Mission Accomplished

By Mary Suzanne

Sheri Richter discovers her late father was an embezzler, cheating one of his largest clients, Logan Enterprises. Casey Logan shows up at her office with an unreasonable demand. Will she accept his plan to merge companies and enter into a loveless marriage? She has to admit on meeting Casey, the sparks of attraction fly between them, but is this enough to make a success of marriage between them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Suzanne
• Release date: Oct 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301731107

Mary Suzanne

Mary Suzanne writes a story feeling the hero and heroine’s pain, happiness and joy over their relationship. It she is able to transport a person from their every day existence to another realm in time; then she has succeeded in giving something special to her readers.Currently there are 99 e-books ready for purchase at Smashwords.com and othet distributors.

Book preview

Mission Accomplished

Mary Suzanne

Copyright 2012 by Mary Suzanne

Smashwords Edition

Chapter One

Sheri drummed her red nails absently on the surface of the oak desk. Her sherry gaze ran the length of columns and figures examining every receivable and payable listed on the sheets. Something just didn’t add up. She reached up and ran her fingers lightly across her eyes to ease the strain

Glancing across her father's den, her gaze settled on the colorful, wildlife painting mounted in a sturdy frame. She looked at the painting, but didn’t actually see the picture as her thoughts drifted to the death of her father, J.D. Richter.

J. D. inherited the wood and paper mill from his parents at an early age. He managed to keep the business afloat until his death months earlier. She couldn’t remember her father saying anything about the business having financial trouble.

Now at twenty-three, the time-consuming job of keeping the company on a profitable basis and caring for her mother, Elizabeth, was in her hands. Determination had always been one of Sheri’s qualities, and now was no different.

Dinner's ready, darling, Sheri heard her mother calling from the hallway.

Sheri put the ledger away and walked out to meet her. I've finished all I'm going to do tonight. We'll spend a relaxing evening together. She placed her hand on her mother's shoulder as they walked toward the dining room.

At the first light of dawn, Sheri awoke in a restless mood. She walked across the room and opened her drapes, her gaze fixing on the springtime beauty of Maine. She planned to jog across the park and when she returned, she could call her lawyer friend Peter Brent to find out if he might have some ideas why the company was on the verge of bankruptcy.

As she stepped from the shower, she dried off and made her way over to the full-length mirror in her bedroom. When she picked up a brush, she ran it through her shoulder-length brunette hair streaked with golden highlights. Her sherry colored eyes, shrouded by sooty lashes, studied her small nose, full sensuous lips and smooth complexion reflected in the mirror. She decided to forget make up since she did not expect to see anyone this early in the morning. She secured her hair with ribbons and headed down the oak staircase.

You're up early this morning. Elizabeth entered the hallway.

I’m going to jog through the park and take advantage of the beautiful day, Sheri answered.

Don't overdo it. Breakfast will be ready when you get back.

Sheri nodded as she walked to the front entrance of their elegant, two-story home. Her gaze drifted to the house across the street that had stood vacant for two weeks. She saw a moving van and a sports car parked near the garage. She hoped the new people were friendlier than the last couple.

Soon her thoughts were on other things as she picked up speed. She had her head turned at an angle glancing at the birds and wasn't watching the pathway. Suddenly, a hard impact with something solid sent her sprawling. She felt winded and breathed in deeply as her gaze landed on a set of jogging shoes.

When she looked up, she saw the shoes belonged to a man standing over her. She studied his face and wondered why he looked so serious. His strong, chiseled features held a hint of harshness about them as if he was angry about something. Dark, curly hair, tinged with traces of golden highlights stuck damply to his forehead. Little things kept catching her eye as she continued to stare up at him. The colorful elastic band around his head didn’t keep the moisture from dripping down onto his forehead. Turbulent green eyes continued to pin her to the spot.

She felt at a disadvantage. Uneasiness filled her over his continued silence. The strange look filling his eyes made her wonder if he knew her from somewhere but wasn't ready to tell her.

It seemed forever before he finally spoke, but it could only have been a few seconds. You should watch where you’re going

She could hear the seductive timbre of his voice bringing a shudder through her. For several seconds, she stared up at him in bewilderment. Me? It's as much your fault as mine! She finally gave up expecting an offer of help from him in getting up. Although she felt anger toward him, Sheri found the man dangerously attractive causing her heart to beat wildly. Kids your age shouldn't be allowed out on their own. His gaze strayed to her ponytails. You’re a nuisance.

Sheri immediately jumped to her feet. I don't have to listen to your insulting remarks. Spots of anger swept across her smooth cheeks.

I suggest you be on your way then, he taunted, his tone dismissing her.

Sheri faced him defiantly and still had to look a long way up. Realization struck her that she couldn't win with the arrogant looking man. Her only recourse would be to put as much distance between them as possible.

Turning, she marched off stiffly toward the joggers' trail. Who did he think he was? I’ve never met anyone as crude as him. She couldn’t remember seeing him in the neighborhood before this morning. As she reached the edge of the park, she jogged the remaining few yards to her home.

Did something upset you? her mother asked as soon as she entered the kitchen.

I met the rudest man jogging in the park. I've never seen him before in the neighborhood. She claimed one of the stools near the bar.

Who could it be? Her mother frowned. We know everyone in the community.

I don't have the slightest idea, and frankly I don't care.

I'll bet he’s the man that moved across the street.

Oh no! Sheri's look held disgust. You're probably right. I did see a moving van there this morning.

Let's forget him and have breakfast.

I'm not hungry, but you go ahead and eat. I have an important call to make.

You need to forget business and relax for a while. You work too hard.

I love the work. She reached over and kissed her mother’s cheek.

Sheri walked into the den to call Peter. When she got through, she received a recorded message telling her to leave her number and he would call when he arrived at the office. With time on her hands, she removed the two books from the desk. She opened the ledger representing the company's accounting system. As she leafed through it, something caught her eye on one of the back pages.

Logan Enterprise was her father's largest customer, ordering sizable amounts of timber. Penciled in notes in her father's handwriting answered her questions of why Richter Mill was in such financial trouble. Her father had managed to skim money from Richter Mill by shortchanging a few of his customers. Logan Enterprise was the one receiving the impact of his dishonest practices

Sheri closed the book with a weary sigh and placed her head on the desktop. J.D. had been an embezzler and had hidden it so well she hadn't caught onto his deception. She couldn’t wait any longer for Peter to return her call. Instead, she dialed his number again and thankfully heard him answering. Peter, Sheri here.

Oh, hi, Sheri. I was going to call you as soon as I finished a few things.

Would you have time to stop by this evening and talk? Sheri hid the urgency from her voice.

Why don't we go out to dinner? We can talk then.

Yes, that may be wiser since I don't want my mother overhearing our discussion.

I'll be over at seven.

See you then, she replaced the receiver. She only hoped Peter didn’t bring up marriage again tonight. She had put him off so much, but it didn’t deter him.

She went in search of her mother and found her in the family room reading a book. I'm going to have dinner with Peter tonight.

That's wonderful. You need to get out more. Make sure you enjoy yourself and relax tonight.

Sheri nodded. A guilty feeling swept through her over hiding such an important matter from her mother, but she reasoned that Elizabeth didn't need any more heartache. She had just lost her husband and that had been a tremendous loss for her.

After spending most of the day going over the books, Sheri walked into her bedroom. She made her way over to the window and pulled the drapes aside. Her gaze strayed to the house across the street. The moving van wasn't in the drive, but the man she had met in the park stood near his car washing it.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the muscles rippling across his arms as he moved. She had to admit he was handsome although he had a lousy personality. His wife probably had to tow the line, or feel his anger as she had today. Shock registered in her as he unexpectedly looked up at her. Her gaze met his. Her face reddened in embarrassment over him catching her watching him. As she continued to look from the window, she could still feel the heightened awareness racing through her body.

She did not miss how his mouth twisted slightly as his green stare held hers. Sheri swallowed hard as a feeling of paralysis struck her. She couldn't have moved her legs if she had wanted to. For the longest time his stare held her captive, until he eventually looked away. A feeling of foolishness washed over her in the next instant as she made her way across the room. She shook her head, forgetting the stranger and mentally planning what she was going to say to Peter.

Peter was loyal and trustworthy, but she still felt reluctant about confiding everything to him. Was it shame over her father's dishonest act? She wasn't at all certain of her reasons.

Later, as she entered the hallway, she heard the doorbell ringing. I'll get it, Mother, she called out. A welcoming smile curved her lips as she opened the door. Come in, Peter

You look beautiful as always, Sheri, he said huskily, a warmth filling his brown eyes.

Thank you. Her gaze drifted over his blond hair and casual beige suit.

Peter, it's a pleasure seeing you again. Elizabeth walked over and placed a light kiss on his cheek.

I wouldn't miss seeing my two favorite girls for anything, he said, hugging Elizabeth gently. If we don't get started, we'll never make our seven-thirty reservation.

Don't wait up, we may be late. Sheri leaned over to kiss her mother'.

Have a good time, Elizabeth's words followed them out the door.

Dusk was settling as they walked down the front steps. Sheri's gaze automatically drifted to the house across the street. She couldn’t figure out why her new neighbor fascinated her so much, but the man had made a lasting impression on her that day.

A car pulling into his drive caught her attention. It was only a matter of seconds before the porch light flickered on and her new neighbor walked out. Sheri secretly watched the potent man making his way to the car in his drive. A tall brunette got out of the driver's seat. He leaned toward the woman enfolding her in his arms and capturing her mouth in a lingering kiss.

Sheri quickly looked away from the intimate scene. She had been spying and knew it. She turned her attention to getting into the front seat of Peter's car. As Peter got behind the wheel, he glanced at her. Who are your new neighbors?

I don't know.

He has to be an improvement over your last one, he chuckled. Didn’t he argue with everyone on the block?

Yes, but I don't know if this one is much better. After today in the park, I have my doubts. I didn’t find him a very pleasant man. Not pleasant, but I definitely found him sexy looking.

What happened today?

Sheri went into detail about her run in with her new neighbor. He was the rudest person I’ve ever met.

Why should he take such an instant dislike to you? You usually have the opposite effect on men when they meet you. His gaze drifted again to her and lingered for several seconds.

Thanks for the compliment, but this guy has to be the exception.

Let’s forget about him and have a good time. Are you hungry?

Yes. She had skipped breakfast and lunch and now she heard the growling noises in her stomach.

"You're in for a treat. I found a