Stalking her Dreams (A Coverton Mills Romance Book 1) Read online

  STALKING HER DREAMS

  A COVERTON MILLS ROMANCE, VOL. 1

  by Agnes Alexander

  Stalking her Dreams

  Originally Published as Lady Slippers for my Lady

  Copyright© 2012 Lynette Hall Hampton

  Fire Star Press Printing 2017

  Cover Design Livia Reasoner

  Fire Star Press

  www.firestarpress.com

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  CHAPTER 1

  Alex Hargrove shaved, trimmed his white mustache, then showered. He dressed in khaki slacks, a blue oxford long sleeved shirt, and slipped his feet into polished boots. He brushed his white hair and paused to glare at himself in the mirror.

  Shaking his head, he muttered, “What the heck am I doing? I’m too old for this crap.”

  Alex hadn’t planned for his life to come to this. He thought he and Anna would always be together. How was he to know when his wife of thirty-two years found the lump in her breast three years ago that it was the beginning of the end of their life together?

  Though surgery, chemo, radiation, and several alternative treatments slowed the progress of the disease, in the end the cancer won. Anna slipped away on a Sunday morning almost eighteen months ago. He still missed her more than anyone could know.

  Now here he was getting ready to go out to dinner with another woman. It didn’t seem right. Oh, he knew the standard customs. Don’t make any hasty decisions or start dating until your mate has been dead at least a year. And if you’re an older man, don’t make a fool of yourself and embarrass your family by running after women half your age.

  While he hadn’t seriously dated since Anna’s death, it seemed every woman in three counties had shown up on his doorstep with a casserole or some type of dessert almost weekly. But Alex didn’t want another woman in his life. Though he’d gone out with groups of friends and had attended a few of the single again events at church all he could think about was how much he missed Anna.

  As for the younger women, like any man, he enjoyed looking at the cheerleaders when he watched a football game, but as for one of these babes in real life, it hadn’t entered his mind. Of course, he’d been a little flattered when some of them came on to him, but Alex didn’t fall in the category of men who thought these eager women really cared for him. He knew they were after his money.

  His date tonight certainly wasn’t one of these younger women. Kate Harris had been in his English class when he was in high school so he knew she was about fifty-six, the same age as he. Though she lived in the area, he hadn’t seen her in years. He ran into her by accident at the local hardware store last Saturday. When they recognized each other, they chatted for several minutes. In this conversation, he learned she’d lost her husband in a military conflict and had no children. She lived with her sister and her husband on a small farm in the valley.

  At the time, he noticed Kate was somewhat wrinkled from age and probably the sun, but she had a nice figure and her red hair had very little gray. He enjoyed talking to her about the people they both knew and on impulse he asked her to go out to dinner the following week.

  Now, it was Wednesday and here he was, getting ready to pick her up.

  He shook his head and headed to the four-car garage. He made a quick decision to drive his gray Ford F-150 truck instead of the Cadillac Escalade. To him, it still didn’t feel right to be going out like this and he didn’t want Kate to think he was trying to impress her. Actually, he wanted to call the whole thing off, but Alex was a man of his word. He figured this would probably be the only time he’d take Kate out and since he was committed, he’d go through with it. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad. He hoped she liked steak. He didn’t want to drive all the way into Asheville, and Buck’s Steak House was the nicest restaurant in the small town of Coverton Mills. By going there, he could probably drop her off and get home in time to check on the horse that had been limping today, then catch the last of the Braves game. He hoped so. They were doing pretty good this year.

  •♥ •

  After the surprise divorce ten years earlier, Heather Masterson’s life changed more than anyone could have imagined. Though Fred had been almost fair in the settlement, she knew there wasn’t enough money to live on until retirement. She dived into her writing with a passion and it paid off. Her books began to sell and she was soon making enough money to supplement her income.

  As she went about the southeast promoting her books, she built a loyal fan base which continued to grow with each novel. Three years ago, a new series about a mountain lawman surprised everyone and hit the best seller list. She now had a contract to write four more books with this character. The advance she got was, in her estimation, phenomenal. She could stop worrying about her money running out before she did.

  Her only problem was since she became a local celebrity, she’d been getting strange mail. Some of it filled with hateful ramblings and it had increased in recent months. She was glad to be getting away for a while, though William Jenkins wasn’t happy about her leaving.

  She knew her relationship with William was headed nowhere. There were too many differences. She wasn’t about to commit to anything more serious than an occasional dinner or concert. William, on the other hand, seemed ready to take their relationship to the next level, which she was sure, meant to the bedroom.

  They’d even fought about it at dinner a few nights ago.

  “If you must write your mountain stories, Heather,” he’d said over his entree at P.F Chang’s. “Can’t you do it from your imagination? Why do you have to go traipsing up to the Blue Ridge Mountains again?”

  Heather shook her head. “William, the publisher paid me a lot of money to write these books and if they’re not up to par, I might have to give the money back.”

  “I’m not asking you to cut corners, my dear. I simply don’t want you to spend so much time away.” He set his jaw in the firm position he always did when he was in an argumentative mood. “You know I don’t like the mountains.”

  “I can’t wait to get back. I have a book talk in Asheville on Friday.”

  “Why do you like those hills so much?”

  “The scenery is awesome. It’s such a beautiful part of God’s world and it’s a wonderful place to write.”

  “I thought you said that about the beach.”

  “I feel the same about the beach.”

  “I don’t like the mountains or the beach.”

  Heather shook her head. She couldn’t help wondering why she bothered going out with William. Eating at nice restaurants and going to the symphony were the only things they had in common.

  He went on. “When our courtship gets more serious I think I’ll put my foot down about you gallivanting about so much. I get lonely at night when you’re gone.”

  She eyed him. She knew he was implying they consummate the relationship. It wasn’t the first time he’d referred to it. Heather ignored these innuendoes. She had no intention of giving in to his desires. Though it would be nice to eventually have a relationship with an understanding man, she knew William wasn’t the one.

  She responded to his implied suggestion, “You knew when we started dating, after my relationship with God, my son’s family is my next priority and my writing follows that. Anything else
in my life has to follow.”

  “You could change your mind with a lover in your life.”

  “There is no lover in my life.”

  “But you could have one.” He lifted an eyebrow at her.

  She changed the subject. “I’m leaving for Asheville in the morning.”

  “So, it’ll probably be Saturday before you get home?”

  “I have an event in South Carolina on Tuesday and I’ll leave from Asheville. It’s closer than from here.” She sighed. “I’ll let you know when I get home.”

  He mumbled something about her ridiculous lifestyle.

  She glanced at him. William was a handsome man who didn’t look his age. Pairing his looks with her fair features and size-six figure caused several friends to tell her they made a striking pair.

  As she watched him break open his fortune cookie, it hit Heather that at this point in her life, becoming one of a striking pair was not one of her goals. Nor would it ever be.

  •♥ •

  Standing in the living room of her apartment, Rachelle Albright poured herself another glass of whisky and reread the letter from the publisher.

  Through gritted teeth she uttered several oaths, followed by, “Why can’t they let me write a book about Alex Hargrove? Why is that Masterson bitch the only one who can write his stories? I know more about him than she does. I love him.” She took a swallow of whiskey. “Why couldn’t they publish the book I wrote making him fall in love with a woman named Rachelle? I still had him fighting crime and making women swoon, but he loved Rachelle so much he left the other women alone and came back to her.”

  She downed the rest of the whiskey and poured another glass. “It’s all your fault, Heather Masterson. If you weren’t in the picture I bet they’d want somebody to write more Alex Hargrove books ...” Her voice trailed off and a thought began to form in her mind.

  After two more glasses of whiskey, a toothy grin spread across her face. Things would work out fine. She only had to rid the world of Heather Masterson.

  CHAPTER 2

  Thursday morning at nine-thirty, Heather looked about her spacious bedroom to make sure everything she needed was packed and in the car. Satisfied, she moved to the telephone beside her bed and dialed her son’s number.

  “Hi, Juanita,” she said when her daughter-in-law answered. “I’m ready to leave, and wanted to say good-bye.”

  “I’m glad you called, Heather. Do you have an itinerary, or are you going to let us know where you’ll be?”

  “I’ll be around the Asheville area until Monday, then I’ll head to South Carolina. As soon as I get home, we’ll get together and discuss the beach trip. I promised my grandson we’d go and I’d like us to go as soon as Tim can get away.”

  “I think he’ll finish up in a week or so and Ben’s excited about going to the beach. Of course, you know I need to go before it gets too close to having this little girl.”

  “Then we’ll definitely go in the next couple of weeks. Is that too close to your delivery?”

  “No. It should be fine.”

  “Good. Let me know if you need me, and—”

  “I know, Heather. You’ll be right home.” Juanita laughed. “I don’t think that’ll happen. Now, you have a good time, and watch those curvy roads. I know how heavy your foot gets.”

  “I’ll be careful. Love to all of you and I’ll be in touch.”

  The forecast hadn’t predicted any storms or other inclement weather this beautiful June day. Heather popped a Beethoven CD in the player, pulled her car into the road and settled back to enjoy the ride.

  •♥ •

  At noon, Alex Hargrove came inside through the kitchen and said to his longtime housekeeper, “Hi, Irma, I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Luke to lunch. Brenda had to do something at Jacob’s play-school class.”

  “I don’t mind at all, Mr. Alex. There’s plenty of stew and salad.”

  Alex went into the lavatory off the pantry and washed his hands. When he returned, Irma had the table in the informal family dining room set and Luke came in the door from the terrace.

  “Irma, thanks for lunch. We’ve worked hard changing pastures and rounding up the animals this morning. Ginny’s off today, and Brenda isn’t home to cook for me.”

  “I’m glad you came, Mr. Luke.” She set a big bowl of stew on the table. “I wish Ms. Brenda and little Jacob could come, too.”

  “I told her that Dad invited me and she said she’d try to get away early and come by.”

  “Good.”

  Luke was a younger replica of his father with a few differences. He was not quite as tall. Alex was six-four and Luke was six-two. Both were well-built and muscular, but instead of Alex’s white hair, Luke’s hair was dark brown. He did have his dad’s blue-green eyes.

  As they began to eat, Luke said, “We haven’t had much chance to talk today. How did your date go last night?”

  Alex shook his head. “Wasn’t much to it. We ate at Buck’s, then I took her home. I stopped to check things in the barn and got back in around nine-thirty.”

  “Going to ask her out again?”

  Before Alex could answer, the door from the back terrace opened and Brenda came into the house. “Knock, knock,” she called.

  “Poppa, Poppa,” Jacob squealed as he ran to his grandfather. “I made a present for you.”

  “Good for you. I like the presents you make for me.” Alex held out his arms and his dark blond-headed, five-and-a-half-year-old grandson ran to him.

  The boy handed Alex a drawing. “It’s your horse, Zeke. See.”

  “Yes, I do see. It looks like him.”

  “I want to sit by Poppa,” Jacob announced.

  “Was there any doubt?” Brenda laughed, pushed her blond hair out of her eyes, and eased her seven-months’ pregnant body into a chair beside Luke.

  Irma appeared with bowls and salad plates for them.

  Jacob was chatting away about another project he was working on. “I’m making you something, Daddy.”

  Luke grinned. “I’m sure it’ll be a great present.”

  “Well, Alex,” Brenda said. “I can’t wait to hear about last night.”

  Alex shook his head and repeated what he’d told Luke.

  “Did you kiss her good night?”

  Alex frowned. “Of course not.”

  Brenda asked the same question Luke did. “Are you going to ask her out again?”

  “I doubt it.”

  “Why not, Dad?” Luke looked at him. “You’ve moped around long enough. Mother wouldn’t want you to do that. It’s time you got back into the swing of things.”

  “Maybe so, but I’m not much of a swinger, son.” Alex took a bite of his stew.

  “Well, I’m disappointed,” Brenda teased him. “I hoped you’d tell us you’d fallen madly in love.” Alex shook his head.

  When Jacob announced he was finished, Irma appeared to take him to the playroom.

  “So the date didn’t go well?” Brenda asked.

  “Oh, it went fine. I guess my heart wasn’t in it.” He smiled at his daughter-in-law. “I compare every woman I see to Anna.”

  “Maybe you’ll have better luck next time, Dad.”

  “Maybe so.” Alex reached for the bread.

  Brenda looked at her husband and changed the subject. “Honey, I learned today that Heather Masterson is going to be in Asheville tomorrow night. I’d love to go.”

  “Who’s Heather Masterson?” Luke asked.

  “The lady who writes the books with a character named Alex Hargrove.” She looked at her husband. “I told you about her books, didn’t I?”

  “I think you did mention it.”

  Alex looked at Brenda in surprise. “Somebody wrote a book about me?”

  She laughed. “Not about you specifically, but she has a character in her books with the same name as yours. Her Alex is a police officer, and every woman in the fictional mountain town falls in love with him, but so far he’s managed to escape the
ir clutches.”

  “Smart guy,” Alex mumbled with a chuckle.

  “Do you mind if I go hear her?” Brenda turned back to Luke.

  Luke looked at his pregnant wife. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be driving to Asheville alone at night. Why don’t we get a sitter and I’ll take you? We’ll go early and have dinner.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “We haven’t done that in a while.”

  “I’ll keep Jacob for you,” Alex volunteered.

  “Oh, Alex, that’s sweet, but why don’t you come with us? Wouldn’t it be fun to meet someone who writes about a character with your name?”

  “I’m not going to horn in on your date, Brenda.”

  “You could ask your lady friend and we’ll make it a double date, Dad.”

  “Her name’s Kate, and she’s not my ‘lady friend’.” Alex stood and walked to the kitchen. “Anybody want coffee?”

  “I tell you what, Alex. Don’t decide now. I have one of Heather’s books at the house. I’ll run it up here this afternoon and you can read some of it tonight. Then you can decide if you want to go.”

  •♥ •

  When she checked into the hotel, Heather looked around the great lobby and sighed. This place had always held a fascination for her, but she wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t the stories of the ghosts who were rumored to occupy areas of the decades old hotel. On her trips here, she’d never encountered any of them. As a logical person, she didn’t believe in ghost.

  It wasn’t the rooms that drew her to the hotel, either. Though they were wonderful, she’d stayed in hotels with rooms as nice. She did have to admit the food was superb and the attention the guests received was out of the ordinary, but she really thought the appeal of this granite edifice was the location.

  She’d sit in a rocking chair on the large porch off the grand hall and drink in the beauty of the mountains as thought after thought raced through her mind. It was almost like a spa for her soul. The only other place which held this much appeal for her was the beach.