My friend Elizabeth Noble is stopping by my blog today for her new book Gone Away, book four of her Circles series:
Mason Arquette isnât one for mincing words. In fact, he often rubs people the wrong wayâwith the exception of Riece Burrell. Riece came with his own set of social issues, but he saw right through Masonâs tough exterior, and they made a perfect couple. Or so Mason thought⌠until Riece abruptly ended their relationship without much explanation.
Years later, Mason and Riece are thrown back together. As a US Forestry Service photographer, Riece is sent on assignment to the Black Hills, where Mason works. When Mason is tasked with guiding Riece around the territory, old feelings quickly are rekindled.
But nothing is ever easy. Just as Mason and Riece begin to work things out, theyâre targeted by people with motives so vile and twisted they defy imagination. In a desperate race for their lives, they must depend on one another and take a big step out of their personal comfort zones to find their way back to safetyâand back to love.
Excerpt
Mason laughed. âHi, yourself.â He always seemed to think Riece was funny, even when he wasnât trying to be. âRiece, look at me,â Mason reminded him gently.
Riece complied. He was met with startling blue eyesâunusual considering Masonâs First Nation heritageâcoal-black hair, and the same smile he remembered. Most people considered Masonâs cocky attitude abrasive and his self-assured temperament overbearing. He was often referred to as a jackass, or something similar. To Riece those qualities of Masonâs had at one time been a safe port in lifeâs storm.
âYou came to pick me up,â Riece said.
âNah⌠I was just wandering through the airport and saw you. It was a complete spur-of-the-moment thing,â Mason said with such a straight face Riece almost believed him. Mason reached down and picked up both of Rieceâs suitcases, tucking one under his arm and grasping the other by the handle.
âItâs six hours between here and Custer,â Riece said. âYou were being nice. I wonât tell.â
Mason held his fist out. âThanks,â he said. Riece made a fist and lightly bumped Masonâs. âDo you have a motel room?â
Riece nodded. âI do.â He flipped his wrist over and looked at his watch. âCheck-in is inââ Sighing, he closed his eyes for a few seconds and took a deep breath. ââtwo hours.â Scratching the back of his head, he gave Mason a lopsided grin. âI apparently misjudged my travel time.â
âI guess you did.â Mason dipped his head at the exit. âIâm parked this way. How about you call and cancel your reservation from my Jeep. I know a place to stop for the night a few hours from here.â
Riece turned on his phone and held it, but didnât call. âI should get to the motel so Iâm ready to start work Monday.â
Mason glanced sideways at him as they walked. He heaved a sigh. âRiece, I just drove quite a few hours to pick you up. Iâm sorta tired, and hungry.â
âYouâre always hungry.â Riece stopped inside the parking garage entrance. âWhich way?â
âOver there.â
âIâm hungry too. The food on the plane was⌠questionable,â Riece said.
Mason laughed. It was a hearty sound Riece realized heâd missed very much. âI bet,â Mason said.
âHow many rooms?â
âHuh?â Mason asked.
âWhere weâre stopping; how many rooms?â Riece asked. He wasnât sure if he was hoping Masonâs answer would be one or two.
âIn the whole place? I have no clue. Anyway, I have a buddy who drives a beer delivery truck, and he also works in the bar there. Best food for a hundred miles. Itâs part of a small inn. I booked us there for a few nights. One room for you and one for me.â Mason stopped beside a Jeep. It was the off-road sort, with mud splattered over the burnt-orange exterior.
The vehicle chirped when Mason used a remote to unlock it. He stowed Rieceâs luggage in the backseat. Riece walked slowly around the back of the Jeep, running his fingertips over the paint as he wandered to the far side.
âSweet ride,â Riece said and opened the passenger door.
A small white box with gold embossed writing advertising some store Riece had never heard of sat on the seat. Written over it in thick, black letters and in Masonâs handwriting was the word Riece.
He silently picked up the box and held it carefully while he climbed into the seat, only setting it down long enough to snap on and adjust his seat belt. Mason took his place behind the steering wheel and started the Jeep, glancing at Riece as he put the vehicle in gear and guided them onto the road.
âA little welcome to South Dakota gift,â Mason explained.
Riece frowned and looked out the window. âBut weâre in Montana.â
âNot for long, and weâll be working in South Dakota.â
âWeâll be working in the Black Hills. That mountain range is approximately 125 miles long and 65 miles wide, covering not only western South Dakota, but also eastern Wyoming,â Riece said.
âYou sound like a talking travel brochure.â Mason sighed and shook his head. âI live in South Dakota. The office weâll work out of is in South Dakota. Iâm guessing youâll live in South Dakota too.â
âWeâre not in South Dakota,â Riece reminded Mason.
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Author Bio
Elizabeth Noble started telling stories before she actually knew how to write, and her family was very happy when she learned to put words on a page. Those words turned into fan fiction that turned into a genuine love of M/M romance fiction. Being able to share her works with Dreamspinner is really a dream come true. She has a real love for a good mystery complete with murder and twisty plots as well as all things sci-fi, futuristic, and supernatural and a bit of an unnatural interest in a super-volcano in Wyoming.
Elizabeth has three grown children and is now happily owned by an adorable mixed breed canine princess and one tabby cat. She lives in her native northeast Ohio, the perfect place for gardening, winter and summer sports (go Tribe!). When she’s not writing she’s working as a veterinary nurse, so don’t be surprised to see her men with a pet or three who are a very big part of their lives.
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