“I don’t have to prove my innocence. They have to prove my guilt. That’s how the system works.”
“I know you’re guilty,” Harper said. “I don’t know who you’re trying to fool, but it’s not going to work on us. I know what you are.”
“Do you?” Harris held her gaze for a long beat. “I guess that means you won’t be endorsing my camp.”
Now it was Harper’s turn to be shocked. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am. Just because you think I’ve done something wrong — which I haven’t — you have to agree that I’ve supplied a unique entertainment experience here,” Harris pressed. “Our business partnership can still thrive.”
Harper could do nothing but shake her head as she turned on her heel and headed for the tent.
“Was that an answer?” Harris called to her back.
“I wouldn’t hold your breath waiting for an endorsement,” Jared offered. “It’s not going to happen.”
“There will be others,” Harris insisted. “This is only the beginning. I don’t need her.”
“No, you need a lawyer.” Jared stepped away as the local police officers swooped in. “I’m pretty sure your camp is going to be notorious, but not for the reasons you believe. I wish you well in prison.”
“I’m not going to prison!”
“You keep telling yourself that.”
LATER THAT NIGHT, UNDER THE SKYLIGHT, Harper and Jared came together. He held her pressed tightly to his side, brushing his lips against her forehead as she got comfortable.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked in a soft voice.
Harper shook her head. “Not really. There’s nothing to say.”
“I know this trip didn’t go how you planned, but I’m hopeful this won’t dissuade you from considering another potential endorsement in the future.”
“Maybe. If I do, it won’t be a campground, though.”
He snickered. “I’m sorry camping wasn’t everything you hoped it would be.”
“I’m sorry, too. I wanted this to be fun for you. It was anything but.”
“Are you kidding?” He pulled back far enough so he could study her face. “I happen to think it was a fabulous trip.”
“How can you possibly believe that?”
“I got to spend time with you. I ate some good food, including s’mores. That’s a great time to me.”
“You’re such a guy,” she said on a laugh, poking his side. “Only you could turn a trip that ended with two bodies into a reason to exalt the food.”
“I am easily entertained,” he agreed, tucking the sleeping bag tightly around her back. “Despite that, I’m guessing you’re going to want to get out of here early tomorrow.”
“Will you be upset if I say yes?”
“No.”
“Then I really want to get out of here as early as possible tomorrow.”
He laughed. “I think we can manage that. We’ll even save breakfast for the road.”
“There is one thing I have to do before we go.”
“What’s that?”
“Set two souls free.”
He nodded. “Right. I’ll go with you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to. This is something I feel we should do together.”
“You’re not just saying that because you feel the need to watch me, are you?”
“I would like to point out that you did stumble over a killer again today, despite your best efforts.”
“She wasn’t a violent killer.”
“I think Leslie Duncan and her mother would disagree.”
Harper pursed her lips. “You have a point. Okay, we’ll do it together.”
“And then we’ll head home.”
“I just want some Starbucks and a McDonald’s breakfast sandwich for the road.”
“I think I can manage both of those things.”
“And that’s why we’re a good team.”
“The best ever,” he agreed, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. “It’s our last night under the stars. We should probably enjoy it.”
“It’s not our last night under the stars. We have a hammock at home. I promise we can put that to good use as soon as we land.”
“Now I can’t wait to get home.”
“Yup, we’re definitely a good match.”
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About the Author
Amanda M. Lee and Lily Harper Hart
I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my novels. I have a particular brand of humor that isn’t for everyone – and I know that.
If you liked the book, please take a few minutes and leave a review. An independent author does it all on their own, and the reviews are helpful. I understand that my characters aren’t for everyone, though. There’s a lot of snark and sarcasm in my world – and I know some people don’t like that.
Special thanks go out to Heidi Bitsoli and Phil VanHulle for correcting the (numerous) errors that creep into a work of fiction.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
For more information:
author@amandamlee.net
Books by Lily Harper Hart
A Maddie Graves Mystery
Grave Homecoming
Grave Insight
Grave Delight
Grave Misgivings
Grave Concerns
Grave Discovery
Grave Decisions
Grave Seasons
Grave Holiday
Grave Haunting
Grave Paths
Grave Danger
Grave Missteps
Grave Demands
Grave Wedding
An Ivy Morgan Mystery
Wicked Days
Wicked Dreams
Wicked Times
Wicked Places
Wicked Warning
Wicked Fog
Wicked Season
Wicked Winter
Wicked Hearts
Wicked Wishes
Wicked Whimsy
Wicked Haunts
Wicked Delight
Wicked Respite
Wicked Decisions
Wicked Reunion
Wicked Games
A Harper Harlow Mystery
Ghostly Interests
Ghostly Issues
Ghostly Deceits
Ghostly Worries
Ghostly Images
Ghostly Wrecks
Ghostly Asylum
Ghostly Tricks
Ghostly Distress
Ghostly Despair
Ghostly Holiday
Ghostly Ordeal
Ghostly Fears
Ghostly Charms
Ghostly Business
A Rowan Gray Mystery
Welcoming Seas
Murky Seas
Stormy Seas
Sunken Seas
Choppy Seas
Churning Seas
Dangerous Seas
Perilous Seas
Raging Seas
A Hannah Hickock Witchy Cozy Mystery
The Dirty Coven
A Fistful of Demons
Boot Scootin’ Boogeyman
The Monstrous Seven
A Supernatural Speakeasy Cozy Mystery
The Hexorcist
Witch Confidential
Curse a Brew Streak
Crossovers
Wicked Ghosts
Wicked Seas
Ghostly Seas
Grave Seas
Hardy Brothers Security
Deadly Intentions
Deadly Intuition
Deadly Illusions
Deadly Proposal
Deadly Prospects
Deadly Ever After
Deadly Honeymoon
Deadly Questions
Deadly Addition
Deadly Vacation
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Storm
Deadly Dealings
Deadly Christmas
Deadly Desperados
Deadly Arrival
Deadly Rivalry
Deadly Memories
Deadly Adventure
Deadly Reunion
Deadly Conflicts
Deadly Payback
Deadly Waves
Deadly Forever
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