“Ms. Reynolds, it’s nice to see you again.” He stood to greet her. The tingle again shot up his arm as they touched.

Angie smiled. The chemistry between them was still there. “I brought you a housewarming gift, Rose’s fudge nut brownies. I hope you like chocolate.”

“Can’t get enough.” Nick took the plate and grabbed the big one on top. “I haven’t gotten around to dessert at Rose’s yet.” He took a bite. “Wow, these are amazing. Would you like one?”

“No, I think I’ve eaten a few hundred over the years.”

“It certainly doesn’t show.” Nick smiled, enjoying the buzz he got when she was around.

“Thank you.” Angie lowered her eyes and felt her cheeks flush.

“I was just about to take a walk. Would you like to join me?” Nick didn’t feel comfortable inviting her in. There was a strong, obvious connection between them. He found her charm and beauty overwhelming.

“I’d love to.” Angie and Nick walked along the shore in the setting sun.

“How do you like Minnesota so far?”

“It’s great. Not what I expected. Everyone’s gone out of their way to make me feel at home.”

“Yeah, it’s why they call it ‘Minnesota nice’.”

“That phrase fits perfectly,” Nick said. They walked on, nearing the wooded peninsula. There was a loud rustling in the brush next to them. Startled, Angie grabbed onto Nick, pulling herself to him. He looked into her eyes that were wide with fear. God, she was beautiful. The blood raced through his veins, a potent cocktail of adrenaline and lust. They pressed closer together, not caring what sort of beast watched from the woods. Lost in the moment his mouth found hers, deep and demanding. A moan escaped her lips. He could tell she was a strong, passionate woman by the way she returned his kiss. Another loud rustle in the bushes broke the spell. Angie pulled away and Nick instinctively reached for his gun which was back in California. He felt naked, helpless to protect himself or the woman he was with.

“We should probably get moving. We get the occasional bear and wolf around here. Whatever it is, it sounds pretty big,” Angie said anxiously.

Nick placed himself between Angie and the woods as they made their way back to the house. “I wish someone had told me that. I won’t be napping on the deck anymore.” Survive years on the streets of L.A. only to come to Minnesota and be eaten by a bear.

“The bears are just looking for garbage and the wolves are more scared of you than you are of them. Just don’t leave your dog tied out. It’s an easy meal.”

“I’ll remember that when I get a dog.” Nick nodded thoughtfully.

“I should get going,” Angie said.

“I’ll walk you to your car. It feels kind of funny not having my gun,” Nick said.

“A hand gun probably wouldn’t be much use against a bear, just make him mad.”

“About what happened back there,” Nick said, embarrassed by his actions.

Angie felt the color rise to her cheeks. “It was intense, but nice. I work the evening shift at Rose’s this week; stop by sometime.”

“I’ll do that,” he said, and headed into the house. He walked past the entryway mirror. “Get that stupid smile off your face,” he scolded himself out loud. It had been such a long time since he smiled or felt truly happy. He walked out onto the second floor deck, hoping the cold lake breeze would put out the fire Angie had stirred in him. Nick heard the mournful cries of a solitary goose, waiting for the mate that would never return. A wave of emptiness washed over him.

  

   Kathy smiled when they pulled up to Nick’s house, it was rustic but in a modern kind of way. Four or five of his house could have fit inside of hers. He grabbed her suitcases and led her inside.

   “It’s very nice, very you.” Kathy said, looking around. Dark leather sofas and chunky wood furniture gave the house a woodsy, masculine feel. It suited Nick well. It was the kind of furniture he could put his feet up on. He always complained her furniture looked nice but wasn’t made for comfort.

   “What a view,” she exclaimed as she opened the door and went out on to the deck. A gentle breeze sent ripples across the lake and rustled the leaves in the trees above her head.

   “I don’t want you going outside alone, the wildlife here is very wild.” Nick said, from the doorway.

   “What do you mean?” She asked.

   “Bears, wolves and I don’t know what else.” Nick shrugged.

   Kathy hurried inside and closed the door behind her.

   “Come on.” He led her up the stairs. “This one faces the lake. I thought you might like it better.” He set her suitcase down on the bed. “I think this is for the best right now. I hope you understand.” His arms were crossed and he was looking at her over the top of his dark glasses.

   Kathy nodded, too stunned to speak. He wasn’t going to make this easy on her. There’d be no all is forgiven roll in the sack this time. For once in their relationship Nick had taken control. She wasn’t quite sure how she felt about the shift in power.

   “The food’s getting cold, let’s eat,” Nick demanded.

   He opened the bag Angie brought him and took a big whiff, a bacon cheeseburger and fries. Nick’s stomach growled. He had overslept and missed breakfast this morning.

   “I can’t eat that. Is the woman trying to kill you?” Kathy gasped.

   “Death by bacon cheeseburger. What a way to go. I’ve got some fish and salad in the fridge.” Nick knew what she needed. He heated the fish in the microwave and brought her plate to the table.

   “Is it serious?” Kathy asked.

   Nick chewed and swallowed. “My love of bacon cheeseburgers is very serious.” He didn’t want to have the conversation because he wasn’t sure of the answer. As strong as his feelings were for Kathy, this new relationship excited him. He didn’t have to compete for Angie’s attention; she was there, ready and willing to give of herself.

   “You know what I mean,” she said, gently touching Nick’s hand.

   He looked into her eyes and saw fear there. “Could be, I don’t know. You know what I want, Kathy.   I’m not willing to compromise anymore. We’ve been down this road too many times, baby. I’ve loved you since the minute I laid eyes on you but it’s all or nothing no matter what I feel for you. I have to do this for me. We don’t want to end up hating each other later.”

   “I understand. This is too important to get wrong.” She poked at the food on her plate. How could this be happening to them? All she had to do was say ‘yes Nicky, I’ll marry you’ and all would be forgiven. The biggest part of her wanted to say those words but the fear ran too deep. How could you lose what you never had? She’d never have to sit and wonder if one day he would leave her. If one day he would wake up and not love her anymore. Her way had always been safer but now she was paying the price and she would lose him anyway.

   “Please eat. I’ve got to get back to work. We’ll talk later. You keep everything locked up tight. I’ll set the alarm. Don’t go out and don’t let anyone in, and I mean anyone. Do you understand me? I’m leaving you all my numbers. We don’t have a clue who this psycho is.”

    Kathy wished she could make him understand. She let him into her heart and soul. He was the only man who ever stayed, the only man she ever loved.

Nature of the Beast

    When the doors open at the Star Light Casino, a serial killer turns it into his hunting ground. The challenge of two unsolved murders and a chance at a fresh start prompts maverick cop Nick Dempsey, to leave L. A. and his actress girlfriend Kathy Tyler behind. This lone wolf must learn to be a team player when he takes the job of sheriff.
    After a one night stand with her ex-husband, Kathy follows Nick to Minnesota.Tempers flare when Kathy arrives in Brody to find Nick has taken a new lover, Angie Reynolds, a beauty nearly half his age. Fearing for Kathy safety Nick moves her into his house. Kathy finds herself a new playmate in Nick's Deputy Ben. Nick and Kathy struggle with their strained relationship as they both date other people.
    As Brody celebrates Heritage Days, Nick has his hands full with a town full  tourists, a serial killer and two angry girlfriends. Victim number three is found alive but lapses into a coma before she can identify her attacker. Deputy Russ Thompson conceals a clue from the crime scene, then struggles with his decision to remain silent about what he found.
    A violent storm descends on Brody putting everyone's nerves on edge. When both women turn up missing, Nick must use all his skills to figure out who the killer is before one of his women becomes the next victim.