After the Summer Rain Read online

  Table of Contents

  Synopsis Other Books by Gerri Hill

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Chapter Fifty

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  Chapter Fifty-Seven

  Chapter Fifty-Eight

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  Chapter Sixty

  Bella Books

  Synopsis

  Workaholic Erin Ryder was on the fast track to self-destruction. Reeling after her lover walked out on her, she turned to booze and caffeine to make it through each day. After a family intervention, she finds herself on a remote ranch in New Mexico—on womyn’s land—to detox and heal. No cell service, no Internet—she’s convinced she won’t last three days, much less for the three-month sentence her father has mandated.

  Running from the chaos that had become her life, Melanie West moved to Eagle Bluff Ranch seven years ago. By far the youngest there, she embraced the compassionate, peaceful life that the elders espoused. Living off what her garden produced, her chickens and goats became her friends and confidants. Exposure to the outside world was limited to the handful of guests who stayed a few days at the ranch each year.

  This summer would be different. Melanie found herself hosting a young woman for three months. A young woman who wanted to be anywhere but there. As the days and weeks passed, their animosity turned to friendship as they helped the other heal from their past failures.

  Erin soon found herself loving life on Mel’s little farm. Loving life and loving Mel. Saying goodbye would be the hardest thing she had to do—saying goodbye to Mel…or saying goodbye to her previous life.

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  Praise for Gerri Hill

  Moonlight Avenue

  Moonlight Avenue by Gerri Hill is a riveting, literary tapestry of mystery, suspense, thriller and romance. It is also a story about forgiveness, moving on with your life and opening your heart to love despite how daunting it may seem at first. Gerri Hill’s stories will always make me feel as though I’m in a book lover’s paradise because her beautiful descriptions of nature and the landscape in Corpus Christi made me feel as though I was seeing everything firsthand. In addition, she creates the most down-to-earth and adorable characters ever. This author really went above and beyond to give me an enthralling mystery that I gleefully devoured for hours on end and I am keeping my fingers crossed with the hope that Gerri Hill would write a sequel to this outstanding story.

  —The Lesbian Review

  This is a real murder mystery book. It is in the same vein as a Sue Grafton or JM Redmann type of mystery. There is a lot of surveillance and following the clues. Besides the mystery this is a slow-burn romance. It is very slow-burn but I loved every second of it. I’m not sure what it was but I thought the chemistry was great. It kept building and building and eventually they started to put out sparks together. If you are a mystery fan don’t hesitate to grab this. This was a treat to read and I hope we will be seeing a book 2 soon.

  —goodreads, Lex Kent’s Reviews

  Moonlight Avenue is another perfect example of why Hill is a master at her craft! This book appears to be the start of a series, at least, I’m really hoping it is because I’d love to see more from this team in the future! The crime takes the main stage in this book, but the romance isn’t exactly a back burner. I like to think of it as a pleasant side story. It’s hard for authors to lace romance into true crime novels, but Hill handled it very well and set these two up with enough chemistry to make it interesting. Just read the book. It’s another classic Gerri Hill crime novel, and you won’t be sorry for picking it up!

  —goodreads, Bethany’s Reviews

  …is an excellent mystery novel, sheer class. Gerri Hill’s writing is flawless, her story compelling and much more than a notch above others writing in this genre. I really enjoyed the interpersonal relationships in this story. They were well observed and natural. The case they were working was full of twists and turns and had me desperate to find out more. I loved it and would be interested to find out what happens next for these characters if Ms Hill decides to make this a series. Highly recommended.

  —Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  The Neighbor

  It’s funny… Normally in the books I read I get why the characters would fall in love. Now on paper (excuse the pun), Cassidy and Laura should not work… but let me tell you, that’s the reason they do. I actually loved this book so hard. It’s was light, cute and gave me all the feels. It was exactly what I needed after the emotionally hard book I read before. Cassidy and Laura together are hot stuff and I reckon it’s the build up to them being together that got me all flustered when it did actually happen. Yes it’s a slow burn but so beautifully written and worth the wait in every way.

  —Les Reveur

  This is classic Gerri Hill at her very best, top of the pile of so many excellent books she has written, I genuinely loved this story and these two women. The growing friendship and hidden attraction between them is skillfully written and totally engaging. This isn’t a new story or a clever plot, but it is so exquisitely done that it is totally absorbing. Laura needs to accept who she is and let go of who she thought she was. Cassidy has to work out who she’d rather be; a conflict reflected in her friendships, real and false. A 40 something romance, genuine and real, women we can relate to and empathize with, laugh with and relish. This was a joy to read.

  —Lesbian Reading Room

  I have always found Hill’s writing to be intriguing and stimulating. Whether she’s writing a mystery or a sweet romance, she allows the reader to discover something about themselves along with her characters. This story has all the fun antics you would expect for a quality, low-stress, ro
mantic comedy. Hill is wonderful in giving us characters that are intriguing and delightful that you never want to put the book down until the end. If you’re lounging by the pool, on the beach, or just soaking up the last days of summer in some tropical location, this is definitely the book to read. Follow Laura and Cassidy as they see, truly, just how close love can be.

  —The Lesbian Review

  Other Bella Books by Gerri Hill

  Angel Fire

  Artist’s Dream

  At Seventeen

  Behind the Pine Curtain

  Chasing a Brighter Blue

  The Cottage

  Coyote Sky

  Dawn of Change

  Devil’s Rock

  Gulf Breeze

  Hell’s Highway

  Hunter’s Way

  In the Name of the Father

  Keepers of the Cave

  The Killing Room

  The Locket

  Love Waits

  The Midnight Moon

  Moonlight Avenue

  The Neighbor

  No Strings

  One Summer Night

  Paradox Valley

  Partners

  Pelican’s Landing

  The Rainbow Cedar

  The Roundabout

  The Secret Pond

  Sawmill Springs

  The Scorpion

  Sierra City

  Snow Falls

  Storms

  The Target

  Weeping Walls

  About the Author

  Gerri Hill has thirty-six published works, including the 2017 GCLS winner Paradox Valley, 2014 GCLS winner The Midnight Moon, 2011, 2012 and 2013 winners Devil’s Rock, Hell’s Highway and Snow Falls, and the 2009 GCLS winner Partners, the last book in the popular Hunter Series, as well as the 2013 Lambda finalist At Seventeen.

  Gerri lives in south-central Texas, only a few hours from the Gulf Coast, a place that has inspired many of her books. With her partner, Diane, they share their life with two Australian shepherds—Casey and Cooper—and a couple of furry felines.

  For more, visit her website at gerrihill.com.

  Copyright © 2019 by Gerri Hill

  Bella Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 10543

  Tallahassee, FL 32302

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  First Bella Books Edition 2019

  eBook released 2019

  Editor: Medora MacDougall

  Cover Designer: Sandy Knowles

  ISBN: 978-1-64247-071-0

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Chapter One

  “Where are you tonight?”

  Melanie looked out into the black darkness of night…waiting. The coyote pair, which she’d named Goldie and Rick, was usually singing by this time. Goldie, because she had the lightest colored coat Melanie had ever seen. And Rick…well, just because.

  But the night remained quiet and still, and she thought that perhaps this would be one of the rare evenings when they wouldn’t come close and serenade her.

  Some people hated, even feared, the coyotes, saying their barks and howls gave them chills. To her, their song was hauntingly beautiful—and oh, so lonely. She knew all about that, didn’t she? Maybe that’s why she embraced it so; it reminded her of darker times. It reminded her of Adam. It also reminded her that she’d gotten past all of that.

  She shifted in the rocker and took a sip of the hot tea she’d laced with honey. Down by the creek, she heard an owl softly hooting. A few beats later, its mate answered. She leaned back and closed her eyes. Sometimes she wished she could sing like the coyotes, call like the owls… Call to someone. Call and have them answer.

  She opened her eyes. It felt different tonight. She felt different tonight. She felt like…like change was coming.

  She tilted her head, looking into the night sky. Had her heart…her soul been calling to someone?

  Had someone answered her call? Was someone coming?

  Yes, sometimes when she was feeling particularly lonely—like tonight—she wished there was someone. What would it be like to have a lover out here in this secluded place she’d called home for the last seven years?

  What would it be like to have someone?

  She closed her eyes, letting her heart call to whom it may.

  Would someone answer?

  Chapter Two

  “When’s the last time you’ve slept?”

  Erin glanced at the trash basket beside her desk, noting the mound there of empty Red Bull cans. She dismissed her sister’s comment with a wave of her hand.

  “Last night, of course. What’s up? Kinda busy.”

  Joyce walked closer, peering over the desk, her head shaking slowly. “You can’t live off caffeine during the day and booze at night.” She glanced at the dirty ashtray beside her laptop. “And cigarettes, Erin? Really? In the office? What is wrong with you?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” she said sarcastically. “Perhaps I’m a bit stressed. I’m juggling ten houses, two of which are in the final month, two more that just got started, and three that are already behind schedule.” She stood up quickly, her chair rolling back and banging against the wall behind her. “I’m late. Time to go browbeat some contractors.”

  Joyce held her hand up. “Not today, sis. Dad’s here. Meeting.”

  “Meeting?” She shook her head. “I don’t have time for a meeting. It wasn’t on my calendar.”

  She went to walk past her sister but found her father standing in the doorway. He was a large man, tall and bulky. His once dark hair was showing gray at the temples. The moustache and goatee that he’d had her whole life was now totally gray.

  “Family meeting,” he said, motioning with his head. “Brent is already in the conference room.”

  Erin blew out her breath. “Dad…really, I don’t have time. I’ve got a million things to do. I’ve got—”

  “A meeting, Erin. You’ve got a meeting. Now.”

  The tone of his voice indicated it wasn’t up for discussion. That didn’t prevent her from glaring at Joyce. The gentle smile Joyce gave her in return only fueled the irritability that had been eating at her all day.

  All day? Try all week. All month. Hell, all year.

  She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. No. She had no time for a meeting. There were deadlines. There were contractors to yell at. The end of the quarter was fast approaching and she…

  She what? She was already far ahead of her brother and sister in sales. What was driving her this time? Was she trying to break her own record?

  “Erin?”

  She glanced up, finding her father waiting. She nodded, then grabbed her phone before slamming her laptop shut.

  * * *

  As was the norm, Erin sat opposite Joyce at the table. Brent, the youngest of the three, sat at the end, twirling a pen between his fingers. She didn’t know why. He never bothered taking notes. Her father sat down at the head of the table and scooted his chair closer. What was missing, however, was his secretary Carol Ann. There was never a meeting of any kind that she didn’t attend, jotting down notes on her laptop as if her life depended on it.

  �
��I’m making some changes.” Her father folded his hands together on top of the table. “Overdue changes, I might add.”

  Erin arched an eyebrow but said nothing.

  “Where’s Carol Ann?” Brent asked as he dropped his pen on the table. “You know, she always sends an email with the recap of the meeting.”

  “No need. This won’t take long.” He cleared his throat. “I’m discontinuing the bonuses you all get on the number of projects that are completed within each quarter. From now on, everyone gets the same salary.”

  Erin’s eyes widened. “What? Then what’s the point?” She stood up quickly, nearly knocking her chair backward. “I bust my ass,” she said loudly. “They produce half of what I do. Why should they get the same salary?”

  “This competition has gotten out of hand,” he said evenly. “You’re likely to have a heart attack and die on us before you’re forty. Now sit down, Erin.”

  Erin felt her hands shaking and she didn’t know if it was from caffeine or anger. She pulled the chair closer with her foot and sat down again. Her head was starting to pound and she rubbed her temples.

  “I didn’t mean to imply that you would get the same pay. There will be a salary and there will be quotas to meet. Instead of getting a bonus for completions, you’ll be docked for incompletions. Simple.”

  “Wait a minute,” Brent said. “That’s not fair.”

  “Of course it’s fair. I should have done this years ago. Perhaps then the three of you would get along better and act like siblings instead of competitors. When Randy and I ran this business, there was never any of this squabbling that you all do. I’m sick of it.”

  “When Uncle Randy was involved, the company was in debt up to its ears,” Joyce reminded him. “Thank God he didn’t have any kids or we’d be fighting with them too.”

  Erin shook her head at Joyce’s callousness. Randy was her father’s only sibling. She’d still been in college when he was killed, crushed when a forklift lost its load of lumber. Of course, at the time, the lawsuit was the only thing that saved the company. Randy had no kids, no, but there had been two ex-wives who’d tried to cash in on his death.