Read an excerpt from Ms. Lawyer by Lea Coll
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She’s the new public defender in town. He’s running for sheriff.
Emma Ryan vows never to live in a small town again. Then her boss transfers her to Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
On opposite sides of the law, Emma quickly clashes with police officer Luke Hudson.
But when Emma is threatened, she’ll need to work with Luke to determine who’s responsible.
Stubborn, cocky and ambitious, Luke will stop at nothing to get what he wants. When his association with a criminal defense attorney puts his bid for sheriff in jeopardy, he’ll need to choose between his dream job and taking a chance on love.
Excerpt
When I came out, Luke was waiting in the hallway leaning against the wall. I looked around, but he was staring at me.
“Stalking me in bathrooms now?” I asked.
He drew up to his full height and backed me up until I leaned against the opposite wall. His arms went on either side of my head blocking my view of anyone else. He caged me in but wasn’t touching me. I breathed in his scent and tried to remember it for later. My eyes traveled slowly from his chest up to his eyes and what I saw caused my breath to catch. His brown eyes were practically smoldering. I was incapable of moving.
“What did you think of that drawing I gave you?”
At the moment, we were alone. I forgot that we stood in the hallway of the Pub. I smiled. “You made me look like a knock-out, but cartoons are meant to be an exaggeration.”
Luke tensed, his eyes serious, “That’s how I see you, Emma. You are a knock-out. You’re also sweet and sassy.” His hand touched my face and his eyes softened. “I want to get to know you better.”
Warmth spread through me at his words, “Okay,” I said quietly. “Thank you.” No one had ever described me like that before. It would take a bit to get used to Luke seeing me that way. He made me feel special, desired.
He tucked an errant piece of hair behind my ear and placed something into my hand. Before I could glance down to see what it was, he leaned in close his mouth hovered over my ear, “And it wasn’t a cartoon, Emma. I will see you later.” His voice was low and husky causing my knees to go weak. Then he pushed off the wall and sauntered back down the hallway towards the bar area.
I didn’t move from my position as I watched him walk away. I admired his tight butt in those jeans but then he looked back and caught me staring. He smiled at me like he knew the effect he had on me.
I let out a shaky breath. There was no mistaking his interest. No friend had ever made my panties wet with just a few words. I shook my head to clear it and then remembered the scrap of napkin he’d tucked into my hand. I unfolded it to see another hand-drawn picture.
About the Author
Lea Coll worked for over ten years as a trial attorney in both civil and criminal law. She earned a J.D. from University of Baltimore School of Law where she was production editor on Law Review. Throughout the course of her legal career she wrote opinions for judges and various legal memoranda, briefs, and motions for a Fortune 500 Company. After years of legal writing, she enjoys the freedom that comes with writing fiction. Now that she stays home with her children she survives by plotting stories while fetching snacks and running back and forth to their activities.
Her experience in court influenced the legal drama in her book. She has an interest in the history and charm of small towns which is why she chose Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for the setting of her first series.
Lea grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania and currently resides in Maryland with her husband and three children.
