by Liz Schulte
“I figured, but I thought I’d ask.” I could tell he was smiling. “And if you ever change your mind about the dates, you know where to find me.”
“They weren’t dates,” I responded automatically, but the joke fell flat. Martha’s insistent voice that I’d be perfect with Fagan rang in my ears, stealing all the humor.
He chuckled softly. “Don’t be a stranger, Ella. I have the sneaking suspicion I might actually miss you.”
“You could come down here for dinner sometime. I hear you don’t date locals, and Montgomery has girls. I can take out an ad for you.”
“I don’t know about the ad, but I’d love to have dinner with you and Gabriel sometime.”
“Take care, Fagan.”
“Good-bye, Ella.”
I smiled as I pressed end. Despite my very best efforts, it seemed I made a friend. Near-death experiences obviously brought out the best in me. A few more and I could host a dinner party. My thought made me laugh just as Gabriel walked into the house.
“What are you laughing at?” he asked.
“Myself,” I called back.
“Close your eyes. I have a surprise.”
I groaned. “You know how I feel about surprises.”
“I do, but you’re getting one anyway.”
“Does it have to do with food? I’m starving.”
“You’ll see. Are your eyes closed?”
“Yes.” I squeezed them shut and waited, hoping the surprise wasn’t something awful, like a marriage proposal or something else I was categorically unready for. Gabriel walked past me, and I fidgeted in anticipation. I hated surprises and the stupid fluttering in my stomach that came with them.
“Okay, open.”
Gabriel stood in the middle of the room, a whining, tan and black fur ball tucked under his arm. I looked at him, then at the dog, then back at him. “I don’t have time for a dog.”
“You need the company. This little guy isn’t just for looks. He’ll be protection and a companion—two things you sorely need.”
“But—”
He waved a pudgy German Shepherd puppy paw at me. Its big sad eyes looked at me. “Love me, Ella.”
I laughed and reached out to pet the little guy’s head. The dog licked my hand, melting my resistance. Damn him. “You’re a tricky man, Detective Troy.” I scooped the pup into my arm, where he squirmed and nibbled and pawed at me. Having a dog again was, without a doubt, a horrible idea, and I was already madly in love with him.
“What are you going to name him, Sherlock?”
I smiled sweetly at Gabriel and his stupid nickname. “How about Watson?”
Gabriel barked with laughter, making the puppy jump. “Perfect.” He scratched Watson’s chin.
“And if I’m Sherlock and he’s Watson, I guess that makes you Lestrade.” It was my turn to laugh. “How long have you had him?”
“A little while. Eric was training him while we were working on the case. He claims he’s housebroken.”
I looked at his perky, fluffy little face. “He’s so cute and soft, and he has puppy breath. I don’t even care if he’s house broken.”
A satisfied smile spread over Gabriel’s face. “I knew you’d like him.”
I smiled. I didn’t deserve Gabriel. I really didn’t.
I held Watson up so he faced me. “I like you, but I don’t have time for you.” He licked my cheek excitedly. “No, I don’t.”
“Don’t worry, Watson. She used to feel the same way about me.” I leaned back in the chair, snuggling with the puppy, and Gabriel squeezed in next to me, and we played with the puppy. All thoughts of the dead were firmly tucked behind me—the living, breathing present was enough for me.
There are always so many people to thank when it comes to a life of a book.
First, there are the people who helped me get the book publishing ready; my editors, Ev Bishop and Amy Eye Editing, my fantastic formatter, Julie Titus, and my fellow authors and beta readers, Mandie Stevens, Olivia Hardin, Kristin Beaird, D. C. Hall, Lola James (the real Lola), and C. G. Powell.
Next I have to thank Promotional Book Tours for always hosting the best release day blasts and contests for my readers. You guys are the best!
I want to thank my friends and family for all their love and support. Especially my mom, my brother Richard, and Kim Lammers.
Thank you to my readers because without you, I wouldn’t be here. I would love to hear from you.
Many authors claim to have known their calling from a young age. Liz Schulte, however, didn't always want to be an author. In fact, she had no clue. Liz wanted to be a veterinarian, then she wanted to be a lawyer, then she wanted to be a criminal profiler. In a valiant effort to keep from becoming Walter Mitty, Liz put pen to paper and began writing her first novel. It was at that moment she realized this is what she was meant to do. As a scribe she could be all of those things and so much more.
When Liz isn’t writing or on social networks she is inflicting movie quotes and trivia on people, reading, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family. Liz is a Midwest girl through and through, though she would be perfectly happy never having to shovel her driveway again. She has a love for all things spooky, supernatural, and snarky. Her favorite authors range from Edgar Allen Poe to Joseph Heller to Jane Austen to Jim Butcher and everything in between.
Books by Liz Schulte:
Secrets (Guardian Series Book 1)
Choices (Guardian Series Book 2)
Consequences (Guardian Series Book 3)
Dark Corners (Ella Reynolds Series Book 1)
Dark Passing (Ella Reynolds Series Book 2)
Easy Bake Coven (Easy Bake Coven Series Book 1) – Coming December 2012
Hungry, Hungry, Hoodoo (Easy Bake Coven Series Book 2) – Coming 2013
Pickup Styx (Easy Bake Coven Series Book 3) – Coming 2013
Dead Inside – Coming 2013
Frost’s Kiss – Coming 2013
The Ninth Floor – Coming 2013
Anthologies
Cupid Painted Blind
Once Upon a Midnight Dreary
Learn more about Liz and her books at
http://www.lizshulte.com
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
