Paige Tyler’s Dallas Fire and Rescue Kindle World just had a new launch!! I wrote a sequel to my January release, Dallas Hot, and it’s titled Dallas Hit! Both are crossovers between my Fab Five series and Paige’s Dallas Fire and Rescue series.
I am thrilled to be a part of this new launch with these awesome authors, Aliyah Burke, Heather Long, Irish Winters, Ripley Proserpina, Megan Mitcham, Donna Michaels, Delilah Devlin, Rachel Naquin and Kandi Silvers. Check out all the books in the Dallas Fire and Rescue world here: www.paigetylertheauthor.com/BooksDallasFireandRescueKindleWorld.html
Buy Link for Dallas Hit: https://www.amazon.com/Dallas-Fire-Rescue-Kindle-Novella-ebooks/dp/B071S1Q941/
Want to know a bit about my story?
Blurb:
Beth O’Grady survived the ultimate betrayal, only to find herself the target of a stalker who is out to destroy her.
Colin Sutherland is the undercover Dallas cop who saved her life once before. Now that they are building a relationship, will he be able to stop the stalker before it’s too late or is he a little too close to the situation?
And who is behind the notes, phone calls and text messages? When her twin sister, Mary Kate, and her new husband, Braydon, become the first example of the seriousness of the situation, Colin decides to step up the security by moving Beth into his house. The stalker, however, is one step ahead of him…
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Beth O’Grady stepped back and admired her masterpiece. She sighed deeply and smiled. Perfect!
Her mother, petite and perky Chloe O’Grady, walked in and gasped. “Oh, Beth, it’s beautiful! Mary Kate will be so pleased.”
“Do you really think so? I want it to be everything she always dreamed of.”
“I am absolutely positive she will love it, sweetie. Ah, here she is now, you can ask her yourself.”
“What are you going to ask me, sis?” Mary Kate, Beth’s twin sister, asked with a giggle as she entered the kitchen of the family’s upscale Dallas restaurant.
“See for yourself,” Beth said as she pointed to the seven-layer wedding cake she had just lovingly baked and decorated. In fact, she had spent the entire morning crafting the perfect cake for her sister and her fiancée, Braydon Butler.
Mary Kate, or M.K. as she was known to family and friends, stepped back, her face full of awe. “Oh, my. Oh, my.” She turned to her twin.
“Uh oh, is that a good ‘oh, my’ or a bad ‘oh my?’ Beth asked worriedly.
She needn’t have been concerned, which she quickly learned when her sister grabbed her and gave her a big old sisterly hug.
“It’s wonderful, sis. It amazes me how much talent you have.”
Beth grinned and pointed to their mother. “Everything I know, I learned from the master.”
Chloe O’Grady blushed at the compliment. “Thank you, my sweet girl; I may have taught you to cook and bake but you possess a passion for it.”
“Yeah, I missed out on that particular part of the gene pool, it seems,” M.K. said with a sigh.
“Hush now! Not everyone is cut out to be a chef or baker. You have your own special talents. You help people every day in your job as a fire investigator,” Chloe said.
“She’s right, you know,” Beth added as she gave her sister another hug.
“What’s on your agenda today?” their mother asked as M.K. poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down on one of the stools in the kitchen.
“My leave time officially starts today so I’m planning to do some last-minute shopping for the wedding and for our trip afterward.”
“Would you like some company?” Chloe asked.
“Actually, Mom, that’s why I stopped by. I know Beth is working all day but I thought you might be able to sneak out for a few hours. I’d really like some time with you before everything gets hectic with last minute wedding craziness.”
“How can I turn down an offer like that?” her mother asked. “Give me a few minutes to wrap up some things in my office and I’ll be ready to go.”
“Take your time. I’ll sit with Beth and drink my coffee and chat while she works.”
When she was certain their mother was out of earshot, Mary Kate asked her sister quietly, “Anything else weird happen lately? Any more phone calls or mysterious notes on your car?”
Beth glanced over at her before replying. “No, not since the two notes a few weeks ago. And there was only one strange phone call, which could have been a wrong number.”
“Still, I want you to be aware of your surroundings at all times. That scuzball ex of yours probably has connections. He could be arranging for you to be stalked, even from inside prison.”
“Sis, I really think you are overreacting. I know, with everything that went down last year, you are worried for me. I honestly don’t think Dalton is doing any such thing. And, if you are thinking of his dad, you know he knew nothing of his wayward son’s plans.”
“So he says,” her sister said with a frown. “I still don’t know if I believe that story.”
“Well, he’d be pretty despicable if he allowed his son to take the full rap for the fire.”
“And your point?” Mary Kate asked. It was obvious she didn’t trust father or son.
“Look, sis, let’s not get into that whole mess now, okay? Your wedding to Mr. Dallas Hot Fireman is only a few days away. We should be concentrating on that and enjoying every second of the frenzy.”
Her twin sniggered. “Ah, Braydon still blushes every time one of us refers to him by that nickname. I really had no idea when you first referred to him that way in my hospital room, I would end up marrying him. I thought he was the biggest playboy ever.”
“If I remember correctly, he thought you were a rich society girl, stuck up snob.”
“Luckily, we were both wrong,” Mary Kate said wistfully as she poured another cup of coffee and helped herself to a Danish.
“I’m glad you’re finally happy. It took a while to get your life together but, now, it’s perfect. You’ve found the best job for you and the hottest, sweetest guy.”
“You make it sound like I was lost before. I was doing fine, being single and working here until the right career caught my attention. As for the hot, sweet guy, that was never supposed to happen. At least, not at the time it did.”
“But aren’t you glad it did?” Beth asked.
Mary Kate smiled and took a sip of her drink.
* * *
Chloe breezed back into the room, accompanied by her sister-in-law, Katy. “I’m ready when you are, honey,” she said.
“I came down to say hello to my beautiful nieces,” Katy added.
“Aunt Katy, would you like to come with us to the mall today? You have such good taste, and I know we will have a blast together, the three of us,” Mary Kate said.
“Oh, I don’t want to intrude on the mother and daughter time,” Katy said.
“Nonsense, you know you are always welcome. She’s right, it’ll be fun,” Chloe was quick to reply.
“Well, if you’re sure I’m not butting in, I’d love nothing more,” Katy said. “Let me run back to my office and grab my purse.”
“Beth, I’m sorry you can’t go,” Mary Kate said, looking at her sister who was busy putting together a lunch order.
“It would be fun but I will be able to spend the next few days with you. Today is my last day on the schedule until after the wedding. You guys enjoy. You and I will do something tomorrow.”
Katy returned and the three O’Grady women said their goodbyes to Beth and the rest of the staff before starting out on their shopping adventure.
Mary Kate suggested one of the better malls and Chloe offered to drive. They piled into her SUV and, soon, they were getting out of the vehicle in the parking lot and walking into the mall. The first stop was a jewelry shop, where Mary Kate purchased gifts for her bridesmaids. After that, they went into one of the boutiques and, with the help of her mother and aunt, she chose two new outfits for her wedding trip. After that, she found two adorable bikinis. Then, they decided to break for lunch before hitting the Victoria’s Secret store.
After they were seated in a booth at a chain restaurant in the mall, Chloe said, “You’ve done well so far. I love that turquoise outfit you chose.”
“Do you know where you are going or is it a surprise?” Katy asked.
The server came by to take their drink orders just then. When she had gone, Mary Kate answered her aunt’s question. “We are going to South Padre Island for a week.”
“Oh, that’s one of Ryan’s and my favorite spots. You’ll enjoy it, I’m sure,” Katy replied with a smile.
“Yes, it is lovely there,” Chloe agreed.
Each of them ordered a salad and the conversation revolved around the wedding for the rest of the next hour. When they finally decided it was time to move on, Katy offered to treat her sister-in-law and niece. “Lunch is on me. I’m so glad you included me today.”
“Thank you, Katy, that’s so sweet,” Chloe said.
“Yes, Aunt Katy, I’m glad you were able to join us. I told you we would have fun.”
Victoria’s Secret was their next stop. Mary Kate blushed profusely when her aunt chose a racy little red lace teddy for her. Her mother’s pick was a tiny bit more demure, in pink, but still very sexy. After deciding on a white negligee and a black lace short gown, Mary Kate decided the four new lingerie items were enough. She paid for her purchases and joined her mother and aunt.
“Where to now?” Chloe asked.
“I think I’m finished, unless one of you would like to go to another store.”
“I’m good,” Katy said.
“I am, too. I finished my shopping for the wedding last week,” Chloe said.
“I should get back to the office to finish some paperwork today. I want to devote tomorrow to decorating for the rehearsal dinner and, of course, Saturday morning to the reception,” Katy said.
“I’ll help you,” Chloe said.
“I can help, too,” Mary Kate said. “I know you will make it the most beautiful reception ever. The party room at the restaurant is the perfect place.”
“What else do you need to take care of? Is there anything I can do to help?” Chloe asked as they got back into the SUV.
“I just need to follow up with the florist and photographer to make sure everything is set. Since the restaurant is catering, Beth will take care of that.” Mary Kate seemed calm for a girl about to be married.
“You’ve picked up the dresses?” her mother asked.
“Beth and I will do that tomorrow. We had our final fittings last Saturday.”
“Sounds like you have everything under control,” her aunt remarked.
“I hope I haven’t forgotten anything but I think we’re good. I’ve had a lot of help.”
“Is Braydon working today?” Chloe asked.
“Yes, his leave begins in the morning. He has a list of things to take care of, too.” Mary Kate giggled. “He was going over it all last night with me.”
They reached the restaurant and said their goodbyes, Chloe and Katy returning to their offices and Mary Kate heading to the kitchen to speak to her sister.
But when she entered the room, Beth was nowhere to be seen. She asked one of the other chefs where she was.
He nodded toward the employee lounge. “She got a phone call and seemed upset. She’s in there, taking a break.”
Mary Kate wasted no time in getting to her sister. When she opened the door to the lounge, she shuddered. It hadn’t been all that long ago that her life had hung in the balance in that very room, or rather, the employee lounge that had been there before the fire that had destroyed her family’s restaurant. If Dallas firefighter, Braydon Butler, hadn’t rescued her, things would have turned out very differently, indeed.
Right now, though, her attentions needed to be focused on her sister, who had also nearly lost her life to the same madman who had set fire to the restaurant, her fiancée at the time, Dalton Raymond.
She found Beth curled up in a ball on the window seat, sobbing.
“Beth, what is it?” she said softly as she crossed the room and sat down next to her sister. She wrapped her arms around her.
“It h-happened again,” Beth said between sobs. “Another c-call.”
“Male or female?” Mary Kate asked.
“It was a man. He said, ‘I know what you did and you will pay.’ Oh, M. K., what did I do? I have no idea what he is talking about.”
“I don’t think you did anything. I still think this has something to do with the whole Dalton fiasco. I think either Dalton or his dad or someone who works for them is harassing you, blaming you for his being found guilty.”
“He was sent to a prison for the mentally ill. That wasn’t my fault. He was proven guilty and he admitted setting the fire. He also threatened to kill me. His own dad heard him say it, as well as the police officers who were at the scene. Colin saw it all through the window, too. He saw that I was tied to a chair and that Dalton had a gun.”
“I know that and you know that, but Dalton is nuts. His dad is a powerful man.”
“His dad made restitution for all the damage. Why would he hire someone to harass me now?”
“Revenge, who knows? Have you told Colin any of this?”
“N-no, not yet.”
“I think it’s high time you did. Please, Beth, talk to him. Tell him about the phone calls and the notes. I don’t want to leave town on my wedding trip worried about your safety.”
“I am meeting him for dinner tonight. I promise to tell him then. I don’t want you to worry about me. This is your special time with Braydon and nothing should mar it.”
“How can I not worry, after all we both went through in the last year?”
Beth shook her head. “It never seems to end. We both thought we got our happy endings—you, with Braydon, and me, with Colin. Now, I just don’t know about that.”
“Oh, honey, Colin is your destiny. Never doubt that. Just tell him, so he can protect you. He is an undercover cop, after all. He can surely arrange for some sort of extra protection.”
“I will tell him. This last call has really unnerved me. I tried to pass this off as a prank of some sort, but now, I’m not so sure.”
“You need to take it seriously. Now, how much longer until your shift ends?”
Beth looked at the clock on the wall. “Actually, I need to get back out there and finish something; then, I can leave.”
“Go splash water on your face. I’ll wait for you and walk you to your car. I’m not doing anything tonight since Braydon is on duty until the morning. I’ll stay with you at home until either Mom or Dad or Colin shows up. I will most likely stay in tonight, anyway.”
“Thanks, sis. I won’t be long.” Beth freshened up and returned to the kitchen, leaving her twin to worry about her.
Seeking extra protection, Mary Kate left the lounge and found their cousin, Alex. Alex was Katy’s son and the general manager of the restaurant.
“Hey, cuz, do you have the pre-wedding jitters yet?” he asked as she approached him.
She smiled. “Not pre-wedding but other jitters. Can we talk in private for a minute?”
“Sure, what’s up?” Alex asked as he led her into the private dining room and sat down.
“Promise you won’t say anything to anyone else just yet. Not your mom or Ryan or my parents, you have to promise.”
“Okay,” her cousin replied hesitantly.
She quickly explained to him about the calls and notes Beth had been receiving.
“Wow, just wow. I thought this was all behind us. What do you need me to do? You know I’d do anything for either of you girls.”
“Beth will be off duty in a few minutes. I’d like you to walk both of us out to our cars when we leave. I’m going to follow her home and stay there with her. She’s having dinner with Colin tonight and she’s promised me that she’ll tell him all about this.”
“You mean she hasn’t told him yet?” Alex asked in surprise.
M.K. shook her head. “Apparently not yet. I think I’m the only person she’s confided in. She didn’t want to upset Mom and Dad right before the wedding, I think. She also thought it was nothing more than a prank until today’s phone call.”
“I will do that and I’ll make sure, from now on, she always has an escort. Although, I imagine when Colin hears this, he’ll arrange for around the clock protection for her.”
“That’s my hope. I’ve been encouraging her to tell him.”
“We’d probably better get out there; she’s probably looking for you. Her shift should have ended five minutes ago,” Alex said as he looked at his cell phone.
They walked out of the private dining room together and, sure enough, Beth was looking for her.”
“Oh, there you are. I couldn’t find you. Hi, Alex.”
“Hi, Beth. Are you ready to go? I’m going to walk out to the parking lot with the two of you,” he informed her.
Beth looked from one to the other. “You filled him in?” she asked.
“Yes, I thought it was necessary but I’ve sworn him to secrecy,” her sister replied.
“It’s okay, Beth. I’ll keep your secret, as long as you tell Colin tonight, at dinner,” Alex said.
“I’ve already promised M.K. I would. Thank you, Alex.”
The three of them walked outside into the late afternoon Texas sunshine. Alex looked around to make sure no one suspicious was around before allowing the girls to proceed to their cars. He walked Beth to hers and made sure she was securely buckled in and the doors to her vehicle locked before he escorted M.K. to hers and did the same. He leaned down and told Mary Kate, “Call me when you get to the house.”
“I will,” she replied as she rolled up the window and waved to her sister to leave first. She followed Beth out of the parking lot and all the way to their parents’ house, where both girls still lived.
Safely inside the house with the doors locked, she phoned Alex to let him know they had arrived. Turning to Beth, she said, “You need to take a load off. Go take a hot bath and relax. I’ll brew some of that herbal tea you like and we’ll have a cup when you come back down.”
“Thank you, sis. I hate that this is happening two days before your wedding but I love that you’re taking care of me. I’ll be back down soon.”
Mary Kate watched her sister walk slowly up the stairs, shoulders slumped. She sighed as she headed for the kitchen. She was going to get to the bottom of this. No one terrorized her sister and got by with it.
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