"Stepping away from the tree, I stumbled closer to the body. It wore tattered clothing and pollen-dusted shoes. A limp, pale hand rested upon its chest, its slight shoulders limned in dying roses. Closing my eyes, I inhaled a shuddering breath before angling ever closer.
My heart stuttered.
Dark hair swept across the brows of a wan, sickly face; his long, thick eyelashes rested upon his sallow cheeks, his full lips pressed into a subtle frown. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if frozen in endless concern. I lifted my hand subconsciously, smoothing out the lines of worry. Such unspoken burdens were not fitting upon this ethereal beauty."
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.