In Times Like These (58 page)

I feel inside the envelope again and extract another slip of paper. This one holds
a time description and location information. At the bottom is a personal note of only one line.

“Want to come out and play?”

I feel the grin spread across my face. The calendar hanging on my freezer seems suddenly irrelevant. I toss the chess piece up in the air and catch it again. I set my chronometer.

Work can wai
t.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am deeply thankful:

For the true life friendships that helped inspire these characters and relationships. Morgan McGuire,
Jakzeel Nuñez, Kelly DeWitt, RJ Schamp, Kristen Keller, Stephanie 
Haines and Bobby Angel.

For the beta readers who read my early drafts and kept me encouraged, Marilyn Bourdeau, Stephen Cook, Kristina Van Coops and Patricia McGuire.

For Emily Young, who shared in this book-writing journey as both friend and editor, and provided me with a wealth of encouragement and constructive criticism.

For all the amazing friends who have loved and supported me through this entire adventure.

This book is dedicated to all of you.

© 2013 Nathan Van Coops

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN-13: 978-0989475501

ISBN-10: 0989475506

Cover design by Dreama Jeantet

www.dreamajeantet.com

Author photo by Jennie
Thunell Photography

Skylighter Press, St. Petersburg 33704

Printed in The United States of America

First Edition 2013

Nathan Van Coops
is an aircraft mechanic and flight instructor in St. Petersburg, Florida. When not writing time travel fiction, he likes throwing Cinco de Mayo parties and enjoying the perks of being a founding member of the Saint Petersburg Hammock and Nap Club.
In Times Like These
is his first novel.