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Sunshine in Spring

By Joi Copeland

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Chapter 1

I'm watching you.

Sunshine Rogers' hand shook. The small office she shared with her co-host, Rayne Adams, closed in on her. She sank down into her chair, letting the note fall to her desk.
Palms on her eyes, she inhaled a shaky breath. Three notes this week.
“Hey, Sunny.” Rayne's voice filled the room.
Sunshine raised her head and blinked. “Mornin'.”
Rayne's eyebrows formed a V. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Sunshine nodded. “Long night.” She forced a smile and stood.
“We're on in five minutes. You have everything you need for the show?”
Sunshine scooped up her papers and shoved the note and envelope into her desk drawer. Time to mask her concern.
She forced the creepy letter away from her mind.
Daddy's words rang in her ears, “Be as happy as a dead pig in the sunshine.” Ah, those Southern sayings always had a way of making her worry less.

***

He watched her walk out of the radio station. A tight smile formed across his face. With narrowed eyes, her every move captivated him. Sunshine Rogers would be his, make no mistake about it.
Did she receive the letters he sent? He chuckled. If one could call them that. More like warnings. To keep her constantly looking over her shoulder.
His gloved hand caressed the envelope on the seat next to him. By tomorrow morning, she'd know he knew where she lived.
He started up the car and pulled out of the parking lot, a few feet behind Sunshine's car. This was the first time he'd attempted to follow her to her home. Did she live in a nice big house? A condo or small apartment?
His mind raced with imagines of his beloved Sunshine in his own apartment. Not that she'd ever been there. But the time would come. Oh, yes, the time would certainly come.

***

Sunshine climbed out of her little car and shivered. The sun hung high in the sky but failed to give off any warmth. She pulled her coat closer to her body. In a few minutes, she'd be in her warm apartment. Good day for a fire in her fireplace.
Unlocking the door to her small home, she entered in to the already heated living room. Daddy would say she's wasting money by keeping her heater on while at work. But on days like today, when the highs barely reached twenty degrees, she didn't care how much money she squandered.
Sunshine's phone buzzed in her pocket.
“Hey, Rayne.”
“Sunny, what are you doing after work tomorrow?” Her friend's voice held a hint of mischief.
“Nothing. Why?”
“I want you to meet a friend of mine. Camden's a really neat guy. I think you two would hit it off.”
Sunshine groaned. “Rayne, I thought we agreed you wouldn't set me up anymore. Not after the last guy.”
Rayne giggled. “That was a complete mistake. How was I to know he'd take you on a nice walk along with the dogs he'd been paid to look after?”
Sunshine smiled. “I know it wasn't your fault. But haven't you learned your lesson?”
“You would think so, huh? But I kind of owe him. I canceled the plans we made for Christmas.” Her voice lowered. “You know, since Justin's in the picture now.”
“Oh, I see. You're giving me your left overs?” Sunshine plunked down on the couch. “I don't want a mercy date, Rayne.”
“That's not what this is. At least not on your end. I feel really bad about doing this to Camden. We went out on a date once, but I was so preoccupied with Justin, I didn't give him a chance.” Rayne cleared her throat. “Please? Help a sister out.”
Sunshine ran her hand through her hair. “Oh good grief. What do I have to do?”
“Just have lunch with me, Justin, and Camden tomorrow after work. If nothing happens, so be it. But if there are sparks, well, I get to be the maid of honor.”
“Sounds like a plan.” A beep sounded in her ear. “Listen, Rayne, I've wanted to talk to you about something.” She chewed her lip. Time to come clean with the letters.
“Everything alright?”
“I-” The phone beeped in her ear. A quick glance and she groaned. “We'll talk later. My brother's on the other line.”
“Okay. See you in the morning. Wear something cute.” Rayne's laughter sounded before Sunshine clicked hung up.
“Sunshine, ya there?”
“Yep, Jimmy, I'm here. What's goin' on?” Sunshine stood up and walked into the kitchen. A warm cup of tea would hit the spot in her cold body.
“I want to come visit you. Do you think sometime after Christmas would be good? I'd like to book the flight while the prices aren't too steep.” Her older brother's voice soothed her weary soul.
To tell the truth, having someone here to look after her sounded wonderful. With the odd mail she'd been receiving, having a body guard of sorts was perfect.
“That would be great, bro. Make it happen and let me know the details.”
“Can't wait to wrestle you like we used to.”
“Oh no you don't. I'm twenty-six years old, Jimmy Rogers. None of that now.”
“Don't matter none. I'm hittin' thirty. Daddy says you're never too old to have a little fun.” Her brother's deep chuckle brought a smile to her face.
“That's not my idea of fun, and you know it. You're twice the size and weight I am.”
Jimmy snorted. “You wish. You're five nine and what, a hundred and eighty pounds?”
Sunshine gasped. “You bite your tongue, big brother! I'm barely pushin' one forty-five.”
“Well, we'll just have to see how tough you are when I see you. The others are jealous, ya know.”
“Yeah, I'm sure they are. You're leaving my poor brothers with all the work on the farm. You kiss them for me, ya hear?”
Her brother snickered. “Uh, no. But I'll sock 'em for ya. Love ya, lil' sis.”
“Love you, too, Jimmy.”
Sunshine curled up on the couch, letting the tears fall. If she were in Georgia, her brothers wouldn't let any harm come to her. She'd never receive any of the odd letters. Here in Denver, who did she have to protect her from the person behind them?
Oh, God, protect me. You're the only one who can.

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