Twisting Ocean: Cottage by the Sea Series, #3

By Lexy Timms

You can't stop the waves…

 

Jake Wolfe has been arrested for hitting his ex-wife despite his innocence. Gabby vows to stand by him and reveal the truth.

 

After getting him out of jail, she has to go home to LA. They maintain a long distance relationship while he works through his legal troubles. When the truth is finally revealed, Gabby and Jake think they can finally be together.

 

Everything changes when Jake's ex goes after Gabby, and then Jake in a violent attack.

 

Will they get through this attempt from his ex to break them up, or will love have the strength to carry them through it?  

 

Cottage by the Sea Series

• Surging Tide
• Distant Shores
• Twisting Ocean

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Shadow Publishing
• Release date: Feb 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781393317913

Lexy Timms

"Love should be something that lasts forever, not is lost forever."  Visit USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, LEXY TIMMS https://www.facebook.com/SavingForever *Please feel free to connect with me and share your comments. I love connecting with my readers.* Sign up for news and updates and freebies - I like spoiling my readers! http://eepurl.com/9i0vD website: www.lexytimms.com Dealing in Antique Jewelry and hanging out with her awesome hubby and three kids, Lexy Timms loves writing in her free time.  MANAGING THE BOSSES is a bestselling 10-part series dipping into the lives of Alex Reid and Jamie Connors. Can a secretary really fall for her billionaire boss?

Book preview

The Sea Cottage Series

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Surging Tide

Distant Shores

Twisting Ocean

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Twisting Ocean Blurb

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You can’t stop the waves...

Jake Wolfe has been arrested for hitting his ex-wife despite his innocence. Gabby vows to stand by him and reveal the truth.

After getting him out of jail, she has to go home to LA. They maintain a long distance relationship while he works through his legal troubles. When the truth is finally revealed, Gabby and Jake think they can finally be together.

Everything changes when Jake’s ex goes after Gabby, and then Jake in a violent attack.

Will they get through this attempt from his ex to break them up, or will love have the strength to carry them through it? 

Contents

The Sea Cottage Series

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Twisting Ocean Blurb

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Epilogue

The Sea Cottage Series

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Chapter One

Gabby

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I didn’t miss the fact he was taking his sweet time getting us back to town. I was happy to take our time. He looked over at me and smiled, and it was the smile of a man in love. I just happened to be the lucky lady he was in love with.

We were going to work through this thing we had going. The distance between my house and his was far, but if he was truly willing to move to California, it would be amazing. Before we celebrated his decision to leave Maine, his family, and his business behind on the east coast, I wanted to work through all the details.

The last thing I wanted to do was make him feel like the only way he could be with me was to give up everything. That wasn’t fair to him. Our relationship would suffer if he felt like he was the one who made all the sacrifices. In many ways, he would be right. He was the one making the sacrifice. Just the word made me cringe. His life in Maine was just as important to him as my life in LA. Granted, he had a lot more flexibility with his schedule. He could work from LA.

I was torn. I wanted him to be with me, but I didn’t want him to give up his life. It just sucked that we lived so far apart. I could find a hospital to work in. I knew that, but I would miss the fast pace of LA. I had a love hate relationship with the city. Sometimes the noise and the busyness taxed my nerves. The quiet, peaceful life out here in Maine was appealing. Maybe I needed to be the one to think about compromising.

The word reminded me of one of our first fights. He had lectured me all about being an adult and compromise. Now it was time to show him I did know how to compromise. I just wasn’t sure how that was going to work.

It’s like we’re sailing off into the sunset, I said.

He grinned. We basically are.

Maybe we can have dinner at one of the restaurants in town, I suggested. I could really go for a cheeseburger.

Oh, that sounds so good, he said. With fries.

Definitely fries, I agreed. I could almost taste the burger. While we’d been eating a lot of junk food, our real meals were mostly chicken and pasta. There was something to be said for getting to eat a meal prepared by someone else.

We were within view of the dock when I first saw the red and blue lights. What’s that? I asked him.

Looks like the police, he said. I see two cars.

Oh no, I hope everything is okay, I said with concern. Hopefully, Oleg is okay. He was really sweaty and clammy when we were taking down that tree.

He slowed way down. Neither of us talked as we took in the scene. Oleg was talking to an older cop in uniform. Two more cops were walking down the dock to where were coasting in. Another cop car pulled in. The female officer got out of the car and opened the back door.

What the hell? Jake and I said in unison when we saw Amanda get out of the car.

Fuck, Jake muttered under his breath.

One of the officers stepped to the edge of the dock. Are you Jake Wolfe? he asked.

I am, Jake answered.

Cut the engine, the cop ordered.

Jake did as he was told while I stayed perfectly still. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but it was pretty clear Amanda had orchestrated something.

What’s going on? Jake asked.

Sir, step out of the boat, the cop barked.

Yeah, that was my plan, Jake said sarcastically. Are you going to let me tie it up or should we just let it drift and hope for the best?

The other cop stepped forward and took over tying up the boat. Jake stepped out of the boat and was immediately turned around. Jake Wolfe, you’re under arrest, the cop said, and started reciting his rights.

What the hell is going on? I asked as I jumped out of the boat. What is this?

No one was answering. When the officer finished reading off the rights and cuffing Jake, everyone stopped. Amanda was walking towards us with something over her face.

What am I under arrest for? Jake asked.

Assault, the cop answered.

Who did I assault? he growled.

Let’s go, the cop said.

Wait! I called out. Where is he going?

County jail, the cop answered. He was pulling Jake towards one of the cars. Why? I demanded. Who did he assault? You can’t just arrest someone without telling them!

Ma’am, you’ll want to stay back unless you’d like to go to jail for interfering with an arrest, the second cop said.

Jake wrenched around and stopped walking. You’ll do no such thing, he warned.

Amanda stepped closer and removed the ice pack from her face. It didn’t take much to figure out what was happening here. I told you I was going to the cops, Jake, she whimpered. I told you I won’t let you hurt me anymore.

You bitch, Jake hissed.

I was pissed, but he was furious. This was not going to help the situation. I rushed up to him. Wait, I said. At least have the common decency to let me get his attorney’s information, I said. You guys know this is bullshit. That woman is lying.

Ma’am, I warned you, the cop said.

My keys are in my backpack, Jake said. My phone and wallet are in there. Call Darren. His number is in my phone. Tell him what happened, and he’ll call my lawyer.

I’ll bail you out, I promised.

You’ll have to wait until he’s arraigned, the cop said, and very rudely shoved Jake into the back of his car.

And when will that be? I spat.

I would guess tomorrow morning, the cop answered with a smile.

I opened my mouth to say something rude, but snapped it shut. I wasn’t going to make this harder on Jake. He didn’t deserve this. I would be his rock. I’ll take care of everything, I told him. Trust me, evil never wins. The truth always comes out.

He looked resigned to his fate. Take my truck and get the room. I’ll see you soon.

Amanda was standing way too close for my comfort. She thought she had won. The woman had no idea the battle she was picking. I love you! I shouted at Jake just as the cop closed the door.

The door was closed and the window was up, but we all heard him. I love you, Gabby.

I watched the car drive away with him in it. I turned to look Amanda directly in the eyes. Looks like you got a shiner, I said.

Ma’am, please don’t talk to the victim, the female cop said.

I rolled my eyes. The victim is in the backseat of that car. She’s the perp.

Come with me, the cop that had been speaking to Oleg said to me.

For what? I asked, folding my arms across my chest.

We’ll need your statement, he said.

My statement of what?

About the incident, he replied.

The incident? I questioned. I’m sorry, you’re very mistaken. There is no incident to report. The only incident I can think of is that woman trespassing on private property.

You were there at the time of the assault? the cop asked with a notebook out. His pen was poised and ready to write down every word.

There was no assault. I don’t have a statement.

Ma’am, if you were there, you’ll need to talk to us, the female cop said.

She was there! Amanda shrieked. I begged her to stop him. She didn’t. She’s just as guilty as he is.

If you want a statement, you can talk to my attorney, I said. I’ve got things to do.

You’ll make this much easier on yourself and your boyfriend if you talk to us, the female officer warned.

Yeah, I’m sure that’s going to matter, considering you just hauled an innocent man to jail without giving him a chance to give his side of the story. I’ve nothing to say. If you’d like to arrest me, you’re free to do so.

I looked at them both and waited. I was playing with fire. I didn’t care. I was so pissed at the moment that I didn’t care what they said or did. Amanda’s smug look was tempting me to do something that would absolutely get me arrested. When neither of the officers said a word, I stomped back down to the boat.

Gabby, I heard Oleg call out.

I was mad at the world, including him. What? I snapped.

I heard his footsteps behind me. Let me help you.

I stopped walking and looked at the man. What happened? I asked. You got here before us. What did they say he did?

They didn’t say he did anything, he said. They asked me if I saw him hit Amanda. I told them I didn’t. They wanted to know what happened on the beach. I told them all of it.

If you told them the truth, why did they take him to jail? I asked.

I think that woman put on a pretty convincing show, and they are calling him guilty until proven innocent, he said. I know the one cop I was talking to. He’s a fair man. They’re just doing their jobs. They’ll go through the steps and the truth will come out.

He was arrested, Oleg! He’s going to jail. He’s being forced to stay overnight!

I know, I know, he said. It isn’t right. It’s not fair, but trust the system.

It’s a little hard to trust the system when he’s the one in jail and that bitch is lying through her teeth, I hissed.

I hopped into the boat, grabbed his backpack, and tossed it onto the dock. Let me help you, Oleg said.

I did need help. I was furious and felt helpless. I handed him my suitcase and then Jake’s. I couldn’t believe he was going to be spending the night in jail. It just didn’t make sense. This was so unfair. With Oleg’s help, I unloaded the boat. He did what was necessary to secure it for the night.

Thanks, I said to Oleg, and felt guilty for being rude to him earlier. Did they say anything else to you? Do you know what all she told them?

He slowly shook his head. I didn’t get the full story. When I pulled up, they asked me where Jake was. I told them he was still on the island. Apparently, they were prepared to go out there and drag him back. I got the feeling she told them he was hiding on the island to avoid going to jail.

That is such bullshit, I snapped. What the hell is wrong with that woman?

I don’t know, he shook his head. I’m really sorry I took her over there. I had no idea she was crazy.

I sighed and looked out at the water. There was something to be said for being isolated on an island. I should go, I said. I need to call his lawyer.

Let me know if I can do anything, he said. I’m really sorry it all came to an end like this.

I appreciate it, I said. Hopefully I’ll have him out tomorrow morning and we’ll be back to get his boat. Do you think it will be okay here?

I’ll keep an eye on it. If for some reason you can’t get him out in the morning, bring the truck back. We’ll pull it out of the water, and you can park it on my property. I’m not sure when the next storm is coming in. We don’t want it sitting too long. 

Thank you, Oleg. I appreciate your help.

It’s going to be okay, Oleg said. The truth will come out.

But how much damage will be done before it does? I asked quietly.

I got into the big truck and started the engine. I was glad he trusted me with his property. I got the heat going before turning on my cell. He had mentioned a hotel a couple miles out of town. That was where we were supposed to be spending the night together. I couldn’t believe I was going alone. It didn’t take long to find the hotel. I paid for a room for two nights, just in case things didn’t go well tomorrow. It took two trips to get all of our things into the room.

Then I pulled out his phone and found Darren in his contact list. It felt very intimate to be inserting myself into his life. He had invited me, but it still felt strange, though in a good way. I had no idea what I was going to say to this total stranger.

Hey! You’re back in the land of the living! the man on the other end of the phone answered.

Um, actually, this is Gabby, I said sheepishly.

Gabby? Where’s Jake? Is he okay? Was there an accident?

I gave him a quick recap of events. Can you get his lawyer? I asked quietly. I don’t know what to do.

I’m on it, he said, sounding angry. I knew this was bound to happen. Are you okay?

His concern made me smile. I’m fine. I just want to get him out of there. I’ve got money to bail him out, but this is new to me. I don’t know what to do or what I can do.

I’ll get Carl on it. He’ll know a criminal law attorney that can practice in Maine.

Thank you, I said.

Hey, it was nice to meet you, he said with a laugh. Even if it’s just over the phone.

Thanks, I said with