The high-pitched sound of the alarm snapped Angela out of pleasant dreams of sandy beaches and warm sun. She thought about hitting snooze, but tapped the off button instead. It was Monday, and she had to be at work by eight.
As she waited for the coffee to brew, she scrambled an egg, then checked the phone for messages. No calls. She hadn’t heard from Jason in nearly three weeks.
After Tracy and Jason were both arrested, Angela had stayed with Mrs. Caldwell for a while. They drove together to the prison every few days and were vigilant about keeping the case in the media and pushing to get Jason out of prison.
Tracy was looking at life behind bars.
Jason had yet to be vindicated. His new lawyer assured Mrs. Caldwell that he would be cleared, but these things take time, he’d said.
Upon returning home to Montpelier, Angela learned that Rob and Christine were no longer together. When Rob found out she was back home, he repeatedly asked her out. Finally, she agreed to meet him for coffee and made it clear it was over between them.
Since then, she’d been keeping busy. Unfortunately for the people who had passed away, work had picked up at the morgue. She’d also applied for re-entry to medical school. Being on the run with Jason had made her realize how short life was. There was no time like the present to aim high and fulfill her dreams.
After locking up the apartment, she made her way toward her Volvo parked at the curb. She couldn’t look at the car without thinking about Jason. She missed being with him. It didn’t take much for her to remember his smile, or how she melted when he looked into her eyes and held her close.
She was afraid she’d gotten a parking ticket when she saw a slip of paper tucked under her the windshield wiper. The note said: “You look beautiful.”
She whipped around, and saw Jason standing a few cars away. His hair had grown. His eyes were bright—that haunted expression was gone.
“I was in the area,” he said, coming her way, “and thought I’d stop by to say hello.”
She jumped into his arms. He smelled so familiar, so good. She pulled away to have a better look at him. “I can’t believe you’re here!”
“I missed you.” He kissed her, his mouth a whisper on her lips until she pulled him closer and deepened the kiss. After she looked up into his eyes again, he retrieved an envelope from his back pocket and handed it to her.
“What’s this?” She ripped it open before he could answer. “Two tickets to Paris! You’re allowed to fly?”
“I’ve been fully exonerated, Angela. I’m a free man. I want to see the world, and I want to see it with you. I figured two weeks in Paris would be a good start.”
“How is that possible? I thought Tracy emptied your accounts.”
“I’m in the process of selling the house and everything else Tracy bought with the money. But that account only comprised half of my share of monies made from the sale of the company. Colin invested the other half in stocks, which happen to be doing very well.”
Stunned, unable to believe he was standing in front of her as a free man, she turned and ran down the walkway leading back to her apartment.
“Where are you going?”
“To call my boss. I think I need a day off.”
He laughed.
She laughed, too, and then ran back to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his chin, his jaw, his lips. “I can’t believe this is happening.” Breathless, she looked into his eyes again. “You’re truly free. How does it feel?”
“Indescribable. For the first time in years, I have the power to choose…love, life, happiness…it’s all up to me.”
“I love you, Jason Caldwell.”
“I love you, too.”
About Theresa Ragan New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Theresa Ragan has garnered six Golden Heart nominations in Romance Writers of America's prestigious Golden Heart Competition for her work. Since releasing her first book in March 2011, she has sold over one million ebooks. In 2012 she signed with Thomas & Mercer.
Theresa writes medieval time travels, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and thrillers under the name T.R. Ragan. Click here for a list of all her books in the bestselling Lizzy Gardner series.
Join her newsletter so you don’t miss new releases and for a chance to win $50 each month! You can find Theresa on the web at www.theresaragan.com | Facebook: AuthorTheresaRagan | Twitter: @theresaragan | email: [email protected]
Random Acts
by Erica Spindler
“Don’t forget in the dark what you learned in the light.”
—author unknown
Chapter One
Noon
New Orleans, Louisiana