Dare to Trust (Colorado Trust Series - 5)

Ad-exec Jordan Blake believed image was everythinguntil his parents were convicted of murder, the family company went bankrupt, and his excessive drinking and arrest fueled the tabloids. When lawyer David Barnes offers representation in exchange for assistance in reopening his Colorado mountain resort, Jordan has no choice. It's help or jail.

Hollywood wild child Lexie Sinclair disappeared by changing her name, joining the army, and marrying a soldier. One night, her husband wrapped their car around a tree, killed himself, and left her permanently injured. For the past few years she's been content to live in peaceful obscurity as caretaker of David's defunct resort.

Jordan's arrival exposes Lexie's true identity and brings her dead husband's 'friends' calling. Jordan offers to help, but the shadow of his drinking leaves Lexie reluctant to trust. Can they conquer their fears and find the courage to face the criminalsand the worldtogether?

"Thoroughly entertaining...I lost track of the time because I was so engrossed in the story." ~ Diana Coyle, Night Owl Reviews, Reviewer TOP PICK

(**Previously published as Shadowed Trust with TWRP**)

EXCERPT:

Lexie shifted her weight from her right leg. It was going to rain again tonight, and the increasing dampness in the air, along with her tension, made the damaged muscles ache like the devil. Her anxiety raised another notch with the realization the two men were now squared off, her in between. Jordan had pulled his hands from his pockets to clench his fists at his sides.

Lawson cast Lexie a glance. "I think it may be best if we all sit down and talk."

The sheriff's right hand rested on his hip, near his gun, and his clipped tone raised goose bumps on her arms. Something was seriously wrong.

"Let's go up to the house," she suggested, hoping to diffuse the situation. "I'll make some coffee."

Lawson stood aside with a nod at Jordan. "You first."

Lexie saw the muscles in Jordan's jaw bunch tight. Sensing he was close to an explosion, she quickly stepped past Lawson to lead the way.

"Damn it, Lex"

She kept walking despite Lawson's angry protest. She heard them following and, too late, thought about Jordan walking behind her, watching her. He'd commented on her uneven stride yesterdaywould he notice it was worse again today?

She tried not to think about it, but felt her body grow warm with the thought of his brown gaze lingering on her backside. A silent groan of self-annoyance rumbled through her head. The man hadn't shown an inkling of interest beyond his fumbled words at dinner, yet she constantly found her thoughts and gaze wandering to him throughout the day. It had to stop.

She misjudged her stride at the steps to the house and ended up with her right leg stepping first, straining to bear her weight. To relieve some of the pressure from the burning, weakened muscles, she made a desperate grab for the railing. A firm, warm grip on her left forearm steadied and assisted her up the stairs.

Jordan met her gaze briefly, but said not a word as they took the next step together. Heat engulfed her, a combination of embarrassment for her weak leg and awareness of his touch.

"Let her go." Lawson's command whipped at their backs. Jordan's hold tightened and Lexie halted.

"It's" she began.

"Back off," Jordan snapped over his shoulder.

The unmistakable sound the sheriff drawing his gun froze Lexie and Jordan in their tracks.

"I said, don't touch her," Lawson snarled. "Let her go and step away."

Lexie gripped the rail and nodded up at Jordan. He released her arm, but when he started to turn around, Lawson barked an order to remain facing forward, keep his hands where he could see them, and move forward.

The hair on the back of Lexie's neck tingled as she faced Lawson and saw his furious expression. "What is going on?"

Dettagli