Entanglement Read online

  Entanglement

  Book One

  Michelle Savage

  Copyright © 2019 by Michelle Savage

  Cover Design by Soxsational Cover Art

  All rights reserved

  ISBN-13: 978-1-946021-01-4

  DEDICATION

  This novel is dedicated to all my friends and family who have encouraged, supported and loved me through this life changing milestone.

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  About The Author

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Standing in the center of the large room, her eyes scanned the walls that once held pictures of a life long forgotten. The scents that drifted between the rooms had faded to a light trace. Emmy closed her eyes, the sounds of young laughter causing a soft smile to pull at the corner of her lips. She could feel the gust of wind move across her as the smaller version of herself dashed by in her mind, followed by the playful footsteps of her parents chasing her.

  Opening her eyes, she found herself standing in the threshold to the entrance of the home, fixated on the vision of her father pushing the six-year-old version of herself on the tire swing. Letting out a sigh, she stepped through the opening, her foot hitting the hard concrete surface causing the images playing out before her to fade away.

  Leaves blew across the unevenly cut yard, the rope from the swing creaking against the old, thick branch it had hung on for so long. Emmy grabbed the handle of her bag, pushing her arm under the strap before turning to lock the house up. Placing the key under the mat, she glanced back at the swing one last time.

  As a tear fell down her cheek, she felt the painful pull in her stomach at the memories she'd long forgotten. Thankfully, the loud ring from her cell phone snapped her glance away. Seeing the name on the screen, she cleared her throat, gathering herself seconds before hitting the green button.

  “Hey Maria, I’m leaving now. Yeah, I’m fine. I told you I could do this. See ya in couple hours.”

  With her best forced smile so her voice sounded happy, she ended the call and shoved the phone back into her pocket. One final glance across the large yard was her last look before she headed toward her SUV to begin her trip home.

  Chapter One

  Another day, another dollar. That’s what they said, right? Emmy pondered it as she moved along the long aisles, stocking the shelves with the newest books that had arrived at Braxton Books. It was the local bookstore in the small town of Baycliff, Alabama. Normally, Emmy loved her job, but she just couldn't get her mind off the trip she'd just returned from.

  Selling her childhood house and moving the last of her things from Baton Rouge only made everything feel so real. She was no longer someone’s daughter; she was the last of her bloodline. She could no longer pick up the phone and call her mother to gush over how breathtaking Charlie Hunnam was in his latest movie. Her father was no longer able to step in when a boy hurt her feelings and she needed that strong arm to set him straight.

  She'd been told her parents would always be with her, but truth was, she didn’t believe in that nonsense. Emmy was a practical woman, logical. She knew better than to believe that spirits held her hand through this life. She had no choice but to come to terms with the fact that her parents were gone. Her family was now those closest to her in this small town.

  Not that she could complain, she had found a family in her three closest friends. Maria had been Emmy’s rock through this entire ordeal. Her best friend since she was thirteen, they had met at a Summer Camp, talking nearly every day since then. Maria traveled north to stay with Emmy and her parents for three summers in a row. She was there with Emmy when she was forced to say her final goodbyes to them.

  Emmy was the first person Maria came out to, expressing fears about telling her parents. Baycliff was a conservative town. Even though they encouraged individuality, Maria was scared to death. It was Emmy’s parents who settled the young girl’s nerves, if only slightly. They reassured her she'd always have a home with them, even offering to be there when she told her parents.

  It was a running joke between the two of them that they had been born in opposite lives. Emmy led a happy but strict life, never experiencing anything dangerous or adventurous. She was the total opposite of Maria, who basically had no rules as long as she attended church regularly. The two women grew up very differently. They couldn’t be more opposite yet still shared a bond most people wouldn’t understand but many envied.

  Well into her adult life, Maria was known as one of the most loving and friendly women in the town. Nobody cared about her sexuality and her partner, Jennifer, was welcomed with open arms when she moved in with her. Both were rocks for Emmy, giving her a place to live when she moved. Jennifer even helped Emmy get a job with her at the local bookstore, knowing how much she loved to read. Landon was the crazy male of their small family. There wasn't really a simple way to describe Landon. He was like a big brother to all three women even though he was the same age as Emmy. He lived in a small apartment with two other guys, but he spent most of his time at the condo with the girls.

  He was protective and always ended up being the one that stayed up with Emmy when she couldn't sleep. He was the one who issued good-natured threats to the few men Emmy brought around. Growing up with the same upbringing as Maria, those in Baycliff were simple people if you kept your nose clean. Landon loved anything to do with water. He spent all his spare time at sea, even working at the local pier renting boats and jet skis.

  The ring of the bell at the entrance made Emmy glance toward the end of the aisle. Catching the profile of a young man as he moved from the door and the redhead that followed, she figured she should probably head up front. Pushing the last book onto the shelf, Emmy walked from the shelves, nearly bumping into the tall man. Smiling, she gave a light laugh before she looked up, her heart dropping to her feet.

  He was the most handsome man she had ever seen. His brown hair was cut short with a fade, slightly spiked in the front. His hazel eyes shined bright even with the shades pulled half down over the windows. A well-trimmed beard rested along his jaw, his grin lighting up the room.

  “Excuse me,” he spoke, taking a single step back. She shook her head with a light laugh at her clumsiness, mentally chastising herself to keep her mouth from dropping open at the handsome vision that stood before her. “No, no, it’s my fault,” she spoke softly. Clearing her throat after a second of silence, she realized she hadn't asked if he needed help. “So, um, can I help you find something?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” he replied swiftly, turning to motion to the young woman with him, “we are looking for a book called…” he stopped as the young redhead walked up beside him.

  “Celtic Harmony,” she added, “it’s a book of sheet music involving the…”

  “Piano,” Emmy quickly inserted with a smile and nod. “We have a few copies back here, follow me.” Emmy glanced over to the man once more, giving him another smile before she turned to make her way toward the back of the store.

  “Do you play?” she asked as she grabbed a small step stool and carried it down the aisle. br />
  “No, it’s for a family member,” the redhead answered. Emmy nodded her head as she looked from one to the other, placing the stool in the center of the aisle. Climbing up, she stretched to the top shelf to grab the book carefully.

  “Here ya go,” she murmured as she stepped down. “Anything else I can help with?” she asked, sneaking a peek at the man, unable to stop her thoughts from wandering. Were the two customers in front of her a couple? She sneered in her mind at the young woman, judging without reason. She was too young to be with him, she thought.

  “Nope, that’s it,” answered the young woman. Motioning her head with a nod toward the front of the store, Emmy brushed past the duo.

  “Follow me then,” Emmy said with a smile. This was just ironic, she thought. First good-looking man to come into the store, and he's taken. Glancing to Jennifer as they passed, Emmy mouthed the word ‘wow’.

  “Hey Jennifer,” the man spoke casually in passing.

  “Hey Nate,” Jennifer replied, causing Emmy to turn with a flush to her cheeks. They knew one another, of course they did. Closing her eyes, she gathered herself before she walked around the counter. Entering the price and code from the book into the register, Emmy kept her polite smile up as she returned her gaze to him.

  “That will be twenty-six dollars.”

  Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out his wallet to grab thirty dollars to hand over. “Keep the change,” he spoke. Placing his hand on the small of the redhead’s back, he guided her gently from the front counter. Shifting sideways, he returned his gaze to Emmy, a grin teasing the edges of his lips. “See ya around.” Waving to Jennifer, he turned with the woman as they hurried toward the entrance.

  Maneuvering around the young redhead to pull the door open for her in a gentlemanly gesture, he glanced back at Emmy before the door closed behind them. Emmy stood still, in utter awe. Turning quickly to face Jennifer, Emmy couldn’t hide the smile that had taken over her features. For so long, she had lived in this town, she had worked in this store, she had ventured out with Maria and Jennifer and not once had she seen this man. This man who, quite frankly, Emmy would have noticed the second she saw him.

  “Okay, spill it,” she spoke to Jennifer.

  “Spill what?” Jennifer asked with a giggle, grabbing two books from the edge of the counter as she moved away.

  “Who was that? Is he a regular here? How do you know him? Most importantly is…”

  “Is he single?” Jennifer interrupted as she placed the books on a display table in the center of the store. Turning, she looked at Emmy, who still had the expression of a child on Christmas morning plastered on her face.

  “Well,” Emmy added with a ‘come on’ gesture.

  “His name is Nathaniel Hawkins Jr, but everyone calls him Nate. Not much to say on how I know him, we both grew up here and, well, it’s kinda hard not to know the town’s golden boy,” Jennifer answered, jumping up on the counter.

  “Is…he…. you know…. single?” Emmy asked with a flush to her cheeks, her eyes falling to her hands which still held the money he'd given her.

  “Yeah,” Jennifer replied, laughing. “He’s single. At least last I heard.”

  “So that girl with him isn’t…”

  Jennifer burst out laughing again as she shook her head. “Lord, no. That’s his baby sister, Carolyn. He’s got an older brother as well, Gabriel.”

  “Does he date often?” Emmy asked, realizing she likely sounded like a stalker in the making.

  “No,” Jennifer answered. “Nate really isn’t a casual dater. He was burnt bad by his last girlfriend. They were the couple of the town, like Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston back in their glory years. Everyone thought they would get married but…” She trailed off with a shrug of her shoulders.

  “But what?” Emmy asked, looking at Jennifer with a confused expression on her face. Was it some small town thing? She knew they gossiped, so why not tell the rest?

  “But she messed up, pretty badly.”

  “So, he has ex-drama. Who don’t?”

  “Ex-drama in a small town isn’t the same as everywhere else, Emmy. Especially when you tie in the fact that said ex happens to be the mayor’s only daughter, well…”

  “He and Natalie Gatewood?” Emmy asked, surprise clearly reflected in her tone. Natalie Gatewood was the most well-known woman in the town… not all by a good reputation. She was treated with respect because of her father’s position, but most of the town couldn’t stand her. She was the mean girl in school, the Prom and Homecoming Queen. She ruled through fear, more times than not, threatening the jobs of those who didn’t bow down and cater to her. Emmy first glimpsed her out with Maria and Jennifer. Natalie had started drama with Maria for no reason except to claim all the attention.

  There was no denying Natalie reflected beauty, at least on the outside. Sadly, it was only skin deep. Emmy looked away from Jennifer, her mind working up a comparison between herself and Natalie. It caused a sick feeling in her stomach for no reason. There was no question, Emmy was far from his type if he dated the Princess of Baycliff.

  Natalie’s long blonde hair bounced when she walked, Emmy’s straight brown hair didn’t. Her blue eyes popped when surrounded by her perfect makeup, whereas Emmy had always preferred the natural look, only using light eyeliner framing her green eyes. Natalie’s fit, toned body was given to her courtesy of a personal trainer. Emmy suddenly felt her curvy frame wasn’t attractive in the slightest.

  “Are you comparing yourself to her?” Jennifer loudly questioned, snapping Emmy back into the present. “Please for the love of God, don’t do that. That woman might have the appearance of beauty from the outside, but she’s pure evil inside. You know when you’ve seen it up close and personal.”

  “Does she still have a thing for him?”

  “For Nate? Oh yeah, she’s been trying to get him back since he dumped her. It’s kinda amusing to watch her fawn all over him when he’s working.”

  “Do you know why they broke up?” Emmy asked. She didn't know if Jennifer would tell her, but she wanted to know.

  “Well, sort of,” Jennifer replied.

  “Sort of?”

  “Rumor has it that she cheated on him with his half-brother, but nobody knows for sure since there was no real confirmation or proof. It was a huge scandal, though.”

  “Why the hell would anyone think she cheated with his brother?”

  Jennifer simply shrugged her shoulders. “Emmy, I’m into women and even I can’t deny the men in the Hawkins family are handsome. I think the mother is like some sort of genetic mutant. I mean, she can’t be normal to have three flawless children. You saw his sister, she’s gorgeous!” Emmy shook her head and lifted her hands to stop Jennifer from carrying on.

  “I don’t understand what that’s got to do with this rumor. I mean, if she had the golden boy of the town, why in the world would you risk that?”

  “I personally don’t think it happened. I think she did cheat but not with Gabriel. He’s a dick, sure, but not that big of one. Not to sleep with his brother's girlfriend.”

  “How long did they date?”

  “Um, they started dating when she was a freshman and she’s two years younger than him, so he was a junior. Have you ever been to the high school here? Their picture is damn near everywhere.”

  “And it ended?” Emmy asked cautiously, seeking confirmation again that he was definitely single, causing Jennifer to let out a laugh.

  “Damn Emmy, you planning on writing a book or something?” Jennifer paused a second before she answered. “It all went down two years ago. What made matters worse and fueled the rumor is that his brother left town not long after.”

  “I just can’t imagine someone cheating. I mean, if you’re that unhappy then leave the partner, why put someone through so much pain if you're already planning on leaving in some form or another?”

  Jennifer shrugged her shoulders. “I honestly don’t know. Maria cheated on me once, she sa
id she was drunk and blah blah blah. It took us a while, but we are doing great now.”

  “I never knew she cheated on you,” Emmy could see the pain on Jennifer’s features as she relived the memory.

  “Yeah, a cliché one night stand. I kinda wish she’d never told me, though. Would have much rather lived the fool than live with that memory forever.”

  “I just... I just can’t imagine it. I’m sorry that happened to you guys.” Jennifer shook her head before she jumped from the counter, brushing her hands off on her jeans.

  “It didn’t happen to us, Emmy. Maria made a choice to sleep with someone else, to go against our relationship. She only told me because she knew I’d forgive her and she didn’t want to live with the guilt. She never told me who though, so I walk through the town daily wondering if it was her or her or even her.” Jennifer slid her arms along the front counter before leaning forward to focus her attention on her friend.

  “Have you asked her who it was?”