Haunting Refrain (39 page)

"Hmmm.
You're right." He patted his stomach and laughed.

They all began talking at once. Gwen disappeared into the kitchen. Kate was about to go after her when she heard a cork pop and stopped.

Gwen returned with a tray of champagne flutes and a bottle of Dom
Perignon
. Her smile was nearly as big as Kate’s. “Let’s have a private toast before everyone else gets here.” She raised her glass. “Be happy, my friends.”

Kate drank and then lifted her glass again.
“To life.”

First, I want to thank Scott Regan—the most encouraging, inspiring, and giving of creative writing teachers. Without him, I would never have done this.

A special thanks to Cindy Hudson, for all her help and ideas.

And next, I must thank everyone who gave me the technical advice I asked for: the multitalented John Martin, musician, computer guru, and photographer; Detective Terry Christie of the Greenville Police Department; Shane Rogers of Scuba World; Tim Jarrett of Wolf Camera; and my grandmother, Violet Duke, the real clairvoyant in my family. The mistakes in this book are entirely mine, whether through not asking the right questions or misunderstanding the answers; these kind people are in no way responsible.

To the wonderful crew at Silver Dagger Mysteries: Beth Wright, Sherry Lewis, Karin O'Brien, and all the others—thank you!

And always, Michael.

Ellis's next book,
Cold Comfort
, coming soon from Echelon Press.

Cold Comfort

After she’s dumped by her faithless fiancé, Claire Spencer abandons her dreams of a family of her own tucked neatly inside a picket fence. Instead, she plots her solo course and settles for a quiet life as an independent
Williamsburg
shop owner. So how does she become a killer’s target?

Sometime security consultant Riley, burned out, stung by his ex-wife, and haunted by a young girl he couldn’t save, vows never to work with women again. But when a thug tries to kill Claire and she winds up in Riley’s arms, his plans go all to hell. Knowing she’s in danger, his protective instincts won’t let him walk away.

Old letters in a hidden trunk reveal long-buried secrets, leading Claire and Riley to political connections with organized crime and Mob
hitmen
. While dodging a speeding car, ducking bullets, and escaping through murky swamp waters, conventional Claire and freewheeling Riley struggle against their powerful chemistry—if she’s picket fences, he’s barbed wire. Opposites do attract.

Ellis
Vidler
, a native of
Kentucky
, was raised in
Alabama
. She claims storytelling is in her blood. Her Grandfather Duke always had a tall tale; and her grandmother's family, with its vein of clairvoyance, inspired many a family story. She and her husband now live in the South Carolina Piedmont with their dogs.

Ellis would love to hear from you.

Website: http://www.ellisvidler.com

Blog: http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com