The Trophy Wife Exchange Read online

  “You went to court and didn’t tell us? We would have been there as your cheering section,” Amber said.

  “I know. You’ve all been so wonderful to me. I just—” She blinked back the moisture forming in her eyes. “It was something I needed to face on my own, confronting Clint like that.”

  “So you did get your settlement after all,” Sandy said with a hint of the romantic in her voice.

  “I did. First, the court examined all the documents and ordered everything liquidated—including Clint’s business and an antique car collection I never knew about—and all debts paid. They gave decent severances to the employees who lost their jobs. Kaycie, for her short stint in the Mrs. Holbrook role, didn’t get a whole lot. Clint’s half of our shared assets will go to cover debt. Anyway, my half isn’t a monumental fortune, but it’s more than I need. I’ve found a small house and made an offer. I learned this morning it was accepted.”

  Smiles and congratulations all around.

  “I’ve bought in as a partner in the gym with Billy. We have some improvements in mind and I’m having so much fun with it.”

  She settled back in her seat and smiled. “The best part is, after I got everything I needed, there was still money left. I thought of the women’s shelter, the one that took me in when I needed it most. They’re good people and they do such great work. Once I’ve repaid Pen, I’ve donated all the rest to help them.”

  “Oh, Mary, that’s perfect,” Pen said, waving off the envelope Mary held out to her. “So kind of you.”

  “Well, it is the season, right? One thing I learned from this whole experience is that hoarding a big pile of money makes no one happy. I couldn’t bring myself to start living as Clint did—I had to help others if I could.”

  She gave a little shrug and the others teared up slightly. Her gesture reinforced the mission which had originally drawn them together, as simple as that.

  * * *

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  Thank you for taking the time to read The Trophy Wife Exchange. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and is much appreciated.

  Thank you,

  Connie Shelton

  * * *

  What’s next for the Heist Ladies?

  The Ladies take on Hollywood when Gracie’s mother invests in a movie producer’s promises of big riches and a chance to brush elbows with the stars. When that doesn’t exactly turn out to be the reality, Gracie enlists the group’s help.

  Don’t miss Movie Mogul Mama, the next in this fun mystery series!

  * * *

  Author’s Note

  As always, I have a huge amount of gratitude for everyone who helped shape this book into its final version. Dan Shelton, my husband and helpmate for nearly twenty-eight years, is always there for me. And thank you Stephanie, my lovely daughter and business partner, for giving my business and writing career a burst of fresh new energy this year!

  Editors Susan Slater and Shirley Shaw spot the plot and character flaws and help smooth the rough bits in the prose. And topping off the effort are my beta readers, who drop everything in their own lives to read and find the typos that inevitably sneak past me. Thank you for your help with this book: Christine Johnson, Debbie Wilson, Marcia Koopman, Judi Shaw and Sandra Anderson. You guys are the best!

  * * *

  Books by Connie Shelton

  The Charlie Parker Series

  Deadly Gamble

  Vacations Can Be Murder

  Partnerships Can Be Murder

  Small Towns Can Be Murder

  Memories Can Be Murder

  Honeymoons Can Be Murder

  Reunions Can Be Murder

  Competition Can Be Murder

  Balloons Can Be Murder

  Obsessions Can Be Murder

  Gossip Can Be Murder

  Stardom Can Be Murder

  Phantoms Can Be Murder

  Buried Secrets Can Be Murder

  Legends Can Be Murder

  Weddings Can Be Murder

  Alibis Can Be Murder

  Holidays Can Be Murder - a Christmas novella

  The Samantha Sweet Series

  Sweet Masterpiece

  Sweet’s Sweets

  Sweet Holidays

  Sweet Hearts

  Bitter Sweet

  Sweets Galore

  Sweets, Begorra

  Sweet Payback

  Sweet Somethings

  Sweets Forgotten

  Spooky Sweet

  The Woodcarver’s Secret

  Spellbound Sweets – a Halloween novella

  The Heist Ladies Series

  Diamonds Aren’t Forever

  The Trophy Wife Exchange

  Children’s Books

  Daisy and Maisie and the Great Lizard Hunt

  Daisy and Maisie and the Lost Kitten

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