by Colleen Coble
Endorsements: Romantic Times: "Coble is a great writer, she knows what readers want and she does not disappoint."Welcome to Hope Beach. A place of intoxicating beauty . . . where trouble hits with the force of a hurricane.
Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer's talent and love of history. She's delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she's met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams. But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her newfound brother and sister are convinced she's there to steal their birthright. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby's under suspicion for the crime. Libby's dream come true is becoming a nightmare. Her only option is to find her friend and prove her innocence, or lose everything on the shores of Hope Island.
Libby Holladay fought her way through the brambles to the overgrown garden. She paused to wave a swarm of gnats away from her face. The house was definitely in the Federal style, as she'd been told. Palladian windows flanked a centered door, or rather the opening for a door. The structure was in serious disrepair. Moss grew on the roof, and fingers of vine pried through the brick mortar. The aroma of honeysuckle vied with that of mildew.
Her cell phone rang, and she groped in her canvas bag for it. Glancing at the display, she saw her partner's name. "Hey, Nicole," she said. "You should see this place. A gorgeous Federal-style mansion. I think it was built in 1830. And the setting by the river is beautiful. Or it will be once the vegetation is tamed." Perching on the window seat, she made another note about the fireplace. "Nicole? Are you there?"
There was a long pause, then Nicole finally spoke. "I'm here."
"You sound funny. What's wrong?" Nicole was usually talkative, and Libby couldn't remember the last time she'd heard strain in her friend's voice. "Are you still in the Outer Banks? Listen, I heard there might be a hurricane heading that way." She dug into her purse for her jalapeño jellybeans and popped one on her mouth.
"The residents are sure the storm will miss Hope Island. Listen, the investor is really interested in this little town. And we have the chance to make a boatload of money on it. It's all in your hands."
"My hands? You're the one with the money smarts."
Nicole was the mover and shaker in Holladay Renovations. She convinced owners to dramatically increase the value of their historic properties by entrusting them to Libby's expertise. Libby had little to do with the money side of the business, and that was how she liked it.
"I think I'd better go back to the beginning," Nicole said. "Rooney sent me here to see about renovating some buildings in the small downtown area. He's working on getting a ferry to the island. It will bring in a lot more tourism for the hotel he's planning, but the buildings need to be restored to draw new business."
"I know that much. But what do you mean it's in my hands'?" Libby glanced at her notes, then around the room again. This was taking up her time, and she wanted to get back to work. "We're doing the lifesaving station for sure, right?"
"Yes, I've already seen it. We were right to buy that sweet building outright. After you get your hands on it, we'll make a bundle and have instant credibility here. I've started making notes of the materials and crew we'll need. But I'm not calling about the renovations. I'm talking a lot of money, Libby. Millions."
That got Libby's attention. "Millions?"
"I stopped by the local attorney's office to see about having him handle the paperwork for our purchase of the lifesaving station. Horace Whittaker. He's got both our names on the paperwork now."
"So?"
"The secretary gasped when she heard your name."
"She knew me?"
"The attorney has been looking for a Libby Holladay. Daughter of Ray Mitchell."
"That's my dad's name."
"I thought it might be. I'd heard you mention the name Ray, but I wasn't sure of the last name."
Libby rubbed her head. "Why is he looking for me? My father has been dead a long time—since I was five."
"He died a month ago, Libby. And he left you some valuable land. In fact, it's the land Rooney thought he had agreed to purchase. So we're in the driver's seat on this deal." Nicole's voice rose.
Libby gasped, then she swallowed hard. "It's a hoax. I bet the attorney asked for a fee, right?"
"No, it's real. According to the secretary, your father was living in the Outer Banks all this time. And Horace has a box of letters Ray wrote to you that were all marked Return to Sender. It appears your mother refused them."
Libby's midsection plunged. Throughout her childhood she'd asked her mother about her father. There were never any answers. Surely her mother wouldn't have lied. Libby stared out the window at two hummingbirds buzzing the overgrown flowers.
"Do you have any idea how much money this land is worth?" Nicole's voice quivered. "It's right along the ocean. There's a charming little inn."
It sounded darling. "What's the area like?"
"Beautiful but remote." Nicole paused. "Um, listen, there's something else. I met a woman who looked like you a couple days ago."
Libby eased off the window ledge. "Who is she?"
"Your half sister, Vanessa. You also have a brother, Brent. He's twenty-two."
"My father married again?" Libby couldn't take it all in. This morning she had no family but a younger stepbrother, whom she rarely saw. Why had her mother kept all this from her? "What about my father's wife?"
"She doesn't seem to be around. But there's an aunt too."
Family. For as long as she could remember, Libby had longed for a large extended family. Her free-spirited mother was always wanting to see some new and exciting place. They never had lived at the same address for more than two years at a time.
"You need to get here right away," Nicole said. "There are a million details to take care of. This is the big deal we've been praying for, Libby. You will never want for anything again, and you'll have plenty of money to help your stepbrother. He can get out of that trailer with his family."
The thought of buying her stepbrother's love held some appeal. They weren't' close, but not' because she hadn't tried. "I can't get away until tomorrow, Nicole. I have to finish up here first. We have other clients."
How much of her reluctance was rooted in the thought of facing a future that was about to change radically? She never had been good with change. In her experience, change was something that generally made things worse, not better.
Her partner's sigh was heavy in Libby's ear. "Okay. Hey, want to see Vanessa? She'll be here in a few minutes. There's a beach cam. I sent you a link."
The computer was on the floor, and she opened it. She clicked to enlarge the video link in her email and turned up the speakers so she could hear the roar of the surf.
Nicole smiled and waved. "Your sister should be here any minute." The sound quality was surprisingly good. The sound of the ocean in the background was a pleasant lull.
A small boat pulled up to the shore. Two men jumped out and pulled the boat aground. Nicole turned toward them. The men walked toward her.
There was no one else in sight, and Libby tensed when Nicole took a step back. "Get out of there. Go to your car!"
Nicole watched the men walk toward her. "It's just a couple of tourists, Libby. You worry too much."
Libby leaned closer to the laptop. "There's something wrong." She gasped at the intention in their faces. "Please, Nicole, run!"
But it was the men who broke into a run as they drew closer to the boardwalk. As they neared the cam, Libby could see them more clearly. One was in his forties with a cap pulled low over his eyes. He sported a beard. The other was in his late twenties. He had blond hair and hadn't shaved in a couple of days.
Nicole took another step back as the older man in the lead smiled at her. The man said, "Hang up." He grabbed her arm.
"Let go of her!" Libby shouted into the phone.
The man knocked the phone from Nicole's hand, and the connection was broken. The other man reached the two, and he plunged a needle into Nicole's arm. Both men began dragging Nicole toward the boat. She was struggling and shouting for help, then went limp. Her hat fell to the ground.
Barely aware that she was screaming, Libby dialed 9-1-1. "Oh God, oh God, help her!"
Copyright Colleen Coble
www.colleencoble.com
http://www.amazon.com/Tidewater-Hope-Beach-Series-ebook/dp/B007D1TNYS/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1342026396&sr=8-1
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