"He stood alone on the beach, the others were nowhere in sight. He stared out into the ocean, clutching his head with his hands. He looked like a mad- man. His blond hair wet and wild, mud-streaking his face, and blue eyes wide with distress. He held onto the gun in his trembling hand. He looked like the broken boy in the hot tube again. He hadn't noticed her yet. "JJ", Brooke managed to whimper, even though the small action made her gasp with pain. She tried to stand but collapsed onto the sand. JJ saw her then, eyes wide with shook. "Brooke!!!!" He screamed, He dropped the gun and rushed towards her, pulling her into his strong arms. She held onto him with all her might, willing to never let go. What a mess they were in now...... Had the gold really been worth it? Were they going to go down the same path as John B's dad? She felt the boy tremble just as much as her. Brooke began to sob then, knowing right then and there that nothing would ever be the same again. "
Brook Summers is a pogue through and through. There are only five rules for being a perfect pogue
. never leave a pogue behind
.never lie to a pogue (and no secrets)
.no pogue macking
.never trust a kook
.always have fun
Well, she wasn't perfect because of the 4th rule. She had liked this boy, one of her closest friends since the third grade, however, she didn't know it till now. It didn't matter anyway though, right? It was illegal, and he definitely didn't-couldn't feel the same way back. It would ruin their bond. So instead she should just focus on the last rule. That is until a sudden change of events changes Brooke and her friend's summer of partying to one of mystery and a fight for their lives.
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
***
Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.