He had intentionally distracted her! She clenched her fist, and water dripped from the washcloth.
She took a deep breath, admitting to herself that she had done everything she could. His future was in his own hands. She had shown him what would happen if he did nothing, and what would happen if he cleaned himself up. She had been persistent—annoyingly persistent.
What else was there to do?
Those were the same thoughts she had when she tried to persuade her fiancé not to go to work that day. She had thought she’d done everything in her power, but she hadn’t. With this angel, she hadn’t either.
She could search for him. Spend all day here until she could no longer walk. Scanning the path, a moving branch caught her eye. Was he hiding?
She tightened the water bottle’s cap and took off on the trail toward the parking lot. Arriving where the branch had moved, she scanned the landscape with her flashlight, only to see a squirrel hopping in the tree.
She continued down the trail.
Ahead of her, the trail split. One path led to the parking lot, and the other was more rugged, hugging the river with stairs made of boulders. The ping of a stone tumbling against a rock, then a splash, made Jocelyn spin around and swipe her flashlight over the path.
There, on a ledge above the river, was that man…that angel.
Chapter 4
Jocelyn sighed and gathered the fight left in her. “You took off on me!”
“I told you I didn’t want your help!” The angel stood and began to climb the boulders, putting more distance between them.
She tucked the water bottle in the side pocket of her backpack and climbed the rock outcropping. Another wolf howl filled the air, causing her heart to pound and her arms to hug the rocks as her foot slipped against the wet surface. She stepped on one rock, then another, ensuring sturdiness in her footing. Ahead, the angel climbed farther down the river. Why was he so stubborn?
After both her and the angel maneuvered farther down the path, the angel ran out of rocks to climb, as the path dead-ended. She was almost there. A few more boulders, and she could reach him. A throbbing pressure filled her head.
“No, no, no!” She flung one hand to her temple as she eased down on the ledge, but the ledge was not wide enough. Her body tensed and when she involuntarily stretched out, she toppled into the icy, rushing river below.
Her vision was like nothing she ever had before. She didn’t just see what was going on, she experienced every detail with all five senses, like she was there. This was the first vision she was physically in rather than just observing. She was seeing her future for the first time.
Jocelyn stirred a pot of red sauce in a familiar kitchen—the angel’s home from her earlier vision, only different. Paintings of parakeets decorated the walls, her favorite animal, and her old, lime green toaster rested upon the angel’s countertop. She set a hot pad in the center of four plates on the kitchen table—a much larger table than in her other vision with the angel.
“Dinner’s ready!” she announced.
Two dark-haired little girls, about six years old, came into the room, Their hair perfectly straight, like her own. The stubborn, fallen angel followed with small creases around his eyes and distinguished grays at his temple. His lips curled in a smile that warmed her and made her forget his one-mindedness. She felt unmistakable love, a love she hadn’t experienced since her fiancé died. At that moment, she knew the angel’s name—Blaze. She knew everything about him and knew he knew everything about her. She loved that feeling.
“Spaghetti!” One of the girls yelled.
The other hugged her leg. “Thanks Mom!”
Blaze came up beside her, putting an arm around her back as she set the pot on the table. He pressed his body to hers and whispered into her ear, “Thank you.” He brushed his lips against hers. His warm, soft kiss sent a shiver down her spine.
Her eyes jolted open when her vision ended. Her lungs burned and her body twisted in misery. Water rushed over her head and cold numbed her limbs. She flailed her arms against the hard stones while she tried to push to the surface for a breath. She scraped her elbows and knees, fighting for her life.
Once she broke the surface, a wave crashed over her head again. She kicked off the bottom of the river, but now she was so dizzy, she struggled to know which way was up. Attempting to calm herself, she rose to the surface and tried to cough the water in her lungs, but they stung and she couldn’t move air.
Another wave crashed over her head and her body hit a rock, deflating her lungs. She attempted to grab something, but nothing was within reach.
When her knee slammed another rock, she twisted again, grasping at any hard, unforgiving rocks along the shore…
But her arms caught something soft. A hand wrapped around her upper arm and pulled her against something warm. She blinked the water from her eyes to see Blaze’s beautiful face before a coughing spell hit her, bringing tears to her eyes.
She focused on clearing the water from her lungs, allowing Blaze to take care of her. He cradled her in his arms before lifting her over his shoulder, struggling to get out of the rushing water. She pried her eyes open to see the clean wounds upon his back. Two jagged slits, free from dirt and debris.
How long had he searched the river for her?
He climbed the rocks, then laid her upon a large stone. She twisted, coughing and spitting fluid from her lungs. Blaze glided his hand up and down her back, and when she couldn’t cough anymore, she laid back on the rocks, remembering the love she felt in her vision. Longing for it.
The man responsible for that love sat beside her, staring out over the water. His back was cleaner than it had been, and he might survive. Could she now leave this forest? Was her duty done?
She didn’t want to leave him. She wouldn’t leave him. The emotions in that vision made her love him. She knew him inside and out. Their lives intertwined.
“Thank you,” she croaked.
He nodded toward the river. “I had no choice. You were drowning.”
She sat up. “There’s always a choice.”
They stared at the hypnotic rushing water while the sun rose and her lungs returned to normal.
Eventually, Blaze stood and helped her onto the main path.
“The parking lot is that way.” He pointed down the trail.
When she nodded, he took a step in the opposite direction.
Jocelyn followed him. “Where are you going?”
“It’s none of your business.”
The words broke her heart. This couldn’t be the end of the road. She had seen his future…their future together, and it was beautiful, but he hadn’t seen it. He hadn’t fallen in love with her like she had with him.
She took his hand, turned him around, and pulled him closer as her heart pounded. “I have one more thing to show you.” He pulled away, but she gripped his hand tighter, not letting go. “A future where you aren’t alone. Where you are loved.”
His eyes widened, and she placed her free hand against the stubble on his cheek. He leaned into her hand, and she closed her eyes, sending him images and feelings from her vision—of their children, the sweetness of their kiss, and the love they shared.
Blaze’s warm breath fell across the top of her head. She leaned into his chest, feeling his heartbeat against her cheek. She felt his love, and the promise of a beautiful future made her relax into him.
When she opened her eyes and stared into his dark blue eyes, she realized he felt the same way. Lifting onto her tippy toes, she placed a kiss upon his lips.
“Is it that easy?” he said after she pulled away.
“It can be, if you don’t fight it.”
He wrapped an arm around her. “I think I’m tired of fighting.”
She traced a hand down his arm and gripped his hand. “Then follow me. I lost my glasses and could use someone to drive me home.” She winked at him.
With a nod and a heart-warming smile, he let her lead him out of the
forest and to their new life, together.
The End
One Possible Future is one of many stories about the Angels of Sojourn.
Meet all the couples and discover the full-length novels by visiting here: http://www.joynellschultz.com/angels
For the first full-length novel in this series, check out Blood & Holy Water: Angels of Sojourn, Book One. Link: http://mybook.to/bloodholywater
WANT MORE?
If you enjoyed the stories in this novel, you may wish to check out these other books by Joynell Schultz.
Blood & Holy Water: Angels of Sojourn, Book One
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRN2NZ2
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XRN2NZ2
Ava is sick of mundane angel duties, and she wants a promotion to finally earn her wings. A promotion takes more than hard work; it takes a miracle—literally. Unfortunately, her miracle’s impossible, because it involves a vampire.
Fin has no time for frivolous gestures. He’s too busy avoiding his own kind to care what a naïve angel wants. But when the other vampires uncover his deepest secret, threatening what he cherishes most, nothing can help him…except a miracle. Too bad he chased the angel away.
Fangs & Fairy Dust: An Angels of Sojourn Spin-Off Novella
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6FCLWH
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B6FCLWH
“The best things in this world are surprises.” –Author Unknown
After more than eighty years, Ryker returns to Dubuque, hunting down a rogue vampire once again…only this time, the vampire didn’t break his heart.
Aliza is just a normal human trying to say good-bye to the past, but after a brutal attack, she never expected her good-bye to be the beginning of an unimaginable future.
The Secret Lives of Superhero Wives
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072N5BZXR
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072N5BZXR
Nobody said being married was easy, but try being married to a superhero. Not only is there laundry, cooking, and a career to balance, but throw in a few supervillains and your day’s booked.
Ariana, Victoria, and Emma’s men spend more time saving the world than doing dishes. These wives want some semblance of a normal married life, but would settle for an uninterrupted meal together. Besides, how can they compete with saving the world?
When a catastrophic earthquake devastates Shadow Town and crime spirals out of control, it appears the city needs all the help they can get to clean it up. Everyone expected the resident superheroes to save the day, but nobody expected the wives’ help too…
Hidden: A Pregnant Fairy Godmother’s Journey…
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074QQJ15B
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074QQJ15B
Even being the best fairy godmother in all the land, Ciera’s been hiding a secret. Not only is she pregnant, but she’s magically pregnant with a human child.
Humans are not allowed in the fairy realm. Period. That includes half-fairy half-human babies. The only solution is to give the baby to its father before the Fairy Council finds out her secret. Finding the father should be easy, how many men named John could possibly live in this place called Chicago?
Love, Lies & Clones:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXTGIZL
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MXTGIZL
June never asked to be cloned. She never asked for the faulty heart that beats inside her chest. But most of all, she never asked for the chaos that would become her life.
When her estranged father mysteriously appears at her doorstep to warn her of impending danger, she immediately dismisses him. But when he goes missing, his seemingly unbelievable claims prove to be true. Not only is her life in danger, but the lives of others like her are at stake.
As clues about a malicious conspiracy unfold, an AWOL soldier emerges insistent that he holds the missing link in this deadly puzzle, but placing her trust in a stranger is the last thing June is willing to do. With the clock ticking, can June trust him with her secret… and her heart?
Magical Connections: A Collection of Fantasy Short Stories & Novellas
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DX2Q8QY
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DX2Q8QY
How far will you go for love?
From a pregnant fairy godmother to a child bitten by a werewolf, a fallen angel to a mail-order witch, these six fantasy short stories & novellas, connected by magic, will be sure to leave you feeling satisfied. Includes:
Fangs & Fairy Dust: An Angels of Sojourn Spin-Off Novella
The Mail-Order Witch (short story)
Hidden: A Pregnant Fairy Godmother’s Journey… (novella)
The Enchanted Apothecary
One Possible Future: An Angels of Sojourn Short Story
Bitten: An Angels of Sojourn Spin-Off Short Story
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joynell Schultz loves interesting things. From driving a bright lime green SUV, having an awesome Great Dane as a pet, to an ever-changing list of hobbies. She’s a pharmacist by training but is currently managing the family business of a zoo. Talk about interesting! From drones aggravating the cougar to the elk in rut. From baby goats being born to adopting a sheep raised in a second-story apartment, there’s always something fun going on. And that was just in one week!
In the little free time she has, she loves creating imaginary worlds to tell tales of human relationships. You can learn more by visiting her website (www.JoynellSchultz.com) or find her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JoynellJSchultz)
Other Contact Info:
Email: [email protected]
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joynell-schultz
Newsletter/Mailing List: http://www.joynellschultz.com/subscribe
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
One Possible Future Page 2