Falling
for Sarah
Bodyguards of L.A. County #2
Bodyguards of L.A. County #2
By: Cate Beauman
Widow Sarah
Johnson struggled to pick up the pieces after her life was ripped apart. After
two years of grieving, she's found contentment in her thriving business as
photographer to Hollywood's A-list and in raising her angel-faced daughter,
Kylee... until bodyguard and long-time friend Ethan Cooke changes everything
with a searing moonlight kiss.
Sarah's
world turns upside down as she struggles with her unexpected attraction to
Ethan and the guilt of betraying her husband's memory. But when blue roses and
disturbing notes start appearing on her doorstep, she has no choice but to lean
on Ethan as he fights to save her from a stalker that won't stop until he has
what he prizes most.
Ethan Cooke has been Sarah rock before Jake died and before
Kylee was born. But for the past 6 months Ethan has felt more for Sarah than
just being her friends, but he had successfully kept it to himself, that is
until one night when one kiss changes everything.
Sarah Johnson had gone through so much with loosing her
husband Jake in Afghanistan and having a beautiful little girl Kylee, but
thankfully she always she always had the support of Hunter and Ethan; but when
Ethan brought a date to Hunter and Morgan's wedding whom had no problem in
claiming that Sarah was using Ethan shamelessly, it changed the way she looked
at things and Ethan. But after the passionate kiss they shared, Sarah is
confused and asks for time. But Sarah was willing to put their friendship in
jeopardy to see if they could have something more
But just when things seem to go right, Ethan's doubts about
himself flair up and he feels like he is too much like his unfaithful parents
to actually be in something comitted. But then a serial rapist turn serial
killer has got Sarah in his sights and Ethan is determined to protect her and
Kylee from anything that could hurt them, including himself. But soon Ethan
realizes he has made a mistake in not only his feelings, but in her protection
too! But is it too late???
I can honestly say I absolutely loved this book as much as
the first Bodyguards of LA County
series. The writing and plot are once again superb, the book isn't long winded
and the chapters haven't been padded out. The characters are likable, though we
saw quite a lot of Hailey and Austin in this book, so I'm hoping we will see
them in their own.
Overall Falling for
Sarah is a thrilling romantic suspense that I look forward to reading again and
again, which is why I give it 5 stars!
Chapter One
September
24, 2010
Sarah Johnson turned the
key and opened her front door. She crossed the threshold, breathing
in the familiar scent of fresh-cut flowers and the hint of low tide blowing in
from the Pacific. “It’s so nice to be home. Welcome home, sweet baby girl.” She
stared at her sleeping newborn and smiled, brushing her lips over the soft skin
of her baby’s forehead.
“Look out, coming
through,” Ethan Cooke said, loaded down with balloons and vases overflowing
with cheerful blooms. “I had no idea bringing a baby home from the hospital
required movers.”
Sarah stepped aside,
chuckling. “I know. Kylee has quite a fan club already. Let me help you with
some of this stuff.”
“I’ve got it. You gave
birth yesterday, for God’s sake. The nurse told you to take it easy.” He set
the vase on the entryway table and released the balloons to the ceiling as he
dropped the diaper bag from his shoulder to the floor. “Besides, Jake would
kick my ass if he knew you were hauling things in.”
Sarah’s smile widened as
she thought of her husband. “Yes, you’re probably right, but I also know he
would be grateful you were able to help me out. My mother wasn’t expecting to
run her shop today. Dana called in sick, so that was that.”
Ethan moved closer to
her side, staring at the baby. “I’m happy you called. I wanted to come visit
you ladies again last night, but things got a little crazy while I was on
duty.” He brushed a finger down Kylee’s tiny nose. “She really is beautiful,
Sarah. She looks just like you.”
Sarah’s blue eyes
twinkled. “Thank you, but I definitely see some of Jake in her too.” She wrapped
her free arm around Ethan’s waist and rested her head against his shoulder as
he returned her embrace. “I’m so happy right now, Ethan, so absolutely happy.
Twenty-nine more days and my family will be whole again. I can’t wait to hug
Jake and watch his face when he holds her for the first time. I could tell he
wanted to crawl through the screen yesterday and touch her tiny fingers and
toes.” She looked down at Kylee. “No more deployments for your daddy. He’ll be
all ours.”
“He’ll be mine too.”
Ethan grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. “I’ve been waiting just as eagerly for
Jake’s return. It took me two years to convince him to join my firm. Now I need
to get Hunter on board, and the crew will be together again.”
“Getting yourselves into
as much trouble as ever I’m sure. You’ll have to wait a little longer for your
new security expert. He’s not leaving my side for at least a week.”
“I think I can live with
that.” He kissed her forehead and started toward the door. “Let me get the rest
of the stuff from the truck. Then I’ll set up Jake’s surprise.”
“I can’t wait for him to
see it. I’ve nixed the big-screen TV idea for so long, I’m pretty sure he’s
stopped hoping for one.”
“It’s a beauty, all
right. He’ll love it. I’ll have everything hooked up in no time.” He gave her a
gentle squeeze and headed for the door.
“Great.” Brimming with
joy, Sarah kissed her daughter again and took the baby to the nursery she’d
painstakingly painted on her own. The pale yellow stripes looked wonderful with
the touches of pink scattered about the room. Sitting in the rocker, she put
Kylee to her breast and listened to the door open and slam shut as Ethan
brought their items in from his Range Rover. Minutes later, she smiled when she
heard him rummaging through the cupboards in the kitchen. If Ethan was
anything, it was always hungry.
Kylee’s mouth went slack
as she fell back to sleep.
Sarah fastened her
nursing bra and fixed her shirt. She settled Kylee against her shoulder and
walked out to the kitchen while she rubbed her daughter’s back, burping her.
Ethan stood in front of
the open refrigerator, mumbling his excitement about her stocked shelves. He
glanced up, grinning, and she itched for her camera. “Hey, I’m going to make
myself a sandwich before I get started on the TV. Want one?”
“No, thanks. Do you want
me to make it for you?”
“Nah, you don’t have to
do that.”
“Why don’t you let me
because I have another favor to ask of you.” She smiled. “The least I can do is
make you something to eat.”
He went to the pantry,
grabbing a loaf of bread. “Why don’t you tell me what you need?” He pulled open
a cupboard and took out a plate.
“A shower.” She smiled
again, nibbling her lip.
His eyes zeroed in on
Kylee, and he took a step back. “Geez, I don’t know, Sarah. I’ve never held a
baby before. What if I drop her?”
A laugh bubbled in her
throat at the sheer horror in his eyes. Even after he’d helped her through
hours of labor, watched her deliver Kylee, and cut the cord in Jake’s honor,
he’d refused to hold her.
“You’re not going to
drop her,” she said, walking to where he stood. “Fold your arm like this.” She
held out her arm, bending at the elbow.
He cleared his throat,
following her lead, and she placed Kylee in the crook of his rigid arm. Kylee
squirmed, and he grabbed Sarah’s hand. “She’s moving, she’s moving. She’s going
to fall. Shit, Sarah, I really think this is a bad idea.”
“I think it’s a great
idea. Trust me on this one.” She adjusted the baby slightly, moving his arm
closer to his body, making sure his hand held Kylee under her diapered bottom.
She backed away from them, grinning at the discomfort and mild panic all over
Ethan’s face. “You’re a natural. Look at you two. I need my camera.”
He groaned as she moved
to the pile of bags outside the kitchen door and grabbed her case, pulling her
Nikon D3 from the bag. She held up the camera and looked through the lens,
focusing on Ethan’s arresting face for a test shot. Sharp cheekbones and
straight black eyebrows accentuated his long, thick eyelashes and bold gray
eyes. She zoomed in on the clear gray pools surrounded by dark, smoky rings and
pressed the shutter closed in rapid succession. His firm, full lips and
muscular torso showcased a man perfectly comfortable with his masculinity. She
tightened her focus on his big hand holding Kylee’s little body and clicked
away again, moving in closer, getting lost in her passion for pictures.
“Sarah, do you want that
shower or not?”
She pulled the camera
back, focusing on Ethan’s raised brow and lips pressed firm in annoyance.
“Sorry. I got a little carried away. You two make excellent subjects. The
camera loves your face.”
“So you’ve told me—more
times than I can count.”
She placed the Nikon
back in the bag and zipped it closed. “You’re doing a great job with her.”
He glanced down at
Kylee. “I guess this is okay.”
“See? I’ll be quick. She
just ate so she should sleep. Here’s the burp cloth just in case she spits up.”
She draped the cotton towel over Ethan’s shoulder and turned to leave.
“Wait.”
She stopped, turning
back.
“Um.” He took a step
toward her and stopped. “What if—what if she starts to cry?”
Amused by his distress,
she couldn’t help but smile. The man standing before her dealt with the scum of
the earth every day, yet a seven-pound infant brought him to his knees. “Just
jiggle your arm a little bit. She’ll fall right back to sleep.” She turned and
walked toward the bathroom, calling over her shoulder, “Oh, and relax. Babies
feel tension.”

Cate makes her home in North Carolina with her
husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack. Currently Cate is
working on Deceiving Bella, the eleventh novel in her popular bodyguards
series.
Rafflecopter Giveaway
($25 Amazon Gift Card)
Thank you so much for sharing your lovely review!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Cara!
ReplyDelete