Namaste

By Teresa Keefer

Riana Summers had spent most of her adult life trying to find herself. The youngest of the three Summer Sisters, she just couldn't resist sowing her wild oats and she had done it across the country. When her sister, Alana, had summoned her to come home to Lakeview because she was needed to do her part to hunt down and destroy an evil entity which had been playing havoc on her hometown, she did so with the intention of returning to her stand-up comedy gig in Las Vegas. She had no idea her brief trip home would turn to months and that she would end up finding out who she really was. Or that she would find herself face to face with a man who could get her to want to settle down.

Eric Michaels had been born and raised to be a farmer. It was what he did best. So, when the opportunity to be the foreman at a farm near a place called Lakeview, he had jumped at the chance. What he hadn't planned on was getting sucked into a paranormal nightmare. Things he couldn't even begin to fathom. Including finding himself deeply attracted to a woman who could create magic with the tips of her fingers.

As the conclusion of the Summer Sisters trilogy comes to an end, will they be able to destroy the force that had unearthed itself from its deep dark grave to destroy them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teresa Keefer
• Release date: Feb 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386731863

Teresa Keefer

Teresa Keefer is an indie romance author with an avid love of books since the tender age of 4. She started writing poetry in high school and after encouragement from her best friend, wrote her first full length romance novel in 2007. Coming Home was finally released as a self-published book in 2011 and was intended as a stand-alone until several readers contacted her to ask for more on the secondary characters which was the beginning of the Possum Creek series. In addition to writing under her own name, she also writes erotica under Autumn Drake and will be releasing her first political thriller in 2018 under the name of Ann Nevada. Teresa holds an MBA in Human Resources and attended law school for two years and has been in the human resource profession for over 25 years. She has also served on several boards of directors for human resource professionals and has taught human resource classes at the college level as an adjunct instructor.  Her ultimate goal is to become a full-time author and have the time and resources to contribute to various community functions to raise awareness about domestic violence, human trafficking, and substance abuse/addiction issues. In addition to reading romantic fiction, she enjoys reading a variety of other material including horror, thrillers, mysteries, and non-fiction.  As a woman with many interests, she balances out her life by doing crafts, gardening, cooking and studying spiritualism.  A lifelong resident of Indiana, she presently lives in a rural area with a menagerie of animals close to her three adult daughters and seven grandchildren.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Namaste

Chapter 1

The snow crunched under Riana’s boots as she made her way toward the cursing in the Monroe’s barn. Sounded like Eric was having some difficulty with something. She heard the clang of metal against metal and another round of cursing and she couldn’t help but laugh out loud. With a smirk on her face, she bent and gathered up a hunk of snow in her mitten covered hands and rolled it into a snowball. Maybe this would cool him off.

Quietly, she pulled open the side door and slipped inside. Metallic rock blared from the radio on the workbench and a utility light hung over the aged truck. Two boots extended from beneath the front of the truck. If she stood just right over the open hood, she could probably drop the snowball and hit something. Standing on her tiptoes, she estimated where his face might be and dropped the snowball.

What the fuck? Eric sputtered, and she stood back and watched as he slid out from under the truck and stood up, looking around until he spotted her standing innocently to the side of the workbench. Melting snow dripped from his face and neck.

She grinned. It sounded like you might need cooling off.

Dammit, Riana. I could have hit my head on the underside of the engine. He reached for a shop rag on the bench and wiped the snow away. What are you doing here?

She shrugged beneath the heavy wrappings of her coat and scarf. I thought maybe you might need some help. Georgia said you had been out here for hours trying to get the truck to run.

He kicked the tire of the truck and muttered another curse word under his breath. And just how do you think you can help?

I worked for an auto repair shop in Texas one time. I do all the maintenance on my bike and when I had a car, I worked on it too. She remembered the surly old biker that owned the repair shop and how he had grudgingly given her a job and then patiently taught her the things she didn’t know. He had practically begged her not to leave when she decided it was time to move on.

Really? He shook his head. I don’t believe you. A girl who can fix cars? I’ll bet you dinner that you can’t get this damned piece of shit to run.

She unzipped her coat and discarded it to a hook on the wall. The scarf and mittens were tossed carelessly on the work bench. Move out of the way. I’ve got this.

Riana climbed up on the front bumper of the truck and felt it creak beneath her weight. The rust bucket was falling apart but she knew Mrs. Monroe wouldn’t replace it because it had belonged to her husband. She poked around under the hood and looked over her shoulder. Hand me the ratchet set. She held her hand out and waited.

Riana, there’s no way you are going to get this truck to run.

Give me the ratchet set and stand back. He of little faith. She wiggled her fingers at him. Come on, make it snappy.

She heard him groan. Obnoxiously. But he handed her the set of tools she had requested. She climbed further into the engine of the truck and tinkered around with the ratchet. And chanted a little bit of a spell. After all, it was for good. Then she climbed down and motioned to him. Go try it now.

Eric scowled at her, but he grudgingly got into the cab of the truck and turned the key. With a couple of sputters, the engine came to life as black smoke came out the tailpipe. You cheated. I’m sure of it.

Riana grinned and slammed the hood down. You owe me dinner, big guy. She flipped her pigtails and walked around to the side of the barn where the animal stalls were.

Seymour and Matilda, the black and white goats, came up to the fenced off area and poked their curious noses through the wires looking for a treat. They knew her well and she scratched each of their heads before handing them their favorites. A banana for Seymour and peanut butter crackers for Matilda. The goats hadn’t had names until she had befriended them, and they affectionately rewarded her each time she came with treats by pulling at her pigtails.

Eric came to stand beside her. I still think you cheated. But thanks, I was getting frustrated with the damned thing. He reached out and tried to pet Seymour but all he got was spit at.

Riana laughed gaily. I don’t think he’s ever going to make up to you. Especially, after you tried to separate him from the love of his life. She was referring to how Eric had put them in separate pens when he first arrived for fear they would breed. But after the old goat belly ached at him every time he went in the barn and Matilda wouldn’t eat, he acquiesced and put them both back in the same pen. Now, Matilda was starting to get pleasantly plump with a baby or babies that would arrive sometime in March.

How did you get over here? Eric tried again to pet Seymour but the goat nudged Riana’s hand instead.

I had Teagan drop me off on her way to town. I was bored just sitting at the cabin. Cabin fever, I guess. She sighed dramatically. I’m itching to go after the bastard in the woods, but Mom said that the time wasn’t quite right. How she knows these things, I have no idea.

They walked on to where the one horse was stalled. An older Appaloosa gelding who was as gentle as a kitten. Newton. Who was especially fond of cookies. Eric watched as she snapped her fingers and a cookie appeared.

Was that real magic or a slight of hand? He elbowed her lightly. I never know with you. You steal my money at poker and now you conned me into buying you dinner.

As if you didn’t let me do both. If you had paid attention to the cards in your hand instead of looking up stuff on Google, you might have not lost your ass so bad. She opened the stall and put her arms around the old horse’s neck and rubbed her face against his coat. Newton, me and you are going to go for a ride one of these days.

He chuckled as the horse bobbed its head up and down as if it were agreeing with her idea. Georgia said that horse hasn’t been ridden in years. He’ll probably toss you on your ass.

Dare me? She lifted an eyebrow and smiled saucily. Or better yet, if he tosses me we can call it even on the dinner. If he doesn’t, you have to spring for a movie too.

She didn’t wait for his response. She grabbed hold of the horse’s mane and swung up on his back, then leaned in to whisper in his ear. Don’t you dare buck me off. Be nice so I can get a movie out of this deal and I’ll make sure you have an endless supply of oatmeal cookies. She snapped her fingers again and produced another cookie, which she promptly fed to the gelding.

Eric shook his head. You didn’t give me a chance to agree to anything. Now get down off old Newton here. You’ve proven your point, you little witch.

Riana laughed. I resemble that remark. Let me take him out for a spin and I’ll come back promptly.

He scowled at her and shook his finger. Nope. You heard what Logan and Devon and your sisters said on Thanksgiving. Nobody goes out alone. Not even in daylight.

She shrugged her shoulders. I’m not scared. She pulled an amulet from beneath her shirt. I have my own little protection right here.

Riana. I said no. Now get your ass down off Newton and let’s go up to the house and see if Georgia has anything to eat for lunch. I’ve been out here since before dawn and I’m getting mighty hungry. He held out a hand to help her down.

As if on cue, the old dinner bell rang from the porch of the farmhouse signaling lunchtime. She knew Georgia had fixed chili with cornbread and Mrs. Monroe had baked a batch of brownies and snickerdoodles. They walked over to retrieve her coat, scarf and mittens and the two made their way out of the barn toward the house where Georgia was waving from the porch.

Hurry up, come get it while it’s hot! She stood aside and waited for them to climb the porch steps and then followed them in the homey living room where the old wood stove had a kettle of steaming water on top of it. A pile of fresh split wood was stacked neatly in the rack beside it.

The old farmhouse was taking on a fresh look since Georgia and her wife, Laura, had come to stay. The living room walls had been freshly painted in a light gold color and the old furniture was covered with plaid slipcovers in red, gold and blue. One of Mrs. Monroe’s afghans was folded neatly on the back of the sofa and throw pillows with Christmas designs were tossed haphazardly on the sofa and the two chairs.

The wood plank floor was polished to a sheen and a braided rug was under the cherry coffee table which held a fragrant candle surrounded by boughs of greenery. A freshly cut Christmas tree stood in the corner and its colored lights blinked delightfully. Riana smiled as she looked at the antique decorations that had most likely been passed down through generations of Monroes.

The kitchen was warm and fragrant with freshly baked cookies. In here, Georgia and Laura had painted a bright blue with white cabinets and gaily printed blue and white curtains hung at the windows. Antique blue canning jars held rooting house plants in the window above the sink and a big grey pit bull was sprawled by the back door on a brightly colored rug next to his bowls of food and water. Duke was a rescue from a nearby animal shelter and was as gentle as the gelding in the barn.

The table was set with bowls of chili atop the bright blue placemats, and a pan of cornbread sat in the middle on a trivet. Laura waved as they came in the kitchen and lifted the coffee pot. Hey, you guys! Do you want coffee or hot cocoa?

Eric went over to the sink and washed his hands, drying them with a wad of paper towel. Better give me some strong coffee. I’ve been working outside since before dawn and I need a boost if I’m going to get anything else done today and still be up to taking this cheating little witch to dinner.

Laura’s eyes filled with mirth as she roared with laughter. She got you again? Young man, you should have learned your lesson long ago when she got us all at poker. She turned to Riana. What did you do this time?

Riana smirked and joined Eric at the sink to wash the engine grease off her hands. I fixed the truck.

Eric grumbled under his breath. I think she cheats. Uses her magic. He nudged Riana. Do you wiggle your nose or something?

She bumped him with her hips. Nope. I save my wiggling for other activities. She couldn’t help but flirt with him. He was shy as could be and she was far from it. She got a sense of satisfaction as she watched him blush above his beard. Her job was complete. Truck fixed and she had a date for tonight.

Chapter 2

Riana bustled about the small bedroom at her sister’s cabin as she searched out something to wear. Her hair was dripping wet and she had a towel wrapped around her slight body. She tossed a pair of snug fitting jeans that were fashionably ripped and faded on her unmade bed as Teagan watched.

Are you really going to wear those torn up jeans on a date? Teagan sat with her legs drawn up under her chin. I’d think you would want to make a better impression since you are so hot for the farm boy.

She pulled out a tight fitting black sweater that laced up the front and threw it over her head, hitting Teagan in the face. I’m not hot on Eric.

Teagan tossed the sweater back at her. Yes, you are. And you are dripping water all over the floor. Why don’t you put a towel on your head and a robe on that scrawny body of yours? She ducked this time as Riana flipped a skimpy, black bra at her. Where is he taking you? There’s a nice little restaurant Devon took me to once. It’s in a barn between here and the next town. At least you would fit in with those clothes.

Shut up. You are such a snobby bitch sometimes. Riana turned and went over to hug her sister, flipping droplets of water from her wet hair on her. But I still love you. Bitch that you are. Where are you going tonight? You going to go get laid? It would do you good.

That’s none of your business. Teagan wiped the moisture off her face. You still act like a damned teenager at times.

Just like you to change the subject. That probably means you are going to go screw the dickens out of the lawyer. She dropped the towel on the floor and grabbed her black thong panties and pulled them on.

Teagan covered her eyes. Do you have no modesty at all? The last thing I wanted to have to see is your naked ass before I get ready to go to dinner.

Riana put on the bra and slipped the sweater over her head, leaving the front seductively unlaced just enough to hopefully get Eric’s attention. Ha! I knew you were going to see the lawyer tonight. I won’t wait up for you.

For your information, we are going with Alana and Logan to see a movie and grabbing a burger from Bessie’s. Teagan stood up and walked over to the dresser and pulled out the top drawer, extracting a bottle of perfume and tossed it to Riana. Here. Use this. It’s got pheromones in it. That should do the trick.

Riana grinned. My big sister has a wild side. Pheromones? Really? Is that how you got in Devon’s pants?

You are impossible. Teagan flopped back down on the bed and examined her fingernails. I need to go get a manicure and pedicure. Do you want to go with me tomorrow? I want to do some Christmas shopping too. We could leave early and go into the city. That is, if you make it home tonight.

Count me in. I’ll be home. It’s not like Eric has his own place. He just has one of the spare bedrooms at the Monroe’s farm. She wriggled into the snug jeans and sat down on the bed to tug on a pair of socks. All she had to do now was find her other boot. She laid down on the floor and looked under the bed, spotting the errant black leather cowboy boot under the bed.

You’d probably do him in the barn in the hayloft if you had your way. Teagan snickered as Riana kicked at her. "I’m just kidding. I’m coming back here tonight, too. We can leave right after breakfast. I offered to help Alana at the shop, but she said Mom was going to help her tomorrow. The guys are supposed to go out