Beacon (Symbiosis, Book 1)

By Elizabeth Maxim

Beacon: A signal.

To Guide. Astromechanic River Davis knows it’s knowledge, not power, that comes with responsibility. And what she knows could shake the world. Or save it.

To Warn. Justin Meyers knows being a deputy in a small New Mexico town comes with a healthy side of paranormal. But strange lights aren’t the only oddities surrounding the woman who inherited the ranch next door.

To Light the Way. Since investigating goes with the job, Justin doesn’t mind taking a closer look, never dreaming his profession – to protect and to serve – will play right into the pretty woman’s plans.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elizabeth Maxim
• Release date: Apr 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463200711

Elizabeth Maxim

If Elizabeth were to map her life’s journey, it would resemble the chaos of a Pac-Man game but out of this chaos came the foundation for her stories. She draws from knowledge, personal experience, and imagination in creating strong independent characters who steer their own destiny... often with a little help from love.Elizabeth studied alternative medicine with an MD for several years before earning a doctorate of philosophy in that field. She also holds a bachelor's degree in holistic childcare. Currently living in the Pacific Northwest, she is the author of multiple books, fiction and nonfiction, as well as two blog sites.You can follow Elizabeth at elizabethmaxim.com.

Book preview

Other titles by Elizabeth Maxim

Fiction

Advantage*

Bishop Pair*

Zwischenzug*

Positional Play*

Simultaneous Display*

Pawn Storm*

Dark Bishop*

Pin*

Bind*

Diagonals*

Promotion*

Analysis*

Adjudication *

Metatron’s Legacy*

Cauldron of the Gods^

Chronicles 1: Karma*

* Metatron’s Army

^ Dragon Core

Published by Doorways Publishing House

Copyright © 2020 by Elizabeth Maxim

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher except for the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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CHAPTER ONE

Portitch, New Mexico

2020

Jack Isaac had been sheriff in the small town in Northwest New Mexico for over a decade and a local his entire life and though there was a time when he raised hell and bent more than his share of rules he was proud of who he was and what he stood for, peace and order. Not that he always got what he wanted. In towns as small as Portitch with more time than employment trouble seemed to be as common as a storm in Monsoon Season.

It was with this in mind that he drove toward the old Davis place, a ranch whose owner had passed away some two years before.

"There’s lights on out at the Davis place."

The call had come in just as he was heading home and since his own sprawling property butted up against the Davis Ranch, it was easy enough to check it out.

God, I hope this isn’t a squatter, he muttered. That’s all I need.

He had to admit, the idea it might be surprised him. While it was true no one lived there, the place was far from abandoned. For the past year a number of contractors had been in and out, presumably getting the place ready to sell. He knew Jamie had a daughter living somewhere in California, doubted she and her husband planned to move into a place that looked like a jigsaw puzzler’s dream. Or nightmare depending on your point of view.

A new roof had been put on and he’d noted a number of vans, both local and not with logos that suggested the house was getting a badly needed makeover. With all that activity it was hard to believe someone would be so bold as to think they could just mosey on in without anyone being the wiser.

The dirt road that led past the Davis Ranch and ending at his property had gotten its own bit of makeover the previous fall and thanks to a mild winter was a relatively smooth ride. He could say with all honesty he didn’t miss the obstacle course it had been though he often joked it kept his driving skills sharp as he tried to avoid the ruts and potholes.

Knowing there wasn’t money in the kitty for such repairs he’d done most of the work himself, paying a few locals with beer and pizza for their help. It was the way of life in the small corner of the planet he called home.

Well, well, well. What do we have here?

Not only were lights on but there was a black SUV in the driveway. He frowned. Squatters generally didn’t drive brand new Pathfinders. Had Jamie’s daughter come to put the place on the market? Only one way to find out, he grumbled then pulled in behind the black Nissan.

Firing off texts to his deputy and to his wife – he was going to be a little late for dinner – he started toward the door.

* * *

When the doorbell rang, River wanted to jump for joy but knew doing so would wrench a back that had been bent over moving boxes for hours. Straightening with a groan she made her way to the front door. When she caught sight of the squad car in the driveway she grinned. I wondered how long it’d take, she murmured then opened the door.

Hello, Jack. It’s been awhile. I have to admit, I was expecting you earlier. She stepped back. Wanna come in?

River? the good sheriff said with a look of what could only be called incredulity on his face.

In the flesh, she confirmed. Are you going to come in?

Oh. Sure. The good sheriff dragged a hand down his face. I – you’re the last person I ever thought to see here, girl. Where -? What -?

She laughed. So many questions. Why don’t I answer them over a beer? I assume you’re on your way home?

Now why am I’m getting the idea you know more about me and my habits than you should?

She shut the door and led the officer through the maze of boxes - some of them even open - to the kitchen. Because you know Jamie was as big a gossip as you. Want a beer?

Um, I do but -.

On duty?

No! Aw, hell no. It’s just. His mind raced. He gestured toward the chaos. Can you take a break from this?

Oh, god yes. Are you kidding? I feel like I’ve been unpacking for years. She held up her hands, topside out. I filed my nails down before I started and damn if they didn’t rip anyway! She frowned at them. At least I got all the dirt out. She glanced up. I was cleaning out the barn earlier. What a mess.

Why on earth were you doing that? Are you thinking of boarding horses? He held up a hand. Wait. Are you planning on living here?

I am. She sighed. I had enough.

Of what?

LA. I’m ready for a bit of peace and quiet.

Oh, you’ll get plenty of that here.

And no light pollution, she added. Are you sure you don’t want a beer?

No. I mean yes, I do but Marlene is expecting me home for dinner. We’re watching little Jack while his parents are taking a badly needed vacation. But, he quickly added, I think you definitely need a break from this madness.

River fully expected the sheriff, who’d been a good friend to her granddad, to invite her to dinner. Instead…

I’d like to introduce you to your neighbor.

Huh?

He -. You remember that old barn on my farm? The one close to the property line?

The one that looked as if it was ready to collapse? As she recalled he built a new one but never got around to tearing the old one down for some reason.

That’d be the one. We rehabbed it four years’ back, turned it into a nice little home. I lease it out to my deputy.

Nice employment perk.

Yeah, well, it’s helped out in more ways than you can imagine. Come on, let’s go.

Um, I don’t like inviting myself over to a stranger’s home.

Oh, don’t worry, Justin won’t mind.

Won’t his wife?

Would you just come? Here, if it will make you feel better, I’ll text him, give him a head’s up we’re on our way. Stop worrin’ already! There, see? He turned the phone. It’s all good.

Locking the door, she followed him to the driveway.

Oh, there’s no need to drive. Justin can bring you back.

I -.

You don’t mind ridin’ in the back of the squad car, he questioned.

Of course not, she shot back with an impish smile before opening the door and sliding into the back seat. It’s not as if I’ve done anything wrong though I suppose it will give the neighbors something to talk about.

Jack glanced over his shoulder. I have a scary feeling you’re everything your grandpa Jamie told me.

Rather than commenting she pointed. He’s waiting, right?

Jack shook his head. Just like Jamie. As he got close to the property line he grinned. Life in his little corner of the planet was about to get more interesting it would seem.

* * *

Justin wasn’t sure what to expect when he opened the door – his boss had been pretty evasive about who it was he was bringing over – but the pretty brunette standing awkwardly next to the man in uniform was definitely not it.

Aren’t you going to invite us in? Jack said even as the woman, who was blushing furiously told him that if it wasn’t a good time she could come back. It was her discomfiture – that his hesitation was responsible for it – that set him in motion. Backward. Rolling the wheelchair away from the front entrance