Beachcomber
Beachcomber
Karen Robards
Atria Books (2003)
“Robards is one terrific storyteller.”
—Chicago Tribune
“One of the most popular voices in women’s fiction.”
—Newsweek
“Robards’ singular skill of combining intrigue with ecstasy …gives her romances their edge.”
—Lexington Herald-Leader
(KY)
Acclaim for the novels of
New York Times
bestselling author
KAREN ROBARDS
BEACHCOMBER
“You won’t put down this riveting read, even to reapply sunscreen.”
—Cosmopolitan
“Romantic suspense at its best… . Will leave readers breathless.”
—Kentucky Monthly
“One of Robards’ best in recent years… . Frothy, fast-paced… . A toothsome treat.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Robards merges the two worlds [of mystery and romance] like no one else, deftly interlacing plot and passion.”
—The Times Union
(Albany, NY)
“Robards is back with another of her patented tales of romance and suspense that keep readers balanced on the knife’s edge.”
—Romantic Times
WHISPERS AT MIDNIGHT
“Southern gothic, suspense, and rough-and-tumble romance… . Robards is a lively storyteller.”
—Publishers Weekly
“One of Robards’ best … . ”
—The Columbus Dispatch
“Robards has perfected a knack for blending intrigue and romance … . ”
—Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
TO TRUST A STRANGER
“Vintage Robards… . Trust author Karen Robards to deliver up another choice romantic thriller.”
—Romantic Times
(A
Romantic Times
Top Pick)
“[A] tough, sensual romantic mystery from the prolific and popular Robards.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Seduction, corruption, and bone-chilling suspense… . This is a really good edge-of-your-seat, humorous, and sexy romantic suspense novel.”
—The Sullivan County Democrat
“[A] taut thriller… . Exciting romantic suspense … that never slows down.”
—The Midwest Book Review
PARADISE COUNTY
“An engaging read… . Suspenseful and atmospheric, another winner … . Readers will cheer and care for her protagonists.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A high-caliber romantic suspense novel featuring realistic characters struggling with a rainbow of feelings. Robards knows how to raise the temperature on several levels with a strong tale that will excite readers.”
—Harriet Klausner,
ReaderToReader.com
“A fast-paced, suspenseful novel.”
—Library Journal
“Robards expertly balances an intensely sensual love story with a truly chilling suspense plot set against a colorful Southern backdrop.
Paradise County
will have readers on the edge of their seats until the final page.”
Other Titles by Karen Robards
Whispers at Midnight
Irresistible
To Trust a Stranger
Paradise County
Scandalous
Ghost Moon
The Midnight Hour
The Senator’s Wife
Heartbreaker
Hunter’s Moon
Walking after Midnight
Maggy’s Child
One Summer
This Side of Heaven
Dark of the Moon
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
A Pocket Star Book published by
POCKET BOOKS, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
Copyright © 2003 by Karen Robards
Originally published in hardcover in 2003 by Atria Books
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Atria Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
ISBN: 0-7434-5349-2
ISBN: 978-0-74348-6-385 (eBook)
First Pocket Books paperback printing July 2004
POCKET STAR BOOKS and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Jacket design and photo illustration by Lisa Litwack Front cover photo of woman © Henrik Jessen/Getty Images Title type by Dave Gatti
Contents
This book is dedicated with love and appreciation to the memory of Mary Rose Miller, my children’s honorary grandmother, who passed away on May 26, 2003.
It is also dedicated, as always, to my husband, Doug, and to my three sons, Peter, Christopher, and Jack, with all my love.
P
RETTY GIRLS IN BIKINIS
were everywhere, frolicking in the surf, walking up and down the beach, sprawled out on towels as far as the eye could see. It was the first Saturday in August, and Nags Head was sweltering and hopping at the same time. The sun was a fireball the size of an orange hanging low above the jagged skyline of hotels, condominiums, and private residences that stood like a backbone behind the creamy curve of the beach. The scent of suntan oil hung in the air. A raging boom box all but drowned out the hiss and growl of the ocean. Vacationers crammed the shore, all different ages and colors and sizes and shapes mixed up together, talking and laughing as they soaked up the last of the day’s rays. Most of them were as invisible to him as he was to them. The girls were what stood out in vivid Technicolor. As his gaze moved from one to the other, lingering on a tall blonde here, caressing a curvy brunette there, his body tightened and tingled with a familiar anticipation. Just looking at them made him feel good all over. And why not? They were his favorite prey.
“Look out!”
A beach ball bonked him in the side of the head. It didn’t hurt, but he blinked, startled, and glanced around. A college-age girl with long blond hair scraped back in a ponytail and generous assets barely contained by a tiny turquoise swimsuit grabbed the rebound.
