Return To Stony Ridge

Return To Stony Ridge
Dani Sinclair

A CHILD IN JEOPARDYIt wasn't every day that P.I. Teri Johnson pulled a gun on a man in his own home, but she was desperate. Her sister was in a coma and her missing nephew was in grave danger. She had to find the little boy before he was lost forever–and contractor R. J. Monroe would help her, even if it meant keeping her eyes and gun trained on him at all times. When their search led them to an eerie mansion with too many secrets, Teri wondered if she was in over her head. Even with R.J. at her side, she still didn't like things that go bump in the night. But Teri would complete her mission at all costs–even at the risk of losing her heart….

Fear-fed adrenaline surged through her

Then as suddenly as it started, the attack was over. He released her and stepped back, holding the gun.

“Sorry,” RJ told her. “My house, my rules.”

He opened the cylinder and dropped the shells into the palm of his hand. Tossing them to her, he held her gaze.

“You keep the bullets. I’ll keep the gun.”

She was trembling all over, from shock and fear.

“Feel free to leave if you want, but if you go out to your car, you won’t be coming back inside tonight.”

Teri believed him. She knew he had no reason to trust her or to know if she had another weapon in the car.

“For what it’s worth, Teri, if I’d wanted to attack you, I’d have done so. I prefer a willing partner.”

Return to Stony Ridge

Dani Sinclair

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

For women of courage everywhere.

Special thanks to Judy Fitzpatrick, Natashya Wilson and my own hero, Roger.

I couldn’t have done this without you guys.

And of course, for Chip and Dan and Barb as always.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

An avid reader, Dani Sinclair didn’t discover romance novels until her mother lent her one when she’d come for a visit. Dani’s been hooked on the genre ever since. But she didn’t take up writing seriously until her two sons were grown. With the premiere of Mystery Baby for Harlequin Intrigue in 1996, Dani’s kept her computer busy ever since. Her third novel, Better Watch Out, was a RITA

Award finalist in 1998. Dani lives outside Washington, D.C., a place she’s found to be a great source for both intrigue and humor!

You can write to her in care of the Harlequin Reader Service.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Teri Johnson—This intriguing P.I. has a whopping secret.

RJ Monroe—Helping an old friend may have put this contractor in a killer’s sights.

Olivia Barnesly—Teri’s mysterious client has never met the woman she hired Teri to find.

Valerie Boyington—This desperate mother went missing in the dead of night.

Corey Boyington—Valerie’s son is safe—and safely hidden.

Lester Boyington—The businessman seems genuinely worried about his missing wife and son.

Wyatt Crossley—The police chief has his hands full.

Will Leftcowitz—He wasn’t always a groundskeeper.

Mrs. Norwhich—The cook may be lacking in personality, but she makes a mean sandwich.

George and Emily Walken—The kind older couple have taken in foster children for most of their married lives.

Kathy Walsh—The housekeeper can relate to the women at Heartskeep.

Ian, Nola and Boone—The kids swear there’s someone—or something—moving around Heartskeep after dark.

Lucky—RJ’s dog has lived up to his name more than once.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve