Dreaming 0f You (Christian Romance)

by Marie Higgins

  Now he thanked his lucky stars for putting Amber in his way so he didn’t have feelings—other than intense disgust —for Tori. She was as cold-hearted as they came.

  Unfortunately, the longer he’d been married to Amber, the more she’d begun acting like her sister. Once his company started making money, his wife’s tastes turned expensive. She had to have everything her sister did or more. Soon, Amber and Tori were inseparable, and Amber’s neglect hurt him deeply. She’d come home late after being with Tori, smelling like alcohol and men’s cologne. After a few months of this, Shane confronted her, and she admitted to visiting clubs with her sister.

  He’d been working long hours and so decided to devote more time to his wife, but by then it was too late. She was already enjoying her new life in the fast lane.

  Was it any wonder Shane blamed Tori for ruining his marriage? He would have liked to blame his ex-wife’s death on her sister, too, but Amber was in another man’s car—both drunk—when they were hit head-on by a diesel truck, killing both.

  Pulling his thoughts from the past, Shane concentrated on meeting the new teacher at the school he had chosen. By the upturned nose and judgmental arched eyebrow on Tori’s face, Shane could tell she didn’t approve. Tori would never be totally satisfied, mainly because she hadn’t picked out the school herself.

  The teacher of this school was younger than Mrs. White by at least twenty years. In her early to mid-thirties, Stacey Hanley seemed like a very sweet and patient woman. Her kind eyes and tender words lured his poor, lost children into her classroom, and within minutes, Cori and Casey acted as if they belonged there.

  The other children at the center responded to his kids, and accepted them wholeheartedly. As he watched his twins interact with the others, an inner peace settled in his chest. Genuine smiles spread across their enthusiastic faces, especially little Cori’s.

  He’d definitely made the right choice.

  Before he left, Tori knelt beside the children and gave them a hug, letting them kiss her cheek, but neglecting to kiss them in return because she didn’t want to smudge her inch-thick layer of lipstick.

  “Tell Auntie Tori you love her,” she urged, and they chimed together their reply. “And remember—” Tori continued in her sick, sorrowful tone— “nobody loves you more than I.”

  “Except Daddy,” he chimed with a smile and a wink. Shane held back his anger with Tori. She probably told his children that she loved them more than their daddy did. That could explain Cori’s resistance to express her love.

  Shane waited until he and Tori had left the daycare and reached his truck before he stopped and glared at her. “What was that all about?”

  Her weekly-waxed eyebrows rose as she put on an air of innocence. “What are you talking about?”

  “That line you just laid on the children about how nobody loves them like their auntie?”

  She shrugged. “It’s true, because nobody does. I have to keep reassuring them that I love them. After the divorce, I saw them more than you. All you had time for was your company.”

  A deep growl rumbled in his throat, and he stepped closer to her. “That’s a bunch of crap, and you know it.”

  “Your children thought differently.”

  “Are you telling them I don’t love them?”

  “Your actions speak loud enough.”

  “Why, you...” He bit his tongue to keep from saying what he really thought of her. “You know I love them. It’s their aunt I can’t stand.” He stepped even closer, face to face with her. “Tori, I’m not going to have this argument with you again. I promise, if you do one more thing...just one more, I’ll slap you with a restraining order. And I have Mrs. White’s testimony that will help my case. Now lay off!” He took a deep, calming breath before marching toward his truck. He vowed to never see her again no matter what it took.

  THE SQUEAK OF THE GROCERY cart’s wheels echoed through the semi-empty store as Katelyn slowly pushed it up the aisle, glancing at the assortment of breakfast cereals. She picked up a box of a new cereal she’d seen advertised on TV, and read the ingredients. So far, everything looked healthy; whole grain, wheat, and barley. There even looked to be the right amount of essential vitamins listed.

  When another cart started coming up the aisle, she stepped closer to the shelf, but continued to read. Within seconds the scent of a man’s cologne surrounded her—a smell of musky-spice she recognized from the other night while jogging.

  Inwardly she groaned. This could not be happening to her. Fate could not be this unkind!

  Trying to control her shaky hand, she put the box back on the shelf before turning around. Right away, she bumped into his body. She snapped her gaze up and met his.

  “Oh, sorry,” she said quickly and stepped back.

  His smile stretched, which made her heart flip. He wore a pair of blue jeans with small holes in the knees, and a white cotton shirt. Once again, she wished she didn’t like the way he looked.

  “We’ve been running into each other a lot, haven’t we?” he noted.

  She forced a laugh. “Yes. Isn’t that funny?”

  He shrugged. “Is it?”

  “Um...of course it is.” She swallowed hard. “So, how have you been?” It was a cheesy line, but she couldn’t think of any other way to start a conversation.

  “Not bad. And yourself?”

  “Keeping busy, as always.”

  “Good to hear.”

  Katelyn definitely didn’t like his short, clipped answers. A smile pulled at the corners of his mouth, yet his tone of voice and clouded eyes told her a different story about his attitude.

  “How are your twins? Are they ready to return to Montana with you?” After she said it, she held her breath. Hopefully, she didn’t sound like she was wanted him to leave soon, when in fact, she did.

  “We won’t be going back to Montana for a while yet.”

  Inwardly, she groaned. She should have suspected he wouldn’t let her off the hook that easily. “Oh, well...I’m sure your parents will be happy about that.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Do you know my parents?”

  Her nervous hands became clammy and she shoved them in the pockets of her jacket. “No, of course not. I just assumed they would miss you and the kids being away from your home town for so long.”

  “Yes, they are happy we’re staying.”

  “Good.” She licked her dry lips, praying to find a way to end this conversation. “Well, I hope to see you later. I have to finish my shopping.” She grasped her cold hands around the steel bar of the cart and moved ahead, only to have him step in front of her.

  “Aren’t you going to buy the box of cereal?” He pointed to the shelf.

  Chuckling, she yanked the box off the shelf and tossed it in her cart. “Silly me. I’d forgotten.” Hurriedly, she pushed the cart away from him and turned down the next aisle. She took a deep breath, hoping to regulate her heartbeat again.

  She scanned the shelves of food, but couldn’t concentrate on what she needed for her kitchen. Instead, his accusing glare bothered her more than she was prepared for. When she turned down another aisle and saw him standing, still looking at her, she groaned. She smiled as best she could under the duress of the situation.

  “Katelyn? Are you following me?”

  She chortled loudly. “Following you?” She couldn’t stop her laughter from growing. “Didn’t you tell me the other day that you’ve just returned from Montana? And if that’s the case, wouldn’t it appear that you are following me?”

  He folded his arms and tilted his head, his gaze boring deep inside her—enough to make her shiver. She couldn’t tell if his expression was of anger or humor. He was such a hard man to read.

  “Actually, I was referring to here at the grocery store.”

  Open mouth—insert foot. “Oh, sorry. I misunderstood.”

  “But since you brought it up,” he said, coming toward her, “I think we need to discuss this subject a little further. After a
ll, I’m the man you wrote about in your romance novel. So it would appear that you’re stalking me.”

  Panic consumed her and her throat tightened. Apparently, they hadn’t settled this subject at all. Before she could stop it, her defenses charged forward, leaving the sweetness she should show him behind in the dust.

  “You are one arrogant man, Mr. Hunter. I can’t believe you’d think I’d lower myself to write about you. Every time I run into you, your personality gets worse, and I can’t wait to get away from you. So, if you’ll excuse me,” she ended, pushing past him as she hurried her cart away from him.

  “Whoa-ho!” He stopped her cart again by grabbing the handle. “What’s this I see?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mr. Hunter.”

  “Where is that sweet, shy woman I met the other morning at the diner?”

  “You chased her away,” she snapped. “I tried to be nice to you, but your insults and accusations have taken their toll, and I have no patience for men like you.”

  Anger beat through every muscle of her body as she pushed him out of the way and marched down another aisle chucking items into her cart without looking to see what they were first. She couldn’t believe she’d let him do this to her. He made her mind a total mess!

  Every other aisle she saw Shane, and especially his accusing, dark brown eyes that seemed to hold her prisoner. He must know she’d been lying. Why else would he act that way?

  When she took her groceries up to the checkout, she stood in the shortest lane, hoping the person in front of her would not have a book full of coupons. The quicker she left the store, the better.

  As the old woman in front picked up her bags, Katelyn sighed with relief then proceeded to place her items on the conveyor belt. It was then she realized she didn’t need half this stuff. But there was no way she’d take them back now.

  Just as she placed the last item on the belt, she became aware of a customer standing too close behind her. She peeked over her shoulder. Shane’s stare caused her to groan aloud and this time she didn’t care if he heard. Quickly, she focused back on her groceries and the checker, and tried to ignore him.

  He didn’t say a word, but his overwhelming presence irritated her. For the hundredth time since first meeting him, she wondered what she’d done to deserve this punishment.

  “Your total is $50.42,” the cashier said.

  Katelyn dug through her purse, looking for that fifty-dollar bill she knew she had. If she’d only bought what she needed, her total would have come to around twenty-dollars, which was in her wallet. Instead, she now had to find the larger bill.

  “I know I have it here somewhere.” Katelyn’s heartbeat hammered out of control. Of course it didn’t help knowing Shane stood so close.

  “Here, let me pay for it.” Shane put forth his credit card.

  Katelyn slapped his hand away and glared at him. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

  She finally found the money and paid the cashier, then quickly took her bags and marched toward the automatic double-doors. Although she knew she shouldn’t, she glanced back at him. Thankfully, he wasn’t glaring at her as she’d assumed he’d be. Instead, he stood visiting with another customer. A slender, very attractive redhead.

  Irritated, Katelyn shook her head. It didn’t matter what that man did. As long as he left her alone! Yet, deep down inside her, she knew he wouldn’t.

  Each step to her car, tears burned her eyes. Facing the truth was harder than she’d expected. Shane Hunter was going to take her to court and her reputation would be ruined. How could she live if she couldn’t write? With a sinking feeling, she suspected she’d discover the answer to that question sooner than she’d like.

  “WHAT A SURPRISE IT is to see you again, Margaret.” Shane took his bags of groceries and smiled at his old secretary instead of watching Katelyn leave the store. He shouldn’t have acted the way he had with her, but after his upsetting afternoon with Tori, he couldn’t make himself be nice to Miss Palmer.

  Putting the romance writer out of his mind for now, he focused on the woman at the checkouts. Margaret Hess had been his first right hand when he’d created his company and the devoted secretary had even followed him to Montana since she didn’t have a family of her own.

  “Yes, it’s such a shock to see you back in your home town.” She took her groceries out of the cart and placed them on the conveyor belt. “Why aren’t you in Montana?”

  “I’m staying here for a while.” He didn’t want to tell her the whole sordid story. It hurt to even think about it.

  She looked at him and smiled. Strange, but looking at her now, Shane realized she was quite a pretty woman. While working for him all those years ago, Margaret always wore her hair in a ponytail, and she rarely ever applied makeup. But now... now she actually looked younger with curly hair—curlier and redder than he remembered—and wearing fashionable clothes. She was attractive, in fact.

  “So, Mags? What have you been up to?”

  She chuckled. “I can’t believe how much I’ve missed you calling me that nickname. But I’ve been working at a private office as a secretary since I left your employ, so I’ve kept myself busy.”

  Inwardly, he cringed. They hadn’t parted ways on pleasant terms, and now he regretted it. Of course, he’d been going through a difficult time with his wayward wife at the time, and he took it out on his employees. After Margaret had left, he realized what a great asset she’d been.

  “That’s great,” he said. “I’m happy to know you’re still doing that kind of work.”

  She shrugged. “It’s not much different than what I was doing for you.” She narrowed her gaze on him. “Why do you ask? Do you want me back?”

  He laughed. “And if I did, would you come back?”

  Margaret turned to the cashier, paid for her groceries then took her two bags. “I don’t know, Shane,” she said with a touch of humor in her voice. “You’d have to really sweet-talk me.” She gave him a wink and bumped his elbow with hers.

  As he walked beside her out to the parking lot, he didn’t feel that touch of friendship as he’d done before. Something had changed between them, and he didn’t know if he liked it. “Well, I don’t need any help at the moment, but I’ll keep you in mind.”

  “You’d better.” She stopped beside her car. “I hope to see you later. We’ll have to catch up on old times over lunch or something.”

  “That’s a good idea.” He nodded.

  She placed her bags in her car and shut the door. “Give Amber my best,” she said over her shoulder as she opened the driver’s side door.

  Shane should have known this would happen. In fact, it surprised him she didn’t know already. “Well, I would, but Amber died a few months ago.”

  Gasping, she spun around, her hair flying to rest over her shoulder. “Oh, please say you’re kidding.”

  “No, Mags. I wouldn’t joke about something like that.”

  She frowned and touched his arm. “I’m so sorry, Shane. Is that why you’re here in San Diego?”

  “Mostly, yes.”

  She shook her head. “Those poor children.”

  “Yes, they are having a hard time with it, too.”

  “Well, if you need anything—a shoulder to cry on or just a listening ear—I’m here for you.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a business card. “Call me night or day. I mean it.”

  As he studied the card, he realized he’d missed having a woman friend to share his thoughts with. Perhaps it was time to rekindle his friendship with Margaret. “Thanks Mags. We’ll definitely have lunch some time.”

  She hugged him then climbed in her car. Slowly, he walked toward his. Right away, he scanned the parking lot, wondering if his stalker was still here watching him and taking notes for her next story. He rolled his eyes, wondering for the umpteenth time why he couldn’t stop thinking about Katelyn Palmer.

  NOSTALGIC MEMORIES enveloped Shane as he walked into the church alongside his parents
. Casey held one hand while Cori held onto her grandmother’s fingers. The organ played a soothing hymn, and for a moment, he thought he could hear the words ringing in his ears. The moment disappeared too quickly. Too many years had passed since he’d gone to church, but his mother insisted he go with them today. His children’s happy smiles told him they too enjoyed coming to church with Grandma.

  As he sat beside his children, he remembered the last time he’d attended a meeting like this. It was before he met Amber, and back then his very existence revolved around religion. He’d always prayed and read the Good Book...until he’d entered college. But the kids in college were different. He wasn’t surrounded by his religious friends any longer and had to rely on his own faith.

  The first girl he’d dated seriously, hadn’t been religious. Neither were her friends. Slowly, he spent more time with them and followed their examples. At first he didn’t think it mattered, but with time, his habits changed and he didn’t feel guilty about drinking alcohol or staying out late with his friends as they attended keg parties.

  The congregation started singing, and Shane focused on the song. When the words came to him from the dark recesses of his mind, peace filled him. And when children in the congregation belted out the words as if they sang directly to God, tears stung his eyes. Blinking, he tried not to let the emotion take over him.

  His mother brought crayons and workbooks for the twins during the meeting, so there wasn’t much for Shane to do but listen. The preacher’s sermon centered around one main theme: Families. As Shane listened intently to the words, emotion choked his throat and misted his eyes. He’d learned about this as a boy. Strange how his plans had changed so much from when he was younger.

  What a mess he’d made of his life!