Hurricane Watch (Melissa Good) читать бесплатно онлайн полную версию книги (ч. 25)

Chapter

Twenty-four

TWILIGHT WAS DIMMING her office by the time Kerry looked up from her inbox, glad to have waded out of the worst of it before the end of the day.

The last thing she wanted was to have to catch up over the weekend, especially since they had very important plans tomorrow morning.

She got up and went to the windows, gazing out at the cool, blue sea that stretched the horizon. “I’m getting married,” she said to her dimly seen reflection. “It’s so weird and unreal.”

Shaking her head, she turned and picked up her mug, carrying it with her as she crossed the carpet to her door and opened it up into the hallway. It was quiet on the floor—Friday afternoon after all—and she enjoyed the sense of peacefulness as she went over into the small kitchen.

Footsteps sounded behind her, and she turned, then smiled as Mark entered. “Hey.”

“Hey, poquito boss,” Mark greeted her. “TGIF, huh?”

“TGIF,” Kerry agreed. She glanced around as three of the marketing reps entered, with Eleanor right behind them. “And it’s about that time, ain’t it?” she added, as she took in the frosty looks.

“Thanks for getting those guys in Singapore to play ball.” Mark was stirring sugar into his coffee, or maybe was pouring some coffee into his sugar, given the quantities involved. “That would have sucked if we had to work it all night.”

“Anytime.” Kerry sipped her tea. “They weren’t that bad. I just had to talk them into going outside their boundaries a little.”

“You must be good at that.” Eleanor sniped from the corner.

Kerry smiled. “Thanks. I think I am,” she responded in a mild tone.

José entered, whistling under his breath and rubbing his hands together. “It is Friday. This weekend, I am looking forward to it.” He glanced at Kerry, and to her surprise, he gave her a nod. “Better than that crazy place we were at, no?”

“Absolutely,” Kerry agreed without hesitation.

“You got that right.” Mark chimed in. “Man that was skanky.”

“What the hell are you so cheerful about?” Eleanor asked José. “I thought you were screaming about your budget cuts a half hour ago.”

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José went to the espresso machine and started making himself a cafecito with quick, expert gestures. “That was last hour,” he said. “I have figured it out, and we are good,” he added. “Not so hard after all.

I just stopped the new desks, and got rid of some extra, and so it’s done.”

Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Give me a break,” she said. “What extra, you told them not to print the sales reports twice?”

José looked around at her. “I got rid of Fabracini,” he said. “Piece of garbage he turned out, yes? Lied on his resumé. I called that Fortune 500 Company where he said he did so much and they kicked his ass out after a week.”

Kerry blinked.

Mark blinked.

“No kidding!” Eleanor’s finely crafted eyebrows almost hiked up to meet her exquisite hairline. “So you fired him?”

José turned, picking up his cup. “Si,” he said. “Of course! You cannot keep someone after you find out something like that. Terrible.”

He shook his head. “Just think if one of our competitors found out, and said to the papers.”

“Well.” The Marketing VP shook her head. “Can’t really say I’ll miss him.” She glanced past José. “And I know you won’t,” she said to Kerry. “You lucked out there. I’d have pressed charges no matter what Dar did.”

Kerry took a swallow of her tea, and pondered her response.

“Eleanor!” José snorted. “Don’t be such an asshole,” he told his colleague. “All we do is fight. Leave it.”

Eleanor stared at him. “What?”

“Leave it!” José told her. “What does it get any of us? A headache!

Just shut up and go home and get screwed and leave it.” He put his cup down and walked out, shaking his head.

A stunned silence fell over the kitchen. Then Kerry pushed off from the counter and started for her office. “Sounds like a good plan to me.”

She dropped the words into the awkwardness. “Mark, see you tomorrow morning.”

Mark scurried to follow her. “You got it, boss.”

Kerry turned, just at the door. “And Eleanor?” She gave the woman a direct look. “I treat people with the same respect they treat me with.

Do you really want to keep on like this?”

The Marketing VP held up a hand. “Truce,” she agreed readily.

“It’s too late and I’m too tired,” she said. “Let’s start fresh on Monday.”

“Have a good weekend.” Kerry smiled, then left, with Mark at her heels.Eleanor sighed. “What the hell,” she said. “How long can it last, anyway?” She sipped her coffee and relaxed.

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IT WAS COOL out on the patio. Dar stood, leaning against the stone wall, her elbows resting on it’s top as she gazed out over the water. The salty wind blew her hair back, and she caught a whiff of wood smoke, from the barbeque they were having down at the beach club.If she turned her head, she knew she’d see Kerry sprawled in the loveseat, busy with her ancient pen and a piece of parchment, writing something she refused to let Dar see. ”Tomorrow’s soon enough,” she’d told her lover, huddling over it.

Tomorrow. Dar looked down and regarded her hands quietly, absently fingering the golden band around her finger. She wasn’t nervous, exactly. After all, it was just a few words spoken by someone she didn’t even know. She would have preferred that it were just the three of them, but she couldn’t grudge Kerry’s wish to have people there.

Grumpy old antisocial beach bum. She chastised herself, semi humorously. C’mon, it’s not that big a step, and it’s only Duks, Mari, Maria, and Colleen. Get over it.

Her page to her father had gone unanswered, and though part of her was concerned at that, another part was secretly relieved, and that was warring with the big slice battling off disappointment.

Well, they’d take pictures. He’d like that. Dar sighed, and straightened. The Jacuzzi caught her eye, and she decided a nice warm soak was a good idea. A thought occurred to her. Bet Kerry would like that too.

Another thought. We have fresh raspberries and whipped cream.

Brightening, Dar went back inside.

KERRY PUT THE last touches on her poem, then untangled herself from a snoozing Chino and trotted upstairs to put the parchment carefully away. Then she examined the white, casual outfit she’d picked out for the morning, cutoff denim shorts, and the soft white shirt that tied across her ribcage, exposing her belly.

Casual, yeah. Kerry faced her reflection in the mirror and smiled.

Dar had picked a worn, stonewashed pair of short overalls, with a white shirt underneath it. It was impossibly cute on her, especially with her tan, and the fact that she intended to remain barefoot.

Kerry laughed gently, then opened her top drawer, and pulled out a wooden box, neatly carved and purchased at Bayside just the day before. She opened it, and exposed the soft, plushly velvet interior, where the two crystals were nestled, the soft lamp light glistening against both them and the brand new golden chains draped about them.

The jewelers had polished the stones, causing them to reflect the light in brilliant prisms, and she smiled as she imagined giving Dar hers the next morning.

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Soft footfalls alerted her, and she tucked the box away, just in time to turn and greet her wind disheveled lover as she peeked inside the room. ”Hey.”

Dar entered, riffling her hair with a negligent hand. ”I was wondering if you’d like to share a bowl of raspberries and a hot tub with me.”

Kerry grinned hugely. ”Would I? What kind of a silly question is that? You betcha.” She grabbed her bathing suit from the rack and gave Dar a gentle shove. ”Meet you out there?” Dar’s eyes twinkled, as she nodded, and ambled out, Chino stumbling at her heels.

Kerry pulled her shirt off, and tugged on her suit, pulling at the straps to settle the thin fabric. Then she grabbed a towel and trotted downstairs, in time to meet Dar coming out of the kitchen with two plastic containers and a smudge of whipped cream on her face. ”Mm.”

Kerry stood on tiptoes and licked it off, getting a startled squawk from her taller companion. ”Who needs berries?”

They went outside, and eased into the bubbling Jacuzzi, as Dar put the containers on the edge of the pool. ”Mm.” She stretched out long legs and leaned back. “Nice night.”

“Beautiful,” Kerry agreed. “Mark said TGIF, but boy, today really is TGIF for me. I am so looking forward to this weekend.”

“Me too,” Dar agreed. “Did you hear about Fabracini?” She watched Kerry’s face as her partner settled down in the water. “José fired him.”

“I did,” Kerry said, seeing the twinkle in Dar’s eyes. “Did you have something to do with that?” she asked. “He sounded like he was totally in charge of that.”

“I did,” Dar mimicked her tone. “I promised you I’d try another way, didn’t I?”

Kerry gazed at her. “Wow,” she said. “Thank you.” She leaned over and gave Dar a kiss on the lips. “I know this is going to be a tough transition. I appreciate you making it a little easier for me though.”

“Anytime.” Dar smiled. “I think it might make things easier for me too,” she admitted. “I think I have to learn not to run roughshod over everyone all the time.”

“Learn something new every day.” Kerry kissed her again, then pressed her forehead against Dar’s as she looked into her eyes. “I’m so looking forward to spending my life with you.”

Dar’s face lit up with delight.

Kerry rubbed noses with her and then she settled back down in the water, extending her arms out and sighing in complete contentment.

Dar wiggled her toes in the water and cleared her throat. ”That was quite a workout tonight. I’m not sure what got into Ken and I. We were like wild weasels,” she changed the subject.

“It was fun watching you,” her partner agreed amiably. “Probably a lot more fun than getting my butt kicked by you like Ken did.”

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Dar regarded the bright stars. It had all come back, as she’d executed a flickering, almost dazzling move that had dumped poor Ken on his butt so hard he bounced. She’d stood there, blood pumping fiercely, and remembered just how good that felt.

”I told Ken I’d be willing to give a little, local match a try,” Dar commented, idly tracing the patterns in the sky with her eyes. ”There’s one in May. I think I’m gonna enter.”

Kerry regarded her speculatively. ”Awesome, I think you’re going to kick everyone’s butt.”

A shrug. ”Well, I don’t know about that, I’m getting a little old for this, but we’ll see. It’ll be a small thing, maybe I can win a few rounds.”

Kerry splashed over and laid her cheek against Dar’s shoulder, gazing up at her with puppy like adoration. ”Would you win me a trophy?”

Wide, round, blue eyes stared at her. ”Um...what?”

”I always wanted someone to win a trophy for me. I used to have Brian try it at the State Fair, but to tell you the truth, he was more uncoordinated than I was, and I’m pretty bad.”

Dark lashes blinked. ”You’re not uncoordinated.”

”Not now, no,” Kerry agreed. ”How about it? Is that too romantically gooshy for you?”

”Romantic?” Dar ran a hand through her hair, confused. ”Kerry, it’s a flipping karate trophy. I don’t know if I can. I mean…I’m sure there’ll be better...I...”

Soft, green eyes gazed at her trustingly.

A sigh. ”You want a martial arts trophy.”

Kerry nodded. ”Mm, I really do,” she assured her lover. ”And I’m going to get a t-shirt with your picture on it so I can cheer you on.”

Dar made a noise somewhere between a cluck and a sneeze.

”Kerry!” she squeaked, truly alarmed.

Kerry chuckled softly. ”Gotcha.” She gently nibbled Dar’s arm.

”Sorry, whenever you go on about how old you are I have this irresistible urge to pull your chain a little.”

Dar scowled engagingly.

”Tch, that is such a cute look.” Kerry put a fingertip against the pouting lips. ”Seriously, Dar, Ken was totally impressed tonight. I heard him talking to that kid you usually work with.”

”Mm,” Dar grumbled. ”I just don't want to...” she hesitated, ”I guess I don’t want to get my own expectations up.” She played with the water a bit. ”The last time I did this, I was really good, Ker. I know I can’t match that now, and I’m trying to convince myself it doesn’t matter.”

”It doesn’t.” Kerry put her arms around her friend. ”But you’re really competitive, aren’t you?”

A rueful nod.

”You’ll do fine, Dar. No one’s going to expect everything from you Hurricane Watch

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after all the time that’s gone by. Just have fun.” Kerry rubbed her belly comfortingly. ”I’m looking forward to being there.”

”Hmm.” Dar produced a smile. ”Yeah, you’re right. I guess I’m just being a little bit squirrelly tonight.”

Kerry rested her head against Dar’s arm again. ”Mm.” She glanced up. ”You nervous about tomorrow?”

”No.” Dar brushed the thought off. ”Oh, well, a little nervous about getting all those people on the boat and out of Government Cut without ramming into Sovereign of the Seas, but other than that, no.” She nuzzled Kerry’s hair. ”They’re going to stock the galley with breakfast for everyone.”

”Mmm.” Kerry moved closer, sliding her arms around Dar’s body.

”Did you decide on what you wanted to say?”

An unseen smile lit Dar’s face. ”Yes.”

”Ooo...gonna tell me?” Kerry coaxed, easing an adventurous finger under Dar’s bathing suit strap.

”Nope,” Dar responded. ”You’ll find out tomorrow.” She bent her head and nipped a line across the back of Kerry’s neck, feeling the soft rise of goose bumps on her skin. Playfully, she reached behind her and dipped a finger in the whipped cream, then put a blob on Kerry’s damp nose.The green eyes crossed slightly as Kerry tried to focus. ”Yah.”

Dar leaned over and removed the blob, then moved down and kissed her, exchanging a bit of the sweet stuff while Kerry giggled.

”Like that?”

Kerry went back for another taste, easing over and straddling her lover as she floated in the water. After a moment she paused. ”That answer your question?”

A dark brow arched. ”Want some berries?”

”Later.” Kerry leaned forward and brought their bodies into contact, creating a gentle friction in the water. Dar’s hands slid across her back and increased the pressure, as their legs intertwined and she felt a touch wander down her hip and tickle her thigh.

She slid a strap down on Dar’s suit, and heard a chuckle as her fingertips brushed against newly uncovered flesh. ”Hope no one’s got the binoculars out,” she breathed into a tanned ear.

Dar got both Kerry’s straps off at once, and slid the sheer fabric down, exposing her body to the water’s currents, a sensual moment.

”They’ll just think it’s a full moon.” She tweaked Kerry’s behind with a twinkle in her eyes, then arched her back as Kerry worked her own suit off. ”Bite me.” Kerry ducked her head under the water and took a nibble, feeling Dar’s whole body jerk in reaction. The combination of subtle touches and the water’s stimulation was incredible, and she wanted more of it. Hands slid around her ribcage and pulled her up, and she found Dar’s lips waiting. Dar rocked back, and started a slow, 350

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teasing expedition that Kerry enthusiastically joined in on.

The stars chuckled overhead.

”YOU READY?” KERRY leaned on the kitchen counter, watching Dar suck a comforting glass of warm milk. The tall, dark haired woman was dressed in her overalls, and had her hair pulled loosely back into a knot outlining her angular profile. The dim light in the room caught her pale eyes, and Kerry could smell the clean scent of the soap Dar used, and a soft hint of sun dried cotton.

”Yep. I called the ferry dock, and left the names,” Dar replied, licking a few droplets of milk off her lips. ”I told them to escort everyone down to the marina. I figured that was easier than meeting here, then trooping over. Besides, there’s parking there.” Dar put the glass into the sink and exhaled. ”Let’s go. I want to get the boat ready.”

Kerry picked up a small rope bag, which held the crystals and the parchment, and slung it over her shoulder as she followed Dar out the door.Almost. ”Hey!”

”Yelp!” Chino’s head almost got caught in the door, and the puppy complained vigorously.

”C’mon, honey, you stay here, okay? I don’t think you’d like boats.” Kerry told the animal.

”No.” Dar put a hand on her shoulder. ”Let her come, she’s family.”

Kerry gave her a surprised look, but opened the door and let the puppy out, watching as she scampered over to Dar’s feet and started chewing them. ”Okay, but remember you asked me to do this.”

Dar scooped up the dog and tucked her under an arm as she got into the cart. She set the puppy down on the seat between them, and released the brake, starting off in the pre-dawn darkness.

It was really quiet, Kerry mused, as they rolled along the road, the sound of their tires on the tarmac seeming very loud. To one side, she could hear the gentle hiss of the surf, and to the other, the rustle of sleeping birds that roosted in the ring of trees around the small, nine hole golf course in the center of the island.

Dar steered around the curve that circled the beach club, and headed down the small path that led directly to the marina. The soft sound of clanking rigging got louder, and as they turned the last curve, Kerry could see the security lights of the harbor lighting the rows of boats. ”Beautiful morning.”

”Mm,” Dar agreed, steering down the dock until she was opposite their slip. The boat rocked gently in the water, and Dar hopped aboard with easy grace. ”The club people’ll be here shortly.” She eyed the front deck, tucking a life preserver away into its bin. ”You want to kick the batteries up, make sure we’ve got plenty of juice?”

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”Sure.” Kerry ducked down into the cabin and stowed her bag, then checked the boat’s electrical system, which was hooked to a portal on the dock. ”Looks fine,” she yelled up, idly opening the small refrigerator.

”Hey.” She peered inside, spotting a small tray, with two splits of Dom Perignon champagne, and a dish of creamy looking truffles. A card rested there, and she plucked it up, peering at it. ”Awww... Hey, Dar!”

”Mm?” A voice sounded right in her ear, almost making her hit the overhead.

”Jesus, would you not do that?” Kerry yelped. ”You’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days, Dar.”

”You called me,” Dar complained. ”It’s not my fault I was right here.” She poked her head into the small galley. ”What’s that?”

Kerry handed her the card, and retrieved the tray.

Dar studied the writing, and felt a smile edge across her face. ”It’s from Dad. Wow.”

”Open wide.” Kerry offered her a truffle, which she obediently accepted. ”He’s such a sweetie.”

”Mmm...hf.” Dar nodded, chewing.

”Now I know where his daughter gets it from,” Kerry teased gently, catching Dar in mid chew as a faint blush colored her skin.

”Heh.”

Dar sighed. ”My reputation’s in tatters.” She swallowed.

”Mmm…that’s good.” Her eyes brightened, and she sniffed after the tray. ”More?”

Kerry poured the champagne, and handed her lover a glass, then produced another truffle, which disappeared immediately. ”Hey, chew it, okay?” She took a sip of the alcohol, and nibbled a sweet, enjoying the contrasting tastes. She looked down as a scrabbling of claws indicated Chino’s approach, and watched as the puppy stumbled down the stairs, and barked at her. ”Hello, honey.”

”Yawp!” Chino sniffed around Dar’s legs, then sat down on her foot. ”Urrr..”

Dar chuckled. ”Thanks Chino. I needed a foot warmer.” She took a swallow of her drink, and let it trickle down her throat, then she nudged Kerry. ”You hoarding those?”

Kerry put a truffle in her mouth, then bit down lightly, and raised her eyebrows. ”Srof?”

Dar tilted her head down, and took the proffered half, brushing her lips against Kerry’s teasingly. ”This is starting out to be a great day already.”

Kerry grinned happily, then she turned as she heard voices outside.

”Well, I think we’re about to get things going...awp.”

Dar put her glass down, and laced her fingers through Kerry’s hair, drawing her closer and into a heartfelt, passionate kiss. They separated after a long stretch of heartbeats and looked at each other. Dar put a 352

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warm hand on Kerry’s cheek. ”I love you,” she said, simply.

”I love you too,” Kerry answered, her voice a little hoarse. ”Thank you for doing this, Dar. It means a lot to me.”

Dar smiled, and rubbed her thumb against Kerry’s soft cheek. ”I know.” Her eyes shifted to the door. ”Guess we’d better get going. I think I hear Duks.”

Kerry hugged her for a moment, then released her, and followed her up the steps to the deck.

Sure enough, familiar figures were lining the dock, weirdly shadowed in the ochre security lights. ”Morning.” Dar lifted a hand, stifling a grin as Duks put his hands on his hips and glared at her.

”You know, Dar, it’s a very good thing I am a forgiving sort.” He shook his head. ”You could not have had a sunset affair, eh?”

”Wrong ocean for that.” Dar put a bridge down and tugged the lines taut as their guests came aboard. ”Go on up into the front. We need to take some supplies on board.” She gave the waiting staff, carrying insulated coolers a nod. ”Thanks for coming. Hello, Maria.”

”Buenos Dias, Dar, Kerrisita.” Maria gave her vermillion headscarf a tug, and handed Kerry a small box. ”I know you are telling me not to get any gifts, but you take this anyhow.”

“Thanks, Maria.” Kerry took the box, then gave the secretary a hug.

”Thanks for coming, We really appreciate it.”

”Thank you for asking me.” Maria smiled. ”My family, they think I am having a, how you say, an affair, to be sneaking away so early.”

Kerry walked with her to the bow to join Duks and Mari, who were seated on the cushion, whispering to each other. ”They don’t really, do they?” Kerry asked, a little embarrassed. ”I mean, we didn’t think about how annoying it would be for everyone else to drag their butts out here before dawn. It’s about the time we usually get up.”

”Oh it figures. ” Mari laughed. ”You know, I should have realized if my overachieving, typical type of a friend Dar there found a match, it’d have to be someone who was as much into self-torture as she was.”

”What do you do so early in the morning?” Maria asked, curiously, as she seated herself on a cushion.

”Well.” Kerry glanced over as Duks and Mari started sniggering.

”Actually, we go out running.” She stuck her tongue out a little at them.

They both groaned. Maria hid a laugh behind a small hand.

DAR WATCHED THE island staff stow the food, and waited for the two Hispanic waiters to leave before she investigated the contents, snagging a corn muffin and some butter, gaining an instantly attentive Labrador puppy glued to her foot. She split the muffin, then cracked open the hot, insulated dish, and scooped out a bit of the scrambled eggs it contained, and put some on each half. Then she settled down for a moment’s peace, glad to let Kerry do the social honors for the time being.

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The rocking of the boat soothed her as she chewed, allowing her nerves to settle. It wasn’t the ceremony that was bothering her, she realized. It was that she was about to expose a very personal side of herself to someone other than Kerry.

Ugh. Dar sighed. Well, get a grip rugrat, after this whole thing, they suspected you had a marshmallow center anyway. She shared her muffin with Chino, then took a breath and went back up on deck, carrying a thermal carafe of coffee and a stack of purple Styrofoam cups.

Purple Styrofoam. Where in the hell did these people get stuff like that? She’d asked for plain foam, and gotten a face from Clemente as though she’d asked for paper frigging plates. He’d wanted to provide a china service for the coffee. So this was his compromise, she supposed, shaking her head.

”Hey, Dar.”

A voice called from the docks. She turned to see Colleen, dressed in neatly pressed tan walking shorts and a crisp white polo with a tall, heavyset man in a sweatshirt and cutoffs who she guessed was the pastor. ”Morning.” She waited for them to cross the gangplank, and gave them a reserved smile. ”If you want to bring this up front, Colleen, I’ll get the engines started.” She glanced at the pastor. ”Welcome aboard.”

The man stuck a hand out, which Dar was now free to grasp since Colleen had helpfully snatched the coffee and cups from her. ”Hello, you must be Dar.”

Dar inclined her head, favorably impressed with his friendly face and firm handshake. ”That’s right, is it Pastor Robert?”

He laughed. ”Sure, it’s better than Pappy Bob, which is what my nephews call me.” He cleared his throat a little. ”It’s a pleasure to meet you. From the way Kerry talks about you, I had a feeling she’d found someone special.” He smiled a little at Dar's discomfited look. I’ve known Kerry since she was a little girl.”

A hint of warmth crept into Dar’s eyes. ”I bet you know some stories, then.” She eased the subject away from herself. ”Was she a scamp?”

”Ooohhh, yes, a boat...er...load.” He started laughing. ”And yes, she certainly was, especially when she was in my Sunday school classes.”

”Mm... We should talk.” Dar bestowed a grin on him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. ”G’wan up front. I’m going to take us out.” She paused. ”Thanks for making it out here. I can’t tell you how much this means to Kerry,” she hesitated, ”and me.”

He beamed. ”It’s my pleasure, and I’m an early riser anyway. The thought of doing this as the sun came up out on the beautiful Atlantic under God’s own canopy, it’s perfect.”

Oh, Dar decided instantly. I like him. ”Great.” She walked over and 354

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untied the lines, setting the ship free of the dock. Then she walked to the bridge, and started the two diesel engines, trimming them expertly and backing the vessel out of its pylon lined slip. She heard a laugh from the bow, and glanced over to see Kerry hugging her former pastor, a look of thinly veiled delight on her face.

Dar smiled to herself as she guided the boat slowly out of the marina, and headed it towards the Cut. The freshening breeze blew her hair back, and she took a breath of the salty air, remembering all the times she’d faced the dawn just like this.

Except, of course, the boat had been a whole lot smaller.

And she’d been the only one on it.

A solid warmth settled onto her foot, and she glanced down to see Chino curled up there.

Definitely different

Duks wound his way over to her and leaned against the railing.

”So, my friend, how are things?”

Dar glanced at him, then looked back at her gauges. ”Weather’s great, water’s calm, couldn’t ask for better. Why?”

Duks scratched his jaw, and regarded the faintly gray horizon. ”Is it hard for you, Dar?” he asked, regarding her. ”Letting all of us into a private part of your life like this?”

Dar adjusted the throttles, using that as an excuse to delay her answer. Finally she sighed. ”Does it matter?”

The accountant snorted softly. ”That’s answer enough,” he advised her. ”If it’s any consolation, I think it’s been good for you.”

Pale blue eyes flicked to his face, then went to the water, scanning it. ”It’s taken some getting used to,” she admitted quietly. ”I’ve had to change the way I think about a lot of things.”

He nodded. ”I gathered.” A gentle peal of laughter rose from the bow, and he looked over to see Kerry hopping up and down a little, shaking a finger at Mariana. He looked back and caught Dar watching Kerry, an unconscious smile tugging at her lips. He chuckled softly and shook his head.

”All right, so where are we going?” Colleen asked, spreading her arms out against the railing and regarding Kerry. ”The Bahamas?”

”No, at least, I hope not.” Kerry smiled, as she regarded the horizon. ”Dar wouldn’t say, or, to be more specific, she gave me a GPS

coordinate, which meant to me somewhere in the Florida Straits.” She leaned on the railing. ”She did say it wasn’t that far out, just far enough to lose the city.”

They were out of the cut now, and heading across the water, the powerful roar of the boat’s engines at full throttle as Dar pushed them through the soft graying light. The ocean was calm, just a faint ruffle moving the dark surface, and the occasional splash as a fish poked their nose up into the dawn, as the horizon went from black to lavender, spreading out a band of faint color across the rim of the world.

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After about twenty minutes, the roar lessened, and Kerry moved to the railing, leaning over and spotting a small bit of land in the growing light. ”I guess we’re here,” she announced with a grin. ”It’s an island.”

They all clustered around her and peered out, gazing at the cluster of trees outlined in the dusky light. A tiny ridge of coral, it seemed, with just enough dirt to allow a cluster of sea grapes and mangroves, with a sand edge which sloped up out of the water.

Dar moved the boat in close, and got a rope around an overhanging branch, securing them, then cut the engines, the sudden silence almost startling as the lap of the waves and the soft hiss as the water brushing the shore became very evident.

Everyone peered at the grayish, licking waters between the boat and the island, then at Dar. Kerry walked over and put an arm on her shoulder. ”Um... Dar?”

”Yes?” Innocent, blue eyes.

Kerry chewed her lip. ”Did you, um...think this all out?”

”Yes.” Dark lashes batted at her. ”Why?”

Kerry leaned close to her. ”I don’t know if everyone here can swim, sweetheart,” she whispered. ”Unless you wanted to have the ceremony on the boat.”

”Nah.” Dar patted her on the shoulder. ”Be right back.” Putting her hands on the railing, she vaulted over, landing in the water with a clean splash. The waves came up to her mid thighs, and she waded towards the island with a purposeful stride.

”What is she doing?” Colleen came up next to Kerry at the railing, and peered over. The rest of the group joined her, even Chino poked her head through and sniffed.

”I have no earthly idea,” Kerry murmured. ”It must be a sand bar, look how shallow it is here.”

Eyes turned to her. ”Hope we don’t get stuck,” Mari remarked with a grin. ”Can you imagine the story that would make?”

Kerry peered out into the slowly growing light, chuckling. ”No, she anchored us in a deep enough draft. It slopes up there. I can see the water getting lighter.” She leaned over. ”Hey Dar, what are you doing?”

They could hear splashing noises coming towards them.

The water parted, and then Dar reappeared from around a bend, her overalls damp almost to her groin and a rope over one shoulder. She moved steadily towards the boat and as she came closer, they saw something trailing behind her. The wind tugged at her knotted hair, sending tendrils of it whisking around her face, and a flash of white appeared as she smiled up at them. ”Here you go.” She handed up the rope. ”Pull.”

Duks took hold, and tugged, and they watched as a barnacle bedecked wooden platform came towards them. It was old, but seemed to be in one piece, consisting of sun bleached wood on rubber pontoons.

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”Dios Mio, it’s a sidewalk,” Maria said, surprised. ”How clever you are, Jefe.”

Dar leaned against the boat and pulled the wooden bridge into place, tying it securely to the railing. ”Well, actually I made this in my much less clever days.” She gave them all a wryly frank look. ”High school, to be exact.” She used the railing to pull herself up, standing on the bridge and removing a piece of impudent seaweed that had attached itself to her thigh. ”Water’s nice.”

Kerry had retrieved the diving ladder from its hooks, and she set it into place, then climbed down onto the bridge. It bobbed under her weight, but held firm, and she bounced up and down on it a few times.

”Well, for a high school shop project, it sure feels sturdy.” She gave her lover a warm smile. ”Okay, let’s go, folks.”

With some hesitation and muted screams, they did, and landed safely onto the bridge with little incident, moving along it towards the small beach they could see ahead. Dar waited to bring up the rear, and collected Chino, then she followed along, not surprised to find Kerry waiting for her. ”Hey.”

”Hey.” Kerry looked around. ”So this is an old haunt of yours, huh?” She smiled. ”It’s nice out here.”

Dar took a deep breath of the familiar air. ”You could say that.

Most kids have tree houses. This was mine.” She stepped off the pontoon bridge onto the soft, sandy beach. ”It’s too small for anyone to bother with it, and it’s about the best place I’ve ever known to just sit and watch the sun rise.” She paused, as they walked towards the small group standing on the beach in the growing light. ”Or just to daydream.”

Kerry looked up at her. ”Bet you had some great parties out here.”

She nudged her lover in the ribs gently.

Dar regarded the intertwined mangroves reflectively. ”You’re the first people I’ve ever brought out with me,” she remarked quietly.

Kerry sucked in a surprised breath. ”Oh.” Then she put an arm around Dar and leaned against her as they walked along in silence.

They joined the small group on the beach, where the waves were rolling gently up and hissing back with almost hypnotic regularity.

Seagulls coasted overhead, circling lazily, waiting for the sunrise which was now painting the eastern horizon in bands of coral and a deep russet. Only a thin tracing of clouds obscured the view, and the breeze grew stronger as if in anticipation.

Dar put Chino down, and watched her dash excitedly over the water, almost immediately encountering a startled crab.

”Yawp!” Chino barked, watching the crab skitter backwards.

'”Yawp!”

The group laughed. ”Chino. Don’t go there,” Colleen warned, shooing the crab down it’s hole. ”You’re gonna get your little nose bitten.”

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357

Dar cleared her throat. ”Thanks for coming out here, folks.”

”Thanks for inviting us,” Mari answered promptly. ”I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning.”

Dar stuck her hands in her pockets and regarded the horizon. ”I know sunrise isn’t everyone’s favorite time of day, but it seemed appropriate to me because I’ve always regarded dawn as being a time of...” she paused, ”a time to start things.”

Duks chuckled softly. ”I always suspected the reason you were constantly one step ahead of us was because you just woke up earlier, my friend,” he stated, with a wry grin. ”It is nice to have that confirmed.”

Even Dar laughed. ”Thanks,” she drawled in response, then fell awkwardly silent.

”Well, you can’t take the blame for this,” Kerry spoke up, as she moved to Dar’s side, and they faced the oncoming dawn. ”Pastor Robert here was visiting in Miami. He’s been my pastor since I was...well, let’s say a long time.” She paused, sucking in a slightly nervous breath.

Another round of gentle laughter.

”And he offered to preside at a commitment ceremony, and I kinda talked Dar into it. So, it’s my fault we’re all out here,” she continued bravely. ”I guess it’s time to get started.” She actually heard Dar swallow audibly at this, and gave her lover a mildly concerned look.

Pastor Robert stepped in front of them, his plain, black sweatshirt highlighting the polished silver cross on his chest. He drew out a small bible and held it, regarding them with kindly eyes.

Kerry smiled back at him, her hand instinctively finding Dar’s, and feeling the faint tremor run through it. She glanced at Dar, and saw the brief tightening of her lips, and the sudden movement as her jaw muscles clenched under the skin. A gentle squeeze of her hand brought a smile to the tense lips, however.

The pastor folded his hands. ”My children,” he stated, softly, then glanced at Dar. ”It’s okay to call you that, isn’t it?”

Dar nodded. ”Sure.” She let out a breath, unsure of what to expect from him. Kerry had merely said he had words prepared, but...

”Good.” He exhaled, then started speaking, his voice taking on a rounder, more mellow tone. ”My children, we stand here in the eyes of God, beneath his sky, and amongst the waters of life he put upon the earth,” he paused, ”and as those things are by his mercy, and out of our control, so too is the coming together in love of the two people who stand before me, so this ceremony is not a thing of permission, or of sanction, or of regulation, but rather a simple affirmation of a truth that is one of the greatest gifts our Lord has bestowed on us.”

The sky brightened, and the sea eased from gray to a thousand shades of green.

Dar drew in a breath, and released it. Waiting.

”So I will state here, in the name of God, whose servant I am, that no 358

Melissa Good

person shall sunder what the Lord has chosen to join together, and may his gentle hand guide you, and watch over you for all the days of your lives. ”

The pastor turned to Kerry, his eyes twinkling a little. ”Kerrison, I have known you since you were a small child running rampant in my classrooms.”

Kerry bit back a nervous chuckle, but nodded. ”Yes, you have.”

”I have never known you to give your word and not mean it, or enter into a thing if you didn’t intend to carry it through, so if you say to me you wish to spend your life with this person, she’d better watch out,” Pastor Robert intoned. ”Because for you, I know in my heart, that forever means just that.”

Kerry felt tears sting her eyes, but she just nodded in affirmation.

Now the pastor’s eyes shifted to Dar. ”I have just met you.” His voice was quiet, and thoughtful. ”But the person I see before me is someone I believe would be steadfast, and loyal, and a friend you could depend on above all others.”

Startled, the pale blue eyes flicked to his face.

”And I feel that your word, once given, is never taken back,” the pastor went on.

Dar hesitated, then nodded quietly.

Robert nodded as well. ”Then sit at the side of the Lord, for His hands cup your souls gently together. ” He held out the book, and took their joined hands, resting them under his own on top of it. ”Go with God, and know that where love exists, He is present, now, and forever.”

A pristine rose light spread over them, as the sun hit the horizon, sending a palette of reds, and golds, and tropical tints across the sky.

The pastor squeezed their hands, then let his drop, watching as they turned towards each other, the sound of the surf suddenly loud as he stopped speaking.

Kerry felt very nervous, conscious of the people watching, and the expectant air. Then she lifted her eyes to meet Dar’s, and found herself swallowed into them, sparkling there in the rose light, warm and familiar, and her nerves settled. ”Me first, I guess.” Screwing up her courage, she took a breath, hoping she’d remember all the words, in all the right places. ”I’m not really sure where this came from. I was sitting outside looking out over the water, and thinking of you, and when I looked down, there it was, in my handwriting.” She paused, reflectively. ”It was like my heart wrote it for me, but anyway...” Kerry cleared her throat. ”When I look at you,” she stated softly,

“I see sunlight and shadows

Deep, still waters, and wild rapids

A fiery heart and a cool, clear mind.

When I look at you,

I see all that I am, and all that I could hope to be.

My past, and my future,

My one safe harbor in a terrible world.

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359

When I look at you,

I see my best friend and playmate,

My protector and defender,

The love of my life and the holder of my soul Losing you, I would also lose myself

And be left in a darkness so deep,

No light could ever find me.

So, where you go...” she finished in an almost whisper. ”I go.”

The sun’s rays now poured over them, throwing part of Dar’s face into shadow, and her chest moved suddenly, as she resumed breathing.

”That was beautiful,” she whispered, unnerved at the familiarity of the words, and the deep, resonant chime they made inside her.

Kerry dropped her eyes, then lifted them again. ”Thanks.”

A tiny, awkward silence fell. Then Dar closed her eyes, and sucked in a deep breath, visibly straightening. ”Well, I’m really not one for speeches.”

A soft chuckle rose.

”And I’ve never really known how to use words to express what I was feeling...so I guess I’ll just have to improvise.” Her shoulders dropped a tiny bit, then she opened her mouth and started singing.

Kerry stared at her, completely mesmerized, to the point where she almost missed the words.

But not quite

“I feel like I was born today

Like all my life before’s only been a dream, Only touching the surface, never going further Never being a part of the world

I feel like I was born today

Knowing I have to walk a wider path from now on.

Wide enough for two of us, walking side by side Facing the future together.

The sea is wide,

Our love is wider,

Covering the earth from end to end.

Walk beside me,

Through wind and weather,

For all the years on earth we’ll spend.

I feel like I was born today

We leave behind a past of sorrow.

Going forward through the sunlight,

Hand in hand, and soul’s united.”

Dar let her voice trail off, and she fell silent, uncomfortably aware of the stares focused on her. What had she been thinking of? She sighed.

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At least it was over. She lifted her eyes to Kerry’s face almost furtively, then stilled, seeing the tears running down her lover’s cheeks.

In pure reflex, she lifted a hand and brushed them away. ”Wasn’t that bad, was it?” she joked faintly. ”I didn’t get a chance to practice it.”

She paused. ”Much.”

”Wh...” Kerry's voice broke, and she cleared her throat, then tried again. ”It was gorgeous...awesome...where did you find it?” she asked.

”The song? And my god, Dar...you should sing more often. You have a beautiful voice.”

A murmur agreed with her, causing Dar to glance around self-consciously. ”Thanks.” She was painfully aware of the deep blush coloring her skin, and was glad of her base tan to cover most of it.

Kerry moved closer and enfolded her in a hug, burying her face into Dar’s chest and squeezing her tightly. She returned the hug, looking over Kerry’s shoulder to see quietly respectful glances back at her. Well. That went better than expected. ”So...I um...” Dar realized she was rooted in place by her blonde lover. ”Hope everyone’s hungry.

They packed enough food to feed half the office.”

That broke the reverent tension, and everyone relaxed. Dar smiled as she felt Kerry’s hands clench in her shirt.

Yeah. Definitely different.

Kerry sniffed, and backed off a little, lifting her head to peer up at Dar. ”Hang on. I’ve got one more thing.”

Everyone turned to watch her, as she pulled the wooden box from her bag, then handed the bag back to Colleen. She opened the case and the sun poured in, sparking brilliance from the crystals.

Dar blinked. ”Wow.”

Kerry held her hands out. ”Hold the box for me?”

Dar did, cradling it in her palms as Kerry pulled the joined crystals out. ”I’m, um...I’m not sure where these came from, originally,” Kerry stated softly. ”They probably have a history we’ll never know, but I really liked the way they’re both very unique.” She parted the two pieces, holding them up to the light. ”But they fit together so perfectly.”

She mated them with a tiny, satisfying click. ”I hope we can do the same.”

Dar smiled at her. ”I love it. They’re beautiful. I can’t believe they turned out so nice.”

Kerry beamed, then looped one chain over her hand and opened the other, leaning forward, and lifting her arms up.

”Wrong one,” Dar stated softly, then she blinked, a little startled.

Kerry looked at her for a long moment, then she nodded, and changed hands, fastening the other necklace around Dar’s smoothly tanned neck. She kissed her gently, then stood back, as Dar took the other chain, and fastened it around her, and the crystal nestled itself into the hollow of her throat with a sense of quiet belonging.

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361

Blue eyes met green, in a glance as old as time.

They kissed again, as the sun bathed them, sparkling the waters that surrounded the island as though dancing off crystal walls.

”OH NO.” COLLEEN lifted a cup and sucked down a mouthful of the fragrant peach ice tea. ”They say going downtown at night’s dangerous, let me tell you, it’s got nothing on a drop in at the local library.”

They were seated in the shade, sprawled in the soft sand as they lingered over breakfast, the warm sun and the steady breeze making it too comfortable to want to move. Dar was stretched out, her feet half buried in the sand, leaning on a piece of driftwood with Kerry curled up on her side pressed against her.

”C’mon, Colleen, how dangerous can a library be? What did you do, go there at midnight?” Kerry objected, with a grin. ”I’ve been to the beach branch. It’s safe enough.” She paused. ”Well, except for the creepy guys sequestered back by the periodicals, that is.”

Colleen held up a hand. ”Oh no, no...it was in barroooaaaadd daylight. I just went into the main branch, to look up some material for that anthropology class I’m taking.”

”What made you pick that?” Mari asked, curiously.

”That Circle stuff.” Colleen responded succinctly. ”Anyway, so I go in and ask for these reference books, and the desk people look at me like I’m speaking one of the three languages that aren’t spoken in Miami, right?”

”Right.” Kerry tangled her fingers with Dar’s and smiled.

”So, they tell me that’s kept in the special research section, and I’ve got to go back and see the oracle,” the redhead stated.

”Oracle?” Duks leaned forward. ”M’dear, that’s ancient history.”

”No joke,” Colleen responded. ”So, I follow this guy back, and he leads me down about twenty minutes full of winding passageways.”

”And you should have exited into the Biscayne Aquifer by then,”

Dar remarked dryly.

”Shh,” Colleen scolded. ”It’s me story, alright? Anyway, so we finally get there, and it’s the weirdest thing. I thought I was trapped in a santeria rite. There was this desk, right? And around it was stacks and stacks of these rough loosleaf notebooks, and shelves, with the weirdest things on them.”

Now they were all watching her.

”Candles, lit, mind you, and skulls! Skulls! Heads everywhere, and little bits of armor and leather things I'd rather not think about, and a couple of riding crops that I swear had feather dusters tied to them.”

”You’re making this up,” Kerry stated flatly.

”I am not, and behind the desk, there was this woman wearing this weird mask covered in feathers, typing away at a computer.”

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Melissa Good

”Sounds like a lunatic,” Dar offered. ”Did you get your research material?”

”What?” Colleen laughed. ”Are you kidding? I took one look at the pair of fur lined cuffs on the desk and got my lily white Irish butt right on out of there. Must have set the world land speed record on the way out.” She shook her head. ”I know some people really get into their job, but Sweet Mary!”

They all laughed. ”Well, I suppose it’s like us nerds having little stuffed Dogbert dolls on our monitors.” Kerry grinned. ”Dar has Catbert, though.”

They looked at Dar, who shrugged. ”Gift from console operations.”

She glanced up as Chino started barking, somewhere off in the brush to their left. ”Chino!”

The puppy just barked harder, then the brush rustled sharply.

”I’ll get her.” Dar sighed, then hoisted herself to her feet and brushed a layer of sand off her legs. She plowed off through the soft surface, heading towards the sound of the excited puppy. ”Chino!”

She pushed through some brush, then froze, as she heard a low voice. A moment later, a grin spread over her face and she hurried forward.

”Would you shut up ya little bag of mouse squeaks?” the voice was saying, in a loud whisper.

Dar parted the last bushes and peered through. ”Hey.”

Cantankerous blue eyes glared back at her. ”Damn dog.”

Andrew Roberts was hunkered down, a light three quarter wetsuit covering part of his body, and a neatly stacked pile of diving equipment just off to one side. In the sharply patterned sunlight, the horrible scars on his face were very evident, but even that couldn’t hide the smile as he gazed up at his daughter. ”Hey there, rugrat.”

Dar ambled over and dropped to her knees next to him. ”Thanks for the treats. I’m glad you could make it out here, but how?”

”Ah could just go all military on you and say them is classified information,” the older man rasped. ”But the truth is your little kumquat got hold of me and batted those pretty green eyes.”

Dar smiled, and glanced down. ”She’s really something else, huh?”

”Ya got that right.” Andrew studied his hands, which were petting a contented Chino. ”That was a real nice ceremony,” he told her. ”Who’s Grizzly Adams?”

A soft chuckle. ”Kerry’s pastor from Michigan. He’s on vacation.”

A little silence fell. ”Ya know I always wondered what I’d do if I had to walk you down some long damn aisle,” Andrew mused. ”I didn’t think anyone living could convince me whoever was standing up on the other end was good enough for my kid.”

Dar sat down in the sand next to him, and circled her knees with both arms. ”I can remember thinking that I wouldn’t marry anyone unless I could find someone just like you,” she told him quietly, feeling Hurricane Watch

363

a hand settle on to her shoulder. ”Then I realized you’re one of kind.”

”Paladar, if you make me start crying, I’m gonna whup you,” her father growled. ”Bad enough I had to listen to all that pretty poetry and you singing and all that...like to have drowned back here. I almost had to get my damn desal kit out.”

Dar had to let out a soft laugh. ”Sorry.” She studied the ground, a soft gray sand mixed with broken seashells. ”Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me.”

Andrew reached over and awkwardly stroked her hair. ”Makes me feel good to see you feel good, rugrat,” he murmured. ”I think you found a real good one there.”

Dar turned her head and gazed up at him. ”Thanks. I do too.” She paused. ”You want some breakfast?”

”You telling me you had that yacht catered?” He laughed.

A sheepish chuckle. ”Something like that. C’mon, come sit by us, and join the party.”

A quietly sad look colored his eyes. ”Naw, you know I’m not one for company, rugrat.”

Dar nodded. ”Me either, but I found out that sometimes what matters is what’s important to other people, and I’d really love to introduce my friends to my father.” She kept her gaze even. ”Please, Daddy?”

Andrew looked at her for a long, tense moment. A terrible, aching fear was the chief emotion Dar could see in his eyes, which fluttered closed, then opened again as he let out a breath. ”You don’t know what you’re asking me, Paladar.”

Dar smiled wistfully. ”Yes, I do.”

Then she waited, listening to the soft sound of the waves rustling all around them, and the contented breathing of the puppy curled at their feet.

”All right,” her father finally said. ”If you could get up and sing in front of all them people, I guess I kin do this,” he grumbled. ”C’mon already, I’m hungry.”

Dar pushed herself to her feet and took his hand, ignoring the glare as she lead the way back towards the beach, Chino tucked under one arm.

”WHERE DID SHE go off to?” Kerry worried, getting to her knees.

”This is a really small island and that’s a really big puppy. She can’t have gotten that lost that fast.” She peered into the brush, shading her hands, then stopped, as her breath caught. ”Oh.”

”She got someone with her?” Duks lifted himself up on one elbow.

”Where did they come from?”

Kerry watched the approaching duo with a sense of wonder. ”No, I can’t believe it.” She got up and trotted over, giving Andrew a big smile 364

Melissa Good

and throwing her arms around him. ”Dad, this is great.”

Dar’s father stopped dead, and managed to give the impression he’d been attacked by a large, friendly, talking alligator. ”She do that to everyone?” he asked Dar, who was biting her lip to keep from laughing.

”No,” Dar told him. ”Only people she likes.”

Andrew sighed, then hugged Kerry back. ”Hi there.” He joined them as they walked back to the rest of the group, facing curious eyes which glanced at the tall man, then flicked to Dar in question.

”Folks, say hi to my father,” Dar announced quietly. ”His name’s Andrew. Dad, this is Duks and Mariana, and Maria, who work with us, and Pastor Robert, from Michigan.”

Everyone was a touch awkward, but Andrew rose to the occasion and settled down, his wetsuit creaking slightly. ”Nice ta meet you,” he stated bluntly, then glanced at his daughter. ”Were you saying something about eggs?”

”Dios Mio…” Maria said suddenly. ”You are the one who is sending those beautiful flowers! I am recognizing your voice.”

”Oh, the peach colored roses?” Mariana smiled. ”I was wondering...”

Andrew glared at them. ”Well, ya plastered her picture all over the city, I had to do somethin.”

Dar nodded a little, then went to grab her father a plate. She felt a hand touch her shoulder, and turned, to see gentle sea green eyes looking warmly back at her. ”He came.”

”Mm hmm,” Kerry agreed. ”You got him to come out with us, Dar, that's amazing.”

Dar added grits to the plate, and drizzled gravy over them. ”It’s a day of new beginnings.” She looked out over the water, then back at Kerry. ”Wonder what’ll happen next?”

Kerry took the plate from her, and slid an arm around her waist as they walked back over. ”I can’t wait to find out.”

OTHER MELISSA GOOD TITLES

published by

Yellow Rose Books

Tropical Storm

From bestselling author Melissa Good comes a tale of heartache, longing, family strife, lust for love, and redemption. Tropical Storm took the lesbian reading world by storm when it was first written...now read this exciting revised “author’s cut” edition.

Dar Roberts, corporate raider for a multi-national tech company is cold, practical, and merciless. She does her job with a razor-sharp accuracy. Friends are a luxury she cannot allow herself, and love is something she knows she’ll never attain.

Kerry Stuart left Michigan for Florida in an attempt to get away from her domineering politician father and the constraints of the overly conservative life her family forced upon her. After college she worked her way into supervision at a small tech company, only to have it taken over by Dar Roberts’ organization. Her association with Dar begins in disbelief, hatred, and disappointment, but when Dar unexpectedly hires Kerry as her work assistant, the dynamics of their relationship change. Over time, a bond begins to form.

But can Dar overcome years of habit and conditioning to open herself up to the uncertainty of love? And will Kerry escape from the clutches of her powerful father in order to live a better life?

ISBN 978-1-932300-60-4

1-932300-60-0

Eye of the Storm

Eye of the Storm picks up the story of Dar Roberts and Kerry Stuart a few months after Hurricane Watch ends. At first it looks like they are settling into their lives together but, as readers of this series have learned, life is never simple around Dar and Kerry. Surrounded by endless corporate intrigue, Dar experiences personal discoveries that force her to deal with issues that she had buried long ago and Kerry finally faces the consequences of her own actions. As always, they help each other through these personal challenges that, in the end, strengthen them as individuals and as a couple.

ISBN 978-1-932300-13-0

1-932300-13-9

Red Sky At Morning

A connection others don't understand...

A love that won't be denied...

Danger they can sense but cannot see...

Dar Roberts was always ruthless and single-minded...until she met Kerry Stuart.

Kerry was oppressed by her family’s wealth and politics. But Dar saved her from that.

Now new dangers confront them from all sides. While traveling to Chicago, Kerry’s plane is struck by lightning. Dar, in New York for a stockholders’ meeting, senses Kerry is in trouble. They simultaneously experience feelings that are new, sensations that both are reluctant to admit when they are finally back together. Back in Miami, a cover-up of the worst kind, problems with the military, and unexpected betrayals will cause more danger. Can Kerry help as Dar has to examine her life and loyalties and call into question all she’s believed in since childhood? Will their relationship deepen through it all? Or will it be destroyed?

Don’t miss this new “author's cut edition.”

ISBN 978-1-932300-80-2

1-932300-80-5

Thicker Than Water

This fifth entry in the continuing saga of Dar Roberts and Kerry Stuart starts off with Kerry involved in mentoring a church group of girls. Kerry is forced to acknowledge her own feelings toward and experiences with her own parents as she and Dar assist a teenager from the group who gets jailed because her parents tossed her out onto the streets when they found out she is gay. While trying to help the teenagers adjust to real world situations, Kerry gets a call concerning her father’s health. Kerry flies to her family’s side as her father dies, putting the family in crisis. Caught up in an international problem, Dar abandons the issue to go to Michigan, determined to support Kerry in the face of grief and hatred. Dar and Kerry face down Kerry’s extended family with a little help from their own, and return home, where they decide to leave work and the world behind for a while for some time to themselves.

ISBN 978-1-932300-24-6

1-932300-24-4

Terrors of the High Seas

After the stress of a long Navy project and Kerry’s father’s death, Dar and Kerry decide to take their first long vacation together.

A cruise in the eastern Caribbean is just the nice, peaceful time they need—until they get involved in a family feud, an old murder, and come face to face with pirates as their vacation turns into a race to find the key to a decades old puzzle.

ISBN 978-1-932300-45-1

1-932300-45-7

Coming Next in the series:

Moving Target

While attending a high technology show, Dar and Kerry are approached by an aggressive entrepreneur who owns the only Amer-ican based cruise line. He challenges them to compete with an old arch rival on a contract to network his ships and gain a foothold in a new industry. Question is—are they ready to compromise their standards to win?

FORTHCOMING TITLES

published by Yellow Rose Books

To Hold Forever

by Carrie Carr

In the seventh book of the Lex and Amanda series, three years have passed since Lexington Walters and her partner, Amanda, have taken over care of Lorrie, their rambunctious niece.

Amanda’s sister, Jeannie, has fully recovered from her debilitating stroke and returns with her fiance, ready to start a family. Adding to the volatile situation are Amanda’s unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant.

Meanwhile, a hostile new relative arrives. He resents everything about Lex, including Amanda’s love. Lex’s brother, Hubert, recently paroled from prison, returns to Somerville with his own special surprise. And, an old adversary returns with more than a simple reunion in mind. Through it all, Lex begins to have doubts about continuing to run the ranch she’s worked so hard to build.

Will Lex and Amanda finally have the family they have longed for? Or will the people and circumstances surrounding them destroy their chances?

Available April 2008

Blue Collar Lesbian Erotica

Edited by

Pat Cronin and Verda Foster

We don’t all live in million dollar homes and drive fancy sports cars. We don’t all live the life portrayed on television or in some of our books. Most of us live average lives in average homes and average circumstances. So why not have stories about us?

Blue Collar Lesbian Erotica is a collection of stories about the average lesbian in hot, steamy encounters in not-so-average places.

Okay, sometimes the women are lawyers or actresses, but the sex doesn’t always take place where you would expect: taxi cabs, convents, back yard tents.

This anthology goes outside the norm and provides a collection of stories you won’t see anywhere else.

Available July 2008

OTHER YELLOW ROSE TITLES