Dark Obsession

By Lynette Eason

USA Today–Bestselling Author: A young woman has become the object of a stalker’s Dark Obession in this suspenseful Valentine’s Day novella.

Hang-up calls, graffiti, break-ins at her shop right before Valentine’s Day . . . Someone wants to scare Holly Maddox—and it’s working.

Her high school sweetheart, Eli Brody, comes to the rescue, but surely the handsome detective doesn’t really plan to stay. There’s nowhere for Holly to turn as danger—and heartbreak—start closing in.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Feb 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781488076480

Lynette Eason

Lynette Eason lives in Simpsonville, SC with her husband and two children. She is an award-winning, best-selling author who spends her days writing when she's not traveling around the country teaching at writing conferences. Lynette enjoys visits to the mountains, hanging out with family and brainstorming stories with her fellow writers. You can visit Lynette's website to find out more at www.lynetteeason.com or like her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lynette.eason

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

She’d been robbed!

A scream ripped from Holly Maddox’s throat as receding footsteps beat in time with the radiating pain in her head.

Touching her forehead, she felt the warm wetness seep between her fingers.

Eyes squinting against the pulsing throb, she stumbled to the door—and ran into what felt like a slab of concrete. She felt another scream building when warm hands cupped her shoulders and the voice she still heard in her dreams said, Holly, it’s me. What happened?

Eli? She choked down the hysteria as he led her back inside to sit on a stool. She heard running water then felt a cool cloth cover the gash she figured she had on her forehead. However, her mind suddenly wasn’t on the break-in or her throbbing head. It was on the unexpected appearance of a man she hadn’t seen in almost six years. With no contact for more than half a decade, why did he have to choose this moment to come back? She’d dreamed that if she ever saw her ex-boyfriend again she’d be looking great to show him what he lost, not standing in her store, bleeding after being robbed and clubbed in the head.

I’ve called the police, his voice soothed. An ambulance is on the way, too.

I don’t need an ambulance. Cancel it, will you? In shock, she asked, What are you doing here?

In spite of the pain, she couldn’t take her eyes from him. She’d heard he was back in town, on leave from the police force in New York to take care of his injured father. Holly had gone out of her way to make sure their paths didn’t cross on his previous visits home for holidays and vacations. Looked like she hadn’t been careful enough this time.

Grudgingly, she admitted he looked as good as ever with his silky dark hair and green eyes. Anger thrummed through her. Well, she wouldn’t fall for him again, that was for sure. He’d broken her heart twice, once when he’d left to go away to college. After that and the police academy, he’d moved home to work as a deputy with the police department. They had resumed their relationship and she’d been thrilled. Until six months later, when he’d left for New York to become a detective.

She tuned back in to what he was saying. I was on my way to get some groceries next door when I heard something crash and you scream.

A knock on the door interrupted and Holly dragged her gaze from Eli’s rugged face. A face that used to inspire poetry, conjuring visions of a white dress and a tropical island honeymoon.

What’s going on in here?

She winced.

Alex Harwood, sheriff of Rose Mountain. A more recent ex-boyfriend. A good guy with a soft spot for Holly. A very persistent soft spot. He was determined to convince her that their break-up was a mistake. She’d been on the fence, unable to decide—until right now.

Seeing Eli brought back old memories, old feelings—and old hurt. She wasn’t ready to date anyone at this point in time. But letting Alex know that would have to wait.

Even though Alex was the sheriff with deputies who patrolled the town, he always said it was his town and he’d work the streets until he was kicked off them. And the fact that it was Holly in trouble had been enough to bring him running.

Holly heard Eli explain what he’d witnessed, then it was her turn. She looked up into Alex’s blue gaze and wondered what went on behind them. One of the reasons she’d decided they were wrong for each other. She couldn’t get a good read on him.

Eli squeezed her hand. Hey, are you in there? Tell Alex what happened.

Sucking in a fortifying breath, she said, Jessica Horn, my part-time worker, left about an hour ago. I closed up shop and came back here to finish paying some bills. The next thing I know, someone’s in the store with me.

You didn’t have the alarm on?

She shook her head and groaned. Wrong move. She waited for the pain to subside. No, I always set it when I leave, but rarely do it while I’m here. Guess I will from now on, she muttered. Anyway, when I turned to see who had come through the door, I came face-to-face with my metal trash can. She pointed to the object lying on the floor where it had landed after contact with her head.

Pretty confident crook, wasn’t he? To come in here while she was here. Eli interjected toward Alex. Wonder why he didn’t wait for her to leave?

Alex shrugged. I don’t know. Like you said, gutsy. Or maybe desperate. If he came in with her here, he didn’t have to worry about finding a way in past locks and an alarm system. He shut the notebook he’d taken notes in. What did the guy take?

The bank’s bag of checks and cash I had sitting on the edge of the desk. I was too late to get to the bank today so I was going to take it home with me then drop it by on my way in tomorrow morning. Money wasn’t so tight she was desperate, but losing a whole day’s worth of profits would hurt. It was about a thousand dollars all total. Not a huge amount, but… she shrugged.

Alex nodded, his blue eyes tracking her. We don’t have a big drug problem in this town, but I’ll check around and see if I can find out anything. He looked at Eli then Eli’s hand where it rested on her shoulder and gave a flicker of a frown. She hadn’t realized it was there. Standing up dislodged the weight of it and, with chagrin, she realized she missed it. She’d plain missed him.

Disgusted with herself for feeling that small smidge of attraction for the man in the midst of everything that was happening, not to mention everything he’d done in the past, she led Alex into the next room of her store. The Candy Caper. Her pride and joy—and source of income. She’d always had a weakness for chocolate and a head for business. After scraping together her business degree, the store seemed the perfect fit for her. She’d opened the town’s only gourmet candy store with a special section that focused on chocolate only. It had been an instant hit with the town folks and had even been written up in a number of tourist magazines. Boxes of candy, red and pink balloons, stuffed animals and fresh flowers all waited to be delivered to their lucky Valentine recipients. The ice cream case next to the wall gleamed. Nothing seems to be disturbed in here.

All right. I’ll take care of dusting the back room for prints, but don’t expect much. Did the guy have on gloves or did you notice?

She closed her eyes trying to remember the last thing her eyes had seen before she’d been hit. Yes, he had on black gloves.

Did you see his face? Eli asked.

No, a glimpse of a mask and gloves, but that’s it. She rummaged in her drawer for a bottle of ibuprofen and shot a look at Eli. Did you cancel that ambulance?

Alex narrowed his eyes. You sure you want to do that?

She squinted right back at him. Persistent and overprotective. I’m sure. It’s a small cut. Head wounds usually look worse than they are. Or so she’d heard.

Eli took her chin and tilted it for a look at the damage. Her heart jumped into triple speed. I canceled it. His warm breath brushed her cheek, then he stepped back. Holly fought to catch her breath as he headed for the door. I’m just going to have a look outside.

When he left, Alex stared at her like he wanted to say something and couldn’t decide whether or not he should. Not in the mood for either man, dismayed at her instant response to a man who’d pulverized her heart, she just wanted everyone gone so she could put an ice pack on her head. Is that everything you need?

A slow smile crossed his lips. Not everything, but I have your number if I have any more questions. Although I can think of one question I’d like to ask you. It involves a ring.

Holly frowned. Alex… she gently reproved.

He shrugged and offered a sheepish grin. Can’t blame a guy for trying. You know I’m crazy about you, Holly.

Stop it, will you?

Alex just kept that goofy smile on his face. She wondered if he was even thinking about the break-in. I’ll just get out of your way so you can do your job.

A gentle hint.

Eli came back in and Holly watched Alex’s expression slide from personal back to professional. Eli asked, Are you sure you don’t want me to run you up to the E.R. in Bryson City?

A thirty-minute drive away, the small town had the closest hospital. No, I’m fine. Between the ice and the ibuprofen, I’ll survive. I don’t think he got me hard enough to cause a concussion, but if I start feeling sick, I’ll call for help.

All right. He hesitated in the door and looked like he wanted to say something else, then sighed. He looked at Alex then back at her. Did you notice anything off when you came in the store?

She frowned. Off? What do you mean?

Just odd, anyone standing outside, looking like they didn’t belong. A feeling of being watched. Anything like that?

Holly shrugged. No. A sigh escaped her. I guess I need to be a little more alert about my surroundings. A memory hit her. Wait a minute. There was something….

Both Alex and Eli jumped in and chorused, What?

"There was someone standing across the street smoking a cigarette. I