Sam hailed them. “Walker’s mom is sending us a feng shui expert to sort us all out,” she said it with a strained smile while Walker rolled his eyes.
Okay, maybe there were still a few obstacles in the way.
“You’d do better with a legal expert to sort out that farm you and Val dumped on the town.” Mariah squeezed Keegan’s hand, so he kept his mouth shut. “Monty is losing his mind trying to placate everyone while sorting through all the unreasonable development ideas being dumped on his desk.”
Keegan took that to mean he shouldn’t mention his discussion with the Menendez family about the crystal cavern. He had too many people to talk to anyway before he got anyone’s hopes up.
“Have you heard what Kurt told Teddy about the fight between Cass and Carmel?” Sam asked, keeping her voice down. “You’ve been so busy with the lawyers and feds, I can’t keep up.”
“About the day of the triptych and why it was significant enough for Lucinda to paint it? I’m amazed Cass explained.” Mariah released Keegan’s hand to fall in step with Sam.
“Only because Kurt pried it out of his mother, and Teddy took the information to Cass for confirmation,” Sam said. “It’s all about communication.”
And bringing secrets into the open, Keegan understood. “I’m surprised that Cass would blackmail Carmel for the benefit of Kurt and Monty. It seems very un-Cass-like.”
Sam glanced at him in disbelief. “You think Cass did it for Nulls? She was just getting even with Carmel for exploiting the town and to stop Carmel from turning Hillvale into a glitzy resort, just as she prevented Kurt and Monty from doing.”
“They are talking Lucy language, are they not?” Keegan asked Walker over their heads.
“No, they’re talking female,” Walker responded. “They don’t want to say that Cass knows where all the bodies are buried, knew Carmel had been involved in her husband’s criminal depredations, and that she told Carmel she had evidence to send her to jail if she didn’t hand half the resort over to the control of her sons.”
“Monty and Kurt didn’t inherit the resort?” Keegan asked. “I hadn’t heard that part.”
“They didn’t inherit the voting rights of the corporation that controls the resort. Carmel had to sign those over. If Lucinda’s triptych is to be believed, that was the day the town turned around,” Walker explained.
“And that’s why I have to stay,” Mariah said, leaning into Keegan. “If Carmel is attempting to gather her own forces to buy the surrounding land, she’ll be in control again. Cass believes that means Carmel broke her promise, and she’s now free to reveal everything she knows.”
“But to do so would be harmful?” Keegan suggested, grasping how small towns work.
“This is the fine line we walk,” Mariah explained with a frown. “Just as you wouldn’t want your father put in jail, neither will the Kennedys want Carmel locked up. And a division between the Kennedys and Cass will tear Teddy and the rest of the town in two, just when we’re finally getting our acts together. Maybe Lucys can’t achieve world peace, but it’s our responsibility to make our little corner better. If you have people on your side of the pond who know how to do that, feel free to send them.”
“I’ll think on that.” He hugged her shoulders, then held out his hand to Walker. “Look after the crazies while I’m gone. I promised to Skype to Teddy’s computer, but someone may need to keep Mariah’s hands off the keyboard while we’re talking.”
Walker’s handshake was fervent to seal that promise.
“That doesn’t make for very private conversation,” Sam protested, wrinkling her nose.
“I’m practicing,” Mariah said, wearing her mysterious face. “We’ll see about that.”
“No essence through the cable wires,” Keegan warned threateningly. “No talking inside my head. I will be back here in person in no time.”
“In time for the wedding, we hope,” Sam said, waving the sapphire on her left hand.
Mariah exclaimed in excitement and hugged her friend. Keegan shook Walker’s hand, again, while realizing he needed to hunt through the family jewels for just the right piece to bring back with him—in case the universe finally swung his way.
“We can make Hillvale the place to come to for weddings!” Mariah-Zoe cried.
“Better than murders,” Walker muttered.
“There’s always domestic crime,” Keegan reminded him with a chuckle.
Mariah smacked his arm. “Love conquers all.” She took off running down the hill—where Teddy and Kurt were just emerging from their love nest looking as if they’d resolved an argument in time-honored style.
“Love eradicates evil,” Sam cried jubilantly, running after her.
Left with no choice, Keegan pursued his love, flinging Mariah-Zoe over his shoulder and carrying her into the café to the cheers of the breakfast crowd.
Looking starry-eyed, Kurt and Teddy followed them in.
Sam and Walker found a more private place to stop first.
Hillvale Character List
Mariah—creates ghostcatchers and works at Dinah’s cafe
Keegan Ives—Scots geologist and mineralogist
Theodosia (Teddy) Devine-Baker—empathic jeweler
Sydony (Syd) Devine-Baker Bennet—Teddy’s sister, mother of Mia and Jeb
Kurtis Dominic Kennedy—architect; part owner and full-time manager of Redwood Resort
Montgomery Kennedy—Hillvale’s mayor, part owner of the Redwood Resort
Carmel Kennedy—mother of Kurt and Monty; also part owner of Redwood Resort
Lance Brooks—Carmel’s brother; artist who lives at resort
Samantha (Sam) Moon—environmental scientist
Chen Ling Walker—Hillvale’s new police chief
Cassandra Tolliver—mother’s family once owned all of Hillvale
Dinah—cook and owner of the café; originally from New Orleans
Crazy Daisy—homeless but creates marvelous sculptures of twigs and stone.
Valerie Ingersson (Valdis)—eerily correct harbinger of death; Sam’s aunt on maternal side;
Susannah Ingersson Menendez—Val’s sister, Sam’s mother, lives in Malaysia
Carlos Menendez—Susannah Ingersson’s second husband; Sam’s stepfather
Amber—non-native; bangle-wearing Tarot reader
Tullah—owns thrift store; tall African-American psychic medium
Harvey—musician friend of Monty’s; carves energy-oriented walking sticks;
Aaron Townsend—goateed owner of antique store who practices psychometry
Xavier Black—former contract lawyer and addict; now rents out housing
Lucinda Malcolm—famed early 20th century artist who once visited Hillvale; deceased
Brianna—Keegan’s ex-girlfriend
Ralph Wainwright—relation of Lucy Wainwright aka Lucinda Malcolm;
George Thompson—local plumber who once lived in commune
Trevor Gabriel—Keegan’s great-uncle in café mural
Robert Gabriel—son of Trevor
Bradford Edison—musician in café mural. Now conservative politician
Caldwell Edison—Bradford’s son
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Crystal Vision
Patricia Rice
Copyright © August 2018 Patricia Rice
Book View Cafe, August 2018
First Publication: August 2018
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portion thereof, in any form.
This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Published by Rice Enterprises, Dana Point, CA, an affiliate of Book View Café Publishing Cooperative
Cover design by Kim Killion
Book View Café Publishing Cooperative
P.O. Box 1624, Cedar Crest, NM 87008-1624
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ISBN 978-1-61138-739-1 ebook
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Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
Thank You.
Crystal Magic Series
Other books in this series —
Sapphire Nights
Book 1 of the Crystal Magic Series
A lawman haunted by his past . . . a scientist haunted by her future.
* * *
Samantha Moon arrives in Hillvale— population 325 lives and countless ghosts—in a fog as thick as the one circling the aging mountain town. Bereft of friends and family, money and memory, all she has to her name is a stray cat . . . but that's apparently enough for the people of Hillvale to take her in.
L.A. investigator Chen Ling Walker's problem is too many memories. He's come to bury his tragic past in this remote California town, where his father vanished years before. Ever watchful, Walker sees how Sam's arrival disturbs the deceptive peace of Hillvale. Old bones lead to new death, stirring ancient fears and feuds.
Sam will need Walker's help to uncover the truth of who she is and face the burden that brings. But how can he accept a reality that stretches beyond the borders of what he knows -- one that contains spirits, psychics, and imaginary voices—the weirdness that ruined his life before?
And if they survive what lies ahead, will they find any way to make a future together?
Buy Sapphire Nights
Topaz Dreams
Book 2 of the Crystal Magic Series
An empathic woman searching for safety - An architect yearning for dreams - And the ghost house that endangers them both
* * *
Teddy Devine-Baker arrives in her childhood home of Hillvale with a box of crystals and an attitude. Her empathic gift has ruined one relationship and most of her jewelry business, leaving her determined to learn more about a talent she's never properly respected. Unfortunately, her empathy fails to work on tall, dark, handsome Kurt Kennedy, the aloof architect who warmed her heart as a child.
Although his family owns most of Hillvale, Kurt avoids the eccentrics inhabiting the ghost town. . . until irrepressible Teddy waltzes in and lays claim to a jinxed and unrentable house that belongs to him. Now he’s being dragged into the emotional whirlwind he’s spent years training himself not to feel. Kurt's plans for rebuilding the house -- not to mention his future -- will go up in flames if he heeds the intriguing redhead who claims to sense ghosts.
But when they find an actual skeleton in the attic, the two must work together to uncover a killer . . . assuming Teddy can apply her empathy and break down Kurt's emotional barriers. If she can't, she may wind up with only the family ghost for company and a murderer on the loose.
Buy Topaz Dreams
About the Author
With several million books in print and New York Times and USA Today’s bestseller lists under her belt, former CPA Patricia Rice is one of romance’s hottest authors. Her emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances have won numerous awards, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards. Her books have been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.
For further information, visit Patricia’s network:
http://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_wenches/
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http://www.patriciarice.com
Tales of Love and Mystery Series
Other books in this series —
Blue Clouds
Book 1 of the Tales of Love and Mystery Series
New York Times bestselling author Patricia Rice brings you her award-winning tale of love and mystery:
* * *
“Absolutely stunning... Rice gives us everything we could want in this ‘to keep forever’—love, mystery, and adventure... Fantastic.” Bell, Book ,and Candle
Pippa Cochran flees an abusive boyfriend only to end up working for a man everyone calls the Grim Reaper—and not just because he’s a bestselling author of horror novels.
Buy Blue Clouds
Garden of Dreams
Book 2 of the Tales of Love and Mystery Series
“Lively and fast-paced… Curl up with Patricia Rice’s latest and hold your breath!” The Literary Times
* * *
When the vital software he’s developing is ominously threatened, JD Marshall escapes with his computers and sheer nerve.
Romance Writers of America Rita Finalist!
“Wonderful storytelling…Make sure you add GARDEN OF DREAMS to your must read pile.” Romantic Times
Buy Garden of Dreams
Nobody’s Angel
Book 3 of the Tales of Love and Mystery Series
“Passion, betrayal, and churning emotions make NOBODY’S ANGEL a terrific way to spend your leisure hours.”—Romantic Times
* * *
Adrian Quinn trusts no one. Four years in prison will do that to a man—especially if he’s innocent. Somebody owes Adrian the truth, and his bet is on his late partner’s ex—a spoiled society wife who walked away from her husband’s crime unscathed.
“Rice…has created one of the most enticing heroes in contemporary romance.” Diana Herald, Booklist
Buy Nobody’s Angel
Volcano
Book 4 of the Tales of Love and Mystery Series
“Exotic locales and dangerous skullduggery highlights this delightfully adventurous tale. Patricia Rice just keeps getting better and better.” Jill Smith, Romantic Times
* * *
After landing in the Caribbean Island of St Lucia on business, account executive Penelope Albright is shockingly accused of smuggling drugs—until a sexy stranger claims to be her husband and kidnaps her.
“Want a steamy jungle romance? Look no further than VOLCANO. Enjoy.” Cathy Sova, The Romance Reader
Buy Volcano
California Girl
Book 5 of the Tales of Love and Mystery Series
The mystery of the open road!
* * *
“CALIFORNIA GIRL is a true gem and a call to live life everyday to the fullest. . . .Patricia Rice has penned an emotional and riveting masterpiece…” Missy A
ndrews, Fallen Angel Reviews
Battling blizzards and murderous semi-drivers, Alys Seagraves and Elliot Ross follow their elderly friend’s trail in a last dash to save her life—and their own.
“Alys and Elliott are like oil and water, both with a checkered past of pain and loneliness, but compliment each other so well. The romance is fresh, and the storyline flows seamlessly. . . CALIFORNIA GIRL makes a nice addition to this reviewer’s keeper shelf.” Amy Cunningham, Romance Reviews Today
Buy California Girl
Also by Patricia Rice
The World of Magic:
The Unexpected Magic Series
Magic in the Stars
Whisper of Magic
Theory of Magic
Aura of Magic
Chemistry of Magic
No Perfect Magic
The Magical Malcolms Series
Merely Magic
Must Be Magic
The Trouble With Magic
This Magic Moment
Much Ado About Magic
Magic Man
The California Malcolms Series
The Lure of Song and Magic
Trouble with Air and Magic
The Risk of Love and Magic
Crystal Magic
Crystal Vision Page 33
