated, and that Hunter was coming right over. 

When he disconnected the phone, Chase looked into her eyes. “As soon as Hunter gets over here, he’ll explain everything to you. Okay?” She only had time to nod her head before Garfield came flying through the air and landed on the sofa cushion between her and Chase. She had totally forgotten about the big cat. She wrapped her arms around his neck just to make sure he didn’t attack Chase. But no, she was almost shocked when all Garfield did was to sit there rather calmly, for him at least, and stare at Chase. She had to smile at the expression on Chase’s face as he stared back at the huge cat. After a long moment like that, Garfield made a strange sound between a growl and a hiccup, curled up on the cushion between them, and purred loudly immediately. In fact, Chase had to move a little to give the ornery cat room to do so. Even so, Garfield seemed to be keeping one eye on Chase. They just made nervous small talk until they heard a car pull up out front. Chase went to the door to let Hunter in. Tiffany wasn’t surprised to see that Frank Slaughter came in behind Hunter. But she was surprised when she realized that Denise Boone wasn’t with them. Frank saw her surprise. “Denise had to go back to Jeff City tonight on some personal business, but she’ll be back in the morning.” 

Chase showed the other two men the door facing that for some reason had caught his eye earlier. After they all examined it, Frank came over to where she sat. “Tiffany, did you know someone has broken into your apartment recently?” She was really shocked then. Her face had to have lost all color. Her apartment? No! “Are you sure?” 

“Yes, I’m afraid so, and I’d say it was done within the last week or so. Have you noticed anything missing or disrupted in any way?” She was shaking her head before he even finished. But then she remembered something. “Oh dear! Yes, come to think of it. When I came home Saturday night, I went into the kitchen to get a drink of water and my knife drawer was halfway open. And I’m sure I didn’t leave it that way.” 

Frank jumped back up out of the chair he’d just sat in. “Would you show me that drawer right now, please?”

~~~

I found this book at Author's Den where I am once again reviewing books for their members... At some point a mention was made of an earlier book, and I knew right away I wanted to read the series--3 book series now in place on my Kindle... This is a book where the characters often pray for each other... Nothing deep or religious in the story--just friends and family caring for each other and acting in faith to support their neighbors... Jesus was indeed welcome in Clear Creek Baptist...

The two main characters are the principal and English teacher, respectively. Chase lost his wife to cancer two years ago, while Tiffany Cameron was divorced, having been devastated when her husband ran off with another teacher... Needless to say that neither had been interested in looking for another mate... It took one hateful person to bring strong feelings from both of them where they began to worry and be concerned about the other. In the end, both realizing just how much they had started to care...

What a lovely romantic story... What horrible villains...

Tiffany was short... That wasn't the problem, however, it was the fact that several larger children were bullies and had chosen Tiffany as one they could easily intimidate... Two women who had tortured Tiffany throughout her school years was now also teachers at the same school... One of them had also recently filed a complaint against Chase, in his role as principal. It was later when she even added that Chase had touched her inappropriately.

Chase had an excellent reputation with most of the town, so that, when she filed the additional charges, Hunter, the local police officer arranged to make the arrest, but he'd also contacted the judge for being freed on his own recognizance. At the same time, Tiffany had her own problem of dealing with her mother having been diagnosed with cancer. Both of these issues began the closer connection between the two as they, separately, tried to deal with their own life situations.

And then, one night, when Tiffany decided to go and visit with her parents, she was rammed by someone driving an old truck. Tiffany was forced off the road and taken to the hospital for a checkup, having a large bump on her head... It was later that the driver of that truck was discovered, murdered... And because of who it was Tiffany had become a prime suspect! But, so was Chase--the woman murdered was the same one who had filed a complaint against the principal!

This is such a heartwarming story. Both Chase and Tiffany were insecure in their respective lives. Chase's wife had died of cancer two years ago, while Tiffany had been jilted by her husband when had had left town with another woman... But they differed in one major way. 

Chase had stopped attending church; he felt that God had not helped when his wife had cancer and died, leaving him and two sons... Tiffany stood firm in her faith, even while her husband deserted her...

And, with the help and support of friends and families on both sides, they moved quickly when they realized just how much they cared for each other... The wedding was set for a month away! But, of course, they'd known each other for ten years... getting to know each other professionally and to some extent personally as situations brought them together.

But would one of them be charged with murder? Soon outside police were called in since the local officers were close to the possible suspects. And they were quite demanding in following the trail to the truth...

Personal events kept occurring for the happy company, as they moved closer together... Until suddenly, there was another murder! And it seemed certain that Tiffany was the next target!

But Garfield Was There to Protect Her!

Cozy and Cat fans are bound to consider this a must-read! It's a cat-as-tro-phe if you miss it! LOL

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