When British actor Richard MacKenzie entered the diner, all he expected to find was a cup of hot tea. Not his soulmate, the love of his life, the woman who had been wrenched from his arms so long ago in another lifetime. He knew her immediately. But would she recognize him?
While finishing up some business paperback after lunch in the local diner, Nicole, a widow from Ohio, felt someone watching her. When she looked up, she saw him. Him.
When Nicole decided to step back into life in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico with Richard, a young handsome British actor who professed his undying love for her on a daily basis, she mistook his devotion for little more than youthful enthusiasm. She had no idea where their relationship would take her physically or emotionally. She would find herself in many dazzling international locations, putting her own life on hold, simply to be with him. She had no concept how strong her commitment to him would grow and to what extent she would go to protect him and ensure his safety and wellbeing.
And she certainly had no idea the depth of his devotion to her, an unlikely but undeniable love that would span continents and a decade of their lives, entwining them closer and closer, while their careers, families, and other relationships pulled them farther and farther apart.
“This series of novels is different than anything else out there. Set in exotic and in some cases unusual settings, these characters are thrown together by random chance...or is it?
An intriguing turn of events can change the whole dynamic of a relationship. The destination is certainly worth the journey these novels take you through.”
-Amazon review of Time After Time series
Amazon Buy Link: http://tinyurl.com/nt2ro9j
Excerpt:
(This scene takes place on the drive back home after the couple have made love while visiting the house Nicole wants to buy.)
As they drove back to town, Richard confessed, “Nicole, where have you been all my life? I feel I have been searching and searching for you. I’m so happy I finally found you.”
Nicole didn’t answer. Her mind was catching up with the rest of her body. She realized he had triggered a response for which she had no defense. Nor did she want any. Thoughts raced through her mind. There were so many things she wanted to tell him before they became too involved.
“I have to tell you something in the spirit of full disclosure,” she proclaimed.
“Well, I know you’re not married.”
“No, but I have been married twice.”
“That’s okay with me. And I don’t think you’ve turned lesbian since Craig died. But, if you have, give me a chance to turn you back.” he teased, winking at her. “Tell me, Nicole, we’ll deal with it.”
“Richard, how old are you, honey? Thirty? Thirty-two?”
“I’m twenty-seven. Would you like to see my International Driver’s License? Isn’t it a little late to check if I’m over twenty-one?”
Nicole’s mouth dropped open and she gave him an odd look.
“Nicole, what’s this about? Tell me. We’ll deal with it together.”
“Oh, God! Twenty-seven?”
Nicole knew she had to tell him. He didn’t have a clue?
“This what-ever-just-happened-between-us can go no farther,” she confessed.
“Why?” Richard asked, trying to read her face. “Nicole, is there someone else? Do you already have someone special in your life?”
Nicole suddenly realized this was not the conversation to have while driving down an unfamiliar, mountain road at night. Richard shook his head and groaned. He mistook her silence for agreement.
“There is someone else. I should have known. You are fabulous. Some lucky man surely would have snapped you up. Let me think, you aren’t married. You aren’t engaged. So, he has really screwed up!
“Call him up and tell him he now has competition. I’ll fight for you, Nicole. And I’ll do anything to make you mine. I’m young, I’m strong, and I am in love with you. I loved you before you ever said one word to me. I knew it when I saw you in the coffee shop. I knew it when you looked up at me and smiled. It was as if you said to me, ‘Here I am. You’ve finally found me.’
“I won’t back down. I won’t give up. I want this. I want you, I want us. Nicole, don’t you?”
“Wow, Richard, that was some speech. We only met yesterday.”
“Too much, too soon?” he asked.
She nodded. Suddenly, he appeared so young and impetuous, so optimistic about love.
“Do you mean I should slow down?” he asked.
“Yes and no. There’s more to this,” she said.
“Then please tell me,” he begged, still smiling, still hoping. “You will be pleasantly surprised as to what I can handle.
“Are you a fugitive? No problem. The studio has a plethora of attorneys on call. Or I can hire a British lawyer. They are outstanding.”
Nicole giggled.
“If you’re an alien, I understand. I’m a science fiction geek! If you are running from Klingons, my family will hide you at our home in rural Ireland. Nicole, please, just tell me. Together, we’ll deal with it, whatever it is.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence. Nicole never took her eyes off the road. Time dragged and tension mounted until the neon blue wagon wheel of her motel flashed on the horizon.
Nicole was shaking when they exited the car. Richard took off his jacket and gently wrapped her in it.
“Come in. We need to talk,” she said and led the way.
When she filled two glasses with wine, Richard assumed it was a prelude to bad news and a great idea.
She handed him a glass.
“Drink,” she said.
He half-wished it were poison. Suddenly, he didn’t want to hear why their relationship was doomed.
She drank hers, smoothed her skirt and said. “I am forty-seven years old, Richard. I’m old enough to be your mother."
