Nick was still asleep when Lexi kissed him goodbye, and left the hospital.

She sat in the front seat of the SUV this time, staring out the window as Cooper drove them back to the camp. According to him, everyone had been given vouchers for a free week of their choice, and they were all leaving today.

Candy was in custody, waiting while countries around the world fought over extradition. She had been stealing most of her life, and was incredibly accomplished. Using elaborate covers, like her latest as a writer, she was able to walk into their world, blend in, and never be suspected. Her downfall was her temper, which Nick had set off when he thought a simple trap would catch her.

Lexi listened to Cooper with half her attention. The other half was on Nick, and what her life was going to be like now that she knew he existed.

She had figured out, sometime between the nurse patching her up and falling asleep in his room, that she was in love with him.

I’ve only known him three days—I can’t be in love with him.

Her heart disagreed.

“Stupid,” she whispered.

“What was that?” Cooper glanced at her as he parked the SUV.

“Nothing. Thank you for the ride, Cooper. For everything.”

He took her hand, and surprised her by leaning over and kissing her. “Thank you, for Nick’s life.” He cleared his throat, and busied himself with the keys. “Let me know when you’re ready to leave.”

“I will.”

She climbed out of the SUV, careful of her right arm. The bullet had only grazed her, but it still hurt, like a raw, deep burn. She would have to take her time with packing. No worries about running into Nick, or having him appear. He was going to be in the hospital for at least the next few days, according to the doctor.

But he would recover, and that was all she needed to know.

She managed to avoid most of the other campers, and closed her cabin door on the few who followed after her. With a sigh, she moved to the bed and pulled out her small suitcase, using her left hand to lift it to the bed. Once she got started, she moved faster than she thought she would, done in less than half an hour.

All she wanted to do right now was go home, immerse herself in the book that had come to life while she was here, and try to forget about the man she’d never be able to forget.

A knock on the door startled her, and she almost ignored it. Thinking that it might be Cooper, she walked over and opened the door.

Andrea Simonson stood on the porch.

“Lexi. I’m thrilled that I caught you before you left. May I come in?”

“Sure.” She stepped back, feeling like a country mouse again, compared to the tall, elegant woman.

Then Andrea turned around and offered her hands, such concern on her face that tears stung Lexi’s eyes. “Are you all right, Lexi? I’ve been so worried since I heard what happened. Imagine, someone as strident as Candy turns out to be an international jewel thief. I wonder what drew her here.”

“You,” Lexi said, as the final piece fell into place. “The necklace I saw you wearing when we met. That was the Iron Opal, wasn’t it?”

Andrea smiled. “A copy. I rarely take the original out of the safe. It is so fragile, and rather expensive.” She winked, and Lexi relaxed. “Do you really think she followed me here?”

“I bet Candy has been studying you for a while. She seems to go after unusual and one-of-a-kind pieces, based on what she took here.”

“Hmm.” Andrea tapped her bottom lip. “I will have my security people go over footage, send on anything relevant. Now, to the reason I came to see you.” She moved over to the desk chair and sat, smoothing her beautiful white pencil skirt. White would last about five seconds on Lexi. “I told you when we met how much I admire your work. I would like to offer you a long term contract with Simonson.”

Lexi stared at her. “You—what?”

“You are so close, Lexi. I want to help you reach the status you deserve, as a bestselling author. We would go over the contract with you and your attorney, of course, and work out the details. This is a verbal offer; if you say yes, I will start the process immediately.”

She lowered herself to the bed, her knees weak. “I’m self-published.”

“A quality I find admirable, since your success is due to your work, and not the reputation of a large publisher.”

“I just started writing my next book. It won’t be ready for a couple of months.”

“That will be perfect, and give us time to create a frenzy.” Andrea stood, and Lexi pushed herself up, still shaky. “I realize this is sudden, but I want to nab you before some other publisher sees your potential and beats me to it. I only take the cream, Lexi. You are the cream when it comes to mystery romance.”

Lexi wanted to say that she was just fine with the status quo. That she could do on her own what Andrea had planned for her.

“I want to keep ebook rights.” She blurted out the statement before she could stop herself.

“Oh, my dear Lexi.” Andrea wrapped an arm around her waist. “I understand your reaction. We have incredibly generous ebook royalties, but that is a point we can negotiate. I know how much work you’ve done to keep your books ranking well. It is another reason I want you; the fact that you’re a hard worker, and willing to do whatever it takes to advance your career.”

Lexi took a deep breath, and followed her gut.

“I’m in.”

“I’m so thrilled.” Andrea hugged her. “Welcome to Simonson Publishing, my dear.”

“Thank you,” Lexi said. She dug a business card out of her travel wallet, and scribbled her home address and cell number on the back. “This is where you can contact me.”

Andrea tucked the card in her coat pocket. “A contract will be sent by courier next week.” She handed Lexi one of her business cards, on heavy, beautiful cream cardstock. “Please don’t hesitate to phone me with any concerns.” She headed for the door, pausing with her hand on the knob. “If you need an attorney to represent you, I know several in California.”

“I have one. Thank you, for believing in my talent.”

“Thank you, Lexi, for writing such wonderfully absorbing books.”

She left, and Lexi had to sit. Her mind rewound, and went through the conversation again.

“I’m going to be a Simonson author,” she whispered.

Part of her wasn’t sure she had wanted a publisher before now. But she did know about Andrea Simonson, and her publishing company. She treated her authors with respect, offered generous contracts—and Lexi had a feeling she might be able to get the print-only contract she wanted, if she played her cards well.

She looked over at her suitcase, and her messenger bag. Leaving like this would hurt, so much more than she expected.

There had been life before Nick Standish, and there would be life after.

Lexi would do whatever it took to make the after Nick part as happy and productive as possible.