Eye of the Beholder by Jayne Ann Krentz Page B

that she was hardly in a position to question the excitement quotient of other people's sex lives. It had been so long since she'd had one herself, that she'd almost forgotten what a sex life felt like.
    She halted on the sidewalk and smiled. "Good morning to you, too."
    Unlike half the town and all of her fellow shopkeepers, she had not picked up the habit of using the Dimensions Institute greeting, "peace and serenity."
    "What do you think of the display?" Dylan's turquoise and silver Dimensions bracelet gleamed in the sun as he swept out a hand to indicate the array of books on the other side of the shop window. "Is it a grabber?"
    Alexa studied the window arrangement. It consisted of several dozen copies of Living the
Dimensions Way
    : Building a Life Based on the Principles of Peace and Serenity. The books were artistically stacked in circles and pyramids.
    A huge picture of Webster Bell in his signature black, silver, and turquoise dominated the display. The sign beneath the photo read, Meet the Author.
    "Looks good," Alexa said. "I'm sure you'll have a line of people around the block for Bell 's autographing this time, just like you did when his last book came out."
    "I hope so. This new book is a follow -on to last year's title. It goes deeper into the metaphysical concepts relating to the Dimensions diet and exercise programs."
    "You've read it already?"
    "Sure." Dylan's sky-blue eyes shone with pride. "Webster always makes certain that I get an advance copy from the publisher."
    "How long have you been selling his books?"
    Dylan's thin shoulders lifted in a small shrug. "Ever since he started writing them. The first one came out about four years after he opened the Institute. Let me see, that would be—"
    "Seven years ago, to be exact," said a familiar voice. "Webster owes you a great deal, Dylan. I have a hunch you've sold more of his books than all of the shops in Tucson and Phoenix combined."
    Dylan grinned. "Peace and serenity, Joanna."
    Alexa turned to see Joanna Bell walking briskly toward them along the terra cotta sidewalk. She had a plastic container of Cafe Solstice tea in one hand. Stewart had created a special blend just for her. He called it Joanna's Rainbow.
    Joanna was a few years younger than her half-brother, which put her somewhere in her mid-fifties, Alexa guessed. She was a striking woman with dark eyes and patrician features.
    She wore her discreetly tinted hair in a sophisticated knot at the nape of her neck. Like Webster, she favored turquoise and silver jewelry. In addition to her Dimensions bracelet, she wore several silver and stone-studded bangles, a modern interpretation of a traditional squash blossom necklace, and enough rings to blind a deer on the highway at night.
    "Hello, Joanna," Alexa said.
    Joanna smiled at her, but there was an oddly tense, searching expression in her eyes. "Didn't I see you at the Avalon Resort reception last night? Thought I caught a glimpse of you in the crowd, but I lost you again."
    "I just dropped in for a few minutes."
    "Did you get a look at some of the art and antiques? Edward Vale did a magnificent job. I'm not a great fan of the Deco style, but I have to admit that it's perfectly suited to the Avalon Resort."
    Alexa hid her surprise with some effort. She told herself that it was a good sign that the other woman had noticed the hotel's collection. But it nonetheless struck her as strange. Until today the only art Joanna had ever shown any interest in was the craft of jewelry design.
    Alexa studiously avoided the subject of her former career with anyone at Avalon Plaza . It was all part of the grand plan to keep a low profile until she made her comeback.
    She was wondering how to change the topic before it strayed into dangerous territory when Dylan took the problem out of her hands.
    "Were you okay with everything last night, Joanna?" he asked gently.
    Alexa glanced at him, startled by the unmistakable note of concern in his voice.
    "Yes, of course,