Sarah had settled into the monotonous routine of her job as a receptionist at a therapist's office. The days blurred together, the same faces, the same stories-until she met her.
The new patient was unlike anyone Sarah had ever seen. Slightly masculine, striking in a way that was hard to pin down, and carrying an air of quiet mystery. Sarah prided herself on reading people--years behind the desk had sharpened her instincts--but this woman was different. There was something off. Something...suspicious.
Jordan had a singular focus: gather the evidence, take down her target, and get out. Her undercover work required precision and staying under the radar. But every time she walked into the office, her sharp senses picked up on the gaze. Sarah, the receptionist, always watching her. Every session, those curious eyes lingered, silently probing as if they knew more than they should.
And now, Jordan wasn't sure who was hunting who.
They navigate a tangled web of truths, revelations, and complications. What started as a straightforward mission, for Jordan quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. The lines between duty and desire blur, especially when Sarah becomes more than just an observer.
And with each distraction, the target--the man Jordan was sent to expose--edges closer to slipping through her fingers. If she's not careful, he'll walk away free, and Jordan will be left with nothing but a compromised mission...and a woman she can't ignore.
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.