Marie Ferrarella: Colton Copycat Killer

“A joy to read.”

— RT Book Reviews on Christmas Cowboy Duet

“Ferrarella’s romance will charm with all the benefits and pitfalls of a sweet small-town setting.”

— RT Book Reviews on Lassoed by Fortune

“Heartwarming. That’s the way I have described every book by Marie Ferrarella that I have read. In the Family Way engenders in me the same warm, fuzzy feeling that I have come to expect from her books.” —The Romance Reader

“Ms. Ferrarella warms our hearts with her charming characters and delicious interplay.”

— RT Book Reviews on A Husband Waiting to Happen

“Ms. Ferrarella creates fiery, strong-willed characters, an intense conflict and an absorbing premise no reader could possibly resist.”

— RT Book Reviews on A Match for Morgan

* * *

We hope you enjoy this dramatic new series:

The Coltons of Texas: Finding love and buried family secrets in the Lone Star state …

Colton Copycat

Killer

Marie Ferrarella

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MARIE FERRARELLA, a USA TODAY bestselling and RITA ®Award-winning author has written two-hundred-and-fifty books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com.

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To Melissa Senate, with love, for handing me a great outline to work with!

Contents

Cover

Praise Praise for Marie Ferrarella Praise Title Page About the Author Dedication Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Epilogue Extract Copyright “A joy to read.” — RT Book Reviews on Christmas Cowboy Duet “Ferrarella’s romance will charm with all the benefits and pitfalls of a sweet small-town setting.” — RT Book Reviews on Lassoed by Fortune “Heartwarming. That’s the way I have described every book by Marie Ferrarella that I have read. In the Family Way engenders in me the same warm, fuzzy feeling that I have come to expect from her books.” —The Romance Reader “Ms. Ferrarella warms our hearts with her charming characters and delicious interplay.” — RT Book Reviews on A Husband Waiting to Happen “Ms. Ferrarella creates fiery, strong-willed characters, an intense conflict and an absorbing premise no reader could possibly resist.” — RT Book Reviews on A Match for Morgan * * * We hope you enjoy this dramatic new series: The Coltons of Texas : Finding love and buried family secrets in the Lone Star state …

Title Page Colton Copycat Killer Marie Ferrarella www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author MARIE FERRARELLA , a USA TODAY bestselling and RITA ® Award-winning author has written two-hundred-and-fifty books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com .

Dedication To Melissa Senate, with love, for handing me a great outline to work with!

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

“Watch and learn, little sister. Watch and learn.”

Celia Robison’s eyes met her younger sister, Zoe’s, in the full-length mirror as the former fussed over her wedding veil, adjusting it for the umpteenth time in order to best play up her delicate features.

She was talking to Zoe in the church’s bridal room. The latter had popped in a few minutes ago to see how she was coming along. Celia always loved having her sister around—and never more than today—because she knew she always looked even hotter and sexier than usual in comparison. The sweetly attractive Zoe looked like the typical shrinking violet that she was.

Right now, Celia was approximately ten minutes away from leaving her single status permanently behind and marrying Sam Colton, a rather stoic detective on the Granite Gulch police force—and a man that Zoe had secretly been in love with since forever.

Not even Sam knew how she felt, and the librarian—a rather stereotypical career choice that suited the shy, blond-haired Zoe rather well—intended to keep it that way. She doubted Celia knew how she felt about Sam when her sister had asked her to be one of her bridesmaids—and Zoe knew she couldn’t turn her sister down without arousing suspicion. Besides, with both of their parents gone now, Celia was the only family that she had. So, much as it made her heart ache, she’d said yes.

The charade—pretending to be happy for Sam and Celia—was really killing her despite the brave front she was putting up. But this mysterious, cat-ate-the-canary look on Celia’s face had caused her to forget her own bruised heart and piqued her curiosity.

To be honest, it made her uneasy.

Celia had always been the devious one, but given her looks, she had always been able to get away with things others in her position wouldn’t have been able to.

“Watch and learn what?” Zoe finally asked when Celia said nothing further. Her sister just continued smirking at her reflection, as if some huge secret existed between her and the mirrored image.

“Why, how to trap a man of your choice, of course, little sister.”

Zoe hated that condescending tone. Celia used it often with her. “What are you talking about, Celia?” Zoe asked impatiently.

Celia turned away from the mirror to look at her. “Why, Sam, of course. I’m talking about Sam. My future beloved.” She laughed then, clearly delighted with herself.

Zoe moved in closer, discreetly sniffing the air between them. “Have you been drinking, Celia?”

“Not yet, but I will be soon,” Celia assured her with a wink. “That’s what got him, you know. Drinking. And now I’m going to be wrapping him around my little finger—him and that lovely Colton money of his.”

Zoe was beginning to get a very uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something was very off. “English, Celia, speak English.”

Celia blew out a breath, and shook her head. “You know, you really are no fun, Zoe. Lucky for you I’m in such a good mood.”

As if to underscore what she’d just said, Celia began softly humming the bridal march under her breath.

This one time, Zoe didn’t allow her sister to put her off. She intended to get to the bottom of this. Celia seemed too pleased with herself for it to be some inconsequential trivial thing.