Tuesday, January 30, 2024

DARK HOURS, a Fantasy Romance by Linda Mooney - Chapter 1

Posted by: Linda Mooney

DARK HOURS


Chapter 1

Through the thickness of tears, Emers stared down at her palms. In the wan moonlight she could just discern that her hands were bleeding, yet she felt no pain. At least, no pain that was greater than the one doing such damage to her heart and mind.

The initial wall of fear that had loomed over her and come crashing down around her had not completely dissipated. It still lay in large, terrifying chunks around her. Even now she would stumble blindly into it as the night grew colder and more forbidding.

It had struck her with such suddenness that, at first, she had been paralyzed with shock. She had awakened alone and naked in the middle of a vast, open field of stubble. Without warning. Without explanation.

How had she gotten here? Where was her home? Where was Noranye? And who was responsible for bringing her here?

She shivered against a sudden gust of wind. Her long hair afforded no protection against the late fall weather. In the dark, a phrase repeated itself over and over in her mind.

Am I going mad?

Her feet were moving but she couldn’t feel the ground. At some point she understood she could die from the elements if she didn’t find protection soon. Clothing. Food. Shelter. She tried to focus, staring out into the indiscernible distance for a light, for some sign of humanity.

She paused. There. In the distance. At first she thought she was imagining it until she realized it was real. It seemed far away, but it definitely was a fire. A cooking fire or one for warmth, it didn’t matter. It flickered. It meant safety, humanity, a source of protection from the darkness and cold. All that did matter was that she get to it as soon as possible, and hopefully, by the grace of the gods, someone would take pity on her and provide her with a piece of cloth and a scrap of food to sustain her.

How long Emers forced one numb foot in front of the other, she couldn’t tell. All she knew was that she had to keep her eyes on the yellow glow that steadily grew closer. Keep her eyes on it and keep walking. Keep walking and pray she would reach it in time.

It was as if her mind refused to acknowledge what was going on around her. From behind her came the heavy thud of what sounded like hoofbeats. A heartbeat later a dark form rushed over her, passing her as it headed straight for the light. A hard downwind from what had to be enormous wings nearly knocked her to the ground. Somehow, she was able to stay on her feet. She could only guess what had missed her, but by now it no longer mattered. Focusing on the light, Emers continued toward her destination.

There was a guttural roar, the deep sound of anger made by some animal, and a high-pitched scream answered. Another roar, followed by the sound of whimpering. The hoofbeat noises stopped behind her but she couldn’t make herself look back to see what was causing them.

The dark form came closer until it blocked out most of the light from the fire. She realized it was a dragon. Huge. Black. Menacing. Something dripped from its muzzle, and for a moment she stopped. She stumbled back, holding her hands out before her as if their thin, pale shapes could keep the enormous animal from attacking.

Bile rose in her throat. She could feel her fear rising, her breath quickening, as her eyes locked on to the dragon’s. Small words of pleading fell from blue lips as she begged the animal to take pity on her.

The dragon licked its muzzle. It sniffed the air and took a step closer to her. Immense ebony wings blocked out the night sky, but at the same time they blocked the frigid winds. Fiery yellow eyes stared at her, a strange stare. What could almost have been a human expression of puzzlement seemed to cross the creature’s features. Then, without explanation, the giant beast sidled up to her and pressed the front of its huge head against her.

An almost inaudible cry of terror escaped her before she realized the animal was not about to ravage her. As her hands shook with fear, Emers reached out. Her fingers involuntarily slid up the sides of its snout, above the gargantuan mouth with teeth larger than her hands. The animal’s warmth was intoxicating, and before she knew what she was doing, she reached up and wrapped her arms around the dragon’s neck, pressing her shivering body against the creature. The dragon responded with a low rumble, almost the way a cat would purr.

It wouldn’t hurt her. At least, not at this moment.

Something clanked in the distance. A gust of wind rushed over them, and it sounded again. An object glinted in the firelight. Releasing the dragon, she hurried over to the fire.

Emers stared in disbelief at the sight of the chainmail and armor lying in a heap a short distance from the pit. She reached down to push aside the shoulder guards when she caught sight of the breastplate. Of the emblem etched where it protected the owner’s heart.

Fear and hope rushed through her at the thought he could be nearby. She whipped her head around, trying to find her beloved. “Kayge!” The name fled weakly on the winds. “Kayge!

There was no answering call, no sound of his voice. In the dark, distant night there was just her and the unnatural affection of the dragon helping to protect her. All black. Black on black—night and dragon.

“Kayge?”

Her mouth felt stiff. It was becoming difficult to move her lips, even more to call out. A faint thought brushed through her mind, and Emers straightened. She needed to survive. She needed to cover herself, or else she’d die of exposure.

As she lifted the suit of chainmail, she was surprised, yet not surprised, to find a shirt, leather jerkin, and pants beneath the armor, including his boots. Half-frozen fingers struggled with the buttons when she realized she could simply slip the shirt over her head. The jerkin and pants were not a problem, either. At one point she had to use her teeth to loosen the hard, nearly-frozen leather laces on the boots. Eventually they came undone, and she shoved her feet into them. As she knew they would be, the clothing was big on her, but she had no other choice.

She searched for a cloak or other outer wrap but didn’t find one. Emers pondered why Kayge would be out here without any, when it came to her that perhaps he was wearing it now. Without his clothing or armor, he’d need something to protect him from the cold.

Stepping back, she nearly tripped over an object. The long steel blade reflected the fire’s flames, and the sight of it caused her more worry. Maybe she could think of a reasonable explanation why Kayge had ditched his clothing and armor, but not his sword. Never his sword.

The night was unreasonably cold. Even with his oversized clothing enveloping her, she continued to shiver. Glancing down at the armor, she considered putting it on as well, but the metal was like ice. She tried to cross her arms and tuck her hands against her ribs, but it was like hugging two handfuls of snow. Her breath escaped her body in hot, white mists. Her nose had become a lump of skin on her face. She couldn’t feel anything. All sensation was deadened.

There was a snort, and something pushed against her back. The dragon shook his head, either with impatience or from the cold, Emers couldn’t tell, but it was enough to make her move.

The fire burned, flickered, inviting her to draw closer. The dragon was telling her to get closer to its warmth. Maybe Kayge was nearby. Maybe he was unable to join her now but would soon. If she added more fuel to the fire, he might spot it. It would also make waiting for him to return more endurable.

A warm fire. And perhaps a bite to eat.

The thought evoked a rumble in her belly.

The line of trees lay a short distance away. Emers went to fetch more wood. As she went around to the other side of the firepit, she spotted a smear of blood spreading away into the darkness and disappearing behind a clump of trees. Fear tightened in her gut. She wanted to follow it. See where it led. See if Kayge was at the other end.

She took a step forward in that direction when the dragon grunted. A puff of smoke came from its nostrils as it stared at her. There was no mistaking the look on its face. It didn’t want her to leave.

Emers continued to watch the creature as it settled on the ground and drew its wings around itself to preserve warmth. If she tried to investigate, would it physically try to stop her? Would it become angry and attack her?

The massive head turned, and the animal huffed again, this time indicating something a short distance away. She went over to where it wanted her to go and discovered a rabbit that had been skinned and gutted, leaving the carcass lying atop a rock. A shiny little dagger, still covered in blood, lay in the dirt beside it. A long branch, perhaps to spit and cook the animal, was propped next to it. Her first thought was that Kayge had been preparing it before he disappeared.

As her meal sizzled above the flames, the dragon sidled closer, drawn either by the scent of blood or by the fire’s warmth. Tossing the rabbit’s intestines toward the dragon, she watched the animal deftly catch and devour them. Now that she could see the creature more clearly in the fire’s light, it appeared more intimidating, more frightening than before. But she remembered its familiarity with her, and how it tried to give her its own body heat.

She managed a small smile. “Good evening to you, Sir Dragon. I trust your belly is full enough so that you won’t try to fill it with me.”

Two glowing orange-red eyes stared at her. Presently it broke eye contact and began to sniff the area, staying just within the ring of light. After a while it made its way back to her side and plopped down on the ground behind her. Emers shifted from where she sat so she could keep an eye on the creature at all times.

“Where did you come from, and why are you here?” she commented to the animal. “You may be friendly now, but will you be so at dawn?”

She wiped the blood from her hands in a tuft of frost-covered grass. Gathering a little of the small patch of remaining snow she found nearby, she ate some of it, letting the crystals melt on her tongue. The tightness in her throat lessened, revealing how dehydrated she’d been.

Between the fire, the clothing affording her its warmth, and the dragon’s body heat, Emers began to feel her eyes drooping from fatigue. A movement from the corner of her eye jerked her back to wakefulness until she saw it was the dragon peering out into the darkness, its ears up and alert. Suddenly the animal jumped to its feet and sprang into the night sky with a whoosh of wind. Its actions alarmed her. What was it going after? Her deepest fears arose like bile in her mouth.

“Kayge!” Emers scrambled to her feet. It had to be him. It had to be! Why else would the dragon leave? “Kayge!”

There was a yell, then a scream, both of which were punctuated by the angry roar of the dragon. As soon as it had begun, the sound stopped. Several silent seconds passed, and then a mournful howl floated through the air.

“Kayge!”

Her fear nearly choked her, keeping her from breathing. She waited for the sound of his voice. When it never came, Emers could wait no longer. She had to know. She had to see for herself. Snatching up his long sword, she ventured out.

The rocks were sharp, nearly causing her to stumble and fall. Regardless, she hurried to where a shapeless form lay in a heap just beyond the edge of the forest. The clouds broke at that moment, and the sickly moon revealed a thin frame covered in filthy, tattered clothing. From what she could tell through the matted blood, the man had hair. It was enough. She didn’t have to see his face. It wasn’t Kayge.

Which meant he could still out there.

Another growl echoed in the darkness. Moments later the black dragon swooped down close enough for her to spot in the moonlight. Landing nearby, it approached and sniffed the carcass, only to dismiss it. Then, like a spirit, the animal melted back into the black of night.

A frigid wind pushed against her, trying to find an opening in her clothing. It caused a shudder to go through her. Kayge would come back to her when he was able. When it was safe. If there was but one truth, it was that she knew he had to be out there. Somewhere. Protecting her. Out there amid the cold and the dark and the unknown, he had to be watching out for her, protecting her as he always did. As he always would. And as soon as he felt they were safe, he would return. As he always did. As he always would.

Until then she would wait for him. In the meantime, there was a rabbit burning on the fire and a dragon circling overhead, keeping its own vigil.

Turning back toward the small encampment, Emers Ammin of Deccatar went to look after them both.

TO BE CONTINUED

Linda's Website

Monday, January 29, 2024

HERE BE NEWS for Monday January 29, 2024

Posted by: PG Forte

 

 




 Monday January 29, 2024 

Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:







Welcome to Oberon

PG Forte

Omnibus One: Books 1 – 3

 

https://books2read.com/Welcome-to-Oberon

 

 

Ever wish you could find a small-town love story with magic, mystery, a huge cast of characters and a happy ending? How about an entire series like that? Welcome to Oberon, California. Where murder and mysticism combine. Where the focus is always on friends, families and feelings. And where love will save the day…eventually.

 

Three connected tales of love, murder, mystery...all set in a mystical small town where anything might happen. This volume contains the first three books in the Oberon series: 

 

Scent of the Roses

A Sight to Dream Of

Sound of a Voice That is Still. 

Second Chances, Friends to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Hurt-Comfort, Age Gap, Betrayal, Suspense.





Shield 

Jenny Schwartz 

Book 3 of 3: The Delphic Dame

 



If Cherry was a selfish witch, she’d keep running. She’s an oracle. She KNOWS that trouble is closing in. However, there’s an instant in which she could escape, and so could those she loves.

Too bad she’s surrounded herself with ridiculously noble allies. The kind of self-sacrificing, kind, clever, and resolute people who force you to love them…then go off to risk their lives for the greater good. Of course Cherry has to rescue them.

And if she’s rescuing those she loves, maybe she could save everyone else along the way?

Shield is the third and final, unmissable book in The Delphic Dame trilogy.

Author’s note: you won’t guess the ending!



Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Welcome to Oberon ~ New Release from PG Forte

Posted by: PG Forte


Welcome to Oberon

PG Forte

Omnibus One: Books 1 – 3

 

https://books2read.com/Welcome-to-Oberon

 

 

Ever wish you could find a small-town love story with magic, mystery, a huge cast of characters and a happy ending? How about an entire series like that? Welcome to Oberon, California. Where murder and mysticism combine. Where the focus is always on friends, families and feelings. And where love will save the day…eventually.

 

Three connected tales of love, murder, mystery...all set in a mystical small town where anything might happen. 


This volume contains the first three books in the Oberon series: 

 

Scent of the Roses

A Sight to Dream Of

Sound of a Voice That is Still. 

Second Chances, Friends to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Hurt-Comfort, Age Gap, Betrayal, Suspense.



Since this is a collection of books, and since I've already posted multiple excerpts from all of them, I'm going to post the new video I made to go with the release... 



Monday, January 22, 2024

HERE BE NEWS for Monday January 22, 2024

Posted by: PG Forte

 

 




 Monday January 22, 2024 

Welcome to HERE BE NEWS, where each monday we bring you all the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic:



Thursday January 18, 2024:  Deborah Bailey discusses second chances and reunions in her post, Timeless Romance in Sci Fi & Fantasy



Available Now!


G8

Linda Mooney

The Eighth species, Book 2

 

https://lindamooney.com/8thSpecies.htm 

 

G8 Children and the others are adjusting and learning to live freely outside of the underground bunker that they were once led to believe was normal life. They’re trying to find jobs as they scrounge for food and clothing, although the town is nice enough to help them whenever possible. But they’re determined to do it on their own, for the first time ever.


When a fire at Docenti Labs sent everyone running, Ingrid Shyne was told to wipe the computers and get out, but she couldn’t leave the babies behind. How could anyone? She escapes with them, hiding out at her parents’ place, but she knows she can’t keep the infants forever. They’re Chimeras, created in a lab like the other “children” who escaped, and they need to be with those who understand them. When she reaches out, she’s welcomed with open arms, especially by one in particular.

Ingrid can’t wait to share all the firsts with G8—first love, first changing of the seasons, first holiday season, first birthday celebration. It breaks her heart that he and his family have been deprived of the joys in life she’d always taken for granted. But all of this could be taken away before they ever get a chance to experience any of it.

The sheriff soon calls G8 up to begin work in his new deputy position and aid them in investigating the abandoned labs, along with the help of Ingrid since she worked there. But they soon realize their lives are at risk. For good reason. They’ll need everyone’s special abilities, along with local law enforcement, to protect themselves as well as the second generation of Chimeras.





Releases January 23, 2024


Welcome to Oberon

PG Forte

Omnibus One: Books 1 – 3

 

https://books2read.com/Welcome-to-Oberon

 

 

Ever wish you could find a small-town love story with magic, mystery, a huge cast of characters and a happy ending? How about an entire series like that? Welcome to Oberon, California. Where murder and mysticism combine. Where the focus is always on friends, families and feelings. And where love will save the day…eventually.

 

Three connected tales of love, murder, mystery...all set in a mystical small town where anything might happen. This volume contains the first three books in the Oberon series: 

 

Scent of the Roses

A Sight to Dream Of

Sound of a Voice That is Still. 

Second Chances, Friends to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Hurt-Comfort, Age Gap, Betrayal, Suspense.




Releases January 26, 2024



Shield 

Jenny Schwartz 

Book 3 of 3: The Delphic Dame

 



If Cherry was a selfish witch, she’d keep running. She’s an oracle. She KNOWS that trouble is closing in. However, there’s an instant in which she could escape, and so could those she loves.

Too bad she’s surrounded herself with ridiculously noble allies. The kind of self-sacrificing, kind, clever, and resolute people who force you to love them…then go off to risk their lives for the greater good. Of course Cherry has to rescue them.

And if she’s rescuing those she loves, maybe she could save everyone else along the way?

Shield is the third and final, unmissable book in The Delphic Dame trilogy.

Author’s note: you won’t guess the ending!


Are you Ready for a Snow Day?





23 seasoned romance authors will be giving away books, swag and gift cards! 






Sound of a Voice That is Still

PG Forte

Oberon Series: Book Three

 

 

Some wounds take a long time to heal, others never do.  Four months after being wounded in the line of duty, Ryan Henderson is beginning to fear that his is of the latter variety.  He's a patient man, but a poor patient.  As winter drags interminably on, he's growing desperate for distraction--anything that might take his mind off his injury, before he goes insane.

 Siobhan Quinn could give the injured officer a lesson or two in living with pain.  It's been ten years since her life was changed and her heart critically wounded as a result of the tragic accident that robbed her of her family.  She knows firsthand how grief can cripple a soul and drive a sane mind over the edge. 

 

Sometimes it seems like Spring will never come again.  Sometimes, the only alternative to living in inner darkness, is death.  Your own, or someone else's.  In the depths of winter, Ryan and Siobhan will have to make a choice: to help each other heal, or die trying.

Friends to Lovers, Hurt-Comfort, Age Gap, Betrayal, Suspense.


Excerpt:


Tuesday morning dawned foggy and cold.  Siobhan stood on her porch and surveyed what she could see of the world.  It wasn’t much.  A dozen variations on the same gray theme, from pearl to pewter; and a damp that sank right into her bones.

            Her eyes tracked the mist as it poured off the roof to pool in the air around her.  It may have been a mistake to have waited for this morning’s low tide to collect the rocks she needed for today’s class.  The beach would not be a fun place in this weather.

            The rolling motion of the fog drew her eyes downward until a hint of bright color at her feet caught her attention.  She focused on it and froze.  Her breath seemed to thicken in her lungs as she stared at the pink and yellow plastic pails carelessly piled at the top of the porch steps, still crusted with sand.  As though they’d only recently been left there by a couple of children after a day spent playing on the beach. 

            The slow, gray vapor swirled around her as she stood there, trying to stem the flood of images that formed in her mind.  Trying to tear her eyes from the abandoned toys.  Willing herself not to cry.  Perhaps, the children would have made sand castles.  And dug moats.  And offered to bury their mother’s feet. 

            Beside her, Selke whined with sudden impatience, wriggling his rump excitedly.  A moment later, Siobhan heard it, too.  Footsteps along the path.  Coming toward her.  Coming closer--

            “Who’s there?” she called out, nearly jumping out of her skin when Ryan materialized out of the mist in front of her.

            “Hey, relax.  It’s just me.  Here.”  He thrust one of the two paper cups he was carrying towards her.  “I brought you some tea.”  He was dressed in a loden-green parka and he looked so solid, so dependable and substantial and safe, she could have cried from relief. 

            “Thank you,” she mumbled as she took the tea, grateful for its warmth.  She hadn’t realized how cold she was.  Her teeth chattered against the plastic lid as she tried to drink it.

            He regarded her curiously above the rim of his own cup.  “What’s the matter with you this morning?  You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

            Tea splashed over her hands and down the front of her jacket.  “Shit.  Don’t say things like that!” she ordered, tightening her grasp on the cup.

            His gaze flicked over her, resting for just an instant on the pile of beach toys, and then returning to her face.  “Oh.  I bet your daughters used to play with stuff like that, huh?”

            She shrugged and looked away, not wanting to see the pity in his eyes.  She cleared her throat.  “It was just a surprise, that’s all.  Finding them here like that.  I wasn’t expecting it, you know?”  But her voice wavered a little at the end and he was up the stairs in an instant.

            “Ah, Siobhan, I’m sorry.”  His voice was rough with sympathy as he wrapped one warm arm around her shoulders.  “But, you know, someone probably just found them on the beach last night, and didn’t know where else to leave them.  Do you want me to put them away somewhere so you don’t have to look at them?” 

            “No, it’s okay.”  She shook her head.  Pulling herself together, she stepped away from his warmth.  “What are you doing here so early?”

            He chuckled softly.  “I snuck a look at your tide schedule yesterday before I left.  I figured you’d wait for this morning’s low tide to collect rocks.”  He gazed meaningfully at the boots she was wearing.  “Looks like I guessed right, huh?”

            She returned his smile.  “Yes.  About that you did.  But not if you were also guessing I’d turn down your help.  In weather like this, four eyes are definitely going to be more use than two.”

            “Well, okay then,” he said as he unsnapped his dog’s leash.  He pulled a paper bag out of one of his coat’s pockets.  “Let me just put this stuff inside, and we’ll go.”

            He stepped inside the center, the two dogs following along behind him.  A minute later he was back.  He closed the door behind him, and reached for one of the buckets.  Siobhan felt like one of them should be saying something, but she could not find a single topic to break the silence. 

            “Thanks again for the tea.” she said, finally, as they headed off the porch.

            He smiled at her warmly.  “You’re welcome.” 

            He was walking easily at her side today, with only the slightest hitch in his gait.  He’d gone for acupuncture yesterday and it looked like it was finally beginning to do him some good.  But she had to smile, thinking about the expression on his face last evening, as he’d gotten ready to leave for his treatment session.  For a tough guy he’d seemed awfully squeamish about the prospect of getting stuck with a few little needles.  

            Her smile faded a bit when she considered that it probably wouldn’t be too much longer before his leg was healed enough for him to return to work.  She’d had her doubts about him at first, but she had to admit that it had been nice having his help these last few days.  He was just about the best assistant she’d ever had--as long as he followed orders and kept his opinions to himself.  He’d also turned out to be smart and funny.  And a real treat to watch.

            Whoa!  Down, girl, she admonished herself, when she realized where her thoughts were heading.  The man might qualify as eye candy, but he wasn’t much more than a kid.  She was not going to turn into a cradle robber at this late date. 

            “So, this dinner that’s coming up, it’s this weekend, isn’t it?”  His voice broke into her thoughts.

            She looked at him in surprise.  “Yes, that’s right.  It’s this Saturday night.  Why?”

            “Well, Nick says you’re the one to ask about tickets.”

            “You want tickets?” she asked, hoping she’d misunderstood.  “Why?  You’re not thinking of going, are you?”

            “Well, yeah, I am.  Frankly, Nick looked relieved at the idea of having a little back-up and besides, it sounds like fun.  Good food, good wine...good company.”  He glanced at her and smiled.  “You are going to be there, aren’t you?”

            “Yes, but...well, you know, there’ll be dancing, Ryan.  I mean, it is a dinner dance, after all, and...”

            He looked faintly amused.  “Are you asking me if I’ll dance with you?”   

            “No, I was worried about your leg,” she blurted out, and could have bitten her tongue when his amusement was replaced by stark coldness.

            “Well, don’t worry about it,” he said as he retreated into silence. “My leg is fine.”






Saturday, January 20, 2024

Bring It Back(list): Sound of a Voice That is Still ~ PG Forte

Posted by: PG Forte


Sound of a Voice That is Still

PG Forte

Oberon Series: Book Three

 

 

Some wounds take a long time to heal, others never do.  Four months after being wounded in the line of duty, Ryan Henderson is beginning to fear that his is of the latter variety.  He's a patient man, but a poor patient.  As winter drags interminably on, he's growing desperate for distraction--anything that might take his mind off his injury, before he goes insane.

 Siobhan Quinn could give the injured officer a lesson or two in living with pain.  It's been ten years since her life was changed and her heart critically wounded as a result of the tragic accident that robbed her of her family.  She knows firsthand how grief can cripple a soul and drive a sane mind over the edge. 

 

Sometimes it seems like Spring will never come again.  Sometimes, the only alternative to living in inner darkness, is death.  Your own, or someone else's.  In the depths of winter, Ryan and Siobhan will have to make a choice: to help each other heal, or die trying.

Friends to Lovers, Hurt-Comfort, Age Gap, Betrayal, Suspense.


Excerpt:


Tuesday morning dawned foggy and cold.  Siobhan stood on her porch and surveyed what she could see of the world.  It wasn’t much.  A dozen variations on the same gray theme, from pearl to pewter; and a damp that sank right into her bones.

            Her eyes tracked the mist as it poured off the roof to pool in the air around her.  It may have been a mistake to have waited for this morning’s low tide to collect the rocks she needed for today’s class.  The beach would not be a fun place in this weather.

            The rolling motion of the fog drew her eyes downward until a hint of bright color at her feet caught her attention.  She focused on it and froze.  Her breath seemed to thicken in her lungs as she stared at the pink and yellow plastic pails carelessly piled at the top of the porch steps, still crusted with sand.  As though they’d only recently been left there by a couple of children after a day spent playing on the beach. 

            The slow, gray vapor swirled around her as she stood there, trying to stem the flood of images that formed in her mind.  Trying to tear her eyes from the abandoned toys.  Willing herself not to cry.  Perhaps, the children would have made sand castles.  And dug moats.  And offered to bury their mother’s feet. 

            Beside her, Selke whined with sudden impatience, wriggling his rump excitedly.  A moment later, Siobhan heard it, too.  Footsteps along the path.  Coming toward her.  Coming closer--

            “Who’s there?” she called out, nearly jumping out of her skin when Ryan materialized out of the mist in front of her.

            “Hey, relax.  It’s just me.  Here.”  He thrust one of the two paper cups he was carrying towards her.  “I brought you some tea.”  He was dressed in a loden-green parka and he looked so solid, so dependable and substantial and safe, she could have cried from relief. 

            “Thank you,” she mumbled as she took the tea, grateful for its warmth.  She hadn’t realized how cold she was.  Her teeth chattered against the plastic lid as she tried to drink it.

            He regarded her curiously above the rim of his own cup.  “What’s the matter with you this morning?  You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

            Tea splashed over her hands and down the front of her jacket.  “Shit.  Don’t say things like that!” she ordered, tightening her grasp on the cup.

            His gaze flicked over her, resting for just an instant on the pile of beach toys, and then returning to her face.  “Oh.  I bet your daughters used to play with stuff like that, huh?”

            She shrugged and looked away, not wanting to see the pity in his eyes.  She cleared her throat.  “It was just a surprise, that’s all.  Finding them here like that.  I wasn’t expecting it, you know?”  But her voice wavered a little at the end and he was up the stairs in an instant.

            “Ah, Siobhan, I’m sorry.”  His voice was rough with sympathy as he wrapped one warm arm around her shoulders.  “But, you know, someone probably just found them on the beach last night, and didn’t know where else to leave them.  Do you want me to put them away somewhere so you don’t have to look at them?” 

            “No, it’s okay.”  She shook her head.  Pulling herself together, she stepped away from his warmth.  “What are you doing here so early?”

            He chuckled softly.  “I snuck a look at your tide schedule yesterday before I left.  I figured you’d wait for this morning’s low tide to collect rocks.”  He gazed meaningfully at the boots she was wearing.  “Looks like I guessed right, huh?”

            She returned his smile.  “Yes.  About that you did.  But not if you were also guessing I’d turn down your help.  In weather like this, four eyes are definitely going to be more use than two.”

            “Well, okay then,” he said as he unsnapped his dog’s leash.  He pulled a paper bag out of one of his coat’s pockets.  “Let me just put this stuff inside, and we’ll go.”

            He stepped inside the center, the two dogs following along behind him.  A minute later he was back.  He closed the door behind him, and reached for one of the buckets.  Siobhan felt like one of them should be saying something, but she could not find a single topic to break the silence. 

            “Thanks again for the tea.” she said, finally, as they headed off the porch.

            He smiled at her warmly.  “You’re welcome.” 

            He was walking easily at her side today, with only the slightest hitch in his gait.  He’d gone for acupuncture yesterday and it looked like it was finally beginning to do him some good.  But she had to smile, thinking about the expression on his face last evening, as he’d gotten ready to leave for his treatment session.  For a tough guy he’d seemed awfully squeamish about the prospect of getting stuck with a few little needles.  

            Her smile faded a bit when she considered that it probably wouldn’t be too much longer before his leg was healed enough for him to return to work.  She’d had her doubts about him at first, but she had to admit that it had been nice having his help these last few days.  He was just about the best assistant she’d ever had--as long as he followed orders and kept his opinions to himself.  He’d also turned out to be smart and funny.  And a real treat to watch.

            Whoa!  Down, girl, she admonished herself, when she realized where her thoughts were heading.  The man might qualify as eye candy, but he wasn’t much more than a kid.  She was not going to turn into a cradle robber at this late date. 

            “So, this dinner that’s coming up, it’s this weekend, isn’t it?”  His voice broke into her thoughts.

            She looked at him in surprise.  “Yes, that’s right.  It’s this Saturday night.  Why?”

            “Well, Nick says you’re the one to ask about tickets.”

            “You want tickets?” she asked, hoping she’d misunderstood.  “Why?  You’re not thinking of going, are you?”

            “Well, yeah, I am.  Frankly, Nick looked relieved at the idea of having a little back-up and besides, it sounds like fun.  Good food, good wine...good company.”  He glanced at her and smiled.  “You are going to be there, aren’t you?”

            “Yes, but...well, you know, there’ll be dancing, Ryan.  I mean, it is a dinner dance, after all, and...”

            He looked faintly amused.  “Are you asking me if I’ll dance with you?”   

            “No, I was worried about your leg,” she blurted out, and could have bitten her tongue when his amusement was replaced by stark coldness.

            “Well, don’t worry about it,” he said as he retreated into silence. “My leg is fine.”




Welcome to Oberon

PG Forte

Omnibus One: Books 1 – 3

 

https://books2read.com/Welcome-to-Oberon

 

 

Ever wish you could find a small-town love story with magic, mystery, a huge cast of characters and a happy ending? How about an entire series like that? Welcome to Oberon, California. Where murder and mysticism combine. Where the focus is always on friends, families and feelings. And where love will save the day…eventually.

 

Three connected tales of love, murder, mystery...all set in a mystical small town where anything might happen. 


This volume contains the first three books in the Oberon series: 

 

Scent of the Roses

A Sight to Dream Of

Sound of a Voice That is Still. 

Second Chances, Friends to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Hurt-Comfort, Age Gap, Betrayal, Suspense.

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