Unchained Memories
Book II of the Commitment Series
Published by Badger Bliss Books
Copyright 2014 Karen D. Badger
BADGER BLISS BOOKS
I will always have a fondness for this book, as the stories contained within are the catalyst that set my life in a new direction and changed it in ways I could only imagine in my wildest dreams. It was through these stories that I discovered the woman within and emerged a whole and complete individual… happily in love with life and all the future had to offer. I dedicate this book to those who made that possible, and those who accepted the metamorphosis without blinking an eye. That is truly what love… and family, are all about.
ALSO WRITTEN BY KAREN D. BADGER AND
AVAILABLE FROM BADGER BLISS BOOKS:
ON A WING AND A PRAYER
YESTERDAY ONCE MORE
IN A FAMILY WAY
HAPPY CAMPERS
THE BLUE FEATHER
www.karendbadger.wix.com/badgerblissbooks
Unchained Memories
Book II of the Commitment Series
A BADGER BLISS BOOK
by
Karen D. Badger
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient or encourage them to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, locales and events are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, save for brief quotations used in critical articles or reviews.
Cover design by Ann Phillips
A Badger Bliss Book
Published by Badger Bliss Books
Georgia, VT 05468
www.karendbadger.wix.com/badgerblissbooks
Print Book ISBN: 978-1501022784 (available in print from most retailers)
First edition, September, 2014
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to the following people for the love, support, and knowledge provided during the writing and editing of this book:
To Bliss for her unwavering love and for unscrewing me from the ceiling when I was convinced my editor was being mean to me. Thanks for making me see the editor's job is not only to produce a polished novel, but also, to help me to grow as a writer. I love you, baby. To Heath and Dane for providing the models for Seth and Tara. How does it feel to be immortalized in print? To Big Guy (Sheri Barnett) for her medical expertise and advice. You've saved my butt from looking eternally ignorant once more, my friend. Love you much. To Ellie for not only being my Mom, but for her unconditional love, friendship, and acceptance, not to mention her superb abilities as a beta reader. You rock! To Verda and Nann for your excellent editing services. I appreciate all your feedback—even when it catapulted me into the ceiling. To Emily and Jane for having faith in my abilities and providing a forum for my work. Finally, to all my friends and family who stood by me while I morphed into the woman I am today, and for accepting that change with unconditional support and love. Without your love and acceptance, this book would not have been possible.
Table of Contents
Part I: Promise Me Paradise
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Part II: While I Was Gone
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Part III: Unchained Memories
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
About the Author
Part I:
Promise Me Paradise
Chapter 1
Cat pulled up to the curbside mailbox and removed several business-size envelopes. “Bill, bill, junk, bill,” she said as she sifted through the mail. She stopped when she came upon an envelope larger and thicker than the rest, labeled “Occupant.”
“Ma, hurry. My show’s on,” Seth said from the backseat. Cat tucked the stack of envelopes on the seat just under her leg and steered the car into the driveway. Seth released his seatbelt and reached over the backseat. “Can I have the keys?”
Cat pulled the keys out of the ignition and gave them to him. “Be sure to put them on the kitchen table so we don’t have to go on a witch hunt for them tomorrow morning,” she called after his retreating form. She glanced into the rearview mirror. “Tara, honey, could you please unhook your sister?”
Cat collected the mail and her handbag and followed the girls into the house. She threw the mail on the kitchen counter and set up the coffeepot to brew. As the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room, she clasped her hands above her head and stretched from side to side to work out the stiffness that accumulated while spending six consecutive hours anesthetizing her patient during surgery. She enjoyed her work as an anesthesiologist, but the occasional long surgery left her stiff and sore.
When the coffee finished, she poured herself a cup and sipped the rich dark liquid. She sighed. “Oh, that’s good.” She leaned against the countertop, thought about what to make for dinner, and decided on pizza. Pizza was a favorite of Billie and the kids.
Cat smiled as she thought about Billie. It seemed like yesterday, but nearly five years had passed since she walked into Billie’s aerobics class. There, at the front of the class, was a tall, dark-haired beauty with the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. The attraction was immediate, and it rendered her helpless and even more uncoordinated than usual as she proceeded to literally fall on her face in the middle of class. Luckily, Billie took pity on her and agreed to private lessons.
Cat was grateful for the life she had built with Billie, although the road to happiness was paved with what felt, at times, like insurmountable obstacles. First, Cat learned Billie had a son, Seth, who when they met, lay in a coma after being hit by a car while getting off the school bus. Seth was blond and had blue eyes like his mother. Seth’s illness had caused Billie to put her bar exams on hold while she worked as a paralegal to supplement his medical expenses. She had since passed the bar and was a junior partner in a local law firm.
Seth was two years older than Cat’s daughter, Tara, who with red hair and spitfire green eyes, was a miniature of herself. Then there was Skylar, who was conceived in the most heinous of manners, but who truly pulled them together as a family. Five years younger than Tara, she also sported Cat’s red hair but had the same blue eyes as Seth. Now Seth was eleven years old, Tara was nine, and Skylar was nearly four.
&
nbsp; Cat finished her coffee and headed toward the stairs to change into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt before starting dinner. She passed Seth lounging on the couch as he watched his favorite cartoon. She stopped to kiss him on the forehead. “Don’t forget, scout, homework right after this show, okay?”
“Yeah, I know.”
Cat ruffled his hair and continued toward the stairs. She peeked into Tara’s room along the way. Tara and Skylar were playing with their dolls. “Homework tonight, Tara?”
Tara regarded her mother. “I have some spelling words to do.”
“Okay. You have about a half hour to play, then you’ll need to get it done before supper is ready.”
“Ah, Mama,” Tara said.
“What is it with you two? You know how it goes,” Cat said.
A short time later, she sat down at the table to go through the mail. Cat’s attention was drawn to the thick envelope marked Occupant. The phone rang just as she lifted the corner of the flap.
Cat crossed the kitchen and grabbed the phone from the cradle on the wall. “Hello?” She trapped the phone between her shoulder and ear as she continued to peel the flap away from the envelope.
“Hi, baby,” Cat heard from the receiver.
Cat leaned against the wall with the half-opened envelope in her hand. She closed her eyes and sighed at the sound of Billie’s voice.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Cat said as she continued to open the envelope. “What’s up?”
“I called to let you know I’ll be home just a bit late. I’m in the middle of an emergency meeting with a domestic violence case we took on last week. It’ll be about an hour before we wrap it up.”
“Is everything all right?” Cat reached into the envelope while she spoke.
“It will be. She’s beaten up pretty badly.”
Cat heard the distress in Billie’s voice. “I know this hits close to home, but please don’t let it get personal for you. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“I can’t help it. He beat her son too. Bad enough to put him into the hospital.”
“God. How old is the child?”
“Three, just a bit younger than Skylar. If anyone hurt our children, I’d—”
“I know, sweetheart. I understand.”
Cat reached into the package and extracted several photographs.
“Anyway,” Billie said. “I’ll be about an hour late.”
Cat gasped.
“Cat?” Billie asked. “Are you there? Talk to me.”
“Oh my God,” Cat said as she stared at the pictures.
Billie grabbed her jacket and keys and pulled her senior partner and friend, Art McDonough, aside. “Art, I have an emergency to deal with at home. You’ll have to finish preparing the brief without me.”
“No problem. Don’t give it another thought. I hope things are all right with Cat and the kids. See you tomorrow.”
Billie brought her car to a screeching halt in the driveway and ran into the house. She found Cat sitting on the kitchen floor, with her back against the wall. The phone and a large envelope were on the floor by her side. Tears streamed down her face.
Billie cautiously approached Cat and crouched down in front of her. She noticed Seth and Tara in the doorway a few feet away, fear and confusion on their faces.
“Seth, take your sister and go into the other room, please.”
Seth stood there, unresponsive.
“Now!” Billie yelled, louder than she intended. The children jumped and scurried into the other room.
Billie’s curt tone brought Cat to her senses. “Don’t you ever yell at them like that again.”
“I’m sorry.” Billie reached to help Cat up.
Cat slapped her hands away. “Don’t touch me. Don’t touch me. Just leave.”
“Cat, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”
“I want you to pack a bag and leave.”
Billie was shocked. She sat back on her heels. “What did you just say?”
“I said, get out.”
“I’m not going anywhere. At least not until you tell me what’s going on here.”
Cat climbed to her feet and walked a few steps away. “I’m not the one who should be explaining herself.”
Billie rose and attempted to wrap her arms around Cat. “Cat, please…”
Billie lost her hold as Cat flung her arms outward. The venom she saw in Cat’s eyes made her take a step backward.
“I told you to leave. Don’t make me call the police.”
Billie’s anger surfaced. She grabbed Cat’s arms and pressed her against the wall. “I don’t know what this is all about, but you’ve apparently decided I’ve done something wrong.” Billie’s chest heaved with each word.
“Leave her alone.”
Billie’s attention was drawn to the living room doorway where Seth stood with his fists clenched. Tara stood behind him and was crying.
“Let her go, Mom. I won’t let you hurt her.”
Billie couldn’t believe her son had gall enough to stand up to her. The rational part of her mind acknowledged he was taking sides with Cat against her.
“See that? You’ve turned my own son against me,” Billie said. “Damn you.”
Cat’s eyes narrowed into slits. “Our son, Billie. Our son. And he’s staying here with me. Now leave.”
“You’re making no sense,” Billie said. “I call home to say I’ll be late, and the next thing I know, I’m being thrown out of the house. No explanation. No reason. Just get the hell out.”
Cat reached for the phone and dialed 9-1-1. “Yes, this is Caitlain Charland, and I need a police officer right away.”
Billie grabbed the phone out of Cat’s hand and slammed it down onto its cradle. “Why did you have to do that? What in God’s name could I have done to deserve this?”
“I will not live with a whore! Now I suggest you leave before the police arrive.”
“Whore? What makes you think I’ve been whoring around?”
“I’m not blind. I know what I saw. Unless you want to go to jail, you’d better get out of here.”
“What you saw? You’re talking in riddles. I deserve an explanation.”
“You deserve nothing!”
Billie was terrified by the rapid rise of emotions within her. Deep inside, a dark, powerful force was building. The longer she stood there, the more she wanted to hurt this woman who accused her of infidelity. She grabbed the sides of her head to quell the pain and dichotomy of wills raging inside. Part of her wanted to release the monster she knew lurked inside, but the stronger part of her held on to the reins of self-control. She had to get away before she did something she’d regret. If she hurt Cat, she’d never forgive herself.
She headed for the door.
“Billie.”
She stopped short and faced Cat.
Cat grabbed the large envelope from the floor and thrust it at her. “Take these with you. They make me sick.”
Billie stuck the envelope in her coat pocket and stormed out the door.
Cat’s resolve crumbled when the door slammed. She slid down the wall into a helpless heap on the floor. Seth and Tara ran to her side and huddled against her.
“I was afraid Mom would hurt you.” Seth laid his head on Cat’s shoulder.
“Me too,” Tara said.
“She didn’t hurt me, sweetie—at least not physically.”
“Is Mom ever coming back?” Tara asked.
Cat saw the confusion in Tara’s eyes and lost her battle to hold back tears. “I don’t know, sweetheart. I don’t know.”
Cat pulled her children close and cried as she thought of what life would be like without Billie.
Chapter 2
Billie drove blindly through the streets. She didn’t realize where she was until she pulled into the parking lot of her office building. She parked the car and replayed the confrontation with Cat. She went over the event several times, trying to figure out what she had done. Why would Cat do something so drastic as to thro
w her out?
These past five years were the most joyful and yet the most challenging of her life. For the first time, she had someone she could be happy with. Cat was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Short in stature, coming only to her chin, she had the biggest heart and most generous nature of anyone she had ever known. Cat’s red-blonde hair and green eyes captivated her the minute she walked into her aerobics class nearly five years earlier. When they met, Seth was only six years old and destined to spend the rest of his life in a vegetative state, but Cat accepted him and arranged to get him the help he needed to recover. To Cat, Seth was like her own flesh and blood, and Cat’s daughter, Tara, wormed her way into Billie’s heart the moment she set eyes on her.
They had endured so much together. From the heart-wrenching conception of their daughter, Skylar, to Billie finishing law school and passing the bar, they stood shoulder to shoulder and never wavered in their support for each other. Cat stood by her as she lived through a brutal beating at the hands of assailants who disagreed with her fight to legalize gay marriage. Their legal marriage and adoption of each other’s children made them a family in every sense of the word.
Billie cherished her life with Cat and the kids, and pain filled her heart as she wondered how she could live without them. What had happened?
An hour later, Art saw Billie in the office parking lot, slumped over her steering wheel. He tapped on her window.
“Roll the window down.” He motioned with his hand.
Billie sat back in her seat and lowered the window.
Art reached into the car and squeezed her shoulder. “Are you all right?”
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