The Best of Us (21 page)

Authors: Ursula Gorman

BOOK: The Best of Us

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“
Love you too, brat!”

The Morning sun on Rissa's face was an unwelcome
reminder that she forgot to pull the blinds when she went to bed. In the daylight, last night’s scare seemed surreal. Rissa could almost forget it happened—almost. As was her morning routine, she started the coffee maker then went to take her
shower. By the time she added conditioner to her
hair she’d almost convinced herself that last night hadn’t happened.

“
Why would anyone stand in the dark and watch me? I saw them; they had to know that.” Rissa let out a frustrated growl. “It had to be a homeless person. I probably scared him as much as he scared me.”

Rissa was still going over last night’s events when she walked into the kitchen ten minutes later, her hair wrapped in a towel and a big fluffy robe on to help ward off the chill of a late September morning. As she was taking her first sip of coffee the phone rang, making her jump, sloshing coffee over her hand. “Ahhh!” Rissa yelled, sticking her hand under cold water. Keeping her hand under the water, she reached over with her other hand and grabbed the phone.

“
Hello,” she growled into the phone.

“
Good morning, sunshine,” Matt chirped. “I was calling to see how you are doing. Did the demons leave with the night?”

“
Yeah, sorry, the phone startled me and I spilled my coffee. I’m feeling better this morning.”

Matt laughed. “Sounds like it!” Changing subjects, Matt said, “I’ve got an errand to run; want to go?”

“
Where? Are you cancelling tonight?” She almost wished he were. She needed more sleep and hoped to go to bed early.

“
I have to go check on the country house. There
was a report of a possible break in. I don’t think it’s
anything, but I have to be sure. And no, I’m not cancelling tonight. We should be back no later than two.”

When Matt’s parents died, everything went to Matt, and that included their house in the country. It was huge and sat on eighteen acres with a driveway that looked two miles long. You could see anyone coming long before they ever got there. Matt rarely went out there, but he couldn’t bring himself to sell it.

“
Want to go? The fresh air might do you good.”

“
Sounds good. A relaxing car ride is just what I need,” answered Rissa.

“
Great, be there in thirty minutes; don’t keep me waiting.” Matt hung up before Rissa could reply.

“
Big buffoon,” she muttered affectionately.

Matt was right; the ride to and from the country house was relaxing. The crisp fall air blowing in the open windows felt wonderful. Rissa had worn a lightweight sweater in anticipation of a long country drive with the windows down, and she was glad she had. It wouldn’t be long until the leaves fell from the trees, but for now they were a beautiful cacophony of riotous colors. The leaves had turned colors earlier this season due to lower than normal temperatures, but Rissa loved this time of year and welcomed the change. While the drive was unnecessary since apparently there was no break-in, Rissa was glad for the relaxing drive.

“
The country air agrees with you.”

“
What do you mean?”

“
You have color in your cheeks and you’re relaxed. When I picked you up this morning you were pale and tense. You didn’t sleep well, did you?”

“
No, I guess I didn’t. Too much adrenaline. But I do feel much better.”

“
The concert won’t get over until pretty late; why don’t you come home with me afterward? You can get a good night’s sleep.”

“
Why, Matt, are you making a pass at me?” Rissa said, with a shocked expression.

“
Oh, shut up!” Matt spat out.

After a beat of silence they both started laughing.

“
Oh, Matt, I do love you! I promise I’m all right. I have to work in the morning, and as soon as you drop me off tonight, I’m hitting the hay. Saturdays are busy days, and I can’t be late since Tina won’t be in.”

“
Let me know if you change your mind.” Matt looked at Rissa. “By the way, I love you too!”

About the Author

Author Ursula Gorman has lived in the Missouri Ozarks for the last 28 years. She is married to her husband of fifteen years, Tim. They have two children, whom they adore.

Ursula is a fulltime Human Resource Supervisor at a Missouri based home care agency. She has been an avid reader all her life, starting with Encyclopedia Brown books, graduating to Nancy Drew, then to Stephen King and finally finding her niche with mystery/romance books. She has several authors she reads loyally and snaps up any new book that comes out by them.

After years of reading and having ideas bouncing around in her head of what would make a good story, she decided to start writing them down. One of the stories took hold and has become her debut novel,
Old Acquaintances
.

Old Acquaintances
is a fast paced, high energy story that pulls the reader in and takes them on a great ride starting from the first page.

Ursula's second book,
The Best of Us
, is the first in a series about three brothers. This one is centered around the middle brother, Daniel. This book was published by TreasureLine Publishing.
The Best of Us
pulls at your emotions, but is still packed full of mystery and suspense.