A Touch of Murder

by Donna Raider

  “I am certain it will be here long after we are gone.” Lexi smiled.

  ##

  Leah sat in the study in front of the fireplace. The TV played quietly in the background. Mika was taking Aaron back to his crib. Both babies were fed and sleeping. She was content. The last thirty-five years with Mika had been wonderful. Her life was perfect.

  She thought about her older children. Sara and Jennifer were working in their lab. Sara had been upset when they had discussed the need to stop introducing the older children as their offspring. While her oldest daughter understood it was just a matter of time before others began questioning the age of parents who looked the same age as their adult children, Sara liked being the daughter of Leah and Mika Cross. She was proud of her parents.

  Adam and Amber were at their dig site. They had brought in equipment to help them cut through the limestone that seemed to be the foundation for their ranch.

  Both Jacob and Rachel were wandering around the ranch. She wasn’t certain what they were doing. She did know both seemed miserable. She wondered what had upset them. She knew Rachel’s launch date had been moved up because the young astronaut had everything ready to go.

  All six of her eldest children and their spouses were simply waiting for the launch of the spacecraft that would take them to Reine Mère. She had always known it was just a matter of time before her children would be dispersed throughout the world, doing God’s work. She now had to consider the possibility that they would be doing God’s work in other universes.

  Jacob, her beautiful Jacob. She knew that many young women were pursuing her son, but he was not interested in any of them. She knew he was looking for a special woman. So far, she hadn’t entered their lives. Leah briefly thought Jacob might like men. He had discussed opening his own law firm so he could select his own cases. He had refused to defend guilty criminals.

  Nana had taken the younger children on an outing, so she and Mika were home alone with the babies.

  “Would you take a look at the church plans?” Mika carried the floorplans to her desk and spread them out. “Lexi said they will break ground Monday.”

  “I love the elevation.” She smiled as she leaned over the plans. “Does the priest love it?”

  “The priest loves her wife,” she whispered as she slid her arms around Leah from behind. She leaned back against Mika, content to be in her arms.

  “Where is everyone?” Mika kissed the back of her neck. “This place sounds like a tomb.”

  “The older children are out doing their thing.” She turned her head slightly to give Mika access to her neck. “Nana took the younger ones on an outing. We have the house to ourselves.”

  Mika inhaled deeply, enjoying the fragrance of her. “We have two hours before you need to nurse the babies again.

  “Umm,” Mika hummed.

  A flurry of activity filled their TV screen. “Looks like things are heating up in the state elections,” she commented. “Tuesday is the big day.”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “We will see if God sends us leaders to guide us out of the mess we are in.”

  A local news station aired the coverage of more cattle mutilations. There was also the sacrifice of a ram on a makeshift altar.

  “I am so glad we aren’t being targeted by the sick group that is doing this.” She sipped her wine and leaned her head on Mika’s shoulder. “I love you, darling.”

  “I love you, too, Leah.” Mika saw no reason to upset her with the news of Jacob’s discovery.

  “Lucile is having an election party tomorrow night,” she said. “Want to go?”

  “It would be nice to get out of the house.” She smiled.

  ##

  “Lucas, come in.” Mika opened the door and led the young rancher into the great room. “I didn’t know Rachel was expecting you. I will call her. She and Jacob are at Sara and Jennifer’s home.”

  Mika informed her daughter of her visitor then offered Lucas something to drink. She wished her wife would join them.

  As if to answer her silent prayer, Leah walked through the front door. She had been riding. “You are such a nice boy,” she cooed to Lucas’s dog waiting patiently by the door.

  “I believe he is the best-trained dog in the world.” Leah smiled at Lucas.

  “He is a good boy,” Lucas agreed.

  Laughter and teasing heralded the arrival of their four oldest children and their spouses.

  “Mom, do you have anything to eat?” Adam hugged his mother then spoke to Lucas.

  “Mika was just about to grill some steaks. She can put on enough for everyone,” Leah volunteered her wife’s services. “Lucas, would you join us for dinner?”

  “If it is not too much trouble.” Lucas nodded. He loved being with the Cross family. They made him feel welcome and a little loved.

  Dinner conversation was entirely about the upcoming launch that would put the six oldest Cross children into another universe. Rachel eagerly answered everyone’s questions.

  Lucas was amazed at the complexity of the conversation and the level of understanding everyone had of Rachel’s inventions. The entire family was extremely brilliant.

  Adam, Amber, Jacob, Sara, and Jennifer bid them goodnight. Rachel and Lucas walked them out to their vehicles and waved bye as they drove from the courtyard.

  “I love your family,” Lucas said honestly. “You are so wonderful and supportive of each other.”

  “I am very fortunate to have all of them.” Rachel smiled. “Would you like to walk with me to the stables? I want to take Mars an apple and turn him out to pasture.”

  “I would like that.” He nodded. “I want to apologize to you for my awful appearance earlier today. I haven’t been sleeping well. Your documentary surprised me. No, it hurt me that you hadn’t told me anything about yourself. You’re a pretty big deal, Rachel Cross.”

  “That is exactly why I didn’t tell you,” Rachel explained. “I’m not a big deal. I was afraid I would scare you off.”

  He caught her hand. “Does that mean you like having me around?”

  “Yes,” she said softly. “I have never met anyone like you. You make me happy.”

  Lucas caught his breath. The thought that she liked having him around almost made his heart stop beating. Perhaps she did care for him as he cared for her.

  “You make my life worth living,” he said. “I have never been so happy in my life.”

  “You have probably noticed that my family is…different,” she said hesitantly.

  “If you mean they are all beautiful and incredibly brilliant.” He laughed. “Yes, I have noticed that.”

  “We have to be careful,” she struggled to find the words without exposing her family. “Our discoveries, our abilities, it isn’t safe for us to let the world know about—”

  He cut her off. “We all have our secrets, Rachel. I understand your family’s need for privacy. I would never cause you or your family a moment’s concern. I would always take care of you and those dear to you.”

  He turned her to face him and marveled at how the moonlight danced in her blue eyes. Mesmerized, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her. The kiss was soft and questioning. She slid her arms around his neck and pulled his lips harder against hers.

  He pulled back from her slightly. “I love you, Rachel Cross. I will always support everything you do. I will be proud of you and do everything in my power to make you proud of me.”

  “I am afraid I have fallen in love with you, Lucas.” She kissed him again, marveling at how wonderful it felt to have his strong arms wrapped around her. Strangely enough, she felt Lucas Omen could take care of her.

  They turned out the horses then walked back to the courtyard. She had her arm around his waist, and he draped his arm around her shoulders. He loved the softness of her. He marveled at the sweetness of her.

  “Obviously, I have to go into outer space.” She chuckled. “I don’t know what I will find or how long I will be gone. I can’t discuss the future
right now, but I would like to think you and I have a future together.”

  “I will be here when you return,” he said softly. “I understand that God has great plans for you and your family. I will always wait for you, Rachel.”

  At her front door, he kissed her again, a slow, searching kiss. Lucas Omen had known many women during his lifetime. He had never met a woman like Rachel Cross. The movement of her full, soft lips against his made him believe in eternity. A mere lifetime would never be enough to share the love of the dark-haired beauty in his arms.

  “May I see you tomorrow?” He held her tightly, enjoying the feel of her softness against him.

  “Of course,” she whispered. She kissed him once more then disappeared into her family’s home.

  Lucas was ecstatic. He loved her and she loved him. Never in his wildest dreams had he believed a woman like Rachel could fall in love with him. He knew he had many arrangements to make. Arrangements that would allow him to spend his life with Rachel Cross. For the first time in his life, Lucas could let himself believe he might find happiness. He hoped his God would allow him to find happiness.

  He smiled as he looked at his dog sleeping contentedly by Rachel’s front door. He realized he would be happy just to sleep outside her door. He laughed softly as he walked toward his pickup. He was the happiest man on earth.

  He called his dog, “Come, Jax.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  While living in Maine and New York, the Crosses had always paid attention to the elections. Mainers usually had the highest percentage of voters per state. New Yorkers usually shunned the voting booths, resulting in very low voter turnout.

  Texas politics were active and involved, from grassroots all the way up to the presidential races. A party atmosphere permeated Lucile’s. Everyone greeted Mika and Leah as they entered the diner. Their children casually strolled in, a few at a time, and joined their parents. Lucile had set up a table at the back for all of them.

  Lucas Omen, Lexi Cole, Baird Stanton, Juanita Vega and her husband, Trudy James, Leah’s secretary, along with several school board members and city council members also joined them.

  Mika had done something she thought she would never do: brought a bottle of her wife’s favorite wine in a brown paper bag. Leah laughed at Mika when she said, “I think I am officially a redneck.”

  Cable News had already started calling the races as polls closed on the east coast.

  Mika’s cellphone rang. She pulled it out to silence it, but noticed the call was from Archbishop Cantrell. Mika showed her phone to her wife. “I need to take this call.”

  She nodded.

  She answered her phone as she walked across the street to their offices. Mika sat down at her desk and turned on the election results as she listened to Lawrence stumble around trying to tell her of her new assignment. Mika muted the TV sound.

  “Lawrence.” She sighed. “Just tell me where they’re sending me.”

  “I know this is the last place in the world you would want to be,” Cantrell said, sighing, “but the Pope himself said to send you to…”

  As Mika watched, the election coverage switched from national to local coverage, giving the results of local races. Her mouth dropped open as she saw the ribbon running under the picture on the screen. “Lawrence, let me call you back.”

  She turned on the TV sound. “In an unprecedented election move, the citizens of Godly, Texas have mounted a campaign for a write-in candidate. Leah Cross has been elected mayor of Godly, with eighty-nine percent of the votes cast going to her.”

  ##

  Priest Mika Cross opened the door to the diner.

  “I’m looking for the mayor,” she announced, surveying the room full of people.

  A slender brunette whirled around. “I am Mayor Leah Cro...” Her voice trailed off as she looked at the young priest. Mika was beautiful. Tall, with thick blonde hair and the face of an angel. Her full, sensuous lips parted, exposing bright white teeth. She was a true golden girl. She was almost baby-faced, but the soulful look in her eyes spoke of a much more mature woman. Mika took her breath away. The priest smiled at Leah and the entire room bathed in a soft golden light.

  “I’m your new parish priest.” Mika beamed, quickly closing the distance between them. “It appears we have come full circle, Madam Mayor.”

  “Yes,” Leah cooed lovingly. “I can’t wait to share the next thirty-five years with you, darling.”

  THE END

  Other Books by Donna Raider

  A Twist in Time

  The Mika & Leah Cross Saga Book 1

  A Twist of Fate

  The Mika & Leah Cross Saga Book 2

  Marked for Murder

  The Mika & Leah Cross Saga Book 3

  A Touch of Murder

  The Mika & Leah Cross Saga Book 4

  Has to Be Homicide

  The Mika & Leah Cross Saga Book 5

  Coming in October, 2020

  FOLLOW DONNA RAIDER

  Thank you for reading my books. I hope you enjoyed them. You may follow me on my website www.donnaraider.com Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/donna.raider.146

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  Below is an excerpt from the next book in the

  Mika & Leah Cross Saga Book 5

  Has to Be Homicide

  By Donna Raider

  CHAPTER 1

  The first kill had been the hardest. He had maintained control until he reached the safety of his car. Yanking off his hood, he threw up on himself. He was thankful for the long, black robe. It kept the vomit from soiling his slacks and shirt.

  Killing living things had become easier over time. Now, giving up live offerings barely fazed him. The offerings had grown in importance and size. The first had been a lamb, then a small calf. The pregnant cow had been difficult. Tonight was the first night of the festival. He wondered what he would be required to sacrifice tonight.

  ##

  Leah was standing in a group, talking. Mika entered the room, her eyes already searching for her wife. It took Mika less than thirty seconds to locate her.

  Mika was golden, a breath of light in an otherwise boring and gray setting. Leah watched her from under hooded eyes. Mika was drawn to Leah much like the gravitational pull of the moon to Earth. She was Mika’s world. A light touch at Leah’s lower back told her Mika was there.

  “Gentlemen, I would like you to meet my wife, Priest Mika Cross.”

  Everyone smiled, playing nice. What they really wanted to do was challenge Mika for her. A quick glance at the way Mika looked at Leah told them it would be a battle to the death, and they would lose.

  The band started playing and Leah excused herself. “I believe they are playing our song, darling.” She had no idea what song the band was playing; she only knew she wanted to be in Mika’s arms.

  The dance ended and they walked toward an empty table. There was no doubt Mika belonged to the woman. Leah’s body language made that clear; the way she stood close to Mika, and the way Leah lightly touched her, reminding her she was hers. Leah smiled at her and spoke in soft low tones meant only for Mika. Occasionally she leaned into Mika with a familiarity born from years of intimacy. It was clear she was the focal point of Mika’s world. Mika adored her. Mika pulled out Leah’s chair and sat down beside her at the table. Leah’s hand rested intimately on the inside of her wife’s thigh.

  The Governor’s Inauguration Ball was an elaborate affair. Mika and Leah had been surprised to receive the invitation. Leah’s overwhelming win in the small-town mayor’s race had put her on the radar of the political parties in her state. Although she and her family were fiscal conservatives, neither political party particularly appealed to her. Both parties seemed intent on pillaging America and mandating their own brand of morality.

  A handsome man approached them and introduced himself. “I hope you won’t think me forward.” The man flashed a bright white grin. “I wanted to introduce myself, US S
tate Senator Cutter Brock at your service.” He bent and pulled Leah’s hand up to his lips and kissed it longer than necessary.

  Leah raised a perfectly arched brow as she pulled her hand from the man’s grasp. “My wife, Mika Cross, and I’m Leah Cross.”

  “I am well aware of who you are, Madam Mayor.” Brock continued to ignore Mika and directed his comments only to Leah.

  The band started to play again. Mika stood. “Darling, I believe they’re playing our song.”

  A light smile played on Leah’s lips as she looked up at her wife. She slid gracefully into her arms as Mika led her away from Cutter Brock. “Thank you,” she whispered as she gazed into her smiling blue eyes.

  “My pleasure, my queen.” Mika pulled her tighter against her.

  ##

  The meeting was tonight. This was not his first meeting, but it was by far his most important. He had been selected to lead the elite group of guests gathering in the abandoned barn on the Montreat Ranch.

  He picked up his attire for the meeting and pulled a black hanging bag over it. He zipped it closed and carried it to the trunk of his car. He didn’t want his meddling wife to see it.

  He was scribbling her a note when she entered the room. He stuffed the note into his pocket.

  “My little love bucket.” He grinned at her as he kissed her on the cheek. “I thought you had to work late tonight.”

  “I do, dearest.” She walked to their bar and poured Scotch for them. She handed him his glass, then clicked hers against his. “Here is to a successful meeting.

  “I wanted to change into something more impressive.” She giggled. “One always feels more in charge when one knows they look their best.”

  “This will be your first meeting with Mayor Cross.” He nodded his head in understanding. No matter what you wear, you will still look like a sow in a tow sack next to her, he thought.