In the quiet of her office, Kylie sat back in her chair. Today was a big day. It was a good day. Good days were happening every so often now. Tonight was going to be even a bigger night. She’d be fine. Until she got home.
Picking up the picture of Jesse that Hayley had moved, she couldn’t help but smile looking at his beautiful face.
“Oh, Jess, I really wish you were here to see this. And you probably are, huh? I’m guessing that you know everything that’s going on and maybe even have been providing some divine intervention. I wouldn’t put it past you. I know you’d be proud of me. Unlike the past, I didn’t get beat down and abused by men once you were gone. I’ve stayed strong and turned it around and beat an asshole at his own game. Pretty badass of me, right.” She nodded at the picture. “And now, Hayley, Liz, and I are business owners and we’re going to empower people who have been disenfranchised. Quite the opposite of my previous destinies. I know this is what I was supposed to do, Jesse. This is how I’m going to help people. With you, it was your music. It gave people life and hope and joy. I hope what I do helps people love themselves and have the confidence to stand up for who they are.” She paused, thinking for a moment.
“But, you know, I still wonder, what didn’t we get right? You grew and were no longer putting your own agenda first, I was no longer a victim. So, the only thing I can think of is we were only taking ourselves into account and we didn’t factor in the third variable, who would not stop short of killing if she didn’t have you. Do you think that’s it? It’s the only thing I can come up with. The lawyers promise me she won’t see the light of day again in this lifetime, but she’s a crafty bitch, so I don’t trust that she won’t be granted parole at some point. Next time, babe, we are taking her down. I promise you that. This is the last time that witch gets the best of us.
“Look at me talking to your picture.” A short laugh turned into a sob as the bravado from the moment before vanished and tears welled up from her heart. “Tonight’s a rough one without you, Jesse. I’m not going to lie. Sometimes it feels like you’re right here with me, that you’re a part of everything, just like twenty minutes into the future, on the other side of the veil, and I really do good at those times. And then there are nights like tonight, where I just feel so alone and I miss you so damn much. I just wish I knew that you were by my side. I want you with me walking into that celebration tonight. Me and you. The way it’s supposed to be. We belong together, Jesse. We do. And I feel so freaking alone tonight. I’m happy, the company is a great accomplishment and the start of something big, but the emptiness just feels amplified by a million, because you’re not here to share it with. I want you with me, Jesse.” Her voice trailed off to a whisper, “I just want you here with me.”
Putting his picture down on the desk, she wiped her now red and swollen eyes. A great look for a new company owner, she laughed, and swiped under her lashes one more time with the side of her fingers to ensure any raccoon-like rings were erased.
Grabbing her keys, wallet, and phone, she turned off the office lights and took a deep breath. Time to pull it together and be a kick-ass Jersey girl.
Stepping out into the hall, as she turned to lock the door, the toe of her shoe crunched something on the metal threshold. Looking down, she could see blue plaid sticking out from under her right pump.
“What the…” She bent down to pick it up.
The card was a faded blue plaid, the white no longer bright, but yellowed with time, the edges worn. Turning the card over, a sound that was a combination of a gasp and a sob erupted from deep in her chest, as the image slammed her heart, lodging the flutter of a missed beat at the base of her throat.
Silent for a moment, she blew out the air she’d been holding in her lungs before taking a deep breath that she hoped would restore her voice.
“Yes. Yes, you are,” she whispered. The tears flowed freely now, falling onto the antique picture she held in unsteady hands.
Nodding her head, knowingly, she smiled through her tears at the handsome face on the vintage playing card, as she spoke. “You are my King of Hearts. You always have been and you always will be.” Closing her eyes, she acknowledged, “Okay, okay. I get it. Sometimes I just need a reminder.”
Opening her jacket, she slipped the card into the inner breast pocket on the left side, patting the soft fabric down over her heart. “Tonight, you’re going to be my plus one.” And with a smile on her beautiful face, they were on their way.
Fade to White
A movie scene fades to darkness
But our score never ends
After a brilliant crescendo
It’s always ʼtil we meet again
Fade to White
Hello Readers,
Have you read THE NEEDING MOORE SERIES yet?
IF YOU HAVEN’T, I’ve got the first book, Searching for Moore, free for you. The series is an epic second chance romance about the one you just never get over.
Click this link and sign up for your FREE copy of the book - https://dl.bookfunnel.com/oielzjh2mo
IF YOU HAVE read the Moores, make sure you check out the first chapter of my next book, Moore than a Feeling, a stand-alone romance about Holly Moore.
Click this link for the FREE first chapter of the book - https://dl.bookfunnel.com/m2uw0f6tjo
Enjoy!
Julie
Author’s Note
In my lifetime, there have been three things I’ve wanted to be: an astronaut/astronomer (very first career choice), a psychiatrist (talked out of by my tenth-grade English teacher, who wanted me to be a writer), and a writer. So, based on that, it’s probably not surprising that reincarnation and regression analysis have been lifelong fascinations of mine. I don’t remember a time in my life where I wasn’t drawn to these topics and exploring them.
There are some members of the spiritual community, who have been tremendous influences on me and to whom I’d like to give special acknowledgment…
Reading the works of Dr. Brian L. Weiss was life-altering for me. His books chronicle regressions he conducts with his patients, and the information is fascinating, as under hypnosis they provide detailed accounts of past lives. While reading his book Same Soul, Different Bodies, there was a segment that involved Dr. Weiss and I knew what a description of something very specific was going to be, before I’d even read it, as I saw it in my mind’s eye first. Every hair on my arms stood on end. Could I have possibly been there with them? How did I know this piece of information? And why could I see it?
Before I began writing Love on the Edge of Time, I was very fortunate to be able to cross something off my bucket list – a Past-Life Regression Workshop led by Dr. Weiss at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. It took place over a weekend, my birthday weekend, which I interpreted as a sign to give myself an amazing gift. And I did.
I’d like to thank astrologer Chani Nicholas for allowing me to use her quote at the beginning of the book. Weekly, Chani pens the most amazing, prolific, in-depth and on-target horoscopes I have ever come across. They are like no one else’s, as her writing is magnificent and a joy to read. I highly encourage following her at http://chaninicholas.com and signing up for her weekly newsletter. She will blow you away.
James Van Praagh, thank you for giving me the sign to focus on my signs when I got stuck. The irony didn’t escape me that the sign I was looking for was a sign. Go figyah!
John Edward, for keeping my peeps in touch with me. Sometimes we all need that little reminder to keep the faith, just like Kylie got from Jesse at the very end of the book.
Diane Hogan – our paths were supposed to cross that weekend for a reason. Follow the guideposts and stay on your path.
And Bryce Draper… the first time we exchanged messages, I knew you had to be the face of Jesse Winslow. Your journey is taking you down a very select road, one that you are ready to travel. Thank you for being part of this project. And I look forward to seeing where your journey takes you.
ʼtil we meet agai
n,
Julie
Acknowledgements
Without the readers and the bloggers in the Indie community, this world would be a whole lot less colorful, and I’d probably be working for some asshole. So, thank you, thank you, thank you! Seriously, thank you.
So, you know how you look back on a period of time and think, “I would have loved to have lived then.” Whether it was with Hemingway and the flappers in the 20s, beat poets in the 50s, hippies in the 60s or 300 years ago, there’s something about certain historical periods that make you feel you were born too late (or too soon).
I think for those that come after us, the skyrocketing of the Indie Publishing community, post-2010, will be a time people cite as one they wished they had been a part of, as a reader, a service provider, an author – or any combination of the aforementioned.
The Indie Romance Community is the female version of the Wild West. It’s morphing and growing and taking shape before our very eyes. Can you actually think of a more fun place to be than that? I can’t. So, thank you all for being part of it with me. This is one hell of a ride we’re on and I can only hope the words I pen bring you hours of enjoyment.
So, thank you readers, bloggers, service providers, and my amazing Rogue BBCs for allowing me to do what I love. If you keep reading ‘em, I’ll keep writing ‘em.
To Vi and Penelope – If this truly is the Wild West, you two are the posse I want by my side navigating uncharted territory and making memories. I love strong women who support other women and the two of you are shining examples of dignity and grace.
To Cleida and Kristen – Your friendship and support is appreciated more than you can ever imagine. Being able to bounce things off the two of you is an incredible reality check that I am blessed to have.
To Jenn Watson, Sarah Ferguson and the SBPR Team – Thank you so much for making my life easier and alleviating my stress. It is truly a delight to work with all of you.
To Elaine, Elena and Shannon – Big thanks for finding all those pesky, hide and seek-playing errors and making it all look wonderful.
To Jena – Wow, we started this one a million years ago and most of the elements were timeless. But like a fine wine, this one got better with time. Thank you for your brilliant creativity and wonderful friendship.
To Shaun – Your vision is irresistible and tells a story most photographers just dream of capturing. Be prepared for a beach shoot – in winter, for the cover I want YOU on.
To Brigette and Naiman – Goldilocks here thanks you for creating a space that was “just right” when you conceived of the Corona Coffee Co.
To Mom, Mark and Max – With all my love for all the weekends I say, “Sorry, I have to write…edit…proof…
To Mindy – When do I get a book? LOL. Umm, how about now. This one is for you. The ultimate journey. Pick your fellow roadtrippers wisely – because the journey needs to be freaking epic. Nothing short of that will do.
We done good.
ʼTil we meet again…
With deep love, respect and gratitude to all…
Julie
About the Author
Author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing fiction has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and writing played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an award-winning nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.
Contact Julie
Twitter
@JulieARichman
Website
www.juliearichman.com
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For the Reader
Thank you for purchasing and reading this eBook. If you enjoyed it please leave a short review on book-related sites such as Goodreads. Readers rely on reviews, as do authors.
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