Everyone knows Maddeline Hatter is strange. They also know she has more secrets than Area 51. But then again, who doesn't?
Well. Damon Evans, for one, cannot keep a secret if his life depended on it. Which it will, thanks to "Maddy", Damon's nickname for Maddeline. Damon is dorky, with his black square glasses and a million pairs of skinny jeans, in various shades of black, maybe the occasional dark gray.
He wore nothing but black, or blue. Nothing bright, no typical plaid sweater vest with the little bow tie like the movies. Instead of dress shoes, he wears converse.
Instead of carrying books around awkwardly in his arms, he carries a slightly tattered black Jansport backpack over one shoulder. Empty except for a folder for homework and spare paper, a couple of led pencils stuffed with as much led as possible, and a sketchbook with a lot of pencils and colors.
Maddy developed a soft spot for him, bigger than she usually had for dorky people.
She was worried. They were coming.
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.
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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.