Christmas Gone Wild

By Candice Poarch

For single mother Lauren Grant Christmas is about family, but when her newly married son decides to spend the holiday with his in-laws she’s at lose ends. She realizes she’s in a rut. In an effort to change her life she plans a trip to the Outer Banks with her new love interest, and finds herself tangled in a murder, and a boyfriend who’s a no show.
The murder hits Adam Forsythe hard. Patrick was more father than friend, and Adam vows to find his murderer. To do so he must stay close to Lauren. But the attraction between them is immediate and sharp. As danger lurks, sparks ignites into a passion they never expected. Will they find the culprit before it’s too late for Lauren?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Candice Poarch
• Release date: Sep 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310512971

Candice Poarch

Candice Poarch is the winner of the 2012 Emma Award for the Suspense Book of the Year for Deadly Intentions, the last book in “The Golden Bowl” series. Secrets in the Sand made the Amazon Bestseller List. She grew up in Stony Creek, Virginia, and graduated from Virginia State University with a degree in Physics. She is married with three adult children and two precious granddaughters. She takes pride in crafting believable stories. As a child she was a dreamer and created stories in her mind. As she grew older, her writing centered on families, romance, and suspense. The quest for love is universal, she says. She believes that everyday life in America (whether small town or major metropolitan city) has its own rich rewards. She also likes telling stories that will leave today’s busy reader feeling refreshed, hopeful and inspired—not always an easy task, but well worth the challenge.

Book preview

Christmas Gone Wild

Candice Poarch

Other Titles

Christmas Gone Wild**

Slippery Slope **

Secrets in the Sand **

A Kiss So Deadly **

A New Year, A New Beginning

The Christmas Gift

Shattered Illusions+

Lighthouse Magic+

White Lightning *

With This Kiss *

Intimate Secrets *

The Last Dance *

Family Bonds

Essence of Love

Beyond Yesterday

* Welcome to Nottoway Series

** Fifty Gone Wild Series

+ Coree Island Series

Copyright @ 2013 by Candice P. Baines

Published at Smashwords

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher: Candice Poarch, PO Box 291, Springfield, VA 22150

Cover Design: Shirley Hailstock

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Dear Reader

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Excerpts

Chapter 1

Christmas was right around the corner and Lauren Grant’s son and new wife would be here soon. And she was late decorating the house for the holidays—their first holiday together as a family. Spending a quiet Thanksgiving with her friends just wasn’t the same.

She’d decorate as soon as she returned from her trip. With weeks of use or lose leave and comp time, she had to use by the end of the year, she’d taken the month of December off, but she’d only spend a week or so in North Carolina.

She was uncomfortable about going alone, but her life was in a rut and she hoped this trip would change everything. Lauren shook her head. Here she was taking off on her own to meet some guy she really didn’t know, but she was enjoying the picturesque view of the Outer Banks as she arrived in the peaceful town of Wet Sands.

The sky was clear and the water gleamed. Children played on the hard-packed sand beach with their parents. Now and then she saw a jeep driving along the water’s edge.

The world of online dating was old news, but for her it was new and huge. God knows she’d tried everything else. Well, maybe not everything. The average man wanted the skinny and young Paris Hilton type. Even men her age that thought dating a twenty-something would make them younger.

Even with her springing for some new makeup and cream to erase the marks of age, fifty-five was fifty-five. No matter what, she wasn’t twenty.

Everyone seemed to be paired off these days. She was enjoying the sight of a couple walking the beach with their dog when her phone rang.

A brief glance revealed the caller’s identity. It was Josh. Back from your honeymoon? she asked. His new wife Cindy and he had taken a honeymoon in Hawaii.

Yeah, but it was too short.

Two months would have been too short there. Had a great time?

Didn’t you get my card?

I did. Some day I’ll make it there. It was one of the many things on her to-do list. Except she’d stopped making those promises long ago.

You have to go, Mom. Cindy and I will take you one day. Are you taking care of yourself?

Of course. Haven’t I always? As a matter of fact, I’m taking off for a vacation in the Outer Banks. Lindsey’s husband offered me a room in his place. It’s right on the beach and huge. Ten bedrooms she said, and I was promised one with an ocean view.

Sounds great. But what about this new guy I haven’t met yet?

He’s here, too, but I’m surprising him. I’ll call him when I settle in.

There was a pause. Mom, Cindy’s parents invited us to their home for Christmas. They invited you, too. Will you come? Cindy wants to go.

Lauren’s heart sank. She was so looking forward to spending Christmas with her son and his new wife. She heard the worry beneath his voice. And she didn’t want to impose on Cindy’s parents. They lived in San Francisco while she lived in Northern Virginia. Traveling during the holidays was never her thing and it was late to get a ticket.

We’ll see. I might have plans of my own, but I know you’ll have a great time there.

I don’t want you to spend the holiday alone.

I won’t.

We’re still thinking about it. Have fun on your vacation, Mom. You deserve it.

I will. And stop worrying. Tell Cindy I said hi. Christmas in San Francisco will be wonderful.

Slightly disappointed, Lauren disconnected and turned up the music, but the news came on. A local twenty-six-year-old young woman, Carolyn Makepeace, was missing, but her family thought the police weren’t taking it seriously. The young woman had a history of going off for a week or two without telling anyone, but her family said this time was different. She usually left after an argument. Nothing had happened this time.

Lauren switched the station. She hoped the young woman was safe. She always worried about her son and knew how these parents were concerned about their daughter, too.

Lauren pulled off Beach Road and drove several blocks to her destination.

She parked in a slot off the short driveway. Patrick’s jeep was parked under the carport. For a moment she took it all in. There was a line of houses on both sides of the street. Patrick’s was gray with huge windows and balconies.

Lauren got out the car and breathed in the bright sea air. After the long drive, it was good to be here. She glanced around.

A man was standing on the porch of the house next door watching her.

Lauren smiled. Hello, she said with a warm greeting.

He didn’t smile, nor did he speak. He stared at her again and went into the house. That was strange. Her friend said the people were usually friendly here. Lauren shrugged it off.

Patrick opened the door. At seventy he stood military straight, his hair completely white and cut short. Just a few lines edged his face.

What’re you doing out there? he asked. I’ll help you with your luggage.

I have it, she said. It’s just one suitcase. I packed light.

Just roll it to the elevator. Door’s open.

The suitcase was heavy so Patrick made his way down the steep stairs and walked with her to the elevator. He escorted her to a sizeable room on the third floor with a beachfront view.

This is beautiful, Patrick. Thank you.

You’ve got your pick, but this one has the best view of the beach. The kitchen’s on this floor. Here’s a key, he said, handing one to her. And since you’ll be here alone sometimes, I’ll give you the code to the alarm system. You are coming to my birthday party tonight, aren’t you?

If I can find a costume.

That’s an easy one to solve. My buddy’s daughter runs a tourist shop that stocks them. About three miles from here. Should find something there. But hurry. There’s not much time before it closes.

Your neighbor. He isn’t very friendly is he?

Don’t worry about that asshole. Gives loud parties. I’ve reported him a couple of times. Don’t know if they’re dealing dope or what’s going on over there. You better hurry if you plan to get there before closing.

He gave her the directions and although, after the five-hour drive from Virginia, all Lauren wanted to do was take a long hot shower, she headed back to her car. With a longing glace at the beach she made her way to the strip mall.

* * *

The place looked deserted. Only one man was in the store.

Hello there, he said. In his late fifties, he was drop dead gorgeous. A shock of sun-bleached hair looked as if he’d raked his hand through it several times. It hung a little on his neck. Could use a trim, Lauren thought, but couldn’t help the attraction she felt.

Lauren smiled. Can you point me to the costumes?

He loped from behind the counter and hovered over her. At least six-one, he had a military build like Patrick’s. A man of action.

This way, he said. There’s not much left. My friend’s having a party and it looks as if most of the attendees waited till the last minute to buy their costumes. Every muscle in his body was solid.

Lauren thought she was about to have one of her hot flashes the way heat took her breath away. She fanned herself.

I hope you have something that fits.

He narrowed his gaze. Would Cat Woman work?

Lauren thought of her generous curves stuffed into a form-fitting black suit. You’re joking, right?

He fingered through the meager selections. I don’t think ‘Little Bo Peep’ will work, or ‘Snow White’ maybe? he asked hopefully.

No.

Humm. He glanced at her and brushed his hand through his hair again, frowning. If you don’t mind my saying, you got a nice figure, there. Any of them would look good.

I’m not wearing Cat Woman. Lauren was tired and cranky and she’d been unable to contact Howard.

Cinderella?

Lauren gave him a look. Seriously.

The man shook his head. I told my daughter I wasn’t good at this. She’s much better. A born saleswoman, but she just had a baby. It was due after we closed down for the season, but the baby had ideas of her own about when she was going to arrive. That left ‘yours truly’ with trying to get his shoe out of his mouth with these costumes.

Lauren’s heart softened. Congratulations. Is this your first grandchild?

It is. And I’m happy as a clam except when I’m making a fool out of myself.

Let me take a look. The selections were minimal at best. But Lauren rooted around until she found the wicked witch. Her hand was already dragging the outfit off the rack when she had second thoughts. Why did she have to parade around like a mean old witch when she could be the princess? Okay maybe she was older than the traditional princess, but she was special too, so she chose a princess costume she was able to find in her size.

That’ll look good on you.

Lauren had second thoughts. This man had absolutely no taste when it