Hidden Hills

Hidden Hills

Charles Wills wrote his last will, leaving Mitch McGregor, his eldest grandson, as the sole benefactor of his estate. The inheritance included Hidden Hills, his ancestors' antebellum home, and its debts and stipulations.

Mitch died six months later of a heart attack, leaving his twenty-six-year-old wife and two small daughters with maxed-out credit cards and a property mortgage that rivaled the national debt. Along with everything else, she owed Judge Tom McGregor, her father-in-law, an enormous debt-not of gratitude, but thirty thousand dollars.

Unable to continue the mortgage payments for much longer, she put the house on the real estate market, but-eighteen months later-it's still hers. Desperation forces Charlotte to change realtors and move to the nearby town where she works. This relieves the constant worry of being alone in the country with her girls, but it only postpones the inevitable-the bank will foreclose, and she'll still owe the judge. He's on her case, demanding she pay now-or else he'll take her home.

Jake Weatherman owns a retail business and lives next door to Charlotte's rental home. As a single father of three boys, he feels he's found a kindred spirit in his new neighbor. He's far from perfect, even to the point of being bossy, opinionated, curious and nosy. In his line of work, most women reveal more personal information than is necessary. Charlotte refuses to talk about herself, other than working two jobs, loving chocolate, and is the widow of a lawyer. He turns to a lawyer buddy to see what she's hiding. Ralph knows the wealthy McGregor family and assumes Charlotte married for money since she now owns the estate. Jake's heart refuses to accept what Ralph said concerning the stunning widow, but a wedge of doubt inches into his initial opinion. After learning of the debts and stipulations, he's convinced he was right.

Judge Tom McGregor earned the reputation as the silver fox for his shrewd business deals. Most unethical-but still above the law. Now he plans to get the estate-whatever the cost-even if it destroys his grandchildren's mother. Charlotte's a fighter, fueled by desperation and a fierce determination that the judge will never win. Jake doesn't understand her reasons for the choices she has made until the peaceful solitude of Hidden Hills surrounds him. Although he's not rich, he's willing to help her in any way he can. It takes cunning to out-fox a fox, so they need to set the right trap. Too bad he's never been much of a hunter.