Forever Paradise: A Heaven's Beach Love Story, #3

By Teri Riggs

Lindsey James has just graduated from grad school and is ready to begin her life. A stalker has other plans for her. She swears off men and runs to Heaven's Beach to hide, the place she feels safe and loved. The place her stalker knows nothing about—or so she thought.

Zack Simmons has promised Lindsey and her friends that he would keep her safe while she is living and working in Heaven's Beach. Immediately Zack finds himself drawn to her, but after a recent and disastrous breakup with an ex-girlfriend, he plans to pursue the bachelor life.

Zack soon learns that keeping things professional in order to protect Lindsey isn't quite as easy as he thought. Lindsey finds giving up on men to be a much bigger challenge when it comes to Heaven's Beach's sexy sheriff.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teri Riggs
• Release date: Sep 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386571711

Book preview

1

Ten days before Memorial Day, Atlanta, Georgia…

Lindsey hugged her diploma against her chest, hoping to calm her heartbeat. She’d made it. Before her mother died, she’d always said, the harder you work, the more it pays off. Lance, her best friend, danced toward her, a huge smile plastered on his face. Yo, sweetie, we did it! He picked her up and twirled her in circles, laughing. Who would’ve thought two foster kids with our history could pull it off?

Put me down, you big oaf! You’re squishing my diploma. She managed to get her arms out from his hold and grab the tasseled mortarboard from his head. She whacked him with it a few times, laughing until tears filled her eyes. So many mixed emotions flooded her mind today.

Happiness. Sadness. Fear.

Lance planted a big kiss on her forehead and set her down, then pulled her into a long hug. Not a day for tears, sweetie. This is our time to celebrate.

I know. I can’t help it. We’ve both worked so hard to get these shiny pieces of paper. She ran her fingers over the diploma she held. She could spend hours staring at it.

"It was a tough battle to crawl… no, make that walk away from the direction our lives should’ve taken. We were supposed to fail in life. But we were strong, and together we kept on track to pull it off."

The worthless care caseworkers they’d had over the years said they’d never pull themselves from beneath the pile of insignificant former fosters. We’ve shown them a thing or two by making something of ourselves. Lindsey’s throat tightened. But I’m sad I’m moving to Heaven’s Beach and you’re going to New York.

Doesn’t mean we’ll never see each other again. There’s only a short plane ride, or a slightly longer drive, separating us. Besides, I’m going to be with you the first week and afterwards, we’ve got FaceTime. Lance tilted her face upward. When we’re finally sure you’re rid of your ex, you can join me in New York. In the meantime, you’ll stay safe and I’ll get our apartment set up.

Two dates did not qualify me and Aiden as a couple. Therefore, he cannot be my ex.

Thank you for the clarification.

It’s not right that I have to hide from him. I can’t believe what an ass he turned out to be. She sure as hell hadn’t had a clue.

"Make that an extremely dangerous ass. I’d rather be without you a few months than risk him getting his hands on you again."

I know. But still it’s not fair that he gets to go on his merry way while I have to hide like I’m some kind of criminal. I’m so tempted to go with you and take that job in New York.

No way, sweetie. We’ve talked about this. The best way to get off his radar is to go to the beach where your friends can keep you company and help keep an eye on you until we’re sure it’s safe to join me. Plus, you love spending time in that cute little seaside town.

I do love the place and my friends, but I don’t want to let Aiden win.

This isn’t letting him win. It’s all about keeping you safe and making sure he moves on. And he will move on when he loses track of you. Out of sight, out of mind.

What about the flip side? Absence makes the heart grow fonder? The thought made her shudder.

Quit worrying so much and start getting excited about your move. Your friends are looking forward to having you with them. Think of all the painting you’ll get done while working at the art gallery. I’ve talked to Mandi and Samantha several times and they’ve already let the Heaven’s Beach sheriff know about your situation. You’ll be safe there.

I’m so glad I never told Aiden about my summers there. Not that he ever gave me a chance to talk during the time we spent together.

He was a selfish, abusive bastard. Lance released her from his hold. I still can’t believe he got so obsessed after two measly dates with you.

I should’ve broken things off with him after our first date. I knew right away he had a few screws loose. She unzipped the top of her black robe.

That dude had more loose screws than a hardware store. Lance laughed at his own joke. Lindsey didn’t.

I’m pretty sure he’d googled me before our first date. He knew way too much about me. The good news is, after today he’ll be history. Her belly churned, the way it did every time she thought back to that day a few weeks ago when he’d held her against a wall and threatened her. A chill ran through her. If you hadn’t come home when you did, no telling how things would’ve turned out.

Let’s not think about that today. It’s time to party. He put an arm around her. You’re supposed to let the memories fade along with the bruises.

She palmed her throat where Aiden had left bruises. Easier said than done, big guy.

You’ll do better once we have you settled in your new condo.

You’re probably right. In her mind she repeated his words several times. Out of sight, out of mind. Out of sight, out of mind. Out of sight, out of mind.

God, how she hoped that was the case.

2

Heaven’s Beach, one week later…

Lance stomped on the last moving box, smashing it flat. Well, sweetie, looks like my work here is done. Your place looks great, if I do say so myself. He tossed the flattened cardboard onto the pile and the resulting whoosh echoed around her. Who knew I’d actually learn something during our years at design school.

I know, right? After all, you thought you knew it all before you even started classes. He’d claimed he had only gone for the degree to spite his caseworker. All kidding aside, you’ve turned my condo into a real home, Lance. I wish I had half the talent you have.

You have plenty. You’re more of an artist type, while my focus leans heavily towards the interior decorating side. Which is a good thing. We’ll never have to compete with each other.

Lindsey did love to paint. She just wasn’t sure how much talent she had. Samantha had put one of her paintings up at the gallery, and it actually sold. But had the sale been pure luck? If you say so.

Yes, I say so. I want you to promise you’ll find time to paint while you’re working at the gallery. I’d hate to see you lose your passion for the canvas because you’re too tired to work on your art.

Samantha turned the back rooms into a large studio a couple years ago. I can stay after work and paint or squeeze in time during the day. Mandi works on her paintings all the time while she’s at the gallery, and Samantha does the same with her sculpting.

I’m looking forward to meeting them. They’re both coming for lunch today, right? You’ve said so many good things about them, and I felt like we clicked when we talked on the phone. He gave her shoulder a firm squeeze. But afterwards, I’ve really got to get on the road. I have to close our campus apartment and load the stuff up for New York.

I’m so excited for you.

I’m excited for me, too. I’ve always dreamed of living in New York. Lance’s eyes seemed to twinkle whenever he spoke of New York. Truthfully? She could take it or leave it. She’d never been a big fan of the crowded city, but it welcomed artists with open arms.

You’re going to rock your new job, Lance. You start next Monday, right?

Yes. In the meantime, I’ll start putting our loft in order. I plan to set up your mini studio in the corner where you’ll have windows on both sides. The views are awesome, and the lighting is nothing short of pure perfection.

You’ve done too much already for me, Lance. Maybe you should look for a roommate who can actually pay rent.

I’ve got enough money to last a lifetime. I can certainly afford to pay the landlord.

That money is yours. You’re the one who lost a leg to a drunk driver.

At least the dude had money and great insurance. He knocked on his prosthetic leg, the sound a painful reminder. If I run out of cash I can always figure out a way to sacrifice the other leg for another big payout.

Not funny. You almost died. Her mouth went dry thinking about the week Lance spent in a coma. The doctors hadn’t been sure he would even live. Don’t ever say that again.

I’m joking. He pulled her against him. He ran his fingers through her hair, smoothing it away from her face. Sorry, sweetie. I wanted to lighten the mood. Epic fail. I certainly didn’t mean to upset you.

I’m the one that should be sorry. I know you were kidding. I guess this move is affecting me more than I thought. We’ve never been apart since we were twelve, except for summer internships.

Yeah, I hear you. It’s going to be strange not having you puttering around covered in paint smears. He pushed her back and gazed into her eyes. It’s only for six months, maybe less.

Or maybe more. She hated that Aiden had turned her into such a pessimist.

Nah. Let’s think positive. He turned her around and pointed at her bedroom door. Now go get cleaned up and let’s head to the restaurant and see your friends.

You’re right. The gallery is only closed an hour for lunch. They’ll need to get back. And I’d love for you to get a peek at the gallery and all the little shops on Main Street before you head out.

I like the sound of that. His voice faded as he passed through the guest room door.

There’d been so many changes in her life since the moment Dean Weathers had placed the diploma in her hand: Packing up the tiny apartment she and Lance had shared during their last two years at college. The long drive to the Heaven’s Beach condo Lance had rented for her and unpacking the few boxes she’d brought along. But she knew the hardest change was yet to come. She was going to have to say goodbye to her best friend.

The restaurant buzzed with noise. Every full-time resident of Heaven’s Beach seemed to be eating at the Ale and Fish House one last time before the crowds converged on the small town. The upcoming Memorial Day weekend would signal the opening of the busy tourist season, when the small beach town would overflow with visitors wanting a quiet stretch of beach to relax on. Things would stay crazy until after Labor Day.

Oh goodness. This place is packed. Lance took her hand and wrapped her fingers around his forearm. Do you see your friends?

Lindsey didn’t see them, but she heard Samantha’s laughter. No one had a laugh quite like hers—loud, but at the same time, pleasant-sounding. When she’d first met Samantha, the woman never laughed. Or smiled. Things had changed the Christmas her ‘dead’ husband had showed up in Heaven’s Beach.

There they are. She pointed in their direction, and Lance took her hand and led the way.

Both women jumped up and embraced her. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed them until now. She’d spent most of last summer building a bond with them that would never be broken. They’d shared their dreams, a few tears, and even helped Mandi work through her romance with the man she ended up marrying.

She’d given Samantha a shoulder to lean on during the days when the loss of her husband overwhelmed her. He’d been gone two years, but Samantha had still missed him terribly. She loved these women and would do anything for them.

They all stepped back and wiped their eyes.

Lance cleared his throat. Y’all are making me tear up. He dabbed at his eyes.

Oh, Lance, come meet the best friends a girl could ever have.

Excuse me? He crossed his arms and huffed theatrically.

Well, next to you, of course. That goes without saying. She pulled him closer.

"In that case, I’d love to meet your two second best friends." He held out a hand.

Mandi ignored his hand, grabbed him, and pulled him into a huge hug. I’m so glad to finally meet you in person.

Samantha snatched