Barry must have known how I was feeling because he gave my hand a squeeze. While we sat there, he never let go. He would glance at me once in a while and smile. If anything was going to calm my nerves, it would be him. His warm hazel eyes, with that sexy grin, broke my concentration every time. When he throws that half–grin my way, all I can focus on was him.
People started clapping, interrupting my fantasy about Barry. Evidently the ceremony was over with as the crowd started to disperse. How’d I miss it? The mayor backed away from the podium and headed directly over to us.
“Fine job, guys…Fine job indeed.” He reached out and shook Barry’s hand. Then automatically without thinking, he patted me on the back and rested his hand there.
A shiver went through me as the daylight faded away to darkness, revealing me standing in a narrow, darkened street. The area was deserted with tall, but dark buildings surrounding me. On the side of the adjacent buildng sat a platform, housing a rusty metal door. That wasn’t the front side of the building, it couldn’t have been. It lacked the welcoming allure that most storefronts had. An alley, I thought to myself, I was in an alleyway, but not alone. The mayor was there talking to some guy who’s voice had a familiarity about it, but I couldn’t quite recognize. His face, darkened by the shadows, wasn’t visible enough. I watched silently as the stranger placed an unmarked envelope into the hands of the mayor. When he leaned forward, enough light filtered through to spark recognition of the police chief. That was why his voice seemed familiar. Uneasiness washed over me as I heard the police chief tell the mayor “This should hold you over for a while.”
As the mayor removed his hand, I snapped back to reality. When he started to walk away, I peered at Barry while trying to compose myself. Barry, in a hushed voice, immediately asked if I was all right. With a quick nod, he questioned what I had seen. I opened my mouth to tell him, but had to close it quickly when the Matthews approached us.
“Heather, we could never thank you enough. You’ll never be able to know just what you’ve done for us.” Mrs. Matthews said as tears started welling up in her eyes. “For years there has been a void, and now I think we can start to move on. What you’ve done with the money was such a noble gesture. His memory will live on forever,” she said as her voice cracked toward the end, refusing to let her finish.
While reaching out to give me a quick hug, she whispered “thanks” before hastily walking away. Her husband turned toward me with eyes filled with appreciation, and simply said, “Thank you” before taking off after his wife. Still shaken from my previous encounter, I let out a slight breath. At least her embrace didn’t reveal another vision.
With a glance at Barry, I nervously asked, “Did anyone notice me?”
“No, I don’t think so. You weren’t facing anyone but me. What did you…?”
A flood of people came up to us, interrupting us again. With an apologetic look, I turned back to the crowd and answered the questions being tossed at me from every direction. As I tried my best to listen to what everyone was saying, my mind kept reverting back to what I had seen. I couldn’t help but wonder what shady business went down between the mayor and the police chief. Part of me questioned if I should even get involved. I mentally debated whether to tell anyone else except Barry, but something definitely felt wrong.
Standing there having to talk to people was torturous. I tried my hardest to wear my fake social smile, hoping it would suffice. All I really wanted to do, however, was get away from everyone and tell Barry what I had seen. He kept glancing back at me with his own apologetic look, but I knew the suspense was killing him just as it was me. Finally, when the last person left, he came over to me.
“Barry,” I said in a low whisper. “You’re not going to believe what I saw…”
My mother, who was clearly ready to leave, interrupted us. I groaned before tossing Barry a desperate smile. As he leaned into me, he quickly hugged me while whispering, “I’ll come straight over.” Walking away, I glanced back toward Barry, knowing once I told him what I’d seen; this town would never be the same.
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Aknowledgements
Thanks to each one of you, the readers, for having enough interest to read my debut novel. Writing this book has been a fun journey. Originally written for my daughter’s eyes only, I am thrilled to have the opportunity for a wider audience. My wish is that you enjoyed the book as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thanks to my daughter, Logan, for giving me the inspiration to write stories. You helped me discover my passion. With all the hobbies I’ve tried throughout the years, and there has been many, writing turned out to be the one to stick. I owe that to you. I can never thank you enough for getting me to publish this novel. If you hadn’t kept pursing after me, it would have continued to sit forever locked in the computer.
Thanks to my beta-readers Staci Vecellio, Brandon Prosser, and Denice Loveless. Each one of you brought something to the story. Staci, you gave me the encouragement to follow through with publishing, and to finish the second book. If it wasn’t for your encouraging words, I wouldn’t have listened to Logan. A big shout out to Brandon for letting me pick your brain for all police material. I’m thankful you’re not only an excellent policeman, but also an avid reader. Denice, thanks for giving the manuscript one more read to fill in any questions. Your advice was invaluable in making the story solid. Thank you everyone!
To the rest of my family a big thanks for all the encouragement you have given me during this time.
Kathie, my editor, I cannot thank you enough for turning my words into the story it became. A good editor is invaluable, and I feel blessed that you were able to be mine.
About the Author
Kimberly is a newly published author of Visions, a planned three book trilogy. She is a former Registered Nurse who hung-up her stethoscope to pursue other avenues. Within the last five years, she has discovered her passion for writing. Now, whenever there is downtime, you will find her tucked away with the computer, creating the stories floating around her head.
Kimberly lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children. The oldest is away at college, but when she returns, they enjoy hiking, camping, and simply hanging out as a family.
Table of Contents
Prologue
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~2~
~3~
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~12~
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~14~
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~17~
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~19~
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Thanks for reading Visions!
Aknowledgements
About the Author
Table of Contents
Prologue
~1~
~2~
~3~
~4~
~5~
~6~
~7~
~8~
~9~
~10~
~11~
~12~
~13~
~14~
~15~
~16~
~17~
~18~
~19~
~20~
~21~
~22~
~23~
Thanks for reading Visions!
Aknowledgements
About the Author
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Visions: The Mystical Encounter Series (The Mystical Encounter Series Book 1) Page 17