Happily Never After

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER

BESS GEORGE

SOUL MATE PUBLISHING

New York

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER

Copyright©2015

BESS GEORGE

Cover Design by Melody A. Pond

This book is a work of fiction.  The names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual events, business establishments, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher.  The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

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Published in the United States of America by

Soul Mate Publishing

P.O. Box 24

Macedon, New York, 14502

ISBN: 978-1-61935-
902-4

www.SoulMatePublishing.com

The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

For my family,

who inspire me each and every day

Acknowledgements

There are so many people who helped me get to this point that I don’t have enough room here to list them all. Of course, first and foremost, I’m thankful for my husband and children who are a never-ending source of support.

To Evelinda, the best friend a gal could ever want, whose positive faith helps me to believe that all things are possible.

Thank you to Soul Mate Publishing, who took a chance on an unknown author. I’d like to thank the members of NWHRWA. Your warmth and acceptance kept me showing up for the meetings and I’ve learned so much.

Last, I’d like to thank you, and I hope you enjoy my story. 

Chapter 1

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Kelsey Brackston worked hard to calm her nerves as the old elevator crept upward toward the Redding District Attorney’s office. Four, five, six. It was all she could do to focus on the floor buttons as each lit up.

“Are you okay?”

Her body jerked and she stared at the man standing on the other side of the elevator. He was big, and the mirrored walls made his reflection appear as if he surrounded her. She stood five-feet, ten-inches tall, and most men didn’t loom over her. The guy was ripped and built like a linebacker. If he attacked, she would be helpless against his brute strength.

Calm down, Kelsey. No one’s going to hurt you.

Since being shot in the chest ten months ago, confinement in a small space with strangers caused frightening visions to bombard her. Her breath came faster as fear paralyzed her movements.

His deep voice rumbled. “Claustrophobic?”

Her heart pounded. Cold sweat slid down her back as dark chocolate eyes studied her
.

“No, no claustrophobia.” Her throat was so constricted the words struggled past her lips.

He nodded perfunctorily and glanced toward the doors, his expression impassive.
I bet he wishes he’d waited for the next elevator.
Irrational or not, the dismissal stung. Determined to appear in control again, she tried to sound friendly. Hopefully, her facial tick would resemble a smile. “I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable.”

He smiled back at her. A sheepish and charming one, which made her wonder if he was patronizing her or being sincere.

Something about this man, an unshakeable sureness, sent a pang of envy through her. She’d lost her own self-confidence after the attack. As well as her fearlessness and sense of security. To the point where, here she was, almost two thousand miles from Dallas.

Her racing heart slowed as the metal doors slid open with a ding. She bumped shoulders with the man as they both moved to exit at the same time. He gave an exaggerated bow and motioned for her to precede him.

Standing straight, she channeled her Assistant District Attorney attitude while praying that her black Dior suit and pumps camouflaged her nervousness.

Since she was here on vacation, she’d felt ridiculous getting dressed this morning but the long drive from Texas had stretched her nerves taut as piano wire. Wearing what she termed her body armor helped center her. Hair in a simple bun, designer suit, and high heels that helped her tower over mere mortals. The entire world saw what she wanted them to see. A confident attorney.

She nodded her thanks, and then, shoulders back, she strode toward the receptionist. A professional mask she’d perfected over the years slid into place. The first thing you learned in a court of law. Control your emotions and never let them show.

Her elevator companion raised one hand to greet the young woman sitting behind the desk and then moved on down the hall. No, more like swaggered.

Of course. She should have known.

Cop.

“May I help you?”

Kelsey focused on the receptionist. “I’m here to see David Reyes.”

At that moment, David strode down the hallway with his arms full of folders. His gray suit and French blue shirt stood out against the dark skin of his Latin heritage.

Her heart contracted while she studied him. The tired lines reflected the long hours he put into his job. She recognized the signs. David was her family at heart if not by blood, and she worried about him.

“Kelsey! You’re early. What did you do, drive straight through to California? You weren’t supposed to get here until tomorrow.” Still holding the files, he reached out and enveloped her around the neck in a one-armed hug. “Hey, brat . . . it's good to see you.”

A small smile moved across her lips when she peeked back at the other woman. Her eyebrows now resided along her hairline. Kelsey laughed and used one finger to poke him in the ribs. “Turn me loose before I hurt you, you weirdo.”

He let her go but reached down and snagged her hand to enfold it in his much bigger one. “This is my little sister, Kelsey Brackston. Kelsey, this is Samantha—she’s our new gatekeeper for everyone trying to escape early on Fridays.”

Samantha smiled. “I’ve worked here for three weeks, and so far your brother is the ringleader on most attempts. I’m sorry I didn’t see the resemblance.”

Kelsey grinned at Samantha. “No problem, no one ever does.” They didn't look anything alike because they weren’t related. Two kids who’d grown up in the foster care world that’d formed a family of their own.

David’s face took on a fake sadness. “Yep, I got all the looks, and she got all the brains.”

Laughter bubbled up Kelsey’s throat. David always understood what she needed. Sometimes more than she did. Now, his light-hearted banter eased the tightness in her chest. “Did you get promoted to file clerk and not tell me?”

“I prefer the term Data Storage Manager but yes, I’m doing the filing. We all do our share around here.” He gave her hand a final squeeze before letting go. “Come on back. Did you stop at the house to see Bev and the kids?” He sauntered down the hallway, moving toward his office.

Kelsey followed him to a spacious room where photos and plaques covered the walls, citing his accomplishments.

“No, I arrived late last night and checked into a hotel. Once I started driving, I just kept going until I made it to California and decided to push on. The hotel’s a few blocks from here, so I came by to see you first.”

“I still don’t understand why you didn’t fly. That’s a long drive for one person.”

A chill rippled down her spine at the image of a panic attack and being confined in a metal bird at thirty thousand feet. “I wanted to see some of the country between Texas and California. It was beautiful.”

David placed the stack of files on the corner of his desk, motioning for her to take the chair opposite him. He waited for her to begin with a patient expression.

When he’d called and asked her to come for a visit, she’d known they would have this dreaded conversation. But she’d jumped at the offer anyway. The constant unease caused her to imagine monsters lurking in every shadow. This spur of the moment invitation gave her the perfect opportunity to leave town.

“Go ahead and say what’s on your mind so we can put this behind us and enjoy my visit,” she said, amusement in her voice.

“Kelsey, the television report—”

She held up her hand in protest. “Stop. I’ve become that reporter’s meal ticket.
Otis Warren shoots the District Attorney determined to send him to prison for life
. Sound bite at eleven. The local station is getting ratings by sensationalizing the attack. I still can’t believe they decided to do a follow-up piece focusing on the fact that I still haven’t gone back to work.”

“Why did you tell me you went back months ago?”

Ah, there it was. The sound of disappointment she’d been avoiding.
Stop it. This wasn’t David’s fault.
“I guess I didn’t want you to worry. And I did try to go back.”

“What happened?”

“Reporters followed me everywhere. I couldn’t even buy groceries without someone popping up like a jack-in-the-box wanting all the juicy details. It wasn’t any better at the office.” Her stomach flipped at the memory. Needing to lighten the moment before tears threatened again, she forced a chuckle. “I swear if one more person says,
bless your heart
, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

He laughed as she’d intended, but his raised eyebrow told her they’d revisit the subject again later. “So, is there anything else you’ve conveniently forgotten to tell me?”

This wasn’t a good time to bring up the crank calls or the fact someone broke into her car. Twice. Feeling ten years old again, she scrunched her nose as if in concentration and fidgeted. “Nope. I think that’s about it for now.”

David sat back and gave her
the look
. That stare had made him a feared prosecutor by hardened felons. Even as a teen, he could make her spill secrets with one raised brow.

“If you’re not working, what have you been doing?”

Prickly heat traveled from her neck to the tips of her ears. Between unease and depression, she’d started leaving her apartment less and less. “Uh, a little of this. A little of that. Don’t worry about me, David. I’m okay.”

He frowned. “Are you? You’re a terrific prosecutor, Kels. You’ve worked so hard to get where you are. Don’t let this derail your dreams. Has the counseling helped?”

Her morning coffee churned in her stomach at his concern. She hated that he worried about her so much.
Time to come clean
.

“I haven’t exactly been seeing the counselor anymore.”

He got to his feet so fast that his chair slid back into the credenza with a thud. “Why, for God’s sake?”

A death grip on her purse turned her knuckles white.
Breathe
. “She focused on my childhood. Was I happy? Did other kids judge me on my lack of material things?
Hello, I was a foster child
,
of course, they did
.” She snorted. “I was shot, David. I don’t need to rehash my crappy beginnings.”

He came around the desk and reclined back against it. “So find someone else. I’m worried about you.”

“Listen, the one thing I did learn while in the system is that you have to work long and hard if you want to succeed. No one is handing you anything for free. My conviction record is one of the highest in the office. I’m strong enough to deal with this. I just need more time.”

The therapist had wanted to open her up and take everything out, item by item, for inspection. No, thanks. Some things were just better left alone, so she’d quit going.

David shook his head in concern. “Hon, you survived an attack that almost cost you your life, and it doesn’t sound like you’re dealing with this. Tell me what you need and let us help you.”

Unable to speak, she stared out the picture window. He was right as usual. If she continued on the same path, she’d end up homeless when her money ran out.

Tilting her head, she gave him a reassuring smile. “A little time with you is all I need. I can only stay a week, though. Between medical bills and not working, my funds are getting low. If I can’t go back to the prosecutor’s office, I’ll need to find something else.”

He gave her the grin she recognized from their childhood. He’d won, and they both knew it. “I’m glad you said that. We have an open position right here. I know we’re not the big city of Dallas, but Redding offers some high points. It’s a good size town but so spread out it seems small.”

A trickle of excitement welled up inside her at the prospect of working with David. He was a genius in the courtroom and she could learn so much. But that would mean being face to face with criminals again. Sweat beaded on her forehead as nausea made her gag.
Breathe in. Breathe out
. She forced bile back down her throat.

David reached over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Calm down, hon, you don’t have to make any decisions right this minute. You okay?”

The second time someone had asked that in less than thirty minutes. Too bad she still didn’t have a real answer to the question. She didn’t know if she’d ever be okay again.

When her emotions were back under control, her lips twitched with humor. “Wanna know a secret?”

“By the look of your face, my answer is a resounding no. I also feel sure you’re going to tell me, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely. I figured you’d use the family card to get me to move out here.”

He grinned. “And so I did. But seriously, Kels, you’d like living here. And the DA’s office is not your only option. But enough of that. Tonight, Bev and I are taking you out for dinner. She can’t wait to see you. The kids haven’t stopped talking about Aunt Kelsey since I told them you were coming. Where did you sleep last night?”

“At one of the hotels over on Hilltop Drive.” She rose and hesitated for a moment before continuing. “David, I know you want me to stay at your house, but I’d rather keep my room at the hotel. I have times when I need to be alone.” She refused to take the chance her nieces would witness one of her freak out episodes.

He hugged her. “I understand. And I love you. You know you’re welcome if you change your mind.”

She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his waist, winging a silent prayer of thanks into the universe for this man.

David led her out into the hallway toward the reception desk. A tall figure came barreling out from one of the offices, almost crashing into her.

The man reached out to help center her, but she pulled back so fast his hands grazed her arms.

“Hey, sorry about that. You okay?”

Fight or flight kicked in and her rational brain shut down. She backed away from the stranger, clasping her hands together to control their violent trembling. Like a trapped animal, her eyes were frantic as they searched for escape routes, her heartbeat roaring in her ears. The wall stopped her backward progress with a jolt just as recognition hit her.

The cop.

She was safe. Two dark brown eyes pinned her in place as they stared at one another.

A soothing voice at her side broke the connection. David placed his arm around her shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. “This is Bode Taggert, honey. He’s one of the detectives in the Redding police department. Bode, this is ADA Kelsey Brackston.”

Bode’s brows shot up. “You’re an
ADA
? Impressive.”

Kelsey didn’t hear the compliment, only the question. Her spine stiffened and she moved away from David to stand on her own. She didn’t need anyone else doubting her abilities as an ADA. There were enough misgivings running around in her brain already.

“Nice to meet you.” She gave him a curt nod of hello and tilted her face toward David. “I’ll see you later at dinner.”

Head held high, chin up she passed the tall, dark stranger. The elevator was straight in front of her. All she had to do was reach it. She refused to ruin her confident exit in front of the detective. With gritted teeth, she waited for the doors to open. It was empty. She stepped inside and the breath she held escaped. As the door slid closed, on the view of a once again smiling Bode Taggert, one word entered her mind.

Trouble.