Lover Beware

a family secret or not. I’ll have to do a little research on the subject and get back to you.”
    Damon couldn’t help smiling just because she was. There was something contagious about Sarah’s laughter, something addictive about her personality. “Did you know that when you came home, the wind actually whispered, ‘Sarah’s back. Sarah’s home.’ I heard it myself.” The words slipped out, almost a tribute.
    She didn’t laugh at him as he expected. She looked pleased. “What a beautiful thing to say. Thank you, Damon,” she said sincerely. “Was the gate really open? The front gate with all the artwork? Not the side gate?”
    “Yes, it was standing wide open welcoming me. At least that’s how it felt.”
    Her sea blue eyes drifted over his face, taking in every detail, every line. He knew he wasn’t much to look at. A man in his forties, battered and scarred by life. The scars didn’t show physically but they went deep and she could clearly see the tormented man. “How very interesting. I think we’re destined to be friends, Damon.” Her voice wrapped him up in silk and heat.
    Damon could see why the townspeople said her name with awe. With respect. Mysterious Sarah. She seemed so open, yet her eyes held a thousand secrets. There was music in her voice and healing in her hands. “I’m glad you’ve come home, Sarah,” he said, hoping he wasn’t making more of a fool of himself.
    “So am I,” she answered.

Chapter 3
    “SARAH!” HANNAH DRAKE threw herself into her sister’s arms. “It’s so good to see you. I missed you so much.” She drew back, stretching her arms to full length, the better to examine Sarah. “Why, Sarah, you look like a cat burglar, ready to rob the local museum. I had no idea Frank Warner’s paintings had become valuable.” She laughed merrily at her own joke.
    Sarah’s soft laughter merged with Hannah’s. “I should have known you’d come creeping in at two A.M . That’s so you, Hannah. Where were you this time?”
    “Egypt. What an absolutely beautiful country it is.” Hannah sat on the porch swing wearily. “But I’m wiped out. I’ve been traveling forever to get back home.” She regarded Sarah’s sleek black outfit with a slight frown. “Interesting set of tools you’re sporting there, sister mine. I’m not going to have to bail you out of jail, am I? I’m really tired and if the police have to call, I might not wake up.”
    Sarah adjusted the belt of small tools slung low on her waist without a hint of embarrassment. “If I can’t charm a police officer out of booking me for a little break-in, I don’t deserve the name Drake. Go on in, Hannah, and go to bed. I’m worried about our neighbor and think I’ll just go scout around and make certain nothing happens to him.”
    Hannah’s eyebrow shot up. “Good heavens, Sarah. A man? There’s an honest-to-God man in your life? Where is he? I want to go with you.” She clasped her hands together, her face radiant. “Wait until I tell the others. The mighty Sarah has fallen!”
    “I have not fallen—don’t start, Hannah. I just have one of my hunches and I’m going to check it out. It has nothing to do with Damon at all.”
    “Ooh, this is really getting interesting. Damon. You remember his name. How did you meet him? Spill it, Sarah, every last detail!”
    “There’s nothing to spill. He just waltzed in asking about paint and wood preservatives.” Sarah’s tone was cool and aloof.
    “You want me to believe he walked in on his own without an invitation? You had to have asked him to the house.”
    “No, I didn’t,” Sarah denied. “As a matter of fact the gate was open and the dogs allowed him in.”
    “The gate was open on its own?” Hannah was incredulous. She jumped to her feet. “I’m going with you for certain!”
    “No, you’re not, you’re exhausted, remember?”
    “Wait until I tell the others the gate opened for him.” Hannah raised her arms to the heavens and stars. “The gate opens for the right man, doesn’t it? Isn’t that how it works? The gate will swing open in welcome for the man who is destined to become the love of the eldest child’s life.”
    “I don’t believe in that nonsense and you know it.” Sarah tried to glare but found herself laughing. “I can’t believe you’d even think of that old prophecy.”
    “Like you didn’t think of it yourself,” Hannah teased. “You’re just going off to do the neighborly thing in the middle of