My Sister, Myself

My Sister, Myself
Alice Sharpe

THE SISTER SHE NEVER KNEW…BUT WOULD STOP AT NOTHING TO SAVEIt wasn't like Tess Mays to fall apart in front of strangers, but she was having a rough day. Detective Ryan Hill just informed her that her long-lost father was dead, and that the woman lying helplessly in a coma in the ICU was her identical twin. Unbelievable! Somehow Tess had to unravel her father's secret past and fi nd the thugs who intended to kill her sister. For that she needed Ryan's help…if only she could resist succumbing to his protective arms. Her bold plan: to live another woman's life…and possibly risk her own in the process.

“I don’t understand…”

Tess looked up at detective Ryan Hill, who regarded her with such empathy that it crumbled what little control she had left and she swayed on her feet again. Only this time, he caught her elbows in his strong hands and held her steady.

“Is she…going to be okay?” she murmured, wiping away the tears.

“The doctor said he thinks there’s a good chance she’ll pull through.”

“Has the driver come forward? Have you found him yet?”

“There are a thousand white vans in New Harbor, Miss Mays. Without a license plate…” Detective Hill’s voice trailed off as he ran a hand through his black, glossy hair. “There’s a whole lot you need to know.”

Tess looked away from his gaze, staring at the bank of monitors, then at the face that was at once familiar and foreign—her twin sister. Her twin. All those years of loneliness and she’d had a twin the whole time….

My Sister, Myself

Alice Sharpe

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

This book is dedicated to my sister, Mary Shumate.

Not a twin, but just as close to my heart.

I would like to thank Arnold Sharpe, Joseph Sharpe and

Jennifer Jones for their patience, support and expertise.

I love you all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice Sharpe met her husband-to-be on a cold, foggy beach in Northern California. One year later they were married. Their union has survived the rearing of two children, a handful of earthquakes registering over 6.5, numerous cats and a few special dogs, the latest of which is a yellow Lab named Annie Rose. Alice and her husband now live in a small rural town in Oregon, where she devotes the majority of her time to pursuing her second love, writing.

Alice loves to hear from readers. You can write her at P.O. Box 755, Brownsville, OR 97327. SASE for reply is appreciated.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Tess Mays—A fateful phone call disrupts her safe existence. Will she take up her long-lost twin sister’s struggle to prove her dead father innocent?

Ryan Hill—A detective with the New Harbor police department, Ryan is committed to protecting both of his late partner’s daughters. Trouble is, one is in a coma and the other is turning into a wonder woman right before his eyes.

Katie Fields—Tess’s twin. What did she uncover before being struck down by a hit-and-run driver?

Matt Fields—His suspicious death in a house fire provides the catalyst that brings his long-separated daughters back together.

Caroline Mays—Tess and Katie’s mother. But why did she keep her children apart and where is she now?

Nelson Lingford—What’s the acute businessman’s role in the fire that destroyed his stepmother’s home?

Madeline Lingford—Would this crippled widow commit murder to protect her stepson?

Irene Woodall—The art dealer has obviously become Katie’s confidant within the Lingford household. How can Tess circumnavigate her to get at the truth?

Vince Desota—His greed has all but destroyed his life, and he’ll stop at nothing to get back at the man he blames for his failures.

Clint Doyle—A burly bodyguard who takes his job seriously. The question is: how seriously?

Jim Kinsey—A former Lingford employee, will he stop at nothing to get what he wants?

Georges—Irene’s assistant. Why is he lying so low?

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Prologue

Juggling an unwieldy umbrella and a cell phone, Katie Fields punched in the phone number, excitement turning to frustration as she reached Ryan’s voice mail. She clicked off without leaving a message. Never mind. She’d catch up with him later and he’d be forced to eat crow as she provided proof that would clear her father’s name.

Or would it?