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Quacks and Quarrels a Presley Thurman Cozy Mystery Free Chapter

Chapter 1

“Well, Bella old girl, I can’t believe we’re doing this,” I said to my drooling sidekick as she lounged in the passenger seat of my borrowed red pickup truck. She barely looked in my direction, her eyes heavy with sleep.

I chuckled to myself, shook my head, and then turned my concentration back to the road. While Cooper had shown me the skills needed to drive a tow-behind camper and made me practice in the high school parking lot with safety cones, I wasn’t yet feeling confident hauling a twenty-three-foot travel trailer behind a pickup truck I also wasn’t used to driving.

I had never been a big fan of camping but had entered a sweepstakes at the grocery store a few months ago, never expecting anything to come of it. For the first time in my life, I’d won something. And not just a little something. A camper that was awesome, as far as campers went, in my opinion. Not that I had been in many. It had a cool slide out that made the middle of the camper very spacious, enough for a 5×7 rug, and my favorite part—the LED lights that ran around the ceiling. I could turn off all the main lights and read in bed under the soft glow of the blueish LEDs. It was a great place to relax and cuddle with Bella.

I didn’t plan on keeping it but my husband Cooper—it was still weird to think of him as my husband although we had been married five months now—felt that I should at least take it on a maiden voyage before deciding what to do with it. I readily agreed, thinking it wouldn’t be bad and at least the two of us could get away for some alone time. I had been so busy with my mom getting me up to speed with Petal Pushers before she and my dad left for their around-the-world trip that I felt like I hadn’t really spent much time with him since the honeymoon. I had planned a trip to a town called Dandridge in Missouri that had a campground that looked relaxing and offered hiking trails and fishing. Not things that were on my top ten, but stuff Cooper liked to do.

Then a week ago something urgent came up at work and Cooper told me he wouldn’t be able to go. I admit I almost canceled, not wanting to go without him or drive the camper all the way on my own. Barreling down the highway in a truck with a huge, heavy camper attached seemed overwhelming. Somehow, he convinced me I would be fine, and I started to get excited thinking about a girls’ adventure. Just me and my dog, Bella. Braving the elements, living off the land, just two girls on the open road… okay, I’m getting carried away. A luxury camper hardly counts as roughing it.

According to my GPS we were only about fifteen minutes away from the campground. That’s where the true test would start. I would have to back this monster into my campsite. Without brightly colored cones or Cooper to direct me.

It wasn’t long before we were pulling into Camp Tranquil. I hoped the campground would live up to its name. I was ready for a relaxing vacation.

I pulled off to a spot that had a sign labeled “fifteen-minute parking for check-in” and breathed a sigh of relief that it was a wide-open lot where I could easily turn around. No fancy maneuvering yet. I cracked the windows for Bella, thankful it wasn’t that hot.

“I’ll be right back, girl,” I said, giving her ear a soft tug. She sat up long enough to watch me close the door and then I saw her sink back down into the seat. I had to chuckle. She looked imposing at a solid one hundred fifty pounds, but she was the biggest baby and cuddle bug.

I pushed the door of the office open. The bells on the door clanked and the woman behind the counter looked up and smiled.

“Welcome to Camp Tranquil. How can I help you?”

“I’m Presley Thurman. I have a reservation for the next week.”

“Why yes, you do. I have your welcome packet right here,” she said and reached to her right, running her finger down a line of folders until she snapped one up and put it in front of her. “I’m Rita Tower. I’m the manager, and the owner, of Camp Tranquil. Glad to have you with us.”

As Rita told me she was the owner, I had to admit I was a little surprised. She didn’t seem the type to be a hardcore camper. She was probably in her sixties, with her silver-gray hair up in a French twist. She had on gray capris and a pale blue sweater set, with one strand of pearls around her neck. She looked like she would be more comfortable seated next to my mother at the Junior League garden show than running a campground. But then, what did I know? I had only been camping once as a kid with a friend’s family. That one trip had been enough for me when we found a spider’s nest in our tent and ran screaming for the safety of the family car.

I walked out to the truck, campground map in hand. Rita had thoughtfully traced the route I needed to take to get to my site with a Sharpie. I looked over to Bella, who hadn’t stirred, and said, “Here’s the moment of truth. Let’s see if I can back this thing in.”

As per usual with Bella, she opened one lazy eye and then closed it as if to say I shouldn’t get worked up.

“Maybe you’re right, girl. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?” I put the truck in drive and headed down the road. “I run into something? It’s all fixable, right?”

I was happy to see when I got to my site that it didn’t appear as if there was anyone home at the campsites on either side of me. The last thing I needed was an audience. That would make me even more nervous.

I took a deep breath and pulled the truck and camper past the campsite as Cooper had taught me. “Just take it slow,” I muttered to myself. “Nothing to get all riled up over. You can do this.”

As I started the slow process of backing in, I saw out of the corner of my left eye an older woman. She was probably my mom’s age, maybe a little older, standing sentry in front of the campsite on the other side of the road. Great, I do have an audience, I thought. I didn’t want to get distracted, so I put her out of my mind and kept checking my mirrors until I slowly but surely, and much to my surprise, eased the camper into the spot.

I had just a few inches to go until I could say I had successfully backed in when the woman across the street started waving her arms and yelled, “Watch out!” Shocked, I slammed on the brakes, waking Bella up and almost spilling her from her sleeping position on the bench seat to the floor of the truck. My heart was pounding and I worried I had hit something, or worse, someone. The woman speed-walked to my truck, her arms keeping a furious motion, and reached me just as I was getting out.

“Did I hit something?” I asked her.

“No, and if you had, it would serve him right,” she said angrily. I just looked at her, blinking. Who was behind me that she wanted me to run over and what kind campground was this?

“Topknot, get over here right now!” the woman screeched in my confused face as I watched a very overweight duck with an odd plumage of feathers on the top of his head emerge from behind the camper.

“A duck?” I asked, puzzled.

The woman didn’t answer right away as she was continuing to screech at the duck about what a bad boy he was. Much to my surprise, the duck actually looked contrite. Who would’ve thought ducks had facial expressions? He let out a plaintive quack and looked down at the ground.

“I’m sorry, dear,” the woman said as the duck reached her side and calmly sat down as if nothing had happened. “He thinks we own this campground. He should know better than to stand behind a moving vehicle. Don’t you, Topknot?” she said as she looked down at the duck and he quacked at her. “I’m Ethelyn Casket and this is my duck, Topknot.”

“Presley Thurman,” I said, my breathing starting to return to normal now that I knew I hadn’t hurt anyone.

“Go ahead and finish backing in. I’ll make sure this little rascal doesn’t get in your way again.”

I nodded and got back in the truck, and backed the camper the rest of the way in without an issue. Giving myself a mental pat on the back, I got out of the truck and held the door open for Bella, who jumped down and promptly ambled over to where Ethelyn and Topknot were standing.

“Bella, come here,” I said, once again my heartbeat increasing as I didn’t know what Bella might do to the duck. I doubted she would think the duck was a snack, but she’d never been around one so I didn’t want to take any chances. But I was needlessly worried, as the two animals circled one another, sniffing, and then Bella promptly lay down next to the duck with her belly in the air and the duck sniffed and shook his tail feathers before lying down next to her.

“What a beautiful dog. Her name is Bella?” Ethelyn asked as she reached down to give Bella’s fawn-colored belly a scratch. I nodded.

“I’d love to have a dog but it’s a full-time job keeping Topknot out of trouble. Well, I’ll let you be to hook everything up. If you need anything, I’m across the street and I’m here year-round. If you need something, I probably have it.”

I thanked her. As Ethelyn and Topknot made their way across the street, Bella got up as if she was going to follow them. I called her back. She looked sad to part from her new friends and then whined a little to confirm she didn’t want them to leave. Bella was such a big baby. Shaking my head, I figured there was nothing wrong with a mastiff having a duck for a friend but it was not a pairing I ever expected.

Bella lay under the picnic table in the shade while I whipped out my checklist with all the tasks I needed to do so the camper was operational. I was afraid I would forget something so, until I had more practice, I had typed up the checklist as a reminder. I eyeballed my list and started to hook up the electric and put the water hose in the city water connection. I’d been warned not to mix it up with the sewer water connection, lest I flood my toilet. I had practiced at home a few times, so it didn’t take long before I was in the camper organizing the fridge with the food items I’d brought in the cooler. I was sweating something fierce in the camper with no air movement. It was only May in southern Missouri, but without a breeze the camper was heating up, so I opened the windows as my next order of business.

It was almost dinnertime, so I thought I would go take a shower in the campground facilities, put on some fresh clothes, and then come back and fix a sandwich and maybe have some of the chocolate chip cookies I’d brought. Vacation was made for ignoring your vegetables in favor of cookies in my opinion.

I set out some fresh water for Bella, who was sprawled out on the floor, and, stepping over her, I grabbed my shower caddy from the bathroom along with a clean sundress from the small closet next to the bed. “I’ll be right back,” I said to Bella and shut the door behind me. I didn’t bother to lock it because there really wasn’t anything worth stealing in the camper. And even though Bella didn’t have a mean bone in her body, the deep rumble of her bark, along with her size, would be enough to dissuade someone from coming in. If they did come in, I imagined they would turn tail and run as soon as they took a look my gigantic pup.

Whistling cheerfully, I made my way down to the bathhouse feeling very proud of myself. So far my camping experience was without incident and I was feeling optimistic about my solo camping skills for the first time since Cooper had bailed on me. Now that the camper was parked, I was looking forward to this vacation as a chance to relax and decompress. May was insanely busy with weddings, and I’d been working sixty-hour weeks at my flower shop, the one my mother gave me for a wedding present. Something I still hadn’t completely forgiven her for. I didn’t know anything about flower shops, and I wasn’t ready to sell Silk, my boutique in Chicago. Molly, my manager, was currently running it for me but I knew that wouldn’t work permanently.

I walked into the bathhouse, impressed with how clean it was. I knocked on the first shower stall door to make sure it was unoccupied. “Hello,” I called out, but got silence in return. I took that as a signal that it was all clear so I pushed open the door and started to walk in.

“Oh, I’m sorry—” I started to say, then stopped as I realized the person in front of me wasn’t sitting on the bath chair bench, but rather he was slumped over. He might have been sleeping, except for the handle of what looked like a knife sticking out of his chest. That was a pretty good indication he wasn’t taking a snooze in the women’s shower. I started to sway, feeling a little faint. I backed my way out of the stall and closed the door, being very careful not to touch anything. As I was backing up, I bumped into someone behind me and let out a yelp.

“Well, where are you going in such a hurry?” Ethelyn asked.

“Don’t go in there,” I warned.

That was the wrong thing to say because she immediately opened the door and peered in.

“Oh my. This isn’t good.”

That was an understatement, I thought.

New Release! The Angry Cowboy. A Clean, Small Town Romance.

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In this clean, small town romance, Chance Gallagher, a man accustomed to walking life’s path with his twin brother Cole, faces a crossroads when Cole pulls out of their shared plans for another Habitat for Humanity trip. Stuck in a small town he’s been itching to leave, Chance grapples with his frustration and loneliness.

Lucia Mooney, a recently divorced teacher juggling a job and motherhood, has her own reservations about romance. Her focus is on building a stable life for her young son, leaving no room for the complexities of a new relationship.

Can Chance find solace and purpose in the small town he once overlooked? Will Lucia be able to open her heart to love again despite the scars of her past?

In this heartwarming, clean romance, they’ll uncover that true love often arrives when it’s least expected and that embracing the present moment can lead to a future filled with hope and happiness.

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The Power of Affordable Author Coaching: Elevate Your Writing and Boost Book Sales

Want to be a published author or elevate your author career? Author coaching might be for you. In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of the book world, aspiring authors often find themselves facing numerous challenges. From crafting compelling books to navigating the intricate process of publishing and marketing, the journey of a writer isn’t an easy one. This is where author coaching can provide invaluable support to writers looking to hone their craft and enhance their chances of success in the competitive realm of book sales. Writing can be such a solitary pursuit. Working with an auhtor coach can give you someone to bounce ideas off of and not feel so alone out there.

What can author coaching provide to you? While every author is different and may need to focus in a different area than their peers here are a few things that coaching can do to help authors build their business. I can personally attest to the fact I’ve used coaches to help me get to the next level in different areas of my career at different times and it’s allowed me to grow more than I ever thought possible.

Don’t just take my word for it. Check out this article on author coaching.

Custom Guidance:

Author coaching offers a personalized approach to writing, publishing, and marketing development. Unlike generic writing advice found online, a coach takes the time to understand your specific strengths, weaknesses, and goals. This tailored guidance helps authors identify and address their unique challenges, fostering growth in areas that truly matter to their individual writing style.

Craft Refinement:

One of the primary benefits of author coaching lies in its ability to refine the craft of writing. Coaches, often experienced authors or industry professionals themselves, provide constructive feedback on your work. This feedback goes beyond simple corrections, delving into the nuances of storytelling, character development, pacing, and style. With expert guidance, authors can fine-tune their writing skills and create more polished, engaging manuscripts.

Overcoming Writer’s Block:

Writer’s block is a common obstacle that can derail even the most promising projects. Author coaching provides a supportive environment where writers can discuss their challenges openly. Coaches offer strategies to overcome creative hurdles, reignite inspiration, and help authors regain momentum in their writing journey.

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Understanding the intricacies of the publishing industry can be daunting for emerging authors. Author coaches leverage their industry knowledge to guide writers through the publishing process. From crafting query letters to navigating literary agents and publishers, coaching provides a roadmap for authors to successfully navigate the competitive world of book publishing.

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The Angry Cowboy Cowboy Romance Free Chapter

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Chance was angrily changing channels in his hospital room when a nurse walked in. He tried to keep the scowl off his face because she was one of his favorite nurses. One of two who didn’t try to act like everything was going to be okay when it so clearly wasn’t, at least not in his eyes. He tried not to take his anger out on the people who were really trying to help him.

“What do you need now? Check my blood pressure? My wound?” he said, trying to be somewhat upbeat. Even though he felt like life as he knew it was over, he knew, rationally, that he had it much better than most people in the hospital, and that he was being just a little selfish. He hated that he felt like this, but he just couldn’t help the negativity that washed over him.

“Actually, no poking and prodding right now. You have visitors.”

Normally, visitors could walk right in, but Chance hadn’t been happy when some of the people from Habitat for Humanity came, so the nurses had started asking him if he wanted visitors first. One more thing he felt like a horrible person about: being cranky when people wanted to visit him. There were probably a lot of people who wished they had visitors, but he just didn’t feel like making small talk with people. Tomorrow, he was leaving the hospital to go to a rehab facility, and then he would be too far away for people to visit. The rehab facility was far enough away from the Habitat for Humanity project he knew no one would have time to visit, but that didn’t make him any more interested in seeing anyone now.

“I’m sorry, Amy. Can you please tell them I’m sleeping or something?” He noticed the uncomfortable look on her face. “I know, I know, you think I’m being a selfish jerk. And I am. I just don’t want to see anyone.”

“Well, it’s not that, though I do think you’re a bit of a selfish jerk refusing all your visitors. But I have a feeling that the two people here to see you now aren’t going to take no for an answer.”

“What do you mean?”

“These aren’t people from Habitat for Humanity.”

“Then who is it?”

“They say they’re your brothers, Judge and Cole.”

Chance muttered a few choice words to himself. That wasn’t normally his nature, but he knew that Judge and Cole were like a force of nature, and what was running through his mind must have shown on his face because Nurse Amy laughed.

“I can tell you know that there’s no way you’re getting rid of them.”

“No, ma’am, you would be right about that. So go ahead and send them in.” Chance sighed as the nurse left the room.

He had been telling himself that he could hold his brothers off because he didn’t want them to worry. Of course, he had told them that he broke his leg, but he’d made it sound like it was a simple break, not such a bad one, and he’d definitely not mentioned he’d broken both legs. One required major surgery. They’d also found he had a rare blood disease when operating. In fact, he had almost died on the operating table. Now, not only was he recovering from that, but also his broken limbs. But mainly, he’d hid it all from his brothers because he knew what would happen. It wouldn’t be a brief visit in the hospital and then go back home. They would make him go back to Painted Acres Ranch, and that was the last place he wanted to go. While he knew it wasn’t rational, he blamed that ranch for everything bad that had happened to him, starting with Cole choosing to stay there and not going with him to build more Habitat for Humanity houses. But hiding from his brothers didn’t matter so much now, as two of them walked into his hospital room, Judge with a stern expression, and Cole with a concerned look.

“Chance, why didn’t you tell us how bad things were?” Judge barked without so much as a hello.

“I didn’t want you all to worry.”

“Oh, so you thought we would worry less when we were told you had surgery and almost died,” Judge snapped.

Chance almost had to grin. If nothing else in the world was constant, his brothers’ demeanors were.

“You guys are busy with your own lives. I didn’t want to take your time away from the farm and everything else you have going on,” he offered as a lame excuse. “Besides, how did you find out? Isn’t there something called HIPPA?”

“We’re your brothers and that’s what brothers do. We’re here to help each other out,” Cole said. “We found out because I’m your emergency contact and you signed off on them sharing information with me.”

“I know, but I really didn’t want to bother you,” Chance said, knowing that his brothers were right; they would’ve dropped anything to help him or any other brother in trouble, for that matter. And again, he felt like a selfish jerk because he was somehow conveying that he didn’t think they would want to show up for him.

“We’re never too busy for each other in our time of need,” Judge said, his expression softening just a little. “Your coworkers from Habitat for Humanity called. Apparently, when you stopped receiving visitors, they got worried,” Judge said.

Chance wanted to be mad, but he knew they had only done it with good intentions. “Well, you’re here. You can see I’m fine. I’m just not in the mood for visitors.”

Judge started laughing. “You’ve broken more than your legs if you think we’re leaving. As soon as they say you can leave, you’re going back to Painted Acres Ranch,” Judge said.

“I don’t want to go back to Painted Acres Ranch. There’s a perfectly good rehab facility here that will be just fine.”

“Why do you want to recoup there and not have your family around?” Cole said.

Chance already knew he was going to lose this argument. “Like I said, I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Come off it, Chance. I don’t know exactly why you don’t want to come to the ranch or what you have against it, but let’s not pretend that it has anything to do with being a burden,” Judge said.

Chance wanted to argue with him, but he couldn’t. As much as he didn’t want to go back to Painted Acres Ranch, he was getting too tired to fight anymore.

“Let’s say I do go home with you. I know I wasn’t at the ranch long, but I don’t remember there being a rehab facility on site.” Chance thought maybe logic would win out here, even though he knew his argument still wasn’t that strong.

“No, there’s not. But Brock was able to find you an in-home nurse. She’ll be taking care of you for the duration of your recovery and your rehab. It’ll be great. You’ll be home with all of us and have healthcare right at your fingertips,” Cole said.

Yeah, great, Chance thought. There was nothing great about the situation. He was laid up and soon would be trapped in some small town in Montana.

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What is a cozy mystery?

Cozy mysteries, also known as “cozies,” are a popular subgenre of mystery novels that feature a lighthearted and often humorous tone, amateur detectives, and a small-town or village setting. These books are typically free of graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content, making them a great choice for readers who enjoy the suspense and intrigue of a mystery, but prefer a more wholesome and uplifting read.

What is a a Cozy Mystery?

While there is no strict definition of what constitutes a cozy mystery, there are several common characteristics that most books in this subgenre share. Here are a few key features of cozy mysteries:

Amateur Sleuths: Cozy mysteries typically feature amateur detectives, rather than professional law enforcement officials. These sleuths are often regular people with unique skills or interests that help them solve the mystery. For example, a character may be an expert in gardening or cooking, which comes in handy when investigating a crime.Small-Town Setting: Cozy mysteries are often set in a small town or village, where everyone knows each other and there is a strong sense of community. The setting is usually quaint and charming, with descriptions of local shops, cafes, and other landmarks.Wholesome Content: Cozy mysteries are known for their wholesome content, which includes little to no graphic violence, sex, or profanity. While the crimes may be serious, the tone of the book is usually lighthearted and humorous.Amateur Sleuths as Protagonists: The protagonist is often the amateur sleuth, and the book is written from their point of view. The reader gets to know the character’s thoughts, feelings, and motivations as they solve the mystery.Puzzle Plot: Cozy mysteries often involve a puzzle or riddle that the amateur detective must solve. The clues are often hidden in everyday objects or activities, making the mystery more challenging and engaging.

Examples of Cozy Mystery Series

There are many popular cozy mystery series available, with new books being published all the time. Here are a few examples of popular cozy mystery series:

The Agatha Raisin Series by M.C. Beaton: This series features the adventures of Agatha Raisin, a retired public relations executive who moves to the Cotswolds and becomes an amateur detective. The books are known for their humor and charming descriptions of the English countryside.The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith: Set in Botswana, this series features Precious Ramotswe, the first female detective in the country. The books are known for their warm and optimistic tone, as well as their insights into African culture and customs.The Cat Who… Series by Lilian Jackson Braun: This series follows the adventures of journalist Jim Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats as they solve mysteries in the small town of Pickax, Michigan. The books are known for their quirky characters and cozy setting.The Hamish Macbeth Series by M.C. Beaton: Another series by M.C. Beaton, this one features the adventures of Hamish Macbeth, a police officer in the small Scottish town of Lochdubh. The books are known for their dry humor and charming descriptions of Scottish village life.The Miss Julia Series by Ann B. Ross: This series follows the adventures of Miss Julia, a widow who becomes an amateur detective in the small town of Abbotsville, North Carolina. The books are known for their humor and warm portrayal of Southern culture.

Why Read Cozy Mysteries?

Cozy mysteries offer a unique combination of suspense, humor, and heartwarming moments that make them a great choice for readers of all ages.

Here are a few reasons why you should consider picking up a cozy mystery:

Relaxing Read: Cozy mysteries offer a relaxing and enjoyable read that is perfect for unwinding after a long day. The wholesome content and lighthearted tone make them a great choice for when you want to escape into a feel-good story.Engaging Plot: Cozy mysteries are known for their engaging and complex plots, which require the reader to pay close attention to the clues and solve the mystery along with the amateur detective. The puzzle plot and hidden clues make for an entertaining and thought-provoking read.Charming Setting: Cozy mysteries often take place in a charming and picturesque setting, which adds to the overall cozy and comforting feeling of the book. Whether it’s a small town or a quaint English village, the setting of a cozy mystery is often as much a character as the people in the story.Interesting Characters: Cozy mysteries are known for their quirky and interesting characters, who are often as much a part of the story as the mystery itself. Whether it’s the amateur detective with a unique skillset or the colorful cast of local residents, the characters in a cozy mystery are sure to keep you entertained.Wholesome Content: If you’re looking for a mystery that is free of graphic violence, sex, or profanity, then a cozy mystery is the perfect choice. These books offer a wholesome and uplifting read that is suitable for readers of all ages.

I love reading cozies and obviously writing them because they are fun a whimsical.

Dahlias and Danger a Petal Pushers Flower Shop Cozy Mystery Free Chapter

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Chapter 1

“Wow, this looks gorgeous. I haven’t been to the Hunter’s Hollow Convention Center since we were supposed to be married here,” I said as Cooper and I walked into the convention center to attend a charity dinner hosted by celebrity chef Anthony LaCroix.

“I think they took the opportunity to update the place while they were rebuilding after the fire. I heard some people talking about it at an event I was recently at.”

“Well, they did a good job then.” We checked our names off the list and headed into the ballroom.

I was a huge fan of Anthony LaCroix’s cooking show, and when I found out he was coming here to do a charity event for his personal charity, Feed the Hungry Children, I had been more than willing to pay for Cooper and me to experience one of Chef LaCroix’s delicious meals.

As we walked to find our table, Cooper spoke up, “I’m hungry—because I didn’t get lunch today—but I’m apprehensive about the edible flowers.”

I laughed. “It’s not like he uses edible flowers for every single dish, and you don’t have to eat them. It’s more that he just adds them as garnish, but it’s a unique touch, unlike parsley, and adds a little extra to his signature brand. He specializes in Asian fusion food, and I’ve seen a couple of shows where he used them, but he does Southern comfort food as well.”

“Okay, well, that makes me feel better,” Cooper said.

We found table number 18 and sat down. I immediately saw Willie and Katy walking in. They had officially started dating before our trip to Germany, and I couldn’t be happier. I really thought they were the perfect couple. Willie had started his job with the Hunter’s Hollow police department, and it was great to have him here as a permanent resident of Hunter’s Hollow. The only part of moving here that I hadn’t liked was leaving my good friends behind in Chicago.

“One thing I’m happy about is having you here permanently now,” I told Willie.

“This is so exciting,” Katy said.

“I know. I can’t believe we’re getting the opportunity to eat a meal prepared by Chef Anthony and that we will actually be able to meet him after,” I said.

“What I can’t believe is that you two like this guy so much,” Willie said.

“What’s not to like? He’s cute and he’s funny,” I said.

“I thought you watched his cooking show for his cooking,” Cooper teased.

“I do. The rest is just the icing on the cake.” I leaned over and gave Cooper a kiss as someone in the front of the room tapped a microphone to get our attention.

“Excuse me, everyone. If you could take your seats, we will be starting the first course in a few minutes. We will be having lobster bisque followed by a grilled filet mignon with a citrus demi-glaze, and for dessert a chocolate ganache with Kirsch-infused whipped cream, which I’m sure you will all thoroughly enjoy. I know I will. And of course, all the offerings tonight will be garnished with the edible Dahlias that are tonight’s flower.”

“Okay, that does sound delicious,” Cooper said.

“See, I told you you’d enjoy the food. So, how do you like working for Sheriff Blackford?” I asked Willie as I watched some wait staff starting to come out of the back to deliver the soups.

“So far, it’s great. He’s a reasonable guy, and I like his leadership style. Of course, it’s interesting how there aren’t a ton of things to investigate every day. It’s so much more laid back, but I like it. That’s the whole reason I wanted to leave Chicago. I was starting to lose a little bit of faith in humanity with the amount of criminals I was dealing with on a constant basis.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here, and I’m glad you like your new job.”

The wait staff made it to our table and set down bowls of creamy lobster bisque with beautiful purple dahlias on top.

“I almost don’t want to eat it,” Katy said. “It’s so pretty.”

“I know, I like how the light orange of the lobster bisque looks with the dark purple of the dahlia.”

“Are we supposed to eat the flower?” Cooper asked, looking at it skeptically.

“Like I said, you don’t have to eat the flower, but they are edible. I’ll have you know I sourced them specifically to Chef Anthony’s specifications. All the flowers that will be accessorizing his food today are different-colored dahlias, and depending on the soil in which the dahlias are grown, the flowers offer different flavors.”

I saw both Cooper and Willie raise their eyebrows, but they didn’t say anything.

“Seriously?” Willie asked.

“Seriously. At least try it,” I said and picked up the small flower, setting it on the bread plate next to me and picking off a petal. I already knew what it was going to taste like because Wendy, Cynthia, and I had taste-tested the flowers to make sure they matched the chef’s desired flavor. “This is even better than I expected,” I said after eating the petal I’d picked off.

“You’re right,” Cooper said. “It tastes a little bit like lemon, which pairs really nicely with the soup.”

His description made sense to me because he was right; the flavors really did complement each other. The filet was just as delicious, so tender and juicy, and by the time I thought there was no way I was going to be able to eat another bite, the staff brought out dessert—the chocolate ganache.

“I think this is the best chocolate ganache I’ve ever had,” Katy said after taking a bite.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever had a chocolate ganache, but I’ll agree this is some of the best dessert I’ve ever had, and I’m starting to really like these flowers,” Willie said.

The dahlias Chef Anthony had used for the chocolate ganache were all different colors, and the MC had introduced each dish and mentioned that the chef was trying to show how versatile flowers could be in cooking with this desert. I understood that not everyone got the whole point, but personally, I saw it as another art form or a way of expression, much like I had come to realize flower arranging was.

After a few minutes, the MC, who had been introducing each course, got our attention once more.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have coffee and tea that will continue to be circulated by the staff. If you want an adult beverage, you can help yourself at the bar at the back of the room. Chef Anthony will be out here in just a few minutes for a meet and greet. This is informal, and he’s just going to mingle, so please, everyone, I know how excited you are to be here… Let’s not monopolize his time and give everyone a chance to meet him.”

“I wish I knew where he is going to be so we could be more strategic about this,” I said.

Katy nodded. “Me too,” she said.

“You two are crazy. I didn’t realize you were this big fans,” Cooper said.

I started to tell him why I was such a fan when I heard a scream. Our heads swiveled to look to my right, where the scream had come from.

“Someone call 911. I think she’s dead.”

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The Reluctant Rancher – A Gallagher Brothers Painted Acres Ranch Romance Free Chapter

Download the book now.Welcome to Cottontail Junction, Montana. Population 3826.

Brock read the sign as he passed it, and relief washed over him. He wasn’t that far from his destination. He had driven from Boise and was ready to get out of his truck and stretch his legs. Over nine hours in his vehicle was enough to make every part of him stiff. As his GPS led him through the downtown area to the real estate office, he smiled as he gazed at the old but well-kept brick buildings he would soon frequent in his new town. A typical Main Street layout with buildings on both sides that offered retail space. He could see a bakery, a flower shop, a bookstore, and what looked like a bar. The buildings were all two stories, and he assumed apartments might be on top of the retail spaces. The buildings were old and not at all fancy; they looked like a snapshot of a moment in time from long ago. Add to that the Tobacco Root Mountain range backdrop, stretching the entire way across the horizon, and the town was breathtaking.

This was definitely the right decision. He was so ready to get out of the city and escape the memories it held, and the small-town feel he already had from driving through Cottontail Junction sat well with his soul.

His GPS barked orders to turn left in 800 feet, and as he looked ahead, he could see the sign for Cottontail Junction Real Estate. Brock pulled into a parking spot on the street in front of the building and shut off his engine. He got out of the truck, taking a second to stretch his six-foot-four frame before pocketing his keys and heading to the door. He walked in to see an attractive blonde who grinned widely when she saw him.

“Brock Gallagher?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am, that’s me.”

She stood up from her chair and motioned for him to have a seat in front of her. Sitting back down was the last thing he wanted to do right now but to not do so felt rude. If his mama had taught him anything, it was never to be rude, especially to a woman.

“You made good time. I wasn’t expecting you for another hour. By the way, I’m Heidi Spooner, in case you hadn’t already figured that out.” She giggled.

“I assumed. Nice to meet you in person, Heidi,” Brock said. He had dealt with Heidi throughout the entire transaction to buy the ranch that brought him to her office today. He’d have recognized that high-pitched, girlish voice anywhere after their many phone calls. There was something about her that got on his nerves a little. Still, she had been impeccable in their business dealings and had negotiated a heck of a deal. So he chalked it up to her being too peppy. Which he knew was a ridiculous reason to be annoyed by someone.

“I have your file right here. We’ve done most of the important stuff already, and I only have a couple more things for you to sign. Did your brothers come with you?” she said, glancing out the window to her right that faced the street parking as if his brothers were going to magically appear and seeming quite eager at the prospect. 

“Just me right now. But I have power of attorney to sign on their behalf.”

Heidi nodded, and he noticed a bit of disappointment in her eyes, but the smile never left her face. “Of course. Not a problem.” She opened her folder, took out some papers, set them in front of him, and explained them all. Brock only half-listened. He had already been over them with his attorney, so he knew what the forms said, but he let her do her spiel.

“So, if all that looks good, you just sign each of these seven places for you and your six brothers, and I’ll give you the keys.”

Brock took the pen and started signing.

“Seven boys. Wow! You must have kept your parents busy. I had a younger brother growing up and couldn’t imagine seven of him,” she said.

“Yep, they sure did,” he said and felt bad when he saw her smile waver a little at not being able to engage him in conversation. He knew he wasn’t being overly friendly. Still, he was tired, and he didn’t want to do anything to encourage any kind of female attention. He had seen that look in a woman’s eye before when they knew he was single and sometimes even when they didn’t. The one that signaled a deeper interest than he wanted. That part of his life was a closed book. He was done with romance. Casual or serious. Best to keep things strictly professional.

Brock pushed the paperwork back to her as he finished signing each form, and after the final one was complete, he said, “You have the paperwork for the practice?” He had made prior arrangements with the doctor to leave the paperwork at the real estate office.

She frowned and shook her head. “Dr. Gladwell decided he wants to meet face-to-face with you first. He’s kind of old school and said he wanted to lay his eyes on you and determine if you were a good fit before entrusting the animals of Cottontail Junction to your care.”

Brock grinned at this, and Heidi’s eyebrows rose. She seemed surprised he was okay with what she’d just said. She probably hadn’t expected him to be so good-natured about her inability to have the purchase of the local veterinary practice all sewn up, something she had all but assured him on the phone would be a piece of cake.

“No problem. I’d probably do the same thing in his shoes. I guess I’ll just have to do my best to charm him.” He would have preferred buying the practice to be as simple as purchasing the ranch he and his brothers now owned, but he respected Dr. Gladwell wanting to vet him first. Said a lot about his character. 

“I’m sure you’ll have no problem with that,” she said, batting her eyelashes. “Anyway, he told me to tell you to call him once you got in town and got settled.” She took a card out of the folder and handed it to him. It was one of Dr. Gladwell’s business cards.

Brock stood up, wanting to stretch his back, but held off since her eagle eyes followed his every move. “I’ll do that. Anything else about the property I need to know?” he said, not expecting her to say anything. He and his brothers had already done their due diligence before deciding to buy a ranch that had been vacant for years. Though none had been there in person, Heidi provided pictures and video.

She reached into a drawer, pulled out a key ring with at least a dozen keys on it, and handed them to him as she stood up.

“The one with the green plastic tab is the front door key to the house, and as for the rest of them, I don’t know what they go to. It will be trial and error. All utilities are scheduled to be turned over in your name tomorrow, but they currently aren’t connected. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to connect them until you looked things over. I’ve had a water pipe bust and flood a house before.”

“That makes sense,” he said to her, realizing he hadn’t thought about that himself. He wondered, not for the first time, what he and his brothers had gotten themselves into.

“And if you have any issues, call me. Or feel free to call me even if you don’t have any issues.” She smiled and took a step closer to him.

He nodded his head and walked toward the door.

“Oh, wait,” she said, and he turned to look at her.

“Your ranch backs up to a small ranch called the Bar C, and rumor has it the ranch isn’t doing too well, so if you ever want to expand, let me know. I can probably get her to sell.”

“Good to know. Thank you. Have a good day.”

Brock got back in his truck. As anxious as he was to see the ranch in person, his stomach growled at him, making him think he should take care of that issue first since there wouldn’t be any food at the ranch. Or probably even a working kitchen. He remembered seeing a diner when he came through town and retraced his steps back a few blocks until he found it. After finding a place to park, he walked into a mostly empty place. Not surprising since it was after the standard lunchtime. The interior was rustic, with dark oak tables and chairs, along with a long lunch counter. Red checked tablecloths covered each table, and vases with one red carnation sat next to the salt and pepper shakers. 

“Have a seat wherever you like,” a female voice called out as he entered. Following her direction, he headed to a booth that wasn’t far from the only other patrons in the restaurant. He figured it would be less running for the server if he sat closer to them. His late wife had waited tables while he was in vet school, so he tried to be as courteous as possible, knowing how hard servers worked.

“You’re new in town,” the woman said matter-of-factly as she set down a menu and water. She was an older woman, probably in her late sixties, with bottle-red hair up in a ponytail. Her casual uniform of jeans and a shirt that said ‘The Ranch Hand’ gave a feeling of homecoming, even though he’d never been there before.

“You would be right.”

“Are you one of the brothers that bought the Thurston ranch?”

He reared back in surprise, and the woman started laughing.

“Small town, not much entertainment, so you and your brothers buying that abandoned ranch will be quite the source of gossip for a while, I’m afraid. You might as well get used to it.”

He threw his head back and laughed, enjoying her candor. He liked this woman and hoped everyone in this small town was as open as she was.

“Brock. Brock Gallagher,” he said by way of introduction.

“I’m Pearl Butters. This is my place. Can I get you something to drink besides water?”

“I’d like a coffee and whatever you recommend for lunch,” he said, returning the menu to her.

“You got it.”

She turned around, and Brock pulled his phone out of his pocket. He’d received several text messages from his brothers Will and Judge, the two most excited about buying the ranch. He shot off quick responses to both, promising to text once he got to the ranch when the conversation of the three men at the table next to his booth broke into his thoughts. They were being loud, and he couldn’t help but look over at them.

“Deborah at the tax office said they mailed out the final letter demanding payment.”

“That gives her, what, a couple more months?” one of the other men said.

“About that. But that Costa woman has no chance of getting that money together. Her business has tanked since her dad left. No surprise. A woman has no place being a horse trainer. She couldn’t even be trusted to keep her clients’ horses safe.”

As Brock listened to them, even though he didn’t know the woman they were talking about, anger swelled inside him. He had never been one of those men who thought women were somehow inferior. Another thing his mama had instilled in all her boys. She taught them women were to be respected and treated like queens, but that you better darn well know a woman could do anything a man could do.

“I’ve been making sure to put a bug in people’s ears about the Bar C. I’m not taking any chances of not getting my hands on that land,” the man said, and now Brock really strained to pay attention. The Bar C was the ranch the realtor said butted up against his. And while he would like to expand at some point, he didn’t want to take advantage of someone’s misfortune, especially when it sounded like these guys had it out for the owner.

“Here you go, hot coffee and the best bacon double cheeseburger and sweet potato fries you will ever taste,” Pearl said, setting his food down.

As the aroma from his food made his stomach growl, and he took a big bite of the burger, he watched the men pay their bills and leave. They had definitely gotten his attention, and he wanted to learn more about “that Costa woman” because he didn’t want anyone to take advantage of a woman who was down on her luck.

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Secrets and Snapdragons – A Petal Pushers Cozy Mystery Free Chapter

Download the book now.Chapter 1

I tucked the strand of auburn hair that had worked its way loose from my ponytail behind my ear and sighed.

“Work’s that bad, huh?” my best friend Katy said, looking sideways at me as we took the path that cut right through the town square.

“Yes and no.”

“Well, that’s a clear statement,” she said with a laugh.

“It’s not the work; it’s the fact that I don’t know diddly-squat about flowers, and that lack of knowledge is proving to be a much bigger deal than I thought.”

“You mean you didn’t think running a flower shop would entail you understanding a little bit about flowers?”

“Your sarcasm isn’t helping,” I said crossly, more at myself than at her.

“Presley, you know I’m joking. Plus, I’ve never seen you back away from a challenge. You’ve got this.”

“Flowers may just be my undoing.”

“You’ll get the hang of it.”

“I know. I just hate not knowing everything. At Silk, I knew the business and could run it in my sleep with my eyes closed, standing on my head.”

“I have faith in you. It won’t take long, and you’ll feel that way about Petal Pushers.”

“Do you want to sit down on the bench for a few minutes? It’s one o’clock, and you know it’ll still be super busy at the Uptown Café from the lunch rush. If we wait even ten minutes, it’ll be better,” I said. The Uptown Café used to be called the Uptown Teahouse, but when new owners bought it, they decided they wanted to offer more than just drinks and light snacks. It was a good move since they did a brisk lunch business now.

“Works for me. I’m not in a huge rush to get back. I don’t have any appointments until three. Though I am hungry and can’t wait to get a chicken salad sandwich. No one makes them better than Uptown.”

“Well, Cynthia already took her lunch, so the flower shop is covered for a little while too, which means we have time to hang out for a bit.”

Katy and I sat down on one of the wrought iron benches that dotted the paths throughout the town square, and I looked around at the beautiful green space the town had cultivated in recent years. It had always been a green space in the sense that there was grass and trees, but in the last few years, the revitalization committee had done a great job at landscaping and planting flowers. They also installed a playground for the kids, along with resurfacing the paths that you could use to cut from one side of the town to the other. It had become a favorite place of mine when I needed to get out of the flower shop for a few minutes. I could come here and walk around to clear my head.

“How is business at the salon going?” I asked Katy. She had recently moved back to Hunter’s Hollow and bought back Katy’s Klassy Cuts, the business she’d owned before she left town.

“It’s like I never left. Even closing for two weeks to paint didn’t hurt business because we’ve been booked ever since I reopened.”

“Of course you have. No one colors hair like you do.” And I wasn’t just saying that. Katy was amazing with color.

“You’re so sweet. It doesn’t hurt that we’re the only game in town.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. You do an amazing job with hair, as do your other stylists,” I said firmly. Katy was too modest.

“Hey, I’m just glad that hideous paint job and color scheme that Hannah redid the place in after she bought it didn’t scare everyone away,” she joked.

“Yeah, I didn’t really get that purple and green paisley. I mean, it actually would have been cute maybe on an accent wall but not on every single wall.”

“And the burgundy trim. That stuff was so hard to cover. I had to put on four coats of primer before it didn’t bleed through anymore.”

“At least she didn’t change the floor. I’ve always loved that black-and-white checked pattern.”

“Me too. And it looks great with the white and light Tiffany blue that I repainted everything in.”

“Yes, it does. That’s something I wouldn’t mind doing at Petal Pushers. Of course, I need to wait until my mom leaves—which, let me tell you, isn’t soon enough. I love her, but her micromanaging is about to drive me insane. You’d think I’ve never run a business before.”

“You can’t blame her. She’s worked at that flower shop since before you were born and owned it since you were in high school. It has to be hard for her to let go and start this new chapter of her life.”

Leave it to Katy to be the voice of reason. And I did understand. My mom and dad deserved the six-month cruise they were taking to celebrate them both being fully retired.

“You would think with the way she conned me into taking over the flower shop, she would have more faith in me.”

Katy laughed. “You have to admit, giving you the flower shop as a wedding present was pretty genius on her part.”

“She didn’t even give me an option,” I grumbled but really wasn’t that upset. Cooper and I had talked for months before getting married that maybe it was time to move out of Chicago, and as we had both grown up in Hunter’s Hollow and had ties there, it was our first choice. However, when my mom sprung the flower shop on me by giving it to me as a wedding present, I couldn’t help but feel a little like I had been railroaded.

“She didn’t, but this is where you and Cooper should be, and you know it. I would just get through the rest of today and tomorrow, and then she and your dad will be on their way to their dream vacation and out of your hair.”

“Knowing her, she’ll rack up a huge phone bill calling me from the cruise ship,” I said with a smile. I might complain, but it would actually seem odd if she didn’t constantly check in with me. Last time she took a vacation and I watched the flower shop, it was almost a daily occurrence. Hopefully, now that she was retired and I was taking over, she might drop it down to once every three days.

“Well, it’s ten minutes after one,” Katy said glancing at her watch. “By the time we get to the Uptown Café, the lunch rush should be gone.”

We stood up and started to walk down the path again. I was running through the Uptown menu in my head, trying to decide what I wanted for lunch today. There were three things I rotated between that were my favorite, and I was heavily leaning toward the egg salad sandwich.

The town’s beautification committee had done an amazing job with flowers, and I even surprised myself that I recognized a couple. Then saw a couple I didn’t recognize. I really needed to get a book about flowers to study.

As we continued our walk, a vibrant section of yellow snapdragons caught my eye. I actually knew what those were because we had a customer in the flower shop a couple of weeks ago who placed an order for some. I hadn’t realized they were so pretty.

“Aren’t those yellow snapdragons gorgeous?” I pointed them out to Katy.

“See, you do know a little about flowers,” she teased, and I just sighed.

We stopped to admire them when something caught my eye.

“Is that someone’s shoe?” I said to her.

“It sure looks like it.”

“I’ll grab it, and we can toss it in the lost and found box at the edge of the playground on the way to the cafe. Though it looks to be an adult shoe. You would think an adult would notice if they were missing a shoe.” It wasn’t uncommon to find a kid’s tennis shoe, because of course, they were too busy having fun to notice they were missing a shoe, but I’d never found an adult shoe before.

“Maybe there were some adults here last night having fun—if you know what I mean. They could have gotten startled and bolted and not cared about their shoe.”

“Could be.” I reached over to pick up the shoe, but it didn’t budge. I gave another tug, and then I saw something behind the row of snapdragons that I immediately wanted to unsee. I stood back up.

“I thought you were going to pick up the shoe,” Katy said.

“Uh, I think I found the shoe’s owner,” I said slowly, trying to keep the tremble out of my voice without much luck.

“Did someone have too much to drink last night and pass out behind the bushes?”

“No,” I said, my voice quivering. I backed up and pulled my phone out of my purse to call 911.

“Presley, what’s wrong?” I could hear the panic in Katy’s voice as she edged closer to the bed of flowers.

I didn’t respond as I punched in the numbers. An operator quickly answered.

“My name is Presley Thurman, uh I mean Sands, and I’m calling to report a murder. It’s Mayor Baxter.” The woman on the other end asked me all the routine questions and then told me to stay on the line and hold tight, and police were on their way. Hunter’s Hollow was a small town, and the police station was only a couple of blocks away, so I knew it wouldn’t take long for the police to get here. I still wished they’d hurry.

“Did you say Mayor Baxter?” Katy asked talking slowly, her eyes wide. I nodded, not trusting my voice to speak as I could hear sirens in the distance. “What makes you think he was murdered? Maybe he’s passed out.”

“I don’t think so,” I said slowly, knowing the knife stuck in his chest was a good indication this was foul play. I didn’t know Mayor Baxter personally, but he had done a lot of good for the community. Who would have wanted him dead?

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Mistletoe and Murder, a Presley Thurman Mystery: First Chapter Friday

Chapter 1

“When are you going to get down here?” my mother asked as soon as I answered the phone. I knew I should have sent her to voicemail and called her back later.

“Hello to you too, Mother,” I said, forcing myself to sound upbeat as I sat down on my living room chair.

“Presley, there are a lot of people I’m trying to coordinate for Christmas Eve dinner. You know how important it is to me. You’re not making it easy.”

I sighed. I wasn’t making it easy? She was the one who was adamant everyone arrive no later than six, and we couldn’t eat unless everyone was present. I had tried talking her into doing an appetizer buffet-type thing so the food could be set out and people could nibble and graze all evening. But no, she was insisting on a full-blown fancy sit down dinner. Said it wouldn’t be a proper celebration without a proper dinner. Nothing I said was going to change her mind, so I quit trying. Sometimes it was just easier to go along to get along.

“We plan on leaving the city about noon tomorrow,” I said. “So we should be in your driveway about three-ish, four at the latest, depending on the traffic and how many bathroom breaks I need to give Bella.” Bella was my 9-month-old, 100-pound English mastiff. She was housebroken but still needed to stop at least once on a car trip. “What time are Jesse and Ashley coming in?”

“I’m not sure. He hasn’t returned my calls. You know your brother. But last I heard, their flight should get in about that same time. Which will work out perfectly. He said they were planning on renting a car, so none of us needs to pick them up. Makes it easier managing the timetable.”

“Mother, you’re making this way too complicated.”

“What’s wrong with wanting things just so? If everyone gets here when they’re supposed to, we can have some snacks and visit, and then eat promptly at six.”

I was mad that she was giving me the third degree whereas she always seemed to let Jesse slide. She was all over me for every little thing, or at least that was how it felt to me. His luck, being the baby of the family, I guess. Her comment made me curious, though. I had also left a couple of messages for him that he hadn’t returned. Jesse ignoring both of us made me wonder if something was indeed wrong. He ignored my mother’s calls for the same reasons I often did, but he never purposely ignored mine. At least he always called me back within a few hours. For a sibling, I kind of liked him a lot.

“Is Cooper going to stay at his dad’s or did he want to stay here?” my mother asked, interrupting my thoughts.

“With us. He’ll visit his dad while we’re in town, but the farther he stays away from his stepmom the better they all get along, is what he tells me.”

“I don’t doubt it. That woman is dreadful.”

For my mother to say that about Harriet Sands, his stepmother, meant she really was. My mother didn’t often say bad things about anyone. She was of the “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” mentality and, to her credit, followed that mantra the majority of the time.

Cooper’s real mom had left town a long time ago, when he was really young. He said he didn’t even remember her much, which always made me feel bad. Even though I didn’t always get along with my mother, I couldn’t imagine her not in my life. His dad had remarried this horrible woman when Cooper was in middle school. She was the stereotypical stepmother who wanted the child out of the way and she didn’t try to hide it, and that wasn’t even just Cooper’s point of view. That was everyone’s opinion who knew her. Well, except for Cooper’s dad, who didn’t seem to notice there was a problem between his new wife and Cooper. Either that or he purposefully chose to ignore it. Cooper said his dad just didn’t like conflict and so he always did his part to keep the peace just to make his dad happy. Even at a young age, he had a good enough understanding of the situation and tried to stay out of her way. Unfortunately, that meant not coming around all that often now that he was an adult and had the ability to remove himself from a toxic situation. I wished things were different for him but he said his dad loved her and that was all that mattered. I wasn’t sure I could have been so forgiving.

“You can say that again,” I said, agreeing with my mom on Harriet Sands being dreadful.

“Now, Cooper will probably have to bunk with Jesse, and Ashley with you. You know I don’t believe in sharing a room when you’re not married.”

“I know, Mom.” She was old-fashioned that way, but I had to admit it didn’t bother me as much as sleeping with Cooper under my parents’ roof would. I guess that meant I was old-fashioned, too. Some things you just never grew out of.

“Call me when you leave tomorrow so I know you’re on your way.”

“Will do, Mom.”

I got off the phone with her and wondered if I should try calling Jesse again. I looked at my watch. I had time before meeting Anna. I dialed his number, but the phone just rang and rang. Finally, the voicemail picked up, only to announce the voicemail was full. That was unusual. He might not be good about reading texts, but he generally checked his messages. Now I knew Mom and I weren’t the only ones he was ignoring. He was ignoring everyone. This knowledge made me more worried that something was actually wrong. But with him in Vegas, there wasn’t much I could do except wait for him to call back or see him tomorrow. Maybe I was overreacting and he was just busy. I hoped that was it; he was my baby brother, after all. The last time I had seen him, in Vegas, Ashley was missing and we later found out she was a DEA agent. That was definitely a memorable trip. Hopefully nothing nearly that exciting was going on with him now.

“Well, Bella. What do you think? Want to go for a quick walk before I meet Anna?” I’d really been taking the crazy dog-mom thing to new levels lately. I could have full conversations with my dog. Bella, who was sleeping on the sofa, heard her leash jingle and jumped up to meet me at the front door. I took that as a yes.

* * *

“Oh my God. You’re what?” I said to my friend Anna later that evening as we were having our annual holiday celebration with cocktails. Peppermint and pumpkin martinis, our seasonal favorites. Not mixed together; one of each. After the news she had just dropped on me, I might need to add the eggnog one into the mix.

“I know. I’m going to miss you too, but I need to get out of here,” Anna said and sighed. “I’m depressed and feel like a failure. Nothing seems to work to get me out of this funk. A change of scenery might do me some good. Get away from bad memories. Start creating some new ones. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I completely understand, but Vietnam? For two years? Can’t you just take a month-long vacation to Cabo or something? Why do you need to go halfway around the world?”

Anna took a sip of her drink and then smiled. “I don’t think a vacation would help. I need to work. To have something to keep my mind occupied. Getting far away from here is exactly what I need to get past this and become my old self again. If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what will.”

Anna had gone through a really bad break-up while we were in Vegas for her wedding. Her fiancé, Jeff, had backed out on her the day before the wedding. Less than a month after they were supposed to get married, he married another girl and it had shaken Anna to the core. Here was a guy she thought loved her and was the person she was going to spend the rest of her life with, and he quickly married someone else. Although, my opinion was she was better off without him and she was really lucky she hadn’t gone through with the wedding.

“I get it, Anna. Trust me, I don’t blame you at all. I’m just going to miss you.” I forced a smile, trying to be encouraging for both her and me. “At least there’s email and Skype so we can easily stay in touch.”

“Thank you for understanding. My mother is panicked I’m leaving. She’s sure I’ll be kidnapped or something equally horrific,” she said, giving a little laugh.

I picked up my drink and swirled the peppermint around the glass. “When do you leave?”

“January second.”

“Wow! That soon?”

Anna nodded. “Once I made the decision, I didn’t want to wait. I already found someone to sub-lease my apartment and I gave my notice at work.”

That was the part that surprised me most about her decision. Anna loved her job and was recently awarded a promotion. Leaving for two years wouldn’t be good for her professionally. However, as I had recently discovered, there were many more important things in life besides a job, and I knew she wasn’t currently happy. If reexamining her life was what she wanted, I would support her. Even if it meant she was halfway around the world.

“I’m happy for you, Anna. And I think we should have that eggnog martini to celebrate!” I got up and walked around the table to give her a big hug. She immediately knew what I was doing because she got up too. Although, right before I could wrap my arms around her she shot me a glare and said, “No making me cry, Presley!”

“Okay, Okay.” I gave her a quick hug and then returned to my seat so we could order that eggnog martini.

Read the book.

Happy reading,

Laina

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