CLOSING THE GAP
Dangerous Pasts: Book 1
By
Colleen Charles
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
Chapter Thirty Five
Chapter Thirty Six
Chapter Thirty Seven
Chapter Thirty Eight
Chapter Thirty Nine
Chapter Forty
Epilogue
Dedication
I hope you love reading this book as much as I loved writing it. Completing my first novel is truly a dream come true.
I wish from the bottom of my heart all of you have found or will find your own Trashman and live your own epic love story that may not be perfect, but perfect for you. Maybe mine is yet to come. Perhaps it’s never too late.
With extreme gratitude I send love and blessings to my kids with fur and hooves, both those still with me and those that have passed. Also, to my godson, I love you more than anything in this world.
Most importantly, I want to thank my sister, one of the inspirations for this book, who told me I could write it. The only person who’s always believed in me and whose positive energy and support makes me a better author and person.
Prologue
Her feet flew over the grassy field as fast as they had ever gone. Her heart convulsed with violent intensity as it struggled to pump enough blood through her veins to keep her conscious. A vibrant blue sky and golden sun peered down on the landscape. The blissful weather stood in sharp contrast with the horror of the scene playing out below, enveloped in innocent glory. A shout for help would be as futile as screaming under water. Those people waxing philosophical might call this one of life’s defining moments. How would she know? She’d never been chased by someone with a gun trying to kill her.
Flames of discomfort licked the insides of her lungs as she gulped blasts of air. Her side ached with fiery discomfort but the pain didn’t register. The fear took precedence. A good distance behind her, the gun discharged and the bullet sailed past her right ear, close enough to sense the vibrations. The first one had barely missed her left arm. Sweat started to pool in her ear so she swiped at it with her hand. The liquid was bright red blood. She’d been hit. How he’d obtained a gun with his history, she’d never comprehend. Now, it only mattered that his dangerous fingers clutched it in an iron grip and he wanted to use it. He’d told her many times how much he wanted her dead but even though the threats were chilling, she’d never believed he would murder her. Most of the time, he was just a blustering or brooding, manic fool.
If that last bullet had traveled another inch to the left, she’d be dead on the ground bleeding out. He’d fired multiple rounds of ammunition straight at her head so she was lucky one of those bullets hadn’t pierced her skull. Her heaving breaths continued as she struggled to make her legs go faster. She wondered if they were calling for her at the barn. The evening chores started at five and her family would be sick with worry if she didn’t get back in time. What a pathetic way to die.
Deep scratches and cuts peppered her feet and lower ankles from the cut hay. Years of horseback riding had made her fit but she’d never liked running. She stumbled over the deep ruts, her arms flailing as she almost fell. Regret nipped at her heels and terror pushed her forward. Her mind swam with questions. She never should have left him. Why had she married him in the first place when she’d known the day she walked down the aisle it would turn into a devastating mistake?
A shed loomed on the horizon so she ran in that direction, grateful for even the slight promise of shelter. She picked up the click of the gun again, closer now. Strange, where had she heard that snapping noise? As she remembered, relief swept through her mind, leaving room for a more positive emotion. She had never been so elated to hear a sound coming out of handgun. A glimmer of hope that she’d make it through this now flickered like the tiniest flame. He’d run out of bullets.
“You fat, fucking bitch!”
Panting, yet still able to yell obscenities, he used his height to his advantage. His long strides covered ground, closing the gap between them. With her petite frame, she just couldn’t stay ahead of him. Death had come knocking with its ice cold hand reaching through the door to snatch her.
Her pursuer had dressed for the occasion knowing in advance he might have to give chase. It pissed her off that he knew her that well at all. She’d worn flip flops and lost them somewhere in the first few yards. She didn’t need to glance over her shoulder to know he gained on her, ever closer. She could practically feel his hot, tepid breath glazing over the back of her neck. She prayed to God he was incapable of raping her, before he killed her. Those lines from the Franky Perez song “Something Crazy” popped into her consciousness. Funny how the mind works in the grips of panic.
She says that she’s afraid to leave
She says someday he’s gonna kill me
Without warning, her legs flew out from underneath her and her head snapped backwards. The sensation of free falling blanketed her consciousness. Excruciating pain radiated through her head as though her scalp had been ripped from her skull and then her world faded to black.
For as long as a dream lives inside of you, Lake, there's a plan for its time in space.
Trust me~
The Universe
Chapter One
“He’s going to try to get in your pants!”
Summer Harrison’s normally calm voice escalated in pitch with each word she fired and her booted foot tapped on the rust, Arizona dirt outside the adobe barn. Her expressive face looked more animated than a contestant on Toddlers & Tiaras. Most mornings, this fake burst of temper would have amused Lake but today it brought on a mild annoyance. The only saving grace being that their mother wasn’t present to give her two cents since she lived on her Minnesota hobby farm thirteen hundred miles away. Mae Harrison always did know how to express an opinion.
Lake Harrison yanked on the halter of her chestnut mare, Lily. Her long, blonde hair whipped around her eyes and blocked her view, propelled by the crisp breeze. She couldn’t understand Summer’s reaction. Why was her sister so dead set against a date with retired NHL Hall of Fame defensemen, Josh Adams, on Friday’s bachelor auction? It was too bad she couldn’t divulge the real rationalization to her sister so avoided explaining her true reasoning. That ongoing argument was an exercise in futility. Her own pain deepened every time she involved her friends and family and brought them down with her. Lily sidestepped again and missed Lake’s booted toe by a couple of inches. The perceptive horse sensed the unease caused by Lake’s tumbling thoughts w
hich made this photo shoot far more difficult than it should have been.
“Summer, this event is high profile and for charity. I highly doubt there will be intimacy involved. It’s just one date.”
“Not of he has anything to say about it. His reputation precedes him, Lake. I hope you’re planning on bringing your Hazmat suit with you. I did a little online research and they say he’s slept with half of Chicago. The papers have lost track of how many women he’s been seen out in public with since his divorce. There’s a good reason his nickname is ‘The Trashman’. He shows no remorse when he lets the dirty words fly! There’s even a You Tube video with over a million hits featuring the other player’s expressions as he’s yammering at them. Why do you think he has so many goals and assists for a defenseman? He got them under false pretenses!”
As Summer’s hands flew through the air with her wild gestures, Lake’s toy Spaniel mutt, Alfred, surveyed the scene with obvious delight. He resembled a tiny red top as he whirled and whined for attention. Craig Graham had arrived today to take Lily’s photo for the Arabian Horse Gazette Nationals issue and that wreaked havoc on the farm’s residents, canine, human and equine. Craig’s talent was world renowned and he tended to bring out the best in his subjects but the frenetic energy of the debating Harrison sisters made this session unusual. Since Lily had decided to become uncooperative, Craig stooped onto his haunches to click a few candid shots of Alfred while he spoke to the sisters in his deep baritone.
“Hey, Lake. What breed mix is Alfred? Does Dr. Baskett have any idea? He’s so gorgeous and unique with his silky, red hair and the huge, brown eyes. He almost looks like a cross between Cocker Spaniel and Springer Spaniel. I love photographing him. He’s so expressive.”
“You’re right, Craig. She thinks Alfred is a Cocker Spaniel mix. I’m so blessed that nice couple found him and brought him in to Hope for Hounds so he could receive the care that saved his life. Alfred might have rescued me instead of me rescuing him. He’s one of my best friends.”
Not tolerating any change of the subject until she’d gotten her point across, Summer pushed forward. “Craig, can you please tell my sister she doesn’t want to go out on a date with a hockey bad boy and man whore? I need serious help here. Better yet, a great idea just popped in to my head. Why don’t you stay the weekend and walk in the auction. That way, Lake could bid on your date!”
Lake noticed Craig give a chuckle as he stood to his full height. “I’m pretty sure my wife would have an issue with that.”
“You’re probably right but you can’t fault a girl for trying. My sister could do better. Jesus, she’s gorgeous, successful and smart. She doesn’t need to date down. I don’t care how hot this guy is. What else does he bring to the table?”
Lake noticed Craig opening his mouth to respond so she interjected. She wasn’t happy with the turn the conversation had taken. She’d been through too much. “I’m not changing my mind, Summer. The man’s more than just a hockey bad boy. He also intrigues me, despite his loose reputation. Besides, at his age, don’t you think he’s calmer? There’s just something compelling there and I’d regret it if I didn’t try to discover the appeal. Especially since I have to buy his time.”
Lake wanted the explanation to fly past her perceptive sister without further pushback. She fingered the scar above her right ear, while switching Lily’s lead rope to her left hand. The mark had faded with the passage of time but the astute eye still found it. Her hands reached out to that spot of their own accord when her distress increased and Summer knew that so her wily sister tried a different tactic.
“Yes, bought and paid for like a two bit hooker. Someone as smart as you are, Lake, seriously? Is he even capable of carrying on a conversation? I doubt he comes anywhere near matching you on the intellectual or educational levels. I know you’re afraid to date. Everyone knows why and we understand, but couldn’t you start slow and build? I’m sure the roster contains classy corporate types that are perfect for you. My God, The Trashman scares the shit out of me. If something happened to you Lake, I would never forgive myself. Whatever you do, don’t wear red. He might charge and cross check you onto the bed. Of course, he is smoking hot. If he doesn’t work out for you, I might have to take a run at him and he can talk all the trash he wants. I would probably out ‘trash’ The Trashman.” Summer seemed to contemplate the possibility and then tossed her head to the side with a saucy wink.
Lake exhaled as she stepped Lily forward a few feet so her front hooves were even, making her body more balanced for the upcoming shots. Lake had felt a strong and undeniable physical pull towards Josh since she’d first clapped eyes on him years ago at a Blackhawks game, all assertive and perilous man. A man like Josh might penetrate an icy woman’s defenses with a mere whisper. Necessary fortification that she had spent years perfecting. Josh represented everything foreign to Lake in her limited past relationships and he was certainly nothing like her ex.
“Chuck mentions Josh often and has nothing but wonderful things to say. He’s dedicated to his career and his family. Last week, Chuck told me Josh has been hugging the line of the straight and narrow. He ran around after his divorce because it turned out to be a tough one. Failure hurts worse when it’s your high school sweetheart and it still doesn’t work out. He’s rich and famous. Every woman with an agenda probably wants a piece of him. Do you truly think that Chuck’s son could be so different from him in character and temperament?” Lake posed the question in another try at distraction.
“Yes, I do. You’re completely different from our mother. I have no doubt that Josh Adams is completely different from Chuck. I’m sure he’s divorced because he couldn’t keep it in his pants. Just because you’re physically attracted to him, doesn’t make him a good person. You’re naturally more loving and kind than I am but I still don’t think we should give him the benefit of the doubt. His actions speak for themselves. Lake, you usually lose attraction for men once they speak to you. Josh is probably going to do the same, even if Chuck Adams could win a father of the year award. Let’s save you the trouble of an uncomfortable night out that might push you backward instead of move you forward. Do you know what to do if he tries to get in the house? No matter what he says, Lake, he doesn’t just want to hold your hand and cuddle.”
Relieved that Lily had settled enough to stand still for Craig, Lake stepped backwards and out of his frame of reference. Craig would photo shop the thin lead rope out later once they’d had a chance to select the best proof. Lake had noticed Craig eyeing them, a smirk on his face as he became more interested in their suggestive banter, intrigued by the subject matter. Lake felt fortunate that she could count him as a good friend who would keep this scandalous conversation under wraps with their colleagues in the Arabian horse community.
“Who is this guy? If you girls rant like this behind his back, I shudder to think what you say about me!”
“That would never happen, Craig. You know how much we adore you.” Summer gave him her most charming smile. “If it doesn’t work out with Susan, you know where to find me.”
Lake rolled her eyes as she leaned in to fix Lily’s mane and forelock so it looked smooth and then turned back towards Craig. “I’m glad you asked. I’m sure you were wondering if we’d both lost our fool minds. Josh Adams is my good friend’s son. Chuck sits with me on the Hope for Hounds board and he’s one of my favorite people in this world. He’d do anything for the shelter, even the most menial tasks. Josh retired from the Chicago Blackhawks a few years ago. He was a super talented hockey player and he got inducted into the hall of fame as one of the youngest defensemen ever. Chuck told me a few weeks ago that Josh had agreed to fly in and walk in the auction. Since it’s our biggest fundraiser of the year, it helps to have well known bachelors take part. His participation is quite a coup for a small time fundraiser.”
Lake didn’t divulge how her idea had taken shape. Later that night while she was alone in her bed, a fantasy of Josh had penetrated her defenses. N
o matter how hard she tried to whisk it away, the allure to buy the date with Josh came back. As if hypnotized, she mentally walked towards the dancing flames even though they had the ability to burn her.
“Wow, a possible brush with fame. I’m not a hockey fan or I’d want to meet him too. He sounds like he’d be a fascinating person to talk to. He must have a large network of ... friends.”
“Craig, are you kidding? It’s more like a harem. You’re being way to kind to this lothario. My sister needs to get over this screwball idea.”
Craig lowered the camera to rest at his waist as he chuckled at Summer and her histrionics. “We’re done for today. Lily finally gave me what I needed. I’m confident I can have these ready for the Nationals issue and you’ll be very pleased with them. Lake, how is Flame coming along with his training? Will he be ready for the futurity? I’ve heard through the grapevine that he’s super talented.”
“Thanks for asking. Chad is doing a phenomenal job with the horses here on the farm and Samson Training is knocking it out of the park with Flame. It was the right decision to send him to Georgia. In my biased opinion, he might have a chance at winning the whole thing, in spite of the raging politics in our industry.”
Lake’s English breeding program had become one of the premier small breeding operations in the country for Saddle Seat Arabian show horses. Resident trainer Chad Greene’s talent had helped it to flourish. Inquiries and visitors to the farm streamed in daily. Horses bred on site usually sold well before they entered training as young prospects, sometimes for six figures.
Lake walked Lily back towards her paddock to allow her a few hours of fresh air before returning her to her stall. She glanced at Summer out of the corner of her eye. It appeared she might be done with the grating third degree. Lake sent up a silent prayer of thanks to the heavens for the respite. Funny, her sister lived in a glass house but still insisted on tossing rocks in her direction. If Summer were given the chance, she’d delight in making Josh a notch in her own bedpost. Summer’s overprotection might give her pause but wouldn’t stop her. Lake prided herself as a woman who knew her own mind and she wanted a simple evening out with Josh Adams. Alone.
Closing The Gap (Dangerous Pasts, #1) Page 1
