Groaning loudly, he shook his head. "Oh, my God, you've been talking to Abby."

"Well, I did have to check with her to make sure bringing you here was the right choice for everyone. She's got your mom to worry about until next Tuesday, so I didn't think she needed another patient around to wait on hand and foot. Or leg in this case."

"What's next Tuesday?"

Elizabeth lifted her head. "Dr. Gillian was able to get your mom into that facility he recommended. They'll transport her next Tuesday."

Relief washed over him, and he hugged her tightly. "I'm telling you; today has been the perfect day. That's almost the best news I've ever heard."

"Almost?"

He gripped her chin, and lifted her face so he could meet her eyes, "The best news of my life was that you loved me, Bethie. We might have started out as lovers, but you've quickly become the love of my life. I'll never let you go as long as I live."

"Kiss me, Deputy."

The End.

About the Author.

Best-selling author, Lori King, is also a full-time wife and mother of three boys. Although she rarely has time to just enjoy feminine pursuits; at heart she is a hopeless romantic. She spends her days dreaming up Alpha men, and her nights telling their stories. An admitted TV and book junkie, she can be found relaxing with a steamy story, or binging in an entire season of some show online. She gives her parents all the credit for her unique sense of humor and acceptance of all forms of love. There are no two loves alike, but you can love more than one with your whole heart.

With the motto: Live, Laugh, and Love like today is your only chance, she will continue to write as long as you continue to read. Thank you for taking the time to indulge in a good Happily Ever After with her.

Also By Lori King.

Crawley Creek Series.

Beginnings Forget Me Knot.

Rough Ride Romeo Claiming His Cowgirl Sunnyside Up Hawke's Salvation.

Handcuffed by Destiny.

Fetish & Fantasy.

Watching Sin Submission Dance.

Mistress Hedonism Masquerade.

Surrender Series.

Weekend Surrender Flawless Surrender Primal Surrender.

Broken Surrender Fantasy Surrender.

The Gray Pack Series.

Fire of the Wolf Reflections of the Wolf.

Legacy of the Wolf Dreams of the Wolf.

Caress of the Wolf Honor of the Wolf.

House Arrest.

by Lynne St. James.

A Willow Haven Novella Book 1.

Ethan Price thought a job as a small-town police detective in Willow Haven would be easy after five years as a pilot in the Air Force. Then a rash of break-ins put the entire department on alert and the woman he loves at risk.

Anna Taggart is smart, stubborn, independent, and doesn't think she needs anyone. Having her heart broken before, she refuses to give in to her feelings for Ethan no matter how hard he pursues her.

Will Ethan be able to convince Anna life is too short not to love?

For all of those who have loved and lost and learned to love again.

For T.S., I love you.

1.

Anna Taggart pulled up in front of 3232 Seashell Lane and double checked the paperwork she'd brought with her. Double checking was her thing, maybe it was her undiagnosed OCD or maybe it was just her, she never knew. But it didn't matter. She always had to check and cross check for as long as she could remember.

The house was a pink seashell stucco and a typical old-time Florida bungalow right down to the bright yellow hibiscus blooming in the front yard. Anna couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting for an open house. Now she just had to hope that the inside was in as good a condition as the outside, and she might be able to sell it today. Making sure the house was clean, a comfortable temperature, and smelled great were her trade secrets. Not that she kept the information to herself, it was one of the first things she shared with her new real estate agents when they came on board. That and the trick about baking cookies. Nothing like the scent of cookies fresh out of the oven to tempt a buyer.

As CEO of Willow Haven Realty, Anna didn't usually spend her Saturdays holding open houses, they were usually spent at her desk going through the mounds of paperwork that seemed to multiply faster than bunnies. But today she was doing a favor for Adria, the agent who'd listed the house. She'd found out last minute that her son's soccer team made the finals, and the game was today.

The memory of meeting Adria for the first time still made her smile. She'd come into the office just before closing on a Tuesday evening. No experience, tons of enthusiasm, and a great personality convinced Anna to give her a chance. It wasn't until a few months later that she had learned Adria's husband had been shot down over Iraq. Hard to believe it was four years ago, and now they were best friends Grabbing her "go-bag" as she liked to call it, and an open house sign from her back seat, she got out of the car mumbling a prayer while heading to the front door. With about an hour to spare, she should have just enough time to make sure the house was clean, pop a batch of cookies in the oven and put out the fresh flowers and candles she had in her bag.

After unlocking the lockbox, she opened the front door and stepped inside still hoping that the house would be in good shape. The realtor gods were smiling down on her for sure, and she would have done a fist pump if her hands hadn't been full. Not only was it clean, but it was also adorable and the perfect house for snowbirds or a young family. Adria had said the sellers were anxious because they'd been transferred overseas, and if her luck held she hoped she'd be able to make a sale today.

The buzzer sounded, and she grabbed the cookies out of the oven. Placing them on a platter on the dining room table so everyone was sure to see them as they came in to the house, she figured it was time to put up the sign on the front lawn. The house was as ready as it was going to get.

With another quick pass through the house, Anna was satisfied it was ready, and it was time to put out the sign. Stopping at the front door and turning to check on last time at the view the prospective buyers would have as they entered, she pulled open the front door and stepped outside and face first into a rock hard t-shirt clad chest. Backing away on instinct alone, it took her brain a moment to register that she knew that chest. Very well, in fact.

"Hi, sweetheart."

"Damn it! Ethan. You scared the crap out of me."

"Sorry. But I didn't expect you to open the door as I was about to knock." He might be saying he was sorry, but his wide-ass grin told her otherwise.

"How did you even know I was here?"

"I stopped by the office. Jenny said you were covering Adria's open house. Don't you have enough on your plate already?"

"It's not a big deal. And you know Adria would do anything for me. Scotty's team made the finals. I thought I told you last night?"

Ethan Price, ex-Air Force Pilot, Willow Haven Police Detective and Anna's boyfriend, rolled his eyes and shook his head. She knew the look. It wasn't the first time she'd seen it, and it definitely wouldn't be the last. "You run yourself ragged."

"It's my company."

"No, it's your father's company. He just lets you do all the work." He was right even if she didn't want to hear it. Her parents had semi-retired four years earlier and left her in charge as they hit every golf course in the world.

"That's not entirely true."

"C'mon, it's true, and you know it."

With a sigh, she pushed past him to set up the sign. She didn't have the time or the desire to rehash their standing argument. She had work to do, whether he liked it or not.

"Why are you here, anyway? Damn, that sounded harsh, sorry. I thought you were working today too." Every inch of his six-foot three-inch frame oozed sexy as he leaned against the doorway.

"Nope, this is my weekend off. Which is why I figured we could sneak in a little afternoon fun. Or I did until I realized you weren't in the office."

"Oh, you did, huh? What makes you think I'd have time for some afternoon nookie?"

"Hmm. I think I'd have found a way to convince you."

Seeing the gleam in his steel-blue eyes, sent a shiver of desire racing down her spine. Damn. She'd tried so hard to keep him at arm's length, but he was just too-everything. Everything she wanted, everything she needed, but also everything she was afraid of. After Ryan's death, she promised herself never again. It just hurt too much.

His quick smile proved he knew how he affected her. "So, I brought lunch. We both know you never remember to eat, and I figured since I couldn't have you, we could at least have lunch together. You do have to eat."

Unable to resist his smile, she grinned. "Oh well. You win some, you lose some."

"I consider this a win; I still get to spend time with you."

"I don't have a lot of time. Buyers could show up at any minute, and it's not really professional to be eating on the job."

"Then I guess you'll have to eat fast. Jenny said you should have time."

"Good thing I don't employ Jenny to keep secrets."

"She just can't resist my charm."

Snorting, she shook her head. Yeah, I'm sure that's exactly why."

"Hey if you don't want what I've brought..."