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Now available On Amazon / Book 3 in my Warren Family Series. While this is in a series, it is written as a stand alone title. I include all of my characters in each book but their stories are theirs alone.
What the Heart Knows
Chapter One
“I haven’t seen Emily in three years, and you expect me to call out of the blue and ask if she would like to come out here for a long visit?” Bill’s laugh into the phone was totally devoid of humor. “No. I won’t. Are you insane? Suzette, you have come up with some wild schemes over the last twenty-five years but this one takes the cake. No, no, no, and just so we are absolutely clear, my answer is no.”
The moment Bill stopped ranting Suzette jumped in. “Let me explain, will you? I’ve never asked anything like this before, and I wouldn’t ask for this favor now unless I had a good reason.”
Bill heard the note of desperation in Suzette’s voice and it worried him. He stuck the paint-loaded brush in a nearby container of thinners. It gave him a moment to think. “Okay. I can’t think of anything that would make me change my mind, but please feel free to try.”
Suzette breathed into the phone for several moments before sighing loudly. “Three weeks ago Emily had been over-the-top with excitement about being hired as a physician for the Murfreesboro Medical Center, but last weekend she came to Mom and Dad’s for a visit and has been holed up in her old childhood bedroom ever since. Not once has she said anything about returning to her own apartment in Nashville.”
Bill switched the receiver to his other ear. “That is strange, but maybe she just wants to spend some time with the family before beginning her new job. It must have been stressful finishing medical school and then jumping right into her internship at Vanderbilt.”
Suzette let out a small growl of frustration. “Normally I would agree with you, but Mom’s worried. You know she never overreacts, but she was crying when she called me yesterday. When I asked what was wrong, she told me that every night Emily wakes her and Dad by screaming bloody murder. Mom has to shake her awake before it stops. Emily claims the nightmares are caused by her being exhausted, and we might have an easier time believing that if she didn’t jump every time anyone comes near. She stares off into space for hours at a time and refuses to eat or sleep. She's also lost a lot of weight, and never laughs or smiles anymore.”
Suzette drew in a deep breath before adding, “She’s scared and hurt, and we don’t know how to help, but maybe you can. You were always the one who could get her to open up."
Bill sat on the arm of a nearby chair. His best friend’s words tore at his heart. “Stop. I get the picture.” He sighed and bowed his head. It crushed him to think that his Emily could be in so much pain. “I’ll do whatever you ask.” He stood and went to the window of his two story farm house, but even as he stared off in the direction of the corn-filled fields, none of it came into focus. Suzette’s description of Emily’s mental state was puzzling. It didn’t sound at all like the person he knew. Even as a scrawny kid, she was always so self-assured and happy. It was true, he hadn’t seen her in over three years, but in his mind’s eye he could still clearly see her sparkling, green eyes and infectious smile.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of frustration, he ran paint-streaked fingers through the long strands of his blonde hair, where they had escaped the confines of a rubber band. “It’s obvious she needs help, but are you certain I’m the right person to offer it? I always considered Emily to be a good friend, but not so much since she entered medical school. She’s changed. I’ve changed. Even if I asked, I’m not sure she would agree to come. Don’t you remember the opening night of my art exhibit in New York City? One moment we were talking, but when I turned around to answer a question from a patron, Emily disappeared without a trace. Houdini would have been proud of how fast she cleared out of there.” Her leaving without any explanation had broken his heart.
Suzette’s heavy breathing brought him back and he finally answered. “You’ll have to tell me what I need to say when I call”
The relief was evident in her voice, “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Wait until I succeed. What do you want me to do?”
“Lie.”
“You want me to lie to Emily?” Bill laughed. “You really have forgotten the most basic things about me. When have I ever been able to lie and get away with it? Ask me for anything else but that.”
Suzette’s voice remained firm. “Please. It’s just a little one.”
Bill shook his head, despite it being a wasted gesture. “You’ve known me since the first grade. It’s not in me. You’ll have to come up with a better plan.”
“Please. Tell Emily you’re having terrible headaches, and they’re so bad you can’t function. How hard is it to act like your head hurts? Even I can do that, and you know I didn't inherit any of Dad's acting ability.” There was a brief hesitation before she added, “I’ve already told Emily you were complaining about having migraines. For the first time in days she was interested in something other than whatever was bothering her. She’s concerned about you.”
Bill cleared his throat. “So, I’m supposed to tell someone with medical training I’m having migraines, and you really think Emily’s going to believe me?” He rolled his eyes but knew full well that no matter what he said, once Suzette had a plan, there was nothing he could say to change her mind. This was a disaster in the making.
“Emily isn’t her usual self so I don’t think she’ll notice you’re lying. Please, for Emily’s sake.
What the Heart Knows
Chapter One
“I haven’t seen Emily in three years, and you expect me to call out of the blue and ask if she would like to come out here for a long visit?” Bill’s laugh into the phone was totally devoid of humor. “No. I won’t. Are you insane? Suzette, you have come up with some wild schemes over the last twenty-five years but this one takes the cake. No, no, no, and just so we are absolutely clear, my answer is no.”
The moment Bill stopped ranting Suzette jumped in. “Let me explain, will you? I’ve never asked anything like this before, and I wouldn’t ask for this favor now unless I had a good reason.”
Bill heard the note of desperation in Suzette’s voice and it worried him. He stuck the paint-loaded brush in a nearby container of thinners. It gave him a moment to think. “Okay. I can’t think of anything that would make me change my mind, but please feel free to try.”
Suzette breathed into the phone for several moments before sighing loudly. “Three weeks ago Emily had been over-the-top with excitement about being hired as a physician for the Murfreesboro Medical Center, but last weekend she came to Mom and Dad’s for a visit and has been holed up in her old childhood bedroom ever since. Not once has she said anything about returning to her own apartment in Nashville.”
Bill switched the receiver to his other ear. “That is strange, but maybe she just wants to spend some time with the family before beginning her new job. It must have been stressful finishing medical school and then jumping right into her internship at Vanderbilt.”
Suzette let out a small growl of frustration. “Normally I would agree with you, but Mom’s worried. You know she never overreacts, but she was crying when she called me yesterday. When I asked what was wrong, she told me that every night Emily wakes her and Dad by screaming bloody murder. Mom has to shake her awake before it stops. Emily claims the nightmares are caused by her being exhausted, and we might have an easier time believing that if she didn’t jump every time anyone comes near. She stares off into space for hours at a time and refuses to eat or sleep. She's also lost a lot of weight, and never laughs or smiles anymore.”
Suzette drew in a deep breath before adding, “She’s scared and hurt, and we don’t know how to help, but maybe you can. You were always the one who could get her to open up."
Bill sat on the arm of a nearby chair. His best friend’s words tore at his heart. “Stop. I get the picture.” He sighed and bowed his head. It crushed him to think that his Emily could be in so much pain. “I’ll do whatever you ask.” He stood and went to the window of his two story farm house, but even as he stared off in the direction of the corn-filled fields, none of it came into focus. Suzette’s description of Emily’s mental state was puzzling. It didn’t sound at all like the person he knew. Even as a scrawny kid, she was always so self-assured and happy. It was true, he hadn’t seen her in over three years, but in his mind’s eye he could still clearly see her sparkling, green eyes and infectious smile.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of frustration, he ran paint-streaked fingers through the long strands of his blonde hair, where they had escaped the confines of a rubber band. “It’s obvious she needs help, but are you certain I’m the right person to offer it? I always considered Emily to be a good friend, but not so much since she entered medical school. She’s changed. I’ve changed. Even if I asked, I’m not sure she would agree to come. Don’t you remember the opening night of my art exhibit in New York City? One moment we were talking, but when I turned around to answer a question from a patron, Emily disappeared without a trace. Houdini would have been proud of how fast she cleared out of there.” Her leaving without any explanation had broken his heart.
Suzette’s heavy breathing brought him back and he finally answered. “You’ll have to tell me what I need to say when I call”
The relief was evident in her voice, “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Wait until I succeed. What do you want me to do?”
“Lie.”
“You want me to lie to Emily?” Bill laughed. “You really have forgotten the most basic things about me. When have I ever been able to lie and get away with it? Ask me for anything else but that.”
Suzette’s voice remained firm. “Please. It’s just a little one.”
Bill shook his head, despite it being a wasted gesture. “You’ve known me since the first grade. It’s not in me. You’ll have to come up with a better plan.”
“Please. Tell Emily you’re having terrible headaches, and they’re so bad you can’t function. How hard is it to act like your head hurts? Even I can do that, and you know I didn't inherit any of Dad's acting ability.” There was a brief hesitation before she added, “I’ve already told Emily you were complaining about having migraines. For the first time in days she was interested in something other than whatever was bothering her. She’s concerned about you.”
Bill cleared his throat. “So, I’m supposed to tell someone with medical training I’m having migraines, and you really think Emily’s going to believe me?” He rolled his eyes but knew full well that no matter what he said, once Suzette had a plan, there was nothing he could say to change her mind. This was a disaster in the making.
“Emily isn’t her usual self so I don’t think she’ll notice you’re lying. Please, for Emily’s sake.
Songs That I Whisper
Seth Black is Nashville’s next-big-thing in country music. Unfortunately, the
road to fame is fraught with temptation and danger. At every turn, Seth has to
fight off beautiful women, whilst at the same time struggling to make the Black
family name something to be proud of again. It would be easy to fall into the
same kind of trap that had snared his once famous father, Montgomery Black.
Seth, though, wants more from his life than drugs, alcohol and womanizing. While
he did inherit his deceased father’s great singing voice and stage presence,
Seth absolutely refuses to fall into the same rowdy lifestyle that ultimately
destroyed his father, and their family. His biggest dream is to have the type of
home life he never had when growing up, but the life of a country music star
means he’ll have to be extra careful.
Suzette Warren is the daughter and step-daughter to one of Hollywood’s most famous couples, David and Charity Warren. Suzette feels safe and settled in the quiet, unassuming life she has created for herself. Her ultra-chic art gallery in the small town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, isn’t the art center of the world, but it is her piece of heaven. It isn’t until Seth walks through its front door that she realizes there’s more to life than the next big art deal. Until meeting Seth, she never knew someone else had the other half of her heart. When Seth hires her to paint his portrait for a new CD cover, the two of them begin to see a real chance at love. Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Someone in Seth’s life hates him enough to try and stop him from having his own happy-ever-after.
While love is always worth fighting for, Seth and Suzette will have to overcome their own demons before they recognize its true value.
Sneak peek-
Songs that I Whisper
Chapter One
Seth stopped dead in his tracks. Standing with one foot still on the sidewalk and the other on the wooden floors of Dreams on Canvas, he stood for a full thirty seconds not being able to remember why he was entering the ultra-chic art gallery. The unexpected sight of a set of incredible legs disappearing into a pair of cut-off jeans left him stunned and with his mouth gaping open. He had no idea shabby shorts could look so good on anyone.
A silent war between common sense and admiration kept Seth lodged in place. Half of his brain was shouting for him to stand there staring for as long as he could get away with it, and the other half was telling him that he should go over and let Suzette Warren know he was there for their meeting before she caught him standing in the doorway drooling. Finally deciding that ogling the art gallery owner was probably a bad way to begin a new business relationship, Seth stepped inside and tried to remember all of the good manners his mother had taught him over the years.
He had only driven to the tiny town of Murfreesboro because his manager had raved on and on about what a talented artist Suzette Warren was. What a shame that whilst Beverly had been naming all of the woman’s wonderful attributes she had failed to mention just how gorgeous she looked.
At that very moment, while he was busy staring, the raven-haired beauty was slowly backing across the art gallery and making a cute little clicking noise with her tongue. She appeared to be contemplating whether a painting was in the right position, or if her lanky, blonde helper needed to move it somewhere else.
Seth loved the gallery owner’s gorgeous hair, and was thoroughly fascinated to watch her long ponytail swish lazily from side to side with each turn of her head. Even with the thick mane pulled up, it was still long enough to reach her waist. Suzette’s hair was a fantastic shade of black that glimmered with each turn of her head beneath the gallery’s bright overhead lights.
The man holding the enormous canvas finally lost all patience and groaned, “Oh come on! Make up your mind already. This thing isn’t getting any lighter.”
Instead of replying, Suzette continued making the clicking sounds. It took her a few more seconds before she finally smiled her approval.
Her voice had a wonderful, raspy quality, “Bill, you’ve been helping all of thirty minutes.” She made a point of putting a drawn-out emphasis on, “The painting surely can’t be that heavy.” She softened that with a quick grin, as if used to Bill’s whining.
She motioned for him to put the painting on the floor, and then held both arms out wide. “It will be perfect here. Its blue tones are a wonderful contrast with the orange sunset on one side and the yellow daffodils on the other.”
Bill was making certain the painting wasn’t going to slide on the wooden floor and fall, when Suzette finally noticed Seth standing by the front door. When she did turn her full attention on him, Seth was shocked to the very core by her unusual, light blue eyes. They had such intense intelligence they clearly said she didn’t suffer fools gladly, but they also made him think of long walks along the beach and kissing in the moonlight. With a little trouble he remembered that long walks and kissing weren’t on the agenda. He needed an artist. The last thing he needed was to make a complete ass out of himself over a beautiful woman.
When Seth didn’t say anything, she cleared her throat. Feeling like a twelve year old school boy caught misbehaving in class, he hurriedly apologized, “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“That’s not a problem. I didn’t know you were standing over there and waiting for me. I had no idea I left the door unlocked.” She gestured toward the artwork stacked along the walls of the long room. “The gallery’s closed today. We’re setting up a new exhibit for tomorrow night’s show.”
Seth moved into the room a few steps more but he wasn’t certain if she was going to have time to talk to him, since Suzette didn’t look as if she liked being interrupted. “I didn’t mean to interfere with your work schedule, but my manager told me you would be expecting me this morning. I’m Seth Black.”
Suzette raised her eyebrows and glanced at her watch. “I had no idea it was so late.” She made a motion for him to come over. “I was so caught up in what I was doing I forgot you were coming today.”
She turned toward Bill. “You can take a break for a little bit if you want to.” But before he could wander off she touched his arm and turned back toward Seth. “This is my office manager and best friend, Bill Fields. When he’s not helping me hang paintings and answering the phone he paints the most outstanding abstracts in the world. Remember his name because he will be famous one day.”
Bill blushed and tucked a strand of long, blonde hair behind one ear. He studied his feet as if he wished he wasn’t the center of attention.
Seth liked the tall, lanky man right away. Feeling like a fool, because he was still standing clear on the other side of the room, he strolled over and offered his hand to Bill first. “It’s nice meeting you.”
Bill returned the handshake like a man relieved to have his workday interrupted. “I’m happy to see you. Suzette has been trying to kill me. If you will excuse me, I’ll leave you two to chat.”
Seth nodded. “Certainly.”
After the introductions were over, Bill sauntered over to a nearby bench and there curled into a tight ball. He placed his head on one hand and threw his other arm over his eyes, as if preparing for a long nap.
Seth turned to Suzette and offered his hand. When she held hers out, he engulfed it into both of his own. She gave him a head to toe scan, and instead of being intimidated by his large, muscled frame, she returned his handshake with a firm and sure grip of her own. When he seemed to hang on to her hand a little too long, she smartly withdrew it. “Beverly said you’re interested in having your portrait painted for your next album cover.”
He flashed his famous lopsided grin before saying, “I’m sorry if I keep staring. I swear this isn’t the first time I have been allowed out in public by myself, but for some reason I was expecting a little, old, gray-haired lady. Beverly said you had years and years of experience painting portraits. Normally when someone has years and years of experience they have some gray hair to show for it.”
Suzette headed toward the other side of the room and motioned for him to follow. “I hope you don’t think I’m being rude, but I’m really busy today. Could we talk as I work?” Suzette stopped at a stack of paintings.
Seth followed her. “I don’t mind. I can help if you need an extra pair of hands.”
“It seems I could use them since my help appears to be taking a nap.” Together they glanced over at Bill. He didn’t budge an inch, but could be heard snoring from clear across the room. She shook her head and turned back to the paintings as if unconcerned.
As she sorted, she divided her attention between the paintings and Seth. “My parents gave me my first art set when I was four. I think I may have painted the walls as much as I did the canvases, but I was only four, after all.” She met his eyes and smiled.
It was clearly infectious for he immediately returned it. She was very charismatic.
“I didn’t begin painting professionally until I was twelve.”
Seth loved her hands. They were so delicate without appearing too fragile. “You waited that long, huh?”
She looked up from her sorting and when she saw he was just joking, she chuckled. “I would have started sooner but my parents were very protective. To be quite honest I threw a temper tantrum until they agreed.” She rolled her beautiful sky-blue eyes. “I was such a brat. Four years ago I purchased this gallery, so I now prefer representing other artists. When I paint now it’s mostly for my own pleasure, but every once in a while I will take on a project, if it interests me. I told Beverly I wasn’t sure if I would do your portrait or not, but, after talking with her, I got the feeling she’s a very determined, head-strong lady.”
Seth laughed as if that was an understatement. “She has been called that among other things.”
Suzette stopped what she was doing long enough to turn and face him. “Beverly doesn’t have the market on headstrong. In the end, it will be my decision if I take the commission on your portrait or not.”
Seth admired Suzette’s confidence. “I would never dream of pressuring you. I only ask for an opportunity to tell you about my plans for the new album cover, and then you can decide whether to do it or not. Beverly says that you’re the best, and I value her knowledge on such matters.”
***
While Suzette had been surprised to find a stranger in her gallery so early in the morning, she was even more astonished by her immediate attraction to the ruggedly, handsome man. He had a humble demeanor with a huge dash of sexiness thrown in for good measure. She couldn’t remember the last time she had found another man so attractive. She usually liked looking people in the eye when she was talking with them, but he had such beautiful hazel eyes that they made her lose track of what he was saying. Instead of looking at him, she had to find something else to do, so it wasn’t obvious how flustered she had become. But even though she had already flipped through the stack of paintings at least three times, she couldn’t remember what any of them looked like. To give the appearance Seth Black hadn’t scrambled every one of her brain cells, she began placing the paintings along each wall, at the places she would have Bill hang them at later.
“I’m not certain that I’m such a good choice to paint your portrait. Before I do one I like to have a good understanding about the person I’m working with. Beverley said yesterday that you’re a country music singer. Even though I was born and raised in Tennessee, I’ve never listened to that genre of music before.”
He held up one of the paintings and waited for her approval. “Country music focuses more on life and relationships than any of the other genres. We’re not afraid of putting our hearts into every song we write and sing.”
***
Absentmindedly, Suzette began making the cute little clicking noises again. She also had a funny way of bobbing her head back and forth when she was deep in thought. After a moment of clicking and bobbing she stood completely still and silent. She then smiled, its brilliance almost making Seth drop the painting. He silently had to remind himself he was there on business and had no intention of getting entangled with anyone at this time in his life. He had been a victim of his own father’s messy life, and the trouble it had caused everyone who loved him. Over the years, Seth’s mother had tried to escape the pain by drinking herself into a stupor. It had been sad watching a woman squander her love on a man who could only love himself. Seth had always thought he would stay free of love’s trap. As far as he could tell, it only led to heartbreak in the end.
Growing up under the cloud of his father’s womanizing ways and drug addictions, it hadn’t been hard to see that the life his father had lived was wrong. After his dad’s death, Seth had decided he would never live his life in a way that would ever hurt another person. Even when he decided to go into the music business, like his father, he made a conscious decision to stay away from all of the temptations fame brought with it. Women were on the very top of his list of things to stay away from. One look at Suzette and there was little doubt she would be able to sidetrack him, if he let her. He couldn’t afford to let that happen.
***
The moment Seth’s mind drifted away was obvious, and it intrigued her. His pensive look made him even more appealing, if that were possible. Thoughtful men were one of her Achilles’ heels. She loved men who were multi-layered. Nothing made a man sexier than having many facets that needed to be unraveled.
Suzette cleared her throat, “I have to confess I might be a snob when it comes to music. I’ve always leaned more towards the classics. I do listen to jazz every now and then. When I have a chance, I will listen to some country on the radio later this afternoon. It wouldn’t be fair to turn your offer down just because I’ve never listen to your type of music before.”
Seth refocused on Suzette, and his intense stare filled her with excitement, all the way down to her toes.
His lazy, country twang was more pronounced the next time he spoke, “I tell you what. My guitar is out in the truck. Why don’t I play you some of my songs? You can make your mind up about country music after listening to a couple of them. I write all of my own lyrics and the music that goes with it. If I can’t make a fan out of you, then I am doomed to be a failure.”
Deciding she could use a quick break and a cup of coffee, Suzette nodded. “Okay. You go get your guitar, and come upstairs. I have my apartment above the gallery. I haven’t had any breakfast yet. Why don’t I make some coffee, and scramble us some eggs? I can spare you some time to listen.”
Suzette pointed over to a flight of steps that were off to the back wall of the gallery. “Just go on up, after you’ve got your guitar, and we will see if you can convert me into being a fan.”
Seth gave a lopsided grin and quickly agreed. “Breakfast sounds good. I don’t mean to sound conceited, but if I can’t convert you then no one can.”
Suzette laughed. He was a charming man. She turned to leave the room, but quickly called back over her shoulder, “I’m not sure anyone has that much talent.”
***
Seth watched her head up the stairway. He watched until she disappeared before turning to leave the room. He left the gallery through its front entrance, and walked out into bright summer sunshine. His old red Chevy truck was parked in a metered parking space on the other side of the street. He had to wait for the next walk sign before he could cross. When he did, and perfectly legally, a woman driver honked at him as if it was his fault she almost hit him.
Even after almost getting run over, it wasn’t enough to wipe away the smile on his face. He smiled and waved, running the rest of the way. As soon as he unlocked the truck door he grabbed the battered old guitar off of the truck’s seat. Dodging cars again, he headed back to the gallery, this time making it without any mishap. Bill was still fast asleep on the bench as Seth entered and headed for the stairway, guitar in hand. He could already smell the coffee brewing and bacon cooking.
Suzette was a woman of her word. He had no idea he was hungry, not until the wonderful smells hit him full force, about half way up the staircase. Her apartment’s layout almost mirrored the gallery. Both the first and second floors were about fifty feet in length and some twenty five in width. The second floor was one long room with a door on the back wall. The larger room only had a limited amount of furniture. It looked as if Suzette was a woman of few needs. Seth didn’t know a lot of women like her. His own mother had wall to wall furniture crammed into her small two bedroom house.
The room had a small kitchen area at the end facing the back of the apartment, with a small sink and a couple of light stained oak cabinets over it. The only furniture in that area was a tiny glass table with two chairs. In the middle of the room there was a large, unmade, four-poster bed covered in a bright teal bedspread. Next to it was a huge antique oak dresser. Every single one of its drawers was wide open. Clothes spilled out of them as if Suzette had been in a hurry to dress that morning. There was an enormous antique mirror hanging on the wall over the dresser, pictures of friends and loved ones taped all around its edges.
Seth tried not to notice the discarded clothes on the floor by the bed, but he wouldn’t have been a man if he hadn’t noticed the red silky panties lying there. Set up at the far end of the long room was a well-equipped art studio. This area was a stark contrast to her living quarters. It was as neat as a pin. All of the canvases and art supplies were arranged and stored in tidy containers.
Suzette was so busy cooking she didn’t turn around when he came in. At that moment she was pulling several food items out of a compact refrigerator. She only turned when he set his guitar on her tiny kitchen table.
“I hope you don’t mind, but after I started cooking I realized that I was hungry. I think I’m going to fry some home style potatoes to go with the bacon and scrambled eggs. I hope you’re hungry.”
She turned with a can of biscuits in one hand. “What do you think? How about some biscuits too? We will have to settle for the store bought kind, though. I’m not the kind of cook who can whip up a pan of biscuits from scratch.”
Seth nodded. “I didn’t know I was hungry until I smelled the bacon cooking. I’m willing to eat whatever you set in front of me. I was raised on canned biscuits. My mom had no idea biscuits could be made from scratch. Do you need any help with anything?”
Suzette began pulling her baking dishes out of the cabinet, and just motioned for him to sit. “No. Our agreement was for you to play while I cooked, and that’s exactly what you’re going to do. I can’t promise this will be the best breakfast you ever had, but at least there will be plenty of it.”
Seth pulled a chair out and sat before picking up his guitar to tune.
***
Suzette was putting the baking pan of biscuits in the oven when Seth began singing. His voice had been one of the first things she had noticed when he had introduced himself earlier, but the moment he began singing she found it to be even more fascinating. It had an interesting husky quality to it that sent chills up her spine.
She didn’t turn, but continued with the food preparations. The words to his song were just as magnetic as his voice. It was a soft sung song of lost love. Not the expected lyrics of a man losing the love of a woman but of a son losing the love of his father. Suzette flipped the bacon slices over in the cast iron skillet, and then began peeling potatoes and slicing them. There she was doing the most mundane things and she wanted to cry. She couldn’t help but think about the young boy Seth was singing about.
It sounded too real not to be about him and his life. Who else but the person singing this song could sing it with such genuine emotion? His next song was just as heartbreaking. How had she not taken the time to listen to such heartfelt music before? The joke had always been, what do you get if you play a country music record backward? You got back your lost love, your truck and your dog. Suzette had been guilty of letting old jokes stop her from listening to country music stations. After all, she lived just twenty miles from its world capital; Nashville, Tennessee. You couldn’t live in Tennessee and not know about country music, but Suzette had always considered herself too cultured ever to take it seriously.
Was Seth’s music a good example of what the rest of it was like? She was finding herself pulled to the man sitting at her kitchen table. His songs were of a wounded soul. Someone had stolen his innocence and his youth.
Suzette finished cooking, and divided all the food onto her best china. She wasn’t trying to impress him, but she seldom cooked so it was all she owned. She set two plates on the table but found she was no longer hungry. She propped her elbows on the table and gave Seth all of her attention. She knew without a doubt she was going to paint this man’s portrait.
He had a story, and she now knew she had to find out what it was, but she didn’t think he was the type to tell anyone about himself. It was going to take some time to find out what made him tick, and that meant spending time together. Painting a portrait took time. Seth didn’t know it, but Suzette had made her decision. She had decided that Seth had depth and a wounded soul. She wanted to know why he sung of such pain and sorrow.
Seth played and sung three more songs before finally setting down the guitar off to the side.
Just as Seth was pulling his plate of food closer, Bill called up the stairwell. “I’m starving to death!” A few seconds later he entered the room.
Suzette shook her head but grinned. “Sure. There’s plenty.” She handed him her plate of food.
Bill took it and sat on the kitchen counter top as if it was a lounge chair.
Seth slid his plate across the table toward Suzette. “There’s more than enough on my plate to share.”
Suzette just shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m no longer hungry.”
Seth looked concerned. “I hope that it wasn’t my music that made you lose your appetite.”
Suzette surprised herself by reaching across the table to touch his hand. “No! I didn’t mean that at all. Your music was great! I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I have to find out now whether the rest of country music is like your songs. Your lyrics were sad and haunting. I’m intrigued by what I heard today. You’ve just made a new fan.”
When Suzette realized she had left her hand on top of his, she quickly pulled it back. She wrapped it around her coffee cup so Seth couldn’t see it was trembling.
His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “I never know how my music will be received. I was pretty cocky earlier when I said that I could change your mind about country, but deep down I’m still not certain about how people are going to accept my music. I’ve been playing in small clubs for the past six years, and the upcoming tour will be my first opportunity to play to larger audiences. I’m really excited about it, but it is a bit daunting.”
Seth leaned back in the kitchen chair and gave Suzette a charming smile. “Fan, huh? So does that mean you have decided to do the album cover?”
Bill asked with a mouthful. “What album cover? What did I miss?”
Suzette glared at him. “If you didn’t doze off at every opportunity, you would know what was going on.”
Bill just popped some more food into his mouth and smiled, like he knew she wasn’t really mad.
Suzette stood and walked over to the coffee pot, to top off her half-filled cup. It wasn’t easy resisting Seth’s personality, to stop it influencing her decision. She suspected he had more than his fair share of women hanging around, idolizing him. She had no intention of falling into that category.
When she realized she had let his music affect her so much, she tried pulling back a bit, emotionally. She needed to keep everything in perspective. After pouring the coffee, she returned to the table with the intention of keeping the rest of their meeting more business-like.
Her tone reflected the change. “Yes. The project suddenly interests me. Why don’t you call me next week, and we will set up a time that is convenient for the both of us?”
“Now that you’ve seen my work, why don’t you show me some of yours?” He gestured towards the studio area.
Suzette liked her privacy, but it only seemed fair. She jammed her hands into her short’s pockets. “Okay. There’s really not much to see. Most of my work is downstairs in storage.”
She took him across to the studio area, and to an easel on which rested a breathtaking landscape. It wasn’t any normal landscape but a mystical land of exotic flowers and peaceful meadows full of tall flowing grasses. Seth studied it for several minutes before finally breaking away and going over to the stack Suzette had under a window at the far end of the room.
As he sorted through, his face lit up at the beauty each canvas held. “These are truly amazing! I know you said you did landscapes, but I wasn’t expecting anything like this. These are truly stunning.”
Suzette didn’t realize she was holding her breath. She quietly expelled her pent-up breath, and hoped her voice didn’t betray how fast her heart was beating. “I don’t paint as many portraits as I used to. I change my style of painting every couple of years so my perspective stays fresh. I’m glad you liked my landscapes. You’re the first person that I have shown them to.”
He walked over to the painting on the easel again. “I don’t think I have ever seen anything more beautiful in my entire life. I don’t know if they’re for sale, but I would love to buy this one. I think I have been looking my entire life for such a place. The scene is so peaceful I can’t stop looking at it.”
Suzette heard the wistfulness in his voice. It was her favorite painting too. She had painted it the week before, after waking up from a dream that was vaguely familiar and somehow slightly unsettling. She couldn’t go back to sleep for thinking about it stayed long after waking. After tossing and turning for about twenty minutes she had finally got up and painted it. Every day she would look at and question why it was so disturbing. It felt as if she had been there before, and Seth’s expression told her that it somehow affected him in the same way. “I would like to give you this landscape, if you would like to have it.”
He stepped back and alternately looked at the painting and then back at her, as if he couldn’t believe his ears. “You don’t have to give it to me. I would love to buy it from you.”
Suzette just shook her head. “Consider it payback for the music you shared with me earlier.”
Seth touched her arm and, as if that wasn’t enough to express his gratitude, kissed her cheek. “I’m truly touched by your generosity.”
Suzette resisted the urge to touch the spot where he had kissed her. It felt like a hot poker had rested there. She shook her head, slowly trying to remove the cobwebs and return some sort of sanity. She smiled as if none of these thoughts had entered her head. “You’re welcome. I love it when my paintings find a good home, with people who really appreciate them.”
Since Suzette still had so much to do to finish setting up the new art exhibit, she changed the subject. “When will it be convenient for you to set up a meeting to discuss the arrangements for me doing your portrait?”
Seth pressed his lips together and tapped his foot while thinking. “I have a lot of details to sort out for my tour, the first of next week. How about next Friday? Say around three p.m.?”
It was strangely disappointing to find out the meeting wasn’t going to be until the end of the week. “Three o’clock on Friday works for me. Do you want to meet at Beverly’s office?”
“That sounds good.”
Suzette nodded toward the painting. “I’ll get it boxed up and I send it to her office.”
Seth gave the painting one long, last look. “I can’t thank you enough for this. I don’t think anyone has ever given me a nicer gift.”
Suzette smiled but looked embarrassed.
Seth gathered up his guitar, and gave Bill a small wave. Bill was still on the kitchen counter finishing off the last of the biscuits. “It was nice meeting you, Bill.”
Bill smiled with the biscuit still in his mouth. “Nice meeting you too.”
***
Seth left the art gallery and headed across the busy square towards his truck. He couldn’t get the silly grin off of his face. It must have been infectious, though, because several people returned his smile.
When Seth reached his truck he went to put his guitar on the seat, but stopped when he saw a sheet of white paper lying there. He glanced around to see if anyone was standing nearby, but when no one seemed interested in him, he put the guitar in the floorboard and picked up the note. The moment he read it his smile vanished.
We need to talk about our father. I’ll contact you later about how much cash to bring when we meet. If you don’t do exactly as you’re instructed, I will contact the media about how our old man ruined the life of an innocent sixteen year old girl by getting her pregnant and hooked on drugs.
Your long lost brother
Brother?
Seth wadded the note and tossed into the floorboard of the truck. He rested his forehead on the hot steering wheel and let the heat from the plastic burn into his skin. He had been crazy to think that just because his father was dead he was finished finding ways of messing with his life. From beyond the grave Montgomery Black was still stirring up all the old emotions, and opening up old wounds.
He wasn’t afraid of the humiliation this might cause him, if it became public knowledge, but his mom was just six months into recovering from pain pills and alcohol abuse. Could she handle the rehash of all of the old scandals? It never crossed his mind that the note might be a lie. It only left him curious about a brother he had never met. He looked at the crumpled-up paper and sighed. This just might be the tip of a very large and dangerous iceberg.
Suzette Warren is the daughter and step-daughter to one of Hollywood’s most famous couples, David and Charity Warren. Suzette feels safe and settled in the quiet, unassuming life she has created for herself. Her ultra-chic art gallery in the small town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, isn’t the art center of the world, but it is her piece of heaven. It isn’t until Seth walks through its front door that she realizes there’s more to life than the next big art deal. Until meeting Seth, she never knew someone else had the other half of her heart. When Seth hires her to paint his portrait for a new CD cover, the two of them begin to see a real chance at love. Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Someone in Seth’s life hates him enough to try and stop him from having his own happy-ever-after.
While love is always worth fighting for, Seth and Suzette will have to overcome their own demons before they recognize its true value.
Sneak peek-
Songs that I Whisper
Chapter One
Seth stopped dead in his tracks. Standing with one foot still on the sidewalk and the other on the wooden floors of Dreams on Canvas, he stood for a full thirty seconds not being able to remember why he was entering the ultra-chic art gallery. The unexpected sight of a set of incredible legs disappearing into a pair of cut-off jeans left him stunned and with his mouth gaping open. He had no idea shabby shorts could look so good on anyone.
A silent war between common sense and admiration kept Seth lodged in place. Half of his brain was shouting for him to stand there staring for as long as he could get away with it, and the other half was telling him that he should go over and let Suzette Warren know he was there for their meeting before she caught him standing in the doorway drooling. Finally deciding that ogling the art gallery owner was probably a bad way to begin a new business relationship, Seth stepped inside and tried to remember all of the good manners his mother had taught him over the years.
He had only driven to the tiny town of Murfreesboro because his manager had raved on and on about what a talented artist Suzette Warren was. What a shame that whilst Beverly had been naming all of the woman’s wonderful attributes she had failed to mention just how gorgeous she looked.
At that very moment, while he was busy staring, the raven-haired beauty was slowly backing across the art gallery and making a cute little clicking noise with her tongue. She appeared to be contemplating whether a painting was in the right position, or if her lanky, blonde helper needed to move it somewhere else.
Seth loved the gallery owner’s gorgeous hair, and was thoroughly fascinated to watch her long ponytail swish lazily from side to side with each turn of her head. Even with the thick mane pulled up, it was still long enough to reach her waist. Suzette’s hair was a fantastic shade of black that glimmered with each turn of her head beneath the gallery’s bright overhead lights.
The man holding the enormous canvas finally lost all patience and groaned, “Oh come on! Make up your mind already. This thing isn’t getting any lighter.”
Instead of replying, Suzette continued making the clicking sounds. It took her a few more seconds before she finally smiled her approval.
Her voice had a wonderful, raspy quality, “Bill, you’ve been helping all of thirty minutes.” She made a point of putting a drawn-out emphasis on, “The painting surely can’t be that heavy.” She softened that with a quick grin, as if used to Bill’s whining.
She motioned for him to put the painting on the floor, and then held both arms out wide. “It will be perfect here. Its blue tones are a wonderful contrast with the orange sunset on one side and the yellow daffodils on the other.”
Bill was making certain the painting wasn’t going to slide on the wooden floor and fall, when Suzette finally noticed Seth standing by the front door. When she did turn her full attention on him, Seth was shocked to the very core by her unusual, light blue eyes. They had such intense intelligence they clearly said she didn’t suffer fools gladly, but they also made him think of long walks along the beach and kissing in the moonlight. With a little trouble he remembered that long walks and kissing weren’t on the agenda. He needed an artist. The last thing he needed was to make a complete ass out of himself over a beautiful woman.
When Seth didn’t say anything, she cleared her throat. Feeling like a twelve year old school boy caught misbehaving in class, he hurriedly apologized, “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“That’s not a problem. I didn’t know you were standing over there and waiting for me. I had no idea I left the door unlocked.” She gestured toward the artwork stacked along the walls of the long room. “The gallery’s closed today. We’re setting up a new exhibit for tomorrow night’s show.”
Seth moved into the room a few steps more but he wasn’t certain if she was going to have time to talk to him, since Suzette didn’t look as if she liked being interrupted. “I didn’t mean to interfere with your work schedule, but my manager told me you would be expecting me this morning. I’m Seth Black.”
Suzette raised her eyebrows and glanced at her watch. “I had no idea it was so late.” She made a motion for him to come over. “I was so caught up in what I was doing I forgot you were coming today.”
She turned toward Bill. “You can take a break for a little bit if you want to.” But before he could wander off she touched his arm and turned back toward Seth. “This is my office manager and best friend, Bill Fields. When he’s not helping me hang paintings and answering the phone he paints the most outstanding abstracts in the world. Remember his name because he will be famous one day.”
Bill blushed and tucked a strand of long, blonde hair behind one ear. He studied his feet as if he wished he wasn’t the center of attention.
Seth liked the tall, lanky man right away. Feeling like a fool, because he was still standing clear on the other side of the room, he strolled over and offered his hand to Bill first. “It’s nice meeting you.”
Bill returned the handshake like a man relieved to have his workday interrupted. “I’m happy to see you. Suzette has been trying to kill me. If you will excuse me, I’ll leave you two to chat.”
Seth nodded. “Certainly.”
After the introductions were over, Bill sauntered over to a nearby bench and there curled into a tight ball. He placed his head on one hand and threw his other arm over his eyes, as if preparing for a long nap.
Seth turned to Suzette and offered his hand. When she held hers out, he engulfed it into both of his own. She gave him a head to toe scan, and instead of being intimidated by his large, muscled frame, she returned his handshake with a firm and sure grip of her own. When he seemed to hang on to her hand a little too long, she smartly withdrew it. “Beverly said you’re interested in having your portrait painted for your next album cover.”
He flashed his famous lopsided grin before saying, “I’m sorry if I keep staring. I swear this isn’t the first time I have been allowed out in public by myself, but for some reason I was expecting a little, old, gray-haired lady. Beverly said you had years and years of experience painting portraits. Normally when someone has years and years of experience they have some gray hair to show for it.”
Suzette headed toward the other side of the room and motioned for him to follow. “I hope you don’t think I’m being rude, but I’m really busy today. Could we talk as I work?” Suzette stopped at a stack of paintings.
Seth followed her. “I don’t mind. I can help if you need an extra pair of hands.”
“It seems I could use them since my help appears to be taking a nap.” Together they glanced over at Bill. He didn’t budge an inch, but could be heard snoring from clear across the room. She shook her head and turned back to the paintings as if unconcerned.
As she sorted, she divided her attention between the paintings and Seth. “My parents gave me my first art set when I was four. I think I may have painted the walls as much as I did the canvases, but I was only four, after all.” She met his eyes and smiled.
It was clearly infectious for he immediately returned it. She was very charismatic.
“I didn’t begin painting professionally until I was twelve.”
Seth loved her hands. They were so delicate without appearing too fragile. “You waited that long, huh?”
She looked up from her sorting and when she saw he was just joking, she chuckled. “I would have started sooner but my parents were very protective. To be quite honest I threw a temper tantrum until they agreed.” She rolled her beautiful sky-blue eyes. “I was such a brat. Four years ago I purchased this gallery, so I now prefer representing other artists. When I paint now it’s mostly for my own pleasure, but every once in a while I will take on a project, if it interests me. I told Beverly I wasn’t sure if I would do your portrait or not, but, after talking with her, I got the feeling she’s a very determined, head-strong lady.”
Seth laughed as if that was an understatement. “She has been called that among other things.”
Suzette stopped what she was doing long enough to turn and face him. “Beverly doesn’t have the market on headstrong. In the end, it will be my decision if I take the commission on your portrait or not.”
Seth admired Suzette’s confidence. “I would never dream of pressuring you. I only ask for an opportunity to tell you about my plans for the new album cover, and then you can decide whether to do it or not. Beverly says that you’re the best, and I value her knowledge on such matters.”
***
While Suzette had been surprised to find a stranger in her gallery so early in the morning, she was even more astonished by her immediate attraction to the ruggedly, handsome man. He had a humble demeanor with a huge dash of sexiness thrown in for good measure. She couldn’t remember the last time she had found another man so attractive. She usually liked looking people in the eye when she was talking with them, but he had such beautiful hazel eyes that they made her lose track of what he was saying. Instead of looking at him, she had to find something else to do, so it wasn’t obvious how flustered she had become. But even though she had already flipped through the stack of paintings at least three times, she couldn’t remember what any of them looked like. To give the appearance Seth Black hadn’t scrambled every one of her brain cells, she began placing the paintings along each wall, at the places she would have Bill hang them at later.
“I’m not certain that I’m such a good choice to paint your portrait. Before I do one I like to have a good understanding about the person I’m working with. Beverley said yesterday that you’re a country music singer. Even though I was born and raised in Tennessee, I’ve never listened to that genre of music before.”
He held up one of the paintings and waited for her approval. “Country music focuses more on life and relationships than any of the other genres. We’re not afraid of putting our hearts into every song we write and sing.”
***
Absentmindedly, Suzette began making the cute little clicking noises again. She also had a funny way of bobbing her head back and forth when she was deep in thought. After a moment of clicking and bobbing she stood completely still and silent. She then smiled, its brilliance almost making Seth drop the painting. He silently had to remind himself he was there on business and had no intention of getting entangled with anyone at this time in his life. He had been a victim of his own father’s messy life, and the trouble it had caused everyone who loved him. Over the years, Seth’s mother had tried to escape the pain by drinking herself into a stupor. It had been sad watching a woman squander her love on a man who could only love himself. Seth had always thought he would stay free of love’s trap. As far as he could tell, it only led to heartbreak in the end.
Growing up under the cloud of his father’s womanizing ways and drug addictions, it hadn’t been hard to see that the life his father had lived was wrong. After his dad’s death, Seth had decided he would never live his life in a way that would ever hurt another person. Even when he decided to go into the music business, like his father, he made a conscious decision to stay away from all of the temptations fame brought with it. Women were on the very top of his list of things to stay away from. One look at Suzette and there was little doubt she would be able to sidetrack him, if he let her. He couldn’t afford to let that happen.
***
The moment Seth’s mind drifted away was obvious, and it intrigued her. His pensive look made him even more appealing, if that were possible. Thoughtful men were one of her Achilles’ heels. She loved men who were multi-layered. Nothing made a man sexier than having many facets that needed to be unraveled.
Suzette cleared her throat, “I have to confess I might be a snob when it comes to music. I’ve always leaned more towards the classics. I do listen to jazz every now and then. When I have a chance, I will listen to some country on the radio later this afternoon. It wouldn’t be fair to turn your offer down just because I’ve never listen to your type of music before.”
Seth refocused on Suzette, and his intense stare filled her with excitement, all the way down to her toes.
His lazy, country twang was more pronounced the next time he spoke, “I tell you what. My guitar is out in the truck. Why don’t I play you some of my songs? You can make your mind up about country music after listening to a couple of them. I write all of my own lyrics and the music that goes with it. If I can’t make a fan out of you, then I am doomed to be a failure.”
Deciding she could use a quick break and a cup of coffee, Suzette nodded. “Okay. You go get your guitar, and come upstairs. I have my apartment above the gallery. I haven’t had any breakfast yet. Why don’t I make some coffee, and scramble us some eggs? I can spare you some time to listen.”
Suzette pointed over to a flight of steps that were off to the back wall of the gallery. “Just go on up, after you’ve got your guitar, and we will see if you can convert me into being a fan.”
Seth gave a lopsided grin and quickly agreed. “Breakfast sounds good. I don’t mean to sound conceited, but if I can’t convert you then no one can.”
Suzette laughed. He was a charming man. She turned to leave the room, but quickly called back over her shoulder, “I’m not sure anyone has that much talent.”
***
Seth watched her head up the stairway. He watched until she disappeared before turning to leave the room. He left the gallery through its front entrance, and walked out into bright summer sunshine. His old red Chevy truck was parked in a metered parking space on the other side of the street. He had to wait for the next walk sign before he could cross. When he did, and perfectly legally, a woman driver honked at him as if it was his fault she almost hit him.
Even after almost getting run over, it wasn’t enough to wipe away the smile on his face. He smiled and waved, running the rest of the way. As soon as he unlocked the truck door he grabbed the battered old guitar off of the truck’s seat. Dodging cars again, he headed back to the gallery, this time making it without any mishap. Bill was still fast asleep on the bench as Seth entered and headed for the stairway, guitar in hand. He could already smell the coffee brewing and bacon cooking.
Suzette was a woman of her word. He had no idea he was hungry, not until the wonderful smells hit him full force, about half way up the staircase. Her apartment’s layout almost mirrored the gallery. Both the first and second floors were about fifty feet in length and some twenty five in width. The second floor was one long room with a door on the back wall. The larger room only had a limited amount of furniture. It looked as if Suzette was a woman of few needs. Seth didn’t know a lot of women like her. His own mother had wall to wall furniture crammed into her small two bedroom house.
The room had a small kitchen area at the end facing the back of the apartment, with a small sink and a couple of light stained oak cabinets over it. The only furniture in that area was a tiny glass table with two chairs. In the middle of the room there was a large, unmade, four-poster bed covered in a bright teal bedspread. Next to it was a huge antique oak dresser. Every single one of its drawers was wide open. Clothes spilled out of them as if Suzette had been in a hurry to dress that morning. There was an enormous antique mirror hanging on the wall over the dresser, pictures of friends and loved ones taped all around its edges.
Seth tried not to notice the discarded clothes on the floor by the bed, but he wouldn’t have been a man if he hadn’t noticed the red silky panties lying there. Set up at the far end of the long room was a well-equipped art studio. This area was a stark contrast to her living quarters. It was as neat as a pin. All of the canvases and art supplies were arranged and stored in tidy containers.
Suzette was so busy cooking she didn’t turn around when he came in. At that moment she was pulling several food items out of a compact refrigerator. She only turned when he set his guitar on her tiny kitchen table.
“I hope you don’t mind, but after I started cooking I realized that I was hungry. I think I’m going to fry some home style potatoes to go with the bacon and scrambled eggs. I hope you’re hungry.”
She turned with a can of biscuits in one hand. “What do you think? How about some biscuits too? We will have to settle for the store bought kind, though. I’m not the kind of cook who can whip up a pan of biscuits from scratch.”
Seth nodded. “I didn’t know I was hungry until I smelled the bacon cooking. I’m willing to eat whatever you set in front of me. I was raised on canned biscuits. My mom had no idea biscuits could be made from scratch. Do you need any help with anything?”
Suzette began pulling her baking dishes out of the cabinet, and just motioned for him to sit. “No. Our agreement was for you to play while I cooked, and that’s exactly what you’re going to do. I can’t promise this will be the best breakfast you ever had, but at least there will be plenty of it.”
Seth pulled a chair out and sat before picking up his guitar to tune.
***
Suzette was putting the baking pan of biscuits in the oven when Seth began singing. His voice had been one of the first things she had noticed when he had introduced himself earlier, but the moment he began singing she found it to be even more fascinating. It had an interesting husky quality to it that sent chills up her spine.
She didn’t turn, but continued with the food preparations. The words to his song were just as magnetic as his voice. It was a soft sung song of lost love. Not the expected lyrics of a man losing the love of a woman but of a son losing the love of his father. Suzette flipped the bacon slices over in the cast iron skillet, and then began peeling potatoes and slicing them. There she was doing the most mundane things and she wanted to cry. She couldn’t help but think about the young boy Seth was singing about.
It sounded too real not to be about him and his life. Who else but the person singing this song could sing it with such genuine emotion? His next song was just as heartbreaking. How had she not taken the time to listen to such heartfelt music before? The joke had always been, what do you get if you play a country music record backward? You got back your lost love, your truck and your dog. Suzette had been guilty of letting old jokes stop her from listening to country music stations. After all, she lived just twenty miles from its world capital; Nashville, Tennessee. You couldn’t live in Tennessee and not know about country music, but Suzette had always considered herself too cultured ever to take it seriously.
Was Seth’s music a good example of what the rest of it was like? She was finding herself pulled to the man sitting at her kitchen table. His songs were of a wounded soul. Someone had stolen his innocence and his youth.
Suzette finished cooking, and divided all the food onto her best china. She wasn’t trying to impress him, but she seldom cooked so it was all she owned. She set two plates on the table but found she was no longer hungry. She propped her elbows on the table and gave Seth all of her attention. She knew without a doubt she was going to paint this man’s portrait.
He had a story, and she now knew she had to find out what it was, but she didn’t think he was the type to tell anyone about himself. It was going to take some time to find out what made him tick, and that meant spending time together. Painting a portrait took time. Seth didn’t know it, but Suzette had made her decision. She had decided that Seth had depth and a wounded soul. She wanted to know why he sung of such pain and sorrow.
Seth played and sung three more songs before finally setting down the guitar off to the side.
Just as Seth was pulling his plate of food closer, Bill called up the stairwell. “I’m starving to death!” A few seconds later he entered the room.
Suzette shook her head but grinned. “Sure. There’s plenty.” She handed him her plate of food.
Bill took it and sat on the kitchen counter top as if it was a lounge chair.
Seth slid his plate across the table toward Suzette. “There’s more than enough on my plate to share.”
Suzette just shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m no longer hungry.”
Seth looked concerned. “I hope that it wasn’t my music that made you lose your appetite.”
Suzette surprised herself by reaching across the table to touch his hand. “No! I didn’t mean that at all. Your music was great! I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I have to find out now whether the rest of country music is like your songs. Your lyrics were sad and haunting. I’m intrigued by what I heard today. You’ve just made a new fan.”
When Suzette realized she had left her hand on top of his, she quickly pulled it back. She wrapped it around her coffee cup so Seth couldn’t see it was trembling.
His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “I never know how my music will be received. I was pretty cocky earlier when I said that I could change your mind about country, but deep down I’m still not certain about how people are going to accept my music. I’ve been playing in small clubs for the past six years, and the upcoming tour will be my first opportunity to play to larger audiences. I’m really excited about it, but it is a bit daunting.”
Seth leaned back in the kitchen chair and gave Suzette a charming smile. “Fan, huh? So does that mean you have decided to do the album cover?”
Bill asked with a mouthful. “What album cover? What did I miss?”
Suzette glared at him. “If you didn’t doze off at every opportunity, you would know what was going on.”
Bill just popped some more food into his mouth and smiled, like he knew she wasn’t really mad.
Suzette stood and walked over to the coffee pot, to top off her half-filled cup. It wasn’t easy resisting Seth’s personality, to stop it influencing her decision. She suspected he had more than his fair share of women hanging around, idolizing him. She had no intention of falling into that category.
When she realized she had let his music affect her so much, she tried pulling back a bit, emotionally. She needed to keep everything in perspective. After pouring the coffee, she returned to the table with the intention of keeping the rest of their meeting more business-like.
Her tone reflected the change. “Yes. The project suddenly interests me. Why don’t you call me next week, and we will set up a time that is convenient for the both of us?”
“Now that you’ve seen my work, why don’t you show me some of yours?” He gestured towards the studio area.
Suzette liked her privacy, but it only seemed fair. She jammed her hands into her short’s pockets. “Okay. There’s really not much to see. Most of my work is downstairs in storage.”
She took him across to the studio area, and to an easel on which rested a breathtaking landscape. It wasn’t any normal landscape but a mystical land of exotic flowers and peaceful meadows full of tall flowing grasses. Seth studied it for several minutes before finally breaking away and going over to the stack Suzette had under a window at the far end of the room.
As he sorted through, his face lit up at the beauty each canvas held. “These are truly amazing! I know you said you did landscapes, but I wasn’t expecting anything like this. These are truly stunning.”
Suzette didn’t realize she was holding her breath. She quietly expelled her pent-up breath, and hoped her voice didn’t betray how fast her heart was beating. “I don’t paint as many portraits as I used to. I change my style of painting every couple of years so my perspective stays fresh. I’m glad you liked my landscapes. You’re the first person that I have shown them to.”
He walked over to the painting on the easel again. “I don’t think I have ever seen anything more beautiful in my entire life. I don’t know if they’re for sale, but I would love to buy this one. I think I have been looking my entire life for such a place. The scene is so peaceful I can’t stop looking at it.”
Suzette heard the wistfulness in his voice. It was her favorite painting too. She had painted it the week before, after waking up from a dream that was vaguely familiar and somehow slightly unsettling. She couldn’t go back to sleep for thinking about it stayed long after waking. After tossing and turning for about twenty minutes she had finally got up and painted it. Every day she would look at and question why it was so disturbing. It felt as if she had been there before, and Seth’s expression told her that it somehow affected him in the same way. “I would like to give you this landscape, if you would like to have it.”
He stepped back and alternately looked at the painting and then back at her, as if he couldn’t believe his ears. “You don’t have to give it to me. I would love to buy it from you.”
Suzette just shook her head. “Consider it payback for the music you shared with me earlier.”
Seth touched her arm and, as if that wasn’t enough to express his gratitude, kissed her cheek. “I’m truly touched by your generosity.”
Suzette resisted the urge to touch the spot where he had kissed her. It felt like a hot poker had rested there. She shook her head, slowly trying to remove the cobwebs and return some sort of sanity. She smiled as if none of these thoughts had entered her head. “You’re welcome. I love it when my paintings find a good home, with people who really appreciate them.”
Since Suzette still had so much to do to finish setting up the new art exhibit, she changed the subject. “When will it be convenient for you to set up a meeting to discuss the arrangements for me doing your portrait?”
Seth pressed his lips together and tapped his foot while thinking. “I have a lot of details to sort out for my tour, the first of next week. How about next Friday? Say around three p.m.?”
It was strangely disappointing to find out the meeting wasn’t going to be until the end of the week. “Three o’clock on Friday works for me. Do you want to meet at Beverly’s office?”
“That sounds good.”
Suzette nodded toward the painting. “I’ll get it boxed up and I send it to her office.”
Seth gave the painting one long, last look. “I can’t thank you enough for this. I don’t think anyone has ever given me a nicer gift.”
Suzette smiled but looked embarrassed.
Seth gathered up his guitar, and gave Bill a small wave. Bill was still on the kitchen counter finishing off the last of the biscuits. “It was nice meeting you, Bill.”
Bill smiled with the biscuit still in his mouth. “Nice meeting you too.”
***
Seth left the art gallery and headed across the busy square towards his truck. He couldn’t get the silly grin off of his face. It must have been infectious, though, because several people returned his smile.
When Seth reached his truck he went to put his guitar on the seat, but stopped when he saw a sheet of white paper lying there. He glanced around to see if anyone was standing nearby, but when no one seemed interested in him, he put the guitar in the floorboard and picked up the note. The moment he read it his smile vanished.
We need to talk about our father. I’ll contact you later about how much cash to bring when we meet. If you don’t do exactly as you’re instructed, I will contact the media about how our old man ruined the life of an innocent sixteen year old girl by getting her pregnant and hooked on drugs.
Your long lost brother
Brother?
Seth wadded the note and tossed into the floorboard of the truck. He rested his forehead on the hot steering wheel and let the heat from the plastic burn into his skin. He had been crazy to think that just because his father was dead he was finished finding ways of messing with his life. From beyond the grave Montgomery Black was still stirring up all the old emotions, and opening up old wounds.
He wasn’t afraid of the humiliation this might cause him, if it became public knowledge, but his mom was just six months into recovering from pain pills and alcohol abuse. Could she handle the rehash of all of the old scandals? It never crossed his mind that the note might be a lie. It only left him curious about a brother he had never met. He looked at the crumpled-up paper and sighed. This just might be the tip of a very large and dangerous iceberg.
Concealed in my Heart
Readers' Favorite Book Award Winner
Charity Fields has everything she has ever wanted. She has just married her childhood sweetheart and has landed her first leading role in a major motion film production. But soon a terrible lie and a heartbreaking betrayal turns her life upside down, and she has to rethink her entire future. Charity realizes she needs to put some distance between her and her old love, so she relocates to California to begin a new life. When she’s faced yet again with another loss and betrayal she doesn’t think her heart can handle the pain. Through it all Charity discovers that she has strength she never knew she had, and even if she has to keep her new love concealed in her heart, she will survive no matter what.
EXCERPT
“Now there’s your problem. You can’t make the audience believe you want to kiss me if you continue to stiffen up like an ironing board every time I touch you. We’re supposed to be madly in love.”
Charity laughed at his comical hurt expression, but then remembered Christopher was on the other side of the set just waiting for her to mess up again. She wanted more than anything to prove him wrong. “I’ll do whatever you tell me to do if it will get Christopher off of my back for once. I really want to do this right, but when you lean in, all I can think about is everyone is watching and it makes me too nervous to do what I know I need to do.”
David bit his bottom lip and looked thoughtful. He finally snapped his fingers and asked, “How do you make it through all your other scenes? Everyone’s watching then too.” Charity studied the front of his football jersey. It was smudged with dirt and grass. He was supposed to have just finished playing in a game against the Pittsburg Steelers. Even his face was smudged with fake blood and dirt and he was still too handsome for his own good.
It was tempting to wipe the fake dirt off the end of his nose but Charity resisted and concentrated on his question instead. “I don’t ever think about whose watching then.”
He swiped at the bottom of her earlobe and asked in a teasing tone, “So why are you thinking about them now? It’s the same thing. We aren’t really kissing. We’re actors and we’re doing what we do best, we’re acting. You have to start looking at this differently. The only thing that resembles a real kiss is that our lips are touching.”
Without warning he leaned in and spoke in the same tone Christopher usually used on her. “Now tilt your face up towards me.”
A giggle escaped before she could stop it but she immediately grew serious when he didn’t smile too.
He squeezed her shoulder and in spite of his instructions, she tensed up again. “Now get that deer in the head lights look off your face. Think about kissing Johnny. How do you feel the moment before he kisses you?”
That thought sent a shiver down her spine. Johnny was easy to kiss. Just thinking about it made Charity relax.
David grinned. “That’s it. Remember to use that look again when the camera’s on. You actually look like you want to be kissed.” He leaned in again and spoke in a low tone about each and every movement she should make in anticipation of his movements. The way he went over the scene, it made perfect sense to her. It was almost like choreographing a dance step by step.
David finally lifted her chin. “Now let’s do this exactly as we just went over it. I’m going to kiss you and you’re not going to tense up on me again. Okay?”
Charity drew in a deep breath and thought about Johnny as she leaned into David’s kiss.
When the kiss was over he let out a congratulatory, “Yes!” He nudged her shoulder with the palm of his hand. “See. That wasn’t so bad was it? I knew you could do it. It didn’t even take the entire thirty minutes. Let’s go show Christopher we can do this in one take.”
Charity couldn’t help but smile at David’s enthusiasm. She linked her arm through his. “Let’s go get this over with.”
David elbowed her in the side. “Hey. I have never had a woman less excited about kissing me before. I think my feelings might be hurt.”
They laughed and turned to head back onto the set. David had just helped her step over a roll of electrical wire when they saw Johnny, standing in the middle of a nearby circle of lights and sound equipment. Charity let go of David’s arm and made a step towards him but stopped when she saw his outraged expression.
His voice cracked from anger. “It looks as if I got here earlier than you planned.”
Charity tried to understand why he was so angry but none of his words made any sense. She glanced at her watch to check the time. “No. It’s a little after ten. That’s what time you were due.” She pulled David forward. “Johnny this is David Warren.”
Instead of Johnny smiling and taking David’s offered hand he turned on his heels and headed in the opposite direction. “I’ll see you later when you aren’t so busy.”
Before another word could be spoken, he was gone. Charity looked around at David. “I’m not sure what just happened.”
David’s face was crinkled from concentration, and then he looked as if he suddenly understood. “You don’t think?” He scratched his head. “No, surely not.”
What the Heart Knows
After a night of celebrating with friends, Emily Warren is attacked by a
colleague. She’s fortunate to escape the rape attempt but now suffers from
terrifying nightmares, although she’s too ashamed to tell anyone. Her family
suspect something and enlist Bill, an old friend of hers she’s not seen for a
number of years, to try to find out what’s wrong. Under the pretext of a
white-lie, he invites her out to his farm, where she will have to be careful she
doesn’t reveal that her attacker is still in contact and threatening to finish
what he started. This isn’t her biggest secret, though. Bill must never learn
that she’s loved him since high school.
Bill has two weeks to find out what is frightening Emily, but must also be careful she doesn’t discover how much he loves her.
The moment Bill and Emily meet again there is no denying the love they have for each other, but unfortunately, outside events soon come between them. They will have to fight for each other if true love is going to conquer all, and finally allow them to learn what their hearts already know.
Sneak peek
What the Heart Knows
Chapter One “I haven’t seen Emily in three years, and you expect me to call out of the blue and ask if she would like to come out here for a long visit?” Bill’s laugh into the phone was totally devoid of humor. “No. I won’t. Are you insane? Suzette, you have come up with some wild schemes over the last twenty-five years but this one takes the cake. No, no, no, and just so we are absolutely clear, my answer is no.”
The moment Bill stopped ranting Suzette jumped in. “Let me explain, will you? I’ve never asked anything like this before, and I wouldn’t ask for this favor now unless I had a good reason.”
Bill heard the note of desperation in Suzette’s voice and it worried him. He stuck the paintloaded brush in a nearby container of thinners. It gave him a moment to think. “Okay. I can’t think of anything that would make me change my mind, but please feel free to try.”
Suzette breathed into the phone for several moments before sighing loudly. “Three weeks ago Emily had been over-the-top with excitement about being hired as a physician for the Murfreesboro Medical Center, but last weekend she came to Mom and Dad’s for a visit and has been holed up in her old childhood bedroom ever since. Not once has she said anything about returning to her own apartment in Nashville.”
Bill switched the receiver to his other ear. “That is strange, but maybe she just wants to spend some time with the family before beginning her new job. It must have been stressful finishing medical school and then jumping right into her internship at Vanderbilt.”
Suzette let out a small growl of frustration. “Normally I would agree with you, but Mom’s worried. You know she never overreacts, but she was crying when she called me yesterday. When I asked what was wrong, she told me that every night Emily wakes her and Dad by screaming bloody murder. Mom has to shake her awake before it stops. Emily claims the nightmares are caused by her being exhausted, and we might have an easier time believing that if she didn’t jump every time anyone comes near. She stares off into space for hours at a time and refuses to eat or sleep. She's also lost a lot of weight, and never laughs or smiles anymore.”
Suzette drew in a deep breath before adding, “She’s scared and hurt, and we don’t know how to help, but maybe you can. You were always the one who could get her to open up."
Bill sat on the arm of a nearby chair. His best friend’s words tore at his heart. “Stop. I get the picture.” He sighed and bowed his head. It crushed him to think that his Emily could be in so much pain. “I’ll do whatever you ask.” He stood and went to the window of his two story farm house, but even as he stared off in the direction of the corn-filled fields, none of it came into focus. Suzette’s description of Emily’s mental state was puzzling. It didn’t sound at all like the person he knew. Even as a scrawny kid, she was always so self-assured and happy. It was true, he hadn’t seen her in over three years, but in his mind’s eye he could still clearly see her sparkling, green eyes and infectious smile.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of frustration, he ran paint-streaked fingers through
the long strands of his blonde hair, where they had escaped the confines of a rubber band. “It’s obvious she needs help, but are you certain I’m the right person to offer it? I always considered Emily to be a good friend, but not so much since she entered medical school. She’s changed. I’ve changed. Even if I asked, I’m not sure she would agree to come. Don’t you remember the opening night of my art exhibit in New York City? One moment we were talking, but when I turned around to answer a question from a patron, Emily disappeared without a trace. Houdini would have been proud of how fast she cleared out of there.” Her leaving without any explanation had broken his heart.
Suzette’s heavy breathing brought him back and he finally answered. “You’ll have to tell me what I need to say when I call”
The relief was evident in her voice, “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Wait until I succeed. What do you want me to do?” “Lie.”
“You want me to lie to Emily?” Bill laughed. “You really have forgotten the most basic things about me. When have I ever been able to lie and get away with it? Ask me for anything else but that.”
Suzette’s voice remained firm. “Please. It’s just a little one.”
Bill shook his head, despite it being a wasted gesture. “You’ve known me since the first grade. It’s not in me. You’ll have to come up with a better plan.”
“Please. Tell Emily you’re having terrible headaches, and they’re so bad you can’t function. How hard is it to act like your head hurts? Even I can do that, and you know I didn't inherit any of Dad's acting ability.” There was a brief hesitation before she added, “I’ve already told Emily you were complaining about having migraines. For the first time in days she was interested in something other than whatever was bothering her. She’s concerned about you.”
Bill cleared his throat. “So, I’m supposed to tell someone with medical training I’m having migraines, and you really think Emily’s going to believe me?” He rolled his eyes but knew full well that no matter what he said, once Suzette had a plan, there was nothing he could say to change her mind. This was a disaster in the making.
“Emily isn’t her usual self so I don’t think she’ll notice you’re lying. Please, for Emily’s sake.
Bill has two weeks to find out what is frightening Emily, but must also be careful she doesn’t discover how much he loves her.
The moment Bill and Emily meet again there is no denying the love they have for each other, but unfortunately, outside events soon come between them. They will have to fight for each other if true love is going to conquer all, and finally allow them to learn what their hearts already know.
Sneak peek
What the Heart Knows
Chapter One “I haven’t seen Emily in three years, and you expect me to call out of the blue and ask if she would like to come out here for a long visit?” Bill’s laugh into the phone was totally devoid of humor. “No. I won’t. Are you insane? Suzette, you have come up with some wild schemes over the last twenty-five years but this one takes the cake. No, no, no, and just so we are absolutely clear, my answer is no.”
The moment Bill stopped ranting Suzette jumped in. “Let me explain, will you? I’ve never asked anything like this before, and I wouldn’t ask for this favor now unless I had a good reason.”
Bill heard the note of desperation in Suzette’s voice and it worried him. He stuck the paintloaded brush in a nearby container of thinners. It gave him a moment to think. “Okay. I can’t think of anything that would make me change my mind, but please feel free to try.”
Suzette breathed into the phone for several moments before sighing loudly. “Three weeks ago Emily had been over-the-top with excitement about being hired as a physician for the Murfreesboro Medical Center, but last weekend she came to Mom and Dad’s for a visit and has been holed up in her old childhood bedroom ever since. Not once has she said anything about returning to her own apartment in Nashville.”
Bill switched the receiver to his other ear. “That is strange, but maybe she just wants to spend some time with the family before beginning her new job. It must have been stressful finishing medical school and then jumping right into her internship at Vanderbilt.”
Suzette let out a small growl of frustration. “Normally I would agree with you, but Mom’s worried. You know she never overreacts, but she was crying when she called me yesterday. When I asked what was wrong, she told me that every night Emily wakes her and Dad by screaming bloody murder. Mom has to shake her awake before it stops. Emily claims the nightmares are caused by her being exhausted, and we might have an easier time believing that if she didn’t jump every time anyone comes near. She stares off into space for hours at a time and refuses to eat or sleep. She's also lost a lot of weight, and never laughs or smiles anymore.”
Suzette drew in a deep breath before adding, “She’s scared and hurt, and we don’t know how to help, but maybe you can. You were always the one who could get her to open up."
Bill sat on the arm of a nearby chair. His best friend’s words tore at his heart. “Stop. I get the picture.” He sighed and bowed his head. It crushed him to think that his Emily could be in so much pain. “I’ll do whatever you ask.” He stood and went to the window of his two story farm house, but even as he stared off in the direction of the corn-filled fields, none of it came into focus. Suzette’s description of Emily’s mental state was puzzling. It didn’t sound at all like the person he knew. Even as a scrawny kid, she was always so self-assured and happy. It was true, he hadn’t seen her in over three years, but in his mind’s eye he could still clearly see her sparkling, green eyes and infectious smile.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of frustration, he ran paint-streaked fingers through
the long strands of his blonde hair, where they had escaped the confines of a rubber band. “It’s obvious she needs help, but are you certain I’m the right person to offer it? I always considered Emily to be a good friend, but not so much since she entered medical school. She’s changed. I’ve changed. Even if I asked, I’m not sure she would agree to come. Don’t you remember the opening night of my art exhibit in New York City? One moment we were talking, but when I turned around to answer a question from a patron, Emily disappeared without a trace. Houdini would have been proud of how fast she cleared out of there.” Her leaving without any explanation had broken his heart.
Suzette’s heavy breathing brought him back and he finally answered. “You’ll have to tell me what I need to say when I call”
The relief was evident in her voice, “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Wait until I succeed. What do you want me to do?” “Lie.”
“You want me to lie to Emily?” Bill laughed. “You really have forgotten the most basic things about me. When have I ever been able to lie and get away with it? Ask me for anything else but that.”
Suzette’s voice remained firm. “Please. It’s just a little one.”
Bill shook his head, despite it being a wasted gesture. “You’ve known me since the first grade. It’s not in me. You’ll have to come up with a better plan.”
“Please. Tell Emily you’re having terrible headaches, and they’re so bad you can’t function. How hard is it to act like your head hurts? Even I can do that, and you know I didn't inherit any of Dad's acting ability.” There was a brief hesitation before she added, “I’ve already told Emily you were complaining about having migraines. For the first time in days she was interested in something other than whatever was bothering her. She’s concerned about you.”
Bill cleared his throat. “So, I’m supposed to tell someone with medical training I’m having migraines, and you really think Emily’s going to believe me?” He rolled his eyes but knew full well that no matter what he said, once Suzette had a plan, there was nothing he could say to change her mind. This was a disaster in the making.
“Emily isn’t her usual self so I don’t think she’ll notice you’re lying. Please, for Emily’s sake.
Love's Great Plan
Prologue
Coty wheeled the low-riding, cherry-red mustang into the only unoccupied parking space at the front entrance of the dilapidated apartment complex.
He glanced into the rear-view mirror and smiled at his moody backseat passenger. “Stop whining.”
The immediate answer was a snort and a loud sniff. It was tempting to laugh, but he decided it was probably better not to. Instead, he hummed the children’s song Barker liked so much. Coty was pleased when the happy tune had the desired effect and the backseat passenger stopped whining and stopped to listen.
Coty continued humming while he took a moment to scan the parking area before heading inside to question one of the older residents, one Mrs. Connelly, about some suspicious activity she had witnessed the night before.
Seeing nothing of interest, he slipped the ring of car keys into a front pocket of his jeans and spoke over his shoulder. “It must be too hot for the usual late afternoon socializing.”
It was disheartening to see the condition of the apartment complex. Only the poorest of the poor lived here. Most of the residents struggled to survive on their welfare checks or the small amount of money they earned from working whatever low paying job they could find. It didn’t help that the area was also infested with hooligans and gang members. Not many lived here by choice. The rent was low, so even though crime was a daily fact of life, the residents stayed.
Coty went to open the car door but stopped when a movement drew his attention toward the apartment’s dumpsters.
“I see there’s at least one poor soul’s brave enough to be out here in this smothering heat.”
The teen was a little over five feet tall, a pimpled-faced youth with a mass of unruly curls. The reddish blonde hair didn’t look as if it had seen the right end of a comb in days. For some reason, even though it was well over ninety degrees in the shade, he wore a large, oversized black hoodie. Its pockets were stuffed to the point of hanging below the boy’s knees.
“What’s he carrying that’s so important he’s willing to risk heat stroke?” Coty had been a policeman long enough to sense when something wasn’t right. Maybe he should go over there and see what the kid was up to before heading up to talk to Mrs. Connelly.
The boy glanced over at Coty’s unmarked police car before taking several short, running steps and kicking a large chunk of loose pavement toward the dumpsters. He waited until the gravel hit one of the rusted out containers before throwing another glance at Coty’s car.
“He’s the perfect age to be used by the local gangs; the sort they like to recruit. These young kids are usually easily impressed, intimated and controlled.”
The fine hairs on the back of his neck rose when the boy snuck another glance his way. “That settles it. I’m going over there to see what he’s up to.”
Before he could, a loud bark from the back seat made Coty turn and pat his golden retriever’s head. “All I have to do is run in and ask Mrs. Connelly three questions. I won’t be long.”
He stroked the soft hairs under the dog’s chin. “When I get back, we’ll head to the park and play catch.” Barker licked at Coty’s face until he had to hold the dog’s head between his hands and push him back to keep from getting covered in drool.
A second later, the retriever whined and slipped her head out from between the headrests and pressed her nose against the side window, staring at the young man by the dumpsters, then she returned to licking Coty’s face.
Coty patted her head. “What are you so worried about? Let me take care all of the world’s problems, will you?”
He fought off the next attack of dog kisses. “I appreciate all of this love, but now I smell like dog spit. Why don’t I leave the windows down so you won’t get too hot? You’ll have to promise to stay out of trouble, though. No taking candy from strangers again, uh? You know what happened last time. We spent the entire night at the vet’s.”
Barker tensed and let out a low growl. It was enough to make Coty turn to his side window, but the only thing he saw was a snubbed-nosed handgun pressed against the glass. Coty immediately fell sideways into the passenger seat, his service revolver already out of its holster, free and aimed before he heard its discharge.
The power of a semi-truck slammed into Coty’s shoulder, and the last thing he saw was the teenager’s head exploding.
Coty wheeled the low-riding, cherry-red mustang into the only unoccupied parking space at the front entrance of the dilapidated apartment complex.
He glanced into the rear-view mirror and smiled at his moody backseat passenger. “Stop whining.”
The immediate answer was a snort and a loud sniff. It was tempting to laugh, but he decided it was probably better not to. Instead, he hummed the children’s song Barker liked so much. Coty was pleased when the happy tune had the desired effect and the backseat passenger stopped whining and stopped to listen.
Coty continued humming while he took a moment to scan the parking area before heading inside to question one of the older residents, one Mrs. Connelly, about some suspicious activity she had witnessed the night before.
Seeing nothing of interest, he slipped the ring of car keys into a front pocket of his jeans and spoke over his shoulder. “It must be too hot for the usual late afternoon socializing.”
It was disheartening to see the condition of the apartment complex. Only the poorest of the poor lived here. Most of the residents struggled to survive on their welfare checks or the small amount of money they earned from working whatever low paying job they could find. It didn’t help that the area was also infested with hooligans and gang members. Not many lived here by choice. The rent was low, so even though crime was a daily fact of life, the residents stayed.
Coty went to open the car door but stopped when a movement drew his attention toward the apartment’s dumpsters.
“I see there’s at least one poor soul’s brave enough to be out here in this smothering heat.”
The teen was a little over five feet tall, a pimpled-faced youth with a mass of unruly curls. The reddish blonde hair didn’t look as if it had seen the right end of a comb in days. For some reason, even though it was well over ninety degrees in the shade, he wore a large, oversized black hoodie. Its pockets were stuffed to the point of hanging below the boy’s knees.
“What’s he carrying that’s so important he’s willing to risk heat stroke?” Coty had been a policeman long enough to sense when something wasn’t right. Maybe he should go over there and see what the kid was up to before heading up to talk to Mrs. Connelly.
The boy glanced over at Coty’s unmarked police car before taking several short, running steps and kicking a large chunk of loose pavement toward the dumpsters. He waited until the gravel hit one of the rusted out containers before throwing another glance at Coty’s car.
“He’s the perfect age to be used by the local gangs; the sort they like to recruit. These young kids are usually easily impressed, intimated and controlled.”
The fine hairs on the back of his neck rose when the boy snuck another glance his way. “That settles it. I’m going over there to see what he’s up to.”
Before he could, a loud bark from the back seat made Coty turn and pat his golden retriever’s head. “All I have to do is run in and ask Mrs. Connelly three questions. I won’t be long.”
He stroked the soft hairs under the dog’s chin. “When I get back, we’ll head to the park and play catch.” Barker licked at Coty’s face until he had to hold the dog’s head between his hands and push him back to keep from getting covered in drool.
A second later, the retriever whined and slipped her head out from between the headrests and pressed her nose against the side window, staring at the young man by the dumpsters, then she returned to licking Coty’s face.
Coty patted her head. “What are you so worried about? Let me take care all of the world’s problems, will you?”
He fought off the next attack of dog kisses. “I appreciate all of this love, but now I smell like dog spit. Why don’t I leave the windows down so you won’t get too hot? You’ll have to promise to stay out of trouble, though. No taking candy from strangers again, uh? You know what happened last time. We spent the entire night at the vet’s.”
Barker tensed and let out a low growl. It was enough to make Coty turn to his side window, but the only thing he saw was a snubbed-nosed handgun pressed against the glass. Coty immediately fell sideways into the passenger seat, his service revolver already out of its holster, free and aimed before he heard its discharge.
The power of a semi-truck slammed into Coty’s shoulder, and the last thing he saw was the teenager’s head exploding.
Love is a Promise Kept
Gregory rescues four year old Mary Elizabeth and then promises to wait for her.
This story will make you believe in love again.
Excerpt
After a moment of silence, Gregory grinned through the railing. “Well, here we are. It isn’t exactly how I thought our first meeting would go.”
A fluttering in her chest made it hard to breathe, but she somehow managed to smile in return. “How did you think it would go?”
He leaned backward until both elbows rested on the cold, concrete flooring. “I thought I would ask about your life and then I would tell you about mine.” He shifted his weight. “I wanted to ask about your future plans.” He leaned over slightly and grinned. “What are your plans for after graduation?”
The way he studied her mouth made it difficult to concentrate. “I want to open my own floral shop, but my parents want me go to the university to study business. They think I should understand business first before I rush into ownership of a shop.”
He gave the tips of his shoes some serious consideration before finally nodding. “That sounds like wise advice.”
A comfortable silence surrounded them. Mary Elizabeth leaned on the railing and finally broke the silence. “Why are you really here?”
He sat up, leaned forward, and wrapped both arms around his knees. “I needed to know you still wanted me to wait for you.” He glanced over for a brief moment before looking back down at the steps. “You were very young when you asked.”
She wanted to reach and touch his hair. Just to see if it was as soft as it looked, but she resisted the urge. “Why have you kept your promise? Even my parents said you wouldn’t.”
He looked up and locked eyes with her. “But someone did expect me to. You did and I did. Did anyone else matter?”
She did reach over then and touched the sleeve of his shirt. “There’s more. Isn’t there?”
He completely covered her hand with his. “I wanted you to know that I believed you that day. It never mattered to me that no one else did. I did.” He gave a shy grin. “I want you to enjoy this time in high school and at the university. Don’t give up living just because you know where our journey ends.” He increased the pressure on her hand for a moment. “Promise me to do this, okay?”
She nodded.
He released her hand and stood. She stood as well.
“When I return, I don’t want you to have any doubts about if we belong together or not.”
Before any more could be said, the cab arrived behind her father’s car.
Gregory passed Mary Elizabeth at the bottom of the steps. She slipped his jacket off and handed it to him. When he reached over for it, his fingers lingered on the top of her hand in a final caress. The touch was so brief Mary Elizabeth would have thought she had imagined it, but he paused in mid step and smiled before continuing toward the cab.
They both stopped and looked at each other before opening their respective car doors.
I’ll wait for you if you’ll wait for me.
“I made you a promise. It is still just as good today as it was the day it was made. Enjoy your time here at school. Go study your business classes and then open your floral shop. I’ll be back soon.”
There were a million things she wanted to say.
“Is that a promise?”
“Yes, but this time, you have to give me a promise. You have to promise me to live and enjoy this time of your life.”
“How do I do that?”
“You take each day as it comes. You live each day as if it were your last day on earth.”
She could feel her father staring from inside the car, but the only person who mattered at that moment was Gregory. “I’ll try.”
He laughed. “You have to promise.”
His smile made her laugh as well.
“I will. I promise.”
This story will make you believe in love again.
Excerpt
After a moment of silence, Gregory grinned through the railing. “Well, here we are. It isn’t exactly how I thought our first meeting would go.”
A fluttering in her chest made it hard to breathe, but she somehow managed to smile in return. “How did you think it would go?”
He leaned backward until both elbows rested on the cold, concrete flooring. “I thought I would ask about your life and then I would tell you about mine.” He shifted his weight. “I wanted to ask about your future plans.” He leaned over slightly and grinned. “What are your plans for after graduation?”
The way he studied her mouth made it difficult to concentrate. “I want to open my own floral shop, but my parents want me go to the university to study business. They think I should understand business first before I rush into ownership of a shop.”
He gave the tips of his shoes some serious consideration before finally nodding. “That sounds like wise advice.”
A comfortable silence surrounded them. Mary Elizabeth leaned on the railing and finally broke the silence. “Why are you really here?”
He sat up, leaned forward, and wrapped both arms around his knees. “I needed to know you still wanted me to wait for you.” He glanced over for a brief moment before looking back down at the steps. “You were very young when you asked.”
She wanted to reach and touch his hair. Just to see if it was as soft as it looked, but she resisted the urge. “Why have you kept your promise? Even my parents said you wouldn’t.”
He looked up and locked eyes with her. “But someone did expect me to. You did and I did. Did anyone else matter?”
She did reach over then and touched the sleeve of his shirt. “There’s more. Isn’t there?”
He completely covered her hand with his. “I wanted you to know that I believed you that day. It never mattered to me that no one else did. I did.” He gave a shy grin. “I want you to enjoy this time in high school and at the university. Don’t give up living just because you know where our journey ends.” He increased the pressure on her hand for a moment. “Promise me to do this, okay?”
She nodded.
He released her hand and stood. She stood as well.
“When I return, I don’t want you to have any doubts about if we belong together or not.”
Before any more could be said, the cab arrived behind her father’s car.
Gregory passed Mary Elizabeth at the bottom of the steps. She slipped his jacket off and handed it to him. When he reached over for it, his fingers lingered on the top of her hand in a final caress. The touch was so brief Mary Elizabeth would have thought she had imagined it, but he paused in mid step and smiled before continuing toward the cab.
They both stopped and looked at each other before opening their respective car doors.
I’ll wait for you if you’ll wait for me.
“I made you a promise. It is still just as good today as it was the day it was made. Enjoy your time here at school. Go study your business classes and then open your floral shop. I’ll be back soon.”
There were a million things she wanted to say.
“Is that a promise?”
“Yes, but this time, you have to give me a promise. You have to promise me to live and enjoy this time of your life.”
“How do I do that?”
“You take each day as it comes. You live each day as if it were your last day on earth.”
She could feel her father staring from inside the car, but the only person who mattered at that moment was Gregory. “I’ll try.”
He laughed. “You have to promise.”
His smile made her laugh as well.
“I will. I promise.”
The Beauty in the Beast
Excerpt from The Beauty in the Beast
“I’m impressed.”
Of course he looked anything except impressed, but she hadn’t been able to read him correctly all semester so maybe he really was impressed.
“You’re impressed with what?”
He waved in the direction of the notebook that was now lying on the floor in the back of the classroom. “Most people would have run from the room screaming and crying after having something thrown at them. You didn’t even flinch.”
He stood and walked over to the nearest window. He stared at the campus grounds for a moment before turning his attention back onto Holly. “But then you never do whatever other people expect you to do. I wonder why? I don’t know if that’s because you’re just too stupid or it’s because you think yourself hopelessly in love with me.” He crossed his arms and waited for an answer.
Holly never dreamed that their conversation would take such an abrupt turn, so her immediate response was to stare in stunned silence. When she finally regained control over her senses, she snapped her teeth together, inhaled a slow steady breath, and tried to calm down. “That’s the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard. If you want to talk about how I’m doing in your class, I’ll be happy to discuss my performance and grades, which by the way, are excellent. I can’t help not being able to utter an intelligent response to your questions because each and every one you direct toward me is always prefixed with some type of a deliberate insult. I’ve done nothing to deserve your dislike. I have completed every required assignment. The fact is, I have gone above and beyond doing them because I know how much you loath me, but I will not have you making such ridiculous accusations against my character. Your ego is totally out of control if you believe for one moment I could ever be in love with you.”
Holly stood and collected her books, and then gathered enough courage to go back and pick up the thrown notebook. It contained the entire semester’s notes and she would never pass the final exam without it. She could feel his stare, but tried to pretend he wasn’t even in the room. When she finally had everything together and was ready to make her exit, she braved a last attempt at trying to fix the wrongs she had committed against him. “I apologize for the drawing. It was immature of me to do it. As an authority figure, you deserved more respect than that from me.”
Alec wiped at the end of his nose as if in deep thought. He then jammed both hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “You really do want to jump my bones, don’t you?”
All rational thought fled in the face of such an arrogant remark. “You really are just as bad as everyone has always claimed you are. I never wanted to believe them because I thought that deep down there had to be some good in you. Everyone has something good in them, right? Even in the face of all of your criticism, I never believed you were that person, but you really are. You don’t need the power you have over impressionable young minds. You are just a delusional ogre in need of professional counseling to try and find a cure for your delusions of grandeur.”
“I’m impressed.”
Of course he looked anything except impressed, but she hadn’t been able to read him correctly all semester so maybe he really was impressed.
“You’re impressed with what?”
He waved in the direction of the notebook that was now lying on the floor in the back of the classroom. “Most people would have run from the room screaming and crying after having something thrown at them. You didn’t even flinch.”
He stood and walked over to the nearest window. He stared at the campus grounds for a moment before turning his attention back onto Holly. “But then you never do whatever other people expect you to do. I wonder why? I don’t know if that’s because you’re just too stupid or it’s because you think yourself hopelessly in love with me.” He crossed his arms and waited for an answer.
Holly never dreamed that their conversation would take such an abrupt turn, so her immediate response was to stare in stunned silence. When she finally regained control over her senses, she snapped her teeth together, inhaled a slow steady breath, and tried to calm down. “That’s the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard. If you want to talk about how I’m doing in your class, I’ll be happy to discuss my performance and grades, which by the way, are excellent. I can’t help not being able to utter an intelligent response to your questions because each and every one you direct toward me is always prefixed with some type of a deliberate insult. I’ve done nothing to deserve your dislike. I have completed every required assignment. The fact is, I have gone above and beyond doing them because I know how much you loath me, but I will not have you making such ridiculous accusations against my character. Your ego is totally out of control if you believe for one moment I could ever be in love with you.”
Holly stood and collected her books, and then gathered enough courage to go back and pick up the thrown notebook. It contained the entire semester’s notes and she would never pass the final exam without it. She could feel his stare, but tried to pretend he wasn’t even in the room. When she finally had everything together and was ready to make her exit, she braved a last attempt at trying to fix the wrongs she had committed against him. “I apologize for the drawing. It was immature of me to do it. As an authority figure, you deserved more respect than that from me.”
Alec wiped at the end of his nose as if in deep thought. He then jammed both hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “You really do want to jump my bones, don’t you?”
All rational thought fled in the face of such an arrogant remark. “You really are just as bad as everyone has always claimed you are. I never wanted to believe them because I thought that deep down there had to be some good in you. Everyone has something good in them, right? Even in the face of all of your criticism, I never believed you were that person, but you really are. You don’t need the power you have over impressionable young minds. You are just a delusional ogre in need of professional counseling to try and find a cure for your delusions of grandeur.”
The Magic of Snow
Excerpt from The Magic of Snow
She had never grown up around horses so she wasn’t crazy about the idea of standing too close to the animal. To keep a good distance between her and the terrifyingly tall creature, she stopped several feet away and waited for Charlie to slide out of the saddle. “You must be staying close by.”
Charlie wrapped one arm underneath the horse’s face to steady him. The horse snorted and blew out a white mist of breath. “Not far. Maybe a mile or two.”
Sarah glanced toward the darkening sky. “It’s getting late. I hope you can find your way back. The temperature drops really fast after dark around here.”
Charlie patted the side of the horse’s face and seemed to work hard at not grinning. He lost his battle and a wide smile spread across his face. “And here I was worried about you. I’m trained to take care of myself in conditions far worse than these. My question is why are you still out here this late? Aren’t you afraid of getting lost?”
His grin was too infectious for her to take offense, but it was still was hard to admit he might be right. “I lost track of time. I guess I need to quit dilly-dallying around. I know the paths around here, so I’m not afraid of getting lost, but you’re new to these parts so you should really head back. It doesn’t matter how well trained you are if you don’t know where you’re going.”
He reached inside of his coat pocket and pulled out something from it. “I never go anywhere without my compass. You can never lose your way if you know which direction to head toward.” He slid the compass back into his pocket and nodded toward the horse. “Come on. I’ll give you a ride back into town.”
Even though there was still a good distance between her and the horse, Sarah took a step backwards and looked up nervously at the enormous stallion. It didn’t help that it let out another loud snort at about that time. She stuttered, “That’s okay. I can walk.”
Charlie closed the distance between them, reached out, and grabbed her hand before she could take another step backwards. His good-natured laughter filled the stilled silence. “You’re not afraid of horses, are you?”
Sarah shook her head in denial, but her face told another tale.
He tugged at her hand and she had no other choice but to move closer to him and his horse. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you. It’ll be faster than you walking and,” he patted his coat pocket, “I have my compass. We won’t get lost. Besides, if you haven’t already noticed, the snow has been falling this past hour, covering up all of the paths you think you know so well.”
He turned her hand loose so he could pull himself up onto the horse. As soon as he was settled into the saddle, he reached down and pulled her up and in front of him. He leaned forward and whispered into her ear, “Besides, it’s not every day I get to rescue a damsel in distress.”
Sarah turned to see whether he was being serious or not. When their eyes met, he grinned. “I’m joking. There’s no doubt in my mind you are quite capable of finding your way back home, but it seemed like a good excuse to be able to put my arms around you after just knowing you for a few hours. I figure I have two weeks to get to know you before I have to leave. How am I doing so far?”
She had never grown up around horses so she wasn’t crazy about the idea of standing too close to the animal. To keep a good distance between her and the terrifyingly tall creature, she stopped several feet away and waited for Charlie to slide out of the saddle. “You must be staying close by.”
Charlie wrapped one arm underneath the horse’s face to steady him. The horse snorted and blew out a white mist of breath. “Not far. Maybe a mile or two.”
Sarah glanced toward the darkening sky. “It’s getting late. I hope you can find your way back. The temperature drops really fast after dark around here.”
Charlie patted the side of the horse’s face and seemed to work hard at not grinning. He lost his battle and a wide smile spread across his face. “And here I was worried about you. I’m trained to take care of myself in conditions far worse than these. My question is why are you still out here this late? Aren’t you afraid of getting lost?”
His grin was too infectious for her to take offense, but it was still was hard to admit he might be right. “I lost track of time. I guess I need to quit dilly-dallying around. I know the paths around here, so I’m not afraid of getting lost, but you’re new to these parts so you should really head back. It doesn’t matter how well trained you are if you don’t know where you’re going.”
He reached inside of his coat pocket and pulled out something from it. “I never go anywhere without my compass. You can never lose your way if you know which direction to head toward.” He slid the compass back into his pocket and nodded toward the horse. “Come on. I’ll give you a ride back into town.”
Even though there was still a good distance between her and the horse, Sarah took a step backwards and looked up nervously at the enormous stallion. It didn’t help that it let out another loud snort at about that time. She stuttered, “That’s okay. I can walk.”
Charlie closed the distance between them, reached out, and grabbed her hand before she could take another step backwards. His good-natured laughter filled the stilled silence. “You’re not afraid of horses, are you?”
Sarah shook her head in denial, but her face told another tale.
He tugged at her hand and she had no other choice but to move closer to him and his horse. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you. It’ll be faster than you walking and,” he patted his coat pocket, “I have my compass. We won’t get lost. Besides, if you haven’t already noticed, the snow has been falling this past hour, covering up all of the paths you think you know so well.”
He turned her hand loose so he could pull himself up onto the horse. As soon as he was settled into the saddle, he reached down and pulled her up and in front of him. He leaned forward and whispered into her ear, “Besides, it’s not every day I get to rescue a damsel in distress.”
Sarah turned to see whether he was being serious or not. When their eyes met, he grinned. “I’m joking. There’s no doubt in my mind you are quite capable of finding your way back home, but it seemed like a good excuse to be able to put my arms around you after just knowing you for a few hours. I figure I have two weeks to get to know you before I have to leave. How am I doing so far?”
Hearts on Fire
Excerpt from Hearts on Fire
“You’re going to be free on Christmas Day? What about your family? Won’t they be expecting you?”
Tomorrow was Christmas. That could be a problem, but it didn’t have to be if he worded his invitation the right way. “They are expecting me for lunch, but they would love meeting you. You have to eat. I have to eat. Why don’t we eat together at my parents’ house tomorrow?” It didn’t sound quite as smoothly spoken as it had in his head, but she was still smiling so he took that as a good sign.
“Are you sure you want to take me to a family function? You know how mothers are. You take a date home for something as personal as a Christmas celebration and they will immediately assume it’s a serious relationship.”
Samuel reached out and tugged her hand into his. He grinned. “It is a serious relationship. I’ve had my arms around you. Your head has been in my lap. I think things are progressing along nicely.”
That pulled a laugh from her. “You may be a little crazy. I just noticed that about you.”
He squeezed her fingertips. “Well, you have been a little busy, you know. Choking. Trying to breathe. When you are struggling like that, it makes difficult to notice a little thing like me being crazy. I admit it’s not every day I steal a girl’s breathe away.” He glanced at his watch. “I believe all of that drama adds up to about four dates so technically we’re on our fifth date now. It’s pretty normal to ask a girl to meet your parents on the fifth date. I think it’s a great idea to give my mom a little hope that I’m in a serious relationship. That’s what Christmas is all about isn’t it, giving your mom a little hope?”
She covered her mouth to try and repress a giggle. “It’s official. You are crazy.”
“So that’s a ‘yes’ to spending Christmas Day at my parents’?”
In spite of having her mouth covered, the giggle slipped out. “I think I have to. I have to see who raised you.”
Samuel playfully tugged her closer. “You think I was raised by wolves or something?”
A pretty blush flushed her cheeks. “I thought there might be that possibility.”
He touched the bottom of her chin. “Mom’s going to love you.”
“You’re going to be free on Christmas Day? What about your family? Won’t they be expecting you?”
Tomorrow was Christmas. That could be a problem, but it didn’t have to be if he worded his invitation the right way. “They are expecting me for lunch, but they would love meeting you. You have to eat. I have to eat. Why don’t we eat together at my parents’ house tomorrow?” It didn’t sound quite as smoothly spoken as it had in his head, but she was still smiling so he took that as a good sign.
“Are you sure you want to take me to a family function? You know how mothers are. You take a date home for something as personal as a Christmas celebration and they will immediately assume it’s a serious relationship.”
Samuel reached out and tugged her hand into his. He grinned. “It is a serious relationship. I’ve had my arms around you. Your head has been in my lap. I think things are progressing along nicely.”
That pulled a laugh from her. “You may be a little crazy. I just noticed that about you.”
He squeezed her fingertips. “Well, you have been a little busy, you know. Choking. Trying to breathe. When you are struggling like that, it makes difficult to notice a little thing like me being crazy. I admit it’s not every day I steal a girl’s breathe away.” He glanced at his watch. “I believe all of that drama adds up to about four dates so technically we’re on our fifth date now. It’s pretty normal to ask a girl to meet your parents on the fifth date. I think it’s a great idea to give my mom a little hope that I’m in a serious relationship. That’s what Christmas is all about isn’t it, giving your mom a little hope?”
She covered her mouth to try and repress a giggle. “It’s official. You are crazy.”
“So that’s a ‘yes’ to spending Christmas Day at my parents’?”
In spite of having her mouth covered, the giggle slipped out. “I think I have to. I have to see who raised you.”
Samuel playfully tugged her closer. “You think I was raised by wolves or something?”
A pretty blush flushed her cheeks. “I thought there might be that possibility.”
He touched the bottom of her chin. “Mom’s going to love you.”
Sleeping through the Beauty
Excerpt from Sleeping through the Beauty
Phillip sighed and walked around the foot of the bed to the only window in the room. The night nurses hadn’t lowered the blinds yet and even though it was too dark to see anything, he stared out at the night’s blackness. “How did I get here, Rose? I’ve told you things I’ve never told anyone. I only feel complete the moment I walk in here and see you’re okay. I have fallen in love with you and you’ve never even seen my face. I only know what your voice sounds like from your mom’s home movies. My being here is crazy, right?” There was nothing but silence for a reply, so he continued staring out the window. “The money’s rolling in for your foundation. We have enough to begin three of the dormitories, but I need your advice on what to do next. Even though I have all of your notes, it’s not the same. I need your passion for this to ever work like I know you want it to.”
He glanced back toward the bed, but there wasn’t any movement or indication that she heard anything of his words or pleas. He drew in deep breath and then released a weary sigh. He jammed both hands into his pants pockets and turned back to face the blackness. His next words were directed toward the window and he said in all but a whisper, “Who am I kidding? I need you. I need you more than I have ever needed anything in my entire life. I have been asleep to the beauty out there, but you saw it, didn’t you? My entire life I have dwelled on only the negative aspects of my life. I never saw the possibilities until I met you.
“Did you know your mother lent me all of your journals? I don’t think she knew just how much of your personal life you had entered in them. But every word in them indicates that you’ve always known your place in the universe, and what you were capable of doing to make it a better place. I’m ashamed to say that all I ever saw is what had been stolen from me. I never thought I owed the world anything. I have been so blind. Now here I am and I see what you saw all along and there you are sleeping and missing the life you envisioned. It breaks my heart to know you are missing this beauty. I don’t think you want that, so stop sleeping your life away.
“Please wake up, Rose. I want that for you more than I have ever wanted anything in my entire life. Even with me knowing the moment you do, you’re not going to remember my words to you. I’m also aware that you’re never going to feel for me what I feel for you, but that’s okay because it will be enough to have you whole again, to see you smile and just to hear your voice. It will it all have been enough.
“I will hold this time in this room with you close to my heart forever and remember your sighs. I will hold all of this close to my heart. Even though you might not remember my words to you, I’ll remember that for a short time I had to you all to myself. You are destined for more than this bed and this room. You are destined to live your life to its fullest and for me that will be enough, so wake up, my beautiful Rose. Please wake, my love.”
Phillip sighed and walked around the foot of the bed to the only window in the room. The night nurses hadn’t lowered the blinds yet and even though it was too dark to see anything, he stared out at the night’s blackness. “How did I get here, Rose? I’ve told you things I’ve never told anyone. I only feel complete the moment I walk in here and see you’re okay. I have fallen in love with you and you’ve never even seen my face. I only know what your voice sounds like from your mom’s home movies. My being here is crazy, right?” There was nothing but silence for a reply, so he continued staring out the window. “The money’s rolling in for your foundation. We have enough to begin three of the dormitories, but I need your advice on what to do next. Even though I have all of your notes, it’s not the same. I need your passion for this to ever work like I know you want it to.”
He glanced back toward the bed, but there wasn’t any movement or indication that she heard anything of his words or pleas. He drew in deep breath and then released a weary sigh. He jammed both hands into his pants pockets and turned back to face the blackness. His next words were directed toward the window and he said in all but a whisper, “Who am I kidding? I need you. I need you more than I have ever needed anything in my entire life. I have been asleep to the beauty out there, but you saw it, didn’t you? My entire life I have dwelled on only the negative aspects of my life. I never saw the possibilities until I met you.
“Did you know your mother lent me all of your journals? I don’t think she knew just how much of your personal life you had entered in them. But every word in them indicates that you’ve always known your place in the universe, and what you were capable of doing to make it a better place. I’m ashamed to say that all I ever saw is what had been stolen from me. I never thought I owed the world anything. I have been so blind. Now here I am and I see what you saw all along and there you are sleeping and missing the life you envisioned. It breaks my heart to know you are missing this beauty. I don’t think you want that, so stop sleeping your life away.
“Please wake up, Rose. I want that for you more than I have ever wanted anything in my entire life. Even with me knowing the moment you do, you’re not going to remember my words to you. I’m also aware that you’re never going to feel for me what I feel for you, but that’s okay because it will be enough to have you whole again, to see you smile and just to hear your voice. It will it all have been enough.
“I will hold this time in this room with you close to my heart forever and remember your sighs. I will hold all of this close to my heart. Even though you might not remember my words to you, I’ll remember that for a short time I had to you all to myself. You are destined for more than this bed and this room. You are destined to live your life to its fullest and for me that will be enough, so wake up, my beautiful Rose. Please wake, my love.”
Cindy Fellars is determined to keep her younger twin sisters out of the clutches
of her evil stepmother, but it's going to take grit, determination and maybe
even a little help from an unlikely knight in shining business suit
A collection of modern-day fairy tales.
Sleeping through the Beauty
A family obligation forces Phillip into accepting a late Christmas Eve invitation, but what he doesn't realize is that on this night, his life is going to change forever. A beautiful comatose woman will teach him the true meaning of life and the importance of not sleeping through the beauty of it all. While he waits for his sleeping beauty to awake from her coma, he has to face the fact that, if she does awaken, even though he has had time to fall in love with her, he will be a complete stranger to her.
Hearts on Fire
Have you ever wanted someone to look at you and see who you really are? That's all Jordan has ever wanted, so when she meets Samuel and the sparks fly, it's easy to become lost in the depths of his beautiful blue eyes. But something of her own past and what he is comes between them. Whilst she fights her attraction to him, Samuel is going to have to convince her that he does see her...really does see her.
The Beauty in the Beast
In our beloved fairy tales of old, Prince Charming always saves the damsel in distress. In our modern world, sometimes it’s the damsel herself who has to find a way to save her prince.
The Magic of Snow
When Sarah White meets the ruggedly handsome Staff Sergeant Charlie Prince, she discovers a man with a pure heart, but one hidden beneath a warrior’s façade. Before Charlie leaves with his unit for Afghanistan, he promises to stay in touch, but after nine months of exchanging letters and emails, he stops writing. Sarah waits in agonizing suspense, not knowing if the man she has fallen in love with has been killed in action or has just lost interest in her.
Magic is real, but it’s not for the fainthearted or nonbelievers. It takes true love to release it, and hard work and determination to keep it strong.
Falling for Cindy Fellars
Cindy Fellars is determined to keep her younger twin sisters out of the clutches of her evil stepmother, but it's going to take grit, determination and maybe even a little help from an unlikely knight in shining business suit.
Sleeping through the Beauty
A family obligation forces Phillip into accepting a late Christmas Eve invitation, but what he doesn't realize is that on this night, his life is going to change forever. A beautiful comatose woman will teach him the true meaning of life and the importance of not sleeping through the beauty of it all. While he waits for his sleeping beauty to awake from her coma, he has to face the fact that, if she does awaken, even though he has had time to fall in love with her, he will be a complete stranger to her.
Hearts on Fire
Have you ever wanted someone to look at you and see who you really are? That's all Jordan has ever wanted, so when she meets Samuel and the sparks fly, it's easy to become lost in the depths of his beautiful blue eyes. But something of her own past and what he is comes between them. Whilst she fights her attraction to him, Samuel is going to have to convince her that he does see her...really does see her.
The Beauty in the Beast
In our beloved fairy tales of old, Prince Charming always saves the damsel in distress. In our modern world, sometimes it’s the damsel herself who has to find a way to save her prince.
The Magic of Snow
When Sarah White meets the ruggedly handsome Staff Sergeant Charlie Prince, she discovers a man with a pure heart, but one hidden beneath a warrior’s façade. Before Charlie leaves with his unit for Afghanistan, he promises to stay in touch, but after nine months of exchanging letters and emails, he stops writing. Sarah waits in agonizing suspense, not knowing if the man she has fallen in love with has been killed in action or has just lost interest in her.
Magic is real, but it’s not for the fainthearted or nonbelievers. It takes true love to release it, and hard work and determination to keep it strong.
Falling for Cindy Fellars
Cindy Fellars is determined to keep her younger twin sisters out of the clutches of her evil stepmother, but it's going to take grit, determination and maybe even a little help from an unlikely knight in shining business suit.
