Tides of Deception (Lantern Beach Romantic Suspense Book 1) Read online

  Tides of Deception

  Lantern Beach Romantic Suspense, Book 1

  Christy Barritt

  Copyright © 2018 by Christy Barritt

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Complete Book List

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Also by Christy Barritt:

  Other Books in the Lantern Beach Mystery Series:

  You might also enjoy …

  Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries:

  The Worst Detective Ever:

  About the Author

  Complete Book List

  Squeaky Clean Mysteries:

  #1 Hazardous Duty

  #2 Suspicious Minds

  #2.5 It Came Upon a Midnight Crime (novella)

  #3 Organized Grime

  #4 Dirty Deeds

  #5 The Scum of All Fears

  #6 To Love, Honor and Perish

  #7 Mucky Streak

  #8 Foul Play

  #9 Broom & Gloom

  #10 Dust and Obey

  #11 Thrill Squeaker

  #11.5 Swept Away (novella)

  #12 Cunning Attractions

  #13 Cold Case: Clean Getaway

  #14 Cold Case: Clean Sweep

  While You Were Sweeping, A Riley Thomas Spinoff

  The Sierra Files:

  #1 Pounced

  #2 Hunted

  #3 Pranced

  #4 Rattled

  #5 Caged (coming soon)

  The Gabby St. Claire Diaries (a Tween Mystery series):

  The Curtain Call Caper

  The Disappearing Dog Dilemma

  The Bungled Bike Burglaries

  The Worst Detective Ever

  #1 Ready to Fumble

  #2 Reign of Error

  #3 Safety in Blunders

  #4 Join the Flub

  #5 Blooper Freak

  #6 Flaw Abiding Citizen

  #7 Gaffe Out Loud (coming soon)

  #8 Joke and Dagger (coming soon)

  Raven Remington

  Relentless 1

  Relentless 2 (coming soon)

  Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries:

  #1 Random Acts of Murder

  #2 Random Acts of Deceit

  #2.5 Random Acts of Scrooge

  #3 Random Acts of Malice

  #4 Random Acts of Greed

  #5 Random Acts of Fraud

  #6 Random Acts of Iniquity (coming soon)

  #7 Random Acts of Outrage (coming soon)

  Lantern Beach Mysteries

  #1 Hidden Currents

  #2 Flood Watch

  #3 Storm Surge

  #4 Dangerous Waters

  #5 Perilous Riptide

  #6 Deadly Undertow

  Lantern Beach Romantic Suspense

  Tides of Deception

  Shadow of Intrigue (coming soon)

  Storm of Doubt (coming soon)

  Carolina Moon Series:

  Home Before Dark

  Gone By Dark

  Wait Until Dark

  Light the Dark

  Taken By Dark

  Suburban Sleuth Mysteries:

  Death of the Couch Potato’s Wife

  Cape Thomas Series:

  Dubiosity

  Disillusioned

  Distorted

  Standalone Romantic Mystery:

  The Good Girl

  Suspense:

  Imperfect

  The Wrecking

  Standalone Romantic-Suspense:

  Keeping Guard

  The Last Target

  Race Against Time

  Ricochet

  Key Witness

  Lifeline

  High-Stakes Holiday Reunion

  Desperate Measures

  Hidden Agenda

  Mountain Hideaway

  Dark Harbor

  Shadow of Suspicion

  The Baby Assignment

  Nonfiction:

  Characters in the Kitchen

  Changed: True Stories of Finding God through Christian Music (out of print)

  The Novel in Me: The Beginner’s Guide to Writing and Publishing a Novel (out of print)

  Chapter One

  “I understand,” Austin Brooks muttered into his phone. “You’ve given me a lot to think about, and I’ll wait for a follow-up call.”

  Austin hit End on his cell, trying to come to terms with what he’d just learned. But his thoughts staggered inside him, tumultuous and unsettled instead.

  He’d just gotten the call he’d been waiting for. So why did unease and regret tug at him? He’d set all of this in motion, so none of it should be a surprise.

  This wasn’t the time to chew on those thoughts, though. No, his current job needed all his attention.

  Austin put the four-wheel-drive vehicle back into Drive. He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel, pushed his sunglasses up higher, and glanced out the window.

  The ocean stared back, and it looked as unsettled as his thoughts. Then again, the water always looked angry on Lantern Beach. People didn’t call this area of the East Coast the Graveyard of the Atlantic for nothing.

  “Was that an update on your secret project?” Skye Lavinia’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

  Austin glanced over at her. He’d temporarily forgotten she was on beach-patrol duty with him. Two of the regular rescue crew had gotten food poisoning at a party the night before, and Austin had been called in as a last-minute replacement.

  He’d just been recertified, but it had been a long time since he’d lifeguarded. With the influx of crowds they’d had here in Lantern Beach during the off-season, everyone was short-staffed—including beach rescue. Skye was just along for moral support.

  His heart skipped a beat when he saw her lithe frame—as it always did when he looked at her.

  She was beautiful.

  And off-limits.

  The walls she kept up around her made that clear, and Austin would be wise to keep it in mind.

  He remembered her question, and his phone call echoed in his mind. “Yes, that was about my secret project.”

  Austin turned back to scan the beachgoers in front of him for a moment. Though it was October, there were still people here on the shores soaking in the unseasonably warm day.

  “When are you going to tell me what you’re doing?”

  Austin shrugged, partly enjoying her interest in his project, and, in return, her interest in him. He probably enjoyed it more than he should. But Austin wasn’t being coy as much as he was cautious when it came to keeping her at arm’s length.

  “I don’t know when I’ll spill the beans,” he finally said as they
bounced over the uneven sand. “Maybe I’ll tell you what I’m doing as soon as you tell me a secret—like why you hate the water so much.”

  The curiosity slipped from her eyes, and Skye raised her chin teasingly. “By the way, watch out for that lady with the earbuds on. I’m sure she doesn’t hear you coming. And, I see you how you are, but I’m not making any deals. We can both just keep our secrets.”

  And maybe that was their problem. There were too many secrets between them.

  Besides, calling it a secret project made the whole thing sound so lighthearted—like Austin was building a bookshelf or starting his own YouTube channel for his woodworking endeavors. But the truth was, Austin’s undertaking was really a lot more personal.

  And maybe that’s what really stopped him from sharing any details with Skye. It would be like sharing a piece of his heart. Once that piece was gone, he might never get it back.

  Focus, Austin. Focus. And why are you mentally quoting after-school specials from your childhood?

  He grabbed a handful of chocolate-covered raisins from the bag beside him and popped them in his mouth as he skirted around a group of fishermen who chatted while their rods rested in holders in the sand.

  No sooner had Austin gone around them did something catch his eye. He pressed the brakes as he spotted something in the water a good twenty yards out. He squinted. Were those hands? Flailing hands?

  “What is it?” Concern gripped Skye’s features as she leaned toward him.

  His heartrate quickened. He jammed the truck in Park, threw his door open, and his feet hit the sand.

  “I think there’s someone out there in the water.” Austin stared at the ocean and squinted when he saw the person again. Someone definitely needed help out there. “Do me a favor—call backup.”

  Wasting no more time, he stripped off his shirt and grabbed the orange rescue tube from the pickup bed and strapped it across his chest. He abandoned his flip-flops and dashed toward the water.

  Maybe the ominous feeling in his gut wasn’t a fluke.

  Skye held her breath as she watched Austin dive into the turbulent ocean. She watched his strong, powerful strokes as he went against the current, putting his own life on the line to save another. As he battled the waves, her gaze darted beyond Austin. Someone was out there—and in trouble.

  Oh, Lord, please protect Austin. And protect the person he’s trying to save. Don’t let the ocean claim an innocent life.

  She called for backup. Then, moving in autopilot, she climbed from the beach patrol truck and lumbered toward the raging shoreline. As the wind blew against Skye’s face, she raked a hand through her hair, trying to get the strands from her eyes so she could watch the scene unfold.

  A small crowd gathered, each person’s gaze fixated on the rescue. The beach activities around her seemed to stop—the volleyball game, the boogie boarding, the fishing. Everyone waited to see what would happen.

  Skye wrapped her arms across her chest and continued to stare, trying not to anticipate the worst. The ocean was a formidable foe. Skye shuddered whenever she thought about going in those waters.

  She wasn’t a strong swimmer—and she’d almost lost her life to the ocean once. Ever since then, her throat went dry whenever anyone suggested she go deeper than to her knees in the water.

  She pushed aside the memories.

  Instead, her heart went into her throat as she waited, as she watched. Austin reached the person and wrapped his arms around the guy’s chest, the rescue tube between them. Then, on his back, Austin began swimming toward the shore.

  Skye released her breath. Maybe this would all be okay. But Austin still had to make it back to dry land. The waves and the current were strong today, and the swim would be exhausting, even for the most seasoned rescuer.

  Dear Lord, watch over them. Please.

  Just as paramedics pulled up and rushed toward the crowds, Austin reached the shore. He stood, reached into the water, and carried the victim toward the sand.

  The victim was . . . a boy.

  That had been a boy out there, Skye realized. The child was probably only seven or eight years old, at the most.

  Austin placed him on the sand, and the paramedics surrounded the boy, taking over. Skye moved through the crowds until she reached Austin. She studied him for any sign he’d been harmed.

  His dark, wavy hair was wet and shoved back from his face. Specks of water still clung to his short, neat beard. He had the hard-earned physique of someone who did both physical labor and took care of himself.

  And he appeared to be okay right now.

  “You good?” Skye gently touched his arm, wanting to hear the words for herself.

  He nodded, still hauling in deep breaths. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “Good job out there.” She’d always known he was a hero, but today had only confirmed it.

  Austin’s gaze didn’t leave the boy. “I’m just glad I got to him in time.”

  The boy . . . he was conscious. Coughing. Lying on the sand.

  At least he was awake and breathing.

  Thank You, Jesus.

  Skye glanced around the windswept landscape. Where were this boy’s parents? Why weren’t they out here? Worried about him?

  Her gaze veered back to the boy. She sucked in a breath when she saw his face. His dark hair. His high cheek bones. The broad set of his eyebrows.

  Somehow . . . some reason . . . he looked familiar.

  But that was crazy. Unless maybe the boy and his family had come to her produce stand earlier this week. That was probably it.

  Yet, if Skye had seen him earlier, she would remember.

  His familiarity wasn’t because she’d seen him before. It was because—

  Before the thought could fully form, a cry cut through the crowds behind her. A woman split the sea of onlookers and emerged with her arms outstretched. She dropped to the ground beside the boy, sobbing as she leaned toward him.

  “My baby . . . my baby . . . Is he okay?”

  Skye could see only the back of the woman’s head, a bob of big, dark curls that stopped at the woman’s shoulders. A silky housecoat with teal and pink flowers draped her slim figure. Something about her screamed affluent and pampered.

  Was this the boy’s mom? Where had she come from?

  Skye glanced behind her. Maybe she’d been at one of the huge mansions on this part of the beach. This stretch of houses was known by locals as Ritzy Row. They were the rental homes that featured ten bedrooms, extravagant pools, and a couple even had lazy rivers.

  The rentals cost big bucks.

  As in, twelve-thousand-dollars-a-week big bucks.

  Skye did a double take when she saw movement across the dunes. A man and a woman rushed over a wooden boardwalk, past a gazebo, and hit the sand. Urgency tinged their steps and movements as they darted toward the scene.

  Everything else seemed to fade as Skye watched them.

  No, it couldn’t be . . .

  She swung her gaze back toward the woman leaning over the boy. Then she swerved back toward the couple. Fact collided with emotion in Skye’s head until her lungs squeezed.

  “Skye?”

  She glanced over. Austin lightly touched her arm as he peered at her inquisitively. At some point, he’d pulled a shirt on. Spray from the waves misted his skin.

  “Are you okay?” He squinted, still studying her with obvious worry. “You look pale.”

  She barely heard him. Instead, she turned back to the scene, to where the couple now cut through the crowds, and joined the woman and the boy.

  The couple . . . the man with his expensive khaki shorts, boat shoes, and a polo. The woman with blonde hair, set with enough hairspray that it could withstand even this wind, and wearing a dress and pearls.

  Pearls . . .

  It couldn’t be. But it was. That necklace confirmed it.

  This couple was Atticus and Ginger Winthrop.

  The last time Skye had seen them had been on the worst day of her
life.

  As the memories rushed back to her, everything blurred around Skye. A part of her life she’d tried to forget roared to the surface, and despair bit as hard and deep as if a shark had clutched her in its teeth and dragged her under.

  Chapter Two

  Austin caught Skye before she withered to the sand.

  Her eyes fluttered open as she sagged against him, but the same shell-shocked look remained on her face. What had just happened? A surge of worry rushed through him.

  “Skye, are you okay?” He studied her face for a sign of what was going on. He’d never seen her look like this before.

  She straightened and nodded, but the motion was faint and unconvincing. Her gaze went back to the group gathered around the boy. Her mind was here, yet it seemed to be in another world as well.

  “I’m . . . fine,” she finally said.

  “Skye . . .” Austin desperately wished the woman would open up to him, that she would stop remaining at a distance. But there was something in her, holding her back every time she started to get close.

  Like right now. It was like Skye didn’t hear him. Instead, she stepped toward the boy, her gaze fastened on the scene, and a million unsaid things stretching between the two of them.

  Austin didn’t push. Instead, he watched the paramedics work on the boy and prayed he’d be okay.

  The ocean had been even more fierce than usual, and the swim had taken all of Austin’s strength. His heart still pounded. The breeze hit his wet skin, causing bumps to ripple across his arms.

  “Hey, guys. I heard through dispatch we had a rescue. You okay?”