didn’t budge.
Anna reached into her pocket, pulled out her pocketknife and cut the screen. The sharp knife zipped through it, and in a matter of seconds there was a hole wide enough for her to slip through.
She jumped to the window ledge and slid through to the floor. Hurrying, she rushed to the body, unaware of the blood until she stepped in it. She knew then she’d made a terrible mistake.
Gently turning the body, she saw first the multiple stab wounds to the chest— Suddenly she realized that the dead man was a stranger. It was not Jeremy Masterson, but someone she’d never seen. There was no help for him. His body was already stiffening with rigor mortis.
The horror of what she saw numbed her. Anna forced herself to remain still, to breathe, to think. Her grandfather had been a man of rigid control. He’d taught her the danger of emotionalism and fear, and Anna reached deep inside herself, seeking that discipline.
Body trembling, she slowly stood and tried to determine what had happened. A stack of manuscript pages sat on the desk, and by them, the computer screen glowed a vivid blue. The full danger and brutality of the scene hit her hard. She couldn’t save the dead man, and the worst thing that could happen would be for her to be found with the body.
She ran to the window and climbed back out, then sprinted across the lawn to her truck. As she drove away and pulled onto the main road, she looked around to make sure no one witnessed her exit from the murder scene.
Chapter Two
In the full light of the Texas moon, the field of bluebells seemed dusted with silver. Jeremy put his arm around Gabriel. She’d been an enchanting date—she’d read all of his novels and had, twice, actually quoted from Blood on the Moon. Jeremy couldn’t help but be flattered by such attention from a lovely woman.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Gabriel said, as if she knew he was thinking about her.
“It’s so beautiful.” He pointed out across the meadow. His friends, Mike and Rachel Kettering, had turned an old homestead into a showplace. But then, Texas in the spring was hard to ugly up, he thought with a grin.
“It is lovely. And in your books, you describe it just this way. I’ll bet you have a million fans writing you.” She gave him a teasing look. “And most of them women.”
“Hardly that many,” Jeremy said, enjoying Gabriel’s undivided attention. Earlier, he’d left the book signing, Ellie’s demands that he head straight to the Kettering’s ranch still ringing in his ears. He’d made one personal detour, and had arrived in plenty of time to help, but as he’d suspected, the hosts had everything under control. He and Mike had spent the time before the party sipping bourbon and swapping yarns. Now he was feeling expansive and relaxed.
“Do you have any really dedicated fans? I’ve often wondered what it would be like to get mail from absolute strangers.”
“Some are stranger than others,” Jeremy said, his tone light, but his thoughts heavy. He wouldn’t exactly call Anna Red Shoes a fan, but she stayed in his mind. He was glad he’d dissuaded Ellie from reporting the incident to the police. Anna’s accusation had stung, and the less attention she got at this point, the better. He preferred to deal with her himself.
He turned his attention to Gabriel’s lovely eyes. “You’re very beautiful. But then, you already know that.”
“Want to go for a walk in the moonlight?” she asked, pressing a little closer to him.
Jeremy felt his body’s sudden desire to do exactly that. He and Gabriel, alone beneath the moon in a field of bluebells. It was the stuff of fantasies. But he hesitated. His last breakup had been unpleasant, and he’d vowed not to get involved with a woman until he completed the sequel to his novel. In his opinion, women and writing didn’t mix well. Both of them were jealous mistresses.
“I was actually thinking of going home,” he said.
“It’s only midnight,” Gabrielle whispered. “Come on, Jeremy.” Her voice was almost a purr. “Let’s have a little privacy.”
He briefly tightened his hold on her shoulders. “Ah, you’re a tempting woman,” he said. He bent to brush his lips across her neck. “But I’ve taken a vow to finish my next book before I allow myself the luxury of a woman’s company.”
She laughed. “A vow. How monastic! Do you write in a robe?”
He joined in her laughter. “You have a definite way of painting a picture,” he said. “Maybe you should write.”
She turned away from him. “There are too many writers in Texas already. By the way, I was sort of expecting Blane Griffin to be here. I read somewhere that you two were best friends.”
Jeremy tried not to react. His friendship with Blane was over, and all because of a woman. It was one more reminder not to allow the very tempting Gabriel to lead him off the path toward his next novel. Besides, he needed to talk with Henry.
“Blane and I grew up together,” he said. “And I do have to go home. My editor isn’t happy with my latest book. We need to have a conversation.”
“At midnight? What am I, a pumpkin?”
There was frustration in her voice, and he put his hands on her shoulders and held her gently. “I’d like to get to know you better, Gabriel, but I’ve worked for twenty years for this opportunity. I can’t afford to mess it up because I meet a woman who makes writing a second choice.”
She turned in his arms. “Do I do that?”
“I’m afraid you could,” he said, brushing a strand of her dark hair from her face. “I’m known to be a man who likes a gamble, but I’m walking away from this one. I’d like to call you, later, when I’m free to…pursue this.”
She stared into his eyes. “That’s your decision.” Her lips curved into a forced smile. “Not mine. I don’t put my life on hold for any man. Not even Jeremy Masterson, famous author.”
“You are a spunky little thing,” he said, leading her toward the doorway and the party that was in full swing. “I’ll call you when I come up for air. I promise.”
Jeremy never saw the hand that came out of nowhere and slapped Gabriel across the face. He did, however, recognize the sultry voice of Lucinda Estar.
“You conniving little witch.” Lucinda made a grab for Gabriel’s hair, but Jeremy caught her wrist. It had been a long, emotional day, and Lucinda was the finishing touch.
“Lucinda, you’re drunk,” he said in a monotone. “Straighten up before you humiliate yourself.”
“I don’t have to work at that. You’ve done a thorough job of it. Every time I turn my back, you’re with some cheap little tramp,” she said, her voice slurring a little. She was unsteady on her feet, and Jeremy found himself in the uncomfortable position of supporting her so she didn’t fall.
Gabriel gave him a long, pitying look. “I didn’t realize you had a full plate.” She walked away without looking back.
“You told me you had to finish your
