A Most Shocking Revelation by Kristi Gold Read Free Book Online Page A

fortune hunter. The woman caught on the surveillance tape stealing the map that’s supposed to lead to Jess Golden’s treasure was blond with a ponytail. That could have been her.”
    No way would Gavin ever believe that Val could be involved in anything so heinous. “You’re both on the wrong track.”
    â€œMaybe you should get a handwriting sample from her and see if it matches the note of apology the culprit left,” Jake offered.
    Gavin had no intention of doing any such thing. “Val’s not the type to shoot anyone over some presumed hidden gold that might or might not really exist.”
    â€œIf you say so.” Logan checked his watch. “And unless we have something else to discuss, I’ve got to go. More wedding stuff.”
    â€œSpeaking of the wedding,” Gavin said, “mind if I bring a guest with me?”
    Logan hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “I take it you mean Valerie.”
    â€œYeah, if she’ll agree to go.”
    â€œNot a problem,” Logan said.
    Jake came to his feet. “Good luck with Valerie, Sheriff. It’s about time you settled down like the rest of us.”
    This time shock kept Gavin from speaking for a moment. “I didn’t say anything about—” Before he could issue a rebuttal, both Logan and Jake had already tossed a few bills on the table and headed out the door.
    Settling down hadn’t even entered Gavin’s mind to this point. With the demands of his career, he’d never considered that to be a good idea. But when his gaze came to rest on Valerie Raines as she punched the cash register, wisps of golden hair framing her face, her thin eyebrows drawn down in concentration, looking both serious and sexy, he wondered if maybe that wasn’t such a bad idea. After he got this murder investigation out of the way, chances were he could go back to patrolling a normally peaceful county. Maybe it was time to consider the possibilities. Maybe it was time to find out if Valerie just might be the one to consider. Provided she was still speaking to him tonight.

Three
    V alerie had barely changed out of her clothes before Gavin was knocking at the bedroom door. Fortunately Manny had taken pity on her and let her leave the diner early, although she wondered if he’d been persuaded by the sheriff. A very persuasive sheriff.
    â€œVal, are you in there?”
    â€œJust a minute,” she called as she pulled the bulky black sweatshirt over her head. When she opened the door, she wasn’t quite prepared for the impact of seeing Gavin leaning against the opposite wall, dressed in a white T-shirt covered by a red flannel shirt, his starched jeans replaced by a ragtag pair that had been through the wringer several times.
    He straightened and slid his hands into his pockets. “Care to take a little trip with me?”
    â€œThat depends on where we’re going.” Although right now she’d probably accompany him anywhere he’d like to take her, even though she still wasn’t happy about his intrusion. She’d told him that again on the way home from the diner, and his response had been no response at all. He’d just grinned, as he was doing now.
    When he pushed off the wall, Valerie’s heart took a little leap into her throat. “I have something I want to show you.”
    That sounded very interesting. “What would that be?”
    â€œIt’s a surprise. You like surprises, don’t you, Val?”
    Not always. Admittedly this time she was curious. “Okay. You have my attention. Where is this surprise?”
    â€œOutside.”
    Valerie barely managed to keep up with his long stride as he walked through the great room and out the front door. He turned to his left and strode past the landscaped hedges and up the paved drive to a freestanding garage. He fished a few keys from his pocket and removed several locks securing a heavy chain wrapped around the