Betrayed by Trust (22 page)
Authors: Frankie Robertson
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Paranormal, #Romantic Suspense, #Mystery & Suspense, #Suspense, #Psychics, #FIC024000, #FIC027050, #FICTION / Romance / Suspense, #FICTION / Romance / Historical / General, #FIC027120, #FIC030000, #FICTION / Thrillers / Suspense, #FICTION / Romance / Paranormal, #FIC027110, #FICTION / Occult and Supernatural
Five months later
Early April, 1980
E
van kicked and looked around as Dan pushed our son’s stroller around the duck pond in Ft. Lowell Park. Ducks quacked and swam toward us, looking for a handout. I threw them a few shredded crusts of bread that we’d brought for that purpose, ignoring the signs that said to not feed the birds.
Despite it being only nine hours from San Diego, we’d settled in Tucson, establishing ourselves with the fake IDs that Dan had bought for us. Being a mid-sized city, Tucson was easy to disappear in, and so far we’d seen no sign that the Trust had continued searching for us.
After I’d recovered from the delivery, Dan had come clean about what had happened on the
Dulcinea
. Things hadn’t gone quite according to plan. Dan had been knocked out by the blast. I had yet another reason to thank Gideon, if I ever saw him again. He’d saved Dan from drowning and had gotten them both back to San Corazon in time to see Evan be born.
Ringo had been questioned by the Trust, but the adjustment to his memory that Gideon had made lasted long enough for them to be convinced he’d seen Dan carry me aboard the
Dulcinea
and that his grief at our deaths was genuine. When his real memories had resurfaced, he’d sent a brief, coded message to Dan which had begun with, “You son of a bitch,” and ended with, “Don’t ever do that to me again, you fucker.” Then he’d gone on an extended motorcycle tour of North America. He had no address, and as far as we knew, no trouble had followed him.
It seemed we were safe. The hardest part was letting our families think we were dead. My heart ached every day, knowing my parents had already lost Mark and now they believed Dan and I and their grandchild were dead, too. It broke my heart that I couldn’t share raising Evan with my folks. It was small solace, but I’d started a photo album for them and a journal of all the child rearing questions I would have asked about the milestones Evan passed. I hoped it wouldn’t be too long before I could share it with Mom and Dad.
Jill and Dan’s other relatives were mourning our loss, too. I grieved for the big happy family that had welcomed me with such generosity. I wanted to be part of that again, and so did Dan. So far, Nesta Benedict, the new leader of Kincaid’s faction, was still in charge of the Trust. Every night we prayed that a transition in power would come soon, making it safe for us to return to our families. Until then, though, we couldn’t risk telling them. If our loved ones knew we were alive, they wouldn’t act appropriately, and then someone in the Trust would get wind of it and start asking questions. Dan and I both agreed that Benedict and her faction were ruthless enough to use our families as leverage against us to get control of Evan.
Our son was a healthy normal baby, despite Elena’s reaction to his caul. Being born with that film of tissue over his face, she’d explained, meant he’d been touched by the angels. He would be gifted, and have a God-given destiny. Dan and the Guardian had exchanged knowing smiles at that. A few minutes later, Gideon had kissed my forehead, murmured, “Be well,” and left.
I thought often about what Elena had said. I didn’t know whether it was God-given, but she was right about Evan having a destiny.
Dan pulled Evan out of the stroller into his arms. “See the duckies? They go quack, quack!”
Evan stretched his arm out and made a noise.
“I think he said, ‘quack!’” Dan said, beaming.
“I think he said, ‘My daddy is silly.’”
Dan’s eyes widened in mock outrage. “Silly, huh?”
“Very. Silly is sexy, you know.” I waggled my brows at him.
“Is that so?” Dan grinned. “Maybe we should take Evan home a put him down for a long nap.”
“Maybe we should,” I agreed, turning the stroller back toward the parking lot.
How do you raise a child with a destiny? I wasn’t sure. All I knew was that Evan had the best of fathers, and a mother who couldn’t love him more. We’d do everything we could to give him a normal childhood, to help him grow into a strong man so he’d be ready to meet his future—and Aldwyn.
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Frankie Robertson writes fantasy and romantic fiction with an otherworldly twist. She has lived all over the country, but now lives with her husband in southern Arizona. Her back yard is often visited by hawks, coyotes, and bobcats, who don’t play nice with the bunnies, quail, and lizards. She brings a varied background to her writing, including experience as an investigator with the Western Society for Paranormal Research.
*Coming soon
(romantic fantasy)
DANGEROUS TALENTS
FORBIDDEN TALENTS
THE VINLANDERS’ SAGA COLLECTION
DEBTS
(A Vinlanders’ Saga Short Story)*
(urban fantasy/paranormal romance novels)
LIGHTBRINGER
BETRAYED BY TRUST
GUARDIAN
*
SEDUCED BY TRUST
*
APOSTATE
*
SERAPHIM
*
VEILED MIRROR
WITH HEART TO HEAR
(A Sensual Fairytale)
KOOMB’S TUNIC
(A Fantasy Short Story)*
While writing is a solitary occupation, a book usually comes into being influenced by a number of people. Among those who aided and supported me along the way are:
Jennifer Roberson, who first suggested I try writing romance.
Early readers Jill Knowles, Earl W. Parrish, Les Reese, and Janna Scott.
The “Tanque Wordies” critique group: Dennis L. McKiernan and John Vornholt.
The “Indie Babes,” Kathleen Kirkwood, Caroline Mickelson, Roxy Rogers, and Tara Simone have been, and continue to be, an endless source of information and inspiration.
The Saguaro Romance Writers of America chapter for giving me opportunities to learn and grow.
Rochelle French, my editor; Jaycee DeLorenzo, my cover designer; and Natasha Fondren, my interior designer, all deserve a boatload of praise for making this book better than I could have done by myself. They make a great team and I’m grateful to have them behind me.
Thank you all.
BETRAYED BY TRUST
Castle Rock Publishing
Copyright © 2013 by Frances R. Gross
Editing by Rochelle French
Cover design by Jaycee DeLorenzo of
Sweet and Spicy Designs
Interior Design by Natasha Fondren of
the eBook Artisans
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