She makes a mad dash for the bathroom, but I grab her around the waist and snatch her up. She giggles, then looks at me in the eyes.
“You’re going to do great today,” I assure her.
“You don’t have to come to class,” she says, for the millionth time.
“I want to,” I tell her, swat her on the ass, then let her go.
I pull on a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt, then go into the kitchen to make coffee. I pull her coffee cream out of the refrigerator and pour some into a travel mug. I pour coffee into the cup, as she comes out of the bedroom with Sadie on her heels.
I screw on the lid, hand her the mug then quickly brush my teeth. Sadie’s certificate came in the mail last week, and Kate’s all set to keep her with her all day at the studio. Kate grabs the leash, then we head out to the back deck. We walk through River’s quiet house; no one is awake yet.
Outside the front door, we stop to let Sadie do her thing, then we head downtown to the studio.
Kate walks through the front door, flips on the bright neon ‘open’ sign, then grins from ear to ear. She bounces on her heels as she walks around, making sure everything is perfect.
One by one, clients start to filter in. Soon the studio is almost to capacity. Kate steps up front and takes her place on her mat. The door opens again, and River, Joss, Nina, Josh, and Maddy, all walk inside. Kate’s face lights up when she sees River is here. Her eyes quickly find mine and I wink at her.
After the hour session, everyone claps for Kate and her eyes glisten with pride.
“You did so good!” Joss says, giving her a hug.
“Are you going to offer prenatal yoga?” Nina asks.
“Girl, you kicked my ass,” Maddy says.
“I’m not sure I see what all the hype is about,” Josh says, then Nina backhands him in the gut.
“Thank you!” she says, looking at Joss. “Yes, I’ve hired an instructor to come in and teach prenatal,” she says, looking at Nina. “Good, you need a good ass kicking,” she says to Maddy. “Tell me tomorrow morning if you don’t feel what all the hype is about,” she says, looking at Josh.
River walks up to her and holds out his hand for Kate. She takes his hand and he steps closer to her.
“I’m so proud of you, Kate,” River says.
That glisten of pride in her eyes, streaks down her cheek in the form of a tear.
“Thank you, River,” she says with a smile.
Over the next few months, Kate Mason Yoga has become a huge success. She even got a write up in a popular fitness magazine. Sadie takes her role very seriously as both Kate’s therapy dog, and her partner at the studio. Now, six months to the day, Kate and I just brought over the last box of her belongings from the pool house.
Kate sets down the box, then steps outside to the back deck. Sadie follows behind her, sloppily sits on one hip resting against her leg then places her nose in her hand. I’m so thankful a stray dog found me the day I moved into this house. I’m so grateful Sadie can read Kate and be everything she needs her to be.
As she stares out into the ocean, I can’t help but smile at her. Her kaleidoscope mask has long been gone, and now she radiates with happiness and beauty. She’s found gratifying pleasure in teaching the craft of yoga to others, to calm their mind, body, and spirit.
I step out onto the deck and stand behind Kate. I wrap my arms around her waist, then look at what she’s looking at. She has her left wrist in front of her, and she’s rubbing her semicolon tattoo with her right thumb. I place a kiss on her cheek, turn her so she’s facing me, then I gently take her left wrist in my hand.
I run my thumb over her tattoo, look into her eyes, then softly whisper, “Our story isn’t over yet.”
Her eyes lift from her tattoo and lovingly find mine.
She smiles and says, “L’amour vrai.”
A Different Road Series will continue with Stephen Mason and Maddy Malone in:
I Speak … Love
A Different Road Book Three
You may not be able to hear it at the moment, but there is help.
24 hours a day, seven days a week
Suicide prevention lifeline: 800–273–8255
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Service Dog—Emotional Support Dog -Therapy Dog
http://usdogregistry.org/
Project Semicolon
http://www.projectsemicolon.org/
The Running Into Love Series:
Take A Chance – Running Into Love – Book 1
I’ll Take A Chance – Running Into Love – Book 2
Second Chance – Running Into Love – Book 3
A Fighting Chance – Running Into Love – Book 4
Running Into Love Box Set - Books One to Four
Unavoidable Chance - Running Into Love Book 5
Unexpected Chance – Running Into Love Book 6
A Very Wellington Christmas Novella
A Different Road Series:
I See . . . Love—A Different Road—Book 1
I Hear . . . Love—A Different Road—Book 2
I Speak Love—A Different Road—Book 3
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I’m an “Indie” Adult Contemporary Romance author. A thought occurred to me in December of 2012 that maybe I could write a romance novel. So, I went to work with the encouragement of my husband and my sister-in-law.
It didn’t take long to figure out that I really enjoy writing. I published my debut novel Take A Chance in October of 2013.
I’ve been married to my wonderful husband since 1996, and I love being a stay-at-home mom to our two teenage boys. I was born and raised in Michigan, but currently live in sunny California.
I’m a self-published author, and it’s been an amazing, crazy, wonderful journey.
Website: annalisanicole.com
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Thank you to my wonderful husband, I love you forever and always. My two boys, you are the light in my life given to me from above. Thank you for always believing in me, supporting me every step of the way, and encouraging me to follow my dreams.
Thank you to all my beautiful beta readers. Your dedication and continued support mean the world to me. I love you all. Master Beta—Erin Dolin, Kell Donaldson, Kristine Barakat, Cristie Alleman, Crissy Sutcliffe, Amanda Farmer, and Di Ainsworth.
Thank you, Lindsay, from LTE Editing. You are an amazing editor and a valued friend. I love working with you.
Najla, from Najla Qamber Designs, thank you once again for an amazing cover. I absolutely love it!
Thank you, Tami, from Integrity Formatting. You are an amazing person, and I absolutely love working with you. You are always there for me, and I love and appreciate that so much.
Thank you, Jennifer, from More Than Words Promotions. Thank you for putting together an amazing cover reveal and release day blitz. You are always a ray of light, and you inspire me to be a better person.
Julie Franke, thank you for always being a constant source of friendship, encouragement, love, and support in my life. Without you, I would never have started this amazing journey.
Thank you, Kellie Montgomery, from Eye Candy Bookstore. You are an amazing person and have mad PR skills. You are a superstar.
Thank you, Tammy Burgess, for your love and support. You have been a constant source of encouragement, and I love the meme’s you create to make me smile.
Thank you, Di, f
rom Di’s Dazzling Dezines for the amazing Kindle Couch! I absolutely love each and every one of them. You make me smile, and I love you to pieces.
Thank you, readers, reviewers, and bloggers for continuing to stay with me on this amazing, wonderful journey. Thank you for continuing to read what the crazy characters in my head make me write. Thank you for all the wonderful personal messages, emails, and reviews. I read each and every review, so keep them coming. From the bottom of my heart . . . thank you!
Table of Contents
Dedication
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
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
About Annalisa
Other Books
Contact Annalisa
Acknowledgements
I Hear...Love (A Different Road #2) Page 19