Honor Bound. Julianna Morris

what counts. As for what some people might think…they aren’t worth worrying about. I’m sure the Lawsons are as proud as I am.”

      “They seemed pleased. They don’t need to be concerned, but that hasn’t stopped them from fretting over my future.”

      They chatted a few minutes longer before she said goodbye.

      Henry’s assurances helped. Kelly worried too much about what people thought, but she’d never wanted Mitch or his parents to be embarrassed because of her. The Lawsons had always been kind, though in the beginning they must have wondered what sort of wife their son was getting.

      She’d wondered.

      What had she known about being a wife and member of such a squeaky-clean, American-as-apple-pie family?

      Her cell phone beeped with a text message from Viv. Noon press Conf. Hizonor and Ben had hrt 2 hrt. B hated Hzs last memo.

      Kelly made a face. Ben again.

      And yet a shot of adrenaline went through her. He would undoubtedly reveal her identity as the author of the Deep books. She couldn’t blame him. Being able to say something was better than “no comment.”

      At noon she resolutely walked down to the room where the mayor held his press conferences. Facing the questions directly was the smartest move, but she wasn’t looking forward to it.

      BEN’S EYEBROWS ROSE WHEN he saw Kelly in the back of the room. Her chin tilted defiantly and he was torn between admiration and irritation.

      He’d just finished talking to his uncle about Kelly. Henry’s ire had reached new heights, but he’d eventually calmed down and asked Ben not to say she’d written the Deep books. Henry and Gina weren’t entirely reasonable when it came to Kelly, though they hadn’t needed to worry—there was no point in revealing her identity, and some benefit to keeping it confidential. If someone was copycatting the murders in her novels it was probably for thrills and attention, and Ben didn’t want to feed the situation.