Finding You

By Celya Bowers

The last thing Madigan Stone was looking for was love or anything that resembled it. After ending her unhappy marriage of 15 years, Maddi was starting the second act of her life. She purchased her dream home in a quiet neighborhood.  Thinking she had found the perfect house, she moved in only to find the former owners had left a few surprises for her.  Trash and lots of it.

As she cleared out the debris, she noticed some very expensive art treasures in one of the closets. Before she can decide what to do about the pictures, a strange man is killed in her home while she is out.  The police suspect her, even though she didn't know the deceased.  She needed a miracle and quick. Who knew her miracle would come in the form of a sexy neighbor?

FBI agent Camden Sullivan needs a vacay in the worst way.  His twenty-year marriage just fizzled and burned.  He was preparing to take a month-long sabbatical in Ireland when his boss drops the case of a lifetime in his lap. Not one to say no a puzzle, Camden agreed.
His only lead to a 30-year-old case was new homeowner Maddi. As he gets to know Maddi, he forgets about the case until he realizes Maddi is in danger from not just one group of criminals, but another government agency.  How can he keep her safe and not blow his cover?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Perry-Shaw Publications
• Release date: Jun 1, 2025
• ISBN: 9798231176212

Celya Bowers

Celya Bowers was born and raised in Marlin, Texas, and a small town of 8,000. With not much to do, she turned to reading to expand her horizons.  She soon became an avid reader at an early age.  Soon she wanted the characters in the books she read to look more like her and became a closet writer.   After attending Sam Houston State University, she relocated to Arlington. She graduated from University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor's degree in Communication. She is currently an elementary school teacher.    She joined Romance Writers of America and also the local chapter of Dallas Romance Authors where she learned more about the business of writing.  She served on the executive board as Published Author Network. She was also a member of Writer's Block.    She also writes under the pen name of Kennedy Shaw.    Celya likes to keep up with friends and fans, surf the net and daydream about finally getting to Ireland for her dream vacation.        Please visit her website at www.celya-bowers.com

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank everyone for being so patient with me as I struggled through life events these past few years.  You were my rock through the dark days. 

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Be blessed.

Celya Bowers

www.celya-bowers.com

Finding you

By

Celya Bowers

1

Today was going to be a big day.

Madigan Stone opened her eyes when she inhaled the aroma of breakfast. The smoky smell of bacon tickled her nose, tempting her to rush to the kitchen.  Since her return to Arlington, Texas, two years ago, her mother had taken to making elaborate breakfasts. Maddi enjoyed every bite of it. Today, she was going to need every one of those carbs to start working in her new home. 

Instead of purchasing a move-in ready home, Maddi bought a fixer-upper.  She wanted something that still needed a little work.  Just like her.  Shaking off those thoughts of the past, she hurried through her shower and headed to the kitchen. 

Her mother greeted her as she took a seat at the breakfast table opposite her father.  Good morning, Dad.  He was reading the physical copy of the Arlington Times.  You know they have the newspaper online, she said as she poured a cup of coffee.

Yes, Baby Girl, I know that.  I like the feel of the newspaper in my hands as I read how awful the world is today, he joked.  He closed the item in question and placed it on the table.  I bet you’re chomping at the bit to get started on your place.

Yes, she admitted.  I have so many ideas of what I can do to that place.

I know.  I remember when we moved in here.  Your mother had all those ideas of what she wanted.

I wasn’t the only one with ideas, Brian Stone, her mother said as she placed a platter of food in the center of the table.  I seem to remember someone wanted a library full of books.  Her mother sat at the table. 

Instead of her father rising to the occasion, he grinned and poured his wife a cup of coffee.  After he doctored it, he placed it front of her.  We both were readers back then, he said.

That’s true.  Her mother took a sip of coffee. Perfect, honey. 

Maddi watched her parents’ interaction, noting the affection between the two.  That was what she wanted.  A man who knew what she wanted before she did. She shook her head at the thought, doubting men like that still existed.

After her mother’s delicious breakfast, Maddi drove to her future residence. As she drove the short distance, she mentally made a list of things she wanted to complete.  Her sister, Molly, was meeting her there.  Molly also loved decorating and could ferret out a deal like no other person Maddi knew.    

She parked in the driveway of her large two-story house, still not believing she got such a good deal.  Thanks to her brother, who seemed to have connections all over the city, she was able to snag the house of her dreams before it got on the market. She got out of her SUV and walked up to the front door.  She noticed Molly’s red Mercedes SUV parking in front of the house. 

Maddi waved to her sister as she emerged from her vehicle.  Molly was dressed for a day working in the house, complete with her toolbox.   She had on overall shorts with a tank top, showcasing all her workout efforts. Molly looked 22 instead of 42.

She hurriedly joined Maddi at the front door and hugged her sister.  Sorry, I’m late, Canyon had a video meeting, and it ran long.

Maddi nodded. Where are the girls?

He’s taking them to the park later, before it gets too hot.  You know how it can get in Texas in the summer.  I’m sure he’ll be crying uncle very soon.

My poor brother-in-law, she teased her sister.  Miyah and Malia are going to run him crazy. She opened the front door and ushered her sister inside. Thanks for coming with me today. Mom offered, but they’ve already done so much for me.

Girl stop.  You know you wanted to see the place before Mom gets her hands on it, Molly said, laughing.

Okay, that part.  Yeah.  I wanted to see it first.

Girl, you know I wouldn’t have missed this for nothing.  I’m so glad you’re back home and away from that idiot.  You deserve so much more than he was willing to give. I’m excited to see what your next act is going to look like.

Me too.  I was lucky to be able to pay cash for the house with the proceeds from my divorce.   I still have my nest egg, so I don’t have to rush to find a job.  Mom says I should use this time for me.

Wise woman, our mother.  I was so glad I listened to her and waited to get married.  Canyon and I are much stronger because we got to know each other first.  We have a solid foundation, and the girls have stability.  Molly was a stay-at-home mom, and she loved it.

Maddi agreed.  I think I want to resume my art history degree.  I’m taking some classes in the fall to get my feet wet.  Can you imagine me returning to college at 38?  I bet I’ll be older than the professors at the university.

Doubtful.  Who knows maybe there’s a cute professor just waiting to meet you.

Maddi shook her head.  After my horrendous marriage, I want to enjoy being single for a little while.  I want to enjoy me.

Sing it, girl. When the right man crosses your path, you’ll know it.

I thought I was in love with Bernard.

Her sister waved away her remark.  That was young love.  Now you’ve matured and you know what you don’t want, right?

Correct.  I want some romance. That was definitely lacking in my marriage.

Every woman wants that.  Take me and Canyon.  We’ve been happily married for ten years, but sometimes, I wished he was more romantic.

Said the woman who get flowers on a weekly basis, Maddi mocked. 

Hey, he gets to go play golf every Saturday, well most Saturdays.

The defense rest.  Maddi closed the front door.

I hate you.  You better be glad I love decorating so much.  She glanced around the room. Now let’s see what we’re working with.

I’ve been imagining all kinds of things, since it was such a quick sale and I couldn’t see the house in person.  But Finn assured me that he checked it out before he told me about it. 

You know I checked it out online for you, too. The former owners were an older couple originally from New York.  Nothing unsavory happen at the house, Molly said.  If a mass murder happened here, I would have told you. No matter how good a deal Finn could get on the house.

Maddi shook her head.  Sorry, Molly.  I’m just nervous about what’s in the house or what could be in the house. You know what they say about good deals....

Yeah, if it sounds too good, then..... her sister let the sentence drop, heightening Maddi’s anxiety.  

Maddi scanned the lower floor. There were a few boxes in the living room, but nothing else.  Exactly.  Where’s the trash?

Trash?

I just figured there would be mounds of trash and debris all over the place, since they wanted to sale quickly.  You know, like on those hoarder shows.

We haven’t seen upstairs yet.

Might as well check it out.   They walked up the staircase and looked around the second floor.  After they walked through the family room, then headed into the master bedroom.

Maddi gasped as they took inventory of the room.  Well, that has to go for a start, she said, pointing at the king-sized bed in the middle of the very large room.  Although the bed looks old, I don’t do metal frames.  There was also a small chest in the corner of the room. 

Oh definitely, Molly agreed.  It looks like something from the turn of the century.  I mean this century, not the 1900s.  Molly walked to the closet door which was closed.  Do we dare?

Maddi nodded.  Think I should call dad over just in case?

Molly shook her head.  Nah, if anything it’s probably just full of clothes. Besides, I have flipped houses over the years, so I think we can handle whatever is in here.  Plus, I don’t smell anything awful, so no decaying body parts. Besides, I have my gun in my toolbox.

Gee thanks, Molly.

Scary, Molly teased as she opened the closet door.  See I told you.  Clothes and junk.  I’d call the shelter to take these clothes.  She took a deep breath.  Oh, maybe not. It smells like they have been here for a while.  Might need to wash them first.

Maddi shook her head.  Nah, I’ll just toss them.  After I get some gloves, and a sanitary face mask, of course.

Smart. Who knows what kind of bugs could be in that pile of clothes.  Molly rummaged through the closet, then closed the door. Still doesn’t look like that much to throw away.

We still have a few more rooms to check out.

"They walked into the bathroom and Maddi released the breath she’d been holding.  Nothing.  She opened the linen closet and noticed it was full of papers.  That was odd, she thought.  No towels, bath soap, or toilet paper, which she thought should have been there, since she was in the master bath.  She reached for the papers on the top shelf, but they weren’t actually papers. They were paintings on canvas.  Why would someone leave these behind? Even if they were reproductions, they had to be worth something.

***

FBI Agent Camden Sullivan sat at his desk holding the piece of paper that changed his life forever.  Divorce.  His twenty-year marriage took a nose-dive and now he was a single man again. He still didn’t believe it.  He’d married his college sweetheart, and he always thought they were happy.  

But that was the life of an intelligence agent.  Sometimes he was out of the country for months at a time working on a case, and poor Clare couldn’t take it anymore, which was news to him.  He’d just returned from an assignment in Egypt a few months ago, when she sprang the divorce on him. 

The buzzing of his desk phone brought him back to the present.  His boss wanted to see him.  This can’t be good; he reasoned as he walked toward the stairs.  Once an agent, always an agent, he seldom took the elevator.  Too many things could happen inside of an elevator car and there was no exit strategy.  He took the steps two at a time and quickly arrived at his supervisor’s office.  His old friend greeted him as he entered the room. 

Hey Camden, how’s everything going?  He extended his hand.

Camden shook his hand.  It’s good, Kyle.  You wanted to see me? 

Kyle Martinez grinned.  Always straight to the point, right? He motioned him inside the large office. Take a seat. Kyle walked behind his oversized desk and sat down.  

Camden sat in the plush leather chair, bracing himself for the shoe to drop. So what’s up, Kyle? I am about to leave for my sabbatical. He was headed to Ireland for a month-long vacation to heal from his divorce. He’d always loved the serenity of the Aran Islands and that exactly what he needed right now.  He couldn’t wait to get on that plane tomorrow. 

Yeah, about that.  We just got a tip about the Quentin-Halliday robbery.

Okay, that made him sit up straight. The robbery that occurred over thirty years ago and the artwork has never been recovered?  The same robbery that has been valued at over 300 million dollars? The same robbery which no one was charged?

Yes, to all, Kyle said quietly.  There was always the assumption that whomever took the various priceless pieces of art from the Quentin-Halliday Art Museum in 1987 had absconded to Europe or other parts of the world.

Camden let the information sink in.  Where?

Kyle took a deep breath.  Well, for now it’s local.  We may have to branch out later.

So you think the art never left Dallas?  Camden loved puzzles, but this was insane. Who’d sit on 300 million dollars for that long?

One of the pictures resurfaced about a month ago.  The owner claimed they bought the picture at a garage sale in South Arlington. They thought it was just a good reproduction.

What changed their mind?

You know these kids. They look up everything on the Internet. One of their kids researched it and discovered the mistake. All reproductions have a three to five digit number on the picture, this one didn’t have any numbers on it. Apparently, the canvas it’s painted on felt odd, so they had it authenticated. They realized it was part of the robbery. They called the police and ultimately it landed on our desks. 

Camden was curious.  Now what?  Has anyone questioned them?

Yes, but we’ve hit a wall.  The home of the garage sale was recently sold.  The owners of the home involved was an older couple and have since moved to another state. But honestly, we don’t have enough to legally pursue them and besides they have a P-O box in Illinois.  We don’t even have enough proof to search the house especially since there’s a new owner.

Talk about a brick wall.  You think the new owner might know anything?

Not really. According to our intel, the new owner just recently signed the papers and took possession of the house.  But something tells me that there’s got to be some kind of clue in that house. Funny thing, the house was never on the market for sale.  All under the table, so to speak. They undersold the house, taking a cash offer and a low one at that.

Camden moved all the imaginary puzzle pieces around in his brain until they made sense.  You think they were making a quick getaway that’s why they took a cash offer for less?  It would explain a lot.

That’s where you come in, my friend. It will involve you delaying your sabbatical indefinitely.

Camden hated when Kyle used that term ‘my friend’, it meant he was going undercover.  

2

Hey, what’s this?  Maddi asked, holding up a picture.  It looks like a painting or at least a reproduction. You know like those pictures the kids buy.

Molly carefully inspected the picture.  Yeah, it looks like one of those pictures they sell at the arts and crafts store. Actually, I think I’ve seen this one before.  I think my mother-in-law has one too.  She bought it at an estate sale last year.

You think it’s worth anything?

Molly shrugged.  Maybe a couple of hundred, depending on the number stamped on it.

Number?

Yes, usually there’s a number stamped on the bottom of the picture. The lower the number the better, Molly explained. 

Maddi examined the picture carefully, but