Diana Anderson - Entering Southern Country 01 - Famous in a Small Town by Diana Anderson

that she was an author and under the circumstances of her visit, she wished to keep that knowledge quiet. He’d said that he understood and would keep her secret in exchange for her autograph for his wife. Raven’s first, which she should have been flattered, but at that moment she had realized, with pen in hand, she had never practiced her signature for an autograph before and it felt awkward. The thought of fame had disturbed her. She’d had several years to prepare but hadn’t considered the possibility.
    She hoped that Virgil’s and Wanda’s bodies were released soon. She wanted and needed to be home. She felt that she’d already stayed way to long. She and her mother would come to blows if she stayed much longer.
    As a child, Raven had been obedient. As a teenager, she’d kept her mouth shut. She’d never made many friends at school, because kids had wanted her to sleep over and expected the same from her in return. She hadn’t wanted anyone to visit her home, because Virgil and Callie cussed and yelled either at her or each other. She had been embarrassed enough without one of her friends there to hear it. Over the years she had learned to tune it out, so much so, that she seldom had any idea why they were fighting. Since she’d never explained her situation to any of her schoolmates, by the time high school rolled around, kids had avoided her and had considered her strange.
    She parked her car in the Wallaces’ driveway, got out, and let the dog out. He followed her lead as she headed for the front door.
    “Are you planning to stay long?” asked a voice from the shadows along the side of the house.
    Raven stopped. A low rumble came from Gabriel’s throat, and his hackles rose. She gripped the leash tighter.
    “Shhh,” she said to the dog. She looked into the darkness and saw movement coming toward her. The dark shadow formed into a man as he stepped out into the late evening sun.
    She recognized him as the gardener. She tugged on the leash and walked toward the front door again. “I’m not sure.”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to alarm you,” he said. “If you get bored, I might be able to help.”
    She stopped, stood still for a moment, and then turned on her heel. “Save it, handyman. I’ll never get that bored.”
    A low rumble came from Gabriel’s throat again. She tugged the leash and led him into the house. She closed the front door behind them, went through the foyer, and on into the den.
    A voice called out from her left, “Well, hello there, you two.”
    Gabriel looked in that direction. His tail wagged along with his backside. The nails on his front feet sounded like a hundred tiny tap dancers on the tiled floor. She reached down and unhooked his leash. He darted into the den and slid to a stop in front of Ted. Ted knelt down and ruffled his hair below his ears.
    “Well, look at you. Aren’t you the handsome fellow now? And smell good too.”
    Raven smiled. “I couldn’t believe he was the same dog. He had gone into the bathtub looking one way and came out looking another.”
    Ted looked up at her. “What’d the vet say?”
    “Gabriel’s healthy.”
    “Gabriel?”
    “Yes, his white coat and blue eyes remind me of an angel, so I named him Gabriel. Well, if there were such a thing as dog angels, he’d look like one. He’s had all of his shots, and the vet said he was good to go. I just hope I can find a family for him before I leave.”
    “He’s a very well mannered, good looking dog. Someone will want him.” He patted Gabriel’s head and stood up. “Have you had supper?”
    She shook her head.
    “I bet you skipped lunch too.”
    She gave him a crooked smile.
    “Well, come on, you two. I’ll fix y’all some supper.”
    “You don’t have to do that. I know how to cook.”
    “Well, then you can help me.” He walked ahead of them into the kitchen.
    He went straight to the refrigerator and took out a plate covered in plastic wrap. He uncovered it and slid it into