2nd Excerpt of No Greater Love - Releasing early Summer

Kirby caught up to Jonas near the hedges lining the path down to the pond. There he stood in the moonlight, gazing up at a lighted bedroom window three stories up. His frustration etched in his face.

She watched as he took hold of the white trellis fastened to the back of the three-story, antebellum style mansion and laughed. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Tess is probably perched up there on one of those balconies with a riffle just waiting for the opportunity to nail you between the eyes.”

He turned with a grin. “That would be less painful than her first target.”

“True, but then I’m guessing you’d be dead.”

He let loose of the trellis and slowly backed away. “She is a good shot. I once saw her take a buck at a distance that would make most men shriek.”

“Why don’t you take a walk instead?”

“Are you trying to get rid of me too?”

He had a gorgeous smile, the kind to make most women go weak in the knees. “Actually I hoped to join you. I thought you could show me the grounds.”

“It’s getting dark. We won’t be able to see much.”

“The path down to the pond is lighted.”

“So it is.”

He started down the rocky path and she followed. At five-eight, she kept up with his long strides with ease. “Leah told me you designed this place for her?”

He only nodded.

“You did a wonderful job. You’re a very talented man.”

“Is that your impression or hers?”

“Mine. Though, I’m sure she’d agree.”

“If you just met her today, how would you know her impressions of me?”

“I sensed it. It comes with the territory. It’s obvious you two have a history together.”

He stopped so abruptly she almost ran into him. When he turned, he was so close she could see the outline of a small scar above his left cheek. His green eyes met hers, their intensity almost startling. “Unless you’re prepared to give me some answers, I suggest you keep your opinions and observations to yourself.”

“Fine!” She watched as he spun around toward the pond. “I was just trying to make conversation.”

They reached the water and she stared out across its surface. Several yards out a gazebo floated with multi-colored lights around the awnings and railings. He walked to the wooden bridge that led out to it and she followed. Neither spoke as he led the way. Their steps caused the bridge to sway back and forth across the water. It created little ripples along the surface and prompted her to hold onto the railing to secure her balance.

As he stepped into the gazebo, he turned and offered his hand. Kirby accepted it. Once inside, she looked around. Centered in the middle stood a stone fireplace encircled by wooden picnic tables and in the corner was a gas grill. “All the comforts of home,” she said. The fact that it was larger than her own living room saddened her.

She moved to an open area of the gazebo and peered out at the diving board centered in the middle of the opening. There was a ladder on either side of it leading into the water.

“This was built before we even started the house,” he said. “I think this pond was the reason she bought the property. Leah loves to swim.”

“She swims in here?” Just the thought made her cringe. All those fish—and turtles.

“Why not? Its spring fed, and cold year around. There’s nothing more refreshing than a cool dip on a hot summer day, or better yet, going skinny dipping in the moonlight.”

The smile planted on his face prompted her to scoot back, putting some distance between them. Unsure if he was teasing, or if it was an invitation, she wasn’t taking any chances. She learned with Darrel that charm and good looks usually only brought heartache.

“If you’re not up to the challenge there’s a heated pool located in the basement of the house. Complete with dressing rooms, of course.”

He had been teasing. She smiled. “I noticed a runway with a couple of hangars as I was driving onto the estate, does she own a plane?”

"We both do."

“You’re both pilots?”

“I am. She has one on retainer.”

Leah Dalton’s life was amazing, but then she did own one of the most successful computer software companies in the United States.

She turned and gazed up toward the house. The huge structure was surrounded on both sides by extensive, gorgeous landscaping. The rear of the mansion, where the dining room, ball room and game room were located, was encased in glass stretching up three stories. The bright lights inside gave off a luminous glow. She hadn’t been assigned a bedroom yet, but she hoped it would be one with a view of the pond and gazebo.

“She’s dying, isn’t she?”

Kirby felt his hand on her arm before she heard his question. She was tempted to pretend she didn’t hear him.

His grip tightened. “Please, answer me.”

She turned. The pain etched into his face earlier returned. Even his eyes displayed the torture. She looked past him, avoiding his gaze. “I can’t,” she replied softly. She then stepped aside, out of his reach, fearing that after another moment under the scrutiny of his eyes she’d spill her guts with no remorse.

“You don’t have to. I already know.” He stepped to the railing and peered out across the pond toward the house. “I guess I suspected it the day I received the invitation. I just didn’t want to accept it. If it had been anything else, she would have called or sent for me sooner. This evening at the dinner table, just watching her, the reality began to set in.”

He paused as if to offer her a chance to respond.

Kirby kept silent. What else could she do? What would be the point of denying it? He would learn the truth sooner or later. She was tempted to reach out to him, offer some kind of condolence. Aw, man! Why did she follow him? When was she ever going to learn to leave well enough alone? She could have avoided this heartache if she’d just stayed and played pool with the others. If only she’d never stepped foot in the house, or taken the fifteen mile drive from the city.

“She used to have this fantastic spirit about her, energetic, outgoing—so full of life. It’s gone now, drained from her.”

“She’s given up,” Kirby said, expressing what she felt was obvious.

“No. You’re wrong. If there’s one thing I’m sure of, she’s put up a strong battle. Leah’s a fighter. She always has been. She’s never walked away from anything in her life. The one exception being me, and I gave her plenty of reasons to.”

“How long has it been since you last saw her?”

“A little over a year. I got this job in Denver. I knew it would take a year or more to complete, so I asked her to come with me. She refused.”

The woman was a nut case, Kirby quickly concluded. She’d have to be to let a guy like this get away. He had all the qualities that most women dreamed of in a man. He was handsome, successful, passionate, and caring. So why had Leah just let him walk out of her life?

‘I gave her plenty of reasons to.’ Kirby wondered if alcohol played into those reasons. She’d been quick to notice he hadn’t accepted a margarita before dinner and drank water instead of champagne to Leah’s toast, yet at the dinner table he’d commented that the two used to frequent the bars. Had he cleaned up his act for her, only to learn it was now too late?

“Why didn’t she tell me when she found out?” he murmured. “We’ve been through so much together–shared so much. Why not this?”

“Because she loves you.” Kirby winced at the thought. She’d been so caught up in this man’s pain and her own thoughts she almost forgot Leah’s ludicrous plan. He was a part of this group, where Leah sought out her murderer.

“Is it cancer?”

“Yes,” she replied. She debated whether to tell him more. To disclose the reason Leah summoned them all here.

“Oh, no!” His voice gave way to a heavy sigh. “She was always afraid she’d get cancer. She even made me quit smoking.” He paced back and forth along the railing. Every few steps he’d toss a wayward glance towards the house. “When she was young, before her parents were killed, she had a grandmother who came to live with them. She was dying with cancer. Leah never talked much about her, but from what I was able to gather, she died a pretty horrible death. Seems she has been surrounded by death her whole life. I’m not sure she has any family left.”

“Except for us,” Kirby said, surprised by her own words. It was then she realized she too was connected to Leah Dalton. Not only because they’d both watched a loved one die a tortured death. It was more, much more. It wasn’t something she could explain, but she’d felt it the moment Leah walked into her office. It wasn’t just curiosity that drew her to this place. It was fate.

“Jonas,” a man’s voice called out from the other end of the bridge. Kirby recognized it as Cliff’s. “We need you up at the house. It’s Leah. She’s having some sort of seizure.”

1st Excerpt of No Greater Love - Releasing early Summer!

The attorney offered Leah her hand and as she shook it she caught a scent of her perfume. She didn’t recognize the fragrance and suspected it to be a knock off of a more expensive brand. It was characteristic of the cheaply made black and gray pin-striped pantsuit she wore. The photograph that had accompanied Kirby Shelton’s file didn’t do her justice. She was even more beautiful in person. Her light auburn hair, slightly longer than in the photograph, fell across narrow shoulders and cascaded down her back just past her shoulder blades, and brought out the green tint in her blue eyes.

“Please, have a seat,” Kirby offered, before closing the door.

Leah didn’t hesitate and sank into one of the two oversized, plaid cushioned chairs facing her desk. She glanced around the cramped office; the cream colored walls were bare except for the attorney’s college and law school diploma’s and two lithographs by a local artist she quickly recognized. One was a particular favorite, a landscape with Pike’s Peak in the background. She had the original in her own office. The three bookshelves lining two walls were filled with mostly law books, and the plate glass window behind her desk offered a beautiful view of the downtown area of Colorado Springs. It wasn’t nearly as elaborate as the offices in the law firm she kept on retainer, but it was tasteful.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss. Dalton. My secretary loves your new office software. She says it’s much simpler and less time consuming.”

“Thank you.” Dalton Software’s latest brainchild had been another great success.

Kirby took a seat behind the large oak desk. “So what can I do for you?”

Good, let’s get right to the point. Leah already liked the woman. “I’d like you to help find someone to kill me.”

Kirby’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

Leah smiled. “You heard correctly. I want you to help me find someone to end my life.”

“You must be joking. I’m an attorney. I…”

“I’m well aware of who you are. I’ve spent the last two months and a considerable amount of money to find the right person to help me, and you are that person.”

“I’m afraid you’ve wasted both your time and money then, because whatever you have on your mind I don’t want any part of it.”

Leah watched her get up and walk past her toward the door. This consultation was well on its way to being the shortest she’d ever had. “When your father was eaten up with cancer and you took him into your home to care for him, didn’t you ever wish there was something, anything you could do to end his suffering?”

“How do you know about my father?”

Leah turned in the chair to face the young attorney. “I know just about all there is to know about you, Kirby. You don’t mind if I call you, Kirby, do you?” When she didn’t answer, Leah continued. “You would have graduated in the top ten percent of your class at the University of Washington School of Law had you not taken off a year to care for your father, Bill. You moved here two years ago, leaving behind a husband of 6 years named Darrel. During the divorce settlement he got the law firm you were partners in, and you got squat. You’ve no children, and not much of a social life aside from some intriguing outdoor activities. Shall I continue?”

“No. I’m sure your private detectives were very thorough.” Kirby folded her arms across her body, her eyes leveling on Leah. “I take it you’ve been diagnosed with terminal cancer.”

“Six months ago. And unlike your father, I’m not a brave person. Not only do I have a low threshold for pain, I can’t stand the sight of needles.”

“I’m sorry for your situation, but there’s nothing I can do to help. Even if I did know where to find the type of person who would kill you, I wouldn’t for a number of reasons.”

Leah’s eyes steadied on the woman who now sat beside her. She was somewhat taken back by the compassion in her eyes. “I’m having five old friends join me for a week at my estate. All you have to do is help me choose the right one to complete the task, and you will be generously compensated for your part.”

Kirby laughed. “You’re nuts lady. If these are really your friends, what makes you think one of them would be willing to kill you?”

“Because I intend to make them an offer they can’t refuse. One of them, whom ever we choose, will walk away with $300million dollars.”

“That money won’t be of much use to them behind bars.”

“I may be desperate Kirby but I’m not stupid. One of the stipulations is they have to make my death appear natural or like an accident.”

“Unless all of them are criminals or doctors that may be a problem.”

“That’s where you come in. With your knowledge of the law, part of your job will be to choose the way I die from the scenarios they present.”

Leah sat quietly, giving Kirby time to ponder the idea. She knew she had chosen the right person, although it hadn’t been easy. There were a lot of attorney’s she knew, if the price were right, would sell their mother’s soul. Kirby wasn’t in it for the money though, that’s why she had chosen her. Kirby Shelton would lay her life on the line for the right cause.

“I see you have given this considerable thought.”

“I haven’t thought of much else.” The thought of not reaching her next birthday only four months away was scary enough. It was the lingering pain filled days that terrified her.

“You know they’re coming out with new medications every day that will help with the pain and the nausea from chemo and radiation.”

Leah was impressed with the fact that the woman didn’t try and pretend there was hope of a cure. “I’m well aware of that, and believe me I’ve tried them. I’m running out of options though…and time.”

“I’m sorry, really I am.”

Leah rubbed her sweaty palms together. It wasn’t going as well as she’d hoped. “I know you’ve worked hard to get your practice going. Just imagine how much easier it will be with enough money you’ll never have to worry where the next month’s rent is coming from. You’ll be able to afford new offices, more advertising.”

“I’m not interested.”

Leah graciously accepted defeat for now, stood and offered her hand. “I’m sorry I’ve wasted your time.”

***

Kirby stared at the door, still stunned. She had met some real wacko’s in her life, but this one had taken the prize. What was so scary was that someone might actually take her up on her offer.

“Deanna,” she spoke into the intercom. A horrendous hiss answered. Blasted thing didn’t work half the time. What did she expect purchasing it at a government surplus auction? She’d been extremely lucky the computer systems still worked.

She walked to the door and poked her head out. “Call Harry over at Peterson Security and tell him to find out all he can on Leah Dalton.”

“You could find out about as much as he can from last month’s issue of Business Woman, she’s on the cover. You know she wrote her first software program when she was15. She was only 22 when she started the company which, by the way, pulled in over $2 billion last year in sales.”

“Okay, on your lunch hour you can dig me up that issue for me.”

“That won’t be an easy task. I heard it was sold out. I read it at the dentist office when I took Joey to get his braces.”

“Try the library then. If not there, go back to the dentist office. I want that magazine.”

“Look, I don’t mind giving you an extra half hour or hour after work, but you’re not getting my lunch hour. It’s my time to reenergize.”

Kirby smiled. Employed for over ten years with one of Colorado Springs most prestigious law firms it hadn’t been easy to persuade the young mother to come to work for her. On blind faith that Kirby had managed to build a successful law firm in the past, Deanna Lloyd had accepted the challenge and taken a considerable cut in pay. For that Kirby would be forever grateful.

“Please,” she pressed, adding her best smile.

“Oh all right, just don’t make it habit.”

“I won’t I promise.”

Kirby returned to her desk and picked up the case file she had been working on earlier. The client, a second-time offender had been arrested yesterday for burglary. The police report listed two witnesses, neither looked credible. They may have a change of beating the rap. Although he’d said he didn’t do it, that he was home in bed, her instincts said otherwise. Either way he had the right to the best defense she could offer him. Had the case not been court appointed, she probably would have declined it. The thought of letting another scumbag loose on the streets again sickened her.

Reservations for Two - February 2010

Carson Jennings smiled to himself as he watched the salt and pepper-haired woman sling the roller blades over her shoulder. She looked ridiculous in her bright rainbow colored socks but didn’t seem to care one iota about the curious looks being tossed her way as she went in and out of the galleries and gift shops. It was a refreshing sight to see someone similar in age enjoying her self under the scrutiny of others. He’d often wished he were more uninhibited in his own lifestyle. But having been a district judge, for more than twenty-five years, he never had that luxury.

“Another refill, sir?”

Carson glanced up briefly at the male teenage waiter. “Please,” he answered as he continued to peer down from the sidewalk café to the prettiest sight he’d seen in years.

“She’s an interesting woman,” the young man commented.

Carson reluctantly drew his gaze away. “Is she from around her?”

“No, she’s a tourist. She and her late husband spent their honeymoon here a long time ago. Before he died, they traveled the world together. Exotic places like Africa and Brazil. I imagine she finds this place pretty boring in comparison.”

Carson considered the young man. He wondered why it was that he knew so much about a tourist. “How long has she been here?”

“Since yesterday.” The boy grinned as if reading Carson’s mind. “She was having breakfast while I was waiting to clock in. She seemed kinda lonely and she reminded me of my grandmother.”

“Hey, Jimmy, you have a couple of orders ready,” a co-worker called out from the doorway of the café.

“Sorry, I’ve gotta go. If you need anything, holler.”

Carson watched the teenager disappear inside before re-turning his gaze to the shops below. He waited several minutes, but saw no sign of the woman. Disappointed, he finished his coffee, picked up his tab, and went inside.

* * * *

Maggie waited until she saw the man go inside the café before she left the gift shop. She’d noticed him watching her after catching a glimpse of him in one of the windows. She knew she was probably being overly cautious, that he was more than likely just as curious about her as everyone else had been, but Joe had always taught her to be careful of her surrounding. A pastor practically his whole life, he knew better than most of the evil lurking in the world.

Maggie climbed the dozen steps and rested long enough on a park bench to slip on the roller blades. She’d gone no more than a few feet when a group of teenagers rolled past her, forcing her to slow her pace. Suddenly a large dog darted in front of her, followed by a young woman racing to catch up. Maggie struggled to regain her balance, but to no avail. Within seconds she found herself on her backside, staring up at a familiar face. She quickly recognized the silver haired man as the same one who had been watching her only a short while ago.

With an amused expression plastered across his face, he knelt down in front of her. “You look as if you could use a hand.”

She was about to accept his offer, but then reconsidered. “Thank you, but I think I’ve had all the exercise I can stand for one day,” she said and reached for the laces of her skates.

“Then please, allow me.”

Maggie watched as he removed her skates. He was even more handsome up close, and despite the air of authority his voice resonated, the light blue polo shirt he wore over white shorts reeked tourist. “I know I must look ridiculous.”

He tossed her a gorgeous smile. “On the contrary. And I like your socks.”

She laughed, suspecting he was only being kind. “They were a gift from one of my granddaughters.”

He laid the roller blades to one side and helped her to her feet. At well over six feet, he towered over her five-foot four-inch frame. “How many grandchildren do you have?”

She met his expressive blue eyes and answered cautiously, “Seven.” She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d been following her. The news was filled with horror stories about lonely old women who were taken advantage of by smooth talking gentlemen after their life savings. She almost chuckled at the thought. If he was one of them he was going to be aw-fully disappointed.

“I only have one,” he offered freely of himself. “I’ve been hoping for more, but since I only have one daughter who seems more interested in her career than a family, it appears I’ll have to be happy with just the one.”

“One is better than none.” She bent to pick up the roller blades, but he beat her to them. “Thank you for your help.” She waited for him to hand the skates over, but he just stood there looking at her with a goofy grin on his face. “I should be going.”

“Of course,” he said and handed her the roller blades. “Uh, listen…if you aren’t doing anything for lunch I’d be honored if you were to join me, my treat of course.”

She smiled at his offer. Though tempted, she decided to air on the side of caution. “Thank you, but I’m afraid I can’t.” After all she’d just met the man. Despite his charming demeanor she didn’t know him from Adam. He could be a serial killer for all she knew.

“I’m Carson Jennings by the way,” he said as if reading her mind.

She shook the hand he offered. “Maggie O’Brien. Thanks again for your help, but I really should be going.”

“It was a pleasure, Maggie O’Brien. Perhaps we’ll meet again under more pleasant circumstances.”