Allison (A Kane Novel) (51 page)

“When things go bad, really bad, just remember who you are . . . and hold to it.”

At the time I had considered my father’s advice simplistic and facile.  But before the year was out, on the night fire had destroyed our home, his words had returned to me with unexpected force, giving me the courage to face my fears.

Remember who you are . . . and hold to it.

But who was I?

For the first time since the summer of my rape, I looked deep inside myself, searching a place no one else could go.  Some of what I found there I liked:  resolve, and humor, and a bold, adventurous spirit—traits I had inherited from my father.  Intelligence, nerve, and an uncompromising strength of character, things Mom had given me, were there as well.  But there were other things, dark things—things I didn’t want to face.  Jealousy.  Insecurity.  Envy.  Spite.  And worst of all, a fear of failure that had made it almost impossible for me to open myself to others, a fear that for years had caused me to hide behind a mantle of sarcasm and cynicism and wit.  And worse, to my shame, I realized now that following my rape, my resolve never to be weak again had driven a wedge between me and the people I loved.

Remember who you are . . .

At last I turned to Mike.  I found him watching, awaiting my reply.  “Lunch at County Line and a hike,” I said.  “And then what?”

“I don’t know,” Mike answered.  “If you don’t have plans, we could shoot over to my place, throw a couple of steaks on the barbecue, watch a video . . .”

“A video?  Hmmm . . . I hear there’s an award-winning documentary out that chronicles the history of the Los Angeles River.”

“And it just so happens I have a copy,” Mike said with a tentative smile.

I raised an eyebrow.  “And I suppose you’ll want to watch it with the sound off?” I asked, remembering our time together when we first viewed his film.

“Actually, I thought we would just take things one step at a time.”

“A fresh start?  Really?”

Mike nodded.  “Really.  What do you say?”

I stared at the flowing stream below us, hesitating a moment more.  Finally I came to a decision.  I didn’t know what the future would bring, only that I wanted to be a part of it.  There was a big, unpredictable, dangerous, beautiful, cruel, heartbreakingly wonderful world out there to explore . . . and I intended to, my eyes and mind and heart open for whatever might come, no matter what.

With a growing sense of confidence and an abiding trust in life, I lifted my eyes and met Mike’s gaze. “A new beginning,” I said softy.  Still holding his eyes with mine, I answered his question at last.  “I would like that, Mike,” I said, meaning it with all my heart.  “I would like that a lot.”

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my appreciation to a number of people who provided their assistance and expertise while I was writing
Allison. 
Any errors, exaggerations, or just plain bending of facts to suit the story are attributable to me alone.

To Detective Lee Kingsford (LAPD, retired), I again owe a debt of gratitude.  His gift of knowledge and friendship once more proved invaluable during the preparation of the manuscript.  To Susan Dunning, my muse with a sharp eye for detail, to friends and family for their encouragement and support, to my editor Karen Oswalt, to Karen Waters for her work on the cover, and especially to my core group of readers—all of whom made critical suggestions for improvements—my sincere thanks.

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About the Author

STEVE GANNON
is the author of several bestselling novels including
A Song for the Asking
, first published by Bantam.  Gannon divides his time between Italy and Idaho, living in two of the most beautiful places on earth.  In Idaho he serves as the Executive Director of Sun Valley Artist Series, a nonprofit organization devoted to the promotion and encouragement of the art of classical music.  In addition to presenting an annual series of classical music performances and educational programs, he spends his days there skiing, hanging out, and writing.  In Italy Gannon also continues to write, as well as enjoying the Italian people, food, history, culture, and mangling the Italian language.

To contact Steve Gannon, purchase books, or to join his email list to receive updates on new releases, please visit his website at:  
http://stevegannonauthor.com

Other
STEVE GANNON
Books (See Following Pages)

A Song for the Asking

Kane

Glow
(2013)

Stepping Stones

Read the bestselling book that started the
Kane Novel Series
!

To Purchase
A Song for the Asking
” at Amazon: 
Click Here

Los Angeles is terrorized by a grisly series of murders.  One man can stop the killer: Detective Daniel Kane.  But for Kane—devastated by personal tragedy and haunted by a secret that could destroy his family—to do so may cost him everything, including his life . . .

To purchase
Kane
at Amazon: 
Click Here

When Mike Callahan he picks up his daughter for a motorcycle ride up the California coast, he has no idea he is about to embark on a journey that will lead to death, rebirth, and a final chance for salvation . . . as well as testing the limits of his sanity.  And possibly yours . . .

Glow
~ Coming in 2013!

What do a Las Vegas insomniac, an amateur inventor whose tinkering triggers a war, a boy with a strange and terrible gift, a medical researcher who discovers the secret of eternal life, a beautiful woman in a coma, and a homicidal rock climber all have in common?  Read
Stepping Stones
to find out!

To Purchase
Stepping Stones
at Amazon: 
Click Here