Dark Escape (Book 1 of Dark Escape Duo)

As per usual, he was late. This didn’t surprise or even annoy Tara.  Lateness was a pattern of her father, Ed O’Shea, for as long as she could remember.  He focused his archeologist’s brain on projects and all else went by the wayside. Ed traveled for work and when he was home his mind rarely joined him, preferring to focus on the job he’d just finished or would soon begin.  When her mother died five months earlier, he dove even deeper into his work. Shortly after her mother’s death, the family experienced yet another loss.  Her grandmother, Gertrude O’Shea, passed away at the ripe old age of ninety-two.  She left stocks, bonds, and other monetary valuables to Tara’s father and brother, but she surprised everyone when she left the estate and all its contents to her seventeen-year-old granddaughter.  It was accompanied by a letter expressing her desire that Tara do her best to maintain and keep the p

Tara healed and grew stronger as time progressed.  She spent her days doing light jobs and keeping contact with Dennis via telephone and computer. With their father overseas, he’d taken on the role of head of family.  He’d also gotten annoyingly protective since the accident. It took a while, but he eventually loosed his grip to a tolerable level.Although the peace and solitude was initially a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, it was wearing thin. Dennis did his best to come on the weekends, but work was demanding, and his visits were not as regular as Tara would have liked.  She longed for companionship; to have someone to talk to, laugh with, and even fight with.  She’d yet to venture into the small village in the heart of the valley five miles east.  She was content to explore her new home and ride Sugar to the country store to purchase any of the staples they might need.  She decided it was time to bre

A week passed with nothing out of the ordinary occurring.  Maggie cleansed the house and the surrounding property with herbs and incantations, insisting balance kept negative forces away.  The old woman’s presence in the house gave Tara a confidence and sense of security.  There was something magical about her that was over and above what she demonstrated.As they completed their daily meditation, Maggie reached for the bag she brought. She pulled out a small book. Its edges showed signs of usage and the binding was barely intact.“Today we’re going to talk about the powers of the mind,” Maggie said.“Do you mean manifesting?” Tara asked.“Exactly,” Maggie smiled, “making things happen by will. Knowing your abilities and making good use of them.”“It’s so complicated,” Tara said hesitantly. “I struggle so much with what you’re teaching me, but I

The afternoon sun peaked through the tree tops as the cab weaved its way down the winding country lane toward Tara’s house. Brandon took in the beauty of the old estate as he rolled down the window for a better look.  The cool breeze felt good on his throbbing head. He raised his hand to the bandage the hospital secured before discharging him.  It gave him the appearance of a battle worn soldier. The tender bump was reduced considerably but it still protruded out amongst the soft gauze.  He scowled. He had no recollection of how he was injured, no matter how hard he tried. He remembered waiting impatiently in the clearing for Tara.  The next thing he remembered was waking up in the hospital with Tara next to him talking to a member of the hospital staff.  As hard as he tried, he could recall no more. As the cab turned up the drive, he smiled to see his black gelding race through the paddock with Tara’s chestnut mare at his heels.&nbs

Dominic’s broad smile greeted Tara when she pulled the door open. Her childlike look of delighted surprise tugged at him in earnest. It took all his reserve to refrain from taking her in his arms and holding her close. Firelight curls hung in disarray around her face and her flushed cheeks accentuated the blue in her oval eyes. They were so rich and deep he could see his reflection in them.She was acutely aware of her appearance. Not anticipating company, she dedicated her day to fixing the crack in the wall in the bathroom that Brandon had reported. It wasn’t going as well as she’d hoped.  She was actually standing back debating about the prospect of calling in a professional when she heard Dominic’s knock on the door. Dennis had suggested it several times and this was a time where she was sorry she hadn’t listened.“Did I interrupt something?” he questioned after surveying her boldly.“I’m making the