Rose from the Grave

by Candace Murrow

  The doorbell rang. She clamped her briefcase shut and looked out the living room window. At the curb was Chance's weather-beaten truck.

  Overbearing or not, he was here just the way she remembered him the first time they met on that stretch of road outside Rosswood, wearing jeans, boots, cowboy hat—the most exquisite-looking rancher she'd ever seen. A mix of excitement, anger, apprehension, and every other emotion he could summon up in her roared through her veins. She threw open the door. "What are you doing here?"

  "Does this mean you won't let me in after I've driven over three hours to see you?"

  True to form, she opened her mouth to spew an irritable, you-weren't-really-invited retort, typical of the edgy banter they'd perfected, but stopped in time before making that mistake. Her pattering heart bore the truth. She widened the space between them, allowing him to enter. "Honestly, Chance, I'm glad you're here."

  He took off his hat and hung his rain-spattered jacket on a coat hook. He scanned the living room as his daughter had. "Stella told me your house was nice. I should have known it would reflect your good taste."

  "Are you trying to make points?"

  "If it helps."

  "Can I get you anything to drink?"

  "Can we talk first?" He laid his hat on the coffee table and made himself comfortable in the chair across from her. "How are you, Kat?"

  "I'm doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances, a few flashbacks now and then."

  "You look tired. Are you sleeping?"

  "Surprisingly, I am. At least I did last night. I suppose I owe you an apology for leaving without an explanation."

  "I can't say I wasn't a bit angry, but I was more concerned for your safety, driving that late at night after what you'd been through."

  "I ended up staying at The Sleeping Inn."

  "If that was all the farther you got, why didn't you call and stay at my house? I would have respected your privacy. I knew you needed rest and time to process what happened to you."

  "I couldn't make you understand why I needed to be by myself, and I'm not sure I can now."

  "All I wanted to do was make things easier for you, to offer my comfort and support. You were in a state of shock. I could see that."

  She heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry. I really am, but I've always taken care of myself, always. I'm not used to leaning on anyone. It was an automatic response on my part. I did what I always do. I guess I was in shock. Maybe I still am."

  An uncomfortable silence rose between them until finally Kat said, "You have a wonderful daughter, Chance. She's tenacious, like you."

  "I am tenacious, but only when it comes to something I want very badly."

  "Some would call that pushy."

  "Is that what you call it, the fact that I'd like to have a relationship with you?"

  "No, but sending your daughter over here to find out if I liked you was kind of cute."

  He grinned. "Is that how she put it?"

  "She was adorable, Chance, putting in a good word for you. She even told me it was her idea."

  "But you didn't call me."

  "I did call you, but you weren't home. Obviously, you were on your way here. I thought I might try again later."

  "I couldn't wait for the call, Kat. I had to see you."

  "Now, that's pushy. How did you know I'd even want to see you?" Her words came out a little too harsh, even though she didn't mean it that way. She lowered her gaze and absentmindedly began stacking magazines on the coffee table.

  Chance sat forward, his eyes keenly focused on her. He stood and picked up his hat. "Perhaps I should go."

  Astonishingly, his voice was superimposed with Brianna's voice trickling into her consciousness telling her, "Enough bantering. Enough holding back. Let go, Kat. Accept the gift."

  Kat felt the push/pull of her emotions--a struggle to be sure. It was so hard for her to relinquish total independence. Yet, Chance's loving nature was what she needed in her life. Deep down she'd always wanted a man she could love and trust, a man like Chance. He'd proven himself in so many ways. Though he might be overly protective, he was kind and gentle, always thinking of her welfare.

  She felt the shift inside, the walls crumbling, her deepest, most tender feelings wanting to surface. Her heart opened up to him, and she couldn't bear the sorrowful look in his eyes. "Don't," she blurted. "I don't want you to go. I want you to stay. It's just so hard for me to ask for what I need, and I need you, Chance." She paused. "No, I take that back. I want you. But I don't want to ruin this."

  He threw his hat on the table and lifted her into his arms. She rested her head on his chest and felt his heart racing with each breath and his body quivering with emotion. "I want to hold you as long as you want me," he murmured.

  Hugging his waist, she looked up and let out a deep, trembling breath. "This feels so right, Chance. But you have to promise me."

  "Anything."

  "If we start something, you have to hold on and never let me go. I know I'll get scared and try to run from it. I'm so afraid of that. You'll have to fight for us."

  He kissed her forehead. "I'm tenacious, remember?"

  "For once, I'm glad you are."

  He rubbed his palm up and down her back. "With everything that's happened, you probably need to rest. Just tell me what you want me to do. Perhaps I should go."

  She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. "What I really want is to cuddle with you and feel safe in your arms all night long. Maybe you can frighten away the nightmares."

  "I'll do whatever it takes, darling."

  * * *

  Later, after they'd made love and were snuggled in Kat's bed, Chance asked her if there was anything that bothered her about his past.

  "Knowing the man you are now," she said, "I'm having a hard time believing you were involved in anything that deceitful."

  "It's not a life I'm proud of, contributing to the misery of the world. I'll always carry that guilt."

  "You're making up for it now."

  He ran his hand down her arm and clasped her fingers in his. "I hope I can make it up to you, so you'll be able to trust me."

  Kat thought for a moment. "I need to know one more thing. Is your life still in danger, like the man in your novel? Are you running from anything?"

  He hesitated by pressing her body closer and kissing her neck. He started to kiss her lips.

  She drew back. "Chance? Answer me."

  "All right. I'll be honest with you. They're always hounding me to come back and work for them. That's why Monique paid me that visit. She's still employed there." He nuzzled Kat's ear. "But let's not worry about that now."

  "Why shouldn't we worry about it? What if they come after you? What if she comes back?"

  "Sweetheart, I don't care what Monique or the organization wants. I consider myself free to do anything, like, oh, I don't know, marry you someday?"

  He wrapped her in an embrace so warm, so secure and satisfying Kat let his answer, concerning the danger he might be in, as vague as it was, drift into the ethers. "Marry me? Depends on how tenacious you are."

  * * * * *

  Thank you for reading Rose from the Grave. If you liked the story, I hope you will consider writing a review at the retailer of your choice.

  Other titles by this author:

  Coming soon: Tangled Affairs, sequel to Rose from the Grave (and includes characters from Visions of Hope)

  For the last nine months, Chance Eliason and Kat Summers have been lovers. Kat lives in Seattle, and Chance lives three hours away in the little town of Rosswood. Of late, this distance between them has put a strain on their relationship. One Sunday in August, Chance confronts Kat about her refusal to return to Rosswood where she’d suffered a frightening ordeal. In the heat of the argument, bitter words are spoken that send Chance back to his ranch and into the arms of his past, a past fraught with danger and deception, a past that will change his and Kat’s relationship forever.

  Visions of Hope
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br />   Left with emotional and physical scars from an abusive marriage and breast cancer, psychic Libby McGraw has no desire to opt into another relationship, especially a relationship with a skeptic of the paranormal, a way of life quite normal to Libby. As fate would have it, mysterious visions draw Libby into the life of Kipp Reed, a skeptic who has moved back to the Pacific Northwest to quell the memory of his young daughter’s disappearance. Once it becomes clear that Libby holds the keys to finding his daughter, Kipp is drawn to Libby for answers, and together they depart on an unpredictable journey of the heart.

  The Day Mel Quit Dreaming and Other Stories

  An eclectic group of stories dealing with the disappointment of lost hopes and dreams. In coping, some of the characters move on, hoping for better times ahead; some face difficult challenges; and some simply accept their fate. Several of the stories are edgy, but all are spirited and entertaining. Eight stories. Quirky characters.

  To find out where to purchase print copies or to learn more about the author, visit her website at http://www.candacemurrow.com.

  Connect with the author online:

  http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/candacemurrow

  http://www.facebook.com at Candace Murrow Author Page

  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4675717.Candace_Murrow