Sea of Solitude: Oyster Cove, #4

Sea of Solitude

Oyster Cove, Volume 4

jennifer foor

Published by jennifer foor, 2017.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

SEA OF SOLITUDE

First edition. March 26, 2017.

Copyright © 2017 jennifer foor.

ISBN: 978-1386746386

Written by jennifer foor.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Sea of Solitude (Oyster Cove, #4)

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Sea of Solitude

Oyster Cove Book 4

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Jennifer Foor

Copyright © 2017 Jennifer Foor

All Rights Reserved

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This book is a written act of fiction. Any places, characters, or similarities are purely coincidence. If certain places or characters are referenced it is for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This book is not allowed to be offered for sale, discounted, or free on any sites not authorized by the author. This book may only be distributed by Jennifer Foor, the owner and Author of this series.

Sharing this book is illegal, and doing so will grant you the guilt of forever being a douchebag to society. Don’t be THAT person everyone hates. Purchase a copy and feel good about your choices.

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Want a master list of my books for sale in reading order?

Mitchell Family Series

1. Letting Go

2. Folding Hearts

3. Raging Love

4. Risking Fate

5. Wrapping Up

6. Wanting More

7. Saving Us

8. Blinding Trust

9. Losing Him

10. Loving Her

Mitchell Healy

11. Noah

12. Isabella

13. Christian

14. Merry Mitchell Affair

15. Jake

16. Jax

17. Addison

18. Cassie

19. Jingle All the Mitchell Way

20. Cammie

21. Callie

22. Joshua

23. Rockin’ Around The Mitchell Tree

Seven Year Itch Series

24. Binge

25. Bereft

26. Belong

27. Because

28. Bound

Twisted Twin Series

29. Twinsequences one

30. Twinsequences two

Love’s Duet

31.Love’s Suicide

32. Love Survives

Bank shot Romance Series

33. Hustle Him

34. Hustle Me

35. Lustly

36. Wrong Side of Rock Bottom

37. Happily Ever Never

38. Moth

The Kin Series

39. Repair Me

40. Replace Me

41. Renew Me

42. Remember Me

43. Reject Me

44. Redeem Me

45. Diary of a Male Maid

Oyster Cove Series

46. Salt Water Wounds

47. Half Shelled Heart

48. Waves of Despair

49. Summer Maintenance

50. Riding it Out

51. Frigid Affair

52. Hope’s Chance

53. Hope’s Last Chance

54. Repossess

Mitchell Family Series Coloring Book volume one  - Doodle Me a Mitchell volume two - Mom’s Day off Coloring Book

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Chapter 1

Dane

It’s not every day that you stand before the person you love prepared to pop the question only to have her close your hand around the small box with an ill confirming sigh. Dane, you mean so much to me, but this isn’t what I need from you right now. This isn’t what we are. I’m so sorry, but I obviously misled you.

I’m still on my knees, contemplating regret over embarrassment and disappointment. It makes no sense. I was sure this was what she meant by committing myself to something new. I never would have pulled out my grandmother’s ring if I had any inkling this would occur.

Bewildered, I remain in the lower position waiting for further explanation.

She turns, her body circling around me as she paces. Her hands wave in the air as the first statement exudes her lips. I need you, Dane, I adore you. You’re a wonderful man, and I cherish the friendship we have, but you can’t be my husband. You can’t be that person for me, because he already exists.

It’s kind of like a pair of steel-toed boots coming in contact with my gut. The blow to my ego sends a jolt throughout my body, leaving me struggling to keep my footing.

Married?

We’ve been seen together all over the place. I’ve stayed at both of her houses. There’s never been a mention of another guy. In fact, there’s never even been a single picture to question. Sure, she’s always been a little mysterious, but what woman doesn’t carry her own secret baggage?

Finally using my current building anger to my advantage, I stand and stop her before she can get away. My arm latches onto hers and I force her to look me in the eyes. What do you mean you’re married? Are you separated? Are you in the process of getting a divorce?

It’s not even bothering me yet that she’s lied. I don’t want to begin to imagine what other things she’s kept from me. At this very moment I only want this truth; the one that prevents us from ever moving on from this point.

I may be open-minded, and sometimes I break rules for my own benefit, but I won’t cross a line of adultery. It’s just something I’ve never been interested in. Suddenly the decision to pop the question seems preposterous. There’s no way we could have something permanent, especially not now. You’re going to have to give me a little more to go on.

She leans her body against a counter and pushes her weight like she’s working out her arms. I can tell she’s using the distraction to get the nerve to continue our conversation. It feels like an entire minute passes before she relinquishes details.

This isn’t how I wanted to tell you.

You had a plan? The flippant question surprises her. Woman, what in the hell is going on here, Tawny?

Not really a plan per se, but I was going to tell you when the time was right.

Right for what? More angry by the minute, I can barely keep my cool. It’s funny; out of all my brothers I’ve always been the calm, collected one, until this very moment.

You have to understand, it’s not like I’m able to see him. We’ve been living apart for over a year now. That’s not going to change anytime soon.

A guffaw comes out before I can speak. What’s he locked up or something?

As a matter of fact, yeah he is, but before you go jumping to conclusions please hear me out. It’s not as bad as it sounds.

I want to laugh at her. Not as bad as it sounds. What could be worse than being convicted and sent to prison?

He’s only there because he was trying to protect us.

Protect you from what? My creative mind starts churning through ideas. I’m thinking mob or some crime syndicate that would involve brutal treachery. It’s the only way I can handle getting through this uncomfortable conversation without blowing my lid.

My husband is from another country. He’s Muslim. His people believe in arranged marriages, and they think down on people like us. Right away I sense emotions pouring out of her that I’ve never witnessed before this. It’s genuine and heartbreaking. She’s telling me the truth, which also means it’s a good chance most of everything we’ve ever shared has been faked.

A little voice inside my head tells me to keep it together until she can finish explaining. I owe it to myself to get the facts before walking out of this forever. The humiliation of assuming a proposal was a good idea is distracting enough.

We met by accident. I went with a group of my art school friends to Saudi Arabia several years ago. We stayed in a hostel his parents happened to own. The moment I saw him I knew he was the one. I know that sounds ridiculous, and at the time I second-guessed myself, but I was completely mesmerized by him. Assad wasn’t just handsome. He was exquisite in a mysterious way. His olive-toned complexion against the white linen fabric her wore made him seem like he was sent down from heaven. Those almost black eyes captured my soul and refused to let go.

Spare me the details, I mumble as bile raises in my throat. No man likes being compared to another.

Her glossed over eyes tell me I’m being insensitive to her struggles, however I’m not going to apologize for my lack of compassion. Sorry, but you need to know how I got into this situation, Dane. You can be angry with me, but wait until you hear me out.

I can guess how this went. You hooked up with him, and because you were American he told you nothing would come of it, so you went home only to find a message on your social media page. He left Saudi Arabia and traveled to American to be with you.

It’s not that simple, and you’re way off base. We never hooked up in Saudi Arabia. Instead we shared long nights of talking and sharing our aspirations. His English was broken, but understandable. I hung onto his every word like a lovesick puppy, all while keeping my feelings to myself. Intrigue got the best of me, but something was happening deep inside that I’ve never been able to deny. Every moment I spent with Assad left me wondering how I’d ever go home and never see him again. Two weeks later I was seeing my friends off at the airport with Assad at my side. We’d planned to approach his parents and tell them we’d fallen in love. To respect his religious views we’d never been intimate, with the exception of one kiss to my cheek.

I hated admitting it, but all of a sudden I’d gained some respect for this criminal husband of hers, though I’d never admit it.

I’d yet to meet them, but wasn’t really told enough to warrant concern. I just figured lots of Muslim men in America marry Christian women and have semi-normal lives, even bringing children into the world with a multi-cultural education. Never did I think I’d be ridiculed and shunned. I’d never been so humiliated in my life. She sniffles and wipes a single tear away from her fully made up eyes. We walked into the massive home to find his parents sitting across from another couple and a female looking even younger than I was. All eyes were on us when Assad took me by the hand to introduce me. I knew from that very instant I wasn’t welcome. His father stood, said something I couldn’t understand to his other guests and pushed us into another room. I couldn’t tell what they were yelling, because it was in Arabic, but the tone of his father’s voice told me it was nothing good. When it was all said and done Assad looked to me with sad eyes and told me we couldn’t stay. He’d promised his father he’d see me off and return, but we never did. It wasn’t until we were on a plane that he confessed the family visiting was that of the woman he was arranged to marry. Assad knew they were waiting for him, but showed up to plea for us to be together anyway. Even though I was angry, I couldn’t exactly hold a grudge. He’d literally left his entire life behind to be with me. She drags her fingers over each eye before continuing. When his travel Visa ran out we didn’t have much options. We’d known each other for about a month and had a quick courthouse wedding. Those few months were phenomenal. Assad found work quickly, and we got into a routine. It wasn’t until his father showed up on our doorstep when things started to destruct.

Her body begins to tremble as she continues with her story.

He’d come unknowing his son was married. The shocking news sent him into a raging fit. Assad’s father disowned him. He was called an embarrassment and told never to return to Saudi Arabia. When his father left, Assad was never the same. The excitement of what we’d done had worn off. He missed his mother and sister, and still prayed that they’d somehow come around.

Look, I get that you want me to know this shit, but I’d appreciate it if you got to the reason I’ve been used for your personal amusement for all these months.

Our first year of marriage was rocky, but we managed. The language barrier bothered me, especially when he was upset. He’d go on rants in Arabic, but he was getting better from being around so many English-speaking individuals. Time passed and life was finally in a good place. We were talking about having children and moving to a larger home. We’d started trying to get pregnant. It felt perfect. She’s silent for a second, looks down and sniffles. I already know she’s struggling to get through the next part. Exactly three years of marriage, the day after our anniversary in fact, there was a knock on our door. Assad went to answer it thinking it was a delivery guy with our dinner. He loves American food, she adds. I hear him speaking Arabic to someone and before I can reach the threshold he’s rolling around on the ground outside with this person. By the time I ran back inside and grabbed the phone to call the police Assad had beat the man to a pulp. He was so bloody I couldn’t make out his face. The officers had to pull him away, and when they did the damage was obvious. The guy lay lifeless on the front lawn, while my sweet Assad was cuffed and taken away. He’d apparently punched the guy so hard in his throat he constricted his airways. He literally couldn’t breathe and died."

Wait. This isn’t what I expected at all. Your husband killed someone?

It was self defense, Dane. Assad would never hurt anyone.

Who was it?

The brother of the woman he was supposed to marry. He came to rough up Assad for disgracing his family. Apparently the arrangement had been made many years before. Assad leaving to be with me caused a big uproar for both families, so much that they sent someone after my husband.

So he’s in jail for murder? I’m only looking for confirmation.

She nods. Third degree. He didn’t mean to kill him. They were both punching each other. It could have happened to either of them, to anyone really. I could punch you in that very spot by accident and do the same damage. That’s what the lawyers said at his trial.

How long does he have?

He’s been away for two years. He’s serving a five year sentence.

Why not just deport him?

She shoots me a discerning glare. Because he’s married and had become a citizen. Thank God too. He’d just completed all the final paperwork for it. Had we not married when we did this would all be different. If he went home they’d probably kill him.

My head starts spinning. What do I have to do this? All these months I’ve been under the impression we had something good.

Five years is a long time, Dane. I’m lonely, and Assad doesn’t want me sitting at home waiting for him. I’ve lied to you. I get it, but we had fun. I was desperate to feel wanted again, but I had to draw the line at some point. You came into my life when I needed a friend, and you’ve been that for me, but the truth is, my heart belongs to Assad. The moment he’s released we’re going to start over. The slate will be wiped clean. We’re going to move to another state and have the family we both dream of.

I stick my hands in my pockets, feeling the box containing the ring and sigh. So that’s it then? This thing between us is done, because I’m not into being used.

She refuses to look at me when she responds. When I said I needed you for something I meant it, Dane.

Oh, now you expect me to do you favors? You’re out of your fucking mind.

Someone I care about is in trouble. I don’t know what else to do. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t life or death.

Go to Hell, Tawny. I’m out of here.

Chapter 2

Dane

There's this spot a few miles down the road where three metal crosses sit at a quiet country intersection. I've always pondered about who put them there and why. For as long as I can remember they've been a part of