On the Line
Authors: Kathryn Ascher
On the Line
© 2015 Kathryn Ascher. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
digital, photocopying, or recording, except for the inclusion in a review, without
permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations,
and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or
are used fictitiously.
Published in the United States by BQB Publishing
(Boutique of Quality Books Publishing Company)
Printed in the United States of America
978-1-939371-81-2 (p)
978-1-939371-82-9 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2015904687
Book design by Robin Krauss,
www.bookformatters.com
Cover design by David Grauel
Other Books
What It Takes
Released: May 27, 2014
by BQB Publishing
Praise for What It Takes
“Kathryn Ascher has written a truly entertaining story with wonderful and loveable
characters.”
-Bella Lee from Bella’s Little Book Blog
“
What It Takes
by Kathryn Ascher is one of these brilliant debut works that make
me want for more.”
-Claudia B. from My Little Avalon Book reviews
“
What It Takes
has all of the elements in a classic romance novel which appeal to
me; believable main characters, a great storyline and a well-crafted villain.”
-Sue G. from Lady Celeste Reads Romance reviews
Dedication
For my mom, who introduced me to the romance genre and who is always willing to read
anything I write. Thanks for always supporting me and thank you for going the extra
mile to make sure this book is as unique as you are.
For Matt, my partner in crime and the wall I bounce ideas off of. Thank you for being
my biggest cheerleader and for never letting me give up.
Contents
Nathan Harris locked the door of his police cruiser and strolled up the sidewalk
toward the brick ranch house he’d been called to. He climbed the two steps to the
porch then paused to look down both directions of the street as a cool, autumn breeze
touched his face. This house belonged to someone he hadn’t seen in over six years.
But he’d known her almost his whole life, and cared about her since they were in
high school. He’d once thought it was love, now he wasn’t so certain.
Since she was married to someone else, he wasn’t sure it really mattered anymore.
He was about to find out.
Taking another step forward, he reached out and opened the screen door, then rapped
his knuckles on the wood behind it. The door tentatively opened, and Nathan was greeted
by the familiar face that had sporadically haunted his dreams for years. She smiled
at him and his heart skipped a beat.
“Nathan,” Janelle said as she opened the door wider and stood to the side. “What
a surprise. What are you doing here?”
Her voice was like a feather as it slid over him, and he took a step closer. “My
mother called me.”
Janelle’s full lips curled up in a smile as she turned into the house. “Nancy, did
you need to see Nathan?”
“Yes, I did,” was the voice that Nathan recognized as his mother’s.
Janelle motioned for him to come in.
“Any idea why she called?” Nathan muttered, taking his cap off and tucking it under
his arm as he slipped past Janelle, catching a whiff of her clean, vanilla scent
that sent his mind straight back to high school.
She shook her head. “I have no idea,” she whispered as she closed the door behind
him.
Nathan walked farther into the room and let his gaze take everything
in. He wasn’t
sure what he’d been expecting, but this was probably not it. Everything was perfect.
The books on the bookshelf were perfectly aligned, the baskets on the bottom shelf
hid their contents well, any door or drawer on a piece of furniture was closed, the
floor and furniture were spotless, and there wasn’t a fleck of dust anywhere. The
room looked more like a showroom than a room in a house where a toddler lived.
He’d never known Janelle’s locker or childhood bedroom to be this neat, and he looked
again at the woman he’d grown up with. She looked put together, but upon closer examination,
Nathan could see the stress written all over her face. Her laugh lines were deep
as they stretched from the corners of her lips and the bags under her eyes were large
and dark. Her arms were folded over her chest, her fingers rubbing circles on her
arm as she stood by the door, peering out of the window. Nathan saw the slight discoloration
under her fingertips and the hairs on the back of his neck raised as his investigative
senses began to tingle.
Something wasn’t right here.
“Nathan, I’m so glad you could come,” his mother said sweetly, and Nathan looked
in her direction. She was seated in a rocking chair in the corner, rocking Janelle’s
sleeping son, smiling innocently at him. Nancy then turned to her own first-born
son.
“I only have a few minutes, Mom.” Nathan sat on the end of the couch closest to her,
setting his uniform cover beside him on the arm. “Did you need something?”
“I do, actually.” She shifted the child and leaned forward as she looked down at
his angelic face. “Isn’t he adorable?” She looked up and met Nathan’s raised eyebrow.
“I can’t wait to have some grandchildren of my own.”
“Mom,” Nathan said firmly, trying very hard not to roll his eyes at her bluntness.
Her only married son, the middle child, was still a newlywed. Nathan knew that Mason
had every intention of reproducing, but not any time soon. “You’re barking up the
wrong tree with that one. Now, why did you call?”
“Well, Janelle was just telling me about all of the things she needs done around
the house, and I was wondering if you might be able to help.” She looked down at
her charge and slowly began to rock the chair.
“Nancy.” Janelle suddenly appeared in front of Nathan, and he noticed
the hint of
panic in her blue eyes. “He doesn’t need to help, I’m working on it. I’m sure I’ll
get through the list.”
“Sweetheart, I’m sure you will.” His mother leaned back and gave Janelle a toothy
grin. “And for every one thing you mark off of that list, two more will pop up. I
know how these older houses are, there’s always something that needs fixing.”
Nathan eyed his mother. “You know I’m always willing to help, but she has a husband.
I’m sure he’s perfectly capable of doing these tasks himself. Or at least hiring
someone who can.”
From the corner of his eye, he saw Janelle lower herself onto the coffee table. “He’s
hardly ever here,” she practically whispered, and Nathan focused on her. She gave
him a deprecating smile. “He’s always working late.”
“What about weekends?” Nathan questioned.
“He finds other things to do.” Janelle shrugged and looked toward the window behind
him.
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She hadn’t said it, but her body language
said it all. Richard Wagoner was spending his weekends doing things without her,
ignoring the problems in his own house . . . for what?
“Janelle, I think I’m ready to lay Zach down.” Nancy stood and Nathan rose to his
feet as well.
“Nancy, I can do that,” Janelle said as she approached.
“No, no, I already have him.” She stepped away from the rocker and closer to Nathan.
“Why don’t you go fix some coffee and we can indulge in some of the cookies I brought
with me.”
“Are you sure?” Janelle sounded lost at having his mother volunteer to take care
of her child.
“Absolutely.” Nancy walked between Nathan and Janelle, toward the bedrooms at the
side of the house. “Nathan can help me.”
Janelle’s wide eyes met his and he shrugged. They both knew better than to argue
with his mom; once she’d given a command, it was in everyone’s best interest to just
go along with it. Besides, Nathan knew that Nancy had been spending a lot of time
with Janelle and, for the first time, he was curious to hear what she had to say
about Janelle’s marriage.