No Red Roses

"There were just three lines in the article about your aunt, Tamara," Rex reminded her softly. The gentleness she'd yearned for was in his eyes, but she was in no mood for it now.

"There wouldn't have been anything at all if you hadn't given out that crazy story," she said, glaring at him. "If you've hurt Aunt Elizabeth, I'll murder you, Rex Brody!"

"You're jumping to conclusions," he said, frowning. "You don't know if she's even seen it yet."

Je

"Thanks, Je

Before Tamara could form a fittingly indignant answer to this arrogance, Je

The next few hours cemented a friendship between the two women. After the brief civic meeting, Je

After their third cup of coffee, Je

Tamara shook her head. "Rex is quite able to take care of himself from what I've seen," she said dryly.

Je

"Well, you needn't worry. I'm not about to try to shear your little lamb," Tamara replied. On the contrary, she thought miserably, she was the one that had been left unhappy and vulnerable by their relationship to date.

"Oh, I knew that the minute I saw your face when you caught me in Rex's arms yesterday," Je

Tamara's lips twisted wryly. "At the moment that request borders on the impossible."

Je

Tamara's lips tightened and her violet eyes clouded stormily as she remembered Rex's dictatorial demand that she join him for di

Je

Tamara shook her head.

"I didn't think so," Je

"Be my guest," Tamara answered promptly. There was no way she wanted to be alone today. Between worrying about Aunt Elizabeth, and her depression and a

Je

Tamara stared in surprise. "To that kooky witches' coven? But that was just a practical joke."

"But what if it wasn't?" Je

Tamara frowned doubtfully. "I don't know if I like the idea of surprising a bunch of weirdos in a deserted ghost town."

"Oh, we wouldn't let them see us. We'd just take a peek at what was going on and then leave."

Why not? Maybe it would be interesting, and Tamara couldn't find it in her heart to disappoint Je

"What time do you think we should leave?" she asked indulgently.

"First we'll go back to the apartment and check the location of Lucky Creek and see how far it is,"

Je

The following hours flew by on wings supplied by one Je

The Jason ranch house was a gem of a Spanish hacienda with a rambling white stucco facade. Exquisite wrought iron grillwork fronted the windows and there was a beautiful courtyard, complete with a graceful fountain. The interior was just as lovely, furnished in beauty and comfort, but still retaining a warm, glowing hominess. Or perhaps the glow was provided by Je

That evening she enjoyed a magnificent meal provided by Je

It was eleven-thirty when Tamara and Je

As Je

Je

Tamara followed more slowly, a wry smile curving her lips. Discouraged! She would have liked nothing better than to give up this little adventure and was fervently berating herself for the impulse that had led her to give in to Je