evening stars by susan mallery - chapter sampler

7/27/2019 Evening Stars by Susan Mallery - Chapter Sampler

1/16


2/16

Evenin Sar

i l


3/16

DID YOU PURCHASE THIS BOOK WITHOUT A COVER?If you did, you should be aware it is stolen propertyas it was

reported unsold and destroyed by a retailer.

Neither the author nor the publisher has received any paymentfor this book.

First Published 2014First Australian Paperback Edition 2014ISBN 978 174356526 1

EVENING STARS 2014 by Susan Macias RedmondPhilippine Copyright 2014

Australian Copyright 2014New Zealand Copyright 2014

Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilisation of this work in wholeor in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now knownor hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or inany information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the permissionof the publisher.

This book is sold subject to the condition that shall not, by way of trade orotherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the priorconsent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in whichit is published and without a similar condition including this condition beingimposed on the subsequent purchaser.

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in anyform. This edition is published in arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A..

This is a work of ction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either theproduct of the authors imagination or are used ctitiously, and any resemblanceto actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales isentirely coincidental.

Published byHarlequin Mira

An imprint of Harlequin Enterprises (Aust) Pty Ltd.

Level 4, 132 Arthur StreetNORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060AUSTRALIA

and TM are trademarks of Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its corporateafliates. Trademarks indicated with are registered in Australia, New Zealand,the United States Patent & Trademark Ofce and in other countries.

Printed and bound in Australia by Grifn Press


4/16

Chape On

IN A BATTLE between Betty Boop and multicolored hearts, NinaWentworth decided it was going to be a Betty Boop kind of day. She

pulled the short-sleeved scrub shirt over her head and was already

moving toward the bathroom before the fabric settled over her hips.

Dont be snug, dont be snug, she chanted as she came to a stop

in front of the mirror and reached for her brush.

The shirt settled as it should, with a couple of inches to spare. Ninabreathed a sigh of relief. Last nights incident with three brownies

and a rather large glass of red wine hadnt made a lasting impres-

sion on her hips. She was grateful, and she would repent later on an

elliptical. Or at least vow to eat her brownies one at a time.

Ten seconds of brushing, one minute of braiding and her blond

hair was neat and tidy. She dashed out into the hall, toward the

kitchen where she grabbed her car keys and nearly made it to the back

door. Just as she was reaching for the knob, the house phone rang.

Nina glanced from the clock to the phone. Everyone in her

worldfriends, family, workhad her cell. Very few calls came on

the antiquated landline, and none of them were good news. Nina

retraced her steps and braced herself for disaster.


5/16

SUSAN MALLERY8

Hello?

Hey, Nina. Its Jerry down at Too Good To Be True. I just

opened, and theres a lady here trying to sell a box of crap, ah, stuff.I think its from the store.

Nina closed her eyes as she held in a groan. Let me guess. Early

twenties, red hair with purple streaks and a tattoo of a weird bird

on her neck?

Thats her. Shes glaring at me something fierce. You think shes

armed?I hope not.

Me, too. Jerry didnt sound especially concerned. Whats her

name?

Tanya.

If Nina had more time, she would have collapsed right there on

the f loor. But she had a real job to get to. A job unrelated to the di-saster that was the familys antique store.

You let your mom hire her, huh? Jerry asked.

Yes.

You know better.

That I do. Ill call the police and ask them to pick up Tanya.

Can you keep her there until they get there?Sure thing, kid.

Great. And Ill be by after work to pick up the stuff.

Ill hold it for you, Jerry promised.

Thanks.

Nina hung up and hurried to her car. After her cell connected

to the Bluetooth, she called the local sheriffs department and ex-

plained what happened.

Again? Deputy Sam Payton asked, his voice thick with amuse-

ment. Did you let your mom hire this employee?

Nina carefully backed out of the driveway. Jerrys humor she could

handle. Hed lived here all his lifehe was allowed to tease her. But

Sam was relatively new. He hadnt earned mocking rights.


6/16

EVENING STARS 9

Hey, tax-paying citizen here, reporting a crime, she said.

Yeah, yeah. Im writing it down. Whatd she take?

I didnt ask. Shes at the pawn shop. Too Good To Be True.I know it, Deputy Sam told her. Ill head out and see whats

what.

Thanks.

She hung up before he could offer advice on hiring policies and

turned up the hill. The morning was clearodd for early spring in

the Pacific Northwest. Normally the good weather didnt kick inuntil closer to summer. To the west, blue water sparkled. To the east

was western Washington.

As she climbed higher and higher, the view got better, but when

she parked across from the three Queen Anne houses at the very top

of the hill, pausing to enjoy the spectacular combination of sky and

ocean was the last thing on her mind.She hurried up the steps to the front porch that was both her bosss

home and her office. Dr. Andi, as she was known, was a popular

pediatrician on the island. Make that the onlypediatrician. Shed

moved here a year ago, opened her practice in September and had

been thriving ever since. She was also a newlywed and, as of two

months ago, pregnant.Nina unlocked the front door and stepped inside. She flipped on

lights as she went, confirmed the temperature on the thermostat and

then started the three computers in the front office.

After storing her purse in her locker, she logged in to the sched-

uling program and saw that the first appointment of the day had

canceled. Andi would appreciate the extra time to get herself mov-

ing. She was still battling morning sickness.

Nina did a quick check of her email, forwarded several items to

the bookkeeper/office manager, then walked to the break room for

coffee. Fewer than five minutes after shed arrived, she was climb-

ing the stairs to her bosss private quarters.

Nina knocked once before entering. She found Andi, a tall, pretty


7/16

SUSAN MALLERY10

brunette with curly hair, sitting at the table in the kitchen. Her arms

cradled her head.

Still bad? Nina asked, walking to the cupboard.Hi and yes. Its not that I throw up, its that I feel like Im going

to every single second. She raised her head and drew in a breath.

Are you drinking coffee?

Yes.

I miss coffee. Im a wreck. I need to talk to my parents about my

ancestors. Obviously I dont come from hardy stock.Nina took down a mug, filled it with water and put it in the

microwave. Then she collected a tea bag from the pantry.

Not ginger tea, Andi said with a moan. Please. I hate it.

But it helps.

Id rather feel sick.

Nina raised her eyebrows.Andi slumped in her seat. Im such a failure. Look at me. Im

carrying around a child the size of a lima bean and Im throwing a

hissy fit. Its embarrassing.

And yet the need to act mature doesnt seem to be kicking in.

Andi smiled. Funny how that works.

The microwaved dinged. Nina dropped the tea bag into the steam-ing water and crossed to the table.

The eat-in kitchen was open, with painted cabinets and lots of

granite. The big window by the table took advantage of the east-

facing views in the old house. The mainland shimmered only a few

miles away.

Andi had bought the houseone of three up on the hillwhen

shed moved to Blackberry Island. Undeterred by the broken win-

dows and outdated plumbing, shed had the house restored from

the framework out. During the process, shed fallen in love with her

contractor. Which had led to her current tummy problems.

Your first appointment canceled, Nina told her.

Thank God. Andi sniffed the tea, then wrinkled her nose and


8/16

EVENING STARS 11

took a sip. Its the ginger. If I could have tea without ginger I think

I could get it down.

The thing is, the ginger is the part that settles your stomach.Life is perverse like that. Andi took another sip, then smiled.

I like the shirt.

Nina glanced down at the pattern. Betty and I go way back.

One of the advantages of working for a pediatrician was that cheer-

ful attire was encouraged. She had a collection of brightly colored

fun shirts in her closet. It wasnt high fashion, but it helped the kidssmile and that was what mattered.

I need to get back downstairs, she said. Your first appointment

is now at eight-thirty.

Okay.

Nina rose and started toward the stairs.

Are you busy after work? Andi asked.Nina thought about the fact that she was going to have to go

by the pawn shop and pick up what Tanya had tried to sell, then

spend several hours at Blackberry Preserves, her familys antique

store, figuring out what had been stolen, then tell her mother what

had happened and possibly lecture her on the importance of actu-

ally following up on a potential employees references. Only shedbeen lecturing her mother for as long as she could remember, and

the lessons never seemed to stick. No matter how many times Bon-

nie promised to do better, she never did. Which left Nina picking

up the pieces.

I kind of am. Why?

I havent been to Pilates in a week, Andi said. Its important I

keep exercising. Would you go with me? Its more fun when youre

along.

I cant tonight, but Mondays good.

Andi smiled. Thanks, Nina. Youre the best.

Give me a plaque and Ill believe it.

Ill order one today.


9/16

SUSAN MALLERY12

* * *

Nina counted out the number of happy fruit and vegetable stick-

ers she had. Just enough, but she would have to order more.Since opening her practice, Andi had started a program of in-

viting local elementary school classes into her office as a field trip.

Kids learned about a basic exam, were able to use the stethoscope

and check their weight and height in a nonthreatening atmosphere.

Andis goal was to make a visit to the doctor less stressful.

Nina handled the scheduling and conducted the tour. Each stu-dent left with a small goodie bag filled with the stickers, a small

coloring book on different ways to exercise and a box of crayons.

Normally the gift bags were filled by their receptionist before

the event, but she had forgotten the stickers last time, so Nina had

taken over the task.

She was in the middle of lining up the open goodie bags for quickfilling when her cell phone buzzed. She pulled it from her pocket

and checked the name, then pushed speaker and set it on the break-

room table.

Hi, Mom.

Sweetheart! How are you? Were fine, but you were right, as you

usually are.Nina grabbed crayons from the big bag of them on the chair.

Right about what?

The tires. That we should have replaced them before we left. We

had snow last night.

Nina glanced out the window at the sunny skies. She could see

a few clouds pilling up against the horizon. Rain later that after-

noon, she thought.

Where are you?

Montana. It was coming down like you wouldnt believe. We had

about four inches, and the tires just couldnt handle it. We skidded

off the road. Were fine now. Bertie found a Les Schwab store and

the man there was just as nice as the one back home.


10/16

EVENING STARS 13

Nina sank onto the only free chair in the break room. You were

in a car accident?

No. We skidded. Not to worry. Were fine. The new tires are verynice. We went to several estate sales and more antique stores than

I can count. Were filling the van with so many beautiful things.

Youre going to love what weve found.

She kept talking. Nina closed her eyes and rubbed her temples,

telling herself that her commitment to eat her brownies one at a time

had not made any reference to wine, and when she got home thatnight, she was taking a bath and having a glass. Then shed have

her breakdown.

Bonnie Wentworth had given birth to her oldest at sixteen. She

hadnt settled down when shed become a mother, and she sure wasnt

settled now. Bonnie and her partner, Bertie, traveled the country on

buying trips for their antique store. Antique being defined veryloosely in this case. Junk was probably more accurate, but even Nina

avoided the j word as much as possible.

She drew in a breath as her mother talked about a handmade doll

Bertie had found.

Mom, Tanya was caught trying to sell inventory to Jerry this

morning.Bonnie paused. No, she said, sounding stunned. I dont be-

lieve it.

Nina resisted the need to point out that Bonnie never believing

it was the main problem.

This is why I want to do the interviewing. Or, if not me, then

at least let Bertie do it.

Are you sure she wasnt selling something of her own? Bonnie

asked. She seemed like such a nice girl. I hate to think of her doing

something like that.

Me, too. You know this means the stores closed. Again.

There was silence. Do you want us to come back? We could be

there in a couple of days.


11/16

SUSAN MALLERY14

No. Ill find someone.

Nina knew that if she asked, her mother would come home and

run the store while they found someone. But then Nina would feelguilty, like she did now. And for the life of her, she couldnt figure

out why.

Sweetheart, you take on too much.

Nina opened her mouth and closed it. Right. Mostly because no

one else was here to do it. Mom, its fine. But we need someone in

the store whos responsible and can work without stealing.Youre right. There must be someone, and Im sure youll find

her.

I will. Did you call on the roof? Is the guy coming out to fix it?

I did call. Her mother sounded triumphant. Its taken care of.

Great. Thanks.

Youre welcome. I love you, sweetheart.I love you, too, Mom.

Ill call in a few days. By then we should know when well be

home. Bye.

Nina heard the click and knew her mother had hung up. Before

she returned to the goodie bags, she called the local paper.

Hi, Ellen, its Nina Wentworth.The old woman cackled. Let me guess. You need someone to

work at Blackberry Preserves. I have the information from the last

ad, which is the same as the one before and the one before that.

Want me to run it?

Nina glanced out the window again. The storm clouds were closer.

She could see a bit of the Sound and wondered if she got on a boat

right now, where she would end up.

That would be great, she said instead. Thanks, Ellen.

You know, Nina, youve got to stop letting your mama hire peo-

ple for that store.

Nina tightened her grip on the phone. Yes, I know.


12/16

EVENING STARS 15

* * *

Nina stared at the items in the box. The candlesticks were silver

and actually worth something. There were also several pieces of jew-elry, a few with gems. The painting was a cheap reproduction and

worth less than the frame, but still

Jerry nodded as she inventoried the haul. I was thinking the same

thing, he told her. How could a girl smart enough to know what

to steal be dumb enough to come to me? Why didnt she just drive

over the bridge and head toward Seattle? Another forty minutes inthe car and she could have had the cash and been on her way.

Thats exactly what I was thinking, she admitted. But Im glad

she was impatient. Was Sam Payton by?

Yup. He took pictures. He said he needs to know what the candle-

sticks are worth. Jerry, a chubby, balding man in his sixties, nodded

knowingly. If its over five grand, then Miss Tanya has committeda Class B felony. If she gets the maximum, its a ten year prison sen-

tence with a twenty thousand dollar fine.

Youre very knowledgeable about felonies and the law.

In my business, it pays to know that sort of thing.

Nina picked up the box of items from the store. Im going to have

to call Sam, arent I? Hes going to tell me I cant sell these until thecase against Tanya is settled, right?

I wouldnt be surprised, Jerry told her.

Great. So the only items of value in the store were now going to

be held hostage. She started for the door. Thanks, Jerry.

Youre welcome. Hire better people.

Ill do my best.

He buzzed the door so she could get out.

Nina crossed the small parking lot and opened her trunk. As she

walked around to the drivers side, she felt the first drops of rain.

Although the house was only a few blocks away, she was going

to have to go by the store and put up a sign explaining it would be

closed for the next few days. She should also see what else might have


13/16

SUSAN MALLERY16

been stolen. This may not have been Tanyas first attempt. Tomor-

row she would talk to Sam and find out what charges were being

brought against the former employee.Nina started her car and headed for the bay. Blackberry Preserves

might not be classy, but it had a killer location, right across from the

small beach. In the summer, there was lots of tourist traffic, which

was what helped the business survive the slower winter months. But

this time of year

Two things happened at once. The rain went from light to pound-ing, and her car engine died. Completely.

Not sure what to do, Nina steered to the side of the road and

pulled onto the shoulder before she lost all momentum. After putting

the car in gear, she started it again, or tried to. The engine turned

over, but wouldnt catch. She checked the fuel, and her tank was just

over half-full. What on earth?Beyond how to put in gas and where to take it for service, what

she knew about cars and their systems could fill a shot glass and still

leave room for the shot. She was stuck.

She glanced down at her shirt. Youve failed me, Betty.

The cartoon didnt answer.

Nina got out her cell phone only to see she was in one of thedead spots on the island. Between the somewhat-isolated location

and the hilly terrain, there were cell phone wastelands, with no sig-

nal to be had.

So much for phoning a friend or Mikes Auto Repair. Because

while Mike would come get her and give her a lift home, he wasnt

psychic.

She leaned her head back and tried to tell herself that a walk in

cold rain wouldnt kill her. She only needed to get to a part of the

island with a signal. Later, when she got home, she would have that

bath and glass of wine. But being rational didnt take away her de-

sire to scream or cry. Or just once want to hand this problem over

to someone else. But there wasnt anyone else, there was her.


14/16

EVENING STARS 17

She couldnt remember a time when it hadnt been her. Shed

been taking care of her mother since shed been old enough to ask,

Mommy, are you okay? Shed taken care of her baby sister andthe family business, and now she was still doing it all. Worrying

about the store, picking up crap stolen by employees her mother

had hired and

She gripped the steering wheel with both hands and tried to shake

it. Drive, you stupid car! Drive!

She stopped when her hands started to hurt, then separated hercar key from the house keys on the chain and tucked the car key

under the drivers seat. Then she put her purse over her shoulder and

stepped out into the rain. She was soaked in a matter of seconds.

The good news was, if anyone she knew drove by, he or she would

stop and give her a lift home. The bad news was, it was dinnertime

on a very small island and the odds of rescue were slim.Nina started the long walk toward some kind of signal. With each

step she told herself this was good. Forced exercise. Plus shivering

burned calories. It wasnt cold enough that she had to worry about

hypothermia. But her clothes clung to her in a way that wasnt flat-

tering, and her pants were rubbing on her thighs. She was pretty

sure she was going to get a rash. That would be attractive. Too badshe wasnt a blogger, because this would make for a great blog. She

could title it Nina Wentworths Very Bad Day.

Fifteen minutes later, Nina had started working through the five

stages of grief. Shed quickly moved from denial to anger and thought

that might be a good place to stay. Her entire body was chilled ex-

cept for the friction where her thighs rubbed together. She was shak-

ing, dripping and more miserable than shed ever been in her life.

She checked her cell, but there still wasnt a signal. At this rate, she

would be home before she picked up reception.

She heard a car coming up behind her and turned quickly. She

didnt care who it wasshe would happily get in with a stranger, if

necessary. Not that there were many on the island this time of year.


15/16

SUSAN MALLERY18

She squinted against the rain, trying to figure out if she recognized

the vehicle. It was blue and shiny. A new BMW, she thought, as the

car slowed. No one she knew drove one of those. The driver pulledup next to her and rolled down the passenger window.

Hey, are you The man stared at her for a second. Nina?Although shed been reaching for the door handle, now she pulled

back. The unfairness of the situation made her want to raise herhands to the sky and ask what she could possibly have done to de-

serve this.Nina? he asked again. Youre soaked. Get in. Ill take you

home.

But she couldnt, she thought, staring into those green eyes, re-

membering how theyd softened when hed promised he would loveher forever. Only he hadnt. Dylan Harrington instead had aban-

doned her and their forever love his third year of college. Hed left

the island and never come back. Well, hed visited his family occa-

sionally. But hed never bothered with her again. Not once. Worse,hed said shewas the reason hed ended the relationship. Yet anotherperson in her life who had been unwilling to take responsibility for

his actions.

Nina, get in. Its freezing.

Id rather walk, she said and turned away.Lifting her head proudly, ignoring the rain stinging her eyes and

the burning of her chafed thighs, she proceeded to do just that.


16/16

Like the

C ae Samper?

Click here to find out more >
http://bit.ly/1crollYhttp://bit.ly/1crollYhttp://bit.ly/1crollYhttp://bit.ly/1crollY

evening stars by susan mallery - chapter sampler

Documents