Page 1 of Blackstone's Heart
Chapter 1
Krista sat in her upstairs writing studio working on her current novel. Normally she liked to sit outside on her wrap around porch and work, but the day was grey and a steady rain fell outside. She loved days like this. The rain pitter-pattering on the roof setting the perfect soundtrack for romance writing. Especially the scene she was currently working on. Her hero was taking her heroine against an oak tree in the rain.
She nearly jumped when her cell rang, interrupting the peacefulness of the house. Cursing, she answered. "Damnit Jerry! I was right in the middle..."
"We got another one Krista."Jerry jumped right in.
Krista's eyes closed as she gnashed her teeth. "When did you get it?"
Jerry sighed,"I just found them this morning. We got two but it was a four weekend last week."
“Great. Have Jimmy and Cain seen them yet?” She asked.
“I’m pulling up to the Federal building right now. Once I’m done here I’m coming to you. You might want to give your dad a heads up on this. I should be done here in about thirty.”
“Alright. I’ll call Dad now and wait for you. Be careful Jerry. Jimmy and Cain have both said, as has Dad, that this guy could be watching us.”
“I’ll watch myself honey. I gotta go. See you soon.”
Krista ended the calland stood from her desk. As she dialed her dad, she moved through the room checking the windows. Her writing studio was one of her favorite rooms in the house next to her kitchen. The wall behind her desk was all windows that looked down on her sprawling tree filled backyard. There was a ten by ten-foot section near the house that had no trees. That area held her fire pit and the bricked patio. She had just checked the final window lock when her dad picked up.
“Nicholas Jameson.”
“Dad, Jerry just called me. He said he found two letters this morning.” Krista jumped right in while exiting her studio and heading the bedroom next door to check the windows.
“Dammit. Do you have the copies yet?”
“Not yet. Jerry called me as he was pulling up to the Federal building. He said he should be here in about half an hour.”
“Alright, once he gets there I want you both in my office asap. I’m assuming you received two letters due to the four-day weekend last week.”
“That’s what Jerry thinks and I agree.” She replied, now making her way downstairs.
“What was all that clicking and rummaging around I’ve been hearing?”
“I’m checking all my windows and making sure they’re locked. Hell, I used to never bother when I was home but since this creep started writing me I’m becoming paranoid and I hate it.” She growled as she checked the locks on the living room windows.
“Baby, you can’t be too careful. I know you can take care of yourself, but we don’t know for sure if this guy is actually watching us or just trying to make us think he is. You just stay there, wait for Jerry, then you two come here. We’ll get through this Krista.”Nicholas assured her.
Krista let out a sigh walking into her kitchen. “Yes sir. I’ll see you soon. I love you.”
“I love you too honey.”
Leaning against her granite counter, Krista dropped her phone to the surface and ran her fingers through her unbound blonde hair. She hated feeling like she was a prisoner in her own home, let alone in her own hometown. Mumbling to herself she moved to the half full coffee pot and poured herself a cup. With her coffee she walked into her spacious living room to wait for Jerry. Sitting on the plush sofa, she sipped her coffee, her mind no longer thinking about hot sex in the rain against a tree with a hunky alpha rancher. Instead her thoughts were now consumed by her unknown stalker.
‘Who the hell is he and what does he want with me? Where did I meet him? Did I even meet him? God this is so frustrating!’
***
A knock on the front door half an hour later had Krista moving. She had been pacing for the last ten minutes after she had gathered her phone and purse, which were now waiting on the end table in the foyer. She grabbed both items, opened the door and stepped onto the porch with Jerry.
“Um, we going somewhere?” Jerry asked, lifting a brow as she locked her house.
“Dad wants us in his office. You drive. I’m still too pissed to be driving in Austin traffic right now.” Krista answered.
Jerry chuckled as he followed her in the misting rain to his flashy Porsche 911 Turbo. In fire engine red to top things off. It had been his first major purchase after Krista’s first book,Dress Blues, hit number one on New York Times best-seller list nearly six years ago. He slipped behind the will and steered the car toward downtown.
Nick Jameson looked up when his office door opened. He let out a silent breath of relief at seeing his only daughter standing safely in front of him. He stood and rounded his desk. He gathered Krista into his arms and gave a nod of greeting to Jerry.
