To be blunt, this cowboy turned her on.

Hard bodied. Unruly brown hair that crawled into the collar of his shirt. And then there was that rugged jawline and those whiskey-colored eyes that seemed to see right through her. His voice had grown husky. She swallowed hard, suddenly all too aware of how close he was standing. The air between them crackled with tension and sparks of desire. He leaned nearer and his lips brushed hers: a feathered touch that was over all too quickly, but resonated through her whole body.

Her pulse skyrocketed as she slipped inside the door and closed it behind her. The touching of their lips could hardly count as a kiss at all, but it left her feeling as if she were floating two feet above the floor.

She’d witnessed an attempted murder and trusted a stranger with the most closely held secret of her life. Yet here she was awed by the mere touch of his lips on hers. That might well be the strangest and most frightening event of the day.

Cowboy to the Core

by

Joanna Wayne

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JOANNA WAYNE was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from LSU-Shreveport. She moved to New Orleans in 1984, and it was there that she attended her first writing class and joined her first professional writing organization. Her first novel was published in 1994.

Now, dozens of published books later, Joanna has made a name for herself as being on the cutting edge of romantic suspense in both series and single-title novels. She has been on the Waldenbooks bestseller list for romance and has won many industry awards. She is a popular speaker at writing organizations and local community functions and has taught creative writing at the University of New Orleans Metropolitan College.

She currently resides in a small community forty miles north of Houston, Texas, with her husband. Though she still has many family and emotional ties to Louisiana, she loves living in the Lone Star state. You may write Joanna at P.O. Box 265, Montgomery, Texas 77356.

To my good friend and golfing buddy, Sharon, who spent a marvelous day with me at the Renaissance Festival and took dozens of pictures to help capture the sights and spirit of the exciting event. We had a blast! And an apology to the handsome, skilled and no doubt noble jousters who entertained us so magnificently. Their performance was the high point of the day.

Dear Reader,

I joined the great Intrigue team just in time for the tenth anniversary with the publication of my very first novel. Now, fifteen years and more than forty books later, I’m as excited about writing Intrigue books as ever. So, thanks, readers, and may we all stick around for another twenty-five years of great Intrigues and making memories.

You can write to me at Joanna Wayne, PO Box 852, Montgomery, Texas 77356, or e-mail me from my website at www.joannawayne.com.

Happy reading!

Joanna Wayne

Prologue

The woman’s voluminous skirt and layers of petticoats swished about her ankles. Her auburn hair was piled on top of her head, loose curls dancing about her cheeks and wispy tendrils escaping down the back of her neck.

A queen, dressed for a coronation ball, her jade velvet bodice trimmed in exquisite white lace that edged her cleavage. Or perhaps not royalty, but a courtesan with seductive wiles to please and excite the king’s men.

A knight stepped into view. The air became electric as the two turned to face each other. The woman’s eyes were blazing but shadowed with fear. The man’s expression was hidden beneath the metallic armor that shielded his head and face, yet an aura of evil surrounded him. He moved toward her.

She tried to back away, but there was no time. In one quick movement, he pulled an ivory-handled dagger from the sheath at his side and aimed the point of the long, slender blade at the woman’s heart.

The woman’s scream penetrated the night as a rush of crimson spilled onto the white lace and pooled in the rich green fabric of her blouson.

Choking, Dani forced herself to the woman’s aid. Their gazes locked, and Dani’s blood ran cold.

The cinnamon-brown eyes staring back at her were her own.

Dani Baxter jerked to sitting position, her breathing sharp, painful gasps and her pulse racing. She was fully awake now, but the images remained seared into her brain. Everything had seemed so real.

Her psychic experiences appeared as a dream at times, but this couldn’t have been one. Not only did she not know the people but they weren’t even from this century. The telepathic connection would be pointless since she could do nothing to change the situation. Her infrequent visions never worked that way.

It was just a nightmare, no doubt brought on by fatigue and the countless hours she’d spent looking at spring formal wear lines in New York last week. Work-related stress. It happened to everyone. It didn’t mean a thing, yet her breath continued to sting as if she were outside on a frigid morning.

She was overreacting. She hadn’t had one of the dreaded visions in more than a year. And she‘d never had one as violent as this.

She checked the clock. 2:00 a.m. She needed sleep and water. Her throat felt parched.

Tossing back the sheet, she threw her legs over the side of the bed and ground her bare feet against the chilly slats of the polished hardwood floors. She tiptoed past her daughter’s door so as not to wake her and padded down the stairs to the second-floor kitchen of the town house.

The dream continued to haunt her. It was the eyes, she decided. They’d thrown her, but the woman hadn’t been her. The face had never registered, and the hair was definitely different. The nightmare woman’s was a deep auburn, long enough to pile on top of her head. It was curly as well. Dani’s hair was brown, with just a touch of copper highlights. Even those came from the salon. And she wore it in a chin-length bob, professional-looking and easy to manage.

So get over it and get some sleep. No marauding knight in full armor is going to plunge a dagger into a woman’s chest in my swank downtown complex.

Dani drank her water and went back to her crisp sheets and plump pillows. Tomorrow would be another very busy day at Duran Muton, and there was a PTA meeting tomorrow night. She needed her rest. And for the woman in green to quietly slip back in time.

Chapter One

One month later

“Mom, may I invite Katie for a sleepover tomorrow night?”

“Katie came for a sleepover last Saturday night.”

“What’s that got to do with it?”

“Nothing, I suppose. I just thought you and I might go out to dinner tomorrow evening and catch a movie.”

“Katie could go with us. There’s a cool new comedy that we‘re dying to see.”

Dani truly hated comedies unless they were liberally sprinkled with romance. “Go ahead and invite her. We’ll go to dinner, and then I’ll drop you two off at the cinema.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Celeste rewarded Dani’s acquiescence with a quick hug. “You’re the greatest.”

But not so great that her preteen daughter wanted to spend time with her. Dani went back to cleaning off her desk. She kept on top of everything at work, but she tended to let the nonurgent home office duties slide until they threatened to overflow their boundaries.

She slit open the next envelope—an application for a credit card that claimed to do everything except pay itself. She fed it into the shredder and picked up a postcard inviting her to an open house for a new day spa. She scanned it and dropped it into file thirteen. She did the same with a donation request from a charity she’d never heard of.

Which left a gold-bordered envelope staring her in the face. Cripes! The wedding invitation. She’d meant to send her regrets to Bethany Sue weeks ago.

Oh, well, the bride-to-be had probably figured out by now she wasn’t coming. Bethany might already be married and heading for divorce court if this union followed the way of her first two marriages.

She pulled the invitation from the envelope. There were two silhouettes in the muted background. A woman in a flowing Elizabethan gown. A knight in full armor.

Dani’s heart slammed against the walls of her chest as the images from her murderous dream came back to haunt her in vivid details. The rich green of the fabric. The crimson pool of blood.

Get a hold of yourself, Dani Baxter. It was only a stupid nightmare.

She swallowed hard and read the invitation. The nuptials joining Bethany Sue Graves and Arnold Pickering would be celebrated at the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville, Texas.

Dani checked the date. This Sunday. Two days away. The ceremony was at ten in the morning, but there was to be a prewedding dinner celebration on the festival grounds tomorrow night. The reply card said regrets only.

Regrets only? No one did that, especially when there was a dinner involved. Well, no one except Bethany Sue. She’d always followed a different drummer. Actually, she usually followed the sax player.

Dani and Bethany had been friends from seventh grade through high school. Bethany had been one of the few girls at their junior high who didn’t make Dani feel like a freak because her grandmother was a known psychic. At one time they’d been as close as Celeste and her friend Katie were now. They’d shared too many secrets and important moments to count.

They seldom communicated now except for an occasional e-mail or quick phone call. Their lives had gone in vastly different directions. Still, it would be great to see her again—just not this weekend. There was nothing to do but try to reach her by phone and apologize for forgetting to send her regrets in a timely manner.

Dropping the invitation back to the pile, Dani pulled out her cell phone, found Bethany’s number and pushed the call button. Bethany answered on the third ring, the excitement spilling into her hello.

“Is that wedding jitters I hear?”

“Dani, where are you? Arnie and I were just talking about you. He can’t wait to meet you. And, no, there’s not a jitter in my body.”

Which just went to show how naive Bethany still was after two failed marriages. “Great. I couldn’t be happier for you. Does Arnie know how lucky he is?”

“He must. I tell him all the time. So where are you?”

“In Austin. I’m afraid I’ve committed a terrible social faux pas. I should have called as soon as I got the invitation, and, unfortunately, I just realized the reply specified regrets only.”

“And in your case regrets are not acceptable. I can’t get married without you here.”

“I’d love to be there, but I can’t possibly make it this weekend. Celeste has plans and…”

“Celeste will willingly cancel her plans. Did you not even read the note I stuck in the envelope with your invitation?”

Actually she hadn’t even seen the note. She turned the envelope upside down, and the note and accompanying map fell out.

“You must bring Celeste. She’ll love the festival and the party. There will be mimes and jesters and all sorts of courtly entertainment. And, like I said in the note, bring a date, as well. You can even let Celeste bring a friend. The more the merrier.”

“I’m not dating anyone, and I haven’t made reservations. I doubt I could even get a room in…” She checked the invitation again. “In Plantersville.” Wherever that was.

“There aren’t any places to stay in Plantersville. It’s a tiny, rural town. But they just had a cancellation at the bed-and-breakfast near Magnolia where we’re staying. If you call right now, you can get it.

“You will so love the place, Dani. Weather permitting, they serve breakfast on this magnificent veranda. The phone number is on the back of the map I sent you along with that of some motels in The Woodlands.”

“I really wish I could be there, but…”

“No excuses. You simply have to come. And it’s good you’re not bringing a date. I have this terrific man I want you to meet.”

Dani groaned. “That is not a selling point.” Still, a weekend getaway to a Renaissance festival might be fun for her and Celeste. And she did hate to disappoint Bethany Sue.

She did a quick study of the enclosed map. The festival grounds were a few miles off Highway 105, northwest of Houston, probably a good three-hour drive from Austin. “What time is the party tomorrow night?”

“Eight, but come early in the day. You’ll want time to enjoy the festival. There’s so much to see and do.”

“Exactly what does one wear to a Renaissance wedding?”

“Something incredibly sexy and fit for a queen’s ball in the Elizabethan period. But don’t worry, you can buy or rent outfits at the festival. Men’s, women’s and children’s, so you don’t have to pack a thing.”

An Elizabethan ball gown. She didn’t need this now.

“So can I count on you?” Bethany pleaded.

Dani swallowed hard. Being a covert psychic was bad enough. Letting a nightmare dictate her life was sick. “Okay, we’ll be there.”

Now who was afraid of a big, bad dream?

MARCUS ABBOT TUGGED HIS weathered work Stetson a bit lower on his forehead. “Care to repeat that, Cutter Martin, ‘cause I could have sworn you just said you want me to babysit a couple of spoiled Hollywood brats.”

“Just for a day. Lance Harper is in Houston filming a new movie, and he needs a bodyguard for his two daughters while they’re attending the Renaissance festival. It’s just down the road. You’ve probably seen the ads for it around town.”

“I’ve seen the propaganda.” Marcus leaned against the fence post and stared down the snorting bull on the other side of the barbed wire. “This is not the kind of work I signed on for.”

“It’s protection,” Cutter said. “That’s what our name says. Investigation and Protection.”

“Nothing in there about babysitting.” And nothing like the assignment he and Cutter Martin had just completed. They’d gone into Mexico and located and rescued a teenage girl who’d disappeared while on vacation with her family.

Turned out she’d been kidnapped and was being sold into sexual slavery. Bringing her home safely had rivaled the exhilaration of completing a successful mission as a Navy SEAL. Babysitting Lance Harper’s kids while they played in a historic playground wouldn’t.

But Marcus wasn’t a naval commando anymore. He might as well get used to that. He missed the military life a lot more than he’d expected, but he had a new goal. And if it took babysitting to reach it, so be it. Besides, a man couldn’t ask for a better boss than Cutter.

“So when do I acquire the Hollywood horrors?”

“Not until next Saturday, but since the festival is only open on weekends, I figured you’d want to tour the grounds by yourself this weekend to get the lay of the land.”

Marcus nodded. That was a definite. He’d never go out on assignment without adequate fact gathering. His mind jumped back to the mission he’d faced just before he’d finished his last tour of duty. Men’s sweat and fetid earth had clogged his nostrils. Danger had hung in the heavy air like a blanket of oppressive smoke. He’d always had a sixth sense for danger. That night was no exception.

He shook his mind to clear it before he became lost in the past. “Is that it?”

“Yeah, except that Linney wants to know if you’ll join us for dinner tonight.”

“Pasta?”

Cutter laughed. “How’d you guess?”

Easy. It was practically the only thing she could cook. Well, that and canned soup. Not that Cutter cared. The guy was so in love with his new wife that he lit up like a round of firepower when she walked into the room.

Marcus had known that feeling once. It had turned on him and bitten him in the…No. Who was he kidding? He’d never had the kind of relationship Cutter and Linney had. Not much chance he ever would after the way his ex had stomped him into the mud.

Horses and cattle. Maybe even a good dog. Those were things you could count on. That was one of the real advantages of working for Cutter. When they weren’t on duty for the company, they worked on his ranch, the Double M.

“If that’s it, I’ll go back to hauling hay.”

“That’s it.” Cutter swatted at a worrisome horsefly. “I’ll go with you. Got to work up a pasta appetite by seven.”

ODORS OF FUNNEL CAKES, roasting meats and frying fish and chips greeted them the moment they stepped from their car among dozens of other arriving festival patrons. Dani’s mouth watered in spite of the pastries and coffee they’d stopped for en route.

Celeste and Katie hurried ahead of her, their tennis shoes kicking up dust along the well-traveled path that maneuvered among row upon row of parked cars and pickup trucks.

The air sparked with chatter, laughter and an electric excitement among the festival goers, many dressed in elaborate costumes.

They were greeted at the gate by a jovial, middle-aged man dressed in a short red and green skirt over tights. From his looks, he might have ushered them into the king’s court a century ago. Dani was starting to catch the spirit in spite of her earlier reservations.

Once inside what appeared to be the city walls, activity increased dramatically, and her imagination was spurred by the line of fascinating shops and concessions and the number of people in creative costumes. Old England had never had it so good.

Weirdly, she had a strange tingle of anticipation dancing inside her as if something big was going to happen to her this weekend. Maybe Bethany’s friend would turn out to be a winner.

Forget it. There wasn’t a man alive who could tolerate a woman psychic for long, and she would not put herself and Celeste through another divorce to prove that point.

She hurried to keep up with the girls, then slowed to gawk at a voluptuous young woman bulging out of an outfit that consisted mostly of chain mail. The woman posed for a whiskered guy in an Astros cap who was all but salivating as he snapped her picture.

Dani turned to catch sight of Katie and Celeste walking toward a nearby dress shop. They sashayed past a hunky cowboy and disappeared inside. The guy looked out of place. Not because of his worn jeans, scuffed boots and black Stetson. After all, this was Texas. But the recalcitrant grimace on his craggy face made it clear he wasn’t joining in the revelry that surrounded him.

He looked up and caught her staring at him. An unwelcome burn crept to her cheeks as he tipped his hat and traded the frown for a devastating smile. Oh, well, he was probably used to females admiring his blatant virility.

Head high and looking straight ahead, she strode right past him. She followed the sound of girls’ giggling to the back of the shop. Celeste was holding up a low-cut sapphire-blue gown. The padded cups at the top of the lacing could hold a set of double Ds. Celeste had trouble filling out her training bra.

“You’re a little too young to go the wench route,” Dani said.

“You could wear it, Ms. Baxter,” Katie said. “You’d be hot!”

“We’re going to a wedding, not a bawdry bash.” At least she hoped that was the case; Dani had traded hot for sophisticated several years ago, at the same time she’d swapped her cheating husband for single parenthood and a position with Duran Muton.

“How about these?” Dani said, moving to a rack of pastel-hued, ankle-length dresses with puffy sleeves and high-buttoned necklines.

Celeste scrunched her nose as if she smelled a skunk. “I’d look like a kid.”

“You are a kid.”

“Ooh, look at this,” Katie called, her gaze riveted on a handkerchief-layered skirt of various hues of blue and green, topped with a white peasant blouse. It hung on the highest rack, slightly out of reach.

A youthful clerk dressed in knee-high black boots, tights and a clingy, crimson blouson appeared from between the garment racks. Hooking the hanger, she retrieved the outfit so they could get a better look.

“We’re attending a dinner tonight on the grounds and a Renaissance wedding tomorrow morning,” Dani explained. “Do you have any suggestions as to what would be considered appropriate attire?”

“Just about anything from the period will go for the dinner. People get very daring and inventive at those affairs. But fairies, definitely fairies for the girls for the wedding. You’re both so petite. You’ll be adorable nymphs.”

“Adorable?” Celeste groaned.

“You just uttered the kiss of death,” Dani said.

The clerk took a step backward and gave Dani a studied once-over. “I have just the dress for you for the wedding.”

“Nothing too revealing,” Dani said as the clerk hurried away.

Celeste and Katie moved to the rack of fairy dresses, airy confections that came with their own silver wings. Dani sneaked a peek at a cherry-red blouson with exquisite embroidered details, topped by a black leather bustier pulled so tight it was almost as if the big-breasted mannequin didn’t have a waist.

Incredibly sexy. Probably similar to what the cowboy’s girlfriend was trying on while he waited outside. One glimpse of her in that would no doubt wipe the grimace right off his handsome, tanned face.

Impulsively, she scanned the area. The cowboy was nowhere in sight. Irritated at herself for giving the guy a second thought, she went back to perusing a rack of dresses. She held one up in front of the floor-length mirror. Over her shoulder she caught a reflection of a nice-looking man in a blue knit shirt who seemed to be staring at her from around the sexy mannequin.

For a second, she thought he was one of the reps she did business with. On second glance, she realized he wasn’t. His hair was not only darker but he had a lot more of it than the rep. She hung the dress back on the rack and moved on until she heard the clerk’s voice.

“I practically had to pluck it from a customer’s hands, but she didn’t have the figure to wear it anyway. You’ll be a knockout in it.”

Dani turned. Her pulse quickened. Her knees went weak. The luscious frock in the clerk’s hands was almost a dead second for the green gown from her nightmare.

“Is something wrong? Are you ill?”

The clerk’s voice floated above her, distorted by a thick fog that clouded Dani’s mind. Slowly the haze cleared, and the attacking images became sharp and chilling. She struggled to breathe.

“Move back. Give her air.”

Her gaze sought out the voice. The cowboy. She reached out to him as her body crumpled, and she sank into a bloody river of darkness.

Chapter Two

Marcus knelt beside the fallen woman and felt her pulse. It was slow but not in the danger zone. Her eyes fluttered open, and her gaze met his. A heated jolt galloped up his spine. A weird reaction to a woman he’d never met, even one as attractive as this. It had to be the haunted shadows in the depths of her big brown eyes.

“Are you a doctor?” someone asked.

“I’m a combat medic.” He turned to the crowd. “Stand back a bit. She needs air.”

The hovering bystanders retreated a few inches as two young girls pushed through them. “Mom! What happened?”

“It’s okay, Celeste. I’m fine.” The woman’s voice was uneven, and she swayed when she tried to get up.

“Whoa, there,” Marcus said, reaching out to steady her. “Take it slow.”

“Did you fall?” the other girl questioned.

“She passed out,” someone volunteered.

Another onlooker pointed her finger at Marcus. “He’s a combat medic, trained on the battlefield. He knows what he’s doing.”

The woman was standing now, and she shook loose of Marcus’s protective grasp. “I just fainted,” she insisted. “Believe me, I’m fine.”

Maybe, but from what Marcus had seen, that wasn’t the full story. He‘d been looking right at her—okay, checking her out—when the clerk had brushed by him and held up a long green dress for the woman to admire.

Instead her face had twisted into the kind of agonizing pain he’d seen on soldiers when they’d taken a direct hit. Not the kind of reaction one would expect from a woman eyeballing a ball gown in a Renaissance festival shop.

“You should at least let me check your pulse again,” Marcus said.

“Yeah,” the girl who’d called her “Mom” agreed. “He’s a medic. That’s practically a doctor.”

“I don’t need a doctor or a medic, Celeste. My pulse is terrific.”

She tossed her head and looked around as if searching for the nearest escape route. When she spotted the exit, she started toward it.

The girls followed her. Marcus tagged along behind them, though he wasn’t sure why. He didn’t usually chase after women who were trying to avoid him, but then he seldom met one who hotwired his spine the way this one had. Actually, that was probably a reason to run the other way. But then his buddies in the SEALs had always said he was a danger junkie.

Once they were outside the shop, the woman pulled a tissue from her pocket and dabbed away the beads of sweat that had formed on her forehead.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Mom?”

“I’m certain.”

“Well, then why did you faint?” the other girl asked.

“Good point,” Marcus added.

She glared at him, her brows raised as if questioning why he was still hanging around. “Low blood sugar.”

“Since when do you have problems with blood sugar?” Celeste protested. “You sometimes go all day without eating.”

“Well, I’m hungry now,” she said, obviously trying to dismiss her daughter’s concern. “We should have lunch and choose our dresses for the party later.”

So the woman was lying about her medical condition, but something had happened to make her fade to black—or rather to a ghostly white—back there. None of his business, he told himself. He didn’t listen.

“Food sounds good,” Marcus said. “How about I join you? That way I’ll be there in case your blood sugar level doesn’t regulate quickly enough and you require medical assistance.”

Her face reddened as if she knew he’d caught her in the lie. Still, she didn’t give an inch. “I’ll be fine, Mr…”

“Abbot,” he interrupted. “Marcus Abbot, but call me Marcus.” He extended a hand.

Surprisingly she took it. Her grip was warm, but firm, and it struck him that he liked the way her small hand fit into his. And there was a hint of that heat again—more a slow burn than a jolt this time, but still bewitching.

She exhaled sharply and seemed to relax a tad. “I’m Dani Baxter.”

He liked the name. It suited her. Confident, but a little quirky and sophisticated at the same time. And he noted there was no little gold band on her left hand.

“This is my daughter, Celeste, and her friend Katie.” Dani touched the shoulder of each girl as she introduced them.

“We’re here for a wedding,” Celeste said excitedly. “It’s our first time at the festival.”

“Mine, too,” Marcus said.

“Don’t you just love it?” Katie asked.

“It’s definitely looking up.”

“Do you live around here?” Celeste asked.

“In Dobbin.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s a small town, just a few miles down the road.”

“We live in Austin,” Katie said. “You said you were in combat, but you look like a cowboy. So which one are you?”

“A former serviceman and a cowboy to the core.”

“Do you have a ranch?” Celeste asked.

“No, but I live on one.”

“With horses?”

“Lots of horses.”

“Wow!”

“Yeah,” Katie interjected. “I love horses.”

He’d captured the girls’ interest, but Dani was a harder sell. “You really should let me check your pulse again.” This time when he reached for her wrist, she extended it.

“Back to normal,” he said. Actually it was fast, barely noticeably so, but he decided to claim responsibility for the higher rate.

“See,” she said, “just a harmless fainting spell, as I said. Nothing to worry about.”

“Most likely,” he agreed, “but I suggest you take it easy for a while. How about I buy you and the girls some lunch? Strictly as a medical professional looking after your health,” he teased before “no” formed on her full, red lips.

“Thank you, but you’ve done more than enough.”

“In that case, you should offer to buy mine,” Marcus said, interrupting her protest with an argument he hoped she couldn’t refuse.

A hint of a smile touched her mouth. She was weakening.

“Okay,” she said. “Lunch it is. Choose your junk food booth.”

Her color had returned, adding a healthy glow to her cheeks. She was damn good-looking. On a scale of one to ten, she might even top out at an eleven. But it was that episode back there where she looked as if she were dealing with the Devil that really had him going.

He’d bet a week’s pay she was in some kind of trouble.

Dani strode away toward the nearest row of food stands. Back straight, head high, hips swaying. The view was every bit as good from the back as it had been from the front. Gorgeous and intriguing.

Yep. She needed him. She just didn’t know it yet.

WITH FISH AND CHIPS and cold soft drinks in hand, Dani and Marcus settled at a wooden picnic table tucked under a tree next to a face-painting kiosk. The girls had taken their food and gone to catch the end of a juggling act a few yards away.

Marcus’s presence flustered Dani. Partly, she decided, because he was too virile for comfort. But mostly because she was pretty sure he was about to hit her with questions she couldn’t answer.

The fainting spell was a first for her. Even her worst psychic visions only stunned her, but all anyone ever noticed was that she lost her concentration.

Which meant this probably had nothing to do with her abilities. Perhaps she had spent too many hours out of town on business. She needed to slow down, and not let this green dress scenario ruin the whole festival experience.

“Great day for an outing,” she said, going for a light tone that she didn’t quite reach.

“The weather is definitely cooperating.”

Marcus delved into his food as if he were starving. She picked at hers, her usually hearty appetite nonexistent. She was almost convinced the episode in the shop hadn’t been a trance with deeper meaning, so why couldn’t she shake it from her mind?

“You’re not eating,” Marcus said. “Don’t you like the fish?”

“I do. It’s a bit salty, but the flavor is good.”

“But you have something else on your mind?”

He was much too perceptive. “I was just thinking of my friend’s wedding,” she lied.

“Do you disapprove of it?”

“Not exactly. I’ve never met the groom, but the bride has two failed marriages on her resume. I know I’d be scared to death to go for a third.”

“All marriages scare me.”

“Does that mean you’re single?”

“I am now. My first attempt crashed and burned.”

“Ah, that explains the fear of commitment.”

“Let’s just say I know enough to avoid playing catch with a hand grenade. What about you? I don’t see a wedding band.”

“I’m divorced.”

“Stupid man.”

“Thanks. He wouldn’t agree. He likes to trade up.”

“Oh, one of those gotta-have-this-year’s-model type.”

“You got it. And you?”

He grinned. “My pickup truck is practically an antique.”

Dani took a bite of the fish. Crispy crumbs of coating sprinkled her blouse. She brushed them away with her napkin. Marcus used his to dab at a tidbit that must have stuck to her chin.

His hand lingered a moment too long, and a tingle of awareness shot through her. Not psychic but pure sensual attraction. To her credit, she knew the difference. Well, most of the time she knew the difference.

She poked a fry into her mouth and nibbled while she put things in perspective. Even if she were receiving genuine psychic messages—which she didn’t believe—there really was nothing she could do about it. She couldn’t identify anyone involved. Case closed.

She might as well enjoy the moment. The fascinating cowboy whose smile and easy mannerisms promised any manner of sexual pleasures would be out of her life in a matter of minutes.

That was fine, too. As nice as it might be to sample his virility, she simply didn’t have time to add the complications of a long-distance relationship with no chance of succeeding to her extremely busy life.

She finished her meal with a lot more enthusiasm than she’d begun it. Once she’d wiped the grease from her mouth and hands, she wadded the napkin and started to get up.

Marcus reached out and wrapped his hand around her arm.

Her breath caught on the intake. “My pulse is fine,” she said, though she was pretty sure it was racing. No way she could deny such a dynamic attraction. “And I really do need to get back to the girls. We’ll have to pick up the pace if we want to cover the festival before sundown.”

“About the fainting spell…”

She shook her head, feeling more confident now that she’d thought the incident through. “Not going there again, cowboy.”

“Fair enough, but take this.” He pulled a business card from his pocket and pressed it into her hand. “Call me anytime. I’ll come running.”

“What, running and not riding up on a white steed? Where’s your festival spirit?”

“The steed can be arranged.”

“It sounds incredibly tempting,” she admitted, “but we‘re only here until tomorrow afternoon, and the wedding activities will take most of our time.” She slipped the card in her pocket without looking at it.

“If I can help with anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

“I won’t.” Nor could she imagine a situation in which she’d need the services of a cowboy. Well, there was one, but that involved the romantic entanglement that she had zero time for. She started to gather the trash.

“I’ll take care of it,” he said. “Go enjoy the festival, but don’t lose that card.” He stood and then in a suavely, smooth move touched his lips to hers.

Heat shot through her in waves, and it was all she could do not to melt into his arms. Fortunately, his lips didn’t remain on hers long enough to give her the chance. She walked away while she still could, much too aware of the card and phone number that lay buried in the pocket of her new designer jeans.

Once she’d put a few yards between them, she glanced back and found Marcus still standing in the exact same spot as she’d left him. Their eyes locked, and he smiled and tipped his hat. Her heart flipped in response.

“Dani!”

The squeal jolted her out of her momentary sensual relapse. To her rear might be a gorgeous cowboy, but in front of her was Bethany Sue. Not the same Bethany Sue she remembered, however.

The pudgy ally she’d known for years was absolutely svelte now. And radiant. She positively glowed.

The two collided in a genuine hug. “You look great,” Dani said when they separated from each other and stepped back.

“Thanks.” Bethany Sue did a catwalk turn for her to get the full effect. “I owe it all to Arnie. He persuaded me to quit smoking, start working out and to eat healthy.”

Dani was sure she owed part of the new her to a plastic surgeon, but she let that ride. More power to her for taking control of her body and her life.

“I can’t wait to meet the lucky groom.”

“You’ll love him. He’s a body builder and personal trainer. A real hunk! But not all muscle. He’s got brains, too.”

“He sounds fascinating.”

“He is. And he’s dying to meet you. I’ve told him all about you, my friend. The winner of the state math competition and karaoke queen.”

“Oh, God, that was so long ago. Can we just go with mother and buyer for Duran Muton?”

“You look far more like a model than a buyer. But speaking of motherhood, where is Celeste? She did come, didn’t she?”

“She and a friend. They’re over there, absorbed in a juggling act.” Dani nodded toward the crowd seated on concrete benches shaded by a web of net and intertwined branches.

“Great. I’ll catch up with both of you at the dinner tonight. I’m rushing off right now to reconfirm the setup for the tables and to make sure they have plenty of champagne . Everything will be outdoors.”

“Perfect weather for that. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No, just enjoy yourself, unless…” She hesitated.

“This doesn’t have anything to do with the guy you wanted me to meet, does it?”

“No,” Bethany assured her. “But you’ll probably be begging me to fix you up once you see him.”

“Don’t count on it. So, how can I help?”

“Arnie’s sister is supposed to sing at the ceremony, but she woke up this morning with a terrible headache and a fever. She thinks she may be coming down with the flu.”

The one thing worse than a blind date. “I haven’t sung in front of an audience in years.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No, and it’s not that shocking, Bethany. I was never that good.”

“Yes, you were. If there had been an American Idol back then, you’d have won in a landslide.” Bethany glanced at her watch. “I have to go, but consider singing for me at the ceremony, please. It’s just two songs. We’ll talk more tonight. Gotta run.” She gave Dani a parting hug.

“I’m seriously out of practice,” Dani called after her.

Bethany either didn’t hear or chose to ignore her. Dani imagined it was the latter. She’d protest again tonight, but it would be a wasted effort. Bethany was not one to take no for a final answer, and it would be pretty crummy to refuse a bride in distress.

The good thing was that other than Celeste and Katie, she would neither know the guests nor have to face them again after she murdered the music.

Murdered. Even thinking the word gave her chills after this morning’s hallucinations. They’d been so intense that Dani had actually felt the thrust of the blade as it punctured the walls of the chest and sliced into the victim’s heart—as if it were happening to her.

In broad daylight. Eyes wide open, at least they had been until she’d passed out.

“You should have seen the jugglers, Mom. They were funny and really good.”

Startled, Dani jumped and then spun around to face the girls.

“Are you okay?” Katie asked. “You look kind of pale.”

“Eeks, you do,” Celeste agreed. “You’re not going to faint again, are you?”

“I’m not pale. I just haven’t gotten enough sun lately. Today’s the day for it.”

“Where’d the cute cowboy go?” Katie asked.

“Who needs a cute cowboy when I have you two? Now tell me about the jugglers.” She forced the disturbing memories to the back of her mind. She had to get a hold of her emotions and regain her stability before she turned this whole weekend into a fiasco.

“The jugglers were really cool,” Katie said, thankfully changing the topic of conversation. “They even juggled fiery batons.”

“And they threw a knife and chopped the end off a carrot a woman was holding in her mouth.” Celeste used her hand to show how close the knife had come to the woman’s nose. “I never would have trusted them to try that with me.”

“Good for you,” Dani said. “Any ideas what we should do next, or should we just walk and take in the sights?”

“A boy sitting next to us said we should be sure and go to the jousting exhibition,” Katie said. “He said it’s all staged but that it looks real and sometimes the guys get knocked off their horses.”

“And you can cheer for whichever rider you want to win,” Celeste added, then turned to watch a rickshaw go by that was being pulled by a scantily clad slave lad. The pseudo lord and lady riding in the cart waved.

“This is so neat,” Katie said. “Like taking a time machine into the past. I can’t wait until we get our costumes for tonight’s party.”

Dani wasn’t quite up to that yet. She checked the program and her watch. “The next jousting exhibition is at one o’clock. That gives us twenty minutes, if you want to make that performance.”

“Let’s do it,” Celeste and Katie said in unison.

A few seconds later they’d checked the map and were on their way across the festival grounds to the day’s next adventure. The girls hurried ahead but stopped frequently to peek at wares on display outside of the shops—jewelry; sandals; pewter, fire-breathing dragons cast in stone. Some findings were far more authentic than others. All of them captured the Renaissance spirit.

The spirit of revelry started to dissolve Dani’s misgivings about having come here today. Maybe the warning was just for her not to buy a green dress for the party or wedding. No problem there. She’d go in her jeans first.

But suppose someone else wore that dress to the party, maybe even Bethany Sue?

She shook her head to clear it, then stood perfectly still when she got this disconcerting feeling that someone was watching her. She turned. No one was paying her the slightest attention, not with two busty wenches posing for pictures near the beer stand.

If she was going to be this jumpy all weekend, she should just pack it up and go home. Or perhaps she should have held on to the sexy cowboy a while longer, even invited him to the party tonight as her guest. A new image took hold in her mind, this one of her in Marcus Abbot’s arms, dancing beneath a star-studded sky.

The slow burn that settled between her thighs sent a quick flush to her cheeks. Lusting after strangers was not her style. She had to get out more. It had been months—no, make that a solid year—since she’d had any intimate contact with a man.

With good reason, she reminded herself. Her last date had been a miserable exercise in how much boredom she could endure.

As a group of sexy wenches passed, a young teenage boy walked up to her and stuck out a note. “I’m supposed to give you this.”

Dani took the slip of paper and read the message that was printed in black ink.

Beware of the dark knight.

The boy started to walk away. She slipped the note into her pocket and hurried to catch up with him. “Why did you give me that?”

“That man back there asked me to.”

“What man? Show me.”

He looked around. “I don’t see him now, but he was standing right back there by that tree a minute ago.”

“Was he wearing a cowboy hat?”

“Naw.”

“In costume?”

The kid shook his head. “He was just dressed like a regular dude. Had on a blue polo shirt. That’s all I know.”

A blue knit shirt, like the man she’d thought was watching her in the dress shop. “Did he have dark brown hair?”

“Yeah, maybe. I gotta go catch up with my friends.”

Dani pulled out the note and reread it, growing more perturbed by the second. She stuffed it back into her pocket when she saw the girls approaching.

“Hey, Mom, you dropped this.”

The cowboy’s business card. Dani must have lost it when she was fiddling with the note.

“Marcus Abbot,” Celeste read from the card. “Double M Investigation and Protection Service. No boundaries, No limits. No job too tough.” She handed the card back to Dani.

“Cool. A Rambo,” Katie said.

“I think that means he’s a private detective, not a commando,” Dani said. But the card did advertise protection and no limits. She could hire him. And he’d laugh her right off the planet when she told him she needed protection from a dark knight.

“There’s the jousting arena,” Katie said, pointing dead ahead of them to a huge circular wall adorned by busts.

Beware the dark knight.

A dagger plunged into a woman’s heart.

“Hurry, Mom. We want to get a good seat.”

Marcus’s card felt as if it were burning the palm of her hand, all but making the decision for her. “Go ahead,” she called. “Save me a seat. Something’s come up at work, and I have to make a quick phone call.”

She might have a date for tonight’s party after all.

Chapter Three

Marcus was watching a pair of youngsters being hoisted onto the back of a large and extremely wrinkled elephant when his cell phone rang. The caller ID merely indicated a wireless connection. He punched the talk button. “Hello?”

“Marcus?”

He recognized the voice at once. “At your service.”

“This is Dani Baxter. We had lunch together a few minutes ago.”

A reminder, as if she were that easy to forget. “Glad you called. What’s up?”

Too many seconds of silence followed. “Are you okay, Dani?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. No more fainting,” she added hurriedly.

“Good.” She sounded rattled.

“I was just looking at your card, and I have what may sound like a strange request.”

“Strange is my specialty.”

“I’d like you to be my guest tonight for the prewedding party. It’s on the festival grounds at eight o’clock.”

Not what he was expecting.

“I’ll pay you, of course,” Dani added, as he tried to figure out what was going on here.

“You must be looking at the wrong card. The Double M is not an escort service.”

“I realize that. I’m not looking for an escort. I think—I mean it’s possible—I mean…Look, I’ll explain it all later, but the truth is I’ll feel better if I know the girls and I are in your hands tonight.”

That was more like it. “Are you in danger, Dani?”

“I’m not sure. Probably not. It’s just that…”

The woman was a wreck, and she hadn’t seemed the irrational type. “Are you sure you’re okay? I’m right here on the grounds. I could probably catch up with you in minutes.”

“No. Look, I really can’t talk now, but I’ll explain everything tonight.”

Somehow he doubted that. But even if she continued to skirt the issue, he’d get the truth out of her eventually. That actually was one of his specialties. Women trusted him. He used to trust them. “When and where do I pick you up?”

“We’re staying at a bed-and-breakfast in Magnolia, but you can just meet us here.”

“I’m old-fashioned. I like to pick up my date at her door.”

“This isn’t really a date.”

“Humor me. Besides, I work better with a full lay of the land.”

“I don’t want the girls to know I’ve hired you. I was thinking we could just make it look as if we hooked up at the party.”

So he was to be a secret date. A warning bell sounded. More often than not when a woman was running scared, a husband or lover was involved. “Does this situation have to do with your significant other?”

“No, of course not. I wouldn’t be hooking up, pretend or otherwise, if I had a significant other.”

“It’s been done.”

“Not by me. I’m divorced and have been for years.”

And that was probably all he’d get out of her until tonight. “According to the schedule, the festival is not open at night, so how do I get in to this party?”

“Invitation only.” She sighed. “You’ll have to attend as my guest, so maybe it would be best if you pick me up at the B and B. I’ll think of some way to explain all this to Celeste and Katie, but I definitely don’t want them to know that I’m hiring you.”

Not surprising since she hadn’t even told him the why as yet. “How about I pick you up at seven-thirty?”

“That would work. The invitation encourages guests to come in the style of the Elizabethan period.”

“There I draw the line. I don’t do costumes.”

“Frankly, at this point, I’m not sure I do, either.”

She gave him the name of the B and B she’d booked and the directions she’d gotten on the Internet. Then she said a quick goodbye and broke their connection before he could ask more questions.

Too bad, since dozens stalked his mind. He figured there was at least a ninety-nine percent chance his being hired as a protector was connected to the fainting spell she’d experienced that morning. Judging from the look in her eyes at the time, he’d have sworn she was wrestling demons.

But what or who had her spooked? A stalker? An exlover? Someone in costume that she might not recognize until it was too late? That could present a few problems.

Nothing he couldn’t handle. He wouldn’t take his eyes off her for a second. That part would be easy.

Remembering this was a job and not a date with a beautiful, sophisticated woman might take a bit more skill.

A ROAR ROSE from the crowd as Dani entered the amphitheater. The tiers of concrete benches surrounded a dirt performance area that four partially armored knights circled on magnificent steeds. Behind them a viewing stand filled with exquisitely dressed lords and ladies. Cheers and jeers rose from the crowd as each knight and his cheerleader lady tried to drum up support for their quest.

She glanced around, looking for the girls. The sea of faces became a blur.

“Over here, Ms. Baxter.” Katie’s high-pitched voice barely carried over the din. “We saved you a seat.”

The twelve-year-old with her wild mass of red hair only partially tamed by a baseball cap was sitting on the end of a bench just a few rows up from where Dani was standing. Alone.

Unexpected anxiety rolled in Dani’s stomach. “Where’s Celeste?”

“Buying cotton candy.” Katie pointed to their left where Celeste was counting out bills to a vendor whose colorful bags of sugary sweets floated above him like balloons, each secured to his long pole.

Safe, of course. This was a family festival meant to lift the spirits, not some Halloweenish house of ancient horrors. Dani was freaking out over nothing and everything. And now she’d hired a bodyguard who’d surely think she was a certifiable nutcase.

Dani slid to the seat beside Katie. “What did I miss?”

“The introduction of the knights. We’re rooting for the one representing France. He has the best horse and the prettiest lady leading the cheers for him. But the rider from Spain has our school colors, so we’re kinda for him, too.”

Celeste rejoined them and held out the cone of blue twirled sugar for them to share. “You got here just in time, Mom. I was afraid you were going to miss the jousting. You already missed a lot of the fun.”

“I’m here now. Let the games begin.” Dani forced a carefree cheerfulness into her voice and tore off a bite-size piece of the froth. Her irritation with herself swelled.

For once Celeste was truly enjoying their day together, and Dani was the one putting a damper on the excitement.

The crowd began to cheer as the four knights returned. Each wore an armored chest piece. Jointed armor covered parts of their arms and legs as well.

The horses were draped in the same vibrant hues as their riders’ flowing tunics. One was dressed in black and silver and had a sinister air about him. The jovial air of pageantry and the crowd’s fervent reactions were truly impressive.

The knights circled the arena on the horses, waving to the spectators and pumping up the enthusiasm. One, a young blonde with a disarming smile, tended to steal the show.

“That’s the contender from France,” Celeste said when he waved in their direction.

Dani was sure the show was scripted, the winners and losers predetermined on a rotational basis, but that took little from the performance’s exuberance. The excitement arced even higher as the announcer proclaimed that the tournament was to begin.

Each of the riders pulled on helmets that looked official but still somewhat like silver pots. They waved their long, striped poles in the air as if they couldn’t wait to attack. Two riders came at each other from opposite corners, ferociously striking out with their poles as they met at midfield. As soon as they’d reached their corners, the other two followed suit.

Celeste and Katie stayed fully engrossed for the duration of the engagement. Dani quickly drifted back into her own thoughts and was relieved when only one contender remained on his horse, the jouster clad in black and silver. He was declared the winner amidst more yells and some heckling and then was toasted by the approving lords and ladies in the viewing stand.

With so many open arches providing exits, the arena cleared quickly. Dani and the girls lingered for a few minutes so that they could get an up-close look at one of the knights who’d stayed around to talk to a group of admiring females.

By the time they left, there were only a few other stragglers ambling through the wide center arch. They took the path that led toward the giant swings. There seemed to be more people than ever milling around the area.

An auburn-haired woman in an exquisite period ball gown pushed past them, practically knocking Dani down in her haste. She paused as if to apologize but said nothing. Instead, she stared at Dani, a look of alarm on her face.

Their eyes met, and Dani had a crushing sensation of déjà vu. “Have we met before?”

“No,” the woman answered quickly. She hurried away before Dani could say more.

“Geez,” Katie said. “That woman looks almost like you, Ms. Baxter.”

“Except she’s not as pretty,” Celeste said. “She’s too skinny, and her hair’s the wrong color.”

“You weren’t even looking at her!” Katie exclaimed. “You were watching those guys at the climbing wall. And she did so look like your mother.”

“I have that generic look,” Dani said, dismissing the comparison. “People are always saying someone looks like me.”

That wasn’t exactly true, and Dani had noticed a remarkable similarity between her and the woman. But it was the feeling that she knew her or had at least met her before that had really captured Dani’s attention.

Could she possibly be the woman from the nightmare?

The hair was close enough. The eyes could be the same color. She wasn’t sure about anything else. There hadn’t been time to get a good look at her before the woman had hurried away.

And here she was falling back into the green dress trap. Coming to this wedding had definitely been a mistake. At this rate, she was going to have a nervous breakdown before they got back to Austin.

“Let’s go get our outfits for the party and wedding now,” Celeste said. “I can’t wait to pick mine out.”

Next the costumes, then the dinner party with the ruggedly handsome cowboy along for the ride. She may as well enjoy that part, though he’d no doubt think her totally mad when she explained why she’d hired him.

She was beginning to think the same thing herself.

ELLA SOMERVILLE’S headache approached migraine status as she hurried away from the woman who looked much too much like her for comfort. It was the second time today they’d crossed paths. The first time had been this morning when the woman had fainted in the festival dress shop that Ella managed. The woman hadn’t seen her, but Ella had been there.

Fortunately, that was over quickly enough when the man in the black hat came to her rescue. Running into her the second time was even more unsettling. It was an omen, the push she needed to leave the Renaissance circuit for good.

The danger lay in getting comfortable in a routine. Predictability created risk. Even if she had to just give the trailer to Kevin, it was time to go. Things weren’t working out between them anyway, especially now that his buddy Billy Germaine had joined the jousting team.

She’d come back to the travel trailer for painkillers for the pounding in her temples, but she might just stay here now and rest for a while. She needed to get rid of the headache since she was signed on to work tonight as a server for an after-hours shindig.

Even that didn’t seem such a good idea now, but she could use the extra cash.

She pulled her keys from her pocket, then came to a quick halt when she heard Kevin’s and Billy’s voices coming from inside the trailer. Kevin sounded angry. That didn’t surprise her. She’d warned him not to get in so deep with Billy.

The guy was trouble. He reeked of it. Not to mention that he’d hit on her a few days after joining the troupe, when he knew good and well she and Kev were a couple. Not that they were married or ever would be, but they were living together.

Billy was dating a lady who worked in one of the jewelry shops now. Connie Rincon. She loved jewelry, especially if it included dragons in its design. A nice lady, way too good for Billy.

Ella tugged the floppy, feathered hat from her head with her right hand and fit the key into the lock. The door opened a few inches before she turned it. Kevin never bothered to lock it.

Billy spit out a stream of curses. Ella hesitated, listening as the conversation grew more heated. The accusations made her stomach roll. This had to be some kind of sick joke.

But, no, Kevin was growing angrier by the second. The key slipped from her shaking fingers and clattered to the threshold. The talk stopped immediately.

“Is that you, Ella?”

“It’s me, Kev. I have a headache. I didn’t have any meds with me so I came back to the trailer to get some.”

“How long have you been standing there?” Billy demanded.

“I just walked up.” Her voice faltered on the lie. She tossed her hat to an empty chair so that she could look away and avoid eye contact.

“Did you get an ear full?”

“Leave her alone,” Kev said. “She already has a headache.”

Billy crushed his empty beer can. “Women who talk too much wind up in the morgue, Ella. That’s a fact of life. Did you ever hear that saying before?”

“Sounds like beer talking to me,” she said. “You guys go ahead and visit. I’m just going to pop some pills and go back to the shop.”

“Why not take off if you’re sick?” Kev asked. “You’re the boss.”

“That’s why I can’t,” she said, looking for any excuse to get away from him and Billy. “There’s a party on the grounds tonight and four weddings tomorrow. People will need outfits for those and that translates to a busy afternoon. And don’t forget that I’m doing table duty tonight for the caterer, so I won’t be home until after that.”

“Try not to be too late,” he said. There was no hint that he suspected she’d overheard the damning conversation.

Still, it was time to move on.

DANI FELT LIKE Queen Guinevere waiting for Sir Lancelot to ride up on a white horse and steal her away as she stared into the full-length mirror. Her dress was exquisite and just a tad daring.

The girls had picked it out, though it hadn’t been their first choice. That one had been green, not anything like the gown in her nightmarish illusions, but green nonetheless. She’d vetoed it immediately.

This one was sapphire-blue, in a fabric that shimmered and picked up the light like a million dancing jewels. Her inherited, cherished pearl amulet on its golden chain added the perfect finishing touch. Grams had always claimed it had mystical powers that could save the one wearing it from any number of evil deeds.

Dani had yet to put it to the test. She planned to keep it that way.

“Wow, Ms. Baxter, you look super,” Katie exclaimed as she slipped through the door that separated their adjoining rooms.

“Thank you, Katie. I feel super.”

“Good. Celeste and I were afraid you were coming down with the flu or something when you passed out this morning.”

The flu would have been a much more credible excuse than low blood sugar, especially when Celeste knew her eating habits so well. But who could think when they’d just snapped out of a mind-numbing trance to find themselves staring into the whiskey-colored eyes of a gorgeous cowboy? The same cowboy who would show up at their door any minute now.

Dani turned her focus to Katie and her multicolored skirt topped by an embroidery-trimmed pale pink peasant blouse. “You make an adorable lady-in-waiting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with your hair up.”

“Celeste did the upsweep for me. Do you like it?”

No. Having the wild mass of red curls tied at the top of her head made the almost-teen look much too old and far more sophisticated than she was. Nonetheless…

“You look enchanting,” she said truthfully.

“Hey, Mom, I need help with this zipper. It’s stuck.”

Celeste burst through the door, the hem of her skirt pulled to her waist. Her shiny brown hair fell in straight but silky strands halfway down her back. Her attire was the same as Katie’s except her blouson was deep purple and fell over flat breasts instead of Katie’s developing ones.

Still my little girl, but not for long, Dani thought as she took over the task of freeing the metal zipper teeth from the gauzy fabric.

“Coming here is the neatest thing we’ve done in like forever,” Celeste said as the zipper pulled free and the skirt fell to her ankles. “I can’t wait to see what the entertainment is like tonight. I bet those jugglers will be part of it.”

“Yeah, they were good. I want to get my picture with them so I can show the girls at school. I bet nobody in our class has ever been to a Renaissance wedding.”

“Right, not even snobby Samantha Cotter, and she’s been everywhere.”

“But her mother is not nearly as pretty as you are, Ms. Baxter. She’d never score a date with a hot cowboy she’d just met like you did.”

“I told you it’s not a date,” Dani stressed. “Marcus was going to the party anyway, and he just offered to escort us so that we wouldn’t have to drive back alone tonight on those dark, narrow roads.”

“No, he’s hot for you,” Celeste said. “I could tell. He knows you’re fun.”

Fun? Dani felt like she’d been anything but lately. That had to change. She needed this weekend to go well, for her sake and Celeste’s. She touched the amulet at her neck and thought of Marcus and his teasing smile.

The tenseness started to ease, and her customary confidence picked up steam. They were here to celebrate with Bethany Sue, and it was foolish to keep worrying about things she could do nothing about.

A knock at the door captured all their attention. Celeste swung it open, and there stood Marcus, dressed in hiphugging jeans, boots and his black Stetson—and looking even sexier than he had been this morning. Who’d have thought that was possible?

Their eyes met, and the temperature in the room seemed to jump a few dozen degrees. Not a date. This time she reminded herself of that fact. It did nothing to still the heated anticipation that was fast turning her insides to molten gold.

Chapter Four

Marcus struggled to keep his eyes focused straight ahead and his mind and body from drowning in unadulterated lust as he drove the meandering blacktop roads to the festival grounds. If it weren’t for the two youthful chaperones in the backseat, he might have sneaked an arm around Dani’s beautiful shoulders and let his thumb ride the stately column of her neck.

Talk about totally inappropriate behavior for a man being paid to protect.

He was beginning to wonder if some other far more trusting guy had crawled into his skin. Not that he wasn’t as susceptible as the next male when it came to getting turned on by a shapely body and a pretty face. He’d been attracted to Dani from the moment she’d sashayed by him and into the dress shop this morning. He just didn’t usually let his urges get as out of control as they were right now.

But Dani Baxter, with her sultry, Southern charm and striking Elizabethan gown, defied the odds. She had an almost mystical quality about her tonight. The effect was magnified a thousand times when she touched her long, manicured fingers to the delicate charm resting just above the swell of her breasts and their intoxicating cleavage.

He forced his concentration back to the road and tightened his grip on the steering wheel, determined to rein in his libido. If he wasn’t careful, he’d lose the instincts he’d developed as a cowboy and refined to the nth degree as a frogman.

The cowboy elements of his personality kept him sane. The SEAL qualities kept him on the fighting edge, aware of every nuance of change in his environment and the people around him.

In spite of Dani’s attempts at lightheartedness since he’d picked her up, he knew she was still dealing with the same demons he’d seen reflected in the deep cinnamon pools of her eyes this morning.

Unfortunately, merely knowing that was not enough information for him to do his job well. He planned to get a lot more facts out of her the second they were out of the girls’ earshot.

For one thing, he didn’t see Dani Baxter as the swoon-and-faint type. She seemed a lot more like a take-charge filly. Self-assured. Spunky. But something had definitely spooked her today.

By the time they reached the festival grounds, he was firmly back in his operational frogman mode, detached from emotion and ready for anything the night threw at him.

That lasted until they reached the gate, and she linked her arm with his, just as a muscle-bound king and voluptuous queen rushed toward them.

“The bride and I’m guessing the groom,” Dani murmured, and then let go of his arm to plunge into a bear hug with the queen.

They exchanged introductions all around. He liked Bethany Sue instantly. She had a naive, girlish quality about her that made her enthusiasm seem genuine.

The groom was still up for debate. His muscles knotted all the way up to his thick neck, but strength did not always equate with toughness. Marcus knew that well from his stint with the SEALs. Some of the bravest, hard-hitting frogmen he’d known were half Arnie’s size.

“I thought you said you weren’t bringing a date,” Bethany Sue said. “And then you show up with this hunky cowboy.”

“Change of plans at the last minute,” Dani replied, trying to brush off the interest. “And you said the more the merrier.”

“Absolutely. You look stunning, girlfriend. That gown is to die for.”

“I owe full credit to Celeste and Katie. They picked it out.”

“Ohmigod,” Bethany said, as if she’d just spied the girls. “You two look like confections in a candy shop. Love those shimmering skirts.”

“This is such a cool idea for a wedding,” Celeste said.

“Yeah,” Katie agreed. “Way better than just walking down a plain old church aisle.”

“The ceremony will be in a wedding chapel,” Bethany Sue said. “There are several of them right here on the grounds.”

“Wow. Perfect,” Katie said.

“This was all Arnie’s idea,” Bethany explained. “He has friends who travel the Renaissance circuit a few months out of every year. You’ll meet them later tonight. They operate a couple of concessions at the festival—one who sells antiquestyle jewelry and one who deals in knives and swords.”

Marcus listened to the rest of the conversation, hoping for verbal clues as to what had led to Dani’s hiring him for the evening. He probably came across as less than attentive, but he was absorbing a dozen things at once.

The chatter. The setup for tonight’s dinner and entertainment. The lighting. The location of security cameras. Pockets of darkness. Basically, he wanted a blueprint in his mind of any and everything that would affect his providing protection for Dani and the girls.

When Arnie and Bethany Sue moved on to a group of new arrivals, he maneuvered Dani and the girls toward a face-painting booth set up near the tables and chairs circling a portable dance floor.

“Did I hear someone in the backseat of the truck on the way over say they wanted body art to complete their costume?”

The girls jumped and squealed their agreement. Who knew teenage girls squealed so much?

Once they’d chosen their designs, Marcus tugged Dani aside. “I’d be able to do my job a lot better if I had some facts.”

The expression on her face changed to one of pure dread. He put a hand to her shoulder and then pulled it away too quickly. Just touching her had some kind of bewitching effect on him, and he needed his head clear for this.

Dani fingered the pendant. “What if I said I just called you because I wanted to see you again?”

“I’d be damned flattered and a sight more gullible than I am if I believed you.”

She nodded, a look of resolution finally settling in her haunted eyes. “Okay, and if you charge me double for wasting your time, I’ll fully understand.”

DANI HAD DELIBERATED all afternoon on exactly how much she should confess to Marcus. She’d told no one in her adult life that her grandmother was clairvoyant. The only person she still had any contact with who knew about her inherited curse was Bethany Sue, and she had been sworn to secrecy years ago.

Under no circumstances did she ever intend for her daughter to find out about her psychic gifts—which was why she couldn’t even consider telling Marcus the whole truth. If she breathed a word of her fears that this morning’s episode might possibly have been a psychic vision, it would let her paranormal skeletons out of the closet to rattle their bones around Celeste.

Plus, he’d dismiss her as a kook.

That left Dani only one realistic alternative. She pulled the note from her pocket, smoothed it with her fingertips and handed it to him.

“Someone at the festival gave me this. It’s probably nothing, but it frightened me when I read it. That’s when I decided to call you.”

He grimaced as he studied the note. “Did you see the person who delivered it?”

“Yes. It was a young teenage boy, but he was just the messenger. All he could tell me about the man who gave it to him was that he was wearing a blue polo shirt.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes, but when I was shopping earlier today, I noticed a man in a blue knit shirt staring at me. Well, I didn’t exactly see him, but I saw his reflection in the mirror. When I turned to see if I knew him, he ducked out of sight. It might not have even been the same man, but I found the possibility a bit disturbing. Hence my call to you.”

“Do you have any idea who the dark knight refers to?”

“Not even a clue. The only people I know here besides you and the girls are Bethany Sue and Arnie, and I only just met him.” For that matter she‘d just met Marcus, as well.

“There are no shortage of knight wannabes milling around us tonight,” Marcus noted.

“It was probably from someone just getting into the spirit of the festival,” she said.

“Or hitting on you, though sending a note like this is an odd way to score points.”

“I’m thinking it could have been a case of mistaken identity. There is someone else at the festival today who looks a lot like me. The two of us practically collided when I was leaving the jousting arena.”

“Is this the first threat or warning of this nature you’ve received?”

“Absolutely.”

“And the first time you’ve noticed that man was this morning?”

“Yes. And that was before I fainted, so that can’t be why he was staring at me—if he was actually staring at me.”

“I know you said you’re not seriously involved with anyone, but what about your nonserious love life?”

“That’s pretty much a draw between Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman and George Clooney. As yet, they haven’t participated. ”

“No stalkers?”

“Not since college.”

“What about someone you may have dumped who didn’t take it well?”

“I haven’t been in any serious relationships since my ex.”

“And he’s totally out of your life now?”

“Except for a few guest appearances as Celeste’s father, and he avoids those unless it suits him.”

“Then you don’t know of anyone who’d have reason to harm you?”

“No.” Which made her hiring him sound all the more ridiculous. “I probably overreacted,” she admitted. “I should never have called you.”

He nudged his Stetson a little lower on his forehead and leveled his gaze at her. “What really happened this morning in that costume shop, Dani?”

A cold knot settled just below her breastbone. This was the exact path she didn’t want the conversation to take.

“I’ve been under a lot of stress at work.” Not a total lie. “I guess it took its toll.”

He looked skeptical. “I’m here on your dollar, Dani, so you can stick with any story you want. But you clearly had more going on than mental fatigue when the salesperson held that green dress in front of you.”

She looked away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m talking about your need to level with me. You’re running scared. I think there’s more to that than someone handing you a note.”

She sucked in a huge gulp of the bracing fall air. It was as if the man could see right through her. Obviously, he couldn’t or he’d be running in the opposite direction.

A small band began to play in the background. People were starting to take their seats in anticipation of the predinner entertainment.

“You can trust me, Dani.”

Marcus’s words wrapped around her. She met his gaze again and sank into the depths of his eyes. It was tempting to take him at his word. So very tempting.

“You’ll think I’m nuts.”

“Try me.”

He stepped closer, reached over and took her hand in his. The warmth of his touch added a new layer of vulnerability to her senses.

She had to be very, very careful what she said at this point. “I had a nightmare about a month ago,” she admitted reluctantly. “It was incredibly vivid and disturbing, and I haven’t been able to totally shake it from my mind.”

“What happened in this nightmare?”

“A woman was murdered while wearing an Elizabethan ball gown very similar to the one I was looking at when I fainted.” She hesitated. Even to her the explanation sounded bizarre. She’d already said too much. “Believe me, I’m as baffled by this as you are, but apparently the whole thing just got to me.”

“Was the woman in the dream someone you knew?”

“Not really, except that…” Dani shuddered.

Marcus stepped closer and reached for her hand. “Go on.”

Her breath caught, and she did a hard intake of oxygen. “You know how nightmares are. I thought the woman might be me, but I didn’t actually see her face.”

He squeezed her hand. “No wonder seeing the dress and then getting the note made you nervous.”

“I still feel foolish for letting the situation get out of hand over a nightmare. I’m sorry for wasting your time tonight, and if you want to leave right now, I’ll not only understand but still pay the full amount I owe you.”

“And miss the party?” He flashed his devastating smile. “Besides, a deal’s a deal, and it’s not often I get to spend the evening in old England with a beautiful woman.”

Moonlight, music and the company of Marcus Abbot. If she could put the whole premonition of danger behind her, it just might be the best deal she’d struck in years.

THE REST OF THE EVENING passed without even a glimmer of trouble, unless you counted Marcus’s total infatuation with Dani Baxter a problem. She got to him on a number of levels, not the least of which was that he hadn’t totally bought her story of why she’d come to him for protection.

The more he talked to her the more he realized just how levelheaded she was. It was obvious she was a great mother, and she had a responsible job that she was apparently good at.

All said, it made it difficult to imagine that she’d let a nightmare cause the kind of reaction he’d witnessed this morning. It had been more than just passing out. She’d been two-stepping with terror—at least it had looked that way to him.

“You two should dance ,” Celeste encouraged.

“I have two left feet, big left feet,” he said, sticking out one of his booted feet to prove his point. “Stomp on dainty toes with these clodhoppers and it could break bones.”

Actually he wasn’t that bad of a dancer when they were playing a boot-scootin’ number, but the tune the band was dishing out now sounded like a cross between a minuet and a watered-down Hail to the Queen. Still, there were several couples on the floor including the bride and groom.