tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2402894248139867742024-03-19T02:12:36.173-07:00Lizabeth Scott Contemporary Romance AuthorContemporary Romance WriterLizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-47724802998986217142018-01-07T16:53:00.000-08:002018-01-07T17:14:02.592-08:00Newfangled Theaters<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="83v3s" data-offset-key="1hq98-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1hq98-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 1.5pt;">No spoilers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Well, I saw Star Wars! We took Mr. Scott for his birthday! <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">It was great...but what is going on with theaters these days! Yes, it's been about 2 years since I went to a movie theater. But...<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">First, we had to decide what type of theater we wanted. 3-D, IMAX, IMAX 3-D, REAL D 3D, or Standard. We went with IMAX. Wasn't sure what that was or what the others were. I discovered I'm a Standard kinda girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Then we were shown a screen to select our seating! Really, stadium seating for theaters? Yep. We selected the back row, in the middle. Bad choice. I'll tell you why in a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Almost $40 bucks for a noon showing for 3! Whatever happened to the $2.99 early bird special? The snacks were about the same for a large popcorn and diet coke, a small blue raspberry icee, and a medium cola icee. Let me pause a moment. I ordered the medium cola icee expecting a 12 oz serving. Nope. It was huge! It took two hands to hold it! Is it actually possible to drink and NOT have to visit the little girls room during the movie. I think not. As a matter of fact...I KNOW not. The large... 34 to 42 oz. Yep. I looked. Mr. Scott is still drinking on that diet cola.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I knew the seats were recliners. I have sat in those before. I can't imagine going to a theater without them. Love them! However, if you carry your keys in your pocket take them out before you sit or they may accidentally activate the reclining button. He he he. Still laughing. Wish we'd gotten it on video. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The movie starts and we jump! Ahhh, IMAX means really loud. The music parts were so loud Princess Scott stuffed pieces of a napkin in her ears. The intense parts were so loud the room even shook! I actually felt my seat move! That's how loud it was. In the truck on the way home as we debriefed Princess Scott informed me there was a vibration mechanism under the seats to create a more realistic experience. What? Really? Like a Disney ride? Yes. Warn a person next time. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">*Lesson learned - sit in the middle of the theater, not near a speaker, and hang on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The movie was incredible. I loved seeing the old mixed with the new. It was sad seeing Carrie Fisher knowing this was her last film. Bittersweet, reflective moments. She will forever live in our hearts as Princess Leia. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I wish Prince Scott and his crew had been here but they celebrated in Ohio with a lengthy Facetime call. It was a fun family day. The best kind.</span></div></div>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-79710351000783150472016-06-07T08:21:00.000-07:002016-06-07T10:18:12.382-07:00Tim Hemlin <div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MEET AUTHOR TIM HEMLIN</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumJCYUYXEZoGrUVeLQf92FB9MrTC9Q2eK_0UFyDlVPdfgFVbsS45eHZeEHIGktFt2OjAAWYuR3dSRPz8hpE5t8laLV0u_E332ib56Tc7kc0lqTkG12KjC4avLRr6tlaL14FmikjOe/s1600/Tim+Author+Promo+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumJCYUYXEZoGrUVeLQf92FB9MrTC9Q2eK_0UFyDlVPdfgFVbsS45eHZeEHIGktFt2OjAAWYuR3dSRPz8hpE5t8laLV0u_E332ib56Tc7kc0lqTkG12KjC4avLRr6tlaL14FmikjOe/s1600/Tim+Author+Promo+photo.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>CONNECT WITH TIM</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tim-Hemlin/e/B001HPYQ66/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1465311704&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank">AMAZON PAGE</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TimHemlinAuthor" target="_blank">FACEBOOK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TimHemlin" target="_blank">TWITTER</a> <a href="https://timhemlin.com/" target="_blank">WEBPAGE</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tim Hemlin is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, having studied with poets Charles Simic and Mekeel McBride. He has published in poetry journals, anthologies, and magazines--most notably in Ellery Queen. Currently he has six novels out. Finds the links to his books and social media sites at the end of this book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By day he is an educator; however after teaching ELA for 22 years he decided to put his master's degree to work and is now a high school counselor. In addition, he is an avid marathoner, fly-fisherman, and outdoorsman. He lives just outside Houston, Texas with his wife Valerie, two dogs and a cantankerous cat.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>NEW RELEASE!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUr1oZBDiuYYkt9efNdQ6qEwp8bOPDLYH2omNGb22KX1ZwHD2aOc5EcsMOgYpBt6txYnfGSJlgYgfAzBVTz8xua2snTYf9Lix6qkZdKU5quaUeqFFG4sU2lbf2kA82-b7YErGPUxC/s1600/HORSES.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUr1oZBDiuYYkt9efNdQ6qEwp8bOPDLYH2omNGb22KX1ZwHD2aOc5EcsMOgYpBt6txYnfGSJlgYgfAzBVTz8xua2snTYf9Lix6qkZdKU5quaUeqFFG4sU2lbf2kA82-b7YErGPUxC/s320/HORSES.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Neil Marhsall is a graduate student in the University of Houston's creative writing program and a promising young poet.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">However, facing a financially and emotionally draining divorce has him worried about more than paying tuition. So, to make ends mee, Neil moonlights as a chef for a high-society caterer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Just when Neil's life seems bleakest, his oldest friend, racehorse breeder Jason Keys, is murdered. And Neil becomes the prime suspect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">To avenge his friend, clear his name, and rescue a missing championship thoroughbred, Neil infiltrates the dark underworld of horse theft and illegal breeding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Neil's friends -- his attractive writing teacher, his cooking colleagues, and a freckle-faced teenage horsewoman -- offer their support. But their cheers quickly turn to gasps when Neil becomes the hunted.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">DOWNLOAD: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wishes-Were-Horses-Marshall-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01GGB7L8U/ref=sr_1_3" target="_blank">Amazon US </a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">NEW RELEASE!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtg2lCQYESl0lpV52irLGHNUqRR63o-pB80isa41vdYMH3JK73gjrxEH7paRnoikh0r4hPI8qVRv7vFVRqODaaimdZoCXWYqMeqXDqkhT21-mJbd1dPqKQ3GdmsIHB6IoBl9JBQRQ/s1600/AWhisperOfRageCover+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtg2lCQYESl0lpV52irLGHNUqRR63o-pB80isa41vdYMH3JK73gjrxEH7paRnoikh0r4hPI8qVRv7vFVRqODaaimdZoCXWYqMeqXDqkhT21-mJbd1dPqKQ3GdmsIHB6IoBl9JBQRQ/s320/AWhisperOfRageCover+%25281%2529.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Graduate student and part-time chef Neil Marshall only wants to go for an early morning run. Instead he witnesses the near-fatal shooting of legendary Houston private eye C.J. McDaniels, and he fears the gunmen can identify them. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Before long, Neil finds himself in the eye of a hurricane, his quiet academic life ripped apart as he rides a swath of violence that cuts across a mansion in River Oaks to an eerily silent suburban home, from a secret hospital room to the bed of a fascinating woman. In Houston's sultry summer heat a deep-rooted rage is building from a whisper to a roar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Praise for Book One of the series: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">"Tim Hemlin's 'If Wishes Were Horses...' is one of the most entertaining first mysteries I've read in several years, and aspiring writer Neil Marshall is the most engaging amateur sleuth to come along since Jeff Abbott's Jordan Poteet. This novel is so good, I'd like it even if it weren't set in Texas." - Bill Crider, Author of many series including the Sheriff Dan Rhoades Mysteries, and resident of the Texas Literary Hall of Fame. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">"A Welcome new voice in the mystery field." - Earl Emerson.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">DOWNLOAD: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Whisper-Rage-Neil-Marshall-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01GGSY0IC/ref=sr_1_7" target="_blank">Amazon US</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLFTcjFPhLHr18PjauPa4OpcTk9gfwNwOdXVcwr9Xg7o6B2aX6G8UC0dSC-YXi08zUnDRiBxFuWST5ljdVwBeigvca4-T4AU5VpPKAE3nuAnRpQuJQgxijwOw-SERQV6SI24Ubvrk/s1600/Wastelanders.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLFTcjFPhLHr18PjauPa4OpcTk9gfwNwOdXVcwr9Xg7o6B2aX6G8UC0dSC-YXi08zUnDRiBxFuWST5ljdVwBeigvca4-T4AU5VpPKAE3nuAnRpQuJQgxijwOw-SERQV6SI24Ubvrk/s320/Wastelanders.JPG" width="209" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">America is controlled by a corporate oligarchy known as the Water Cartel and warrior-priest Joey Hawke finds himself trapped between a mysterious geneticist amassing a clone army and a group of political fanatics convinced that a dead president will rise from his tomb to lead them to salvation. Caught outside his spiritual haven when the Cartel moves against the Wastelanders, Joey is aided by Bear, an enigmatic weapons runner, Moon, a lovesick Scrapwoman, and Bernie Hawke, his estranged father. But against the Cartel's military strength, led by the power hungry Rex Fielder, Joey's only hope may be Si-Ting, a young woman with prescient abilities--a woman who not only holds the key to his heart but also to an American conspiracy to crown its future with the withered laurels of the past.</span><br />
<br />
<b>DOWNLOAD:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wastelanders-Tim-Hemlin/dp/0991363574/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455740653&sr=8-1&keywords=Wastelanders" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wastelanders-Tim-Hemlin/dp/0991363574/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1455741060&sr=8-2&keywords=Tim+Hemlin" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIMRI7myOhstZW6JQHyVnaFaGRWnU78EYOybBClarXRqFAyyyV5JjQgbVuPgcIZlleVd0CwHY3p9Bu8vdyeMH2We8iwTesqm8ej44fOiK6ff6cVLzwBxwDq2KQYu-5zNsNUsQVpeE/s1600/BLACK+SILENCE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIMRI7myOhstZW6JQHyVnaFaGRWnU78EYOybBClarXRqFAyyyV5JjQgbVuPgcIZlleVd0CwHY3p9Bu8vdyeMH2We8iwTesqm8ej44fOiK6ff6cVLzwBxwDq2KQYu-5zNsNUsQVpeE/s320/BLACK+SILENCE.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">A ghost from the past . . . A girl lost in the Wastelands . . . Bernie Hawke missing . . . </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Can the enigmatic Bear join forces with warrior-priest Joey Hawke, and Caballito, the legendary descendant of the ancient Running People, in time to rescue them? Or will they fall prey like so many others to the black silence of the Wastelands?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DOWNLOAD: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Silence-Wastelanders-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B00RPU7KBK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1455740844&sr=8-4&keywords=Tim+Hemlin#customerReviews" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Silence-Wastelanders-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B00RPU7KBK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455741472&sr=8-1&keywords=Tim+Hemlin+Black+Silence" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANZRZ3bfDXXGwjp6eDzkjUZQJDp84dM2DqIF4z8kx1Of4YWBKUfMdnIzCDYkHZ0r_WEC15rN53cfI8f6BbzMDWhKO6f7eLObDwbg5evVKMvXd33kjVUcYDCCsIakwA_CKRjUDtJim/s1600/Echos+of+winter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANZRZ3bfDXXGwjp6eDzkjUZQJDp84dM2DqIF4z8kx1Of4YWBKUfMdnIzCDYkHZ0r_WEC15rN53cfI8f6BbzMDWhKO6f7eLObDwbg5evVKMvXd33kjVUcYDCCsIakwA_CKRjUDtJim/s320/Echos+of+winter.JPG" width="201" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Thirteen never before seen YA short stories just in time for the holidays! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 1: Twelve Days to Christmas by L.A. Starkey </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 2: Christmas Seasoning by DB Nielsen </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 3: Merry Chris Witch by CK Dawn </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 4: Wrapped in the Past by Chess Desalls </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 5: Butterflies in the Snow by D.E.L. Connor </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 6: The Darkest Night of the Year by Tim Hemlin </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 7: Cold Hearth by Kelly Hall </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 8: Code X by W.J. May </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 9: Good Saint Nick by Lu J Whitley </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 10: Soaring by K.K. Allen </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 11: A Spirit’s Last Gift by Kathy-Lynn Cross </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 12: Winter Trials by K.S. Marsden </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Book 13: The Edge by Fleur Camacho </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">((Take a peek inside the cover to read the synopsis for these great YA short stories!)) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">These stories have never been published before and were written specifically for this anthology. Hope you enjoy this wintery adventure!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DOWNLOAD: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Winter-Wintery-Short-Collection-ebook/dp/B018JWZSMK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1457381279&sr=1-1&keywords=echoes+of+winter" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Echoes-Winter-Wintery-Short-Collection-ebook/dp/B018JWZSMK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457381605&sr=1-1&keywords=echoes+of+winter" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>CONNECT WITH TIM</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tim-Hemlin/e/B001HPYQ66/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1465311704&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AMAZON PAGE</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TimHemlinAuthor" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FACEBOOK</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/TimHemlin" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TWITTER</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://timhemlin.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WEBPAGE</span></a></div>
Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-30118707158570565722016-05-30T09:57:00.000-07:002016-05-30T09:57:54.279-07:00PRIME Minister<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 26.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="13318904_1695207960696777_375820209_n.jpg" height="231" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YwZ_eMRzOYrbcz4uWXPu7QJp9tpU6h5e_-Tv9QrQiCErPZ7ZntN5y8H0m2rOUgXbydGc0pLLsl3qYIDA8St9YOGQRfn3RFnTI2AXL-qa96UQo4fGT8-LeOXgKp77yo0qEChHyMPV" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="624" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 26.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New Release</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Title: Prime Minister</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Series: Frisky Beaver #1</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Authors: AInsley Booth & Sadie Haller</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Genre: Erotic Romance</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Publisher: BoothHaller Books (self-published)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Release Date: May 31, 2016</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tag Lines:</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/friskybeavers?source=feed_text&story_id=1768159586741355" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FriskyBeavers</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CanadianPM</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Website:</span><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.friskybeavers.com%2F&h=pAQGOFH08AQHCQqmHeJO1jK8jZzFjudMhPZajThvB_pwaVA&enc=AZMKluCMceSR7xqX-be5XLwPG9fr6vv67oy66sSVvDmmwc1415j83HpNG1CTeKmebVxk3JsxvZgU6Z4y97lgsb1wunf65foYRIHio2cYqbuyVyPAPUCNiTnSHATrhuJbgjfjNTNb3TLBbFYadrk8HcECqVhtC6531b7WbaznFiSBsZLTHT_IVb3y8mYb9h8RomaTMvb45E6FRKQvbpnFWQt_&s=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.friskybeavers.com</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="cover.jpg" height="499" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MGBJGiN8H11HZzB6d7YLam3Vbdiv9rBUOLmFbafd1Rsghl6i7OAmRh_FbATYkUqmsYe6_RWTozPDpSNzeWsj-BNphjqyjfZg45XVVkKrnsueJ_jogctzM5RjNDc2sxRzxpxct2ss" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="313" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 32px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BLURB</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gavin:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ellie Montague is smart, sensitive, and so gorgeous it hurts to look at her. She’s also an intern in my office. The office of the Prime Minister of Canada.*</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s me. The PM.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She calls me that because when she calls me Sir, I get hard and she gets flustered, and as long as she’s my intern, I can’t twist my hands in her strawberry-blonde hair and show her what else I’d like her to do with that pretty pink mouth.**</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ellie:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How much I like the PM varies on a daily basis. He’s intense, controlling, and a perfectionist in every way—and he demands the same of his staff.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How much I want him never wavers.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s something about him that tugs at me deep inside, and makes me wish that just once he’d cross the line in a late night work session. I’d take that secret to the grave if it meant I got a taste of the barely restrained beast inside him.***</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FOOTNOTES:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* This is a fictional erotic romance. No prime ministers or interns were harmed in the making of this book.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">** Except it’s a BDSM romance, so they were hurt a little.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*** Spoiler alert: she gets more than a taste. And she likes it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goodreads link:</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29973570" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29973570</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Buy Links: </span><a href="http://www.smarturl.it/PMiBooks" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">iBooks</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> |</span><a href="http://www.smarturl.it/PMZon" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon/Kindle</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> |</span><a href="http://www.smarturl.it/PMNook" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes & Noble/Nook</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> |</span><a href="http://www.smarturl.it/PMKobo" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kobo</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> |</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon:</span><a href="http://www.smarturl.it/PMZon" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.smarturl.it/PMZon</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes & Noble:</span><a href="http://www.smarturl.it/PMNook" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.smarturl.it/PMNook</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kobo:</span><a href="http://www.smarturl.it/PMKobo" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.smarturl.it/PMKobo</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">iBooks:</span><a href="http://www.smarturl.it/PMiBooks" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.smarturl.it/PMiBooks</span></a></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-2138ef5c-0293-6761-754d-e4b55943dd8a" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Bio</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ainsley Booth</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="61z1LJ0nChL._UX250_.jpg" height="250" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/B6VHpHRA6m66z9si-UTOCpLhw658FrUgEPMWhRrtJg9QYrFO59lEMnHXYu9Tn2NsZmeKyWyodOAPx6IVq1xEdk7cwUitVY3FFm9rEwAVKwjSSJLcGlr39aJ6V0NIlc7YcuXn5C5c" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="250" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mom by day and filthy romance writer by night, Ainsley is super grateful for caffeine, banana and blueberry muffins, and yoga pants</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Links:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.ainsleybooth.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.ainsleybooth.com/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://ainsleybooth.com/wordpress/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://ainsleybooth.com/wordpress/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://ainsleybooth.com/wordpress/blog/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://ainsleybooth.com/wordpress/blog/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://ainsleybooth.com/wordpress/newsletter/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://ainsleybooth.com/wordpress/newsletter/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ainsleyboothwrites/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/ainsleyboothwrites/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ainsleyboothreadergroup/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/ainsleyboothreadergroup/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/Ainsley_Booth" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://twitter.com/Ainsley_Booth</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ainsleyboothwrites/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.instagram.com/ainsleyboothwrites/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ainsleyboothwri" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.pinterest.com/ainsleyboothwri</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/ainsley_booth" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.goodreads.com/ainsley_booth</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ainsley-Booth/e/B00SEMID0A/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.amazon.com/Ainsley-Booth/e/B00SEMID0A/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sadie Haller</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="619UnAO2-CL._UX250_.jpg" height="188" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pVEk_hBGt0ilklroa51Ar0L8EW0ey6xiPXq2ULtreHKQD_obWLtCZtKNH9nA3vxlzELq_2gLTUg2Zf6-je8xs6LBa5ESljtQbWARqh4Oj3iO7JC8UZQXMxvmH81MLoHkkxvAA4Ca" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="250" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surrounded by mist-covered mountains, Sadie Haller lives a quiet life with her husband and fur-babies.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Links:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://sadiehaller.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://sadiehaller.com/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://sadiehaller.com/newsletter/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://sadiehaller.com/newsletter/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sadie-Haller/e/B00H3QU4S2/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.amazon.com/Sadie-Haller/e/B00H3QU4S2/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SadieHallerAuthor/timeline" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/SadieHallerAuthor/timeline</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sadie.Haller.Fans/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sadie.Haller.Fans/</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/SadieHallersPen" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://twitter.com/SadieHallersPen</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/Sadie_Haller" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.goodreads.com/Sadie_Haller</span></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="13260029_1770247319865915_1206746911370330650_n.jpg" height="453" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1H-fGJyBSYVwPfjslu3KcCsB2Jy5VbfB58SDiui2pzD62cfw_VBolUfhcAIPVazR6zoppTP2DwhwgLv9Thibj1XhocZeRe-53maKM0WPt6LmhURrR1Dxg8v9rZQJEU4kayRf64lQ" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="624" /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://teaserblast-1.jpg/"><img alt="TeaserBlast-1.jpg" height="231" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/mn9YE_uNAKEaITqsOkav2EtRH3FJla5NsnwjNeR0Jde0dRSJaAA6J5XKp4OWipE_kN1_nQiTIDNEuQE9yZ3B51vHUbWjwHqp2EjvdhlZPG6wGz9oulkX8tSaIhWBRSNlnK5USOfB" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="624" /></a></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://youtu.be/2C1qWb1IxlA" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Direct Link: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://youtu.be/2C1qWb1IxlA</span></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 48px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://youtu.be/6IC8O-Cd_a0" target="_blank">BOOK TRAILER: </a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://youtu.be/6IC8O-Cd_a0" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Direct Link: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://youtu.be/6IC8O-Cd_a0</span></a></div>
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br /></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-12824507028085686182016-05-25T08:24:00.005-07:002016-05-25T08:27:37.309-07:00THE SECRET by Karen J. Mossman<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The Secret</i></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">**Free**</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>25th-26th-27th
May</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Kerry O’Brien has a secret so terrible it burns inside her. All she wants is to be part of a normal family, but with a stepfather like Bill, that is impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Set in the 1970s when secrets like this were only ever whispered about, Kerry somehow keeps her humour by pretending everything is fine. Then she meets biker Tommy, and he has his own secret; one that impacts on her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> Kerry’s secret becomes harder to keep and the tell-tell signs harder to hide. Can she keep it together? Can Tommy and Kerry get it together?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #262626; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;"> Then the worst happens and Kerry’s secret is a secret no more.</span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Karen-J-Mossman-ebook/dp/B017EYGBPM?ie=UTF8&keywords=Karen%20J.%20Mossman&qid=1464189274&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=1-1" target="_blank"> DOWNLOAD</a></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mybook.to/TS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLnTNbnmQDXLmy2meiaseMJbLCN-kln5Jl9GY6hRwn0EbUXTtTTvDZcGO952AE1AXcIJHuEsvSf0RBqlRLzCDkTpqWJk_xuBqVmGMVGRNp_ODC0MkZtgBQhIwuBOJwjOQq5NoFmtd/s1600/karen+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLnTNbnmQDXLmy2meiaseMJbLCN-kln5Jl9GY6hRwn0EbUXTtTTvDZcGO952AE1AXcIJHuEsvSf0RBqlRLzCDkTpqWJk_xuBqVmGMVGRNp_ODC0MkZtgBQhIwuBOJwjOQq5NoFmtd/s320/karen+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>EXCERPT:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">'This is where I
work,” he said, as we entered a joiner’s workshop. I could see half built
furniture with lots of wood shavings on the floor and various types of cutting
equipment. We walked over to one half built piece of furniture.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“This is mine,” he
said. “I’m working on it at the moment.” It was wardrobe and it hadn’t got any
doors. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“How on earth do
you make these?” I asked running my finger through a pattern in the wood. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“With this, it’s
called a router.” He held up some kind of tool. “Just look inside here,” he
said, indicating inside of the wardrobe. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">I peered just
behind where the door would be, and saw he’d scraped TS 74 in the wood. “Oh
yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“We all like to
mark them somewhere. So should you ever buy a wardrobe, take a look inside, it
might be one of mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">I grinned. “You’ll
be famous.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">He laughed. “Come
on, we’ll go into the tea room.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">We went up some
stairs and into a big kitchen. There was a table in the centre and on it were
mugs and some still contained tea that had gone cold and congealed. I pulled a
face.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“I know,” he said
as if reading my mind. “We’re a mucky lot.” He began clearing it piling it into
a dirty looking sink. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Kitchen cupboards
snaked around the sides of the room, both on the wall and beneath the counter.
Some of the doors didn’t appear to fit properly and some didn’t even have
doors. There was a fridge, but there was also a bottle of milk standing on the
top, it’s contents half empty and I just had the feeling I wouldn’t want to
drink it. In fact, everything looked grubby.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“I would offer you
a brew...”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">I laughed, “Not a
chance, some of those cups look like they’ve never been washed.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Come over here,”
he said, standing by the table.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Why?” I asked a
little dubiously.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“I want you to lie
on it.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">I frowned, “Why?” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">He looked at me
with mischievous eyes and my pulse quickened. “I want to draw you.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Draw me? I didn’t
expect that. Was I disappointed? Did I think he was going to make mad
passionate love to me right there on that table top?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">I managed to
giggle and stood on the chair, then onto the table and lay down, feeling a bit
silly. I let him manoeuvre me into position and felt even sillier.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Relax, Kerry.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Do you know how
hard this table is?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">He pulled out a
chair and sat down a little way from the me. Producing a sketchpad from
somewhere, he began to draw.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Well, this is
nice,” I said, feeling the back of my head on the edge of the table as I peered
at the ceiling and my hair hung down towards the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“You’ve no idea,”
he said, glancing up at me and then down to the sketchpad as his pencil moving
quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Hmm, I wonder
what’s for tea tonight. Wood chips? Or wardrobe sausage?” I pondered.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Keep still.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“I am still; in
fact I’m so still you can hardly tell I’m breathing.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Your mouth is
moving.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Can you draw an
open mouth?” I puckered it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Not in the way
you mean, shut up a minute.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">I mentally counted
to 60 and then said, “My back is aching.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Okay,” he said,
standing up and snapping the pad closed. “Finished.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Can I see it?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“No, you can’t, I
need to finish it first.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“I thought you
just said you’d finished.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“Hmm,” I loved the
rumble sound his voice made. “These are just the bare bones,” he said with a
grin. “I’ve to fill it in yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">“God!” I huffed,
feigning annoyance. “I’ve been called many things, but bare bones!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">He swatted my bum
with his hand. “You’ll see it, eventually.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">We were laughing
as we made our way back outside to his bike. Is this too soon to fall it love?
Because I was falling right over!'<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<b style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: normal; text-indent: 18.9333px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Karen-J-Mossman-ebook/dp/B017EYGBPM?ie=UTF8&keywords=Karen%20J.%20Mossman&qid=1464189274&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=1-1" target="_blank"> DOWNLOAD</a></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY-uABnOurCcgWWdi4BQAgAWSYgvsY_hhkiAxhhrrXqUijgvHGCM4uxONCqEjyg2tZBzuDRSR-IvJf6clDfJ9wAQY6uldyRz9zuS9ScE5uBCG5xT4DtUdcbSDq1tmY7hBefKuj__I/s1600/karen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY-uABnOurCcgWWdi4BQAgAWSYgvsY_hhkiAxhhrrXqUijgvHGCM4uxONCqEjyg2tZBzuDRSR-IvJf6clDfJ9wAQY6uldyRz9zuS9ScE5uBCG5xT4DtUdcbSDq1tmY7hBefKuj__I/s320/karen+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><b>What the readers are saying:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The story is gripping and interesting,
the romance warm and simmering. I absolutely loved the ending, which gives the
story an almost fairy tale-like feeling. All in all, it was a very enjoyable
two hour read, and I whole heartedly recommend it to fans of the genre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">S
Anderson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I really enjoyed this book and I was
automatically drawn into the characters world, from the very first page. Tommy treats
Kerry like a queen and it's so refreshing to read a story where the man
respects and truly loves the girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jenna
Hodge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The characters were so real and the
story definitely so believable. These sort of secrets unfortunately still go on.
Let's hope others can find the strength just like Kerry to come out on the
other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: right; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Lindy-Lou<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Karen J Mossman lives in Anglesey in Wales with her husband. She
had written 4 books, three themed short story collections, The Missing, Behind
The Music, Heroes and Joanna's Journey, a novel set in the 1980s.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwrfwbqJ5TK5ykLh66DWOPsZq0XQKkEI1gu2SSKnxVlLebfC-VrMtHoGgBEKi3Z9cwmv6K1XKwXiIHwI4_fxBeqlRk-zKlS0Kk9N0Qw23YWi0mGI-3wa4EJgPMsXTB2brtqOPyAvm/s1600/karen+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwrfwbqJ5TK5ykLh66DWOPsZq0XQKkEI1gu2SSKnxVlLebfC-VrMtHoGgBEKi3Z9cwmv6K1XKwXiIHwI4_fxBeqlRk-zKlS0Kk9N0Qw23YWi0mGI-3wa4EJgPMsXTB2brtqOPyAvm/s320/karen+3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<b style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: normal; text-indent: 18.9333px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Karen-J-Mossman-ebook/dp/B017EYGBPM?ie=UTF8&keywords=Karen%20J.%20Mossman&qid=1464189274&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=1-1" target="_blank"> DOWNLOAD</a></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Connect with Karen</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Karen-J-Mossman/e/B00JJY69OO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1464189274&sr=1-2-ent" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon Page</span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010894539076&fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-61118289314553745302016-05-23T18:24:00.002-07:002016-05-23T18:24:32.918-07:00#RRBC Spotlight is on Author, Kim Cox <div class="WordSection1">
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 1.0pt; margin-left: 5.7pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><span
style='font-size:1.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-style:normal'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin;mso-field-lock:yes'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>SHAPE <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>\* MERGEFORMAT <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 1pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:group
id="_x0000_s1026" style='width:504.8pt;height:.8pt;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:char;mso-position-vertical-relative:line'
coordsize="10096,16">
<v:line id="_x0000_s1027" style='position:absolute' from="8,8" to="10088,8"
strokeweight=".26669mm"/>
<w:wrap type="none"/>
<w:anchorlock/>
</v:group><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="2" src="file:///C:/Users/bradys/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026 _x0000_s1027" width="1010" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t"
path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><![endif]--></span><!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><span
style='font-size:1.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-style:normal'><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:504.8pt;height:.8pt'>
<v:imagedata croptop="-65520f" cropbottom="65520f"/>
</v:shape><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 1pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .05pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigopDz2YlsBKSu3jLoDDoIjR-PUoUmVTN0BTD8LfyhDQ7a38ZIp5i6aNN4dNeg0o5EopvMAAz-_gFXog9-1Pw9UtwXSKDuq7m0QFW5nmBSOWXwonweVgduihxdN33VchQmKcBtHcfN/s1600/spotlight.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigopDz2YlsBKSu3jLoDDoIjR-PUoUmVTN0BTD8LfyhDQ7a38ZIp5i6aNN4dNeg0o5EopvMAAz-_gFXog9-1Pw9UtwXSKDuq7m0QFW5nmBSOWXwonweVgduihxdN33VchQmKcBtHcfN/s320/spotlight.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 204.1pt;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 140.8pt; margin-right: 18.65pt; margin-top: 2.6pt;">
<span style="color: blue;">https://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com</span><o:p></o:p></h2>
<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td height="0" width="111"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td><img height="3" src="file:///C:/Users/bradys/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image004.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_s1028" width="1011" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><o:wrapblock><v:line id="_x0000_s1028"
style='position:absolute;z-index:1048;mso-wrap-distance-left:0;
mso-wrap-distance-right:0;mso-position-horizontal-relative:page' from="54.15pt,13.3pt"
to="558.15pt,13.3pt" strokeweight=".26669mm">
<w:wrap type="topAndBottom" anchorx="page"/>
</v:line><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]-->
<!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]></o:wrapblock><![endif]--><br clear="ALL" />
<span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 116%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 8.25pt; margin-right: 7.95pt; margin-top: 3.45pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -.05pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;">Asheville,<span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span>North<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>Carolina<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;">
</span>USA<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>—</span></i><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;">Rave<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>Reviews<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>Book<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>Club<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;">is<span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span>pleased<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>introduce,<span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span>Author<b>,<span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;">Kim<span style="letter-spacing: -.55pt;"> </span>Cox<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;">as<span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span>their “<b>SPOTLIGHT”<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>Author<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span></b>for<span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>week<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span>May<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>22-28,<span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;">
</span>2016.<span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span>Kim’s<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>featured<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;">
</span>book,<span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;">All<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>This<span style="letter-spacing: -.65pt;"> </span>Time</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;">,<span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>available at </span><a href="http://smarturl.it/AllThisTime2015"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;"> and </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-this-time-kim-cox/1121115045"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;">Barnes and<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0pt;"> </span>Noble</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-width: 105%;">.</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 116%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .2pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 5.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="WordSection2">
<h1 style="margin-right: 0in;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image2.jpeg"
o:spid="_x0000_s1029" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;left:0;
text-align:left;margin-left:54.15pt;margin-top:24.6pt;width:2in;height:229.5pt;
z-index:1072;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-wrap-distance-left:0;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:0;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:page;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\bradys\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg"
o:title=""/>
<w:wrap anchorx="page"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="height: 459px; left: 0px; margin-left: 111px; margin-top: 49px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 288px; z-index: 1072;"><br /></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO5EwGba71-pOu1ELtjRsYR4DaGy_xKFDgAohmIwoii_e0cd0EwJBD_UG3jSGCT-G6H5veYBLRDTp2G-A22AK5PTxnGXpUgDoNcWsKdLhqrmTaDVvKAxAx3vkPnzaq_aLxV90tCb6/s1600/ATT-kindleCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO5EwGba71-pOu1ELtjRsYR4DaGy_xKFDgAohmIwoii_e0cd0EwJBD_UG3jSGCT-G6H5veYBLRDTp2G-A22AK5PTxnGXpUgDoNcWsKdLhqrmTaDVvKAxAx3vkPnzaq_aLxV90tCb6/s320/ATT-kindleCover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h1 style="margin-right: 0in; text-align: left;">
<u><span style="font-size: small;">Book
Description</span></u></h1>
</span></u></h1>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 6.1pt; margin-right: 7.35pt; margin-top: 9.1pt;">
At thirty, Jenny Morgan’s
biological clock is ticking. But as a fashion magazine CEO with a busy schedule
and no significant other, her wish is unlikely to come true. When her father
receives a terminal diagnosis, he wants a grandchild before he dies. With her
religious beliefs, a sperm donor isn’t an alternative. Jenny’s only option is
her single co-worker and best friend, Trevor Drake. Can she really trust him to
be a good husband?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 6.1pt; margin-right: 15.85pt; margin-top: 10.2pt;">
Trevor has loved Jenny since
college, but she only sees him as a friend with no ambition. After he finds out
her predicament, he proposes and sets out to prove he can provide everything
she needs. Jenny is determined to have a prenuptial agreement with an “out”
clause after one year. Can he convince Jenny of his love by then?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 6.1pt; margin-right: 13.15pt; margin-top: 9.95pt;">
As if they don’t have enough on
their plate, someone at the magazine is out to sabotage their marriage, their
impending parenthood, and the magazine. Jenny is nearly killed in one such
attempt. Can Jenny and Trevor work together to uncover their common enemy?<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .3pt;">
<br /></div>
<h1 style="margin-left: 169.4pt; text-indent: -98.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #262626;">To
learn more about </span>Kim Cox<span style="color: #262626;">, or to purchase All
This Time, please visit:</span></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 132.95pt; margin-right: 131.35pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 36.45pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; line-height: 105%;">Website: </span><span style="color: blue; line-height: 105%;"><a href="http://www.kimcoxauthor.com/">http://www.kimcoxauthor.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 132.95pt; margin-right: 131.35pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 36.45pt;">
<span style="color: #262626; line-height: 105%;">Amazon Author Page: </span><span style="color: blue; line-height: 105%;"><a href="http://amazon.com/author/kimcox">http://amazon.com/author/kimcox</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 132.95pt; margin-right: 131.35pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 36.45pt;">
<span style="line-height: 105%; text-indent: -13.75pt;">Twitter handle: <u><span style="color: blue;">https://twitter.com/KimCoxAuthor</span></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 105%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 132.95pt; margin-right: 131.35pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 36.45pt;">
<span style="line-height: 105%; text-indent: -13.75pt;">Facebook: <u><span style="color: blue;">https://</span></u></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/kimcoxauthor" style="line-height: 105%; text-indent: -13.75pt;"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 105%;">www.facebook.com/kimcoxauthor</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: .25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 6.1pt; margin-right: 18.65pt; margin-top: .05pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">For more
information on Kim Cox, <b>Rave Reviews
Book Club, </b>and other great authors, visit:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h1 style="line-height: 13.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 133.15pt; margin-right: 18.65pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="color: blue;">https://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com</span></u><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h2 style="line-height: 13.7pt; margin-top: 3.75pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<b>Rave Reviews Book Club </b>authorizes the
immediate use of any of the above information (in part or in whole) for
publication.<o:p></o:p></h2>
Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-79944575422890821902016-01-25T07:38:00.001-08:002016-04-07T16:12:49.140-07:00 #RRBC “SPOTLIGHT”AUTHOR, GORDON BICKERSTAFF Is Here!<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://nonniewrites.wordpress.com/2016/01/24/rrbc-spotlightauthor-gordon-bickerstaff-is-here/"><span style="font-size: large;">Reblogged from Watch Nonnie Write!:</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I am happy to host <a href="http://wp.me/P49Fi9-49">RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB’S “SPOTLIGHT”Author, Gordon Bickerstaff!</a> I’m happy to do so because Gordon is one of the most supportive members within the club and when you give support the way he does, you can sit here on my sofa and speak to my blog followers any day of the week…twice on Sunday, if you so choose! And now, I turn it all over to Gordon!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://nonniewrites.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/gfb-author-bio-pic.jpg?w=720" /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">WRITING A TRILOGY – PLANNING</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I was young, I read Ian Fleming and more recently, I’ve read a lot of Lee Child. I knew I wanted to write a series when I started writing fiction, but I didn’t initially plan the first three books to be a trilogy. To me, the prospect of planning for three, seemed too overwhelming.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve read that JK Rowling planned her Harry Potter series for five years before she started to write – so planning is key. The first draft of my first book ran to 130,000 words and I hadn’t finished the story. I realised it would be too long, so I accepted that it would spill into a sequel. Then, as every writer knows, the characters and the story grew organically, and by the time I’d finished the first book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Secrets-Gavin-Shawlens-Thriller-ebook/dp/B008C1C03Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453655643&sr=1-1&keywords=deadly+secrets+by+gordon+bickerstaff">DEADLY SECRETS</a>, I knew it would become a trilogy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A big planning decision at the start is whether each book will be self-contained or must be read in sequence to make sense. It is equally possible to have three books in one, or one book in three volumes. The approach for each one is different and it is important to decide early on which it will be. I decided that the Gavin Shawlens thriller series would be standalone books, but that anyone reading the trilogy, would gain the added enjoyment of discovering the trilogy story arcs that bind them together.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Every writer has his or her own style, but for me, I have to have the beginning and the end solidly sketched out so I know where I’m coming from and where I am going. So, the ending in the third book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Fox-Gavin-Shawlens-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00TFS63C2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453655596&sr=1-1&keywords=the+black+fox+by+gordon+bickerstaff">THE BLACK FOX,</a> was known to me when I was writing the first book. I think that it is essential to have that basic structure, so that you can plan for the end of the third book to bring closure to the trilogy. I think it would be difficult for me to write a good ending to the third book that had not been planned in the first two.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Good planning will establish and distinguish book story arcs and trilogy story arcs. The former will be complete in one book and the latter will complete in the third book. Working these out allows you to interweave them so the trilogy arcs become natural background in the book story arcs. I enjoyed the challenge of finding opportunities to fit a trilogy story arc into a book story arc.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For example, I wanted a trilogy romantic arc for Gavin Shawlens that had history (starting when he was sixteen), but not a simple one. One that has been painful and had a dramatic impact on his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">SPOILER ALERT!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In Bk1 he is reunited with the love of his life, and life is good – then it is under threat. In Bk2, this love is completely lost, which leaves him devastated and suicidal. This trilogy arc is embedded in the Bk2 story arcs and the reader thinks the romantic arc is completed. Then in Bk3, a dramatic twist brings the real conclusion of the trilogy romantic arc.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://nonniewrites.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/the-black-fox-by-gordon-bickerstaff.jpg?w=720" /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Buy Gordon Bickerstaff’s Books</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Fox-Gavin-Shawlens-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00TFS63C2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&&qid=1452106437&&sr=8-5&&keywords=gordon+bickerstaff"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon-UK </span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TFS63C2?keywords=the%20black%20fox%20gordon%20bickerstaff&&qid=1452723547&&ref_=sr_1_1&&s=digital-text&&sr=1-1"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon-USA</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Follow Gordon Bickerstaff here:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://goo.gl/2in8SX"><span style="font-size: large;">Website</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Twitter handle: <a href="http://twitter.com/ADPase">@ADPase</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by, Gordon and if you would like to follow along with the rest of Gordon’s blog tour (we hope you will), you may do so by clicking <a href="http://wp.me/P49Fi9-49">here</a>!</span>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-60782317051633584652016-01-19T07:37:00.002-08:002016-01-19T07:42:26.822-08:00Sweet Temptation Blog Tour!<h2 class="theme-p-title theme-color3" data-clicktarget="#" data-target="title" style="font-family: sm_franklin_gothic-7n, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 10px; text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;">
SWEET TEMPTATION BLOG TOUR</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9wc_tZiO3Nng3n9fxF3_Hh8W39Wuohi-abVuzzBR-is3Sg-AimF9K_g2RvobznKiA74iTI06GQDwWGTMyB1chnre_BMCR-7QmNniCQJnvyTX8V4wD-pCbnjvMfY5Br_g29z9HB1v/s1600/Sweet+Temptation+Ad5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9wc_tZiO3Nng3n9fxF3_Hh8W39Wuohi-abVuzzBR-is3Sg-AimF9K_g2RvobznKiA74iTI06GQDwWGTMyB1chnre_BMCR-7QmNniCQJnvyTX8V4wD-pCbnjvMfY5Br_g29z9HB1v/s320/Sweet+Temptation+Ad5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="theme-p theme-color-4" data-target="content" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 12px; word-wrap: break-word;">
One week before the release of <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Sweet Temptation</em> I was asked if I was doing a blog tour to promote the book. Blog tour? What's a blog tour? As I usually do when I haven't a clue about something, I YouTube it. I discovered a Blog Tour is a thing of wonder and I wanted one. The only problem was, they take months to plan. I had seven days. Thanks to Valerie and Tim Hemlin for pointing me in the right direction. I only had to put the need out there to the amazing community of authors and bloggers on Facebook and in a very short time I had offers rolling in! Astonishing! If they didn't have a blog or website, they offered to make promo posts. I can never thank these folks enough for pitching in at the last minute and doing such an amazing job!<br />
<br />
<div style="padding: 0px;">
Here are the stops on the <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Sweet Temptation</em> Blog Tour. I encourage you to visit and leave me a comment. I'll select one comment to win a free copy of Sweet Temptation or an upcoming release!</div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-8634914693" href="http://happilyeverafter-cgtetreault.blogspot.com/2016/01/new-release-sweet-temptation-by.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Christina Tetreault</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-5982500855" href="http://julienichollsauthor.blogspot.bg/?zx=83c97821b349615b" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Julie Nicholls</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-7655550344" href="http://jmmaurer.blogspot.com/2016/01/jmmaurer1-newrelease-sweet-temptation.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">JM Maurer</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-6435672361" href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1499204697" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Kathy Golden</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-9938392861" href="https://kimwrtr.wordpress.com/2016/01/03/new-release-sweet-temptation-by-lizabeth-scott/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Kim Cox</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-4062535326" href="https://jenwintersne.wordpress.com/2016/01/07/1193/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Jen Winters</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-4280022149" href="http://venturegalleries.com/blog/thursday-sampler-sweet-temptation-by-lizabeth-scott/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Venture Galleries</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-5169761688" href="http://mistralkdawn.blogspot.com/2016/01/newrelease-announcement-sweet.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Mistral Dawn</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-9104657513" href="https://lynetteecreswell.wordpress.com/2016/01/10/sweet-temptation-the-new-novel-from-lizabeth-scott/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Lynette Creswell</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-5655827522" href="http://karensbooksandreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/sweet-temptation-by-lizabeth-scott.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Kathy Mossman</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-1087513265" href="http://thebohemianhousewife.com/sweet-temptation-by-lizabeth-scott-blog-tour/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">The Bohemian Housewife</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-6917665775" href="http://amazingkindleooks.tumblr.com/post/136735806862/sweet-royal-beginnings-jane-mikal-a-royal-vow" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Amazing Kindle Books</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-4925684381" href="http://authorsdb.com/chick-lit/20951-sweet-temptation" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Authorsdb</a> - Be sure and vote for my 2016 Cover!</div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-9371967485" href="http://www.blackcaviar-bookclub.com/contemporary-romance-sweet-temptation.html#.Vo1F8lKJ--d" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Black Caviar Bookclub</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-2145836244" href="http://christinapaulbooks.blogspot.com/?_sm_au_=iVV7sQbmqrDF524h" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Christina Paul</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-8316505327" href="http://timhemlin.com/2016/01/09/a-royal-release-for-lizabeth-scott/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Tim Hemlin</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<a data-id="l-3647683782" href="http://www.susanjeanricci.com/blog/please-welcome-my-special-guest-lizabeth-scott" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1c6e98; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Susan Ricci</a></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
If I've missed anyone, PLEASE let me know so I may thank you personally.</div>
</div>
Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-51204431094490853052016-01-04T07:52:00.000-08:002016-01-04T07:52:00.427-08:00The Spotlight is on Feature Author: Julie Nicholls!<div class="x_separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt4TdME1nPZwDjaUVcpYUaSdjL3MMn3-phzuY5QECPgUYDuXVF_HkT8B2P9WMhOJIAnAQGXh9Gq0P2sUygGdK1B7-fhVLHNBZ3bvwBJh6iklCuOpe3C38A70wRCcuWRKkgslCZs8szCKQ/s1600/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt4TdME1nPZwDjaUVcpYUaSdjL3MMn3-phzuY5QECPgUYDuXVF_HkT8B2P9WMhOJIAnAQGXh9Gq0P2sUygGdK1B7-fhVLHNBZ3bvwBJh6iklCuOpe3C38A70wRCcuWRKkgslCZs8szCKQ/s400/2.jpg" style="border: none;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="x_separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Exciting times today for my friend, Julie Nicholls! Julie is an amazing author and talented graphic artist who is totally fixated on Momoa, but that's another story. Check out her latest release <i>Blood Ties</i>!</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" />
<br style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;"><u>Julie:</u></b><br />
<br style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Hey peeps! Today is the official release day for </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Blood Ties</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">! In case you need another sneaky peek to whet your appetite, here's a little more from the book. </span><strong style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">This is a paranormal, shifter, werewolf, romance, and it's currently available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019QTBI6U" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> & <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B019QTBI6U" target="_blank">Amazon.co.uk</a></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="x_separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://julienicholls.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/paperback-image-3.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-1037" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00018]" class="x_size-medium x_wp-image-1037 x_alignright" src="http://julienicholls.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/paperback-image-3-300x232.jpg" height="232" style="border: none;" width="300" /></a></div>
<br style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" />
<strong style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;"></strong><br style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">I've spent some time making the paperback quite special, and if you're a collector of 'real' books, I hope you'll consider adding <i>Blood Ties</i> to your collection. </span><br />
<div class="x_separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2rCN0uQ4tejrL1GdWEQ66RHu4rOO_vOxXYfgQ27hxb9xx31lvTdQVNy1_xVwiZpt_saBNgmwRrn5IeeCktlyb3jI4tbQekODsaVshVyjGwhiRSmnL4fkrH9u2ol67pOq0cVOqrjMAIlS/s1600/2.jpg" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2rCN0uQ4tejrL1GdWEQ66RHu4rOO_vOxXYfgQ27hxb9xx31lvTdQVNy1_xVwiZpt_saBNgmwRrn5IeeCktlyb3jI4tbQekODsaVshVyjGwhiRSmnL4fkrH9u2ol67pOq0cVOqrjMAIlS/s320/2.jpg" style="border: none;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="x_separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">
<span style="text-align: center;">The first letter of each chapter has a wolf motif which I've created in Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.</span></div>
<div class="x_separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGuWs2-ruxy2aB3wZ3cJdf_f7VB4boJNjPfTnRt012azNNo0UBR4Xc3Wiyi4SjoMTYG2ps6lgCIepwJ51MHkTwVWlphMKlKrdrz70aBjG9tXy6Tts23sEteNdkxVpWCYdTOnBvJJjgezH/s1600/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGuWs2-ruxy2aB3wZ3cJdf_f7VB4boJNjPfTnRt012azNNo0UBR4Xc3Wiyi4SjoMTYG2ps6lgCIepwJ51MHkTwVWlphMKlKrdrz70aBjG9tXy6Tts23sEteNdkxVpWCYdTOnBvJJjgezH/s320/3.jpg" style="border: none;" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">I hope you like the design and for the readers who like to hold a book, this is a perfect gift. The paperback is available from:</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
Createspace: <a href="https://www.createspace.com/5963287" target="_blank">Buy Link</a> or via Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Ties-Trilogy-1/dp/1522937870/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1451316078&sr=8-1&keywords=Blood+Ties+by+J+Nicholls" target="_blank">Buy Link</a></div>
<br style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;"><u><br /></u></b><b style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;"><u>Excerpt:</u></b><br />
<br style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">The morning looked promising. Keagen was on the road, traveling to a small town he’d never heard of. Filled with elation, thoughts of catching his prey made him smile. There was no need to rush. Despite his need to snag the escapee, he took a leisurely drive. Intel he received advised of a stranger who'd set up house in Dewburn Falls, and was deemed a </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">‘badass.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Keagen smirked. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">There’s a new player coming to town. Move over badass.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Relaxing into the soft leather seat of the BMW 328i, one of Keagen’s favorite rides, he took in the scenery and thought about his plan of action. Meticulously organized, he always had a fallback plan. He wasn’t at home being Mr. Cock-up, and hated if someone fucked up, which wasn’t too often as he mostly worked alone. Forced to team up on one occasion, it didn’t go well, resulting in a few deaths. Kicking off, Keagen said it was either his way, or he was retiring, which was funny considering they owned him; despite his reluctance to admit it. While he was comfortable, he’d put up with their shit and continued along his merry way. Doing their dirty work. With access to fast cars, the best weaponry, some not even on the market officially, and recreation time to fuck, life was good. He wanted it to continue.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">His mind took him back to when it wasn’t so pleasurable, and his hands tightened around the steering wheel as he growled. While he didn’t have many memories remaining, he knew it wasn’t good. Faded scars on his body were the only reminders of his childhood, since Solgen wiped his memory. It was the standard protocol to start with a clean mind, and easier. Still perfecting the procedure, the scientists had made a few errors, but Keagen was their most successful guinea pig. Receiving top marks in all the tests, he confirmed loyalty to the company and, therefore, was allowed to leave the compound. At first, he was under supervision, but that had soon changed. After excelling in each mission within a few months, his reputation soared. Managing a hundred percent retrieval rate, with a required eighty percent coming in alive, he was the top dog. The twenty percent died because they resisted capture and return back to the labs. Keagen was strong. At the start of his hunting career, he didn’t know his own strength. Rarely bringing home a dead one these days, he’d learned to master his body and the enhancements.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="x_separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://julienicholls.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/AVATAR-FOR-AUTHOR-PAGE.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-1032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="AVATAR FOR AUTHOR PAGE" class="x_size-medium x_wp-image-1032 x_alignright" src="http://julienicholls.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/AVATAR-FOR-AUTHOR-PAGE-300x300.jpg" height="300" style="border: none;" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="x_separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="x_separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<strong style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">When you <a href="http://julienicholls.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3a4a14daa6e8c318c017fc35d&id=2bb6d57503" target="_blank">sign up</a> to my official email list, you can download <i>Demon Within</i> FREE (retail $3 .99)</strong>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-85605446058622595632016-01-03T07:41:00.001-08:002016-01-03T07:41:41.250-08:00Sweet Temptation - Buy links in description<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MfbCZOCuS64" width="480"></iframe>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-15224658627843121052015-12-28T19:51:00.001-08:002015-12-28T19:51:40.753-08:00Lizabeth Scott Contemporary Romance Ebook Author: Holiday Story Hop<a href="http://lizabethscottauthor.blogspot.com/p/join-us-on-december-20th-as-great-group.html?spref=bl">Lizabeth Scott Contemporary Romance Ebook Author: Holiday Story Hop</a>: H o l i d a y Story Hop Christmas Dreams by Lizabeth Scott Patting his pants pocket for the thousandth time, Christian ca...Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-78055231219554994062015-05-24T07:43:00.000-07:002015-05-24T07:43:24.771-07:00Emma and Leo Chapter 1-4<h2 style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586324"><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Liz's Progressive Novel</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah, I don't like that name either so you need to help me think of another one. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hey everyone!</span></div>
</a><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586324"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586324" style="line-height: 107%; text-align: justify;"></a></div>
<div style="display: inline !important; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here's Chapter 4 per your suggestions. If I may ask a favor, please share my link with any friends you think might enjoy our story. I would greatly appreciate the support!</span></div>
</h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">If you would like to subscribe to my newsletter you may do so at www.lizabethscottbooks.com</span><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586324"><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">PLEASE keep the comments coming. Chapter 5 needs some of your marvelous input.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As always, let me put a disclaimer in here.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. I have no idea if this is going to work. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. This will be raw and unedited. You will see all my ticks and flaws that drive my editors crazy! </span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. See #2. This can't be stressed enough. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4. I reserve the right to re-write any previous parts if needed.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Copyright 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">All rights reserved<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</a><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586324"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, currently known or future inventions except as may be expressly permitted in writing from </span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1272676616">lizabeth@</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><a href="http://lizabethscottbooks.com/">LizabethScottBooks.com</a></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">
</div>
</h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify;">
</h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586324"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHAPTER ONE</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
Matthews stood proudly on the deck of the Shark Tracker as she navigated the
waters back to the dock after a successful tagging. Her sun streaked brown hair
flew behind her in the breeze as the boat rose and dipped with each wave. Dark
sunglasses shielded her hazel eyes from the beating sun. A strong wave sprayed
her face. Emma laughed and whipped off her glasses. She was never happier than
when she was flying across the blue sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Behind
her she could hear the conversation of her co-workers which was still focused
on the fourteen footer they had tagged that day. It had been an exceptional tag
and Emma couldn’t wait to get back to her office and begin entering the data
they had gathered and begin tracking the great white they had named Mary Beth.
Jeff would take the biology samples back to the lab and begin running
diagnostics on them. Soon, they would know all the secrets of Mary Beth and
would be able to track her movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Hey
Em, do you think MB’s heading north?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“That
would be my guess, this early in the season.” As a marine biologist Emma knew
shark patterns this time of the year headed north. One of the exciting parts of
her job was when a shark varied from the norm and went rogue. You’ve never seen
a group of scientist more excited than when a deviated pattern was noted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
turned back around and lowered her speed as the dock drew near. She cut the
engine and drifted in the last few feet before pushing the button to lower
anchor. Paul was already on the dock tying her down. Emma picked up her bag and
cases. Paul would close the boat for the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“See
you guys tomorrow. Five sharp.” Emma waved at the groaning group and sailed
past Paul and the guys with her head already running the data pattern she
planned to use for Mary Beth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Once
in her office she sat her things down and powered up her computers. While she
waited for them to come on she put a pot of tea on and changed from her one
piece bathing suit to a T-shirt and cut-off blue jeans shorts. That was the
wonderful convenience of working from home. Emma’s office was the open sea or
in her one bedroom cottage overlooking the ocean. Sometimes she was required to
be onsite at the lab or training facility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Just
as she was tucking in to work her phone rang. After checking the display she
grimaced before she pushed the button to answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Hi
mother,” always mother, never mom. Emma put her mother on speaker phone and
opened her Shark Tracker program. She had learned long ago it was best to only
listen with half an ear. Neither of her parents approved of her career choice,
her mother especially. Her mother would have been happy if she had married well
and had already produced two point five offspring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Emmaline,
seven o’clock sharp tonight, and wear a dress. Not one of those awful
sundresses of yours either, a cocktail dress, preferably black. You know how
your skin looks all mottled with those garish colors you insist on wearing. And
do something to that hair of yours. I wish you would let me make you an
appointment with my stylist. She could tame that wild hair of yours into some
semblance of order. You get that from your father’s side you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Yes
mother.” Emma said and then popped her head up from her computer and ran her
mother’s conversation back through her mind, “I mean no mother, I will fix my
own hair, but thank you for offering.” Emma answered politely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“And
Emmaline, wear make-up, you simply must cover that sun damage on your face. Why
you think a tanned face is acceptable is beyond me. You should be taking care
of your skin at your age you can’t be too careful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
propped her elbows on her desk and dropped her head into them. She was only
thirty years old, and always used sunblock on her face and body, and reapplied
often. People said her skin looked sun-kissed and healthy. She couldn’t help it,
she spent the majority of her day outside, and mostly on the water. That was,
after all, where the sharks she caught and tagged were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">But
of course, her mother didn’t really understand her job and she wanted to keep
it that way. “Yes, mother I will be there on time. I promise.” Her mother
thought she worked at an aquarium, and Emma would do nothing to dissuade her
from that misassumption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Very
well, be sure that you are. You know your father doesn’t like to be kept
waiting. I will send the car for you at six fifteen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Yes
mother.” Her father could care less if she was five minutes late. Her mother
however would have a cow. Emma would admit that she did have time issues, but
she had never been late to her parent’s dinners. Well, not very late. Expect
for that one time and then she was extremely late. That however, had been the
sharks fault not hers and had required fifteen stitches in her leg, which her
parents never knew about and never would.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
told her mother good-bye and hung up wondering who was on the menu tonight.
Once a month her parents would invite her to dinner and just happen to have
invited a pre-vetted single male candidate for her dating pleasure. Her mother
always sent the limousine to pick her up, so said candidate could take her home.
To date, no one her mother had chosen as acceptable even registered on Emma’s hotness
scale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">At
precisely seven o’clock that evening Emma, in her black above the knee cocktail
dress walked into her parent’s foyer. She stopped to smell the roses, literally
on the round marble table under the massive chandelier hanging two stories
above. She could hear everyone in the back parlor but she took her time
enjoying the flowers and sticking her head in the kitchen to tell Sally and
Maude hello before she walked through the grand French doors and greeted her
parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Hey
Daddy.” Her father wrapped her in a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“How’s
my little girl?” Her dad gave her a kiss on the cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
fine we had an exciting day at work.” Her father had a better understanding of
her work but he still had no idea of the extent of her involvement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“There
she is.” Emma turned at her mother’s greeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart,
this is our daughter Emmaline. Emmaline this is a friend of your fathers,
Stewart Rawleigh.” Her mother literally preened over the introduction as she picked
invisible lint from Emma’s dress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“It’s
a pleasure to meet you Mr. Rawleigh.” Emma said as she shook his hand politely
before cutting her eyes towards her mother. Surely her mother wasn’t seriously
entertaining the idea that Mr. Stewart Rawleigh was candidate material. He had
to be close to her dad’s age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart,
please Emmaline.” He said as he clasped Emma’s small hand in his large, cold,
and clammy hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
smiled uncomfortably as his eyes roved her body stopping way too long on her
breasts. She tried to politely remove her hand from his but he held tightly,
“Stewart, and please call me Emma.” A shiver ran through her and it wasn’t a
good shiver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Why
don’t you children run along and get to know each other before dinner is
announced. The roses are lovely this time of year, Emmaline would be more than
happy to show you Stewart.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma’s
could tell her mother was very pleased with herself. Without causing a scene
she accompanied Stewart to the garden, and for the remainder of the night
played twister getting away from his grouping hands. There was no way she was
letting Stewart take her home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Two
hours later Emma sat in the back of Stewart’s limousine steaming mad. Her
mother had insisted she allow Mr. Pawsy to take her home. Her feet hurt from
the ridiculous shoes she had worn to please her mother, she had a headache due
to the riveting conversation she had been made to endure throughout dinner and
now, she was stuck in the back of a car with a very unwanted hand on her knee
for the fifth time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
had had enough. “Stewart,” she said sweetly. “If you don’t remove your hand
from my knee, I will remove it for you and I can’t promise your fingers will be
in the same condition they are now?” Emma said sweetly, but with a determined
glint in her eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Oh
now, Emma,” Stewart patted her on the knee, “we are just getting to know each
other. Your folks are real happy we’re going to start seeing each other.” His
hand on her knee began to more up her thigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
brushed his hand off her leg and demanded, “What?” He had to be delusional if
he thought she wanted to see him again. Once was more than enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Stewart
put his arm around Emma’s shoulders and pulled her close into his side. “I told
your mother your age didn’t bother me at all.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“My
age. Wha…” Emma was too stunned to move away. He really thought she was too old
for him? He had to be at least twenty years older than her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“We’ll
date and get to know each other, and well, you know, take things for a test
drive,” he gave her shoulder a squeeze, and winked at her before he continued,
“and then we’ll get married in a month or two.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Married…”
Emma looked around the limousine for a camera. This had to be a joke. The guys
at work at to be in on this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
sure you want kids right off before your eggs dry up. Your mother said she
would only need a month to get a shindig ready.” Stewart’s hand returned to her
knee and Emma could smell his kickin’ breath move closer to her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Stop
the car.” Finally her senses returned. She sat up straight, and in doing so
knocked Stewart in the nose with the top of her head as he moved in for a kiss.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Driver,
stop the car now.” Stewart held his nose and moaned about it being broken. She
hadn’t hit him that hard. He was just being a baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">The
limousine pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. Emma opened the door
and got out as quickly as she could. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Mr.
Rawleigh, there has been a misunderstanding. I am not on deaths door, and I am
certainly not going to marry you. If my mother said I was, she was mistaken. I
will not now, or ever consent to marry you.” With that she slammed the door in
his shocked face and started walking towards the bus stop. The limousine sped
away and that was fine with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
had only gotten as far as the corner when a siren sounded behind her and a
police car screeched to a stop in front of her. Two police officers got out of
the car and walked towards her, “Ma’am, may we see some identification?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“What?”
Emma’s heel hit a rock and she tilted precariously before she caught herself
and straighten back up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“We
need to see your identification.” One officer repeated as they both surrounded
her and nodded to each other. It was obvious the perp was intoxicated. She
couldn’t even stand up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
reached for her bag and then realized she must have left it in Pawsy’s car.
“I’m sorry. I must have left my bag in the limousine.” She pasted her best
innocent smile on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Ma’am,
solicitation is against the law.” One of the officers said as he reached behind
his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Solici…what?”
Emma couldn’t process what his intentions were, “No, no…” When the lightbulb
went off in her mind, she was so shocked, she couldn’t even defend herself.
They thought she was a prostitute?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Put
your hands on the hood of the car ma’am and spread your legs.” The other
officer said as he spun her around facing the police cruiser.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“No,
you don’t understand. You have it all wrong.” Emma tried to turn around and
explain but a hand pushing on her back prevented her from moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Ma’am
are you resisting arrest?” One officer asked just before Emma felt cold hard
steel touch her skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Before
Emma knew what was happening, she was handcuffed and sitting in the back of a
police cruiser with her head spinning. What had just happened?<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586325"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHAPTER
TWO</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
waited in his car across from the police station. His mark, Vito Ramone Vargas had
been picked up for questioning, and had called his number one to pick him up.
Leo had been working for the past week trying to find out who Vito’s supplier
was and how his drug shipments were getting in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">It
had been a while since Leo had been in the field and felt the rush of adrenalin
when working undercover. He missed that part of it. The part he didn’t miss was
being shot at, living in roach infested motels, and being away from his family
for months at a time. That was why he had started his own business. Now days,
he ran operations from the comfort of his desk, or war room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">This
job had come up suddenly and everyone else was already on another case. The
money was good but that wasn’t why he accepted. Eliminating a major trafficking
ring was all the incentive Leo had needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
and his five hand-picked friends from his SEAL days were now partners in a top
secret security business. They were called in by governments and major
corporations all over the world to handle situations before they became
situations. Their mode of operation was to come in under the radar and leave
just as invisibly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
had finally gotten inside Vargas’ inner circle. Soon now he would be able to supply
his people with the name they needed, and Vitto, and his cronies would be
history. His eyes drifted to the front door as he reached into his duffle bag,
and pulled out a bottle of water. The waiting…he didn’t miss at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
scratched his earlobe. The earrings were driving him crazy. How did women wear
them all the time? It had been years since he had worn an earring but he needed
to look the part. His wardrobe department had gone a bit overboard dressing
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">His
phone vibrated, he smiled when he saw the name on the display. His mother had
no idea of the time zone he was in. By her time she was just settling in to
watch her favorite shows on television. “Hi Mamma.” His eyes kept watch on the
two large glass doors for Vito.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Lorenzo,
what is this I hear, you no come to the family dinner on Sunday? Why do you
wanna make your Mamma cry? Your father just said, Lorenzo is working this
weekend. Working! Since when does my boy work on the Sunday. Your father, he
must be wrong. This is right, yes Lorenzo?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
smiled, his mom had lived in the United States for over forty years but she
still had a thick Italian accent, “I’m sorry but yes, I’m working this
weekend.” Leo scrunched down in his seat as two uniformed officers exited the
building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“But
why? I wanted you to meet Mrs. De Santos’ daughter. She is a lovely girl I know
you will be so happy to meet her. She would make a good wife Lorenzo and her
hips they are wide, she will have many babies. This I know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
scrubbed his hand down his scruffy face before answering, “I’m sorry Mamma, but
I will be working.” He knew what that statement would mean to his mother, it
would be like waving a red flag in front of an angry bull, but he would be
lucky to wrap the assignment up within two weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“What
will I tell Mrs. De Santos? I have already told her you will be here to meet
her daughter. They have made plans already.” Leo frowned, his mother switched
to Italian which was never a good sign. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
don’t need help finding a wife, Mamma.” His mother had been trying for years to
set him up with any and every marriageable age women in town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“This
I do not believe. You never bring anyone home. I worry Lorenzo. I worry that
you will die and never know the happiness that your father and I have had,
sharing our lives with each other and with our children. That is what I want
for you.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, his mother had turned on the tear
works as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
know Mamma, and I want that too. But, I have to do this my way.” He said softer,
hoping she would understand and back off. It wasn’t like he wasn’t trying to
find a wife. Okay, so it was like he wasn’t trying to find a wife. But what was
the rush? He was only thirty four.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“When?”
She pressed him for an answer the tears mysteriously dried up, “You are not
even dating anyone. You need my help to find a nice young woman. Let me help
you. I will call Mrs. Amaya. She knows all the eligible young women…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“No
Mamma,” Leo cut in. He needed to put a stop to her meddling before she
contacted Mrs. Amaya. Leo shivered at the thought. “I mean, that’s not
necessary. I am already seeing someone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“You
are?” He knew his mamma would pounce on that information, “Who? Is it someone
we know? When did this happen and you didn’t tell your Mamma? Lorenzo this is
wonderful, you have made your Mamma very happy. When will we get to meet her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“We
aaa, haven’t been dating long.” Two more police officers came out and got into
their squad card.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“But
you know she is the one?” His mom was probably already planning the wedding
dinner menu and decorating the church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Um,
yeah. She could be the one. So you don’t have to worry anymore Mamma.” He
looked to the heavens and held his breath. Luckily he didn’t see or hear any lightning
bolts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
must meet her Lorenzo. Next Sunday, bring her to Sunday dinner with the
family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Mom,
we just started dating. I can’t do that to her. She will never see me again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Lorenzo,”
His mother scolded, “you do what your mother tells you to do. No argument. Next
Sunday. I will not invite the cousins. They have no manners. They act like they
were raised in a barn I always tell your father this.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Mamma,
I’ve got to go. I love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
love you too my son. Next Sunday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
disconnected the call and tossed his phone into the seat beside him and hit his
head over and over again on the steering wheel. What had he gotten himself into
now? How was he going to produce a girlfriend that didn’t exist in two weeks?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">He
stopped pounding his head against the wheel, he could ask his secretary Shannon
to pretend to be his girlfriend. After all her husband Mitch wasn’t only his
business partner he was also his best friend. If he had a wife he would let
Mitch borrow her for Sunday dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
sat up straighter as the door of the police station opened. It was about time our
boy Vargas came out. Leo blinked his eyes and looked again. It wasn’t Vargas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Hello
beautiful.” Leo said to himself as he watched the tall leggy vision leave the building,
cross the street, and walk down the sidewalk, directly towards him. The closer
she came the better the view. He couldn’t decide. Was her hair brown or blonde?
Some pieces were a darker blonde or was it a light brown? And then some looked
like the sun had streaked parts almost white. All the different shades mixed
together made her hair come alive and glow in the darkness of the night as it
bounced around her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
gave up all pretense of watching for Vargas. He only had eyes for the bombshell
coming his way. Her black dress looked conservative at first glance, but the
closer she came the less he cared about Vargas slipping past him. The short, tight,
black, number showed off her bare shoulders, and arms to perfection. Her tanned
legs looked even longer in those ridiculously high heels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">But
oh what he wouldn’t give to see her in those heels…only those heels. The
handcuffs in his back pocket practically burned a hole through his pants
begging to be used. He could see her now, handcuffed to his bed with those
lethal heels and nothing but her creamy smooth skin in between. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
kept his eyes on the lovely lady. She paused on the sidewalk. Her arms wrapped
around her waist as she shifted from foot to foot looking up and down the road
anxiously. He thought he saw her brush away a tear. Women’s tears were his
downfall. Before he could stop and talk himself out of it, Leo slammed the car
door and walked slowly towards her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Hearing
someone approach Emma glanced towards the noise, and her beautiful blue eyes
widened in fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
slowed his approach, he didn’t usually have that effect on the ladies but then
again he didn’t usually look like a biker gone bad either. His own Mamma
wouldn’t recognize him right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma’s
heart stopped when she saw the huge rough man walking towards her. All of the
news articles she had never heard or read about abductions raced through her
mind. She glanced across the street hoping to catch the attention of an officer
going in or out of the station. It seemed her luck was still holding out on her
tonight. There wasn’t a soul in sight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
nervously shifted her eyes back to him. He was close enough now for her to see
some of the intricate tattoo’s decorating his arms. There wasn’t an inch of
un-inked skin showing. She couldn’t help but wonder how long it took to cover
such a massive area. His biceps must measure a foot in circumference easily.
His dark gray t-shirt was pulled tightly across his chest, and she could see
more ink coming from under the collar and up onto his neck. He even had ink on
his right cheekbone. She couldn’t quite make it out, a star maybe or a tear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Each
time his shaggy brown hair whipped in the breeze, Emma caught a flash of gold
hoop earrings. A menacing black skull cap was pulled down low on his forehead,
and his intense brown eyes were fixed directly on her. She knew where the
saying ‘deer in the headlights’ came from, because there was no way she could
break the trance his eyes had her under. She was incapable of turning around
and running back across the street to safety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
sorry ma’am,” Leo said as he held his hands up, in what he hoped, was a
non-threating gesture. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. You just looked like you
needed help. Is everything alright?” Leo didn’t know how to assure her he meant
her no harm. Looking the way he did, and as late as it was, he really couldn’t
blame her for being suspicious. Her eyes kept darting from him to the police
station and then back to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Back
up mister, I know karate and I’m not afraid to take you down.” Emma forced her
five foot four inch body, into at least, five foot eight and one quarter inches
of pure female terror in heels. She planted her heels shoulder width apart like
her karate instructor had taught her and balled her hands into tiny fists of
fury. Her only thought…why didn’t she go back for lesson number two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Oh
please, he would love to be horizontal with her Leo thought, as he tried to
hide his smile at her weak attempt to intimidate him. She was a small thing and
even the thought of her taking him down was ridiculous and…exciting. “It’s
late. Someone like you shouldn’t be out this late in this area.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Someone
like me?” Emma repeated. Her chin went up and her entire posture changed from
one of combat to one of irritation and outrage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
could almost see the hairs on the back of her neck stand up she was so irate.
Once again he fought the smile that threatened. “Yes. Someone beautiful, like
you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Are
you flirting with me?” Emma didn’t understand it. She should be terrified of
the monster man in front of her. But there was just something about…his eyes.
That was it. She saw no threat or danger in his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
gave her what he hoped was his best smile before answering, “Well if you have
to ask I must not be doing it correctly. My name’s Leo.” He held out his hand
to shake but all she did was stare at his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
had never seen a hand as big as the one in front of her. She worked with some
huge guys, but the hand being held out to her was massive. He could probably
crush her throat with very little effort. The span of his hand would probably
reach all the way around her neck. She tilted her head to get a better look at
his fingers. They were long and lithe with neatly trimmed nails, which didn’t
really match the rest of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
jumped when he cleared his throat. She felt her face heat and couldn’t believe
how rudely she had been staring. Finally, she he reached out to shake his hand
and marveled at how tiny her hand looked in contrast to his. When he enclosed
her hand into the warmth and strength of his, his heat spread through her body,
all the way to her most infrequently used girl parts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Emmma.”
She squeaked out, cleared her own throat and tried again. “I mean, my name is
Emma.” She said as she smiled into the most amused and gorgeous brown eyes she
had ever seen. They reminded her of the baby seals she had catalogued a few
years back. Mesmerizing. They really shouldn’t make her shiver inside, at least
not in a good way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“It’s
nice to meet you Emma. Can I help you get somewhere?” Leo chanced taking a few
steps closer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“No,
I mean, I do need to get somewhere but I can find my own way.” Emma watched him
warily. If she sprinted she could probably make it off the sidewalk before he
caught her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Are
you sure? I would be happy to see you home safely.” Leo saw her hesitancy and
once again he didn’t blame her. If any of his sisters or female cousins got
into a car late at night with a strange man, especially one as rough looking as
he was, they wouldn’t be able to sit for a week, because he would tan their
hides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">He
took his phone out and handed it to her. “Here, do you need to call someone to come
get you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
looked at his cellphone. She had already called her friends from the police
station. They were still out celebrating their catch. She had left messages on
their phones. That only left…she grimaced at the thought, her parents. No way
would she call them to rescue her from the police station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“No
thank you, I don’t have anyone to call that I haven’t already left messages
with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Can
I call a taxi for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">That
would be nice, but she didn’t have her bag which meant she had no money to pay for
the cab. If she ever saw Pawsy again, she just may feed him to a shark! No, she
wouldn’t do that to a shark, Pawsy would probably give the shark indigestion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“No
thank you, I’ll just wait here until my friends come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
knew he was going to regret what he was about to do, but there was no way he
could leave her, “Here, take my phone, and call anyone in the contact list. Ask
them if it’s safe for me to take you home.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
glanced at his phone. She had one just like it, but in his hand it looked like a
toy phone. What choice did she have? The guys probably wouldn’t check their
phone till in the morning and she didn’t relish the idea of sitting outside for
the remainder of the evening. Was she crazy to think about doing as he asked? She
stretched her neck and looked up and down the road for a taxi but nobody was
out at this time of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Thank
you,” she took his phone and pulled up the contact list. Scrolling through she
found the one name she knew she could trust and swiped the arrow to place the call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Her
blue eyes met curious brown ones as she waited for the phone to ring. “Hello.”
A voice with a heavy accent said. If she hadn’t been watching Leo closely, she
would have missed the tiny flicker of fear that entered his eyes and then just
as quickly left. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Umm,
yes ma’am my name is Emma Matthews and I’m calling for Leo.” She still couldn’t
make out the ink on his cheekbone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
can see that, you are calling from his phone. Oh, is this his fidanzata? Emma,
ahh what a bellino name. His papa and I are so happy we will meet you on
Sunday. We have waited so long for our Lorenzo to bring a ragazza speciale home
to meet us. I must call his brothers and sisters, they will be so happy you are
coming to our home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“No,
ma’am. I mean…” Emma had to hold the phone away from her ear as the one sided
conversation continued at a higher octave. All Emma really knew was she was
excited about something special and she sounded like a proud mother. So her
son, whom she was looking at now, could be trusted to see her home safely.
However, he was looking a little green around the edges at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
shrugged and handed the phone back to Leo, his mother still talking a mile a
minute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Mamma,”
Leo tried to interrupt again, he listened to his mother go on and on about
Sunday. He swallowed and closed his eyes. How was he ever going to get out of
it now? She thought she had actual proof his girlfriend existed. Now he not
only had to find a girlfriend, but her name had to be Emma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma’s
eyes sparkled in humor as she watched the big bad man get taken down by his Mamma.
How cute was that? The fierce looking man in front of her called his mother, Mamma?
If she had any reservations left, the last of them just dissolved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Mamma,
I must go now. I love you too. I will try Mamma.” Leo hung up the home and
waited for Emma’s reaction. He didn’t have long to wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Lorenzo?”
Emma asked looking up at him through her lashes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Italian.”
Leo shrugged with his hands, and offered in response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Ahhh,
that explains it. I had no idea what your mother was saying half the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“You’re
invited for Sunday dinner.” Leo said in defeat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Why
would your mother invite me?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Because,
you’re my girlfriend.” He explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“What?”
Emma couldn’t have heard him correctly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Listen,
can I explain in the car. Let me take you home.” Leo held out his hand again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
hesitated only a moment. The ridiculously buff and rough looking man in front
of her would see her home safely. Of that she had no doubt. How she knew
that…she had no idea. She placed her hand in his once more and felt a hum move
through her. “Okay, let’s go.”<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586326"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHAPTER
THREE</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
knew he would have to do some fast talking tomorrow if he wasn’t there to pick
Vargas up tonight. He’d just tell him he lost track of time in the arms of a
blonde and the bottom of a bottle. That, Vargas would understand. After pulling
away from the side of road Leo didn’t give Vargas another thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“So,
what happened, if you don’t mind me asking?” Leo was curious about her reason
for being at the police station. He tried to keep his eyes on the road and away
from her amazingly toned and tanned long legs which were only a few inches from
his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“No,
I don’t mind. Some of it you might even sympathize with. I have a very
overbearing, yet well-meaning mother.” Emma couldn’t explain it. From the
moment she got into his car she had never felt safer in her life. Why was she
not leery of this sinister looking man?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Say
no more, I totally understand. She’s trying to marry you off?” Leo shifted
gears at a stop light and glanced her way. She was so beautiful she took his
breath away. Leo had learned long ago to be cautious of beautiful women. They
were usually way too high maintenance for him. But, Emma wasn’t giving off that
type of vibe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Exactly!
You feel my pain, right?” Emma pulled her hair over her right shoulder and
readjusted in the leather seat, “Once a month I have to show up at my parents’
house and be paraded in front of their latest bachelor of the month. Mother
always has a car sent for me so I can spend time getting to know him when he
takes me home. This month’s bachelor offering was a little too handsy for me so
I told the driver to pull over and got out of the limousine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“He
left you? Alone, at night?” Leo wanted to find the creep and do bodily harm to
any man that would leave a woman alone like that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah,
with a squeal of tires and my bag. I had no identification on me so when the
police saw a woman walking down the street…well, you can imagine what they
assumed.” Emma tried to keep her eyes off of his thigh and hand as he changed
gears. But each time he pushed the clutch in the muscles in his leg tensed and
stretched the ripped denim of his jeans. Her mouth became dry at the same time
her body overheated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
chuckled, “Yeah, I can imagine.” His eyes left the road for an instant as he
glanced her way. The flush of her face puzzled him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“It
was relatively easy to sort out at the station. They were only doing their job.”
Emma looked out the window at the passing scenery which she was in no way
paying attention to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“So
if you have no bag I am guessing you have no keys either.” Leo asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Oh
dear, I hadn’t thought of that. There’s a coffee shop near my house, I will
wait there till morning. My neighbor has a spare key. I don’t want to bother her
this late at night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
didn’t wait for her to finish speaking before he had his phone out. “Nash.
Contact limo services for Ocean Island. A mister…” Leo looked to Emma and
waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart
Rawleigh.” Emma was puzzled, the Leo that was talking on the phone was another
total contradiction to the Leo she met on the street, straight and to the point
as if he was used to taking charge…as if he was used to being in charge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart
Rawleigh hired a limo tonight. His guest left her bag. Have it delivered to…”
He looked at Emma once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“1447
East Ocean Drive,” Emma gave him her address. She had no idea what was going
on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“1447
East Ocean Drive. Our ETA is forty minutes.” Leo disconnected and tossed his
phone on the console between them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“What
was all that about?” Emma asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Your
keys will be waiting on us.” Leo glanced her way and smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“How
did you do that?” She shook her head in disbelief. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
know people.” Leo gave her his best smile and winked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
sucked in her breath, his smile should be illegal, it was totally overpowering
to her female bits. She was afraid to ask what kind of people. “So, what type
of work do you do?” Perhaps she shouldn’t have asked him that. With the way he
looked, and he was waiting outside a police station, did she really want to
know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
in…security.” Leo stumbled over, he couldn’t blow his cover, at least not yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Oh,
like a bodyguard?” She could believe that. He would have no problem with
intimidation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Something
like that. What about you?” It would be safer for her to not know what he was
really doing in town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
work with Oceanic Research.” Emma vaguely answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Oh
really, what do you do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
work with really big fish.” Emma was used to people’s reactions when she said
she worked with sharks. She rarely gave the full details of her job. You were
either a shark fan, or you weren’t. Most she was sad to say, weren’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“So
what, you spend your work day out on the ocean fishing?” Leo laughed and
shifted down to make a turn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Technically
that is a correct assumption.” She tilted her head and tapped her index finger
against her lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
laughed, “ya know sometimes you say things that are totally geeky.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
laughed, that was a comment she was used to, “That’s me Nerdy Girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
was so cute and so innocent. He needed to drop her off and forget about her. He
glanced her way again and this time caught her looking at his legs. His
reaction to the look on her face was instant and strong. He might be able to
drop her off, but he surely wouldn’t forget about her anytime soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“So,
what is this about Sunday dinner with your mom?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">That
certainly deflated his mood quickly, “You know how your mom pushes you to find
your one true love, settle down and then start shooting out babies? Well,
that’s my mom as well. She called earlier today and threatened to get the
neighborhood matchmaker involved if I didn’t hurry things along. I may have
told her I was already seeing someone, and now after talking to you, she thinks
my someone’s name, is Emma.” All the names in his contact list, and she had to
call his mamma. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
laughed at his predicament. “Wow, you really are in trouble.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Tell
me about it. I’ve already been thinking of borrowing my best friend’s wife to
pose as my girlfriend for the day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
laughed again. She hadn’t had this much fun on a date in a long time. Whoa,
date? This wasn’t a date. Did she want to date him? He wasn’t anything like the
guys she usually dated. He wasn’t even in the same area code as the men she
usually dated. She sneaked another glance at his rugged and dangerous good
looks from under her lashes and almost swooned. Yes, swooned. Now she finally
knew what that word meant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
was especially nothing like Marcus. Marcus had been one of her mother’s finds.
Marcus was from the right family according to her mother with loads of family
money behind him. They had dated for a year before he proposed. At her mother’s
urging Emma had accepted. She didn’t have any valid reason for saying no, and
she was getting older. They got along alright, he was thoughtful and
considerate, but they had no chemistry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Two
months before the wedding Emma logged on to his computer to look through their
gift registry, and that was when she found pictures of Marcus, and several
women, naked, and enjoying themselves on what was supposed to have been a
business trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
chanced another glance at Leo. Nope, Leo was nothing like Marcus. “Leo, if you
want. I mean I hope this isn’t too forward of me. But I would be happy to be
your fake girlfriend for a day, if it would help you out. I mean, you have been
so nice to make me feel comfortable, and then to drive so far out of your way
to bring me home. Not to mention getting my bag from Pawsy’s car.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Pawsy?”
Leo stopped her for clarification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“You
know, he wouldn’t keep his paws off me.” Emma explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
growled deep in his throat. The thought of Emma warding off unwanted hands
wasn’t a pleasant thought. Maybe he would look Mr. Rawleigh up before he went
home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Anyway,
if you want, I would be happy to fill in for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Here
was the answer to his prayers. But she was too nice a girl to put her through
his family. “Emma…” he paused trying to come up with an explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
knew that look, and she couldn’t really blame him, “It’s okay Leo. I understand.
You had someone a little less geeky in mind. I get it. Really I do. Don’t think
another thing about it. I don’t know what I was thinking. I mean why would you
want to go out with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Emma
stop. Please just stop. You misunderstand. Of course I would want to go out
with you. You’re beautiful. I just can’t put you through meeting my family. I
appreciate the offer I really do, and I would love to take you up on it, but I
just couldn’t do that to you. You’re such a little thing you wouldn’t even make
it to the dinner table.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
giggled and then began to laugh out loud. “Oh Leo, you have no idea. I can
assure you, your family is no worse than mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Well
then Emma, I am truly sorry about that.” He loved the way her eyes danced with
laughter. Their hazel color was neither blue or green, but somewhere in the
middle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">His
comment set her giggles off again. “How did we get so lucky?” She was finally
able to get out once the giggles subsided. When he didn’t respond Emma glanced
towards him. Leo wasn’t laughing or even smiling. But he was looking at her
with such raw emotion she couldn’t breathe for a moment. Intense desire blinded
her and she intuitively leaned towards Leo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Emma,
I want to kiss you.” His eyes focused on her pink tongue peeking from her
slightly parted lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I…I
wish you would.” Emma leaned closer lost in his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
really shouldn’t.” Leo willed his body to obey what his mind was screaming, “stop!”
Instead he brushed a stray strand of her sun streaked hair behind her ear and
leaned closer still. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“But
you will, right?” Emma asked breathlessly as she tilted her head and closed her
eyes waiting for his kiss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">In
answer Leo closed the remaining few inches between them and ran his tongue over
her bottom lip, tasting her. She tasted of champagne and strawberries. He felt
the breath of her sigh, and moved the kiss deeper, claiming her lips. The
floral scent she wore wove its way around him, through him, into his lungs, and
straight to his core. He breathed her in as he parted her lips with his tongue.
Never had he been so captivated by a simple kiss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">A
car passing broke the spell and brought them both back to reality. Emma looked into
Leo’s eyes and smiled. He felt it too…it was there in his eyes. For once in her
life Emma knew what it meant to be devoured by someone’s eyes. Because that was
exactly the way Leo was looking at her. That thought only excited her more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
was confused. Yes, she had been kissed plenty of times, but no one had ever
kissed her like Leo. Was that the spark everyone always talked about? She shook
her head to try and clear her thoughts and looked around clueless as to where
they were. When had Leo pulled over? She glanced out the window and finally
noticed they were parked in her driveway. When had that happened?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
glanced back at Leo and he looked just as muddled as she felt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Emma…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Leo…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">They
spoke at the same time, shared a smile, and Leo tucked the same errant strand
of hair behind her ear. “Emma, I really want to see you again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
fell into the deep dark puddle of his brown eyes and shivered. Leo radiated
strength and power. By all outward appearances she should be running for her
life. Yet, here she sat, unable to leave his side and walk into her house
without some hope of seeing him again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
would like that Leo.” Was she crazy to even contemplate seeing him again?
Nothing could ever come of it. Her parents would have her committed if she ever
brought Leo home for dinner. After they hid the silver. But in the darkness of
the car with only the street lights for illumination she saw more clearly than
she could on even a sunny day. She really wanted to see him again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Can
I get your number?” Leo asked nervously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
thought his uncertainty was sweet, she held her hand out for his phone. After
entering her number she handed it back. What had she done? They both got out of
the car and walked towards the house. Leo reached for her hand and Emma felt a warm
rush as her hand fit perfectly into his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Can
I call you tomorrow?” He asked hopefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah,
I’ll be out at sea most of the day, reception is sporadic at best, but we’ll be
back by five, five-thirty at the latest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“What,
it depends on if the fish are biting?” Leo joked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah,
something like that.” Emma smiled, he had no idea how accurate his statement
actually was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
opened her screen door, and bent to pick up her bag, “your purse ma’am.” He
made a grand show of handing it to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
giggled. When had she turned into a giggling girl? “You know some mighty find
friends sir.” She routed around inside her bag, and finally found her door key.
Leo took the key and opened the door, and flipped the light switch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“You
know, this lock is not very safe. You don’t even have a dead-bolt. Anyone could
kick it in with very little effort.” He would have to see about getting her
something safer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
took her key back and walked through the door and tossed her bag on the table
behind the couch. It was really sweet that he was concerned about her safety. “I’ve
lived here for years this lock has been perfectly fine.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
felt extremely small standing beside him. In the car they had been sitting down
and the difference hadn’t been as noticeable. Her feet were killing her in her
silly heels and she wanted more than anything to kick them off but they did
offer her at least four inches of much needed height around Leo. She still had
to tilt her head back to look up at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
walked in behind her not waiting for an invitation. If her front door was this
bad he had to check out the backdoor. “I would say you’ve been lucky, not fine.
Your backdoor is probably the same.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Well,
no.” Emma hesitated to say, “The back door is a sliding glass door and I have a
very…unique way of locking it.” He would really go crazy when he saw the broken
broomstick in the track she used as a lock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“What?”
He didn’t wait for an answer, “I have to see it.” he mumbled as he walked
through her house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Wait,
Leo.” Emma called out. When she reached him he was already holding her “lock”
in his hands and didn’t look very happy. She should feel intimidated by his
look, but…nope, she didn’t. Not even a little bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“A
piece of wood?” Leo couldn’t believe she depended on a broken piece of wood to
keep anyone out of her house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Well
the lock broke.” Emma tried to explain. She had intended to have it fixed
several years ago but something always seemed to come up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“And
why didn’t you have it repaired? This is not safe Emma.” He pinched the bridge
of his nose and counted to ten. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
didn’t like the tone of his voice. She wasn’t a little girl to be scolded and
that was precisely the way he sounded. “Well it’s worked perfectly fine.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Tomorrow,
I will send someone over to outfit you with locks that are safe. His name in
Tiny, but that name is deceiving. He is anything but. What time do you leave
for work?” Leo was already texting Tiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“No,
Leo.” Emma said sternly, or at least what she thought was sternly, it had no
effect on him whatsoever. “I can have my
own locks fixed or not fixed. That is…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"> “What time do you leave for work Emma,” Leo
interrupted her. “Please.” He added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
crossed her arms and told him, “Five thirty.” He gave her a look, like he
didn’t believe her, “What? It’s when the fish are biting.” She explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
grinned, she was so feisty when she got her feathers up. “Fine, Tiny will be
here before you leave. I give you my word it is safe to leave him in your home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Leo,
no.” Emma had to make him listen to reason. There was no way she would allow a man
she had only known for a few hours to railroad over her like this. She would
simply put her foot down. No, there was no way he was doing this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Emma,
please understand.” He pleaded with her, his brown eyes going dark and doing
that puddling thing to her insides again. “Security is my business. I couldn’t leave anyone I care about without adequate
security measures. That is just not the way I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“You
care about me?” Emma asked breathlessly. “You just met me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah,”
Leo had to stop and run that over in his head. He had only met her a few hours
ago but yes, he did care about her. He cared about her safety, which was as
much of an admission as he could or would make. “I guess I do. I care about
your safety Emma. Like I said, it’s my job.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Okay
Leo.” She finally relented. It seemed important to Leo and she did need a new
lock. It was nice of him to offer. “Two locks. And have Tiny leave me a bill on
the table.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">He
gave her brilliant smile and decided to leave quickly before she changed her
mind. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Good night Emma.” He stopped just before opening
her door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Night
Leo. Thank you again for everything you did for me tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">With
a soft kiss of promise Leo closed her front door. Emma watched as he got into
his car, and she even watched until his taillights were no longer visible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
leaned back against the wooden door with stars in her eyes. “Oh my gosh, he is
so hot.” She admitted out loud, right before she hung her head. What ha</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">d she
done?<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHAPTER FOUR<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
stumbled to the door and pulled it open to stop the incessant knocking, and blinked
at the site that greeted her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Hey,
You’re Dr. Matthews aren’t you? I recognize you from that special you did on
Great Whites. Cap didn’t say it was you that needed a security upgrade.” Tiny
knew with only one, why Leo put a rush on her order. She was a looker and in
her pajamas, which he bet was only a t-shirt and panties, she looked positively
delicious. He couldn’t blame Leo for getting him out of bed to be here before
she left work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
had to blink again, this was Tiny? Leo was right, his name was very deceptive.
Nothing was “tiny” about him. He looked like a life size teddy bear, and she
had an incredible urge to hug him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Tiny?”
She asked, and couldn’t keep the smile from her face. Tiny had to be at least
six foot two. A red ball cap sat on a head full of shoulder length chocolate
brown hair which blended in nicely with his full red beard. How was that even
possible? Brown hair, red beard?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">His
blue plaid shirt buttoned over a very broad chest, and tucked into the tapered
waistband of blue denims. He was just as massive in girth as Leo, but where Leo
was intense, Tiny just made you want to cuddle up with him. How this man could
ever be considered intimidating…Emma just didn’t see it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Yep,
that’s me. Cap said you have to leave for work at five thirty. I didn’t want to
miss you.” Tiny wiped his feet on her door mat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
stepped back to make room for Tiny to enter. Her foyer had always seemed to be
adequately sized until Leo and Tiny entered. “But it’s not even five?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Wasn’t
sure how long it took you to get ready ma’am.” Tiny answered sheepishly and
tried to keep his eyes on interesting items in the room, instead of on the
second best looking woman he had ever seen. His wife, and love of his life,
being the first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“About
five minutes.” Emma looked at the clock on the wall longingly, she could have
slept for another thirty minutes. “Come on in. Would you like a cup of coffee?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Sure,
if it’s not too much trouble.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Oh!”
Finally her brain woke up enough for her to realize what she was, or rather
wasn’t wearing. Her mother would have a cow if she knew she had been
entertaining guests in nothing more than a t-shirt and her underwear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I’ll
be right with you. Go on in the kitchen. I think there’s some leftover cake in
the fridge. Help yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
raced to her bathroom, took care of business, brushed her teeth, cleaned her
face, pulled her hair back into a ponytail, and pulled on a pair of cut off
denim shorts over her one piece black swim suit, and in under ten minutes was
back in the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">When
she walked into the kitchen Tiny already had the coffee going and a cup set out
for her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
hope you don’t mind, I went ahead and started the coffee. It was the least I
could do since I woke you up and all.” He poured them both a cup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“No
problem, I appreciate it.” Emma took the offered cup. She served them both a
piece of the leftover cake, and they sat around the kitchen bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“My
daughter is going to flip when I tell her I met the Dr. Matthews.” Tiny said
before he consumed half the piece of cake in one bite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“That’s
very kind of you to say. How old is your daughter?” Emma broke off a small bite
of cake and watched in amazement as Tiny wolfed down his piece in two bites.
She even cut his piece twice the size of hers. Oh, the grocery bill he must
have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“She’s
twelve.” Tiny wiped his mouth on his sleeve and took a gulp of hot coffee. “Shark
Week at our house is a special event. She looks forward to it all year long.
She even follows along on your website tracking the sharks through the year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“That’s
wonderful. I’m glad she enjoys it. Is she interested in a science career?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“At
the moment, but who knows what will happen in six years time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
always knew I would do something that involved the ocean. It has always called
to me. I’m never comfortable away from it for long periods of time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Isn’t
it scary? I mean what you do. Tagging live sharks. I’ve seen you on your
television specials. You jump right in the water with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“I
don’t fear any marine life Tiny. I understand and respect that I’m a visitor in
their world. Would your daughter like to come out with us on a tagging mission sometime?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Wow!
Would she ever, I may be father of the decade.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“So,
you and Leo are friends?” Emma asked casually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah,
I’ve known Cap since his seal days.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
was a Navy Seal? Cap must be short for Captain which would mean he was used to
being in charge. One piece of the Leo puzzle fell into place. “Do you work with
him now? In security?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“In
security…” Tiny quickly covered by adding, “yeah, I do. Well, I better get
started. Thanks again Dr. Matthews for the coffee and the invitation for
Sammi,” at her confused look he added, “my daughter. I will lock up when I
leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Sure,
leave your phone number on the kitchen counter and I will call you to set up a
date for Sammi to join us. You and your wife are invited as well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
pulled into her driveway close to dark, put her jeep in park, cut the engine,
and then sat to regain enough energy to get out. There wasn’t a bone or muscle
in her body that wasn’t screaming at her. They had hooked a Great White early
in the day and fought for hours landing him, only to have him slip the hook at
the last possible minute. Emma estimated he would have been at least a sixteen
footer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
looked down at her hands, blisters had already began to form. She grimaced when
she tried to close her fingers. She rotated her shoulders to alleviate some of
the stiffness. Everyone on the team took turns at the lines. She had opted for
a double shift giving the others a breather before the tagging process began.
She knew they would need to be fresh for the strenuous activity of tagging,
gathering bio data, after landing she shark. One slip up could mean serious
injury. But then the shark had gotten away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Some
days were like that. They had trolled around the area hoping to pick him up
again, but once hooked they rarely got a second chance with the same shark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
sighed and made her trembling legs step out of her jeep. She unloaded her
equipment with a groan, and made her way wearily to her front door. A bath, a
glass of wine, and bed were the only things on her mind. Well, and Leo. He had
been on her mind all day long. She had been thinking about their kiss when the
shark had gotten away. It had taken her a few moments before she had realized
the shark wasn’t on her line any longer, and that had never happened to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
had gotten a very cryptic text from him around three in the afternoon. Only
four digits. Eight, two, six, nine. What did they mean?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">With
her key out and ready to unlock her door his text finally made sense. A keypad
was in the place of her door lock. In fact, she had a whole new doorknob. She
bent and looked for a place to put a key. There was no place to put a key. She
reached for the door knob and the keypad lit up. She punched the numbers in that Leo sent her
and a red light appeared at the top of the panel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
grumbled as she dug in her pack for her phone. She must have gotten the numbers
wrong. With her phone in one hand she punched the numbers in again. This time a
green light appeared and she smiled when she heard the click as the door
unlocked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">This
would be cool to never need a key to get into her house. She would need to
remember those numbers. Two, six, eight, nine. She could do that. She had a
doctorate degree, she could surely remember four numbers. Leo had gone way
overboard. A lock, she had told him he could replace her lock. She pushed the
door open and froze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">A
loud beeping sound came from a panel mounted on the wall in her foyer. A panel
that hadn’t been there that morning. She dropped her bag, and ran to the panel,
her heart beating rapidly. How did she make it stop? She quickly read every
menu option but nothing said “off”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">A
keypad appeared on the panel screen. She started pushing numbers trying to get
it to turn off. Nothing was working. Was it the same numbers the door used?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">She
was in such a panic from the noise she couldn’t remember the numbers. Her
shaking fingers punched in the numbers she thought were correct, but the stupid
screen said error. She tried again. Error. She took a deep breath to try and
calm herself, and tried again. Her hands were shaking so badly she had to
delete and start over twice before she got the numbers entered. Error. Emma
groaned, the numbers must be wrong. She lunged for her pack and dumped the
contents searching for her phone. The deafening beeping making her shake with
terror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Before
she could locate her phone the panel spoke. “The police have been alerted of an
intrusion. Your picture is now on file. Exit the premises immediately.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma
jumped up and ran back to the panel screaming, “NO! NO! Stop! Don’t call the
police! It’s me, I live here! Hello?! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
pulled up as a police vehicle pulled out of Emma’s driveway. Another cruiser sat
empty with the blue light flashing silently. Leo didn’t have a good feeling
about this. In fact, if Emma ever spoke to him again, he would be one very
lucky man. Tiny had called when her alarm went off and had sent him the video.
She had been struggling to disarm the system. She was not going to be happy. The
one thing he had to remember was no matter how funny he thought it was…show no amusement.
Emma wouldn’t appreciate the humor at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">In
his defense, he had been trying to contact her all afternoon, and had even been
sitting in her driveway at five fifteen. He was going to teach her how to use
her new security system, but she hadn’t been home like she said she would be at
five thirty. Finally at seven he had gone to get them takeout for dinner. He
knew she would be too tired to cook after putting in such a long day at work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">While
he was gone, she had gotten home, and then…it happened. With Chinese takeout in
hand as a peace offering he swallowed and decided to get it over with. He met
an officer coming out of Emma’s door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">“Again,
Dr. Matthews, I’m very sorry ma’am. I hope you understand we were only
following procedure. Handcuffs and body searches are standard protocol for home
invasion suspects.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Leo
didn’t hear what Emma said but the officer left quickly excusing himself as he
breezed by Leo. When Leo stepped onto the porch, and saw Emma in the doorway he
knew he was in trouble. Big trouble. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">He
made a quick decision and hit her with his killer smile. Through the years his
smile had gotten him to more bases than he could count. He would apologize and
explain what had happened. It was an honest mistake. He was only trying to be
nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Emma’s
eyes silenced him before he could get the first word of his apology out. Leo
thought he actually saw steam rise from her hair as she stood seething in the
doorway. One hand on the door and one hand on the door frame. She was breathtaking.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Her
eyes made contact with the bag of food in his hands. “I hope you like Chinese?”
He offered the bag up to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Without a word, Emma
grabbed the bag of food from his hands, gave him a final scorching look, and
slammed the door in his face.</span>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-13358824820596045262015-05-17T07:23:00.000-07:002015-05-17T09:45:44.386-07:00Emma's Story Chapters 1-3<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Liz's Progressive Novel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah, I don't like that name either so you need to help me think of another one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hey everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I can't tell you how happy I am that I woke up this morning to emails wanting to know where chapter 3 was! It made my heart happy that you are loving our story as much as I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions for Chapter 3. I hope you will be pleased. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">PLEASE keep the comments coming. Chapter 4 needs some of your marvelous input.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As always, let me put a disclaimer in here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. I have no idea if this is going to work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. This will be raw and unedited. You will see all my ticks and flaws that drive my editors crazy! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. See #2. This can't be stressed enough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4. I reserve the right to re-write any previous parts if needed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Copyright 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">All rights reserved<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, currently known or future inventions except as may be expressly permitted in writing from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1272676616">lizabeth@</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><a href="http://lizabethscottbooks.com/">LizabethScottBooks.com</a></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586324"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHAPTER ONE</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
Matthews stood proudly on the deck of the Shark Tracker as she navigated the
waters back to the dock after a successful tagging. Her sun streaked brown hair
flew behind her in the breeze as the boat rose and dipped with each wave. Dark
sunglasses shielded her hazel eyes from the beating sun. A strong wave sprayed
her face. Emma laughed and whipped off her glasses. She was never happier than
when she was flying across the blue sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Behind
her she could hear the conversation of her co-workers which was still focused
on the fourteen footer they had tagged that day. It had been an exceptional tag
and Emma couldn’t wait to get back to her office and begin entering the data
they had gathered and begin tracking the great white they had named Mary Beth.
Jeff would take the biology samples back to the lab and begin running
diagnostics on them. Soon, they would know all the secrets of Mary Beth and
would be able to track her movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hey
Em, do you think MB’s heading north?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“That
would be my guess, this early in the season.” As a marine biologist Emma knew
shark patterns this time of the year headed north. One of the exciting parts of
her job was when a shark varied from the norm and went rogue. You’ve never seen
a group of scientist more excited than when a deviated pattern was noted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
turned back around and lowered her speed as the dock drew near. She cut the
engine and drifted in the last few feet before pushing the button to lower
anchor. Paul was already on the dock tying her down. Emma picked up her bag and
cases. Paul would close the boat for the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“See
you guys tomorrow. Five sharp.” Emma waved at the groaning group and sailed
past Paul and the guys with her head already running the data pattern she
planned to use for Mary Beth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once
in her office she sat her things down and powered up her computers. While she
waited for them to come on she put a pot of tea on and changed from her one
piece bathing suit to a T-shirt and cut-off blue jeans shorts. That was the
wonderful convenience of working from home. Emma’s office was the open sea or
in her one bedroom cottage overlooking the ocean. Sometimes she was required to
be onsite at the lab or training facility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just
as she was tucking in to work her phone rang. After checking the display she
grimaced before she pushed the button to answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hi
mother,” always mother, never mom. Emma put her mother on speaker phone and
opened her Shark Tracker program. She had learned long ago it was best to only
listen with half an ear. Neither of her parents approved of her career choice,
her mother especially. Her mother would have been happy if she had married well
and had already produced two point five offspring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Emmaline,
seven o’clock sharp tonight, and wear a dress. Not one of those awful
sundresses of yours either, a cocktail dress, preferably black. You know how
your skin looks all mottled with those garish colors you insist on wearing. And
do something to that hair of yours. I wish you would let me make you an
appointment with my stylist. She could tame that wild hair of yours into some
semblance of order. You get that from your father’s side you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes
mother.” Emma said and then popped her head up from her computer and ran her
mother’s conversation back through her mind, “I mean no mother, I will fix my
own hair, but thank you for offering.” Emma answered politely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“And
Emmaline, wear make-up, you simply must cover that sun damage on your face. Why
you think a tanned face is acceptable is beyond me. You should be taking care
of your skin at your age you can’t be too careful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
propped her elbows on her desk and dropped her head into them. She was only
thirty years old, and always used sunblock on her face and body, and reapplied
often. People said her skin looked sun-kissed and healthy. She couldn’t help it,
she spent the majority of her day outside, and mostly on the water. That was,
after all, where the sharks she caught and tagged were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
of course, her mother didn’t really understand her job and she wanted to keep
it that way. “Yes, mother I will be there on time. I promise.” Her mother
thought she worked at an aquarium, and Emma would do nothing to dissuade her
from that misassumption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Very
well, be sure that you are. You know your father doesn’t like to be kept
waiting. I will send the car for you at six fifteen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes
mother.” Her father could care less if she was five minutes late. Her mother
however would have a cow. Emma would admit that she did have time issues, but
she had never been late to her parent’s dinners. Well, not very late. Expect
for that one time and then she was extremely late. That however, had been the
sharks fault not hers and had required fifteen stitches in her leg, which her
parents never knew about and never would.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
told her mother good-bye and hung up wondering who was on the menu tonight.
Once a month her parents would invite her to dinner and just happen to have
invited a pre-vetted single male candidate for her dating pleasure. Her mother
always sent the limousine to pick her up, so said candidate could take her home.
To date, no one her mother had chosen as acceptable even registered on Emma’s hotness
scale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At
precisely seven o’clock that evening Emma, in her black above the knee cocktail
dress walked into her parent’s foyer. She stopped to smell the roses, literally
on the round marble table under the massive chandelier hanging two stories
above. She could hear everyone in the back parlor but she took her time
enjoying the flowers and sticking her head in the kitchen to tell Sally and
Maude hello before she walked through the grand French doors and greeted her
parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hey
Daddy.” Her father wrapped her in a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“How’s
my little girl?” Her dad gave her a kiss on the cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
fine we had an exciting day at work.” Her father had a better understanding of
her work but he still had no idea of the extent of her involvement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“There
she is.” Emma turned at her mother’s greeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart,
this is our daughter Emmaline. Emmaline this is a friend of your fathers,
Stewart Rawleigh.” Her mother literally preened over the introduction as she picked
invisible lint from Emma’s dress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“It’s
a pleasure to meet you Mr. Rawleigh.” Emma said as she shook his hand politely
before cutting her eyes towards her mother. Surely her mother wasn’t seriously
entertaining the idea that Mr. Stewart Rawleigh was candidate material. He had
to be close to her dad’s age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart,
please Emmaline.” He said as he clasped Emma’s small hand in his large, cold,
and clammy hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
smiled uncomfortably as his eyes roved her body stopping way too long on her
breasts. She tried to politely remove her hand from his but he held tightly,
“Stewart, and please call me Emma.” A shiver ran through her and it wasn’t a
good shiver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Why
don’t you children run along and get to know each other before dinner is
announced. The roses are lovely this time of year, Emmaline would be more than
happy to show you Stewart.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma’s
could tell her mother was very pleased with herself. Without causing a scene
she accompanied Stewart to the garden, and for the remainder of the night
played twister getting away from his grouping hands. There was no way she was
letting Stewart take her home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two
hours later Emma sat in the back of Stewart’s limousine steaming mad. Her
mother had insisted she allow Mr. Pawsy to take her home. Her feet hurt from
the ridiculous shoes she had worn to please her mother, she had a headache due
to the riveting conversation she had been made to endure throughout dinner and
now, she was stuck in the back of a car with a very unwanted hand on her knee
for the fifth time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
had had enough. “Stewart,” she said sweetly. “If you don’t remove your hand
from my knee, I will remove it for you and I can’t promise your fingers will be
in the same condition they are now?” Emma said sweetly, but with a determined
glint in her eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh
now, Emma,” Stewart patted her on the knee, “we are just getting to know each
other. Your folks are real happy we’re going to start seeing each other.” His
hand on her knee began to more up her thigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
brushed his hand off her leg and demanded, “What?” He had to be delusional if
he thought she wanted to see him again. Once was more than enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stewart
put his arm around Emma’s shoulders and pulled her close into his side. “I told
your mother your age didn’t bother me at all.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“My
age. Wha…” Emma was too stunned to move away. He really thought she was too old
for him? He had to be at least twenty years older than her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We’ll
date and get to know each other, and well, you know, take things for a test
drive,” he gave her shoulder a squeeze, and winked at her before he continued,
“and then we’ll get married in a month or two.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Married…”
Emma looked around the limousine for a camera. This had to be a joke. The guys
at work at to be in on this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
sure you want kids right off before your eggs dry up. Your mother said she
would only need a month to get a shindig ready.” Stewart’s hand returned to her
knee and Emma could smell his kickin’ breath move closer to her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stop
the car.” Finally her senses returned. She sat up straight, and in doing so
knocked Stewart in the nose with the top of her head as he moved in for a kiss.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Driver,
stop the car now.” Stewart held his nose and moaned about it being broken. She
hadn’t hit him that hard. He was just being a baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
limousine pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. Emma opened the door
and got out as quickly as she could. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mr.
Rawleigh, there has been a misunderstanding. I am not on deaths door, and I am
certainly not going to marry you. If my mother said I was, she was mistaken. I
will not now, or ever consent to marry you.” With that she slammed the door in
his shocked face and started walking towards the bus stop. The limousine sped
away and that was fine with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
had only gotten as far as the corner when a siren sounded behind her and a
police car screeched to a stop in front of her. Two police officers got out of
the car and walked towards her, “Ma’am, may we see some identification?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What?”
Emma’s heel hit a rock and she tilted precariously before she caught herself
and straighten back up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We
need to see your identification.” One officer repeated as they both surrounded
her and nodded to each other. It was obvious the perp was intoxicated. She
couldn’t even stand up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
reached for her bag and then realized she must have left it in Pawsy’s car.
“I’m sorry. I must have left my bag in the limousine.” She pasted her best
innocent smile on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ma’am,
solicitation is against the law.” One of the officers said as he reached behind
his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Solici…what?”
Emma couldn’t process what his intentions were, “No, no…” When the lightbulb
went off in her mind, she was so shocked, she couldn’t even defend herself.
They thought she was a prostitute?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Put
your hands on the hood of the car ma’am and spread your legs.” The other
officer said as he spun her around facing the police cruiser.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No,
you don’t understand. You have it all wrong.” Emma tried to turn around and
explain but a hand pushing on her back prevented her from moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ma’am
are you resisting arrest?” One officer asked just before Emma felt cold hard
steel touch her skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
Emma knew what was happening, she was handcuffed and sitting in the back of a
police cruiser with her head spinning. What had just happened?<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586325"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHAPTER
TWO</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
waited in his car across from the police station. His mark, Vito Ramone Vargas had
been picked up for questioning, and had called his number one to pick him up.
Leo had been working for the past week trying to find out who Vito’s supplier
was and how his drug shipments were getting in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It
had been a while since Leo had been in the field and felt the rush of adrenalin
when working undercover. He missed that part of it. The part he didn’t miss was
being shot at, living in roach infested motels, and being away from his family
for months at a time. That was why he had started his own business. Now days,
he ran operations from the comfort of his desk, or war room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
job had come up suddenly and everyone else was already on another case. The
money was good but that wasn’t why he accepted. Eliminating a major trafficking
ring was all the incentive Leo had needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
and his five hand-picked friends from his SEAL days were now partners in a top
secret security business. They were called in by governments and major
corporations all over the world to handle situations before they became
situations. Their mode of operation was to come in under the radar and leave
just as invisibly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
had finally gotten inside Vargas’ inner circle. Soon now he would be able to supply
his people with the name they needed, and Vitto, and his cronies would be
history. His eyes drifted to the front door as he reached into his duffle bag,
and pulled out a bottle of water. The waiting…he didn’t miss at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
scratched his earlobe. The earrings were driving him crazy. How did women wear
them all the time? It had been years since he had worn an earring but he needed
to look the part. His wardrobe department had gone a bit overboard dressing
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His
phone vibrated, he smiled when he saw the name on the display. His mother had
no idea of the time zone he was in. By her time she was just settling in to
watch her favorite shows on television. “Hi Mamma.” His eyes kept watch on the
two large glass doors for Vito.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Lorenzo,
what is this I hear, you no come to the family dinner on Sunday? Why do you
wanna make your Mamma cry? Your father just said, Lorenzo is working this
weekend. Working! Since when does my boy work on the Sunday. Your father, he
must be wrong. This is right, yes Lorenzo?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
smiled, his mom had lived in the United States for over forty years but she
still had a thick Italian accent, “I’m sorry but yes, I’m working this
weekend.” Leo scrunched down in his seat as two uniformed officers exited the
building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“But
why? I wanted you to meet Mrs. De Santos’ daughter. She is a lovely girl I know
you will be so happy to meet her. She would make a good wife Lorenzo and her
hips they are wide, she will have many babies. This I know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
scrubbed his hand down his scruffy face before answering, “I’m sorry Mamma, but
I will be working.” He knew what that statement would mean to his mother, it
would be like waving a red flag in front of an angry bull, but he would be
lucky to wrap the assignment up within two weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What
will I tell Mrs. De Santos? I have already told her you will be here to meet
her daughter. They have made plans already.” Leo frowned, his mother switched
to Italian which was never a good sign. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
don’t need help finding a wife, Mamma.” His mother had been trying for years to
set him up with any and every marriageable age women in town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“This
I do not believe. You never bring anyone home. I worry Lorenzo. I worry that
you will die and never know the happiness that your father and I have had,
sharing our lives with each other and with our children. That is what I want
for you.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, his mother had turned on the tear
works as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
know Mamma, and I want that too. But, I have to do this my way.” He said softer,
hoping she would understand and back off. It wasn’t like he wasn’t trying to
find a wife. Okay, so it was like he wasn’t trying to find a wife. But what was
the rush? He was only thirty four.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“When?”
She pressed him for an answer the tears mysteriously dried up, “You are not
even dating anyone. You need my help to find a nice young woman. Let me help
you. I will call Mrs. Amaya. She knows all the eligible young women…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No
Mamma,” Leo cut in. He needed to put a stop to her meddling before she
contacted Mrs. Amaya. Leo shivered at the thought. “I mean, that’s not
necessary. I am already seeing someone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You
are?” He knew his mamma would pounce on that information, “Who? Is it someone
we know? When did this happen and you didn’t tell your Mamma? Lorenzo this is
wonderful, you have made your Mamma very happy. When will we get to meet her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We
aaa, haven’t been dating long.” Two more police officers came out and got into
their squad card.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“But
you know she is the one?” His mom was probably already planning the wedding
dinner menu and decorating the church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Um,
yeah. She could be the one. So you don’t have to worry anymore Mamma.” He
looked to the heavens and held his breath. Luckily he didn’t see or hear any lightning
bolts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
must meet her Lorenzo. Next Sunday, bring her to Sunday dinner with the
family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mom,
we just started dating. I can’t do that to her. She will never see me again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Lorenzo,”
His mother scolded, “you do what your mother tells you to do. No argument. Next
Sunday. I will not invite the cousins. They have no manners. They act like they
were raised in a barn I always tell your father this.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mamma,
I’ve got to go. I love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
love you too my son. Next Sunday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
disconnected the call and tossed his phone into the seat beside him and hit his
head over and over again on the steering wheel. What had he gotten himself into
now? How was he going to produce a girlfriend that didn’t exist in two weeks?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He
stopped pounding his head against the wheel, he could ask his secretary Shannon
to pretend to be his girlfriend. After all her husband Mitch wasn’t only his
business partner he was also his best friend. If he had a wife he would let
Mitch borrow her for Sunday dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
sat up straighter as the door of the police station opened. It was about time our
boy Vargas came out. Leo blinked his eyes and looked again. It wasn’t Vargas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hello
beautiful.” Leo said to himself as he watched the tall leggy vision leave the building,
cross the street, and walk down the sidewalk, directly towards him. The closer
she came the better the view. He couldn’t decide. Was her hair brown or blonde?
Some pieces were a darker blonde or was it a light brown? And then some looked
like the sun had streaked parts almost white. All the different shades mixed
together made her hair come alive and glow in the darkness of the night as it
bounced around her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
gave up all pretense of watching for Vargas. He only had eyes for the bombshell
coming his way. Her black dress looked conservative at first glance, but the
closer she came the less he cared about Vargas slipping past him. The short, tight,
black, number showed off her bare shoulders, and arms to perfection. Her tanned
legs looked even longer in those ridiculously high heels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
oh what he wouldn’t give to see her in those heels…only those heels. The
handcuffs in his back pocket practically burned a hole through his pants
begging to be used. He could see her now, handcuffed to his bed with those
lethal heels and nothing but her creamy smooth skin in between. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
kept his eyes on the lovely lady. She paused on the sidewalk. Her arms wrapped
around her waist as she shifted from foot to foot looking up and down the road
anxiously. He thought he saw her brush away a tear. Women’s tears were his
downfall. Before he could stop and talk himself out of it, Leo slammed the car
door and walked slowly towards her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hearing
someone approach Emma glanced towards the noise, and her beautiful blue eyes
widened in fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
slowed his approach, he didn’t usually have that effect on the ladies but then
again he didn’t usually look like a biker gone bad either. His own Mamma
wouldn’t recognize him right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma’s
heart stopped when she saw the huge rough man walking towards her. All of the
news articles she had never heard or read about abductions raced through her
mind. She glanced across the street hoping to catch the attention of an officer
going in or out of the station. It seemed her luck was still holding out on her
tonight. There wasn’t a soul in sight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
nervously shifted her eyes back to him. He was close enough now for her to see
some of the intricate tattoo’s decorating his arms. There wasn’t an inch of
un-inked skin showing. She couldn’t help but wonder how long it took to cover
such a massive area. His biceps must measure a foot in circumference easily.
His dark gray t-shirt was pulled tightly across his chest, and she could see
more ink coming from under the collar and up onto his neck. He even had ink on
his right cheekbone. She couldn’t quite make it out, a star maybe or a tear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each
time his shaggy brown hair whipped in the breeze, Emma caught a flash of gold
hoop earrings. A menacing black skull cap was pulled down low on his forehead,
and his intense brown eyes were fixed directly on her. She knew where the
saying ‘deer in the headlights’ came from, because there was no way she could
break the trance his eyes had her under. She was incapable of turning around
and running back across the street to safety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
sorry ma’am,” Leo said as he held his hands up, in what he hoped, was a
non-threating gesture. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. You just looked like you
needed help. Is everything alright?” Leo didn’t know how to assure her he meant
her no harm. Looking the way he did, and as late as it was, he really couldn’t
blame her for being suspicious. Her eyes kept darting from him to the police
station and then back to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Back
up mister, I know karate and I’m not afraid to take you down.” Emma forced her
five foot four inch body, into at least, five foot eight and one quarter inches
of pure female terror in heels. She planted her heels shoulder width apart like
her karate instructor had taught her and balled her hands into tiny fists of
fury. Her only thought…why didn’t she go back for lesson number two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh
please, he would love to be horizontal with her Leo thought, as he tried to
hide his smile at her weak attempt to intimidate him. She was a small thing and
even the thought of her taking him down was ridiculous and…exciting. “It’s
late. Someone like you shouldn’t be out this late in this area.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Someone
like me?” Emma repeated. Her chin went up and her entire posture changed from
one of combat to one of irritation and outrage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
could almost see the hairs on the back of her neck stand up she was so irate.
Once again he fought the smile that threatened. “Yes. Someone beautiful, like
you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Are
you flirting with me?” Emma didn’t understand it. She should be terrified of
the monster man in front of her. But there was just something about…his eyes.
That was it. She saw no threat or danger in his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
gave her what he hoped was his best smile before answering, “Well if you have
to ask I must not be doing it correctly. My name’s Leo.” He held out his hand
to shake but all she did was stare at his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
had never seen a hand as big as the one in front of her. She worked with some
huge guys, but the hand being held out to her was massive. He could probably
crush her throat with very little effort. The span of his hand would probably
reach all the way around her neck. She tilted her head to get a better look at
his fingers. They were long and lithe with neatly trimmed nails, which didn’t
really match the rest of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
jumped when he cleared his throat. She felt her face heat and couldn’t believe
how rudely she had been staring. Finally, she he reached out to shake his hand
and marveled at how tiny her hand looked in contrast to his. When he enclosed
her hand into the warmth and strength of his, his heat spread through her body,
all the way to her most infrequently used girl parts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Emmma.”
She squeaked out, cleared her own throat and tried again. “I mean, my name is
Emma.” She said as she smiled into the most amused and gorgeous brown eyes she
had ever seen. They reminded her of the baby seals she had catalogued a few
years back. Mesmerizing. They really shouldn’t make her shiver inside, at least
not in a good way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“It’s
nice to meet you Emma. Can I help you get somewhere?” Leo chanced taking a few
steps closer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No,
I mean, I do need to get somewhere but I can find my own way.” Emma watched him
warily. If she sprinted she could probably make it off the sidewalk before he
caught her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Are
you sure? I would be happy to see you home safely.” Leo saw her hesitancy and
once again he didn’t blame her. If any of his sisters or female cousins got
into a car late at night with a strange man, especially one as rough looking as
he was, they wouldn’t be able to sit for a week, because he would tan their
hides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He
took his phone out and handed it to her. “Here, do you need to call someone to come
get you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
looked at his cellphone. She had already called her friends from the police
station. They were still out celebrating their catch. She had left messages on
their phones. That only left…she grimaced at the thought, her parents. No way
would she call them to rescue her from the police station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No
thank you, I don’t have anyone to call that I haven’t already left messages
with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Can
I call a taxi for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That
would be nice, but she didn’t have her bag which meant she had no money to pay for
the cab. If she ever saw Pawsy again, she just may feed him to a shark! No, she
wouldn’t do that to a shark, Pawsy would probably give the shark indigestion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No
thank you, I’ll just wait here until my friends come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
knew he was going to regret what he was about to do, but there was no way he
could leave her, “Here, take my phone, and call anyone in the contact list. Ask
them if it’s safe for me to take you home.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
glanced at his phone. She had one just like it, but in his hand it looked like a
toy phone. What choice did she have? The guys probably wouldn’t check their
phone till in the morning and she didn’t relish the idea of sitting outside for
the remainder of the evening. Was she crazy to think about doing as he asked? She
stretched her neck and looked up and down the road for a taxi but nobody was
out at this time of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Thank
you,” she took his phone and pulled up the contact list. Scrolling through she
found the one name she knew she could trust and swiped the arrow to place the call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Her
blue eyes met curious brown ones as she waited for the phone to ring. “Hello.”
A voice with a heavy accent said. If she hadn’t been watching Leo closely, she
would have missed the tiny flicker of fear that entered his eyes and then just
as quickly left. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Umm,
yes ma’am my name is Emma Matthews and I’m calling for Leo.” She still couldn’t
make out the ink on his cheekbone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
can see that, you are calling from his phone. Oh, is this his fidanzata? Emma,
ahh what a bellino name. His papa and I are so happy we will meet you on
Sunday. We have waited so long for our Lorenzo to bring a ragazza speciale home
to meet us. I must call his brothers and sisters, they will be so happy you are
coming to our home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No,
ma’am. I mean…” Emma had to hold the phone away from her ear as the one sided
conversation continued at a higher octave. All Emma really knew was she was
excited about something special and she sounded like a proud mother. So her
son, whom she was looking at now, could be trusted to see her home safely.
However, he was looking a little green around the edges at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
shrugged and handed the phone back to Leo, his mother still talking a mile a
minute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mamma,”
Leo tried to interrupt again, he listened to his mother go on and on about
Sunday. He swallowed and closed his eyes. How was he ever going to get out of
it now? She thought she had actual proof his girlfriend existed. Now he not
only had to find a girlfriend, but her name had to be Emma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma’s
eyes sparkled in humor as she watched the big bad man get taken down by his Mamma.
How cute was that? The fierce looking man in front of her called his mother, Mamma?
If she had any reservations left, the last of them just dissolved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mamma,
I must go now. I love you too. I will try Mamma.” Leo hung up the home and
waited for Emma’s reaction. He didn’t have long to wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Lorenzo?”
Emma asked looking up at him through her lashes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Italian.”
Leo shrugged with his hands, and offered in response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ahhh,
that explains it. I had no idea what your mother was saying half the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You’re
invited for Sunday dinner.” Leo said in defeat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Why
would your mother invite me?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Because,
you’re my girlfriend.” He explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What?”
Emma couldn’t have heard him correctly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Listen,
can I explain in the car. Let me take you home.” Leo held out his hand again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
hesitated only a moment. The ridiculously buff and rough looking man in front
of her would see her home safely. Of that she had no doubt. How she knew
that…she had no idea. She placed her hand in his once more and felt a hum move
through her. “Okay, let’s go.”<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586326"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHAPTER
THREE</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
knew he would have to do some fast talking tomorrow if he wasn’t there to pick
Vargas up tonight. He’d just tell him he lost track of time in the arms of a
blonde and the bottom of a bottle. That, Vargas would understand. After pulling
away from the side of road Leo didn’t give Vargas another thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“So,
what happened, if you don’t mind me asking?” Leo was curious about her reason
for being at the police station. He tried to keep his eyes on the road and away
from her amazingly toned and tanned long legs which were only a few inches from
his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No,
I don’t mind. Some of it you might even sympathize with. I have a very
overbearing, yet well-meaning mother.” Emma couldn’t explain it. From the
moment she got into his car she had never felt safer in her life. Why was she
not leery of this sinister looking man?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Say
no more, I totally understand. She’s trying to marry you off?” Leo shifted
gears at a stop light and glanced her way. She was so beautiful she took his
breath away. Leo had learned long ago to be cautious of beautiful women. They
were usually way too high maintenance for him. But, Emma wasn’t giving off that
type of vibe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Exactly!
You feel my pain, right?” Emma pulled her hair over her right shoulder and
readjusted in the leather seat, “Once a month I have to show up at my parents’
house and be paraded in front of their latest bachelor of the month. Mother
always has a car sent for me so I can spend time getting to know him when he
takes me home. This month’s bachelor offering was a little too handsy for me so
I told the driver to pull over and got out of the limousine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“He
left you? Alone, at night?” Leo wanted to find the creep and do bodily harm to
any man that would leave a woman alone like that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah,
with a squeal of tires and my bag. I had no identification on me so when the
police saw a woman walking down the street…well, you can imagine what they
assumed.” Emma tried to keep her eyes off of his thigh and hand as he changed
gears. But each time he pushed the clutch in the muscles in his leg tensed and
stretched the ripped denim of his jeans. Her mouth became dry at the same time
her body overheated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
chuckled, “Yeah, I can imagine.” His eyes left the road for an instant as he
glanced her way. The flush of her face puzzled him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“It
was relatively easy to sort out at the station. They were only doing their job.”
Emma looked out the window at the passing scenery which she was in no way
paying attention to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“So
if you have no bag I am guessing you have no keys either.” Leo asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh
dear, I hadn’t thought of that. There’s a coffee shop near my house, I will
wait there till morning. My neighbor has a spare key. I don’t want to bother
her this late at night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
didn’t wait for her to finish speaking before he had his phone out. “Nash.
Contact limo services for Ocean Island. A mister…” Leo looked to Emma and
waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart
Rawleigh.” Emma was puzzled, the Leo that was talking on the phone was another
total contradiction to the Leo she met on the street, straight and to the point
as if he was used to taking charge…as if he was used to being in charge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart
Rawleigh hired a limo tonight. His guest left her bag. Have it delivered to…”
He looked at Emma once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“1447
East Ocean Drive,” Emma gave him her address. She had no idea what was going
on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“1447
East Ocean Drive. Our ETA is forty minutes.” Leo disconnected and tossed his
phone on the console between them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What
was all that about?” Emma asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Your
keys will be waiting on us.” Leo glanced her way and smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“How
did you do that?” She shook her head in disbelief. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
know people.” Leo gave her his best smile and winked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
sucked in her breath, his smile should be illegal, it was totally overpowering
to her female bits. She was afraid to ask what kind of people. “So, what type
of work do you do?” Perhaps she shouldn’t have asked him that. With the way he
looked, and he was waiting outside a police station, did she really want to
know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
in…security.” Leo stumbled over, he couldn’t blow his cover, at least not yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh,
like a bodyguard?” She could believe that. He would have no problem with
intimidation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Something
like that. What about you?” It would be safer for her to not know what he was
really doing in town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
work with Oceanic Research.” Emma vaguely answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh
really, what do you do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
work with really big fish.” Emma was used to people’s reactions when she said
she worked with sharks. She rarely gave the full details of her job. You were
either a shark fan, or you weren’t. Most she was sad to say, weren’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“So
what, you spend your work day out on the ocean fishing?” Leo laughed and
shifted down to make a turn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Technically
that is a correct assumption.” She tilted her head and tapped her index finger
against her lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
laughed, “ya know sometimes you say things that are totally geeky.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
laughed, that was a comment she was used to, “That’s me Nerdy Girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
was so cute and so innocent. He needed to drop her off and forget about her. He
glanced her way again and this time caught her looking at his legs. His
reaction to the look on her face was instant and strong. He might be able to
drop her off, but he surely wouldn’t forget about her anytime soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“So,
what is this about Sunday dinner with your mom?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That
certainly deflated his mood quickly, “You know how your mom pushes you to find
your one true love, settle down and then start shooting out babies? Well,
that’s my mom as well. She called earlier today and threatened to get the
neighborhood matchmaker involved if I didn’t hurry things along. I may have
told her I was already seeing someone, and now after talking to you, she thinks
my someone’s name, is Emma.” All the names in his contact list, and she had to
call his mamma. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
laughed at his predicament. “Wow, you really are in trouble.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Tell
me about it. I’ve already been thinking of borrowing my best friend’s wife to
pose as my girlfriend for the day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
laughed again. She hadn’t had this much fun on a date in a long time. Whoa,
date? This wasn’t a date. Did she want to date him? He wasn’t anything like the
guys she usually dated. He wasn’t even in the same area code as the men she
usually dated. She sneaked another glance at his rugged and dangerous good looks
from under her lashes and almost swooned. Yes, swooned. Now she finally knew
what that word meant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
was especially nothing like Marcus. Marcus had been one of her mother’s finds.
Marcus was from the right family according to her mother with loads of family
money behind him. They had dated for a year before he proposed. At her mother’s
urging Emma had accepted. She didn’t have any valid reason for saying no, and
she was getting older. They got along alright, he was thoughtful and
considerate, but they had no chemistry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two
months before the wedding Emma logged on to his computer to look through their
gift registry, and that was when she found pictures of Marcus, and several
women, naked, and enjoying themselves on what was supposed to have been a business
trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
chanced another glance at Leo. Nope, Leo was nothing like Marcus. “Leo, if you
want. I mean I hope this isn’t too forward of me. But I would be happy to be
your fake girlfriend for a day, if it would help you out. I mean, you have been
so nice to make me feel comfortable, and then to drive so far out of your way
to bring me home. Not to mention getting my bag from Pawsy’s car.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Pawsy?”
Leo stopped her for clarification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You
know, he wouldn’t keep his paws off me.” Emma explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
growled deep in his throat. The thought of Emma warding off unwanted hands
wasn’t a pleasant thought. Maybe he would look Mr. Rawleigh up before he went
home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Anyway,
if you want, I would be happy to fill in for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here
was the answer to his prayers. But she was too nice a girl to put her through
his family. “Emma…” he paused trying to come up with an explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
knew that look, and she couldn’t really blame him, “It’s okay Leo. I
understand. You had someone a little less geeky in mind. I get it. Really I do.
Don’t think another thing about it. I don’t know what I was thinking. I mean
why would you want to go out with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Emma
stop. Please just stop. You misunderstand. Of course I would want to go out
with you. You’re beautiful. I just can’t put you through meeting my family. I
appreciate the offer I really do, and I would love to take you up on it, but I
just couldn’t do that to you. You’re such a little thing you wouldn’t even make
it to the dinner table.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
giggled and then began to laugh out loud. “Oh Leo, you have no idea. I can
assure you, your family is no worse than mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Well
then Emma, I am truly sorry about that.” He loved the way her eyes danced with
laughter. Their hazel color was neither blue or green, but somewhere in the
middle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His
comment set her giggles off again. “How did we get so lucky?” She was finally
able to get out once the giggles subsided. When he didn’t respond Emma glanced
towards him. Leo wasn’t laughing or even smiling. But he was looking at her
with such raw emotion she couldn’t breathe for a moment. Intense desire blinded
her and she intuitively leaned towards Leo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Emma,
I want to kiss you.” His eyes focused on her pink tongue peeking from her
slightly parted lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I…I
wish you would.” Emma leaned closer lost in his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
really shouldn’t.” Leo willed his body to obey what his mind was screaming, “stop!”
Instead he brushed a stray strand of her sun streaked hair behind her ear and
leaned closer still. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“But
you will, right?” Emma asked breathlessly as she tilted her head and closed her
eyes waiting for his kiss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
answer Leo closed the remaining few inches between them and ran his tongue over
her bottom lip, tasting her. She tasted of champagne and strawberries. He felt
the breath of her sigh, and moved the kiss deeper, claiming her lips. The
floral scent she wore wove its way around him, through him, into his lungs, and
straight to his core. He breathed her in as he parted her lips with his tongue.
Never had he been so captivated by a simple kiss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
car passing broke the spell and brought them both back to reality. Emma looked into
Leo’s eyes and smiled. He felt it too…it was there in his eyes. For once in her
life Emma knew what it meant to be devoured by someone’s eyes. Because that was
exactly the way Leo was looking at her. That thought only excited her more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
was confused. Yes, she had been kissed plenty of times, but no one had ever
kissed her like Leo. Was that the spark everyone always talked about? She shook
her head to try and clear her thoughts and looked around clueless as to where
they were. When had Leo pulled over? She glanced out the window and finally
noticed they were parked in her driveway. When had that happened?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
glanced back at Leo and he looked just as muddled as she felt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Emma…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Leo…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They
spoke at the same time, shared a smile, and Leo tucked the same errant strand
of hair behind her ear. “Emma, I really want to see you again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
fell into the deep dark puddle of his brown eyes and shivered. Leo radiated
strength and power. By all outward appearances she should be running for her
life. Yet, here she sat, unable to leave his side and walk into her house
without some hope of seeing him again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
would like that Leo.” Was she crazy to even contemplate seeing him again?
Nothing could ever come of it. Her parents would have her committed if she ever
brought Leo home for dinner. After they hid the silver. But in the darkness of
the car with only the street lights for illumination she saw more clearly than
she could on even a sunny day. She really wanted to see him again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Can
I get your number?” Leo asked nervously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
thought his uncertainty was sweet, she held her hand out for his phone. After
entering her number she handed it back. What had she done? They both got out of
the car and walked towards the house. Leo reached for her hand and Emma felt a warm
rush as her hand fit perfectly into his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Can
I call you tomorrow?” He asked hopefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah,
I’ll be out at sea most of the day, reception is sporadic at best, but we’ll be
back by five, five-thirty at the latest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What,
it depends on if the fish are biting?” Leo joked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah,
something like that.” Emma smiled, he had no idea how accurate his statement
actually was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
opened her screen door, and bent to pick up her bag, “your purse ma’am.” He
made a grand show of handing it to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
giggled. When had she turned into a giggling girl? “You know some mighty find
friends sir.” She routed around inside her bag, and finally found her door key.
Leo took the key and opened the door, and flipped the light switch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You
know, this lock is not very safe. You don’t even have a dead-bolt. Anyone could
kick it in with very little effort.” He would have to see about getting her
something safer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
took her key back and walked through the door and tossed her bag on the table
behind the couch. It was really sweet that he was concerned about her safety. “I’ve
lived here for years this lock has been perfectly fine.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
felt extremely small standing beside him. In the car they had been sitting down
and the difference hadn’t been as noticeable. Her feet were killing her in her
silly heels and she wanted more than anything to kick them off but they did
offer her at least four inches of much needed height around Leo. She still had
to tilt her head back to look up at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
walked in behind her not waiting for an invitation. If her front door was this
bad he had to check out the backdoor. “I would say you’ve been lucky, not fine.
Your backdoor is probably the same.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Well,
no.” Emma hesitated to say, “The back door is a sliding glass door and I have a
very…unique way of locking it.” He would really go crazy when he saw the broken
broomstick in the track she used as a lock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What?”
He didn’t wait for an answer, “I have to see it.” he mumbled as he walked
through her house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Wait,
Leo.” Emma called out. When she reached him he was already holding her “lock”
in his hands and didn’t look very happy. She should feel intimidated by his
look, but…nope, she didn’t. Not even a little bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“A
piece of wood?” Leo couldn’t believe she depended on a broken piece of wood to
keep anyone out of her house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Well
the lock broke.” Emma tried to explain. She had intended to have it fixed
several years ago but something always seemed to come up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“And
why didn’t you have it repaired? This is not safe Emma.” He pinched the bridge
of his nose and counted to ten. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
didn’t like the tone of his voice. She wasn’t a little girl to be scolded and
that was precisely the way he sounded. “Well it’s worked perfectly fine.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Tomorrow,
I will send someone over to outfit you with locks that are safe. His name in
Tiny, but that name is deceiving. He is anything but. What time do you leave
for work?” Leo was already texting Tiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No,
Leo.” Emma said sternly, or at least what she thought was sternly, it had no
effect on him whatsoever. “I can have my
own locks fixed or not fixed. That is…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “What time do you leave for work Emma,” Leo
interrupted her. “Please.” He added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
crossed her arms and told him, “Five thirty.” He gave her a look, like he
didn’t believe her, “What? It’s when the fish are biting.” She explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
grinned, she was so feisty when she got her feathers up. “Fine, Tiny will be
here before you leave. I give you my word it is safe to leave him in your home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Leo,
no.” Emma had to make him listen to reason. There was no way she would allow a
man she had only known for a few hours to railroad over her like this. She
would simply put her foot down. No, there was no way he was doing this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Emma,
please understand.” He pleaded with her, his brown eyes going dark and doing
that puddling thing to her insides again. “Security is my business. I couldn’t leave anyone I care about without adequate
security measures. That is just not the way I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You
care about me?” Emma asked breathlessly. “You just met me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah,”
Leo had to stop and run that over in his head. He had only met her a few hours
ago but yes, he did care about her. He cared about her safety, which was as
much of an admission as he could or would make. “I guess I do. I care about
your safety Emma. Like I said, it’s my job.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Okay
Leo.” She finally relented. It seemed important to Leo and she did need a new
lock. It was nice of him to offer. “Two locks. And have Tiny leave me a bill on
the table.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He
gave her brilliant smile and decided to leave quickly before she changed her
mind. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Good night Emma.” He stopped just before opening
her door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Night
Leo. Thank you again for everything you did for me tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With
a soft kiss of promise Leo closed her front door. Emma watched as he got into
his car, and she even watched until his taillights were no longer visible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Emma leaned back
against the wooden door with stars in her eyes. “Oh my gosh, he is so hot.” She
admitted out loud, right before she hung her head. What had she done?</span>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-19769028185109602322015-05-09T17:36:00.000-07:002015-05-10T05:35:45.690-07:00Revised Chapter 1 and New Chapter 2 Emma and Leo<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Liz's Progressive Novel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah, I don't like that name either so you need to help me think of another one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hey everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions for Chapter 2. I hope you will be pleased. I was able to integrate many of your suggestions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">PLEASE keep the comments coming. Chapter 3 needs some of your marvelous input. Should the obvious happen, or do you want it to go in a totally different direction. You will know what I mean after you read Chapter 2. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm also thinking that Emma needs a tattoo. What do you think? What and where should it placed?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Any other suggestions?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was necessary to do a little bit of re-writes on Chapter 1. That's why it's included below.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As always, let me put a disclaimer in here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. I have no idea if this is going to work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. This will be raw and unedited. You will see all my ticks and flaws that drive my editors crazy! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. See #2. This can't be stressed enough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4. I reserve the right to re-write any previous parts if needed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Copyright 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">All rights reserved<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, currently known or future inventions except as may be expressly permitted in writing from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1272676616">lizabeth@</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><a href="http://lizabethscottbooks.com/">LizabethScottBooks.com</a></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586324"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHAPTER ONE-revised</span></a></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
Matthews stood proudly on the deck of the Shark Tracker as she navigated the
waters back to the dock after a successful tagging. Her sun streaked brown hair
flew behind her in the breeze as the boat rose and dipped with each wave. Dark
sunglasses shielded her hazel eyes from the beating sun. A strong wave sprayed
her face. Emma laughed and whipped off her glasses. She was never happier than
when she was flying across the blue sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Behind
her she could hear the conversation of her co-workers which was still focused
on the fourteen footer they had tagged that day. It had been an exceptional tag
and Emma couldn’t wait to get back to her office and begin entering the data
they had gathered and begin tracking the great white they had named Mary Beth.
Jeff would take the biology samples back to the lab and begin running
diagnostics on them. Soon, they would know all the secrets of Mary Beth and
would be able to track her movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hey
Em, do you think MB’s heading north?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“That
would be my guess, this early in the season.” As a marine biologist Emma knew
shark patterns this time of the year headed north. One of the exciting parts of
her job was when a shark varied from the norm and went rogue. You’ve never seen
a group of scientist more excited than when a deviated pattern was noted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
turned back around and lowered her speed as the dock drew near. She cut the
engine and drifted in the last few feet before pushing the button to lower
anchor. Paul was already on the dock tying her down. Emma picked up her bag and
cases. Paul would close the boat for the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“See
you guys tomorrow. Five sharp.” Emma waved at the groaning group and sailed
past Paul and the guys with her head already running the data pattern she
planned to use for Mary Beth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once
in her office she sat her things down and powered up her computers. While she
waited for them to come on she put a pot of tea on and changed from her one
piece bathing suit to a T-shirt and cut-off blue jeans shorts. That was the
wonderful convenience of working from home. Emma’s office was the open sea or
in her one bedroom cottage overlooking the ocean. Sometimes she was required to
be onsite at the lab or training facility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just
as she was tucking in to work her phone rang. After checking the display she
grimaced before she pushed the button to answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hi
mother,” always mother, never mom. Emma put her mother on speaker phone and
opened her Shark Tracker program. She had learned long ago it was best to only
listen with half an ear. Neither of her parents approved of her career choice,
her mother especially. Her mother would have been happy if she had married well
and had already produced two point five offspring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Emmaline,
seven o’clock sharp tonight, and wear a dress. Not one of those awful
sundresses of yours either, a cocktail dress, preferably black. You know how your
skin looks all mottled with those garish colors you insist on wearing. And do
something to that hair of yours. I wish you would let me make you an
appointment with my stylist. She could tame that wild hair of yours into some
semblance of order. You get that from your father’s side you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes
mother.” Emma said and then popped her head up from her computer and ran her
mother’s conversation back through her mind, “I mean no mother, I will fix my
own hair, but thank you for offering.” Emma answered politely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“And
Emmaline, wear make-up, you simply must cover that sun damage on your face. Why
you think a tanned face is acceptable is beyond me. You should be taking care
of your skin at your age you can’t be too careful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
propped her elbows on her desk and dropped her head into them. She was only
thirty years old, and always used sunblock on her face and body, and reapplied
often. People said her skin looked sun-kissed and healthy. She couldn’t help it,
she spent the majority of her day outside, and mostly on the water. That was,
after all, where the sharks she caught and tagged were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
of course, her mother didn’t really understand her job and she wanted to keep
it that way. “Yes, mother I will be there on time. I promise.” Her mother
thought she worked at an aquarium, and Emma would do nothing to dissuade her
from that misassumption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Very
well, be sure that you are. You know your father doesn’t like to be kept
waiting. I will send the car for you at six fifteen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes
mother.” Her father could care less if she was five minutes late. Her mother
however would have a cow. Emma would admit that she did have time issues, but
she had never been late to her parent’s dinners. Well, not very late. Expect
for that one time and then she was extremely late. That however, had been the
sharks fault not hers and had required fifteen stitches in her leg, which her
parents never knew about and never would.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
told her mother good-bye and hung up wondering who was on the menu tonight.
Once a month her parents would invite her to dinner and just happen to have
invited a pre-vetted single male candidate for her dating pleasure. Her mother
always sent the limousine to pick her up, so said candidate could take her home.
To date, no one her mother had chosen as acceptable even registered on Emma’s hotness
scale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At
precisely seven o’clock that evening Emma, in her black above the knee cocktail
dress walked into her parent’s foyer. She stopped to smell the roses, literally
on the round marble table under the massive chandelier hanging two stories
above. She could hear everyone in the back parlor but she took her time
enjoying the flowers and sticking her head in the kitchen to tell Sally and
Maude hello before she walked through the grand French doors and greeted her parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hey
Daddy.” Her father wrapped her in a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“How’s
my little girl?” Her dad gave her a kiss on the cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
fine we had an exciting day at work.” Her father had a better understanding of
her work but he still had no idea of the extent of her involvement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“There
she is.” Emma turned at her mother’s greeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart,
this is our daughter Emmaline. Emmaline this is a friend of your fathers,
Stewart Rawleigh.” Her mother literally preened over the introduction as she
picked invisible lint from Emma’s dress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“It’s
a pleasure to meet you Mr. Rawleigh.” Emma said as she shook his hand politely
before cutting her eyes towards her mother. Surely her mother wasn’t seriously
entertaining the idea that Mr. Stewart Rawleigh was candidate material. He had
to be close to her dad’s age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart,
please Emmaline.” He said as he clasped Emma’s small hand in his large, cold,
and clammy hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
smiled uncomfortably as his eyes roved her body stopping way too long on her
breasts. She tried to politely remove her hand from his but he held tightly,
“Stewart, and please call me Emma.” A shiver ran through her and it wasn’t a
good shiver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Why
don’t you children run along and get to know each other before dinner is
announced. The roses are lovely this time of year, Emmaline would be more than
happy to show you Stewart.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma’s
could tell her mother was very pleased with herself. Without causing a scene
she accompanied Stewart to the garden, and for the remainder of the night
played twister getting away from his grouping hands. There was no way she was
letting Stewart take her home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two
hours later Emma sat in the back of Stewart’s limousine steaming mad. Her
mother had insisted she allow Mr. Pawsy to take her home. Her feet hurt from the
ridiculous shoes she had worn to please her mother, she had a headache due to
the riveting conversation she had been made to endure throughout dinner and
now, she was stuck in the back of a car with a very unwanted hand on her knee
for the fifth time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
had had enough. “Stewart,” she said sweetly. “If you don’t remove your hand
from my knee, I will remove it for you and I can’t promise your fingers will be
in the same condition they are now?” Emma said sweetly, but with a determined
glint in her eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh
now, Emma,” Stewart patted her on the knee, “we are just getting to know each
other. Your folks are real happy we’re going to start seeing each other.” His
hand on her knee began to more up her thigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
brushed his hand off her leg and demanded, “What?” He had to be delusional if
he thought she wanted to see him again. Once was more than enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stewart
put his arm around Emma’s shoulders and pulled her close into his side. “I told
your mother your age didn’t bother me at all.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“My
age. Wha…” Emma was too stunned to move away. He really thought she was too old
for him? He had to be at least twenty years older than her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We’ll
date and get to know each other, and well, you know, take things for a test
drive,” he gave her shoulder a squeeze, and winked at her before he continued,
“and then we’ll get married in a month or two.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Married…”
Emma looked around the limousine for a camera. This had to be a joke. The guys
at work at to be in on this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
sure you want kids right off before your eggs dry up. Your mother said she
would only need a month to get a shindig ready.” Stewart’s hand returned to her
knee and Emma could smell his kickin’ breath move closer to her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stop
the car.” Finally her senses returned. She sat up straight, and in doing so
knocked Stewart in the nose with the top of her head as he moved in for a kiss.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Driver,
stop the car now.” Stewart held his nose and moaned about it being broken. She
hadn’t hit him that hard. He was just being a baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
limousine pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. Emma opened the door
and got out as quickly as she could. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mr.
Rawleigh, there has been a misunderstanding. I am not on deaths door, and I am
certainly not going to marry you. If my mother said I was, she was mistaken. I
will not now, or ever consent to marry you.” With that she slammed the door in
his shocked face and started walking towards the bus stop. The limousine sped
away and that was fine with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
had only gotten as far as the corner when a siren sounded behind her and a
police car screeched to a stop in front of her. Two police officers got out of
the car and walked towards her, “Ma’am, may we see some identification?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What?”
Emma’s heel hit a rock and she tilted precariously before she caught herself
and straighten back up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We
need to see your identification.” One officer repeated as they both surrounded
her and nodded to each other. It was obvious the perp was intoxicated. She
couldn’t even stand up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
reached for her bag and then realized she must have left it in Pawsy’s car.
“I’m sorry. I must have left my bag in the limousine.” She pasted her best
innocent smile on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ma’am,
solicitation is against the law.” One of the officers said as he reached behind
his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Solici…what?”
Emma couldn’t process what his intentions were, “No, no…” When the lightbulb
went off in her mind, she was so shocked, she couldn’t even defend herself.
They thought she was a prostitute?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Put
your hands on the hood of the car ma’am and spread your legs.” The other
officer said as he spun her around facing the police cruiser.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No,
you don’t understand. You have it all wrong.” Emma tried to turn around and
explain but a hand pushing on her back prevented her from moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ma’am
are you resisting arrest?” One officer asked just before Emma felt cold hard
steel touch her skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
Emma knew what was happening, she was handcuffed and sitting in the back of a
police cruiser with her head spinning. What had just happened?<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc418586325"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHAPTER
TWO</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
waited in his car across from the police station. His mark, Vito Ramone Vargas had
been picked up for questioning, and had called his number one to pick him up.
Leo had been working for the past week trying to find out who Vito’s supplier
was and how his drug shipments were getting in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It
had been a while since Leo had been in the field and felt the rush of adrenalin
when working undercover. He missed that part of it. The part he didn’t miss was
being shot at, living in roach infested motels, and being away from his family
for months at a time. That was why he had started his own business. Now days, he
ran operations from the comfort of his desk, or war room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
job had come up suddenly and everyone else was already on another case. The
money was good but that wasn’t why he accepted. Eliminating a major trafficking
ring was all the incentive Leo had needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
and his five hand-picked friends from his SEAL days were now partners in a top
secret security business. They were called in by governments and major
corporations all over the world to handle situations before they became
situations. Their mode of operation was to come in under the radar and leave
just as invisibly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
had finally gotten inside Vargas’ inner circle. Soon now he would be able to
supply his people with the name they needed, and Vitto, and his cronies would
be history. His eyes drifted to the front door as he reached into his duffle
bag, and pulled out a bottle of water. The waiting…he didn’t miss at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
scratched his earlobe. The earrings were driving him crazy. How did women wear
them all the time? It had been years since he had worn an earring but he needed
to look the part. His wardrobe department had gone a bit overboard dressing
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His
phone vibrated, he smiled when he saw the name on the display. His mother had
no idea of the time zone he was in. By her time she was just settling in to
watch her favorite shows on television. “Hi Mamma.” His eyes kept watch on the
two large glass doors for Vito.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Lorenzo,
what is this I hear, you no come to the family dinner on Sunday? Why do you
wanna make your Mamma cry? Your father just said, Lorenzo is working this
weekend. Working! Since when does my boy work on the Sunday. Your father, he
must be wrong. This is right, yes Lorenzo?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
smiled, his mom had lived in the United States for over forty years but she still
had a thick Italian accent, “I’m sorry but yes, I’m working this weekend.” Leo
scrunched down in his seat as two uniformed officers exited the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“But
why? I wanted you to meet Mrs. De Santos’ daughter. She is a lovely girl I know
you will be so happy to meet her. She would make a good wife Lorenzo and her
hips they are wide, she will have many babies. This I know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
scrubbed his hand down his scruffy face before answering, “I’m sorry Mamma, but
I will be working.” He knew what that statement would mean to his mother, it
would be like waving a red flag in front of an angry bull, but he would be
lucky to wrap the assignment up within two weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What
will I tell Mrs. De Santos? I have already told her you will be here to meet
her daughter. They have made plans already.” Leo frowned, his mother switched
to Italian which was never a good sign. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
don’t need help finding a wife, Mamma.” His mother had been trying for years to
set him up with any and every marriageable age women in town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“This
I do not believe. You never bring anyone home. I worry Lorenzo. I worry that
you will die and never know the happiness that your father and I have had,
sharing our lives with each other and with our children. That is what I want
for you.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, his mother had turned on the tear
works as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
know Mamma, and I want that too. But, I have to do this my way.” He said
softer, hoping she would understand and back off. It wasn’t like he wasn’t
trying to find a wife. Okay, so it was like he wasn’t trying to find a wife.
But what was the rush? He was only thirty four.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“When?”
She pressed him for an answer the tears mysteriously dried up, “You are not
even dating anyone. You need my help to find a nice young woman. Let me help
you. I will call Mrs. Amaya. She knows all the eligible young women…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No
Mamma,” Leo cut in. He needed to put a stop to her meddling before she
contacted Mrs. Amaya. Leo shivered at the thought. “I mean, that’s not
necessary. I am already seeing someone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You
are?” He knew his mamma would pounce on that information, “Who? Is it someone
we know? When did this happen and you didn’t tell your Mamma? Lorenzo this is
wonderful, you have made your Mamma very happy. When will we get to meet her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We
aaa, haven’t been dating long.” Two more police officers came out and got into
their squad card.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“But
you know she is the one?” His mom was probably already planning the wedding
dinner menu and decorating the church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Um,
yeah. She could be the one. So you don’t have to worry anymore Mamma.” He
looked to the heavens and held his breath. Luckily he didn’t see or hear any lightning
bolts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
must meet her Lorenzo. Next Sunday, bring her to Sunday dinner with the
family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mom,
we just started dating. I can’t do that to her. She will never see me again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Lorenzo,”
His mother scolded, “you do what your mother tells you to do. No argument. Next
Sunday. I will not invite the cousins. They have no manners. They act like they
were raised in a barn I always tell your father this.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mamma,
I’ve got to go. I love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
love you too my son. Next Sunday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
disconnected the call and tossed his phone into the seat beside him and hit his
head over and over again on the steering wheel. What had he gotten himself into
now? How was he going to produce a girlfriend that didn’t exist in two weeks?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He
stopped pounding his head against the wheel, he could ask his secretary Shannon
to pretend to be his girlfriend. After all her husband Mitch wasn’t only his
business partner he was also his best friend. If he had a wife he would let
Mitch borrow her for Sunday dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
sat up straighter as the door of the police station opened. It was about time our
boy Vargas came out. Leo blinked his eyes and looked again. It wasn’t Vargas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hello
beautiful.” Leo said to himself as he watched the tall leggy vision leave the building,
cross the street, and walk down the sidewalk, directly towards him. The closer
she came the better the view. He couldn’t decide. Was her hair brown or blonde?
Some pieces were a darker blonde or was it a light brown? And then some looked
like the sun had streaked parts almost white. All the different shades mixed
together made her hair come alive and glow in the darkness of the night as it
bounced around her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
gave up all pretense of watching for Vargas. He only had eyes for the bombshell
coming his way. Her black dress looked conservative at first glance, but the
closer she came the less he cared about Vargas slipping past him. The short, tight,
black, number showed off her bare shoulders, and arms to perfection. Her tanned
legs looked even longer in those ridiculously high heels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
oh what he wouldn’t give to see her in those heels…only those heels. The
handcuffs in his back pocket practically burned a hole through his pants
begging to be used. He could see her now, handcuffed to his bed with those
lethal heels and nothing but her creamy smooth skin in between. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
kept his eyes on the lovely lady. She paused on the sidewalk. Her arms wrapped
around her waist as she shifted from foot to foot looking up and down the road
anxiously. He thought he saw her brush away a tear. Women’s tears were his
downfall. Before he could stop and talk himself out of it, Leo slammed the car
door and walked slowly towards her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hearing
someone approach Emma glanced towards the noise, and her beautiful blue eyes
widened in fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
slowed his approach, he didn’t usually have that effect on the ladies but then
again he didn’t usually look like a biker gone bad either. His own Mamma
wouldn’t recognize him right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma’s
heart stopped when she saw the huge rough man walking towards her. All of the
news articles she had never heard or read about abductions raced through her
mind. She glanced across the street hoping to catch the attention of an officer
going in or out of the station. It seemed her luck was still holding out on her
tonight. There wasn’t a soul in sight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
nervously shifted her eyes back to him. He was close enough now for her to see
some of the intricate tattoo’s decorating his arms. There wasn’t an inch of
un-inked skin showing. She couldn’t help but wonder how long it took to cover
such a massive area. His biceps must measure a foot in circumference easily.
His dark gray t-shirt was pulled tightly across his chest, and she could see
more ink coming from under the collar and up onto his neck. He even had ink on
his right cheekbone. She couldn’t quite make it out, a star maybe or a tear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each
time his shaggy brown hair whipped in the breeze, Emma caught a flash of gold
hoop earrings. A menacing black skull cap was pulled down low on his forehead,
and his intense brown eyes were fixed directly on her. She knew where the
saying ‘deer in the headlights’ came from, because there was no way she could
break the trance his eyes had her under. She was incapable of turning around
and running back across the street to safety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
sorry ma’am,” Leo said as he held his hands up, in what he hoped, was a
non-threating gesture. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. You just looked like you
needed help. Is everything alright?” Leo didn’t know how to assure her he meant
her no harm. Looking the way he did, and as late as it was, he really couldn’t
blame her for being suspicious. Her eyes kept darting from him to the police
station and then back to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Back
up mister, I know karate and I’m not afraid to take you down.” Emma forced her
five foot four inch body, into at least, five foot eight and one quarter inches
of pure female terror in heels. She planted her heels shoulder width apart like
her karate instructor had taught her and balled her hands into tiny fists of
fury. Her only thought…why didn’t she go back for lesson number two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh
please, he would love to be horizontal with her Leo thought, as he tried to
hide his smile at her weak attempt to intimidate him. She was a small thing and
even the thought of her taking him down was ridiculous and…exciting. “It’s
late. Someone like you shouldn’t be out this late in this area.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Someone
like me?” Emma repeated. Her chin went up and her entire posture changed from
one of combat to one of irritation and outrage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
could almost see the hairs on the back of her neck stand up she was so irate.
Once again he fought the smile that threatened. “Yes. Someone beautiful, like
you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Are
you flirting with me?” Emma didn’t understand it. She should be terrified of
the monster man in front of her. But there was just something about…his eyes.
That was it. She saw no threat or danger in his eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
gave her what he hoped was his best smile before answering, “Well if you have
to ask I must not be doing it correctly. My name’s Leo.” He held out his hand
to shake but all she did was stare at his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
had never seen a hand as big as the one in front of her. She worked with some
huge guys, but the hand being held out to her was massive. He could probably
crush her throat with very little effort. The span of his hand would probably
reach all the way around her neck. She tilted her head to get a better look at
his fingers. They were long and lithe with neatly trimmed nails, which didn’t
really match the rest of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
jumped when he cleared his throat. She felt her face heat and couldn’t believe
how rudely she had been staring. Finally, she he reached out to shake his hand
and marveled at how tiny her hand looked in contrast to his. When he enclosed
her hand into the warmth and strength of his, his heat spread through her body,
all the way to her most infrequently used girl parts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Emmma.”
She squeaked out, cleared her own throat and tried again. “I mean, my name is
Emma.” She said as she smiled into the most amused and gorgeous brown eyes she
had ever seen. They reminded her of the baby seals she had catalogued a few
years back. Mesmerizing. They really shouldn’t make her shiver inside, at least
not in a good way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“It’s
nice to meet you Emma. Can I help you get somewhere?” Leo chanced taking a few
steps closer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No,
I mean, I do need to get somewhere but I can find my own way.” Emma watched him
warily. If she sprinted she could probably make it off the sidewalk before he
caught her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Are
you sure? I would be happy to see you home safely.” Leo saw her hesitancy and
once again he didn’t blame her. If any of his sisters or female cousins got
into a car late at night with a strange man, especially one as rough looking as
he was, they wouldn’t be able to sit for a week, because he would tan their
hides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He
took his phone out and handed it to her. “Here, do you need to call someone to come
get you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
looked at his cellphone. She had already called her friends from the police
station. They were still out celebrating their catch. She had left messages on
their phones. That only left…she grimaced at the thought, her parents. No way
would she call them to rescue her from the police station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No
thank you, I don’t have anyone to call that I haven’t already left messages
with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Can
I call a taxi for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That
would be nice, but she didn’t have her bag which meant she had no money to pay for
the cab. If she ever saw Pawsy again, she just may feed him to a shark! No, she
wouldn’t do that to a shark, Pawsy would probably give the shark indigestion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No
thank you, I’ll just wait here until my friends come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leo
knew he was going to regret what he was about to do, but there was no way he
could leave her, “Here, take my phone, and call anyone in the contact list. Ask
them if it’s safe for me to take you home.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
glanced at his phone. She had one just like it, but in his hand it looked like a
toy phone. What choice did she have? The guys probably wouldn’t check their
phone till in the morning and she didn’t relish the idea of sitting outside for
the remainder of the evening. Was she crazy to think about doing as he asked? She
stretched her neck and looked up and down the road for a taxi but nobody was
out at this time of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Thank
you,” she took his phone and pulled up the contact list. Scrolling through she
found the one name she knew she could trust and swiped the arrow to place the
call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Her
blue eyes met curious brown ones as she waited for the phone to ring. “Hello.”
A voice with a heavy accent said. If she hadn’t been watching Leo closely, she
would have missed the tiny flicker of fear that entered his eyes and then just
as quickly left. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Umm,
yes ma’am my name is Emma Shelbrook and I’m calling for Leo.” She still
couldn’t make out the ink on his cheekbone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I
can see that, you are calling from his phone. Oh, is this his fidanzata? Emma,
ahh what a bellino name. His papa and I are so happy we will meet you on
Sunday. We have waited so long for our Lorenzo to bring a ragazza speciale home
to meet us. I must call his brothers and sisters, they will be so happy you are
coming to our home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No,
ma’am. I mean…” Emma had to hold the phone away from her ear as the one sided
conversation continued at a higher octave. All Emma really knew was she was
excited about something special and she sounded like a proud mother. So her
son, whom she was looking at now, could be trusted to see her home safely.
However, he was looking a little green around the edges at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
shrugged and handed the phone back to Leo, his mother still talking a mile a
minute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mamma,”
Leo tried to interrupt again, he listened to his mother go on and on about
Sunday. He swallowed and closed his eyes. How was he ever going to get out of
it now? She thought she had actual proof his girlfriend existed. Now he not
only had to find a girlfriend, but her name had to be Emma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma’s
eyes sparkled in humor as she watched the big bad man get taken down by his Mamma.
How cute was that? The fierce looking man in front of her called his mother, Mamma?
If she had any reservations left, the last of them just dissolved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mamma,
I must go now. I love you too. I will try Mamma.” Leo hung up the phone and
waited for Emma’s reaction. He didn’t have long to wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Lorenzo?”
Emma asked looking up at him through her lashes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Italian.”
Leo shrugged with his hands, and offered in response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ahhh,
that explains it. I had no idea what your mother was saying half the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You’re
invited for Sunday dinner.” Leo said in defeat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Why
would your mother invite me?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Because,
you’re my girlfriend.” He explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What?”
Emma couldn’t have heard him correctly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Listen,
can I explain in the car. Let me take you home.” Leo held out his hand again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Emma hesitated only a
moment. The ridiculously buff and rough looking man in front of her would see
her home safely. Of that she had no doubt. How she knew that…she had no idea.
She placed her hand in his once more and felt a hum move through her. “Okay, let’s go.”</span>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-88470821581676707142015-04-30T11:19:00.005-07:002015-05-09T17:26:01.509-07:00Chapter 1 Emma and Leo<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Chapter 1 Emma and Leo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Liz's Progressive Novel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah, I don't like that name either so you need to help me think of another one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hey everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A few weeks ago I mentioned I was thinking about this concept of writing a story on my blog. Eventually, I hope you will join in and help me write it with your comments and suggestions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let me put a disclaimer in here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. I have no idea if this is going to work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. This will be raw and unedited. You will see all my ticks and flaws that drive my editors crazy! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. See #2. This can't be stressed enough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4. I reserve the right to re-write any previous parts if needed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Any questions? No, I didn't think so. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, here goes with Chapter #1. The title is still up in the air. Feel free to offer suggestions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Copyright
2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">All rights reserved<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places,
events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used
in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or
actual events is purely coincidental.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No
part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any
information storage or retrieval system, currently known or future inventions
except as may be expressly permitted in writing from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1272676616">lizabeth@</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://lizabethscottbooks.com/">LizabethScottBooks.com</a></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Emma</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Chapter 1</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
Matthews stood proudly on the deck of the Shark Tracker as she navigated the
waters back to the dock after a very successful tagging mission. Her sun
streaked brown hair flew behind her in the breeze as the boat rose and dipped
with each wave. Dark sunglasses shielded her hazel eyes from the beating sun. A
strong wave sprayed her face, she whipped off her glasses and laughed. This was
the life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Behind
her she could hear the conversation of her co-workers which was still focused
on the fourteen footer they had tagged that day. It had been an exceptional tag
and Emma couldn’t wait to get back to her office and begin entering the data
they had gathered and begin tracking the great white they had named Mary Beth.
Jeff would take the samples back to the lab to begin running diagnostics on
them. Soon, they would know all the secrets of Mary Beth and would be able to
track her movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hey
Em, do you think MB’s heading north?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“That
would be my guess, this early in the season.” As a marine biologist Emma knew
shark patterns this time of the year headed north. One of the exciting parts of
her job was when a shark varied from the norm and went rogue. You’ve never seen
a group of scientist more excited than when a deviated pattern is noted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
turned back around and lowered her speed as the dock drew near. She cut the
engine and drifted in the last few feet before pushing the button to lower
anchor. Paul was already on the dock tying her down. Emma picked up her bag and
cases. Paul would close the boat for the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“See
you guys tomorrow. Five sharp.” Emma waved at the groaning group and sailed
past Paul and the guys with her head already running the data pattern she
planned to use for Mary Beth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once
in her office she sat her things down and powered up her computers. While she
waited for them to come on she put a pot of tea on and changed from her one
piece bathing suit to a T-shirt and cut-off blue jeans shorts. That was the
wonderful convenience of working from home. Emma’s office was the open sea or
in her one bedroom cottage overlooking the ocean. Sometimes she was required to
be onsite at the lab or training facility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just
as she was tucking in to work her phone rang. After checking the display she
grimaced before she pushed the button to answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hi
mother,” always mother, never mom. Emma put her mother on speaker phone and
opened her Shark Tracker program. She had learned long ago it was best to only
listen with half an ear. Neither of her parents approved of her career choice.
Her mother especially would have been happy if she had married well and had
already produced two point five offspring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Emmaline,
seven o’clock sharp tonight, and wear a dress. Not one of those awful
sundresses of yours either, a cocktail dress, preferably black. You know how
your skin looks all mottled with those garish colors you insist on wearing. And
do something to that hair of yours. I wish you would let me make you an
appointment with my stylist. She could tame that wild hair of yours into some
semblance of order. You get that from your father’s side you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes
mother.” Emma said and then popped her head up from her computer and ran her
mother’s conversation back through her mind, “I mean no mother, I will fix my
own hair, but thank you for offering.” Emma answered politely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“And
Emmaline, wear make-up, you simply must cover that sun damage on your face. Why
you think a tanned face is acceptable is beyond me. You should be taking care
of your skin at your age you can’t be too careful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
propped her elbows on her desk and dropped her head into them. She was only
thirty years old, and always used sunblock on her face and body, and reapplied
often. People said her skin looked sun-kissed and healthy. She couldn’t help it,
she spent the majority of her day outside, and mostly on the water. That was,
after all, where the sharks she caught and tagged were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
of course, her mother didn’t really understand her job and she wanted to keep
it that way. “Yes, mother I will be there on time. I promise.” Her mother
thought she worked at an aquarium, and Emma would do nothing to dissuade her
from that misassumption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Very
well, be sure that you are. You know your father doesn’t like to be kept
waiting. I will send the car for you at six fifteen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes
mother.” Her father could care less if she was five minutes late. Her mother
however would have a cow. Emma would admit that she did have time issues, but
she had never been late to her parent’s dinners. Well, not very late. Expect
for that one time and then she was extremely late. That however, had been the
sharks fault not hers and had required fifteen stitches in her leg, which her
parents never knew about and never would.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
told her mother good-bye and hung up wondering who was on the menu tonight.
Once a month her parents would invite her to dinner and just happen to have
invited a pre-vetted single male candidate for her dating pleasure. Her mother
always sent the limousine to pick her up, so said candidate could take her home.
To date no one her mother had chosen as acceptable even registered on her hotness
scale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At
precisely seven o’clock that evening Emma, in her black above the knee cocktail
dress walked into her parent’s foyer. She stopped to smell the roses, literally
on the round marble table under the massive chandelier hanging two stories
above. She could hear everyone in the back parlor but she took her time
enjoying the flowers and sticking her head in the kitchen to tell Sally and
Maude hello before she walked through the grand French doors and greeted her
parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hey
Daddy.” Her father wrapped her in a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“How’s
my little girl?” Her dad gave her a kiss on the cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
fine we had an exciting day at work.” Her father had a better understanding of
her work but he still had no idea of the extent of her involvement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“There
she is.” Emma turned at her mother’s greeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart,
this is our daughter Emmaline. Emmaline this is a friend of your fathers,
Stewart Rawleigh.” Her mother literally preened over the introduction as she
picked invisible lint from the shoulder of Emma’s dress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“It’s
a pleasure to meet you Mr. Rawleigh.” Emma said as she shook his hand politely
before cutting her eyes towards her mother. Surely her mother wasn’t seriously
entertaining the idea that Mr. Stewart Rawleigh was candidate material. He had
to be close to her dad’s age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stewart,
please Emmaline.” He said as he clasped Emma’s small hand in his large, cold,
and clammy hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
smiled uncomfortably as his eyes roved her body stopping way too long on her
breasts. She tried to politely remove her hand from his but he held tightly,
“Stewart, and please call me Emma.” A shiver ran through her and it wasn’t a
good shiver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Why
don’t you children run along and get to know each other before dinner is
announced. The roses are lovely this time of year, Emmaline would be more than
happy to show you Stewart.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
cut her eyes towards her mother who was very pleased with herself. Without
causing a scene she accompanied Stewart to the garden and for the remainder of
the night played twister getting away from his grouping hands. There was no way
she was letting Stewart take her home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two
hours later Emma sat in the back of Stewart’s limousine steaming mad. Her mother
had insisted she allow Mr. Pawsy to take her home. Her feet hurt from the
ridiculous shoes she had worn to please her mother, she had a headache due to
the riveting conversation she had been made to endure throughout dinner and
now, she was stuck in the back of a car with a very unwanted hand on her knee
for the fifth time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
had had enough. “Stewart,” she said sweetly. “If you don’t remove your hand
from my knee, I will remove it for you and I can’t promise your fingers will be
in the same condition they are now?” Emma said sweetly, but with a determined
glint in her eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh
now Emma,” Stewart patted her on the knee, “we are just getting to know each
other. Your folks are real happy we’re going to start seeing each other.” His
hand on her knee began to more up her thigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
brushed his hand off her leg and demanded, “What?” He had to be delusional if
he thought she wanted to see him again. Once was more than enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stewart
put his arm around Emma’s shoulders and pulled her close into his side. “I told
your mother your age didn’t bother me at all.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“My
age. Wha…” Emma was too stunned to move away. He really thought she was too old
for him? He had to be at least twenty years older than her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We’ll
date and get to know each other, and well, you know, take things for a test
drive,” he gave her shoulder a squeeze, and winked at her before he continued,
“and then well get married in a month or two.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Marr…”
Emma looked around the limousine for a camera. This had to be a joke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’m
sure you want kids right off before your eggs dry up. Your mother said she
would only need a month to get a shindig ready.” Stewart’s hand returned to her
knee and Emma could smell his kickin’ breath move closer to her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stop
the car.” Finally her senses returned. She sat up straight, and in doing so
knocked Stewart in the nose, with the top of her head, as he moved in for a
kiss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Driver,
stop the car now.” Stewart held his nose and moaned about it being broken. She
hadn’t hit him that hard. He was just being a baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
limousine pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. Emma opened the door
and got out as quickly as she could. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mr.
Rawleigh, there has been a misunderstanding. I am not on deaths door, and I am
certainly not going to marry you. If my mother said I was, she was mistaken. I
will not now, or ever consent to marry you.” With that she slammed the door in
his shocked face and started walking towards the bus stop. The limousine sped
away and that was fine with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
had only gotten as far as the corner when a siren sounded behind her and a
police car screeched to a stop in front of her. Two police officers charged
out, “Ma’am, may we see some identification?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What?”
Emma’s heel hit a rock and she tilted precariously before she caught herself
and straighten back up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We
need to see your identification.” One officer repeated as they both surrounded
her and nodded to each other. It was obvious the perp was intoxicated. She
couldn’t even stand up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Emma
reached for her bag and then realized she must have left it in Pawsy’s car.
“I’m sorry. I must have left my bag in the limousine.” She pasted her best
innocent smile on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ma’am,
solicitation is against the law.” One of the officers said as he reached behind
his back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Solici…what?”
Emma couldn’t process what his intentions were, “No, no…” When the lightbulb
went off in her mind, she was so shocked, she couldn’t even defend herself.
They thought she was a prostitute?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Put
your hands on the hood of the car ma’am and spread your legs.” The other
officer said as he spun her around facing the police cruiser.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No,
you don’t understand. You have it all wrong.” Emma tried to turn around and
explain but a hand pushing on her back prevented her from moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ma’am
are you refusing to follow directions?” The first officer asked just before
Emma felt cold hard steel touch her skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before Emma knew what
was happening, she was handcuffed and sitting in the back of a police cruiser
with her head spinning. What had just happened?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, there is chapter 1. How did you like it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Check back in a few weeks for more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Questions for you, I need:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. Male lead name?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. Male lead occupation?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Comment below. If you don't have an account you may select Anonymous to leave your comment.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:lizabeth@lizabethscottbooks.com"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:lizabeth@lizabethscottbooks.com"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:lizabeth@lizabethscottbooks.com"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:lizabeth@lizabethscottbooks.com"><br /></a></span>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-76705139837285228712015-03-29T18:50:00.001-07:002015-05-13T08:24:42.208-07:00A Star for Annie Release Date 4.1.15<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A Star for Annie</b></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Release Date 4.1.15</h4>
I can't believe it's here! Not only am I celebrating the release of A Star for Annie, it's also my birthday! Nope, I will not tell you which one.<br />
<br />
So, let's celebrate!<br />
<br />
I've been sitting on this surprise for a while now, and if you know me, you know I don't do secrets well. I wanted to tell ya'll so bad.<br />
<br />
Grand prize is... (insert drum roll here)<br />
An Official Carter Ryan World Storm Tour 2015 T-shirt! Just like they wear on the "tour".<br />
There will be three grand prizes given away. My contest, so I make the rules. LOL.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhv7cV0cgX_YBr_9MhsdoZ8M0njW3w5w7yrU4oUsuytjIW_c4nn3YapxZK87ENaVPI6T5gmRRj_zp3_7cAJbtHmNoAY0YJEdnE4-X2W6vLGO-lp36d9mqILBLNSmD7LwIr_REd2Ae/s1600/CRtshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhv7cV0cgX_YBr_9MhsdoZ8M0njW3w5w7yrU4oUsuytjIW_c4nn3YapxZK87ENaVPI6T5gmRRj_zp3_7cAJbtHmNoAY0YJEdnE4-X2W6vLGO-lp36d9mqILBLNSmD7LwIr_REd2Ae/s1600/CRtshirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This contest will be easy peasy, and will help me, as I try to climb the illusive romance writers ladder of ranking. It's all about earning ways to have your "name" in a hat. Yes, I actually mean I will put your name in a hat. Crazy, right? Low tech all the way.<br />
<br />
Here's how you play.<br />
1. Subscribe at: <a href="http://www.lizabethscottbooks.com/">www.lizabethscottbooks.com</a> = 1 name in hat<br />
<br />
2. Like my Facebook page at: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LizabethScottAuthor">www.facebook.com/LizabethScottAuthor</a> = 1<br />
name in hat<br />
<br />
3. Share my Facebook page = 1 name in hat<br />
<br />
4. Comment on a Facebook post = 1 name in hat<br />
<br />
5. Follow me on Twitter @LScottBooks = 1 name in hat<br />
<br />
5. Write a review for any of my books, hopefully A Star for Annie, and email me the name of the platform your review is on. I don't want to know your review name, just the platform you used = 10 names in hat. Yes, 10 whole times your name will be put in the hat. <a href="mailto:lizabeth@lizabethscottbooks.com">lizabeth@lizabethscottbooks.com</a><br />
<br />
Other than #1 above you can enter as many times as you want, and yes I will keep up with all of it. It's up to you. You can have it your way.<br />
<br />
Check back here on 4.10.15 and see if you've won! I will also announce winners on Facebook.<br />
<br />
This is exciting, right?! Wahoo! Contest starts as soon as A Star for Annie reaches your ebook. So get ready! Set! Go!<br />
<br />
Facebook is not associated with this contest in any way.Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-43806757506720601882014-12-23T16:13:00.000-08:002014-12-23T16:13:23.387-08:00Prologue - A Sheik for Rose - The Early Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's here! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The prologue to <i>A Sheik for Rose</i>. The Hearts of Gold Series follows the three Gold sisters, Rose, Annie, and Mary. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In this prologue you lean a little about the early years of the sisters as well as how the Sheik became such a dominate leader.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Please enjoy and let me hear from you! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBjRTcXvFkqU9OT5vJ_dzfogakOtOdx9H6QTxAZGWu68FH-tVL-ZvB-w0hjh4jf4cuVk2f9auUhVKe8M1m1ONzxePj87FILD3FpX81sTNWRHLm3qvj4Zuq8RW6zBnqKb0IBnDDqJ6/s1600/RoseCoverPublish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBjRTcXvFkqU9OT5vJ_dzfogakOtOdx9H6QTxAZGWu68FH-tVL-ZvB-w0hjh4jf4cuVk2f9auUhVKe8M1m1ONzxePj87FILD3FpX81sTNWRHLm3qvj4Zuq8RW6zBnqKb0IBnDDqJ6/s1600/RoseCoverPublish.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">COMING SOON!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>A SHEIK FOR ROSE</i></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc407122183"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">PROLOGUE </span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rosie<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Come
on Ro, just walk away,” Mary said pulling on Rosie’s arm, trying to get her to
move away from the girls taunting them. If the odds had been better, they would
stay and fight, but three against eight was not fair at all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah,
they’re not worth it.” Annie took the other arm and pulled until they were well
out of range of the hurled insults.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
girls walked home from school that day hand in hand. It was always the three of
them against what seemed like everyone else in the town. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
know it’s not true Ro. Why do you let them upset you?” Mary kept checking
behind them to make sure they weren’t being followed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
don’t know. It was Gina that started it,” Rosie said as she combed the
spaghetti from her hair with her fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
saw her trip you. Why did she call you a hoe?” Annie said as she helped pick
noodles from the back of her hair.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
don’t know. Why would you call anybody a hoe? A rake maybe, but a hoe?” Rosie
shook her head trying to dislodge more of the spaghetti that had now congealed
in her hair.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
know why she did it? I saw Jason Beckman look down your shirt when he went to
sharpen his pencil today in class. Gina saw him do it. I think she was
jealous.” Mary put her hands on her hips, already plotting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah
right. Jason Beckman, the most popular boy in school, wants to look down my
shirt. I mean really, what’s he gonna see? You know we don’t have boobs yet.”
Rosie pulled her tomato covered shirt away from her body and shook the excess spaghetti
off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Well,
maybe he was just checking to see if you did.” Mary stopped strategizing long
enough to answer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Gina
doesn’t have boobs yet either. I know ‘cause I saw her behind the slide with
Peter Foster. She pulled her shirt up and showed him. He even touched them!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mary
and Rosie froze in their tracks, their mouths gaping open. “No way Annie. You’re
making that up.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Annie’s
chin went up. “I am not. She doesn’t even wear a bra.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Well,
we don’t either.” Mary and Rosie answered in unison.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“When
do you think we will get ‘em?” Rosie asked longingly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Annie
thought a moment before answering. “I don’t know, maybe by winter break.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hey
come on, let’s go to Mr. Kesler’s pond. We can wash the spaghetti from your
clothes and take a dip all at the same time. We’ll be dry by the time we get
home.” The three changed directions and took off running through the field to
Mr. Kesler’s pond.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rosie
wished they were normal. That was always the wish she made. On her birthday and
on falling stars, it was always the same wish. Just to be a normal kid. It was
around the second grade that they realized they weren’t normal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Their
lives up until that point had been filled with love, laughter and adventure.
That was when they realized that the treasure hunts they thought were so fun
were ridiculed by others as dumpster diving. Their house was beautiful and
magical to them. But others didn’t understand the importance of reducing and
reusing. It was a game to them to come up with a new use for something they
found on one of their treasure hunts. Others laughed and called their beautiful
house the trash house. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Last
one in eats worms!” Mary said as she threw her shirt on the ground beside Mr.
Keslers pond.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Laughter
and squeals could be heard just before splashes were made by three naked bodies
as they ran and jumped into the pond. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So
what do you think about glue?” Rosie asked the other two as they floated on
their backs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Where
would you put it? In her lunchbox?” Mary asked before she spit a waterfall from
her mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No,
that’s not very creative. How about worms in her lunchbox?” Annie offered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That’s
ingenious Annie. How do you come up with these ideas?” Rosie’s eyes gleamed
with mischief thinking about the look on Gina’s face when she opened her
lunchbox.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It’s
just a talent I guess.” Annie ducked into the water and came back up with a
mouthful of water that she proceeded to shower her sisters with in a perfect
fountain stream.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Giggling
the girls set to work digging worms from the edge of the pond and putting them
in a bag from their lunchboxes, lunch boxes that at one time had been cereal
boxes but were now covered in duct tape and even had a duct tape handle. That’s
the thing about picking on one of the Gold sisters. Retaliation was swift and
sure, it was an unspoken rule.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rashid<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">They
would be coming for him soon. Rashid looked out the window of his new room. He
missed his old room. It was the room of a young boy with parents to guide and
nurture him as he grew, until one day he would become the Sheik.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
looked around the room they said was now his. This room would never be his. It
belonged to his parents and would forever belong to his parents. It made no
difference to him that they would never again sleep in the bed or play with him
on the rugs. One day he would make them listen, and he would move to a
different room.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Rashid,
it is time,” Adamir, his friend, came into the room to collect him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rashid
left the room as a boy of thirteen but returned as Sheik Rashid Sadid Baasar of
Altraan. His parents were killed only a few days prior, and now a boy was left
to rule a country. The ceremony that laid his parents to rest was also the
ceremony that placed the title of Sheik before his name.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be
strong, they said. The country needs you to stand tall, they said. Everyone had
an opinion of what he should do and how he should do it, but no one told him
how to stop grieving for his parents. Only a few days prior his greatest
concern was finishing his school work so he could play with his best friend
Aamir.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
missed his mother’s smile and the way she could make him feel better if he was
feeling sad. She always knew just what to say. He missed his father’s guidance.
His father always took his time in explaining his reasons behind any decision
he made. He felt safe when his father was near. Would he ever feel safe again?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
must say goodbye to his parents and his youth and move forward as the ruler of
Altraan. He must not show his fear. That is what his father had taught him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
ate his dinner quietly, the sole member at the table that could easily seat
twenty. He remembered the noisy meals his family would have as they shared
their day with each other. After dinner he walked back to his room and stood
just inside the door. He looked at the chair by the window where his mother
should be sitting working on her tapestry, but it now sat empty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
walked to the table across the room and opened the black and gold box that contained
his father’s pipe and tobacco. Carefully he picked the pipe up and ran it under
his nose. It smelled of his father and happier times. The last conversation he
had with his father was about the women of the palace. Rashid thought it was
time to begin his lessons with them. His father insisted he wait another year.
He had not been happy with his father’s decision, but he would obey his wishes.
Now it seemed irrelevant. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
put the pipe back in the box and walked out the door, down the hallway, and
into a guest room. If they insisted he have the master suites, then they would
be redecorated and his parents’ possessions would be boxed up and placed in
storage. He could not live in a room full of memories. It was best if they were
packed up and never seen again. Just like his youth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
slept and he ate and he sat in meeting after meeting until his life became one
big meeting. They asked him to made decisions that would affect the people of
Altraan. He listened and tried to understand what they asked. The elders would
guide him in making decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">They
said he didn’t have time to see Aamir. Running his country was more important
than childhood friends. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
the months went by, he became good at masking his fear and feelings. The
executive board told him he was excelling as Sheik. They told him his father
would be proud. Then, he discovered many of his board members were using their
allegiance to him for their personal gain. They had been guiding his decisions
towards their favor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
fired them and fined them a ridiculous amount of money. Now the people of
Altraan said he was cagey and ruthless and just what the country needed. But
people he had come to depend on and trust had forsaken him. A lesson learned, trust
no one but yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">His
meals were still spent in quiet isolation, but now it was his choice. He
preferred solitude instead of the disingenuous and useless conversation of
people that only wanted something from him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
lessons he learned over the years he learned well. Never show your emotions.
Trust no one. Never depend on anyone but yourself. These lessons, learned so
early in his life, got him through. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rashid
rose from behind his desk and walked to the window.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Sheik
Rashid. The executive board is ready when you are.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m
coming, Meric.” The trees in the courtyard were blowing gently in the wind. He
watched as several birds flittered amongst the leaves, seeming to play catch me
games. He smiled, a very rare occurrence for him these days. Aamir used to play
such a game with him. They would run among the palace hallways trying to catch
each other and end up in a pile on the floor, laughing over silly things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rashid straightened
his jacket and put back on his mask of indifference. He turned his back to the
window and the life he had before his parents were taken from him so cruelly
and walked through the door towards his future, as Sheik Rashid Shadid Basara
ruler of Altraan.</span></span>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-11824364909451739542014-12-08T13:10:00.000-08:002014-12-08T13:10:06.331-08:00Cover Reveal - A Sheik for Rose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYTeNiOK7zGSuYOTt0DTPVOGsAm-XW9f419-ryRq2Sc6A0uu2o4juGjNFP_YKYQNDKNjIvXe48qxGtGMfAILD2NKboDwEx9HpGqnwIni0C0bRd-hv9VMkDTc86cfvql9C7bIlFTDK/s1600/RoseCoverPublish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYTeNiOK7zGSuYOTt0DTPVOGsAm-XW9f419-ryRq2Sc6A0uu2o4juGjNFP_YKYQNDKNjIvXe48qxGtGMfAILD2NKboDwEx9HpGqnwIni0C0bRd-hv9VMkDTc86cfvql9C7bIlFTDK/s1600/RoseCoverPublish.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here it is! So, what do you think? Drop me a line and let me know what you think. lizabeth@lizabethscottbooks.com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A prologue will be available shortly. Join my FB page for updates!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">facebook.com/LizabethScottAuthor</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-25528698791070883362014-12-04T05:40:00.001-08:002014-12-04T05:40:15.763-08:00New Title Announcement!<span style="font-size: large;">It is official.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My December book release title is;</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">A Sheik for Rose</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catchy, huh?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the books in the Hearts of Gold Series will follow along the same pattern.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I know you want the release day. You do, right? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Soon, I will announce the release date soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This story is a bit different from what you are used to reading from me. I took a lot of liberties with the story line. I hope you will allow me the creative licensing to do so. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The country, culture, and people were totally created in my head and should not be compared or assumed they relate to any existing country, culture or people.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you can go into it with an open mind, I hope you will let the characters lead the story and enjoy their struggles and triumphs and not get hung up on comparing it to issues of today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-55057166024246479042014-11-22T15:43:00.002-08:002014-11-22T15:43:30.275-08:00A Wonderful Day of Editing!<span style="font-size: large;">Today I spent doing final edits on my December release. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't wait for you all to read it. It's a little bit funny, and sexy, and hot, and hopefully you will fall in love with the characters like I have.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I keep reminding myself that I shouldn't get lost in the story, I need to be editing it instead of reading it!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I guess that is a good sign. Right?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Many wonderful things happened for Lizabeth Scott last week. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A new website with my very own .com! www.lizabethscottbooks.com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A totally awesome first week for my latest release Sweet Royal Beginnings!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">See, I told you it was wonderful. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Back to editing now. He he he!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-58403652208233711502014-11-20T05:14:00.001-08:002014-11-20T12:18:06.445-08:00I'm a Dot Com!<span style="font-size: large;">New and exciting things are happening in the world of Lizabeth Scott!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a new website. Check it out!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.lizabethscottbooks.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">www.lizabethscottbooks.com</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And if you don't know...really how could you not know.</span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sweet Royal Beginnings</i> <span style="font-weight: normal;">is FREE on</span>:</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Amazon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Kobo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Apple</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Google Play</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That's the third wonderful thing! I am now on Google Play!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I love to hear from you. Let me know how you like the new site!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOJEl4piSugEOFL9P9djk7IvIbn4OyUMLohrU407FC9QHLXqQIxAuX9LMYwokJp1pPj8YLIu6hXcWU9w2LIndpr23pDX2dCxaogHctwZ_AVjFon81NRTSy4sCBljcdoDAI7AMnfly/s1600/logo+white+background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOJEl4piSugEOFL9P9djk7IvIbn4OyUMLohrU407FC9QHLXqQIxAuX9LMYwokJp1pPj8YLIu6hXcWU9w2LIndpr23pDX2dCxaogHctwZ_AVjFon81NRTSy4sCBljcdoDAI7AMnfly/s1600/logo+white+background.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-79900599505564386172014-11-13T06:51:00.003-08:002014-11-17T07:22:05.125-08:00Sweet Royal Beginnings is FREE!<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5464c53c0a48c9927264465">
<span class="userContent">Thanks everyone for making the release of Sweet Royal Beginnings so amazing!</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent">Feel FREE to share this post on your page. I feel an all time record high coming on!</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent">SWEET ROYAL BEGINNINGS</span><br />
<span class="userContent">Abandoned at birth Jane Smith didn’t have much expe<span class="text_exposed_show">rience with the elusive emotion of love. Frankly, she didn’t even believe that any such emotion existed. After all she had gotten along just fine all on her own for twenty some years. She certainly didn’t need some obnoxious over inflated egotistical man coming into her world and turning it upside down. <br /><br />“Mike” thought entirely too highly of himself and Jane was one woman that would not fall at his feet just because he was a prince and probably the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life. His strong broad shoulders and dark brown hair or his midnight blue eyes did nothing for her, nor did his whiskey smooth accent send messages of warning to her female parts.<br /> But most of all, Jane Smith was a big ole liar. <br /><br /> Prince Mikal SuMartra had no idea why the small blonde on stage attracted him. Her figure was quite slim which made other parts of her full lush body all the more tempting. The conflicting glimpses he got of the saucy siren with blushing innocence intrigued him. The way she reacted to his touch he knew that a night in her arms would be pleasure filled for both of them.<br /><br /> Her blatant refusal only made him more determined than ever to have her. Mikal couldn’t wait to peel away the many faces of Jane to uncover the true jewel beneath. <br /><br /> This over 15 thousand word novella is the complete story of Jane and Mikal as they struggle to find their way to the beginning of their happy ever after.<br /><br /> Jane and Mikal are also the proud parents of:<br /> <em>Sweet Surrender</em> – Mari & Ki<br /> <em>Sweet Denial</em> – Ella & Zahir<br /> <em>Sweet Seduction</em> – Kassie & Taj<br /> <em>Sweet Temptation</em> – Chellie & Siran<br /><br /> FREE on iTunes<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fbook%2Fsweet-royal-beginnings%2Fid939097140%3Fls%3D1%26mt%3D11&h=GAQGhZK_O&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sweet-royal-beginnings/id939097140?ls=1&mt=11</a><br /><br /> FREE on Kobo<br /><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/sweet-royal-beginnings" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/sweet-royal-beginnings</a></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
FREE on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Royal-Beginnings-Mikal-Novella-ebook/dp/B00PECBN1O">http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Royal-Beginnings-Mikal-Novella-ebook/dp/B00PECBN1O</a></div>
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
FREE on Google Play <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Lizabeth_Scott_Sweet_Royal_Beginnings?id=cmVqBQAAQBAJ">https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Lizabeth_Scott_Sweet_Royal_Beginnings?id=cmVqBQAAQBAJ</a></div>
</div>
<span class="userContent">
</span>Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-65511413013244248722014-10-13T16:20:00.004-07:002014-10-13T16:20:53.581-07:00Sweet Surrender Revision<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_543c5de74ce148e83218855">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">If you've read my blog you know the story of how my first book Sweet Surrender came to be. <br /><br /> Sweet Surrender is much more than just a Contemporary Romance Novel. To me Sweet Surrender is a book of dreams. A life time of dreaming that I could write culminated between each and every page of that book.<br /><br /> At this point, I have three books independently published and two more in the cue waiting. Plus fo<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">ur more in different stages. Please believe me when I say that NOBODY is more shocked than me!<br /><br /> Recently it was pointed out that my "writing style" has changed since Sweet Surrender. That is not surprising because I had no idea what I was doing. OR how to do it. I was writing by the seat of my pants. But had the time of my life doing it.<br /><br /> I have been writing for almost a year now and can't imagine a day going by without making my characters coming to life and telling me what they want to do next.<br /><br /> After much thought, I have decided to revise Book 1 Sweet Surrender so that all the books in the series have the same feel. Don't worry, the story line will stay the same and you should be able to update your download.<br /><br /> Thank you everyone for supporting and encouraging me as I go on this wild ride. So jump in and hang on!<br /><br /> FYI-Be prepared for the Hearts of Gold Series...I'm just sayin'!</span></span></div>
Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-86239122296886330662014-09-26T04:04:00.006-07:002014-10-03T05:06:57.811-07:00Release Day is Finally Here! - Sweet Seduction Hits the Ebook Shelf!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_542e90dc757523e30207251">
It's here!<br /> FINALLY!<br /> See links below for Sweet Seduction Book 3 <br /> Kassie and Taj<br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_hide"></span><div class="text_exposed_show">
<br />
Links for Sweet Seduction<br />iTunes/iBooks<br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sweet-seduction/id924908243?ls=1&mt=11" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sweet-seduction/id924908243?ls=1&mt=11</a><br /> Amazon<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O091D5S" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O091D5S</a><br /> Barnes & Noble<br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sweet-seduction-lizabeth-scott/1120419702?ean=2940150657885" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sweet-seduction-lizabeth-scott/1120419702?ean=2940150657885</a><br />
Kobo<br /><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/sweet-surrender-32" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/sweet-surrender-32</a><br />
<br />
FREE. Giveaway <br /> To enter, all you have to do is like my Lizabeth Scott page and share this on your Facebook wall for a chance to win a beautiful turquoise and red coral heart bracelet. <br /> Winner will be picked Sunday night October 5. <br /> Good luck and don't forget to share!!!</div>
</div>
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ITJgng24z8NESvnM8R8Oz1HdKiDIu7IZa4HL2aWcqfM0eqj8A3Q9SGvnvA27Hsa4kf5JL1G2TjxxycbGwL40sdux45ztO_4yBMCy2Er0KfqgVu0oUGcNZRexvsNN_d0Fu4z2t5B/s1600/bracelet+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ITJgng24z8NESvnM8R8Oz1HdKiDIu7IZa4HL2aWcqfM0eqj8A3Q9SGvnvA27Hsa4kf5JL1G2TjxxycbGwL40sdux45ztO_4yBMCy2Er0KfqgVu0oUGcNZRexvsNN_d0Fu4z2t5B/s1600/bracelet+photo.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Good luck!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It’s not too late
to fall in love with the SuMartra family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Book 1 and 2 are
available now!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Each 40 to 50
thousand word ebook can be read as a stand-alone…but why would you want to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span class="usercontent"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sweet Surrender </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
<span class="usercontent">The beginning. Mari and Ki get it all started. </span><br />
<span class="usercontent">Amazon</span><br />
<span class="usercontent"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Surrender-Mari-Royal-Novel-ebook/dp/B00JCZNE8Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1411645273&sr=1-1&keywords=sweet+surrender+lizabeth+scott" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/<wbr></wbr>Sweet-Surrender-Mari-Royal-Nove<wbr></wbr>l-ebook/dp/B00JCZNE8Y/<wbr></wbr>ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UT<wbr></wbr>F8&qid=1411645273&sr=1-1&keywo<wbr></wbr>rds=sweet+surren<span class="textexposedhide">...</span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">der+lizabeth+scott</span></span></a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">iBooks</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sweet-surrender/id871388941?mt=11" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/<wbr></wbr>book/sweet-surrender/<wbr></wbr>id871388941?mt=11</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Barnes & Noble </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sweet-surrender-lizabeth-scott/1119045420?ean=2940149456475" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/<wbr></wbr>w/<wbr></wbr>sweet-surrender-lizabeth-scott/<wbr></wbr>1119045420?ean=2940149456475</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Kobo</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/sweet-surrender-26" target="_blank">http://store.kobobooks.com/<wbr></wbr>en-US/ebook/sweet-surrender-26</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Sweet Denial</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Mari's sister Ella needed her HEA. She just had to
convince Ki's brother Zahir that they were meant for each other.</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Amazon</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSweet-Denial-Zahir-Royal-Novel-ebook%2Fdp%2FB00LR0GA8S%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fs%3Ddigital-text%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1411645383%26sr%3D1-1%26keywords%3Dsweet%2Bdenial%2Blizabeth%2Bscott&h=rAQFmF2i2&enc=AZP0kUSIMWzc6MtZ0Brz4fUfItBOirB62erQjRPENWsx3CdN4SPzCtRC6pkt7k0Wl5pDNySE5t4dEDtPAwNvibOeP_2bmGhwAiSIVC1BNUMfdfdTgZ2ZoK1f7k452_BNTs8wmlE03HWlY_UWjAHGSDcO&s=1" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/<wbr></wbr>Sweet-Denial-Zahir-Royal-Novel-<wbr></wbr>ebook/dp/B00LR0GA8S/<wbr></wbr>ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UT<wbr></wbr>F8&qid=1411645383&sr=1-1&keywo<wbr></wbr>rds=sweet+denial+lizabeth+scot<wbr></wbr>t</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">iBooks</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fbook%2Fsweet-denial%2Fid904384683%3Fmt%3D11&h=aAQF6EhTc&enc=AZPmWaK2E4_f-gX6nCBlzsg1O806mTWsmasNJxfpt3_KPWLEWhrYv5GkXPlwscbp6GHtVCYIxfVqs9w0sGnKtec-dUxGnx2-PmjuwDqNyVrzBFW1DKxGwtItpwoudsbGEsmH4fpqo92dsnxj8A-4Yb-p&s=1" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/<wbr></wbr>book/sweet-denial/<wbr></wbr>id904384683?mt=11</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Barnes & Noble </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%2Fw%2Fsweet-denial-lizabeth-scott%2F1119945511%3Fean%3D2940149792603&h=IAQFIVCfK&enc=AZOAPjDi-zbD6o3CuSxJQ4dpQgaZlfLj65n_QnrZBwi1kRJrism84r3jHw36J-W_E5PefEy76b00Am3IhPFPNnomp9lnP8udn3i9jVqcNgSTP9OXaA_NZXy7M6J18rwxOSek1jFs5HjtHBc8Ls8uQSjH&s=1" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/<wbr></wbr>w/sweet-denial-lizabeth-scott/<wbr></wbr>1119945511?ean=2940149792603</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Kobo</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/sweet-denial" target="_blank">http://store.kobobooks.com/<wbr></wbr>en-US/ebook/sweet-denial</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-54738819445682601632014-09-22T11:49:00.001-07:002014-09-22T11:49:55.246-07:00The Journey to Becoming a Writer Cont.She said she like it!<br />
I know, I couldn't believe it either. AND she wanted me to write more.<br />
Sure, no problem. I was shaking in my shoes because I didn't know if I could. So I just started adding to the scene I had written. And kept writing. Eventually I had 1000 words. I amazed myself. After re-reading it and re-writing some things I sent it on to Ms. Lennox again.<br />
Her feed back. "It's really good keep going."<br />
WHAT!<br />
By now it wasn't a "game" anymore. I was really into the characters and couldn't wait to get home from work and find out what my fingers had them doing next. <br />
Did I mention that nobody. I mean nobody at this point knew I was writing. Why? <br />
#1. If I couldn't do it then I wouldn't have to own up to my failure. <br />
#2. Are you kidding? Me a writer! Sheesh. <br />
#3. Nobody would believe it. I am the most unlikely contemporary romance writer there has ever been. Just trust me on this. Now, I love to tell people just to see their shocked expressions. <br />
<br />
I almost freaked out when I hit 10 thousand words. Then 15, 20, 25, and finally over 30 thousand words. I had written a dog gone book! Me! I did it myself!<br />
<br />
By this time Ms. Lennox and I were best buds. At least to me we are. I think I even shocked her. I sent her my finished book and waited...and waited...remember she is a busy author. She has much more important things to do. World travels, deciding which Lamborghini to purchase next, hobnobbing with the rich and famous. Okay, so these were the things I had her doing in my mind. She is really not like that. And I didn't wait long. But it seemed like it.<br />
<br />
Her response..."When are you going to publish it?"<br />
WHAT!<br />
Now wait a minute. I was playing around...right?<br />
I can't really write a book. She wanted me to publish it? She even offered to walk me through the entire process.<br />
So I needed to decide if I wanted to open myself up to the criticisms I knew there would be or if I wanted it to always be my little secret, that I could write a book.<br />
By this time my book was a part of me. I know that sounds strange. But I really felt like I would be pushing a child on stage and saying "Dance Gypsy, Dance." (Some of you will get that, most of you will not. I'm okay with that.)<br />
I asked a really good, really smart friend, who happens to be an English major if she would read my book and proof it for me. Of course at first she didn't believe me. Then she was flabbergasted that I had written a book. After the shock wore off she was happy and excited to proof it. And to this day she is still happy and excited to proof my books. Thank you A!<br />
<br />
I couldn't wait to see if A liked it. She did! She really, really liked it.<br />
Now I had two people telling me that it was good. Do I believe them or are they only saying that because they didn't want to hurt my feelings?<br />
<br />
Another funny thing happened while I was trying to decide whether to publish or not. I started another book! But don't worry It was really awful. I stopped writing it after about 5 thousand words. You know why? Because the sister of the heroine in my book wouldn't get out of my head. She had a story to tell and she was determined I was going to write it. Now, please. I KNOW how that sounds. Don't judge. Okay.<br />
<br />
That is when I realized I wanted other people to read my book. Ms. L helped me and on my birthday in 2014 I published my first book. And that folks is how Sweet Surrender came to be.<br />
<br />
Since them I have published the second book in the Royal Vow Series Sweet Denial and on Oct 1 of 2014 I hope to publish book 3 of the series Sweet Seduction. <br />
<br />
I hope you fall in love with the characters the way I did while writing them. My life has not been the same since Ms. Elizabeth Lennox said, "Just write a scene."<br />
<br />
<br />
Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240289424813986774.post-84138384655161374392014-09-04T17:14:00.000-07:002014-09-04T17:14:22.320-07:00Part 3 - How I Became a Writer<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Ms. Lennox urged me to
write something. Just one thing. So after debating it, and mulling it over in
my head I started writing a scene, just to see if I could. Now I know it's
rough. And I know I have tense issues. I am still working through these. but
here is my first attempt at writing a contemporary romance novel. Be kind...<br />
<br />
One look in his eyes and she felt desire deep within her core. Every coherent
thought left her brain. An elemental hunger took possession of her body pulling
her closer and closer until she was wrapped in his arms. She pressed her cheek
against his chest feeling his rapid heartbeat proving he is just as affected as
she is. She inhaled the unique scent of him filling her lungs putting her under
his spell even more. “Mari, look at me.” Slowly she moved her eyes from his
chest to once again look into the depths of his hypnotic eyes. “You must tell
me that you want this.” Unable to form the words Mari slowly moves her hand to
touch is cheek. “You understand that once I have you, you are mine.” Hearing
his words and yet seeing the vulnerability in his eyes Mari answers in the only
way she can. “I am yours.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">After I wrote it, I was
kinda proud of myself. It wasn't awful. But then I was hit with a dilemma... Elizabeth
Lennox wanted me to send it to her. A real life author wanted to read something
I had written. That is very intimidating and scary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It took me a few days
and a lot of prompting from EL but I finally got enough nerve up to click send.
I mean at least she would get a chuckle out of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Much to my surprise…she
like it! I thought she was just being nice. But she encouraged me to continue. I
think her exact words were, “Where’s the rest of it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">So, I wrote another
longer scene. She liked it and wanted more. By this time I was at about a
thousand words. Oh, side note…us "authors" (still giggle when I say that) refer to word counts as “K’s”. Just so
you know. Anyway, I kept going until a had 5K and then 10K and then 25K and
finally I ended up with over 30K. I had no idea I even knew that many words.
Okay, so I used some more than once, but still.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Then came an agonizing conundrum.
Do I send it to Elizabeth Lennox to read? I couldn't do it for the longest
time. It is hard to explain. If she read it and hated it then there went the theory
I believed most of my like…that I could write. If you don’t actually prove the
theory wrong, you can still believe it, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Then a strange thing
happened. Somewhat like the Grinch’s heart growing 10 times larger. I started
to have this overwhelming need for someone to read my book attempt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">So I reread what I had
written and went back through everything again and again. And finally I sent it
to her. And waited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Bet you would like to
know what she said…now you will have to wait. It’s not easy is it? LOL!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lizabeth Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644035577966779987noreply@blogger.com0