Everlasting Bond

Authors: Christine M. Besze

Everlasting Bond

Christine M. Besze

Published by
Christine M. Besze

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Special Thanks

Where do I begin? The writing of Everlasting Bond has been an amazing journey for me. There are so many friends and family that have supported me along this crazy roller coaster of a journey. All of you mean the world to me.

The first person I need to thank is my handsome husband, Zoltan. For the many times I was ready to throw in the towel, you were the rock of support and voice of sanity that kept me out of a straight jacket. I love you more everyday because you are the voice of reason thro
ugh the many others in my head.

A big thanks to the two people that read the beginnings of Kat’s story, my mom and my bestie,
Shannon. Without your encouragement this would have remained a dream trapped in the many crevices of my imagination.

To Suzanne and Joseph. I have been truly lucky to be given in-laws as wonderful and supportive as the two of you. Thank you so much for all you do for us!

Thank you to JP for agreeing to let me use your body and trusting I would put it to good use. It was definitely an adventure and you were a trooper through it all.

To my gym family, you know who you are. Through the blood, sweat, and tears we have become an eclectic family that’s just as tight. Thank you for being a constant in my ever-changing world of insanity.

I also have to say a huge “Thank You” to my own personal Grammar Nazi, Heather Rose, without you I would NEVER have gotten this far. Thank you, for the many hours of sarcastic babbling, as I slowly inched my way through to the end. You can handle my shiny ball syndrome like no one else. You were open to my level of crazy from day one and added plenty of your own to the mix, rulers and all!

Then there’s my Grammar fairy Ali. Thank you for being able to see the pot of gold at the end at my sporadic rainbow and guiding me to it. Without you, I could never have made it this far.

A special thanks to Stephanie at BellaRenee Photography for doing such an amazing job on my book cover!

And finally I need to thank my children for putting up with their crazy mother while she typed like a mad person into the wee hours of the night. Always follow your dreams wherever they may take. I may have given you life, but you’ve given me so much more in return and I love you both so much.

For you,
Grandma

You were my very first fan & I love and miss you so much.

Pronunciation Key

Farkas……………….. Farkash

Weber……………….. Weeber

Nikolas……………… Neekolas

Elias…………………. Eleeas

Table of contents

Chapter 1

“Ohhhh,” Katrina moaned in protest at the loud buzzing of her alarm.

As Katrina slowly cracked her eyes open, she was blinded by the bright sun light that invaded her room through the lavender curtains. She wasn’t ready to get out of bed. Sleeping in all summer had become a perk she wasn’t ready to give up just yet. After slamming her hand down on top of her alarm, she pulled the covers back over her head and willed sleep to overtake her once more.

Today was the first day back to school from another uneventful summer in
Morgan Springs and she was in no hurry to roll out of bed. If today was the first day of her senior year, then she’d contemplate it. It would mean she was one step closer to escaping small town life. Unfortunately for Katrina, that wasn’t the case; she still had another year to go.

Morgan
Springs was a small and quiet farming town. Other than hanging out by the creek or the occasional holiday festivities, there wasn’t much for anyone, let alone a teenager to do. Bored, Katrina wanted desperately to move someplace more exciting.

“Hey, come on! Get up! I don’t want to be late!” her brother
shouted, tugging at her covers.

“Just a few more minutes.”

“You’ve had like five. That’s it. Time to make you!” he teased.

“Jake!” Katrina whined, as she felt him plop down on her bed and th
row her covers off.

Cracking an eye open, Katrina lifted her head and just gave him a blank stare. He was much too energetic for her in the morning. J
ake reminded her of a big kid—always ready and full of endless amounts of energy.

His appearance also didn’t help matters. Jake looked different than most of the teenage boys in
Morgan Springs. A majority of the guys were the typical athletic body-building type. With nothing else to do but lift weights and play football, the outcome was inevitable. Jake’s long and lanky body, however, was the total opposite.

The shaggy copper-colored mess on top of his head was as little boyish as his sky blue eyes. To Katrina, Jake possessed more of their father’s youthful and innocent demeanor and he hadn’t changed much since childhood. The only difference being he was taller now. The way his eyes sparkled with curiosity whenever his over-active imagination would get the best of him reminded Katrina of their father and his equally enthusiastic personality.

“Hmm, guess it’s time to get the cold water,” Jake laughed.

“I’m up
! I’m up!”

“Okay, but if you’re not ready in ten, you’re taking the bus.” Jake bounced up and made his way to the door.

“Go away!” Katrina chucked a purple pillow in his direction. She would have gotten him too, if he wasn’t so quick.

“Missed me!” Jake laughed. Katrina was about to shout something back, when she heard her dress
er squeak and Jake say, “Ouch!”

“That’ll teach you.”

“Hasn’t yet,” Jake mumbled from down the hall.

After a few minutes, Katrina rolled out of bed. She was still too sleepy, so she just put on a pair of jeans and the first shirt she found. Throwing her hair up into a ponytail, she did a quick mirror check.

Her features were a similar reflection to her twin brothers, but not identical. Katrina’s long wavy strawberry blonde locks stopped at the middle of her back. Her hair color was as unique as her strong-minded personality. The olive green of her eyes was flecked with hints of gold, which were more noticeable depending on her mood.

“KAT!”

“I’ll be right there!” she shouted back.

Running down the stairs, she tried not to trip over her own feet. Stairs were just not meant for her. The many scars
on her legs reminded her daily.

Heading into the kitchen, she rummaged through the cupboards for something she could eat on the way. She grabbed the first thing she found and shoved it in her bag. Pastries weren’t her first choice, but given the lack of time, it would do. Before she could finish zipping up her bag, she heard the loud echo of a
horn.

“I’m coming, Jake!”

Dashing outside, Katrina stopped on the porch. From a distance she could see Jake fidgeting inside the truck. She took a deep breath and hurried over.

It wasn’t luxurious by any means. With its peeling powder blue paint bei
ng mostly replaced by rust, numerous dents, and balding tires, it was more of an eyesore than anything else, but the twins never complained. Katrina knew how hard it was for her mother and the many extra night shifts it took at the local diner to save the money for it. She was sure that Jake was just as happy as she was that they didn’t have to ride the big yellow taxi like all of the other kids.

Katrina tugged at the passenger door, but it wouldn’t budge. Her hand knocked roughly against the window. “Let
me in, Jake.”

“Oh, sorry. Guess I forgot it was locked,” Jake shouted through the glass unable to
hide the laughter in his voice.

“Ha ha! V
ery funny.”

“Well, maybe next time, you won’t make me wait so long for you,” he said, as he leaned over and unlock
ed the door.

“Maybe,” Katrina raised an eyebrow at him.

Pulling on the handle, Katrina had to use both hands to open it. That was one downfall to having a mature car. Older cars, particularly older trucks, seemed to have doors made of cement. Every time she tried to open them, she thought for sure she’d fall backwards. Hearing the infamous popping sound, she knew she pushed its rusty hinges as far as they could go.

“Get in and put your seatbelt on.” Jake leaned back against his seat, shaking his head.

“I am.”

“Wish me luck that this pile of rust doesn’t fall apart,” he cocked an eyebrow, as he turned the ignition.

“Why?”

“Thanks to you, I’m going to have to drive like mom.”

“Jake, if this truck breaks down, then you’re going to be carrying my books along with yours.”

“I’ll do one
better. I’ll even carry you.”

Biting into the strawberry-filled pastry, Katrina just shook her head. She never really could get angry at him. Even though Jake was only younger by minutes, she felt very protective
of him; she couldn’t explain why. It was just an instinct that overpowered her.

Pulling down the gravel driveway, Katrina tried to hide the smile on her face, as she fastened her seatbelt. Katrina wasn’t sure what worried her more—her brother
’s wanting to drive in their truck in their mother’s racecar style or the truck’s ability to hold up to the speed. The truck sounded like it was on its last life and she wasn’t sure if it would survive the extra push. That was a train wreck she didn’t want to witness.

To keep herself busy, she stared out the window. Letting her mind wander, frustration began to overtake her as Jake took the usual monotonous route to school. Katrina resented the fact that they had driven by the same run-down farmhouses since childhood. Not one thing ever changed. The people, the town itself, and even the scenery never evolved. It was frozen in time, like a buried and forgotten time capsule. Preoccupied in her own misery, Katrina almost missed the white car coming up behind them.

“Jake, who’s that? I’ve never seen that car before.”

“Me neither, but they’re way too close.” Jake glanced in the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, they are.” Katrina watched in curiosity, as the car gained speed and passed them. “Look, they’re from California.”

“Explains the driving,” Jake grinned to himself.

“I’ve never seen tint that dark before.”

“Hmm. Maybe it gets hotter there?”

“Maybe, still weird though.” Katrina shrugged her shoulders, looking at Jake. Seeing a grin spread across his face, she asked, “What?”

“Nothing, nothing at all.”
He laughed and turned his head.

Katrina knew what he was thinking, but didn’t want to get into it with him. It was too early to get into another debate. She knew how it would end. He’d beg her to stay and like always she’d feel like the jerk for wanting to leave. Instead, she turned away and continued staring out the window, day dreaming.

Before she could get too lost in her own world, a sudden jolt slammed her back down into reality. She snapped her head in time to see Jake jerk the truck into their usual parking space. The sound of the grease caked engine, as he put it in park, echoed off the pavement. It was so loud that Katrina wondered how much life the antique had left in it.

Katrina all but jumped out of the truck as she spoke. “I hope things are different this year.”

Exhaling a deep and hopeful breath, Katrina’s eyes roamed through the crowd of students. Every face was one she knew since childhood. They may be older, but to Katrina, they were still the same familiar faces.

“Oh, come on Kat.
It won’t be that bad.” Jake poked his head through the open space.

Katrina wished he was right, but the truth was it was that bad. She was desperate for change and couldn’t wait to leave. Everything around her was a bitter reminder of her childhood. Many things reminded her of the way things use to b
e, before her father’s accident.

“You know you’re going to miss this place when you’re lost in the big city.”

“Ah, yes. Whatever will I do with myself when I don’t have to smell cow crap every morning?” Katrina teased, giving her brother a playful wink.

“I don’t know which i
s worse—cow crap or smog. At least here we can see stars at night.”

“True, but that’s all there is to do.”

“Then let’s make a deal,” Jake smiled.

“What kind of deal?”

“If you promise to save a couple of big city hotties for me when I come visit, then I’ll try to give you less crap for it.”

“Deal.” Katrina playfully nudged Jake’s shoulder
. “Let’s go before we’re late.”

Heaving the truck door shut, a strange object caught the corner of Katrina’s eye. Amongst the gawking crowd, Katrina could see a shiny black Camaro. Parked underneath one of the larger overgrown trees, it drew attention from many curious onlookers. To Katrina, the muscle car emanated a certain charismatic aura. It seemed to draw in all who crossed its path. In this town, the black spectacle was too gaudy and out of place. It wasn’t as exotic as the white car she had seen this morning, but it was still just as fascinating. She was sure no one she knew owned anything close to it. And if they did it, was nowhere near as polished.

“Whose car’s that?” Katrina overheard a girl ask.

“Cole Aldrich's,” an older boy said.

“Jake, psst, hey Jake,” Katrina whispered.

“What?”

“Who’s Cole Aldrich?” After all, Katrina knew if there was town gossip, who better to get the scoop from than her brother? He helped out after school at the local salon, and Trudy’s was the town’s main source for any type of gossip stirring about.

“I didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“I overheard from Lorene Conner, who heard from Blanche White, who heard from—”

“Get to the point!”

“Sorry. They’re hiring some bigwig doctor from
New York to take over old Doc Fenton’s practice. His name's Alaric, I think. His son Cole and his nephew Andrew moved out here with him last week.”

“Really?” Katrina was intrigued at the thought of newcomers in town. This was what she needed t
o help her get through her day.

“Uh-oh. I know that
look. The wheels are turning.”

“Hey, it never hurts to enjoy some fresh scenery,” Katrina laughed.

“Right.”

“You can’t tell me you didn’t think the same thing?”

“Of course I did.” He wriggled his eyebrows.

“You’re just as bad as me.”

“Duh, we’re twins. It’s part of our DNA.”

“Yeah, that’s it,” she rolled her eyes.

“Oh crap, there’s the bell. I told you I didn’t want to be late today!” Jake huffed, as they ran towards the school.

“Relax, would you? It’s the first day; they always cut
you some slack. We’ll be fine.”

“All right, but if we get in trouble, it’s all on you.”

“I’ll take the heat, baby brother,” Katrina smiled, shooting Jake a playful wink.

She was about to turn to follow him up the steps, when she stopped. Something caught her eye next to the trees. It wasn’t the shiny black Camaro, but something else. She wasn’t sure, but it looked like the outline of a person. The longer she stared, she
felt her stomach start to turn.

“Kat, are you okay? You don’t look so good,” Jake’s voice interrupted.

“I’m fine. I just feel funny.”

“I know. I could tell.”

“Can you please try not to pry on my emotions?”

“It’s not like I do it on purpose.”

“I know. It’s just frustrating. It isn’t enough we had to share a womb. We get to invade each other’s privacy too.”