Bluegrass State of Mind (39 page)

“
I am going to help Kenna
upstairs. I will be back in a moment. Come on, honey. You’re about
to crash. Let me help you upstairs.”

“
Wait. I want to hear
Cole’s report.” She turned to Cole, “Please, I haven’t heard
anything for a month and am desperate for some news from
someone.”

“
Well, I took all the
evidence to a higher up in the bureau in D.C. He allowed me to
select a private team of four other men to work on this case with
me,” Cole explained.

“
I thought you said you
didn’t know who to trust. How do you know someone isn’t filtering
this information to Chad? Someone has to be. How else did he know I
was engaged?” Kenna grabbed her mug and put it in the sink. She
grabbed the countertop to prevent herself from pacing.

“
I served overseas with
all the people I selected. I know them better than myself. My
friend, who is the higher up, technically has the authority to run
these types of elite off-the-books missions. That’s why I went to
him. Whatever evidence we now gather is official and can be used as
evidence in court. We’ve tracked Chad to New York City just to lose
him again. He’s popped up in New York, Philadelphia, Boston and
D.C. What seems to be different from his other frauds is that he
does not want to give this one up. Normally, he would have assumed
a new name and relocated to start a new game. But we have
surveillance video of him meeting with several judges and a few
Congressmen.”

“
What about
GTH?”

“
Nothing. They are not
cooperating and we have no evidence linking him to the firm in
recent months. However, we do have some interesting taped calls
between one of the partners, Bob Greendale, and Senator Bruce. It’s
enough to warrant a continual tap on both of their phones.
Basically, we’re getting all these different puzzle pieces and
eventually we’ll be able to put them all together.”

“
Thanks Cole. I know you
have done so much to try to find him.”

“
Ahmed has been a big help
too. He has a lot of resources we don’t. And he’s using
them.”

Kenna turned toward the stairs, but
stopped. “I have tried not to think about her, but what has
happened to Whitney? I glanced at the headlines and I have not seen
anything with her name in it.” She didn’t bother to turn around,
but just kept her eyes locked on the back staircase.

“
She pled guilty to a
whole slew of charges. She agreed to provide us with testimony and
is now in a safe house until this whole thing comes to a head. She
told her Daddy that after Will’s engagement, she needed some time
in Europe. We’ll let her call every couple of weeks. We have agents
overseas sending trinkets to him and so on. So far, he believes her
to be on some grand tour.”

Will escorted her upstairs and to
their bedroom.

“
Will, I am fine. I just
want to lay down for a bit. I am so worried about Dani. Did you
hear Cole? Chad’s been back to New York. They could have found her.
Maybe that’s why I have not heard from her in these past six
weeks.”

“
Think positively. You
have a wedding to plan and the engagement party in just a couple of
weeks. Think of all the things you and Danielle can do together
when she finally gets here. And she will. Have faith.”

Kenna closed her eyes but didn’t fall
asleep. Flashes of her relationship with Chad kept her awake. He
had to have said something he didn’t mean to share. They had talked
so much when they first met. So, she closed her eyes and let her
mind lead her.

* * *

“
No, that can’t be
right.”

“
Yes, sir, it is.
Congratulations.”

“
No! No, do it
again.

“
The test came back a
99.98% match. Trust me, Mr. Heller, you are going to be a father.”
Kenna watched the man in his early forties fall against the podium.
The mother-to-be stood next to her gloating with her massively
swollen belly.

“
But you don’t understand,
my mother is going to kill me!”

“
Your mother?” Kenna and
Judge Cooper said at the same time.

Mr. Heller had stood up and was now
pacing the courtroom. “It just can’t be. My mom said I was
circumcised. I can’t have kids since I’m circumcised. So the test
must be wrong.”

Oh God, it must be a full moon. This
was only the second case of the day and it was not setting a good
tone. Kenna looked to Judge Cooper, “Nope, not touching this
one.”

“
That’s what my mother
told me. I should have listened,” Mr. Heller said.

Kenna choked on a laugh that
threatened to erupt and turned to Mr. Heller. “Sir, I assure you
that you can still have children. In fact you will be having one in
a couple of weeks by the looks of it.”

Mr. Heller stopped pacing and his face
lit up. “Really? You mean I did it? My swimmers made it! I’m going
to be a Daddy!” He ran over to Mommy-to-be and kissed her. “We’re
going to have a baby! I am so sorry I didn’t believe you when you
told me. Mom told me I had been snipped. I thought that meant I
couldn’t have kids. I thought you had cheated on me.” Mr. Heller
dropped to his knees, “Marry me, baby.”

“
Yes!” Mommy-to-be shouted
and hurled herself, belly and all into Mr. Heller.

Kenna, along with the rest of the
courtroom staff, stood open-mouthed at the scene. Judge Cooper
cleared his throat, “Well. I believe paternity has been
established. Miss Lanstinger, I am going to dismiss your paternity
and custody action for now. If you end up not getting married
before the baby is born, then file a motion to renew and I’ll set
custody and child support then. Next case Deputy.”

After she wrapped up her portion of
the docket, Kenna put the case files into her briefcase and said
goodbye to Noodle. She made the short walk to her office and spent
an hour returning calls to her clients. She glanced at the clock on
her desk and rubbed her neck. It had been a long day. She kicked
off the slippers she kept under her desk and put her Manolos back
on. She turned off her computer and slipped her red suit coat on.
She was due home in twenty minutes for a romantic dinner and she
had no desire to be late.

Will greeted her with a kiss and
surprised her with his attempt at a home cooked meal. They
discussed Boots’ first breeding that took place that day to Desert
Girl and relaxed on the porch swing she insisted he install on the
back porch. Soon, she was drifting off with her head against his
shoulder. She felt him pick her up and carry her to their
bedroom.

Kenna was having the most glorious
dream. She was on a cloud and Will was running his hand down her
side. He pushed her hair back and placed his warm mouth at the base
of her neck. She stretched into the kiss and felt his erection rub
against her back. Her eyes popped open, but quickly closed again
when his hand found its way under her panties.

* * *

The next day, Kenna hurried to get
dressed as Will showered. She was hopping on one foot trying to
pull up her panty hose when she heard the doorbell.

“
Shit!” She slipped and
fell against the bed. Muttering about stupid men and their
invention of the panty hose, she hopped downstairs still trying to
slip on her purple Pradas.

She opened the door and couldn’t make
a sound.

“
Hey girl! Ready for
work?” Danielle asked. “Hey! Didn’t you promise me those
shoes?”

Kenna dropped her hand from her heart
and hugged her fiercely, tears rolling down their
cheeks.

“
So, where can a girl find
a place to stay around here?”

Laughing, Kenna put her arm over
Danielle’s shoulder. “I know the perfect place.”

###

Can’t wait to read
Danielle’s story? Then don’t! Risky Shot is now available as an
e-book in all outlets and in paperback on Amazon.com

RISKY SHOT

 
Danielle De Luca, an
ex-beauty queen who is not at all what she seems, leaves the
streets of New York after tracking the criminals out to destroy
her. She travels to Keeneston, Kentucky to make her final stand by
the side of her best friend, McKenna Mason. While in Keeneston,
Danielle meets the quiet and mysterious Mohtadi Ali Rahmen, a
modern day Prince. Can Mo protect Dani from the group of powerful
men in New York? Or will Dani save the Prince from his rigid,
loveless destiny?

You don’t want to miss the
final piece of the trilogy in Dead Heat! Now available in all
e-book outlets and in paperback on Amazon.com

DEAD HEAT

 
In the third book of
the Bluegrass Series, Paige Davies finds her world turned upside
down as she becomes involved in her best friends' nightmare. The
strong-willed Paige doesn't know which is worse: someone trying to
kill her, or losing her dog to the man she loves to hate.
FBI Agent Cole Parker can't decide whether he should strangle or
kiss this infuriating woman of his dreams. As he works the case of
his career, he finds that love can be tougher than bringing down
some of the most powerful men in America.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen Brooks has garnered attention
for her debut novel, Bluegrass State of Mind, as a new voice in
romance with a warm Southern feel. Her books feature quirky small
town characters you’ll feel like you’ve known forever, romance,
humor, and mystery all mixed into one perfect glass of sweet
tea.

Kathleen is an animal lover who
supports rescue organizations and other non-profit organizations
whose goals are to protect and save our four-legged family
members.

Kathleen lives in Central Kentucky with
her husband, daughter, two dogs, and a cat who thinks he’s a
dog.

She loves to hear from
readers and can be reached at
[email protected]

Check out the
Kathleen Brooks’
Website,
www.Kathleen-Brooks.com
for updates on in the Bluegrass Series. You can also “Like”
Kathleen on
Facebook
and
follow her on Twitter
@BluegrassBrooks
.