Do You Take This Cop? Launch Picnic!

by Beth

Grease up the Cabana boys and ice down the drinks, it's time for another Launch Party in the Lair :-)

I have to admit, the release of Do You Take This Cop? is bittersweet. Bitter because it's the last book connected to my Serenity Springs series. I spent so much time with the characters, it's been difficult saying good-bye. But then the sweet kicks in, mainly because I'm really excited about DYTTC being set loose on the world *g*

Here's the back cover blurb:

Is she safer with him…or without him?

Without the badge, he’d be perfect!

The last thing Faith Lewis needs is a cop poking his nose in her business. Okay, yes, Nick Coletti is gorgeous. And charming. And great with her son. But dating the town’s most popular boy in blue is hardly going to help her keep a low profile. This guy could blow their world apart if he discovers their secret.

Funny thing is, he may also be their only hope. If she had someone like Nick on her side, maybe she could finally be free, and give her son the life he deserves. But trusting Nick means telling the whole truth about her past. He might protect them. Or he might just turn her in…

One of my favorite scenes in DYTTC is when Faith and her son Austin attend the Coletti family's annual Fourth of July picnic. Here's a quick excerpt:

A muscle jumped in Nick’s jaw as he slid his finger across her shoulder and down her arm to her elbow, trailing gooseflesh in his wake. Stepping back, he pulled a pair of sunglasses out of his front pocket and put them on.

“Let me get that for you,” he said gruffly, taking the cake from her.

“Oh. Thank you.” Except, without it, she had no idea what to do with her hands. So she wiped them down the sides of her white walking shorts. Crossed her arms and then let them hang at her sides before picking up her bag from where Austin had dropped it.

“Everyone’s out back,” he said. Then he took her hand.

She almost stumbled. She’d come to learn he was big on touching. His hand pressed to the small of her back when they left the restaurant. His arms around her, his solid chest pressed against her back as he went through the motions of the proper batting swing. His fingertips brushing against her cheek as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while she ate her ice cream cone.

It was…sweet. She couldn’t remember a time when a man had wanted nothing more than the simple pleasure of touching her. And realizing how much she enjoyed it, enjoyed being with him, was all too frightening.

So instead of focusing on how it felt, his rough, large palm against hers, she took in their surroundings. The Frey’s house was a mix of brick and wood with double front doors, tall, gleaming windows and immaculate landscaping. There were trees, shrubs and flowers to soften the austere lines of the house and make it warm and welcoming, and as far as she could tell, there wasn’t one blade of crabgrass in the lush lawn.

It was a far cry from her own week-choked backyard and spotty windows.

They rounded the garage and were met by the low hum of voices mixed with music. “This is a lovely house,” Faith said, withdrawing her hand from his before anyone could see them.

“Andrea and Steve are happy here.”

She slowed her steps as the voices grew louder. Many, many voices from the sound of it. “I especially liked that first flower bed, the one with the miniature roses. Does Andrea garden?”

He laughed. “Andrea doesn’t do dirt. Or anything related to getting dirty. Luckily, her in-laws enjoy it so they handle the gardens for her.”

As they reached the backyard, Faith’s throat was so dry, not even the enticing scents of grilling meat could work moisture back into her mouth. One look at the crowd talking and laughing on the long patio made her step back, bumping into Nick’s solid frame.

He steadied her with a hand to her upper arm. “Everything okay?” he asked.

She edged away from him—and the backyard—hugging her arms around herself. Okay? Let’s see…she was spending the day with a nice family. Her son had a new best friend and was acting like a normal, nine-year-old again and she had the interest of the sexiest man in town.

Everything was awful.

She was a liar. Worse, even she was beginning to believe her lies. Beginning to hope that she could stay in this town, be a part of these people’s lives and give her son the permanency he craved.

That she could be Faith Lewis forever.

Ever patient, Nick stood there, staring at her from behind his sunglasses, his posture relaxed, the damp hair at his nape curling. Forcing a smile, she looked up into his handsome face. “Everything’s perfect.”

(As you may have guessed, Faith isn't exactly what--or who--she seems to be *g*)

And with summer on its way (and Memorial Day coming up fast) I thought it'd be fun to have a Launch Picnic! Everyone slather on some sunscreen and let's take this party outside :-)

In DYTTC, Faith brings her signature dessert, Red Velvet Cake, to the picnic. What's your favorite dish to take to picnics? Your favorite thing to eat at a picnic? One commenter will win a copy of DO YOU TAKE THIS COP?