Killer Deadline - Lauren Carr Page 0,1

to hear his response.

The officer froze when he saw Nikki. After a long pause, he gestured for Camille to pull up behind the sheriff’s cruiser.

“What’s going on?” Ashleigh craned her neck to watch the police officers and plainclothes detectives rushing in and out of the television station.

Nikki watched the officer talking to Sheriff Daniel Van Metre. He was a good friend of her father. The two of them often went fishing together. The sheriff glanced over at the Cadillac and hung his head.

Nikki’s heart sank.

Sheriff Van Metre rubbed his face with his hand and slowly made his way across the lot in their direction.

As he drew closer, Nikki’s heart dropped into the pit of her stomach.

His words sounded like a series of noises as the news hit home.

Life as she knew it would never be the same. Her father had been killed.

Chapter One

Present Day

“I know you’re going to find all of these changes very exciting, but I need to warn you about your two evil stepsisters.”

Nikki Bryant tucked a stray lock of her blond hair behind her ear and smiled down at Elmo. The boxer dog paused drinking the water she had poured into his travel water dish. He peered up at her. His floppy ears perked up.

In her purse, Nikki’s phone beeped to signal a message from one of her social media accounts.

“They call them evil stepsisters for a reason,” she told the dog while extracting her phone from the bag.

A soft smile crossed her lips when she read the social media handle for the sender: NerdyGuy.

Are you there yet?

She pushed her fashion sunglasses up onto the top of her head to secure her long hair from her face. Her fingers flew across the screen as she tapped out her reply. One hour away.

Nervous? he responded instantly.

She answered. What do you think?

It’s going to be fine. I’m sure he’s equally nervous.

Nikki’s teeth clenched. She anchored Elmo’s leash with her foot so her dog couldn’t wander off in the busy interstate rest area. Her fingertips flew across the screen.

How can you be so sure? You don’t know any of these people. You’ve never met them. What was I thinking? I had a fabulous career at a major news station in Las Vegas. Who in their right mind leaves a successful job to return to their small town and take over their family’s television station? Tell me again why I’m doing this.

NerdyGuy’s reply was quick. For a second chance with your first and only love.

I never should have told you about Ryan.

You wouldn’t have if he hasn’t been on your mind all these years.

Nikki growled.

Bored with sitting at the bench with nothing to do, Elmo pawed at her knee. He was ready to get back into the SUV and hit the road.

Remember our deal, Nikki tapped out. I’m giving up everything to take another shot at the love of my life. You have to tell the girl that got away, that you still love her.

I remember our deal. But before I do that, you need to go home to Ryan.

She sighed. What if things don’t work out? What if I see him after all these years and realize that he’s not the one?

NerdyGuy replied with the question: What if he is?

“Oh, dear.” Nikki Bryant let out a deep breath when she saw the white sign trimmed in forest green at the top of the hill overlooking Pine Grove’s town-square. It read:

Bryant Bed & Breakfast

Established in 1870, the red-brick Italianate Victorian home was flanked by tall pine trees. The weekend following the Labor Day holiday, the blue cranesbills lining the walkway leading up to the wrap-around porch were amazingly in full bloom.

Guests of the bed-and-breakfast were welcome to park in the circular driveway out front. The permanent residents, members of the Bryant-Spaulding family, drove around to the rear of the house to park in the four-car garage. Back before automobiles, the garage had served as a carriage house. The upper floor of the garage had been renovated into an apartment—home to Nikki’s stepbrother.

My stepbrother. Ugh!

Everything looked the same as it had when she had left for Washington, DC to embark into her journalism. Except, she didn’t recall the bed and breakfast’s driveway so crowded with vehicles.

“We forgot about Mom’s retirement party, Elmo.” She felt a paw reach up from the rear seat to scratch the back of her arm. The comforting touch was partnered with a low whine. “That’s easy for you to say.” She turned around to gaze back at