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    Into the Future
    Into the Future
    Into the Future
    Ebook129 pages2 hours

    Into the Future

    By Celya Bowers

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Lysette (Lizzy) Carter Hall’s life would be fine except for one minor detail…her ex-husband, Paul.  He’s making her life a living hell.  From not picking up their two children when arranged to filing bogus charges with Child Protective Services.  She just wants this man out of her life.

    Tristan MacDonald, Turners Point youngest city manager, just wants a quiet life.  After his divorce, he wants no drama. But once he sets eyes on his lead attorney, Lizzy, all those vows fly right out of the window.  Lizzy has baggage in the form of a clingy ex-husband.   Something about the single mother of two makes him want to protect from all that is wrong in her life. 

    When Lizzy’s ex is found dead in her home, Tristan quickly suggest that she and her children move in with him.  As they unravel the facts surrounding the murder, they become closer.  As she has to look betrayal in the eye, it’s Tristan who picks up the pieces. 

    Tristan’s life has never felt better.  He wants to make Lizzy a permanent fixture in his future.  Is Lizzy ready to jump back in the fire after getting burned?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPerry-Shaw Publications
    Release dateJun 2, 2015
    ISBN9781507045749
    Into the Future

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      Book preview

      Into the Future - Celya Bowers

      Chapter 1

      ––––––––

      What do you mean he said it’s over?  Izabella Carter-Callahan asked her sister.  You guys looked pretty happy the other week at the mayor’s dinner.

      One word. Paul.  Lysette Carter-Hall told her sister.  Paul keeps showing up at work, at my house, if he notices Tristan’s car there.  I think the kids might have mentioned he spent the night to Paul.  Izzy, I don’t know what to do.

      Izzy, the younger Carter sister, switched positions on the couch in her living room.  Being five months pregnant wasn’t working too well for first-time pregnant Izzy.  She wasn’t used to the extra weight, the cravings, and run away emotions. Along with Izzy not being able to work, she was never comfortable.  Lizzy, I don’t understand.  Why is Paul constantly blocking you?  It’s not like you’re trying to get back with him or anything is it?  Finally, she found a comfortable position on the couch. 

      Lizzy laughed.  You look exhausted. 

      Never mind. She let out a tired breath.  Continue the story.

      I think he’s just trying to make sure I’m a miserable as possible.  Especially, since I initiated the divorce.  I’m just so tired of this forgetting to pick up the kids, it makes me look bad. He was supposed to pick the kids up from school today at noon.  It was a half-day.  Her ex had begged and pleaded with her to let him have the kids this weekend, so he could have more time with them.  This was what she got for being nice to him.

      Izzy held up her hand.  Don’t tell me.  He forgot again.

      Yes, the school called me about one. Mom had to go get them.  Unfortunately, since this is about the fifth time this has happened since January, the principal wants a meeting with her and the counselor.  Lizzy was about at her wits’ end. Izzy could always be counted on for good, solid advice.  Especially, now that those mother-to-be hormones had kicked in.

      Quit giving him power over you, Izzy said.  I know this sounds crazy coming from me, but the reason he’s wrecking so much havoc in your life is because you’re letting him.

      Lizzy thought about her sister’s words.  Maybe it was true.  I didn’t want him to feel like he wasn’t in the kids’ lives. Every time I suggest an alternative arrangement like picking them up at Mom’s or something, he starts whining about me taking his kids away.  And she was tired of feeling guilty for doing the right thing. 

      Well like it or not, this what he’s driving you to do.  No one wants to say he’s not doing what he’s supposed to do, but his actions speak louder than anything.

      Lizzy looked at her sister.  Married two months and now Izzy was the calm in everyone else’s storm.  Since Tristan had broken it off with her earlier in the week, Lizzy had been an emotional mess. Now she knew what she wanted.  Tristan.  But first she was going to have to cut the ties to her ex-husband.

      Lizzy? 

      She snapped back to reality just in time to greet her brother-in-law, Campbell, as he walked into the living room.  He looked like a model in the dark blue suit.  His tanned skin and bright blue eyes could probably bring any woman to her knees.  But now he was officially off the market and married to Izzy. Hello, Cam. She rose and hugged him.  I just came over for some girl talk.

      Campbell, Cam, as everyone in the Carter family called him, nodded in agreement.  I heard.  Your mom called me asking advice.

      Oh this didn’t sit well with Lizzy. Why did Mom call you?

      Cam’s blue eyes stared at her.  This was very serious.  She didn’t call you?

      No.

      Did the school call you?

      Yes.  I have a meeting with the principal and the counselor on Monday.  She waited a heartbeat.  What are you not telling me?

      Cam sat next to Izzy.  I’m sure you’re not aware of this, but every time a parent is late picking up a child, the school logs it.  When the principal feels something is going on at home or something else, say the parent is always late picking up said child, the counselor is brought in.  Well, normally this is the protocol when the school is going to turn the case over to Child Protective Services.  Paul has issued a claim that you’re neglecting the kids and putting your job first by not picking them up in a timely manner and wants to apply for sole custody.

      What did you say?

      Paul filed a report with CPS.  He states that you don’t pick the kids up on time due to your job.  That you’ve missed meetings with him, cause of scheduling conflicts, thus limiting his time with the children.

      That bastard is trying to take my babies away from me, Lizzy said.  I can’t believe that.  So my meeting on Monday is most likely with CPS.

      Yes.  I’ll be happy to accompany you, if you need moral support, Cam said. 

      She shook her head.  No, I got this.  Paul just made everything a whole lot easier.  Her idiot of an ex-husband just tried to set her up!

      ***

      City Manager, Tristan MacDonald stared at the picture on his desk.  Lizzy. What was he thinking?  Breaking up with her?  Sure, he had to take a stand and he had.  He was sick and tired of her ex calling the shots.  Surely, there had to be a way they could all get along. 

      Right, and he wasn’t Irish.  Lizzy’s ex had been a thorn in his side since they’d met and it hadn’t gotten any better in the last few months.  The man was always where they were: at the movies, eating out, the mayor’s dinner.  You name it, the man was there. 

      His intercom buzzed.  Tristan glanced at his wall clock, it was barely three in the afternoon.  His office was quiet as usual on a Friday.  Most of the attorneys had the afternoon off.  He reached for the phone. 

      Yes, Claire, he said to his assistant. 

      It’s Mrs. Callahan, sir.

      He laughed.  Which one?  I know about six.

      Mrs. Campbell Callahan.

      Izzy. Thanks, Claire.  He punched the lighted button on the phone and spoke.  How’s the most beautiful pregnant doctor in Turners Point?

      Izzy sighed.  Tired. Fat. But very happy.

      What’s up, Izzy?

      Campbell went to get dinner, so I don’t have very long.  Why did you break it off with my sister?

      Leave it to Izzy.  He was surprised she held out this long.  Ask Lizzy.

      I did.  Now, I’m asking you.

      All right.  I’m sick of Paul showing up like he’s still running her life.  Tristan felt better just saying it out loud.  I might have over-reacted.

      More like you just gave him what he wanted.  He just wants to create as much drama in her life as he possibly can.

      What do you expect me to do?  He disliked drama.

      Stand up for your woman.  Don’t let this idiot do this to my sister.  It’s bad enough she has to talk to CPS on Monday.

      Why is she talking to them?

      One word. Paul.  He issued a complaint and now she has to be investigated.

      Damn it.  Tristan sighed.  That’s the last thing she needs right now.  What does this complaint say?

      You’ll have to ask her the details.  I just wanted you to know.

      Thanks, Izzy.  You’ve helped more than you know.  Lizzy is probably a mess now.

      She could use a friend.  Izzy ended the call. 

      Tristan stared at the phone.  He should just call to see how she was doing with the latest Paul fiasco.  Not.  Lizzy would see straight through that. Think man.  You manage the entire city, surely you can figure out what to say to Lizzy.  He was going to need a good plan.  A sure fire plan.  Unfortunately, a plan of this magnitude was going to need the Callahan touch.  God help him.

      CHAPTER TWO

      So you’re saying this is my mess?  Tristan looked at his oldest friend, Brad Callahan.  I’m not the one with the clingy ex, he pointed out to his childhood friend. 

      They were sitting in Brad’s man cave, while Brad’s wife Josie was preparing dinner.  Brad’s year old son, BJ was crawling around on the hardwood floor.  Some days, Tristan didn’t recognize his old friend.  Brad was always the ladies’ man, but once he set eyes on Josie, that was that.  Now his friend was happily married. 

      Yes, this is your mess. Brad sat in his large leather chair and looked at Tristan.  Yes, because you initiated the breakup, against my advice, I might add.  You’re doing exactly what the ex wants you to do.  Run scared.  Now with all this other mess he’s started with CPS, everything is going his way.  Brad smiled as BJ ran to his father, arms stretched wide, begging to be picked up. He lifted his chubby son and placed him on his lap.  Look, Tri, we go back a long way and I say this with all the love of our very long friendship.  When I tried that stupid mess with Josie, I got set straight real quick.  I know you.  You want Lizzy.  You just think it’s too much drama, especially after what your wife put your through.  You were looking for an easy out and you took it.  Now you’re sorry.

      Thank you for nut-shelling my misery.  Tristan sighed. 

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