The Orchard: Lexi's Secret: The Orchard, #3

By Stephanie L. Smith

Lexi Monroe finds her life getting more and more interesting by the minute. Just when she thinks she’s finally starting to settle in to her new life back at home on the ranch, something else happens to throw her off balance.

 Two days after Cole pointed out that their one night of passion could have serious consequences, Lexi found herself spending each and every morning hunched over the toilet. She was all too familiar with this routine, as she had experienced it before when she was pregnant with Jax. The possibility that she could be carrying Cole’s child was becoming more and more real each and every day, and she found herself worrying about how he would react. She also has to figure out how to buy a home pregnancy test without the entire town finding out. That could be difficult.

If that’s not enough, Lexi’s lead foot finally catches up with her and ends with a speeding ticket and a hefty fine, something that Cole would not be happy about. In the interest of saving her bottom from his old-fashioned discipline, Lexi decides to keep the ticket a secret. Her plan would have worked great if Cole wasn’t friends with the cop that pulled her over.

Will she be able to keep the ticket a secret?

Is the nausea she’s dealing with morning sickness?

How will Cole react if she is carrying his child?

This is the third and final installment of “The Orchard” series. All three installments will be available as a box set as well as individually.

This is a novella of about 10,000 words.
 

Note: This novella contains domestic discipline including the spanking of adult women for punishment. If such material offends you, please do not buy this novella.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephanie L. Smith
• Release date: Mar 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524237424

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The Orchard: Lexi's Secret

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Checking the time on her phone, Lexi pressed on the gas pedal of her little sports car just a little harder. She had to make it to the bank before they closed for the weekend, and she had exactly four minutes to get there. Just as the bank came into view, red and blue flashing lights appeared in her rearview mirror. Taking her foot off the gas she eased to the side of the road, hoping that he simply needed to get around her. She knew that she had been speeding, but she didn’t think she had been that far over the speed limit. Digging through her purse she fished out her license and insurance as she watched the officer step out of his vehicle and walk up to her window. Rolling down the driver’s side window, Lexi gave him her most apologetic smile.

Good afternoon ma’am, any idea how fast you were going? The young man drawled.

Uh, no officer, I’m sorry. I really should have been paying better attention. She answered sweetly.

You were going seventy-two in a forty-five, that’s a pretty big difference. Any reason you were tearing down the road like a bat out of hell? He asked in his deep southern tone. Lexi closed her eyes and sighed. She was so screwed.

No Sir, I just needed to get to the bank to make a deposit before they closed. I’m so sorry, I didn’t even realize I was going that fast. Lexi confessed as she handed him her license and registration. The young man nodded as he took them from her and headed back to his police car. She let her head fall back against the seat and sighed. Of course she just had to get pulled over by some young kid who had probably only been on the job for six months. She had no doubt she was going to end up with a ticket, and probably reckless driving charges as well.

Okay Miss Lexi, I have to write you a ticket for speeding. I can’t let you go with a warning for going twenty-seven miles over the speed limit, however, I am going to reduce the numbers so you don’t end up with a reckless driving charge. Consider this your get out of jail free card, next time you won’t be so lucky. He lectured as he handed her the ticket and walked away.

Thank you officer. Lexi replied to his retreating form. She sighed with relief, she didn’t really have the money for a speeding ticket right now, but she certainly couldn’t afford a reckless driving charge. Checking the time, she turned around and headed back to the orchard, the banks were already closed at this point so the deposit would have to wait until Monday. Now she just had to make sure Cole didn’t find out.

Lexi and Cole had been getting along really well in the past couple