She Without Sin
Page 16
A lot changed in the short year following Nick’s abduction. At first, it was a rough ride. Nick suffered extreme highs and lows, until one day he seemed to level off. That was the day I told him we were pregnant. Everything inside him did a one hundred eighty-degree turn. Life had flavor and color once again in his core. Aspects from attitude to appearance transformed in an instant back to his old self. He’d been seeing a therapist to work through the PTSD and severity of what happened. Truthfully? I’d been seeing one too. On the outside it came across as we were both finally moving forward from the past–which we were, but we both had a keen awareness more needed to change before we could shed all of the previous year’s hauntings.
The idea for the morning show was pitched by Liam, which came at precisely the right time. Nick had made a decision to take a step back from all things psychology, giving up the book deals and Podcast, and was searching for something else to fill his days with. The beginning of my pregnancy was filled with terrible morning, noon, and night sickness causing me to be too ill to tape a live show. Liam suggested Nick fill in. Since the idea came from him, Topher quickly agreed. The seamless transition between Nick’s time and mine grew popular among viewers, practically doubling nightly rankings. Added bonus, Nick loved anchoring. Though his approach differed from mine, he maintained the heart and soul of the program in my absence. To test his hypothesis if Nick and I should do a show together, every Friday we’d co-host The Bottom Line. Ratings went through the roof. Halfway through Liam’s morning talk show pitch, Topher signed on the dotted line. In one month we’d be embarking upon a new journey, together. It also didn’t hurt after the abduction, and after millions of people watching the Warren Lessor takedown live feed, Nick and I quickly became America’s favorite couple. Any negative press received in the past was erased, totally forgotten from the court of public opinion’s memories. The moment news of my pregnancy hit the press, we became untouchable. Golden.
We did end up moving to another gated community on Long Island. A house we paid for, not a gift from his family. Once the old property sold, Nick wrote a check to his parents, thusly severing ties with them. No longer feeling indebted to them, a weight lifted off his shoulders. He did, however, keep in contact with Beau. During quiet hours during the dead of night when I couldn’t sleep, my mind often wondered exactly what role the Winters played in the abduction. Gut suggested Beau had something to do with it, but I couldn’t figure out exactly what. Eventually I let it go because they no longer mattered, but the musing remained dormant. Probably always would.
Our new home and joint career path were the perfect start in regaining lost balance between us, and to be honest, life was good. Neither of us had any complaints. Finally done with the unpacking, and nursery setup, we crashed on the couch together, exhausted one Saturday afternoon.
“Would you totally hate me if I asked you to get me a chocolate raspberry shake from that ice cream place down the street?” I asked. Pregnancy cravings were consuming most days.
“Are you going to want it this time when I get back? Yesterday you had me running all over the world for things, and when I got home you wanted none of it, then got mad at me when I ate it.” Nick laughed.
“I think the words you’re looking for are, ‘Thank you so much, Jill, for carrying my baby, and for doing all the heavy lifting, while I sit around waiting to drive you to the hospital.’” I smirked.
“Is there anything else you’d like?” Nick smiled, leaning over, kissing my lips.
Before I could answer, the doorbell chimed.
“Are you expecting anyone?” I asked, sitting straighter.
“No,” he replied, getting up, going to the front door. Joining him, I peered out the side window. A young man dressed in a dark brown delivery uniform stood, glancing at his watch. Turning the brass doorknob, Nick greeted the courier.
“Are you Doctor Nicholas Winters?” The man inquired.
“Yes,” Nick replied. “How can I help you?”
“This is for you. If I could please get your signature here, I’d greatly appreciate it.”
“May I ask whom this is from?”
“Not sure, Sir. I work for Line Runners Logistics. They give me a truck and a route every morning, and I just deliver the items to whomever they’re addressed to.”
“Of course,” Nick said, taking the stylus, quickly scribbling his initials.
After signing the electronic scanner, the courier handed over a large manila envelope. Thanking the man, and closing the door, he examined the enclosure. Aside from Nick’s full name written in perfect cursive with a thick, black permanent marker, nothing else was on it. No return address. Nothing. He slid his index finger under the sealed flap. A single thick slice of pure white paper fell out into his hand.
An ominous, dark sensation slowly crept up my spine, and back down to my gut, sitting like a lead weight. Call it intuition, instinct–whatever you want, but the letter radiated pure evil.
“What does it say? Who is it from?” I questioned, biting down hard on my thumb nail.
Clearing his throat, Nick read, “‘This they said, tempting him that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So, when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.–John 8: 6-7.
We’re not done, Brother Nicholas. Far from it.’”
The Fall of Winters Series: Book 2
JUST CALL ME DARLING
Luca Santino wants one thing—to get his ex, Madison Langmore, to give him one more chance. Madison Langmore wants one thing too—to survive her abduction. Racing against the clock, Luca must do whatever he can to figure out who took Madison, and where. A deep dive into possible suspects reveals the powerful, political Winters Family is at the center of the investigation once again.
More from JP Barry
The Nearer The Dawn Saga
The Nearer The Dawn
The Darker The Night
The Darkest Before The Dawn
Dawn’s First Light
The Cain Trilogy
The Mark of Cain
The Curse of Cain
The Destruction of Cain
About the Author
JP Barry is the award winning, bestselling author of The Nearer the Dawn Saga, and The Cain Trilogy. Her work has been dubbed, “fascinating,” and “books you can’t put down,” by Reader’s Favorite. Barry is a native New Yorker who when not writing enjoys spending time with her family.
* * * *
Did you enjoy She Without Sin?
If so, please help us spread the word about
JP Barry and MuseItUp Publishing.
It's as easy as:
•Recommend the book to your family and friends
•Post a review
•Tweet and Facebook about it
Thank you
MuseItUp Publishing