Free Distant Obsession by Ciara Gold, Michael Davis

message in bold lettering; Need to move your mirror, and held it above the boxes before looking back through the scope.
    The female on the other end of the visual exchange jerked rearward, stood, studied the dresser mirror against the wall, then glanced toward the bathroom. She disappeared from his field of view.
    “Where’d ya go?”
    Ten seconds later she returned with a pad of paper and projected her own message written in bold red letters, possibly using lipstick. What, didn’t you like what you saw?
    “Cute, very cute. She’s a frisky lassie, this Carmen.”
    Reece replied with a follow up note, Of course I did. Followed by, Just didn’t want some pervert getting a free show.
    She returned the communiqué. Oh, you mean like you.
    Reece laughed. “Ouch but good sense of humor.” He transmitted another quip. Touché, you got me.
    To which she replied, No problem. I watched you work out last night. Nice ass.
    “Damn, she is a bold little thing. Wish I could see her face.”
    He jotted down another message. Is that one pervert to another?
    Only her mouth was exposed below the binoculars, but enough was showing to witness her long distant chortle. Touché. Gotta run. Same time tomorrow?
    Before he could scribble a response, the mystery painter leaped from her chair and headed into another room.
    His clandestine admirer was no longer a secret, and the exchange across the creek had left Reece unexpectedly excited over what lie ahead for their first face-to-face encounter.
    So much spunk, such a zest for life. Definitely got to meet this girl.

 
    Ten
     
    The drive gave Lilah plenty of time to reflect. At thirty-four, the need to re-invent herself after so much heartache had driven her actions of late. Perhaps, that’s why avoiding the sailor seemed so petty and childish. She’d missed the perfect opportunity to rectify the situation, to meet the man and apologize for not contacting him sooner. Insecurity had flooded her thoughts when faced with the proposition. She needed more time to plan a strategy for dealing with the man and facing her inhibitions.
    When she pulled into the driveway, Ashley met her outside, a terry cloth towel in her hand. “Did you have fun?”
    “Of course.” Lilah motioned her to the back of the trailer. “You’re timing is awesome. You can help unload.”
    “Why? You’ll just have to load them again next weekend.” Ash made no move to help her with the first few boxes but continued to rub her damp hair.
    “The changes in temperature will ruin the paintings if I leave them too long in the trailer.”
    “Oh.”
    Her sister tossed the towel on a chair and lent a hand. Together they had the merchandise unloaded and stored in short order. As soon as they finished the chore, Lilah offered Ash a cold beer. She hesitated then nodded her head. “I’m planning to leave in a little while, but one brew won’t hurt.”
    Lilah immediately propped her feet on the coffee table and sighed. “I’m not used to standing the whole day.”
    “Did you sell many?”
    “Just two, but that’s pretty good for that type of show. I usually just make contacts who purchase paintings later. So what did you do today?”
    Ashley’s face lit like a tree on Christmas morning. “I spent my time on the computer applying to three different schools. I’ve decided to go back for my masters.”
    “That’s wonderful news.”
    “I took the GMAT last spring for grins and scored high. A Masters in business should take me places.” She curled her legs beneath her and leaned back in the overstuffed brown leather armchair. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Detective Ames called looking for you.”
    “You must have given him my cell number. He found me.”
    “And?”
    “A witness placed a known hit man in the vicinity on the night of Ben’s murder.”
    “Hit man? As in the mob?” Ashley’s mouth gaped.
    Lilah snorted beer from her nose and quickly brushed it aside. “Let’s not get melodramatic. There was no