Excerpt

The ocean was in a bitchy mood tonight and seemed to be at war with the wind. Territorial rights, Frannie mused. Let them fight it out. She couldnt wait to get inside and get a fire going.

Storm or no storm, she stopped dead when she heard Bennys incessant barking coming from the other side of the house. How the hell did he get outside? Did I forget to lock the damn door? Did the storm fly it open? Wait, dont panic. If he wanted to, he could get back in the same way he got out.

A comforting thought surfaced and a satisfied grin crossed her face. Sure, I know why hes barking like crazy. He probably found something he wants to show me. Her face soured at the image. I hope it isnt a dead bird, or God forbid, a rodent of some kind. He might want to dump that in my hands like a coveted trophy. Nocats do that, right? Do dogs do that too? Frannie sighed, resigned to the knowledge that she still had a lot to learn about living with a golden retriever. Visualizing what Benny might have in his mouth, Frannie reversed her steps, opting not to enter the house, but to go around and check Benny first. She covered her face with her hands to shield it from the rain and went to rescue her dog. Just in case her bizarre thoughts materialized, she didnt want to open the side door from inside, allowing him to drag in whatever unwelcome guest he might have.

For the five years Frannie had lived here in her oceanfront home, Mother Nature had never shown rage of this magnitude. When she had left Clay Hill Farm, it hadnt yet been this violent. Something made Her mighty angry tonight. Frannie glanced upward and hoped the storm wouldnt unearth an avalanche of stones or send branches crashing onto her house. Sputtering a string of obscenities she hadnt used for a while, she lowered her head, braced herself and went after Benny. She followed his sound and found herself approaching his run.

When she had bought her forty-year-old home, one of the features was a large fenced-in area that had served as a huge playpen for the previous owners twin toddlers. Now it conveniently served as a run where Benny could enjoy himself barking at the occasional passing cars.

A gust of wind took Frannie by surprise and pushed her against the house. She grabbed the wooden railing attached to the three concrete steps outside the laundry room entrance. She called out his name, and when he didnt come running, she tried to whistle, but her trembling lips were in no mood. Again she called.

Benny, get over here! She clenched her teeth and silently resolved to find time for some necessary doggy trainingobedience training. Like she had nothing better to do. In between overseeing necessary repairs, refurbishing three of her upstairs rooms, together with the upcoming season openings of her restaurants, Amore Breakfast and Amore Evenings, she couldnt imagine how she could squeeze in professional training for Benny. I should have my head examined instead, she thought, then pulled up her hood again and took off for Benny. Her face was so cold it felt as if it had fallen into an ice bucket.

The tall gas lamp at the edge of her property offered an umbrella of lightenough to see part of the run. And Benny. Her insides churned and she forgot all about Mother Natures wrath. She stood frozen for what seemed an eternity at a sight she couldnt fathom.

Benny stood there, helpless, drenched and terrified, leashed to the fence. His bark diminished now to a mournful cry. Shock waves shot through her and mobilized Frannie into action. Bennys cries grew stronger when he saw her and Frannies tears streaked down her face along with rivulets of rain. With a good grip on his collar, she led him to the back door that allowed entry through the laundry room. She climbed the three concrete steps and, with her one free hand, fumbled for the seldom-used key. When she found it and looked up, she realized she had no need for it.

The glass window pane was smashed.

Frannies stomach turned over, shooting up a chunk of the roast duck she had devoured earlier.

But whoever had tied up Benny hadnt hurt him. How touching, she thought. An animal loving sonofabitch who merely wanted to trash my house. But how the hell did he get past Benny? How did the bastard manage to get a leash on him?

With one hand on Bennys collar and the other reaching for the cell phone in her pocket, she stood at the door, praying to God the thief was long gone. Her heartbeat joined the ominous sounds of a raging sky. She wanted to run to the safety of her car and drive far away from her home-not-so-sweet home, but her grip on Bennys collar was weakening.

It wasnt until she opened the doorwith fear lodged in her throat like a steel ballthat she heard another sound. A cat-like sound. Oh God, what the hell kind of animal is in there?

Benny went flying in, barking like mad now, and led Frannie to the sound.