The Abduction of Mary Rose
Page 23
She couldn't deny the electricity that swept through her when she opened the door to Eric Grant, rendering her suddenly shy. He looked so handsome in a blue, open-necked shirt and light grey slacks and jacket, holding a lovely bouquet of wildflowers and a bottle of wine. He smelled wonderful too, musky with just a hint of lime. Not bad for a Viking, she mused.
"What's so funny?" he asked, smiling at her, handing her his offerings.
"I'm just happy you're here." Looking into his eyes, she knew that he was more than a little glad to see her, too.
"You look even more gorgeous than I remember," he told her. "And I didn't think that was possible."
She practically floated through the evening. Her lasagna had never turned out better, and the Caesar salad with thick slices of garlic bread completed the meal. Except for the insanely good chocolate mousse with real whipped cream, which Lisa had insisted on bringing. She looked lovely in a blue linen dress and pearls. She was positively glowing and it was easy to see why. Graham Nelson couldn't seem to take his eyes off her, nor she him. The irony wasn't lost on Naomi. Love was in the air.
The summer bouquet of flowers made a lovely centrepiece on the white linen tablecloth. Her mother's silverware glittered, and the glasses of red wine glowed ruby red in the reflected candlelight. Classical music floated softly from the sound system. The evening was all she'd hoped it would be, and more. Not so bad for a novice, she thought, admiring both the table and the people seated around it, laughing, talking, and eating.
Frank had brought a friend, a nice woman he'd met recently, a retired teacher, petite and a bit of a chatterbox. So different from her mother, at least on the surface. Mom would have been pleased for Frank that he'd met someone he found companionable. Maybe the loneliness had got too much after he'd had to put Sam to sleep.
The conversation flowed as easily as the wine, and had turned to Eric's writing. Lisa was praising his book to the table at large. Laura, Frank's friend, added her own rave review, along with some insightful comments on his handling of the material, revealing the teacher she had been for over thirty years. Eric was sweet and modest in his response, but obviously pleased as he thanked them for their kind words.
Every so often she would look across at him, and he'd be looking at her, a grin playing at the corners of his very nice mouth, desire in his blue eyes that stirred her own blood. That certain shyness that came across in his photo on the back cover of his book was there too.
She read the book finally, and could only add her praise to Lisa's. She had been moved by his depth and sensitivity. Though he'd lived through a hellish childhood, never once did she detect any note of self-pity coming off those pages, yet his pain was palpable, even through the humor he used to mask it.
Graham made a joke and Lisa laughed, maybe a little more boisterously than the joke warranted. Naomi caught Eric's eye and he gave her a knowing smile.
Lisa noticed the exchange and blushed. "So what book are you narrating presently, honey?" she asked, turning the attention away from herself and giving Naomi the in she was hoping for to share her good news.
"I won't be narrating novels for awhile," she said. "Earlier today, I got a call from the university offering me a job. Well, it's more than a job, really, at least to me."
"Well, don't keep us in suspense," Graham (whom she still thought of as Sergeant Nelson) smiled, as he dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin. "You teaching a course?"
"No. Researchers plan to create a volume of Mi'kmaq stories that will be made available to the public, and benefit future generations. "Enid Bernard, a Mi'kmaq teacher," she said, unable to keep the excitement from her voice, "has joined up with other researchers and over the next several years, they plan to record conversations with those fluent in the Mi'kmaq language. The interviews with elders will focus on what past life was like for First Nations' peoples. Some stories are handed down, some presently lived. Legends will be recorded, even recipes and old methods of healing. Anyway, I've been asked to narrate those stories in English."
There was enthusiastic congratulations around the table. Frank raised his glass in a toast, and the others followed. "To the future," he said. "To the future," they all said, clinked their glasses together, and drank the wine.
"You're the perfect one to do this," Lisa said, beaming at her. "I'm so thrilled for you. They're lucky to have you."
"Thanks. But I'm the lucky one. To be a part of this project." Naomi had never meant anything more. It felt like her destiny. In fact, this whole night, this very moment, felt destined. She was eager to embrace her roots, to make them a part of her, to become complete. Of course there was another side of her too, the side that was related to the Leelands. She couldn't ignore that reality. But she had no interest in exploring it. As far as Naomi was concerned, Marcus Leeland had chosen the life he lived. At some point there was a first time for him to make a decision over good and evil, and he chose evil. And then he chose it again. And again. More and more he became what he did, and like an eclipse of the sun, the darker part of him soon blocked out the light, until only the darkness remained.
Edna had been questioned by the police, but she held to her lie that she found the pendant on the beach. She could not admit to having once dated Marcus Leeland, and said as much right to Frank's face, even while knowing he knew the truth. Whatever happened back then, it would remain her secret. But secrets can eat at your soul, and have a way of unearthing themselves eventually
Naomi preferred to live in the light. She had much to be thankful for.
Sitting here at what had been her mother's dining table, now hers, so many emotions swept through her it was hard to pin one down. She wished her mother was here to share in her happiness, to meet her friends, to meet Eric, but who's to say she wasn't. She could imagine children sitting around this table one day. A real family.
Her family.
She no longer felt the pressing urgency of Mary Rose's presence, and knew there would be no more disturbing dreams. Mary Rose could rest now.
And so can I, she thought. So can I.
"Would anyone like more wine?" she asked around the table.
The End
Praise for Joan Hall Hovey's novels
NIGHT CORRIDOR
"From the sinister beginning to the heated climax, I could not put the novel down.
… elegantly written and reads with ease. Exquisite descriptions bring images to life...
I highly recommend "Night Corridor" not only for those who like gripping mystery, but also for those who enjoy excellent writing." Mila Komarnsky, author of Wretched Land
"Will Scare you sane… Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King come to mind, but JOAN HALL HOVEY is in a Class by herself!. …strongly recommended!" J.D. Michael Phelps, co-author of My Fugitive, David Janssen.
"…another winner. I highly recommend it to any lover of suspense, mystery, romance, or thriller. You'll not only race through this book, but clamor for more works by this talented and polished author. Aaron Paul Lazar, author of Healey's Cave -Midwest Book Reviews
"...The mystery and suspense in this novel is outstanding, truly top notch, in the vein of Mary Higgins Clark, but—dare I say—even better? - In the Library
"…intricately plotted and will surprise even the most devoted mystery and suspense reader... Gripping Suspense!" Sandy Heptinstall - Whispering Winds Reviews
"...Danger shimmers throughout the novel. You walk down the darkened streets with Caroline, afraid for her. You wake up in the middle of the night when she does, hearing the same faint noises she hears, afraid for her... She cannot seem to escape danger no matter how careful she is.
And you cannot stop reading…" Beth Anderson, author of Raven Talks Back
CHILL WATERS
"…a stunning, multi-layered, modern-day gothic, told with the unforgettable style and grace of a true master of suspense…"—Rendezvous Magazine
"…a chilling hold-your-breath-as you-turn-the-pages novel of such depth and credibi
lity, it's hard to remember that it's fiction and won't be headlined in the daily news…" —Evelyn Gale, All About Murder Reviews.
"…a well-written suspense that will have you locking doors, turning on all the lights…" — Hattie Boyd, Scribes World
"…as good a thriller as I have ever read…a superb tale of terror and suspense that puts her right up there with the likes of Sandford and Patterson…"
—Ingrid Taylor for Small Press Review
"…Fans of Mary Higgins Clark will enjoy this author! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time …Great story…" Detra Fitch, Huntress Book Reviews
A winner!! With her usual ability, the talented author has caught the sense of menace and carried it throughout…a taut, chilling tale...Highly recommended."
—Anne K. Edwards, BookReviews.net
"…a taut thriller that combines well-drawn vivid characters with an engaging plot? …a magnetically likeable heroine…Rachael's transformation from walking wounded to feisty survivour will leave you cheering." —Kristin Johnson, Myshelf.com
"Joan Hall Hovey clearly takes her place among today's contemporary writers as this page-turner can compete with any mystery novel on the shelves…" —Linda Hersey, Fredericton Gleaner.
NOWHERE TO HIDE—EPPIE AWARD WINNER
"…will keep readers holding their breath until the very end…"—In the library review, Melissa Parcel
"This one is a chiller—you won't be able to put it down—guaranteed!"—
Rendezvous Magazine
"If you are looking for the suspense thriller of the year-look no further…you will find it in Nowhere To Hide…" —Jewel Dartt Midnight Scribe Reviews
"…Not since Silence of the Lambs have I slept with my lights on. Buy it! Read it! (But not in a house by yourself)."—JD Masters
"…will scare the wits out of you…an exciting work starring a brave yet vulnerable heroine." — Harriet Klausner
"…a thriller release from the pen of the very talented writer, Joan Hall Hovey, who once again demonstrates her ever-increasing skill at designing tales of psychological suspense and terror." —Jill M. Smith – Rave Reviews
"Wow! Riveting from the prologue to the hair-raising conclusion. Highly Recommended." —Cindy Penn, Wordweaving.com
"…Joan Hall Hovey is a mistress at description and in bringing characters alive…a chiller of a book…" —Shirley Truax, Ivy Quill Reviews
"…a taut, edge of the seat thriller…certain to inspire readers who love the thriller genre to demand more from this writer." —Patti Nunn—Charlotte Austin Review
"…Start reading this book on a Saturday morning. That way, you'll have all weekend to read it, since you won't want to put it down." —Martine G. Bates Inscriptions magazine
"Extremely well structured, good plot, impossible to put down until the last page is reached." —BASTULLI MYSTERY LIBRARY
"…highly professional thriller…more than a series of twists and turns…" —E.E. Cran—Telegraph Journal
"A fast moving suspense thriller, it will keep you up all night to finish it…" —Kathy Thomason Book Reviewer The Butler County Post
"…a riveting thriller that will leave you breathless. Hovey is a master of this genre…" —Deborah Shlian, Author of Wednesday's Child, Shou
"…a gripping style that wrings emotions from everyday settings. Oh and by the way …is your door locked?" —Linda Hersey—Fredericton Gleaner
LISTEN TO THE SHADOWS
"Joan Hall Hovey packs a terrifying punch as her first novel, 'Listen to the Shadows', spins a chilling tale of revenge, murder and madness…"—Jill M. Smith—Rave Reviews, N.Y.
"…will appeal to fans of romance, gothic and suspense novels. Hovey's scenes focusing on this deranged psychopath are razor sharp, and one is reminded of author Ruth Rendell."—Evening Times Globe, Saint John, NB
"LISTEN TO THE SHADOWS has shades of the old gothic stories, complete with the scary old house. This story has the makings of a classic." —Reviewer, Yvonne Hering
"…This one will put goosebumps all over you…chilling. I read it during a thunderstorm and found myself jumping several times. Excellent!" —Huntress Book Reviews
"Written with the finesse and grace of a master …a powerful new voice in the world of suspense and mystery…" —Cindy Penn—Wordweaving.com
"… a book that grabs your attention by the first sentence and never lets go…exciting, tensed, with elements of mystery, fear, and courage so masterfully woven in one masterpiece that I can't believe this is the author's debut! Grab a copy now, or you'll be missing a great read…"—Defelah Morgan—Reviewer's Choice Award
"… a chilling, and very believable, insight into the mind and motivations of a true sociopathic killer…a spine-tingler of the first order…"—Novelist, Ariana Overton …Author of Tapestry
"…This is a book that will stick with me for a long while, as I was reading it my heart would beat fast and the hair on the back of my neck stood straight, and to me that is the true sign of a good thriller. When you read this one make sure that the lights are on and that all your doors are
locked…" —Myshelf.com—Pam Stone
"…a work so accomplished, so fluid and so suspenseful it is difficult to believe it really is a first novel!" —Felix Griffin—Rave Reviews, NY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As well as penning award-winning suspense novels including Chill Waters, Nowhere To Hide and Listen to the Shadows, Joan Hall Hovey's articles and short stories have appeared in such diverse publications as The Reader, Atlantic Advocate, The Toronto Star, Mystery Scene, True Confessions, Home Life magazine, Seek and various other magazines and newspapers. Her short story, “Dark Reunion” was selected for the anthology Investigating Women, published by Simon & Pierre.
Joan also tutors with Winghill Writing School and is a Voice Over pro, narrating books and scripts. She lives in New Brunswick, Canada with her husband Mel and dog Scamp.
She is currently working on her latest suspense novel.
ALSO PUBLISHED BY BWLPP
Night Corridor
Chill Waters
Nowhere To Hide
Listen to the Shadows
NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Thank you for purchasing and reading this BWLPP eBook. We hope you have enjoyed your reading experience. Books We Love Publishing and the author would very much appreciate you returning to the online retailer where you purchased this book and leaving a review for the author. Best Regards and Happy Reading, Jamie and Jude
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