Intertwined Hearts Series (4 book collection): (Intertwined Hearts, An Exceptional Twist, Tangled Paths & Grafted Vines) Read online

  Intertwined Hearts series

  © 2017 Kimi Flores

  Cover Design by

  Dark Waters Covers

  Editing by

  Megan Hand at Story Girl Editing

  Critiquing by

  It’s Your Story Content Editing

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author or publisher.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, or incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to the actual events, locales, and persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.

  About the Author

  Kimi Flores/K.A. Hunter lives in Southern California with her husband and their two boys.

  When she's not reading, writing, or hanging out with family and friends, Kimi spends her time in the kitchen trying to come up with vegan meals that don't taste like cardboard.

  Currently, she writes contemporary romance stories under her real name Kimi Flores and grittier romantic suspense novels under the pen name K.A. Hunter.

  Volunteering is extremely important to her, and she and her family work with several local non-profit organizations. A portion of her sales will always go to charity.

  You can contact Kimi at

  www.novel-dreams.com

  [email protected]

  LINKS TO EACH NOVEL:

  Intertwined Hearts (Caleb & Abby)

  An Exceptional Twist (Stefen & Leah)

  Tangled Paths (Josh & Bri)

  Grafted Vines (Zachary & Dani)

  Intertwined Hearts*

  Book 1 - Caleb & Abby’s story

  *Originally published under the title – It all Started with a Lima Bean

  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

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Bonus Chapter

  Prologue

  Caleb

  “Baby?”

  The frantic question escaped my lips in an unsteady breath as I leaned in closer. I felt so helpless listening to my wife, Rene, moan in pain as she pushed the back of her head further into the pillow. How much longer would she have to suffer?

  The muscles in my chest tightened as agony strangled my heart with greedy hands. She’d gone through so much hell and it was killing me to watch her struggle to stay with us. Blinking hard, I swallowed the thick knot in my throat and did nothing to stop the tears from seeping down my burning, swollen eyes.

  I’d do anything to switch places with her. Tilting my head back, I stared at the ceiling tiles for the millionth time since she’d been admitted into this room.

  Why, God? Why her?

  The corner of my lips trembled when another shaky breath escaped. Despair clawed its way into my core, controlling my every thought and emotion. The short life I’d created with Rene was crashing down, shredding my soul into pieces, and I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop it. When we’d first heard the words ‘cervical cancer’ two years ago, we’d hung onto hope. She was so young, surely she’d be able to fight it. Now with only moments left, I realized how foolish we’d been.

  The smell of sickness and death lingered in the air, assaulting my nostrils and lungs. This scent would be ingrained in my memories forever.

  I felt my cousins, Stefen and Bri, along with Rene’s parents, standing in the background of the brightly lit hospital room; each of us dreading the moment she would take her final breath.

  “I’m so tired, Caleb.” Rene’s chest rose as she labored to take shallow, raspy breaths. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”

  My gaze fell upon her sunken eyes that were encased with dark circles. She let out another painful moan. That sound nearly pushed me over the edge.

  “Thank you―” She gave an exhausted cough.“― for being such an amazing man for our baby girl and me.”

  All Rene had ever wanted was to be a wife and mother. I could barely breathe at the cruel reality of her not being around to enjoy raising our daughter.

  She blinked and tried to focus on me with purpose. “Caleb. Please, promise me. I need you to move on. For you―and for Madison.”

  Unable to hide my emotions, I gave her a pained stare. “No, baby. I can’tmake that promise―” With quivering fingers, I leaned over to stroke her pale, bony cheek. “You and Madison are my everything.” I continued to stare into her glossy eyes while sorrow ripped through my soul.

  A trembling hand touched my shoulder, attempting to provide comfort. I didn’t need to look up to know it was my mother-in-law, Grace. Everyone in the confined space of the hospital room had said goodbye to Rene several hours ago. Now that the doctors had confirmed her end was so close, I wished more than anything that they would all leave. I couldn’t ask anyone to do that, though. My cousins and in-laws had endured the stress of watching her slowly fade away and were hurting, just as I was.

  We’d sat in this room, staring at her for what seemed like forever when I sensed the light dimming in her once brilliant blue eyes. Placing my hand on the side of her head, I ran my fingers through the few thin auburn strands she had left after all of the chemotherapy. They’d lost so much of their luster since she’d become sick. Her beautiful hair was what had caught my attention when I’d first laid eyes on her back in college.

  My heart sunk further as I pulled my hand away, fisting the two strands that had remained tangled between my fingers.

  With a weak smile, she whispered so softly it was difficult to hear, “I love you. Make sure Madison knows how much I love her, too.” Her forced breaths were coming few and far between, and she winced with the effort it simply took to breathe. With those last words, her hand went limp and her eyes closed as she fell into a morphine-induced slumber. A nurse stayed close, administering the pain medication as needed to ensure Rene’s comfort.

  I bent down, gently pressing my trembling lips to hers. “I love you, too. I always will.” With that kiss, her final breath escaped. The piercing hum of the heart monitor confirmed what I couldn’t bear to accept—she was gone.

  I no longer felt or saw anyone else in the room. Only my wife. My now deceased wife.

  “No, no, no! Come back to me, please!” My bitter, violent sobs echoed thr
oughout the room as I gripped her frail, unresponsive body.

  Chapter One

  Butterfly Kisses

  Caleb

  Rene danced across the warm, candle-lit room, wearing her slinky, cream-colored dress. Snug on top and flowing from the waist down. The silk that covered her tantalized and called out to me. Long, auburn hair cascaded over her shoulder, enticing me to reach out to her.

  I approached my beautiful bride and took her into my arms before dipping her slender body backward. Something always felt off whenever she wore this dress, but I decided to push those eerie feelings aside. She was in my arms, where she belonged, and that was all that mattered. Seeking the warm comfort of her lips, I covered her mouth with my own, only to feel cold, rigid skin. Jerking away, I found lifeless eyes staring back.

  I’d known better than to believe this was real.

  Anguish overtook me, stabbing my heart as I fell to my knees with her encased in my arms.

  “Nooooo!”

  With a sharp pang in my chest, I bolted up in bed, gasping for air. My eyes darted around the room, desperate to focus on my surroundings. Just enough light filtered through the heavy drapery to confirm that I was in my bedroom. Alone.

  Puffing out a breath, I fell back against the sweat-covered sheets, while throwing my arm over my closed eyes. “Just another nightmare.”

  The impact of the actual event had haunted my dreams countless nights. My wife was gone, and I was here, caring for our daughter, all by myself. Dammit, is it ever going to get easier?

  They say time heals all wounds, but with the sorrow I’d experienced in the last four years, I wasn’t so sure. Although I was in a much better place, the gaping dark hole in my heart still left me feeling empty and lonely.

  Even now, I couldn’t bring myself to lay across our entire bed.

  I turned to face what used to be her side and ran my hand over the cold, empty sheet. Taking another deep breath, I looked up at the ceiling and raked my fingers through my hair, then rubbed my palms over my eyes, trying to press back the sting of tears.

  Frustrated that I still struggled to push past the grief, I forced myself to switch my focus. Today was a new day, a special one. Our beautiful daughter, Madison, was starting kindergarten and she’d been giddy about it all summer. I had to keep it together for her.

  Doing my best to shake the disturbing dream, I got out of bed and stretched my back, then grabbed a shirt and pulled it over my head. I needed to take a shower, but that could wait until after breakfast.

  The wood floors were a little chilly under my bare feet as I strolled down the hallway, into my little girl’s room. Standing in the doorway, I gazed at the small wooden chair in the corner of her pink bedroom. On the chair sat Madison’s ‘first day of school’ outfit that she’d selected last week. Each piece was perfectly laid out, as if on display—tiny jean capris and a light pink top with daisies embroidered on the sleeves. She’d also placed her matching pink Mary Jane shoes under the chair.

  I smiled bitterly to myself, feeling that same sting against the back of my eyes. Rene would’ve loved this…But I couldn’t dwell. Not today.

  Quietly clearing my throat, I pushed that thought far from my mind and tiptoed to the twin-sized bed. I sat down on the fluffy comforter and brushed strands of Madison’s ash brown hair away from her face.

  My heart filled with so much love whenever I laid eyes on my baby girl. She was a perfect combination of both Rene and me. Her long eyelashes fanned out above her chubby cheeks where I leaned over to place gentle butterfly kisses. I knew how much she loved when I did that, so it was no surprise when I heard her giggle.

  “You faker, you were awake the whole time.” I tickled her ribs.

  “Yes, Daddy, but I don’t want you to be sad. You didn’t give me my butterfly kiss yet, so I stayed here ‘til you did.” A silly smile appeared on her lips as her large, round brown eyes looked up, melting my heart as usual.

  She was growing up so fast. It seemed like just yesterday I was walking in this same room to pick her up from her crib. I had to wonder what would be left for me when she was old enough to leave and start her own life.

  Taking a moment to let it sink in, I threw back her covers. “C’mon. Let’s get ready for your special day, my big kindergartener.” I stood and turned around so she could climb onto my back, like she did every morning.

  From the bed, she leaped and landed, her nightgown scrunched up around her knees. She wrapped her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck, while making her first request of the day. “Can I have chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast?”

  “Of course you can.” With the ever-present ache in my chest, I carried her down the stairs, thinking, anything for my sweet angel. My life revolved around taking care of her, and I planned to fulfill every reasonable wish she would ever make.

  ⁂

  Abby

  Letting out a soft sigh, I reached for my cell to turn off the alarm. I stretched and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes as I remembered what day it was—the first day of school.

  With a smile on my lips, I sat up, stepped onto the cold morning floor and slid into my fuzzy slippers. I could only imagine what my haphazard morning hair looked like as I shuffled toward the bathroom to shower. Stepping under the water, I felt the warmth cascading down my back and thought about how fortunate I was to be getting ready for this day.

  I’d survived all those awful budget cuts. Thank God.

  Many teachers—including several of my friends who’d worked for traditional schools—had gotten pink slips just before summer break, and I was shocked I hadn’t received one as well. Charter schools were all the rage in California and, although I was initially skeptical about working for a school that was part of a new fad, I couldn’t be more grateful now. Our growing school was thriving, with new students every year. And we were hiring teachers, rather than laying them off.

  Toweled and dried, I grabbed the outfit I’d set out last night. Given that August in Santa Barbara was still a warm month, I’d chosen a dusty rose, cotton button-down tunic and black leggings. It was comfy yet modest.

  This time, every year, I felt like a kid again and couldn’t wait to meet all our new families.

  I made my way to the refrigerator and grabbed the breakfast and lunch I’d prepared the night before. One more glance in the mirror in my entryway, and I slipped into a pair of ballet flats, snatching my purse, keys, and cell phone before heading out of my bungalow. Feeling nervous excitement about starting my day, I locked the door as Mr. Ruether’s cat, from next door, rubbed all over my legs, leaving a trail of long white fur on my leggings. So much for making a good impression today.

  I tried, unsuccessfully, to brush most of it off as I made my way down the brick path toward my driveway. The sky was blue and my flowers were in bloom. The day couldn’t get any prettier. I took a deep breath, loving the fragrance of the white evening primrose and lavender in my flower beds.

  Getting in and starting up my car, I headed to my favorite coffee shop. Not the one that sold the fancy coffees for four bucks a cup. I preferred my cup O’ joe from the local convenience store. They didn’t mind when I poured just as much vanilla creamer in my cup as I did coffee. I was a simple girl and didn’t need frou-frou coffee.

  With my filled travel mug in hand, I was back on the road. Taking a quick sip, I lifted my feet as I drove over the train tracks that ran through town. I never understood that silly tradition, but that didn’t keep me from doing it every time.

  Claiming my spot in the staff parking lot, I walked into the school, feeling butterflies in my stomach. With quick steps, I headed straight to the teachers’ lounge, retrieving a couple of papers from my mailbox. A few other teachers were hanging around, talking about their summer vacations and complaining about the break being too short. I was the odd one out. I couldn’t wait to get to the classroom I’d spent all last week decorating.

  I sat down at my desk and started to reflect as I ate my breakfast
. Had it really only been three years since I’d started working here? It felt as though I was created to do this. Growing up with a single mom, who also taught, had clued me in that this wasn’t the most lucrative career choice, but I was passionate about teaching kids. Like most teachers, I didn’t do it to receive a whopping paycheck.

  After memorizing all my students’ names over the last couple weeks, I was eager to match faces to them. Noting the time, I tossed my banana peel and plastic yogurt container into the trash, took hold of the kids’ nametags, then headed to the gate to greet my new students and their families.

  It didn’t take long before I recognized some of the parents and other family members from the community I’d fondly grown up in, including my mother’s friends, Grace and Robert Westbrook. They both wore cheerful smiles as I made eye contact. The first time I’d met them, I’d learned that they’d lost their only daughter several years ago. I’d also heard that she’d left behind a little girl and a husband.

  I felt a heaviness in my chest when my eyes met the precious girl who bounced next to them. I’d seen that sweet face a few years ago at my mom’s house when Grace and Robert had visited.

  The couple walked hand-in-hand around the mass of teary-eyed families who were having a hard time letting their little ones start their first day of school. When they were close enough, Grace grabbed me for a quick hug and introduced the angelic child.

  “Hi, Miss Abby. This is our granddaughter, Madison. She’ll have the honor of being in your class this year,” Grace proudly proclaimed, smiling ear to ear.

  I squatted down, balancing myself on the balls of my feet so I was at Madison’s eye level. I took her hand in greeting. “It’s very nice to meet you, Madison. The honor is mine. I can’t wait to learn all about you.” With a cheerful smile, I slipped the name tag over her head.