More Than She Bargained for

Book excerpt: After a less than exciting summer in their small Texas town, two young women plot a midnight adventure. Kate and her cousin, Vicki, decide to try to sneak a ride on two international show horses that have been sitting idle since the untimely death of their rider, Hunter Bastian, son of Randolph Bastian who is the only person still residing at the estate. The elderly owner and father has become very withdrawn since his son's death. The entire adventure seems a success until Kate trips over the body of Mr. Bastian who has been brutally murdered. The investigation of the crime at first not only involves the two young ladies but also Kate's mother who has been discovered to have been in a secret relationship with Bastian in years past. The lead detective on the case, Michael Barrington, has taken a liking to Kate, as her flirtatious ways seem to draw in any man she encounters. The investigation, with the help of the two, discovers a strong box hidden in the tack room wall. The box provides the motive for the murder and points to the killer clearing Vicki, Kate and her mother. Kate's rather flirtatious and naive ways seem to find her entangled in less than desirable situations, but detective Barrington always seems to show up in the nick of time. Both Vicki and Kate are surprised with very romantic marriage proposals, and soon find very special happiness in their marriages. The estate becomes the property of Kate and Michael and everything seems perfect. All are living their dreams when Kate's mother unexpectedly dies. Her mother's death brings questions of the past that Kate feel are important to her. Kate is driven in her quest for answers of her mother's past and the life changes it has had on her life. Her obsession to find the answers challenges the strength of her marriage and the true love Michael has unconditionally given her. Once she has found her answers and realizes that she has almost lost the most important person in her life, she works to reconcile things. Just when all seems to be back in place, her love is challenged at a cost more than she bargained for.