Mary stared at the form sent by Brenda, an administrative assistant with Bringing Christ to Latin America. Name, address, telephone number, email address. All that seemed normal. But Social Security number? She shook her head. It amazed her how often she was asked for her Social Security number when it was completely unnecessary. She automatically declined every request.
Brenda had forwarded what she called a standard fundraising form. Her email message asked Mary to fill it out and return it to get started. She read over part of the email again.
We have a short online course that helps laypeople like yourself to know the correct way to raise money for such an endeavor as this. As a 501.c(3), we don’t want any trouble with the IRS, and we want our donors to have full confidence that their funds are being used for the purposes stated.
Made sense to Mary, but she wasn’t giving out her Social Security number to anyone. She filled out the online form without the number and emailed it back to Brenda. Now she could tell David during their afternoon chat that things were moving along. She put her computer to sleep mode and walked into her bedroom, her mind pleasantly occupied with David. As she passed her dresser mirror, she caught sight of her reflection, which showed a wide smile. Thoughts of David made her feel so ridiculously happy.
She changed into her gym shorts and sports bra, pulling on a threadbare t-shirt over it. She tightened the laces on her running shoes. Even working out on her treadmill reminded her of David, as he mentioned liking a good run on his own exercise machine.
Mary stopped by the kitchen to grab a water bottle from the refrigerator on her way to the downstairs room she had converted to a personal gym. The treadmill faced the window, which overlooked a straggly snowball bush. She tucked in her earbuds and hopped on the exercise machine.
She selected the Alpine Climb workout and began to swing her arms as she power walked to her favorite marches on her iPod Nano. That ought to work the kinks out. As the incline elevated, she tackled a big hill to John Philip Sousa’s “Bonnie Annie Laurie.” Sweat dotted her t-shirt, dampening the thin fabric to her back and belly. She pushed herself harder, her lungs screaming for air as she finished the workout to Sousa’s “Mikado March.” She set the treadmill on a slow walk to slow her heart rate and to cool down. She was feeling quite proud of herself when a hand on her arm caused her to nearly lose her footing. She turned her head and saw Jared standing there, looking as hot and sweaty as she felt.
She turned off her iPod. “Why are you always sneaking up on me?” She pulled out the earbuds and mopped her face with a towel.
“I called first, but you didn’t pick up. I became worried because I hadn’t seen you leave and I remembered you said you don’t go out much.”
Her cheeks grew even warmer. Thank goodness her face was already beet red from the workout, so he wouldn’t notice her blush. “I do go out. I just prefer to stay here.” She punched the stop button on the treadmill and hopped off. She picked up her water bottle and took a long drink before turning back to Jared. “What did you want to ask me?”
He shifted his weight. “Does the car in the garage work? I need to go into town for an appointment and don’t have enough cash for a taxi both ways.”
Mary snorted. “That old thing? I seriously doubt it. I don’t think it’s been turned on for decades. It was Aunt Geraldine’s, but she rarely drove anywhere. I don’t even know where the key is.”
Jared’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve never driven the car? Ever?”
She looked down at the floor and swallowed. Nothing to it but to tell him her secret. He might as well know the extent of her self-imposed exile. “Even if it started, I couldn’t drive it. I don’t have a drivers’ license.”
Mary kept her eyes downcast. Only a handful of people knew she had never driven a car in her life. Somehow, though, she felt safe telling him such an intimate detail.
“Then what do you do for ID?”
“I have a passport. That works just as well as a drivers’ license.” Mary eyed him closely to see his reaction.
Jared raised his eyebrows.
“What’s so funny about having a passport?”
He put a hand over his mouth to hold back more laughter, she was sure. Mary narrowed her eyes and he held up a conciliatory hand.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just that most people have drivers’ licenses, not passports.” He looked at her for a minute and Mary shifted her feet under his steady gaze.
“Can I ask why you have a passport? Most people get state IDs when they don’t have a drivers’ license.”
Mary looped the towel around her neck and uncapped her water bottle. She stalled for time by tilting her head back to take another long drink of the cool water. Telling him meant revealing why she moved away all those years ago. She lowered her head and her eyes met his. The empathy and interest she saw there warred with the privacy she so zealously guarded. These last few weeks had rekindled their friendship and part of her longed to share her story with him, to see if he would understand the whys of her life now. The other part questioned why she should talk to Jared about something she had yet to tell David.
The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them. “Because my parents are missionaries among the Amazon River tribes in South America.”
Jared nodded. “So you need the passport to visit them. How many times have you gone to see them?”
Mary looked away as she whispered the answer. “Never.” She fiddled with the cap on her water bottle to avoid looking at Jared.
“How long have they been there?”
She sighed. It wasn’t going to get any easier. Maybe telling Jared part of her story would make it easier to talk about it with David. “Thirty years.”
The silence lengthened. Mary kept her gaze fixated on her sneakers. The next question would be even harder to answer, as it was one she rarely allowed herself to dwell on these days. She almost begged him not to ask her, but it was too late.
“How many times have they come back to the States to see you?”
She sucked in a breath and exhaled the answer. “None.”
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Phantom Love is copyrighted and cannot be used in any form without permission from Sarah Hamaker.
Redeeming Grace by Jill Eileen Smith — When famine visits Bethlehem, Boaz holds out hope for rain while his relative Elimelech moves his wife Naomi and their sons to Moab. For a while, it appears the Lord is blessing Elimelech’s family, and his sons marry two lovely Moabite women. But calamities strike, one after another, leaving Naomi alone in a foreign land with only her childless daughters-in-law for comfort. When news reaches Naomi that the famine in Bethlehem has lifted, only Ruth will hazard the journey to her mother-in-law’s homeland. Destitute and downhearted, Naomi resigns herself to a life of bitter poverty, but Ruth holds out hope for a better future. And Boaz may be the one God has chosen to provide it. (Biblical from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)
Biblical Romance:
Building Benjamin by Barbara M. Britton — Naomi desires to dance well enough to catch the eye of a wealthy landowner. Her father needs a substantial bride price due to the deaths of her brothers at the hands of the tribe of Benjamin. But when Benjamites raid the Ephraimite feast and capture young girls, Naomi is bound and carried from her home by Eliab, a troubled shepherd who needs a wife. As Naomi awaits rescue, she finds Eliab has a strong faith in God and a just reason for abducting her. A reason that affects all the tribes of Israel. The future of the tribe of Benjamin hangs in the balance, but if Naomi follows her heart and stays with Eliab to rebuild his lineage, she must forfeit her family and become a traitor to her own tribe. (Biblical Romance from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])
Contemporary Romance:
Grace and the Rancher by Mary Alford — Can a runaway singer and a makeshift rancher, thrust together by circumstance and held together by the common thread of loss and a love of music, find hope and a happily-ever-after under the stars of Delaney Mountain? (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
Capturing Beauty by Brenda S. Anderson — Photographer Haven Carlysle is a changed man. He returns to Duluth to capture the North Shore’s beauty … and to recapture the love of his son. But that means making amends with his ex-girlfriend too. Enter Callie Beaumont. All her life, Callie has longed to work outdoors soaking up God-breathed beauty, and the opportunity is finally on the horizon. But being the liaison between the handsome photographer and his son has thrown her dreams, and her heart, into chaos. Can Haven capture her heart when she won’t let him capture her image? And will his poor choices cost Callie her dream job and him the love of his son? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
The Lawman’s Secret Son by Lorraine Beatty — Suddenly a Father Police officer Seth Montgomery knows all about order—but his world is thrown into chaos when he learns he has a five-year-old son. With little Jack suddenly in his care, Seth turns to neighbor Carrie Fletcher for help. Given her checkered past, Carrie prefers to keep to herself, but there’s no denying she cares for the boy—and her feelings for charming Seth are rapidly developing, too. When someone from Carrie’s past shows up threatening to jeopardize the life she’s worked so hard to build, Carrie will have to fight for her future with the new family she’s found…or risk losing everything. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Maybe It’s You by Candace Calvert — Micah Prescott’s goal is to improve the Hope hospital image, but his role as a volunteer crisis responder is closer to his heart. The selfless work helps fill a void in his life left by family tragedy. So does a tentative new relationship with the compassionate, beautiful, and elusive ER nurse, Sloane Ferrell. Then a string of brutal crimes makes headlines, summons responders . . . and exposes disturbing details of Sloane’s past. Can hope spring from crisis? (Contemporary Romance from Tyndale House)
A Second Chance by Alexis Goring — Newly single food critic and newspaper reporter Traci Hightower is done with dating. After the man of her dreams left her at the altar on their wedding day and ran off with her “best friend,” Traci resigned herself to being a bachelorette for life. Marc Roberts is a political reporter who is known as Mr. Nice Guy, the one who always finishes last. But his widowed sister Gina Braxton appreciates his compassion and kindness, since she’s raising her two kids alone. With God’s guidance and the help of Gina’s matchmaking skills honed by her career as a bestselling romance novelist, Traci and Marc find hope for their broken hearts. (Contemporary Romance from Forget Me Not Romances)
The Amish Wanderer by Laura V. Hilton — After her daed, the bishop, is admitted to a mental hospital after hurting their small Amish community, Bethany Weiss is ready to get away from Jamesport, MO—and away from God. Silas Beiler, dogged by a rough childhood and a family who blames him for each new disaster, is hitchhiking toward Pennsylvania in hopes of stability. He sleeps in barns where he can and works for food when possible. When Bethany spies a man asleep in the hayloft, she first fears the return of an unwelcome suitor. But when it is Silas who turns and speaks, the memories flood back: a happy summer six years ago, full of lemonade, long walks, and budding courtship. Can their old love overcome both this new pain and the hurt and rejection of their past? (Contemporary Romance from Whitaker House)
Avalanche by Gayla K. Hiss — Set in the North Cascades National Park of Washington State, Avalanche is the inspirational story of one man set on revenge and the woman who risks everything to help him find the fugitive who killed his partner. (Contemporary Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)
The Doctor’s Texas Baby by Deb Kastner — When Carolina Mason shows up in Haven, Texas, after a three-year absence, no one is more surprised than town veterinarian Wyatt Harrow. Especially when he sees Carolina’s two-year-old son, Matty. Their son. How could she have kept his child a secret? Carolina doesn’t deny the boy is his. She thought she was doing what was best for everyone when she left, but she realizes she was wrong. Though Wyatt is eager to make up for lost time with Matty, Carolina’s not so sure that extends to her. Can these former sweethearts navigate their complicated past to make a family for their son? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Spring Raine by Delia Latham — A last-minute decision sends a young woman to a seaside community and lodging at Paradise Pines…where life takes a whole new path. (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
Finding Joy by Melanie D. Snitker — A horrific accident changed everything for Parker Wilson. He returns to his family’s ranch, the scars on his face a daily reminder of all he’s lost, yet his mom still insists he needs to stop hiding and live his life again. The beautiful new employee she hires is the last thing he needs, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make the girl quit and regain the peace and quiet he prefers. Only deep desperation could force Chelsea Blake to work on a cattle ranch. But if she’s going to avoid her parents’ judgment when they arrive in three weeks, she must turn the temporary job into a permanent one. Between dodging mud, feeding longhorn cattle, and dealing with a handsome boss who keeps giving her the cold shoulder, staying gainfully employed is proving to be a challenge. Chelsea may not be cut out for ranch life, but her determination to succeed is stronger than Parker’s efforts at forcing her to leave. Surprisingly alike, will the two set aside their disapproval to find immeasurable joy? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
General Fiction:
The Secret Heart by Marie Wells Coutu — After a whirlwind romance, beautiful Shawna Moore marries Hunter Wilson, the governor of Tennessee. Now, she wonders if the governor ever loved her or only hoped to avoid a scandal. In this modern re-imagining of the biblical story of Bathsheba and King David, an investigative reporter is asking questions–the wedding took place only six weeks following the death of Shawna’s first husband in Iraq. If he discovers the truth about Shawna’s baby, Hunter’s chances for reelection, as well as Shawna’s reputation, will be ruined. But keeping their secret is destroying their marriage. Will Hunter’s choice mean the end of his political career or his family? (General Fiction from Write Integrity Press)
Home at Last by Deborah Raney — All her life, Shayla Michaels, owner of the Coffee’s On bakery, has felt as if she straddled two worlds. Her mother’s white family labeled her African American father with names Shayla didn’t repeat in polite–well, in any company. Her father’s family disapproved as well, though they eventually embraced Shayla as their own. After the death of her mother, and her brother Jerry’s incarceration, life has left Shayla’s father bitter, her niece, Portia, an orphan, and Shayla responsible for them all. She knows God loves them all, but why couldn’t people accept each other for what was on the inside? For their hearts? Everything changes one icy morning when Portia runs into the street and Link Whitman nearly hits her with his pickup. Soon he is falling in love with Shayla. Can they overcome society’s view of their differences and find true love? (General Fiction from Abingdon Press)
Baggage Claim by Cathe Swanson — When Ben Taylor, widower and single dad, gets caught up in a dangerous insurance fraud network, he has to learn to take a stand for right – and make a leap of faith: can he trust his nanny – who isn’t quite what she appears to be – and his newly-discovered biological father to hide and protect his four young children? (General Fiction, Independently Published)
Historical Romance:
The Matchmaker Brides Collection by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, Amanda Cabot, Lisa Carter, Ramona K. Cecil, Lynn A. Coleman, Susanne Dietze, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Connie Stevens and Liz Tolsma — Meet nine women of the late 1800s who have found themselves in the role of matchmaker. They think they have mastered the art of recognizing romantic potential in others, but when it comes to their own lives they have been unlucky in love. In small communities from Tennessee to Colorado, Wyoming to Indiana, love unexpectedly enters the women’s lives with men they never imagined marrying. But what will it take to get these ladies to say “I do”? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
The Viscount’s Proposal by Melanie Dickerson — Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents–or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage–alone and after dark–the ensuing gossip may force them together.Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety and he certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall’s coach “accident” was no such thing: the vehicle was sabotaged. Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career–and his life. (Historical Romance from Waterfall Press)
The Reluctant Guardian by Susanne Dietze — When Gemma Lyfeld inadvertently interrupts a dangerous smuggling operation in her English village, she’s rescued by a mysterious Scottish spy. Now with criminals after her and her hopes for an expected marriage proposal recently dashed, she will make her society debut in London. But not without the man tasked with protecting her… Covert government agent Tavin Knox must keep Gemma safe from the criminals who think she can identify them—a mission he never wanted. But as he escorts her and her rascally nephews around London, the lovely English lass proves braver than he ever imagined. Suddenly, the spy who works alone has one Season to become the family man he never dreamed he’d be. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Shine like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky — In a quiet corner of northern Edwardian England, Margaret Lounsbury diligently works in her grandmother’s millinery shop, making hats and caring for her young sister. Several years earlier, a terrible event reshaped their family, shattering an idyllic life and their future prospects. An even which…might not have been an accident. When Nathaniel Harcourt returns from his time in the Royal Navy and inherits his father’s vast estate, Morningside Manor, he also assumes partial control of his father’s engineering company and the duty of repaying an old debt to the Lounsbury family. But years of separation between Nate and Maggie have taken a toll and Maggie struggles to trust her old friend. Will the search for the truth about her parents’ death draw the two friends closer or leave them both with broken hearts? (Historical Romance from Waterbrook Multnomah)
The Bounty Hunter’s Baby by Erica Vetsch — Bounty hunter Thomas Beaufort has no problem handling outlaws, but when he’s left with a criminal’s baby to care for, he’s in over his head. And the only person he can think of to ask for help is Esther Jensen, the woman whose heart he broke when he left town. But can he convince her to put aside the past until he tracks down the baby’s outlaw father? Esther is ready to run Thomas off her Texas ranch–until she spies the abandoned newborn in his arms. Soon, working together to care for the precious babe stirs old hopes of a family. With trouble heading to their door, they could overcome it together–if she’ll entrust her wary heart to this sweet, second-chance family… (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Thriller/Suspense:
Raging Storm by Vannetta Chapman — When a massive solar flare wiped out all modern technology across the globe, the small town of Abney, Texas, was thrown into chaos. Shelby Sparks and her diabetic teenage son, Carter, have found refuge, but Shelby knows Carter can’t survive without insulin–and Shelby will risk her life traveling to Austin to make sure he gets it. Shelby’s best friend and high school sweetheart, Max Berkman, won’t let her make the journey alone. Together, they reach the capital–only to discover that Austin has turned into an urban nightmare on the brink of anarchy. Now the only thing more uncertain than finding what they need is the hope of making it out of the city alive. (Thriller/Suspense from Harvest House Publishers)
Speculative:
Time Search by Danele J. Rotharmel — While the TEMCO staff searches for clues to unravel the mystery of his real name, their enemy is lurking in the shadows searching for his targets–it’s anyone’s guess whose search will be completed first! (Speculative/Time Travel Fiction from Prism Book Group)
Western Romance:
Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy — Rancher Justin Boden is normally an unshakable and rugged man, but with his brother, Cole, shot and in mortal danger, even a tough man faces doubts. And it doesn’t help that Angie DuPree, the assistant to the doctor trying to save Cole, is as distracting a woman as Justin ever laid eyes on. With her and the doc’s timely skills, Cole looks to be on the mend, and Justin and the rest of the Bodens can turn their attention back to the dangers facing them. It’s clear now that everything that’s occurred is part of a much bigger plot that could date back to a decades-old secret. Can they uncover all the pieces before danger closes in on them, or is the threat to the ranch even bigger than any of the Bodens could imagine? (Western Romance from Bethany House [Baker])
“Hi, Melvin. It’s Jared. Jared Quinby.” Already, Jared wished he hadn’t called. This was a mistake but it was too late to hang up now.
“Dr. Quinby, it’s been a very long time.”
Melvin Gastone had been a doctor at the clinic before a drug addiction had derailed his life and career. Office gossip had Melvin spending a court-ordered stint at a rehab ranch in Wyoming to dry out. That same court had striped him of his medical license, but Melvin had finagled a way to stay on at the ranch after his time was up, probably to avoid coming back to Washington, D.C. Jared had called in a few favors with the woman who now ran the clinic to get Melvin’s current number.
Jared wasn’t sure how Melvin would react to his request, so thought it would be better to start with a generic greeting. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.” A short laugh. “But I heard you had some excitement. Something about a woman patient and a gun? Naughty, naughty.”
Jared grimaced. With each passing minute, he was remembering why he hadn’t liked Melvin and his caustic sense of humor. “So I’ve been told.”
“Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? We were never buddies before my hiatus from the medical profession and I see no reason to pretend now. Why are you calling me?”
That sounded more like the old Melvin. Arrogant and blunt. Jared swallowed his retort and focused on the reason he was calling. Melvin was a good psychiatrist. “I wanted to run something by you, professionally.”
“You want my professional medical opinion on a case? You do realize they suspended my medical license. I can’t even counsel a cow, much less a real, live human being.”
Jared sighed. Melvin wasn’t going to make this easy on either of them. “I’m well aware of your lack of credentials. Frankly, you’re one of the best dissectors of written correspondence that I know.”
“Ah, you must be moonlighting with the FBI again. I would have thought you learned your lesson the last time. But I did think you were somewhat of a slow learner when it came to certain things.”
Jared lost his grip on his patience. “We can discuss my alleged shortcomings or we can talk about something much more interesting. You in or out?”
“Whoa, there. You were always so easy to tease and I’m glad to see you haven’t changed in that respect. I’m interested. Tell me more.”
Jared blew out a breath. “I have a set of chat transcripts that I’d like your opinion on.”
“I’m still listening.”
“A linguist has identified at least three different writers, but I think there’s more. What makes them seem like the same writers is how remarkably similar the conversations progress, like the writer was working from a basic script with little variations to make it seem more in real time.”
“Sounds like you’ve figured out a whole lot already. What do you need me for?”
“I’d like another set of eyes to read the transcripts to see if I’m right or just reading too much into it.” Jared took a swig of beer. “And to see if you can tell how many different writers there are.”
The silence on the other end lengthened. Jared only knew the call hadn’t been disconnected by Melvin’s breathing. He bit his tongue to keep from asking what was taking so long. Melvin hated being hurried while he made up his mind.
“For you, I’ll do this one favor. But only this once. You have to promise to lose my number after this. I cut ties to my old life and it needs to stay that way.” Another pause. “I can’t be sucked back into that life. If I do, I’m not sure I can stay away from the drugs.”
Jared heard the other man’s misery in those words and he realized he had been too harsh on him. Sure, Melvin could be a pain to work with, but he had been a colleague in need that Jared had ignored, too focused on his own problems. Jared felt a pang of regret that he hadn’t once asked how Melvin was doing when he went through rehab. He was ashamed to say that didn’t show a lot of charity in his blood. But he couldn’t tell Melvin this, so he settled for sticking to the purpose of his call. “Thanks, Melvin. Do you have an email address?” Jared jotted down the email address. “I’ll scan and send the transcripts to you tonight.”
“And I’ll look at it over the weekend and get back to you on Monday.”
A click indicated Melvin had disconnected without saying farewell. He could see that Melvin was the same rude man he’d been before rehab and for some reason that thought made him smile. At least his personality hadn’t been affected by the drugs, as Jared had sometimes wondered.
He walked over to his laptop and turned it on before heading to his bedroom for his portable printer/scanner combo. As he passed the kitchen, he turned up the radio. Might as well listen with the rest of the lonely hearts to Layla while he scanned in the chat discussions.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Phantom Love is copyrighted and cannot be used in any form without permission from Sarah Hamaker.
Award-winning author, V. B. Tenery lives in East Texas. Her passion is writing inspirational fiction with shining characters, settings, and plots so exciting readers come away feeling delighted with the experience. When not writing she enjoys reading, hiking, and tubing down rivers in the Texas Hill Country.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense? V.B.: The most difficult part of writing romantic suspense for most authors is to keep the characters real and the story from being trite. I personally dislike mushy romantic plots. By mushy, I mean where the male/female protagonists are always thinking how sexy the other one is and how they can’t keep their hands of each other. I try to have natural interactions between the two that fits the scene. If someone is trying to kill you, I don’t think reactions would hormonal. As Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, “There is nothing new under the sun,” and that is especially true in fiction. Finding a fresh approach to the plot is always a challenge.
How do you connect with your characters? V.B.: That’s a good question, and I don’t always make a connection immediately. I have a romantic suspense series, and as the storyline has developed through multiple novels, I’ve gotten to know them intimately, but the connection didn’t happen right away. The deeper I went into their feeling and goals, the more I began to know them inside-out. In a couple of my standalone novels, there has been an immediate connection that I can’t explain. The young genius, Grace Sullivan, in Deathwatch, was such a connection, as was Mercy Lawrence, a kidnap victim, in Dead Ringer. When that happens, I find the writing flows easily and I finish those novels much faster. When I struggle to know who my characters really are, it slows down my muse.
Current book: Deathwatch In Deathwatch, an MI6 agent, Scotland Yard inspector, and a young American genius search for a killer during the London Blitz.
Jared jerked upright on the couch, scattering pages on the floor. He squinted at the clock. Nine-thirty. Man, he wished his leg would hurry up and heal. It was getting old to feel this exhausted after a half day’s yard work. He would be up all night now that he had taken an hour’s nap.
He picked up the papers Will had dropped off yesterday and stacked them on the coffee table. He’d straighten them out later but first a snack and something to drink. He stood and amended that list as his injured leg stiffened. He went to the bedroom for his pain medication. As he washed down the pills with water from the bathroom sink, he knew he needed to find a massage therapist who made house calls. Hot baths and warm compresses only helped so much to relax those muscles.
He hobbled into the kitchen for a beer. Thank goodness for grocery stores that delivered. He’d noticed the website of one on Mary’s fridge while making breakfast two days ago. His order had arrived as promised this morning and now his pantry and fridge contained all the essentials like beer, chicken wings, and cheese curls. Typical bachelor fair, but he deserved to eat what he wanted to after all the work he was doing to restore that mess of a yard.
He took out a carton of eggs and some cheese for a quick omelet. He needed to eat some protein. Otherwise, he would vomit the pills. Experience had taught him that painful lesson. He turned on the gas and slapped a frying pan on the burner. Dotting the pan with a small pat of butter, he cracked three eggs into a bowl and whisked them together. Marla, his former girlfriend, always said he had a light hand with omelets. Too bad she never appreciated anything else about him.
While the pan heated, he turned on the portable radio sitting on the counter. “Do You Believe in Magic?” by The Lovin’ Spoonful filtered fuzzily into the kitchen. He poured the eggs into the pan and then reached over to adjust the tuner. The song ended and a sultry voiced DJ came on the radio.
“That was dedicated to Ted and Allison, on the anniversary of their first kiss. You’re listening to ‘Love Letters With Layla’ on easy listening WMCR, 98.6 on your FM dial. More dedications and listener comments coming up after a commercial break. Don’t go changing the station.”
Jared expertly flipped the omelet and tuned out the commercials. He carried his omelet and beer back to the living room just as the DJ came back. “This is Layla with ‘Love Letters With Layla.’ What’s on your mind, Maysona?”
“I had a big fight with my boyfriend tonight. He wanted to try that new Mexican place but I hate Mexican food. I wanted to eat Thai, but he blew up, saying I always pick the restaurant. We ended up screaming at each other in front of my apartment building.”
“Sometimes we say things we don’t mean and it can be hard to make it right again.”
“I said some awful things. But so did he.”
Sniffles from Maysona came over the airwaves. Great, one of those sappy romantic call-in shows with a DJ who would apply arm-chair psychology to solving relationship problems. At least the host had a great radio voice, very low and sexy. He’d bet a lot of guys would listen to the show just to hear her voice. He knew he would, if he could manage to stomach the drivel that passed for banter.
“I think the question you have to ask yourself is whether you love him enough to be the one to make the first move. If the thought of never seeing him again is worse than the thought of apologizing, then you have your answer.”
More sniffles. “I do love him. And I’ve been such a, well, I know you don’t approve of such language on your show. But I’ve got my pride. He shouldn’t be able to treat me that way.”
“Pride can be a rather lonely companion on the long dark nights of the soul.”
Jared forked another mouthful of omelet into his mouth and chewed, contemplating that thought. The radio host wasn’t as glib as he had originally predicted. Her remark on pride was spot-on. Pride had gotten him shot, and it had sure ruined his relationship with Marla, no doubt about it.
On air, Maysona was working toward a resolution. “So you think I should say I’m sorry, like nothing happened?”
A soft laugh from Layla made the hairs on his arm stand up. That laugh. Hadn’t he heard that this afternoon under the warm June sun? No, he was hearing things. He closed his eyes as he recalled Mary’s laughter earlier that day. The two women definitely laughed in a similar manner, but there was no way Mary could be a radio host. She was much too shy to be DJing a call-in radio show.
“I’m merely suggesting you might want to think long term instead of short term. Right now, you’re hurting and I’ll bet he is, too. You’re angry and you want to be the person who’s in the right. But what about two weeks or even two days from now? Is being right and alone better than admitting your part in the fight and making up?”
“I don’t know, Layla.”
“You also need to evaluate the flip side of this, and think about whether this is a pattern with him. Does he always shout when he gets mad? Being alone isn’t the worst thing, and shouldn’t be a reason for you to stay in a bad relationship.”
More sniffles from the caller. “He’s really a great guy most of the time.”
“Spend some time thinking about your relationship. Just don’t wait too long. Making things right—whether it’s getting back together or moving on—is harder the more distance we put between us.”
“Thanks. I’ll think about what you said. Will you play a song for me?”
“Of course. Here’s ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow?’ by Carole King to help you think. Good luck, Maysona.”
Jared pushed aside the plate and reorganized the papers from the case folder. He had begun reading the chat transcripts right before he had fallen asleep. Something niggled at the back of his mind, something he should know or recognize about the dialogues. Maybe reading them again with a clearer head would jog his memory.
He stretched out his leg, wishing the pain meds would kick in quickly. He had been cutting back on taking the tablets because he didn’t want to become too dependent on them. Besides, he had seen enough addicts to prescription drugs to realize the potential dangers in that little bottle. But weaning himself off pain pills wasn’t easy, especially with the workout he had been giving his leg lately. Focusing on his work would engage his mind.
He settled back on the couch and picked up the chat transcripts. If he had been a praying man, he would have asked for guidance in figuring this out. But he had stopped talking to God around the time a bullet had shattered his life.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Phantom Love is copyrighted and cannot be used in any form without permission from Sarah Hamaker.