Authors: M. Stratton
The picture of her grandmother had been ruined by blood. She turned to Noah. “Thank you for getting a new picture of her made up for me. One of the last images in my head from that night was seeing it crash to the ground all covered in blood.”
“I knew you would want her back up there, not as a negative reminder as to what happened here, but as the love you two had for each other.”
Lexi and Noah walked through the house, taking time to look and touch everything, tell happy or funny stories that popped into their heads. They made new memories of her home. They sat in the living room by the fire while a storm raged outside, spent a long time talking before exhaustion took over Lexi’s body. They walked upstairs hand in hand and climbed into bed.
~*~
Laying with Lexi in his arms Noah thought back about everything he had thought and felt since the morning. Not realizing at the time how much coming here with her had also helped him to heal.
Even though he’d been in the house, the feeling that coursed through his veins when they stood at the front door surprised him. He remembered everything and knew that it would worse for Lexi, wished he could take her all pain so that she’d never have to feel that way again.
He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get that night out of his head. He had to be strong but the words she’d said to him that night were ingrained in his brain. He knew now what she’d really been trying to tell him, but at the time, her words had cut deep.
Breaking the door in and seeing that monster on top of her... He closed his eyes. The blood had been everywhere.
A small smile crossed his face at the thought of the pain he’d caused Jeremy. He’d been filled with so much rage, he hadn’t been able to stop until Jeremy had crumpled to the ground. Then the shock of finding out it hadn’t been Anthony all this time, but Jeremy Ellison. His smile faded. He’d been so scared she was going to die in his arms. Even now, he still woke up in a cold sweat at the thought. Hoping they both had taken a positive step in healing he hugged her closer and breathed in her scent. Finally relaxing he joined her in sleep.
~*~
Noah woke in the early morning to an empty bed. He panicked, calling out for Lexi. When there was no answer, he raced down the stairs and skidded to a stop when he saw the door open and her standing on some rocks with the waves crashing around her. As he walked towards her, she turned to him and smiled and it took his breath away. In a short sundress with flowers on it, her hair flying in the breeze, she looked like an angel to him. He wrapped his arms around her as the waves crashed over their legs. She leaned into him and sighed with contentment.
“How are you doing, love?”
She turned and smiled at him. One that finally reached her eyes. “Wonderful, absolutely wonderful.” As the sun peaked over the horizon, she gestured toward it. “You see, Noah, there’s always light after the storm.”
He rolled over in the cheap bed in the dirty room. Every part of his body hurt. How could everything have gone so wrong? He played everything over and over in his mind until he wanted to scream with rage. Twice now she’d escaped him. But this time, he also carried a scar from their battle.
He slowly sat up and looked at his left forearm where the jagged scar was still red and oozing. He knew he should’ve seen a doctor weeks ago, but he didn’t want to chance it. He wanted the heat to go down before venturing out. Lucky for him, he’d found a woman on the internet while watching Alexia. She was stupid enough and so starved for love she’d never questioned the state he was in when he showed up at her door in the middle of the night.
He had money and credit cards that weren’t in his name with him at all times for emergency purposes. He’d have to watch himself until he could get to his secret stash of cash. He ran his hand through his hair. This bitch was so stupid. She never watched the news or picked up a newspaper. She was all about the gossip rags. She even laughed and pointed out how much he looked like Jeremy Ellison when the breaking news alert interrupted her nightly gossip show. He shook his head. As soon as he was healed and figured out what was next, he was killing the bitch. Painfully, for being so stupid.
The End
Jeremy Ellison laid back in the bed staring up at the ceiling listening to the gossip show coming from the other room. Right now, he hated his life. He knew it was temporary, but he couldn’t wait for a change to come. A change he was going to make.
He was formulating his plan. He’d spent considerable time and money keeping track of everybody while staying hidden. He knew Anthony Maldono as well as he knew himself and he knew what Anthony would do next. It was almost time to put his plan in motion. He wasn’t done ruining Anthony’s life. It was time to step it up.
After nine long months of watching the authorities run around trying to find him and Anthony being made a free man, it was time to start moving. It made his blood pump that he was finally going to be able to do something. He looked into the other room where the woman he had to depend on was shoving fist after fist of popcorn in her mouth. He wanted to get up and stick a knife in her gut. He hated her. He wanted her dead. But he had to wait since he had a plan. A plan that would increase the stakes in the game he was planning.
Evie Taylor sighed and sat down hard in the chair. She tossed the dusting rag on the table, tilted her head back and closed her eyes. She was bored and longed to get back to Boston to run her bookstore and café. The past nine months she’d spent two extended stays back home. Once for Lexi and now for her grandmother. She’d heard from Jesse and everything was running fine but she missed the weekly shipments coming in and setting up new displays. Not to mention getting to sample new desserts from the café. She loved helping someone who loved to read find a new author. In fact, she’d set up a whole section of the book store for indie authors. It was opening up a whole new world to regular customers.
She looked around her grandmother’s living room. Knickknacks as far as the eye could see. She hated dusting. But that was a testament to how bored she was.
She’d come home to Ipswich, Massachusetts when her best friend, Lexi Hanson, had been attacked. She remembered the fear that coursed through her veins when she got the phone call. The drive had been a blur. In the weeks that followed, she hadn’t been able to leave her. It brought back all of the memories of Lexi’s first attack. But her friend completely amazed her. She was so strong and she’d come so far.
Evie sighed, remembering Lexi and Noah’s perfect wedding on the beach just a few weeks ago.
Now she was back again, taking care of her grandmother who’d broken her arm partying with one of the male guests in a hotel room. She shivered thinking about what they’d been doing that could have gotten her grandmother’s arm broken, knew at the very least that it hadn’t been pretty since her grandmother had been naked when the paramedics arrived.
“Evie honey, do you want something for lunch?” Evelyne Stone called from the kitchen.
Evie sighed and hefted herself up out of the chair and walked into the kitchen to put her hands on her hips. “Grandma, why am I here if you insist on doing everything yourself?”
Evelyne tsked. “Now honey, you know I need you, but there are some things I can do myself. Besides I need to get my wing back in working order, sooner rather than later with the girl’s cruise coming up in a month. There are going to be men that need taming.” She tried to wave her arm around, almost knocking over the pitcher of iced tea on the counter.
Evie rushed over and caught it, giving her grandmother a look. “Can you please take it down a notch? You aren’t fifty anymore.”
“Pah! Come on honey, lighten up. I know you’ve got it in you. Maybe you should go with us. I know there will be some young hot guys there.”
“And how do you know this?”
“Because we signed up for a party cruise. Average age is twenty-four. I know that’s a bit young for you, but hey, you can still have fun. I know you can.”
Evie closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself for the call from the cruise company to come pick up the Troublesome Trio from somewhere. Although now that Lexi was married to Noah, he might have better connections and be able to get them home quicker than commercial flights. Something to bring up to them when they got back from their honeymoon.
A knock sounded at the door. “Hold that thought.” Evie went to answer the door, absently trying to push back the hair that had escaped her ponytail. They’d rented out the cottage on the back of her grandmother’s property and the tenant was due to show up today.
She could see the shadow of a tall built man through the frosted glass. Evie had hoped the renter would be a family to distract her grandmother so she might get some rest and not chase around after some man.
Evie opened the door and looked up—right into the face that haunted her best friend’s nightmares.
EYE OF THE STORM
COMING FEBRUARY 2014
First I have to thank my family for their love and support through this process. They were one the first ones to hear my ideas and encourage me to go for it. To my wonderful husband Mike who let me write while he did all the work around the house and took care of our son. To my monkey Johnathan who can make me smile and laugh no matter what and gives the best cuddles. To my parents who I love with all my heart and still amaze me at their positive attitudes that get them through all of life’s battles.
Suzanne Soneira you are by far the best, most encouraging friend a girl could have. If it weren’t for you I would have never started on this journey. You were the one who pushed me to start writing. You were the one who told me I could do this after hearing and reading my story. You are the first one to hear my ideas and read what I write. I don’t think you could be sweeter if you tried. I love you. Thank you for just being you. I could have never done this without you.
Florencia Turco DeRoussel and Carla Turco you ladies are amazing. Truly wonderful people. I am so honored to know you both. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me about my book and help me make sure I was on the right track. And a big thank you for the photo shoot for my author photo. I had so much fun and you made me so comfortable, we were able to get some great shots.
Jennifer Short Benson, where to begin. My Purple-lovin’ Indie Author Book Ninja. You are awesome. I love how you support your Indie Authors 110%, and are always there for us. Thank you for not allowing me to jump off the ledge all the times I wanted to quit. Your belief in me helped get me where I am today. Thank you so much for just being you.
Carey Heywood and Melissa Collins, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I tried not to pester you too much. You both are such awesome women. I am amazed at what you both are able to accomplish on a daily basis. I can’t wait to meet you both and see if your awesomeness can rub off on me.
Chelle C Bird, girl, you crazy, and I love it. You made me smile and laugh so many times I lost count. One of these days soon I’m going to get to meet you in person my soul sista.
Louise Chapman, lady you are so sweet and will bend over backwards to help someone. Thank you so much for putting together my cover reveal, release day blitz and blog tour. Thank you for keeping me calm during all of it. If I ever make it across the pond I am so giving you a huge hug and not letting go until it is awkward.
To the indie authors who have supported me, answered questions, given advice, listened to my craziness and helped along this journey, A.L. Zaun, Antoinette Candela, Carey Heywood,
Chelle C. Bird, E.K. Blair, Evelyne Stone, J.M. Hill, L. Chapman, Megan Hand, Melissa Collins and S. Moose. You ladies are so wonderful and I am honored to know you.
Carrie Sutton, you are so wonderful. I loved getting messages from you about how excited you were about something that happened in the book and the fact you were still “OMGing” weeks after finishing it. Thank you so much for the teasers you put together for me.
Heather Young, I love that you read my book in one day and compared me to one of my favorite authors Janet Evanovich. Thank you for helping me stay organized, on track, and contacting people for me.
Kristina Amit not only were you able to give me awesome feedback, you were also available to chat online many times and helped iron out some of the scenes so that they flowed better. I loved the fact that you searched the internet finding pictures that reminded you of my book.
Saoching Moose, every time I would think I wasn’t good enough I’d listen to one of your messages that you sent me while you were beta reading. Your voice and words still bring a huge smile to my face, just like the first time.
To my beta readers, thank you, thank you, thank you. You helped me fill in all the gaps in my story that didn’t make it on the paper from my head when I first typed it. Alexis Durbin, Antoinette Candela, Carey Heywood, Carrie Sutton, Chelle C. Bird, Jenn Diaz, Jennifer Short Benson, Heather Young, Kristina Amit, Nicki DeStasi, Saoching Moose, Stacia Newbill, and Suzanne Soneira. I cannot put into words how wonderful you all are and how much I appreciate you. You all are invaluable to me. Each and every one of you added to my story.
To Melissa at MG Cover Design thank you for putting up with me and wanting to change something that I just noticed after viewing the cover at least a dozen times.
To Angi Black you rock my world. Or should I say, you edit my world. And boy does my world need it! Thank you for working your magic.
Amanda Gordon I am so happy Suzanne introduced us and I can call you a friend. Thank you for questioning EVERYTHING I write. Without you my book wouldn’t be the book it is today. You have taught me so much and I know I will grow as a writer because of you. Huge, big squeezes just for you and your editing!
Tiffani Henry Drake, thank you for doing my clean read. I am still giggling about some of the things we had to message back and forth about.
A special thanks to all the bloggers out there who take the time to support indie authors and get the word out about our books.