Book excerpt from Remember Me 

            He slowed his horse and joined her when she passed by. They rode side by side in silence around the arena for several minutes. “I was thinking.” Ray cleared his throat and adjusted his hat. “Maybe I could go out on a trail ride with you.”

            Dani turned slightly in the saddle. “I thought you didn’t go on trails?”

            “I haven’t wanted to go with anyone before now,” he replied, looking straight ahead.

            She tossed him a surprised look and pondered her reply.

            Ray stretched his legs in his stirrups. “Just thought I’d offer…since you wanted to go and didn’t have someone to ride with.” He glanced sideways at her. “Wouldn’t want you to go off with someone here you don’t know well and…” His words trailed off.

            “I don’t really know you very well.” Dani’s words took on a teasing tone, hoping to keep the conversation light.

            Ray nodded.

            Dani gave in to the urge to tease. “I wouldn’t want to end up with my picture on a missing poster.”

            He glanced around at her. “Are you always so cynical?”

            “Just on good days,” she said with a laugh.

            “Do I look like a serial killer or something?” he questioned.

            “Just what does a serial killer look like?”

            “You have a point there. I hear you can’t tell a serial killer by how they look.”

* * *

            Dani unsaddled her horse, brushed him down and put away her tack. “Coming out tomorrow, could-be-serial-killer, or do you have a job?”

            “No, no job. I retired to pursue my life of crime,” he grinned. “Sure, I’ll be out tomorrow unless I’m caught in the act tonight and get arrested.”

            “Be careful then. I’ll probably see you tomorrow.”

            He watched her walk away—tan western shirt tucked into snug-fitting jeans, cocoa-brown Justin roper boots. “Hey!” he called after her. “Nice walk, Monroe.”

            With a little shake of her head and a slightly exaggerated swagger, Dani walked to her car with a spring in her step that had been missing for quite some time. As she reached her car, she turned to see him still watching her. She laughed, waved and shot back, “Glad to see you enjoying yourself, Crowley.”

            Something in her head whispered a warning to be careful, while deeper inside flickered the feeling of being rescued.

* * *