Dreamscape by Rose Anderson Read Free Book Online Page A

O’Keefe.” Yes, he could see the resemblance around her eyes. That he suddenly knew her in this past life surprised him. No sooner had the thought appeared in his mind when he remembered as a boy he’d once met a pretty black-haired, blue-eyed girl. James O’Keefe’s daughter, Lanie. It had been a year or so before his father went to war. There were too many coincidences where Lanie was concerned. There had to be a reason she’d walked into his world.
    “Yes. And you are one of his major investors.”
    He couldn’t fathom what significance this unusual turn of events held. His mind raced. “Indeed I am. I inherited all my holdings from my father, also deceased this past March.”
    Lanie could see the grief in his eyes, and for some reason it felt as heavy as her own. “I’m sorry. It’s difficult to lose one’s parent.”
    Her genuine sympathy touched Jason. “Thank you.” He’d been close with both parents. His mother had died in childbirth when he was eleven and his father never remarried, having determined he’d never find a love like that again so why bother searching for it. The man had built this house for his wife, and she’d filled it with love and flowers. Jason thought marrying Cathy would bring him the same. How wrong he’d been.
    “You see, Dr. Bowen, as the…”
    “Jason.”
    She smiled again. “ Jason. As the largest share holder, I was hoping you might be interested in…”
    “Jason! Where are you?” An impatient voice called from the courtyard on the other side of the hedges.
    “I’m here, Cathy. We have a guest.” How had this traitorous creature managed to come into Lanie’s dream?
    The pretty blonde rounded the corner and walked toward them. “Hello, and who might you be?” she asked Lanie with obvious suspicion in her tone though she smiled prettily.
    “My dear, this is Miss Elaine O’Keefe. Her father once owned the textiles mill I hold shares in. Miss O’Keefe, may I present my wife, Cathy.”
    “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Bowen.”
    Cathy eyed her up and down. Her gaze lingered at the valise and her brows drew together ever so slightly. “And I’m pleased to meet you, Miss O’Keefe.” Then niceties having been said, she abruptly turned to her husband. “Bertha is coming to dinner, and she’s bringing her brother, Richard. You must hurry to dress.”
    Lanie felt uncomfortable though nothing untoward was said.
    Jason’s jaw tightened at the familiar exchange. He remembered now. This was the first occasion to meet the man who not only helped to murder him but made him a cuckold as well. He played along. “Yes, your dear friend Bertha, how delightful. And Richard …I don’t think we’ve had occasion to meet…”
    She waved him away. “I’ve told you the three of us grew up together…really, Jason, there is no time. They’ll be arriving shortly. Please go and change for dinner.”
    He turned to Lanie. “Please join us for dinner, Miss O’Keefe.”
    “I–I…” Unsure, Lanie looked from one to the other.
    Cathy shot him a glance before her good manners kicked in. “Yes, do,” she insisted sweetly.
    “If you’re sure it will not be a bother, I would like to discuss the properties and have an answer as soon as possible.”
    Far off in the distance, a persistent ringing began. Lanie woke to the morning light and a phone call. “Hello…?” she said sleepily. “Oh, hi, Lexie.” She yawned then answered, “Yes, the work is going fine. I just wore myself out yesterday and slept like the dead. No, it’s okay, I’m awake now. No, really.”
    Jason listened to Lanie’s side of the conversation in half measure, the curious dream filling his mind. After their shared dream, he determined that whatever was in play was extremely important and would continue on to completion. He couldn’t wait for this day to end so he could enter her dream again. By his calculation, the timing of the dream was days shy of one month until they’d managed to murder him.