Five: Out of the Dark (42 page)

The Demon had taken it all.

Johnathan and I sat inside a small booth of a restaurant, in a small town somewhere between Seattle and Utah. He sat next to me instead of across the table like most couples sat. When we’d reached this town, Joe gave us some money and told us to do something
normal
.

The smells wafting around me literally made my mouth water. The sounds of utensils clinking, ice hitting the sides of glasses, and people chatting was intensified as my remaining four senses tried to make up for the loss of my vision.

Our meals came. Rib-eye steak, crab legs, and garlic mashed potatoes for me; steak, fried shrimp, and a baked potato for him. He cut my steak and placed the fork in my hand. I was still learning how to get food from the plate to my mouth without making a huge mess. It was very brave of Johnathan to take me to a public place for our first
real
date. He had infinite patience with me and I felt his love in every soft touch and every spoken word. He’d rarely left my side since my sight was taken … or given away a few weeks ago.

“I love you,” he said. He’d said it often since that time in the circle. And I knew he meant it.

“I love you, too, John.” And he knew I meant it.

“I
will
find a way to fix this, Paige. I promise, you will see again. No matter what, I’ll fix this.”

I dropped my fork as the familiarity of those words hit me. And I was scared.

Because I knew he meant it.

I seriously considered forgoing the acknowledgements for this book. So many people have helped me make this dream a reality and I’m really afraid I’ll leave someone out—so please forgive me if I do, and know that I appreciate everything that has been done for me.

First and foremost I want to thank my husband, Steve, for his support and understanding when I disappear upstairs for hours or days to write while he takes care of everything else. Without him our house would be falling down around us.

I am so thankful to my Alpha readers for their insight and encouragement: Laura Bastian, who made my manuscript bleed, but who’s critiques are spot on; Heather Lyman, my friend and fellow book lover; Shay Lloyd, my beautiful niece; Re’Nae Metz, the greatest sister-in-law in the world; Cheri Jacobson, a life-long friend, my biggest cheerleader, and a true inspiration to me; Stacey Atherley, my daughter-in-law—your enthusiasm for reading is contagious; and last but certainly not least, Emeri Hansen, my young adult alpha reader who’s love for my book makes me happy beyond description.

I must acknowledge Dr. Russell Bradley who’s donation of my first laptop helped get me started down this road to authorship.

Todd Ellis, photographer extraordinaire, for taking such an amazing photograph for my cover. And, Alexandria Thompsen for the graphic arts magic that resulted in an amazing cover. And to the ‘models’: Lexi Paige Anderson, Halli Henwood, Alec Anderson, Seth Anderson, and Johnathan Morton—you guys rock!

Thank you to my Editor, Jessa Russo for helping me make my book into something I truly love—you’ve been so awesome to work with ( I still think ‘sand puppy’ was a good reference).

To my Project Manager, Jade Hart. You did a wonderful job of keeping us all on task. I especially want to thank you for answering my many questions and never acting exasperated while doing so.

To everyone at Curiosity Quills Press for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime and being so wonderful to work with.

And lastly, to my family. My sisters Brandi Anderson and Misti Sparks who are there whenever I need them. My brothers Troy Lloyd and Shawn Lloyd who love to tease but I know I can count on them for anything. My parents, Duane and Sandi Lloyd for their support and love. My boys Riley Atherley, Wayne Atherley, Alec Anderson, and Seth Anderson for giving me the inspiration to begin writing and not give up. And, my beautiful and amazing granddaughter, Harley Lynn Atherley for being the joy of my life.

Now that you have completed this book, we hope you will leave a review so that other readers may benefit from your perspective. Authors like Holli Anderson live and die by your reviews, after all!

Please visit
http://curiosityquills.com/reader-survey/
to share your reading experience with the author of this book!

Holli Anderson
has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing—which has nothing to do with writing, except maybe by adding some pretty descriptive injury and vomit scenes to her books. She discovered her joy of writing during a very trying period in her life when escaping into make-believe saved her. She enjoys reading any book she gets her hands on, but has a particular love for anything fantasy.

Along with her husband, Steve, and their four sons, she lives in Grantsville, Utah—the same small town in which she grew up.

A Division of
Whampa, LLC
P.O. Box 2540
Dulles, VA 20101
Tel/Fax: 800-998-2509
http://curiosityquills.com

© 2013 Holli Anderson

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information about Subsidiary Rights, Bulk Purchases, Live Events, or any other questions - please contact Curiosity Quills Press at
[email protected]
, or visit
http://curiosityquills.com

ISBN: 978-1-62007-298-1 (ebook)
ISBN: 978-1-62007-299-8 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-62007-300-1 (hardcover)