A Seacat's Love (Oceanan Trilogy Book 1)
Read A Seacat's Love (Oceanan Trilogy Book 1) Online
Authors: Jessica Kong
Copyright © 2014 Jessica A Kong
All rights reserved.
ISBN-10: 1496039351
ISBN-13: 9781496039354
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014903776
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
North Charleston, South Carolina
On this night, however, Mary was nowhere to be found. In her place was a dark-haired woman with pale eyes and a full belly.
She responded to Rick’s thrusts in a breathtaking manner. She reached behind her to grasp his head. Rick spotted a wedding band on her left ring finger. He smoothed back her hair, so he could have a better look at her and saw his matching band. His heart raced with the thought of her being his wife.
Rick refused to close his eyes. He observed her features, her pointy ears, her lusty expressions. His feelings of betrayal gradually gave way to lust. He touched her growing belly and thought of the child within. His child. Hope began to seep into his heart, and his speed increased. It was a second chance at love, at having a family, at going home.
It is with great pleasure that I dedicate this book to my fans and everyone who believed I could do it if I would only try. Well, here I am. I tried, and I thank you all for encouraging me to do so.
Sunday, the 7th of April, Year 1992
California, Earth
The early morning rays touched Rick McCall’s stoic features as he entered through the iron gates to the quiet California cemetery. With half a dozen white roses clenched in one hand, Rick walked in a stiff gait up the main road until he reached the first intersection. He turned left to cut across the expansion of manicured grass and neat rows of marble and granite headstones toward a barely traveled road. He knew the gravel path well enough to follow it blindfolded.
The chirping birds had no soothing effect on Rick. He ignored the playful squirrels that chased one another and the tiny chipmunks that darted across the landscape. His mind was set on his destination.
Rick arrived at an isolated section of the cemetery and stopped in front of a flat gray headstone. He knelt on one knee to remove the dry twigs that covered the engraving. His jaw clenched and relaxed in a steady rhythm, while his fingers outlined each letter.
It was said that time could heal a broken heart. It was a lie. Rick’s heart had yet to heal from the loss of his beloved wife and unborn daughter.
Rick remembered the day he had met Mary at the gym he had frequently visited. They had gone on their first date a week later. Six months into their whirlwind relationship, they were married. They had shared three blissful years when Mary approached him with her desires to start a family. Within two months of trying, Mary had conceived. It was a dream come true for Rick.
Rick placed the flowers he carried above the etched words.
Forgive me, Mary
. He could not say it enough. His right forefinger rose to trace the three-year-old scar that ran across his left cheek. Rick kissed his fingertips and then caressed Mary’s name.
I love you. I would’ve willingly exchanged places with you. I was too slow…too late
. His eyes closed.
I should’ve known better. I made the wrong choice, and you paid with your life
.
Rick made a tight fist that caused his knuckles to snap. “Never again,” he vowed.
He recalled the day of the final viewing. Mary had looked like an angel in her white coffin. Embraced in her arms was the daughter she had always wanted. Rick read the etched words beside Mary’s name: Samantha McCall. He had named the infant after Mary’s mother, just as Mary had intended.
You would have made a wonderful mother
. The long knife scar on Rick’s cheek tingled. With a regretful sigh, he stood and left.
No, Rick would never forget, nor would he be placed in that situation again. Rick McCall vowed to never again lose a loved one because of his career.
Wednesday, the 22nd of May
Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Phoenix, Arizona
Three makeshift tents stood amid a forest of tall shrubs and cactuses in the mountain’s untouched wilderness. Leonora, the only female in the group of five humanoid felines, placed a log on the campfire. She looked over the dancing flames at her three male colleagues, who hovered around a laptop placed on a small, portable table. All three had their deceptor devices activated, which allowed their feline features to disappear, making them appear as ordinary males from Earth. They were discussing the latest data collected during a field trip to the nearest town.
Leonora retook her seat on a folding chair by the fire. The rustle of material drew her attention to the nearest tent. Her fourth teammate stared at her from the entrance. By the heated expression on Tigif’s face, Leonora knew where his thoughts were treading. She did not want any part of it.