Long time no post

I am so sorry it’s been so long since we’ve talked. I have had a lot going on in my life, and unfortunately, that cut into my blogging time. I hope to get back to talking with all of you on a more regular basis.

So, what did you think of Shattered? I know it was very different from what I usually write, but I also felt it was incredibly important to take the characters on this journey.

I also hope you’re loving Desi, Ian and Cassie as much as I do. They will continue to be an important part of the journey moving forward.

I will be back soon with more, but until then, here is a sneak peek at the beginning of book 22.

*******

Chapter One:

Everyone had been briefed about David and they were all waiting for him to wake up. Stephanie had wheeled Tessa down to sit with everyone and Mike and Jade had come by as well. Evan was there, too, watching over everyone. Bill and Julie were with David in the room, as was Josie.

Ian was looking at his phone and walked over to Brittany.

“Excuse me, but do you know if Cassie made it to her appointment? I have been trying to reach her, but she isn’t answering. I know she should have been done by now.”

“She was there,” Brittany said and hesitated. “There were a few more things we needed to talk about, but she left. I haven’t seen her since then. It’s possible she went to the roof for some air.”

“Was everything okay?” Ian asked worriedly.

“I can’t tell you anything, Ian, I’m sorry. Maybe you should head up to the roof and see if she’s there?”

He nodded and went back to Desi.

“What’s wrong? Is mom okay?” Desi asked. She had been quiet since they had been there and he knew she was beating herself up.

“I think she went to the roof for some air. Should we go up and see if she needs us?”

“I don’t want to leave. You should go, I’ll be fine,” she said.

“Desi, I’m not leaving you alone,” he said.

“She’s not alone,” Evan said. “We’re all here and we will make sure she’s okay.”

Desi nodded and looked at her dad.

“I’m okay. Please go find mom.”

He kissed her head and hesitated, but then left.

“He’s worried about me,” Desi said as Evan sat down next to her.

“He’s a dad. It goes with the territory,” he smiled.

Desi smiled behind her mask and looked at him.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“I heard what you and your wife did for me and I didn’t expect that. I appreciate it. Thank you.”

Evan shrugged and looked at his hands.

“I just don’t think it will help,” he sighed.

“It helped me. You did something for me and that means a lot, so thank you.”

Evan smiled.

“You deserve to feel safe.”

Desi sighed and nodded, waiting to see David.

******

Brittany looked over as Ian left and she hoped Cassie was on the roof. She was worried and wasn’t sure what she should do.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Tommy asked her.

“I just hope Ian finds his wife,” she said.

He didn’t know what was going on, but they all looked up as Bill came back out.

“He woke up. He’s going to be okay.”

There was a collective sigh of relief and Sabrina stood up.

“Can I see him?”

Bill smiled at her and nodded.

“Of course. You can all come back in.”

Jack wheeled Tessa while Stephanie, Bee, Tommy and Naomi walked back.

“I’ll be right there,” Brittany said as she walked over to Jade and Mike.

“We’ll wait for the next group,” Mike said with a smile and Bill nodded.

“Cassie is in trouble. She needs surgery and she went to the roof to think, at least I hope that’s where she went. Ian went to find her, but they aren’t back yet.”

“We’ll go try and find them,” Mike said. “Go see David and we’ll let you know.”

“Thank you,” Brittany said and went to see David while Mike and Jade left.

“Do you want to go in?” Evan asked Desi.

“Oh, not right now,” she said softly. “I’m not family. I’ll just sit here.”

Evan knew how much David liked Desi, but if she didn’t want to go in, he would just sit with her.

*******

Ian walked up onto the roof and checked his phone again. He was worried, but also angry. How could she ignore his calls?

He knew there was more going on than what she told him. He also worried she might be suffering from some issues just being home.

He looked around the empty area and saw her sitting on a bench by the wall.

“Cassie?” he said as he walked up to her. “What’s going on?”

She looked at him and he thought she looked both pasty and feverish. There was little spark to her eyes at all.

“Ian? What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Don’t you have your phone? Didn’t you see I called you five times? How could you ignore me like that? Our daughter is so sick and you don’t answer my calls?” he didn’t mean to yell, but he was confused and worried and annoyed.

“Is she okay? Did something happen?” Cassie tried to keep focus, but her head was foggy.

“She was brought in with David who was knocked unconscious by a tree branch that fell at the farm. She is terrified and once again she needs her mom, who is here in town, but can’t be bothered to answer the phone. What is going on with you?”

“Oh no,” she said. “I’m sorry. Let’s go to her. Let me go tell her I’m sorry,” she said and went to get up but sat back down.

“Cass? What’s wrong? What is happening?” Ian asked as he held her face in his hands.

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t totally honest with you. I was really stupid and now I need surgery. I’m so sorry Ian. There is a really bad infection and they need to do a partial hysterectomy before it’s too late.”

“What? How could you not tell me? Why are you insisting on doing everything alone? Desi needs you. I need you. We’ve been alone for so long, Cass. How come you are treating me this way?”

“I just messed everything up. I’m sorry. I’ll go back to the room and get checked in so this can be taken care of. You should go home.”

“I should go home? Are you fucking kidding me? You are my wife and I am not your subordinate. You don’t get to tell me what to do when it comes to this. I love you and I am not leaving you.”

“Hey, what’s going on up here? We could hear you all the way up,” Mike said as he and Jade walked to them.

“Cassie? What’s going on?” Jade asked as she walked to her and checked her pulse.

“What’s going on is that she acts like I’m not important and I can’t take it. I’m not an idiot. I need to be a part of this marriage!”

Mike took his arm and walked him away from the women.

“You need to chill the fuck out,” Mike said. “Cassie is in trouble and probably suffering from a hell of a lot more than a physical issue. You screaming at her is about you and not her. I understand you’re scared, but put it away and support your wife. If you can’t do that, then she’s right. Go home.”

Ian watched as more people came up with a gurney and helped Cassie onto it before Jade led them out.

“I need to go with her. I need to get my daughter and we need to be with her,” he said.

Mike stood there and crossed his arms.

“Is that right? How about before you head down there to yell at her some more, you listen to someone who’s been there? Maybe you can get out of your own pain and try to see what she’s dealing with first.”

Ian had no patience for this. He had no time for this.

“We aren’t you and your wife. Leave me alone,” he said.

“You’re damn right. My wife fought for me. She stood by my side when I was a shell of the man who left. She cared for our twin daughters while enduring a heart transplant. I wouldn’t insult her by telling you that you’re like her. Right now, all you are is a coward.”

Ian stood up and faced him.

“You better watch yourself,” he said.

“Or what? You tell me what you want to do and we’ll do it. You want to fight? I’m ready. You want to talk? I’m listening. You want to act like a baby, then just keep doing what you’re doing.”

Ian felt the rage which had been building inside of him come to a boiling point. There was only one person standing there ready to take it.

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!