Page 1 of Mistletoe and Malice
Prologue
“Imet someone, Ri.”
Riley grinned at her friend seated across from her at the cozy café, the promise of new love sparkling in Caitlyn’s blue eyes. “Explains the dreamy grin you’ve been wearing since I got here.”
Leaning over her garden salad, Caitlyn’s smile widened. Her eyes shone brighter than the Christmas lights on the tree standing sentinel in the restaurant’s front window. “He’s incredible. I’ve never felt so much so fast for anybody.”
Ladling a spoonful of lobster bisque, Riley regarded her across the table. “I’m so happy for you, Cait. Has your dad met this guy?”
Caitlyn’s smile dimmed as she sat back in her chair and picked up her fork. “You know my father. Nobody will ever be good enough. And Shane doesn’t come with a name. At least, not one that will pass muster with Dad.”
Riley cocked her head. “How’d you meet, then?”
“At the club. He was working in the golf shop last month when I went in for a new glove. We talked for a bit, I saw hima few times working around the club, and he finally asked if I’d like to go for coffee. We met up the next morning and talked for hours. Good thing it was Saturday so he wasn’t late for work.”
“An employee? You’re not concerned he’s trying to get close to you for the wrong reasons? Like that guy last year who kept asking you out?”
Cait rolled her eyes. “You mean that Jacob guy? He was harmless. I never saw or heard from him after that day you saw him bugging me and told me to report him.”
“And did you? Report him?”
“No. I decided if he didn’t get the message, I would. Guess he moved on to someone else. But Shane’s not an employee. He’s an IT contractor hired to overhaul the club’s computer system. The day we met, he was installing software on the golf shop computer. He did such good work that they gave him a lifetime membershipgratis. We’ve seen each other every day since that first coffee. We work out, play tennis, golf. He loves all that stuff as much as I do.”
“He sounds amazing.” Riley took a sip of the warm bisque, perfect on this rainy mid-December day. “What does he think about your work as a social media influencer?”
Caitlyn shrugged. “He wasn’t sure what to make of it at first, me living my life in front of the world. But then he saw it’s only a part of my life I let them see. What products I’m endorsing, where I’m traveling, events I attend. And now, my faith.”
After taking a dainty bite of her salad, Caitlyn regarded her again. “When you led me to the Lord six months ago, that didn’t sit well with my dad when I shared my decision with my family. Not at all. Now …” She shook her head. “I bring home this middle-class boyfriend and I’m sure to get another earful about mypoorchoices.”
Sighing, she pushed a cherry tomato around leaves of radicchio and kale, her gaze following its path. “I’m dreading it,but I know I need to introduce them soon.” She put her fork down and brought her shining eyes back to Riley. “Because I think this guy could be the one. We just click.”
Riley’s heart went out to her friend. The path before her could be a difficult one if she should choose Shane over her father’s wishes. But Caitlyn was one of the bravest women she’d ever met. It wouldn’t be the first time she got on the wrong side of her status-focused parents. Thankfully, Riley’s own family put more stock in integrity and breadth of character than net worth.
“Makes a good living, but Dad won’t be happy with anything less than seven figures a year. I’m praying he’ll take all the other things into account, though.”
Riley set her spoon on the saucer under her bowl. “Okay, here’s the big question. Is he a man of faith? I know you’re new to your own, but I hope that’s a non-starter if he’s not.”
“Oh, he is. Definitely.” Her smile broadened. “I’ve been attending his church with him, and he prays with me, Ri. Isn’t that amazing?”
It was. And Riley couldn’t be happier for her friend. “Just make sure I’m invited to the wedding, if he is indeedthe one.”
Caitlyn giggled. “Oh, honey, you’ll be standing right up there with me.”
With his 9 mm Glock resting in its shoulder holster under his suit coat, Colton watched the post-funeral guests milling quietly around the opulent living room of The Honorable Josiah Mulaney and his wife, Priscilla. Their older daughter had married and now lived in her own estate in The Woodlands, according to unsolicited intel provided by his current client.
Their younger daughter had been lowered into the ground that afternoon, under a late April sun, in a box befitting a woman of her means. Rosewood, the officiant had said at the funeral. “A rare and beautiful wood for the rare and beautiful Caitlyn Rose Mulaney.”
Colton moved toward the entry hall. He hadn’t known the young woman buried today, but his heart still sat heavy in his chest as he’d watched the guests congregated graveside, and now the few chosen attendees partaking of cateredhors d’oeuvresat the Mulaney estate. He felt like an interloper. Avoyeurwatching grief penetrate this place like a fog. Dense and dark and without remedy. This fog would never go away.
He knew that all too well.
Nodding to his co-worker stationed at the front door, he turned to scan the room. “You ate?”
“Yes, sir. You?”
“Not yet.”
“Go get a bite. This place is locked down tighter than the White House. I can keep an eye on the Senator from here and let you know if he wants to leave.”
