Psychic Footsteps

By Melissa Combs

Instincts can save a life... or get you into deep, deadly trouble.

 

In a family brimming with talented psychics, Francine Akers' gift is pathetically, embarrassingly unreliable. But this premonition is so real, she jumps into her economy rental car and braves the Nevada desert heat to answer the cry of a terrified woman.

 

When her vision leads her to a state park and a tall, ruggedly handsome park ranger, the doubt in his eyes increases her desperation. She can't give up only to discover she's failed someone, again. This time it's life or death.

 

Frankie isn't the first wayward Vegas tourist park ranger Mathias Blackhawk has encountered, but both his Native American intuition and ex-cop instincts tell him not to simply dismiss the pretty brunette's belief. Since there's no way to convince Frankie to drop her quest, he resigns himself to helping her, if only to keep her from attracting the wrong kind of attention.

 

Might as well ask the desert sun to stop beating down, because if Frankie's increasingly vivid and violent visions are any indication, she could be the killer's next victim.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crossroads Fiction
• Release date: May 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393904502

Melissa Combs

JOURNEYS OF LOVE every woman needs to take. Melissa Lopez writes for herself and creates her worlds for her characters. She is an author of paranormal, contemporary, suspense, fantasy, historical, erotic romance and erotic horror. Besides writing under her own name she collaborates under Melany Logen and Marissa Alwin pen names. She has a BA in general studies with certifications in English, science, and history and is working towards a MA in marketing. She has been interested in the human psyche and paranormal activities since she gained eye-sight at the age of twenty-two. She welcomes comments from and interacting with readers. Website: https://www.melissalopezwrites.wordpress.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormelissalopez Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissalopez Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1831021.Melissa_Lopez Blog: http://melissalopez.livejournal.com 

Book preview

Dedicated to my friend Mo. She’s one of the most endearing ladies I’ve

ever had the pleasure of calling friend. And to Marissa. I miss you, Mo!

Dear Reader,

I must acknowledge no book gets written in a vacuum. It takes a team of people to write and produce a book. I’m grateful to have such a support group around me. A special thank you to Paula the International Woman of Mystery. She’s been a wonderful help since I started my writing journey and continues to do so. I appreciate all the perfect strangers who connect with me daily on different social medias. Your ability to support and rally around me is profound. You’re amazing! 

And most importantly, thank you—dear readers—for completing the writing process by allowing my characters to live for you. 

All the best,

`Mel

Chapter One

Please don’t hurt me, the woman pleaded. Fear and as much desperate anger vibrated through her bones. I beg you. I’ll do anything. Never before had she ever meant her words as much as she did at that moment. She would do anything.

Anything the man wanted. If only he’d allow her to live.

Ignoring her, the man dragged her by the collar and leash around her neck along the hiking path.

Tempted to struggle, the woman purposely slowed her steps. Her head still ached from the last blow from his fist. Her abdomen still throbbed from being kicked. Please, I’m a mother...

Oh God, my babies. She wanted to see them again. Hold them one more time. Tell them how very much she loved them.

Tears blinded her.

No, she couldn’t let the terror of the unknown rule her thoughts and actions.

She blinked, looking for any hope. Anyone she could call. There was no one around in the desert. Hadn’t been a soul since he’d wakened her in the car.

A sob burst from her sore throat. Please, don’t do this.

He gave a harsh tug on the leash, hauling her forward. She stumbled, barely staying on her feet.

Why wouldn’t he say something? His silence frightened her the most. She’d tried everything. Told him her name. Tried to use psychology on him. Fought him like a madwoman. Her efforts had gotten her nothing other than more bruises.

They had been climbing for a while. She didn’t know where they were. Nothing looked familiar, and everything looked the same. The desolate landscape gave way to trees as they climbed higher, the branches filtering the sunlight. Rocks and roots on the trail made walking treacherous. Though the sun would be setting soon, her sense of time was off. How long had it been since he’d taken her?

She stumbled as they began the descent into a valley. What might wait ahead weighed her down with dread.

The pressure in her bladder built. Please... stop this. I swear I won’t say a word.

Pooling tears blinded her, slowly streamed down her face.

The man yanked her along in his wake.

Terror pounded in her heart.

She wasn’t going to live.

She wasn’t going to live.

Dear God...

Please say something. Hysteria threatened to overwhelm her frayed nerves. She wanted to live.

You’re not going to like what I have planned for you. The man didn’t turn around, just pulled her along. The others didn’t.

No one could save her. The malice in the man’s tone had been clear. She wasn’t his first. Wouldn’t be his last.

The woman let herself go. Screams echoed along the rock walls.

* * * * *

The others didn’t.

Frankie woke in a panic. A dream had held her captive. Time had been suspended as she walked along with a desperate woman. Her sense of empathy had harnessed the other woman’s emotions. Tears still burned in her own throat.

A vision.

Dear Lord, a vision...

She shot to the sitting position in the lounge chair where she’d fallen asleep. Snatching up her tote, she pawed for a notebook and pen.

Details.

She had to get the details down.

Frank, you snored. Cee popped her gum. And moaned.

Think. Think. Think.

Outdoors.

Trails.

Dirt.

Red dirt.

Aching feet.

The need to urinate.

The view of the back of a head.

Thinning brown hair.

Knuckles whitened around the pen as she scribbled. She could recall so little.

You’re not going to like what I have planned for you. The rough reminder sent a shiver down her spine.

The woman had been led by a leash. She scribbled.

Come on, think harder.

Hey, I collected some brochures while you snoozed. I figure we can make the most of our evenings after... Cee tossed them into her lap. They slid between her thighs. Our style shows.

Frankie blinked twice before picking up the top brochure.

Lord, could it be?

She recognized the beautiful landscape in the front picture.

Intuition told her the woman could be in the state park.

Frank, you listenin’?

I have to go here.

Huh? Cee sat forward from where she’d relaxed, swinging her legs to the side to face her. You want to go to a state park now?

Right now.

Her best friend shook her head. We’re in Las Vegas, the city of sin, and you want that kind of scenery?

She got to her feet. I had a vision.

Oh, no...you don’t, Cee groaned. I’m not getting involved. A stubborn look settled on to her lifelong friend’s pretty face. She narrowed her hazel eyes. I’m not blowing this style show off.

Okay. Cee had a point. How often had her visions gotten them into mischief? How often had she misinterpreted her dreams?

Almost always.

Some psychic she turned out to be.

The sore thumb of her family. That was her. She’d been born into a family blessed with the ‘gift’ of sight. And she’d never been more than lukewarm with her abilities.

Her shoulders slumped.

No.

Instantly, she stiffened her spine. Her dream had been clear. Fate had steered Cee to collect the right brochures. The woman had been in danger. Not a chance of screwing this vision up.

I’m going to see how this pans out. She backed away from Cee. She’d have to hurry to make it there before sunset. Cover for me?

* * * * *

Sweat slowly rolled down between Frankie’s breasts as she drove. What luck? The air had gone out two and a half hours into the drive. White knuckled, she clutched the steering wheel. No one loathed driving unfamiliar roads more than she did.

She’d called the state police. They’d been responsive and taken down her information.