The Lawman's Secret Vow Read online

  To have and to hold—

  until the case is solved?

  When an undercover assignment pairs laid-back Florida detective Dante Matthews with by-the-book cop Eloise Archer, he knows it won’t be easy. And not just because they’re competing for the same promotion. Now they’re living together under the same roof, and it’s getting harder to ignore his deepening feelings for his “wife.” Can he convince Eloise to partner up—for life?

  A smile that made him feel like a hero spread over her lips.

  The sun had pinkened her skin and her hair shone in the light. Between victory and spending the day in close proximity to Eloise, Dante wanted to kiss her.

  The thought shocked him to his core. Kiss her? He’d been dealing with this new attraction, but to take it a step further? Too much, too soon.

  He fisted his hands together to keep from hauling her against his chest.

  “I knew you could do it,” she said. “You were made for this case.”

  “Saying I’m sneaky?”

  “In the best way.” Her grin grew bigger. “I made inroads today, as well.”

  He threw his arm over her shoulder and tugged her close, one part undercover, the other part pure selfishness. It was like they fit together.

  Should he be worried?

  Dear Reader,

  I’m so excited to introduce the Matthews brothers to you. You’ll be seeing more of them in the books to come, but in The Lawman’s Secret Vow, we begin the journey with Dante, the youngest of the Matthews clan. The brothers are on a mission to protect their mother, and being the well-meaning but suspicious sons that they are, you can imagine the lengths they’ll go to in order to uncover the truth.

  Have you ever wondered what it’s like for police officers who go undercover? How it would feel to solve a case and put away a bad guy? Experience the rush of adrenaline by jumping into action that is just a bit over the line? For Eloise Archer, this goes against everything the by-the-book detective is about. For Dante, it’s standard operating procedure. Put them together and wait for the fireworks to begin.

  I love this couple. They’re both so different in their process of discovering the truth, but eager to get the job done. In life, people don’t achieve goals by going after them in exactly the same way. Where’s the fun in that? As this couple begins to trust, something deeper develops. But do they have the courage to confront those feelings?

  The books in this series will also feature Deke and Derrick Matthews, as well as a surprise heroine with her own story. Sit back and enjoy the ride, because the Matthews brothers go full tilt on life and will have you falling in love along the way.

  Happy reading!

  Tara

  The Lawman’s Secret Vow

  USA TODAY Bestselling Author

  Tara Randel

  Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA TODAY bestselling author of fifteen novels. Family values, a bit of mystery and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the west coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets and beautiful weather inspire the creation of heartwarming stories. This is her seventh book for Harlequin Heartwarming. Visit Tara at tararandel.com and like her on Facebook at TaraRandelBooks.

  Books by Tara Randel

  Harlequin Heartwarming

  The Business of Weddings

  His One and Only Bride

  The Wedding March

  The Bridal Bouquet

  Honeysuckle Bride

  Magnolia Bride

  Orange Blossom Brides

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  To my police officer friends who bravely serve and protect their communities, and take time out of their busy schedules to answer my endless questions.

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  EXCERPT FROM NICE TO COME HOME TO BY LIZ FLAHERTY

  CHAPTER ONE

  A STRONG HAND clasped Eloise Archer’s upper arm, yanking her toward a deserted hallway in the Palm Cove, Florida, police department. She glanced at the hand and then looked up at the serious dark blue eyes of fellow detective Dante Matthews.

  “Chambers is on the warpath. Pretend we’re having a work-related conversation.”

  She clutched the file folders in her arms tighter to her chest, ignoring the shimmers of attraction that came with Dante’s touch. It was bad enough she worked with the handsome man, was it too much to ask that she not...notice him so much? They had a professional relationship, end of story. But Dante, with lush dark hair, recently cut short after his last undercover operation, stood tall and lean, filling out his button-down shirt and jeans—very much a dream man.

  Or hers, anyway.

  She spied over her shoulder to see Lieutenant Chambers standing in the doorway of his office across the wide, busy squad room, arms crossed over his barrel chest. Dante was right on the mark with his assessment. Their superior officer did not look happy.

  “What did you do now?” she asked, returning her gaze to his. She knew the answer. Wanted his version.

  “Nothing serious.”

  “Really? I heard your last case had a bit of a hiccup,” she returned, showing him she wasn’t clueless. In fact, she probably knew more about the results of his undercover operation than he thought she did.

  His eyes crinkled in the corners when he smiled at her. “Hiccup is an understatement.”

  “Jumped in to make the arrest too soon?”

  “Not by design. Six months of undercover work down the drain, but at least I got one arrest in the end.”

  “Tell me what went wrong.”

  “It’s not important.” His fingers repeatedly squeezed and released her bicep in a rhythm she doubted he was aware of. That was Dante, always moving. “What is important is that I need your help.”

  One eyebrow rose. She knew what was coming.

  “I’ve been relegated to desk duty until Chambers decides to give me a break. I’m behind on paperwork. Any chance I can talk you into a late-night catch-up session?”

  “Reviewing reports? Why would I do that when I have my own to manage?” She held up the folders to prove her point, immediately missing the warmth of his grasp on her blouse-clad arm when he dropped his hand.

  “We can go out for drinks afterward.”

  “I don’t think—”

  “That’s right. You don’t drink. How about grabbing some food?”

  “I haven’t even agreed.”

  A slow smile spread over his lips. “Come on, Ellie. Help a coworker out here.”

  Eloise’s face burned. He was the only person in her life to have ever given her a nickname. “Eloise will do.”

  “But you look like an Ellie.”

  Did she? Her name happened to be a bit old-fashioned, probably the reason why her parents had given it to her when she was born. Lite
rary professors, they loved classics from centuries past. But Ellie? The woman who dressed in a white blouse and navy or black skirt every day? Pulled her hair back in a no-nonsense bun to keep it out of her face? She was an Ellie?

  Eloise tried to ignore his cologne, a musky aroma mixed with spice, tickling her nose.

  “C’mon, Ellie. What do you say?”

  “If I do help you, and I’m not saying I will, you’d owe me.”

  It was only fair she ask for something in return. She might be dedicated to the job, but she wasn’t going to let him use that knowledge to push his work off on her.

  His eyes lit up. “Sounds intriguing. What did you have in mind?”

  Definitely not what his expression suggested, which probably included wild fun. She couldn’t imagine Dante living life any other way. And why was she reading anything into it? He was so far out of her league. Besides, her one experience with an almost work romance had crashed and burned. She didn’t care to replay that mistake ever again.

  “My request would be that when we work together on a case, you listen to me.”

  He tilted his head. Sized her up. “I don’t listen to you?”

  “It’s not so much me as other officers you’ve worked with. You have a bit of a rep.”

  Brows beetled over his eyes. “A rep?”

  Like he didn’t know it. “You aren’t exactly a team player.”

  “I get the job done.”

  The edge in his voice told her she’d touched a nerve. “Let’s face it, you do rush into situations.”

  “When it’s called for.”

  Great, the chummy coworker was gone. He had his cop face on now.

  A loud cough from behind drew their attention from the conversation and back to the lieutenant.

  “How about we table this discussion and revisit it later?” she suggested.

  He nodded, then strode away.

  “Every time,” she muttered under her breath. Whenever she’d mentioned his...flaw, he withdrew. Because she called him on it? Or was he well aware and embarrassed? After all, he had cost the department an important case.

  Hitching her shoulders back, she headed for her desk, ready to get some work done before any calls came in. The Palm Cove PD wasn’t huge. A two-story structure, the bottom floor was the command center of the building. Desks for officers were located on one side of a waist-high wall, the detective’s area on the other. Half of the desks were occupied, with low voices from fellow officers making follow-up calls or the slow tap, tap, tap of others writing up reports on a computer, and the remaining surfaces were littered with files and paperwork or messages.

  A front desk situated behind glass in the lobby spanned one side of the building with a wall separating it from the officers’ desks; a holding cell took up the complete other side. Burned coffee emanated from a small kitchenette down the hallway in which they’d just stood.

  Upstairs held administrative offices, including the chief’s domain. As the town grew, thankfully so did the budget. There were fifteen officers employed right now.

  She’d just dropped the files on her desk when a chirpy voice waylaid her.

  “Girl, we need to talk.”

  Eloise turned to find Brandy Cummings resting a curvy hip on the side of the desk. In her midtwenties, she’d been hired fresh out of college, taking over the crime scene investigation position Eloise had vacated when she’d become a detective. Brandy was eager, smart and knew every detail of what went on in the department, official and personal. Eloise admired that. Physically, Brandy was the exact opposite of Eloise’s willowy shape and studious demeanor. And yet despite their different approaches to the job—hers methodical and well thought out, Brandy’s spontaneous but effective—Eloise wasn’t surprised when they’d become good friends.

  “I overheard Lieutenant Chambers on the phone talking to someone about the sergeant position.”

  Eloise glanced around them. “You know you shouldn’t do that.”

  “Do what?”

  “Listen in on private conversations.”

  Brandy swiped a nonchalant hand through the air. “You need to know. He mentioned your name.”

  Her heart accelerated.

  “And Dante Matthews.”

  And then came to a screeching halt.

  “Dante? I’m surprised. The lieutenant doesn’t like Dante.”

  “That’s for sure.” Brandy chuckled. tossing her thick, black hair over her shoulder. “Chambers calls him a danger and a disgrace. I swear I’ve seen his eye twitch when Dante’s name is mentioned.”

  “That’s harsh.” Even if the danger part rang true.

  Brandy shrugged. “Which means you’ll get the promotion.”

  “I don’t know,” Eloise hedged. Even though she wanted the job. More than anything.

  The rumors of the promotion had been circling the department for weeks, especially since they had yet to fill the sergeant position left open by a recent transfer. She’d passed the civil exam without a problem, made sure Chambers was informed of her grade and made her desire to be considered for the position known, then secretly kept her fingers crossed that she’d be offered the chance to move up in rank. She’d been on the Palm Cove police force for four out of her six years as a police officer, a detective for two, and hoped her experience weighed into the decision making.

  “Chambers respects you.”

  Eloise straightened the files and other office supplies positioned on her compulsively neat desktop. “That’s because I do my job and get my reports in on time.”

  “And you work well with everyone. You’re good at supervising and making decisions.”

  “So is Dante.” She remembered his earlier request. “Well, everything but desk duty, that is.”

  “Yes, but you are the complete opposite of reckless.”

  She stilled. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  “No. I mean, I’ve learned a ton from you. But sometimes you have to think outside the box. Dante has that ability in spades.”

  Eloise frowned. “I could be reckless.”

  Brandy burst out in a merry laugh. “Oh, honey.”

  “Really, I could,” Eloise fumed. “Watch me.”

  Brandy merely patted her on the arm and strolled away to start a conversation with a patrol officer who’d just walked in.

  Who was she kidding? She plopped down into her chair.

  Reckless was not a word she’d use to describe herself. She always had to push herself out of her comfort zone, especially since becoming a cop, and she was extremely proud of herself.

  Now she had a chance to move up the ranks. Make a name for herself. Show her parents she’d made the right decision by forgoing a career in academics, like they’d wanted, and pursuing a degree in criminal investigation. A job she loved, with a possible promotion in her future.

  The phone on her desk rang. She picked it up on the third ring, infusing an authoritative tone into her voice. “Detective Archer.”

  “Eloise, it’s Tom Bailey over in Palm Beach. Got a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  She’d run into Tom, also a detective, at different police functions, since Palm Cove, located on the east coast of Florida along the Atlantic, was twenty miles north of Palm Beach. Actually, she’d applied to the Palm Beach PD when she’d sent out résumés, but Palm Cove had offered her a position first. Maybe one day she’d consider moving, but she liked it here and had the promotion to consider.

  “We picked up a teen the other night. Lives in your area. Pulled him over while joyriding in a stolen car.”

  Teen car thefts were a growing problem. Auto theft was bad enough, but the underage drivers usually crashed while the police were in pursuit. It seemed they got at least half a dozen calls a month from folks who’d discovered their cars were stolen.

  �
�So what do you need from us?”

  “It’s not really what I need, more of a heads-up. We’re cracking down on the problem here and hope we can share information in the future.”

  “You know I’m happy to work together. This isn’t a problem that’s going away anytime soon.”

  “I figured you did the research.”

  How could she not? She’d had multiple cases on the offense, but what made it frustrating was that the underage kids were sent to juvenile detention, then released within hours or a few short days, only to become repeat offenders. Bragging rights could be found all over social media, which the department monitored, with kids posting pictures with key fobs around their necks like trophies or snaps of the speedometer when these kids drove in excess of one hundred miles per hour down the road. Worst-case scenario was if one of the kids found a weapon in a car they’d stolen, an added prize that propelled the legend they’d spread online.

  “Have you noticed an increase in activity?” she asked, wondering about a possible connection. In Palm Cove, stolen cars tended to be more midpriced than high-end, but still, people weren’t happy when their mode of transportation disappeared. Worse, when the vehicle was found after a wreck, the owner had impound and insurance hassles ahead of them.

  “There’s a small uptick.”

  “Okay, well, I’ll keep you informed if I learn anything helpful.”

  “Great. So, ah, are you attending the Maniacal Mudder charity run this weekend at Soldier Park?”

  “I don’t think so.” She tried to attend police benefits in the surrounding cities, but didn’t always make every one, especially those that included running. Or mud. Who got enjoyment out of scaling obstacles while trying to keep their balance sprinting through a world of wet dirt? Her colleagues loved the challenge, but it made her shudder. The idea of landing face-first in a puddle of goop, losing her glasses and trying to blindly make it to the finish line gave her nightmares. She’d considered it once, when Dante taunted her about tagging along, but wisely chose to stay on the sidelines in the end. She was a much better cheerleader than participant.