Starting Over
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Prologue
..........They lived in Overton, Nevada. Ed, Claire’s husband, had been her high school sweetheart. They were together on and off freshman and sophomore years. But they were exclusive throughout junior and senior year. Shortly after graduating, Ed convinced Claire not to go away to college, asking her to think of their future. He proposed to her, promising her the world and more. He also promised he’d take care of her. When he had gotten her father’s permission, how could she refuse? She accepted his proposal and got married that August, at the age of 17. Ed was 19, 2 years older than her. On their honeymoon, Tammy was conceived. It’s hard to believe that she has stuck by Ed for the past 10 years. He had gotten a job at a construction company, making enough for Claire to stay at home and take care of Tammy. However, Claire had wanted to work. She wanted to go to college and become an interior designer. That had been something she had wanted to do for so long. She had studied it in high school. But Ed wouldn’t allow it. He forced her to stay home. She wasn’t allowed to get a job. He was very overprotective. After a few years, Claire started taking a few courses online without Ed’s permission. She was very careful about it and he never questioned her about where the money was going to. If he found out, she’d be in big trouble. Ed was very controlling of her and their children. Over the years, he became a heavy alcoholic, going out practically every night with guys from work to drink. And when he’d come home, he’d take all his frustrations out on her, mentally at first. Then he started becoming physically abusive. Not all the memories she had were bad. There were some good times they’d shared together. If there wasn’t, then she’d never have had Scott and Matt. However, all those good times didn’t outweigh the bad, especially after Matt was born because she had been accused of cheating on him all due to the fact that Matt looked nothing like Ed at all. He looked more like Claire’s father, but Ed wouldn’t believe it. He actually got a paternity test to prove that Matt was indeed his. How could a loving father refuse her son? Claire was just glad that Ed had never laid a hand on their children. She couldn’t bare the thought of it. That’s why she took all the beatings, to protect her kids. They were everything to her. She couldn’t let anything happen to them. They were hers to protect and she did just that. That’s also why Claire never told her dad, who would beat the shit out of her husband, if he ever found out that Ed hits her on a daily bases. She always dismissed them as accidents on her part but they were no accidents. Claire peaked in on Tammy. She was sound asleep, wrapped up in her blanket with her night light on. Claire smiled at the peaceful state her daughter was in. Closing the door slowly, she left it cracked, just in case Tammy needed her in the middle of the night. Then Claire headed to her bedroom and took a nice, relaxing hot bubble bath in their private bathroom. When she got out, she wrapped a towel around her and went into the bedroom to get her pajamas that she had laid out on the bed before her bath. She hadn’t expected her husband to be there waiting. "Whoa. Look at you looking all sexy? Who are you expecting?" Ed questioned her the moment she stepped into the room. "Ed, you scared me." Claire replied startled. "I asked you a question." Ed demanded. "I’m not expecting anyone Ed. I just took a bath. Is that not allowed now?" Claire snapped back. "Don’t you dare get an attitude with me bitch! You forget who pays for all of this?" Ed said, raising his voice. "I’m sorry Ed. Please, keep your voice down. The kids are all in bed sleeping. You don’t want to wake them, do you?" Claire apologized, not really meaning it. She just didn’t want to set him off. "No, you’re right. I’m sorry honey." Ed said, as he approached her. He gently caressed her face when he reached her, with love and tenderness. She pushed him back as she pulled away and turned her. "What the hell was that for?" Ed demanded to know. "You’re drunk again, aren’t you?" Claire asked softly. "Yeah, and?" "When are you going to come home and spend time with your kids? They miss their dad." Claire asked nicely. "I spend time with them on weekends. They’re your responsibility. It’s your job to spend time with them and take care of them. That’s why you don’t work. What more do you want from me?" Ed informed, getting his temper worked up. "You are so not the man I married. I do not deserve to be treated like this. I’ve had it with you." Claire retorted. She headed for the door, but was stopped when Ed grabbed a hold of her arm and held her tightly in his grasp. "Where the hell do you think you’re going?" Ed yelled. "I’m leaving. I can’t take this from you anymore." Claire blurted out to him. "Oh no, you’re not. If I can’t leave you, you can’t leave me. Now, get your ass back here and lay down on the bed. I’m in the mood for some sex tonight, and you’re going to satisfy me." he commanded............
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About the Book
Single mother, Claire Thomas, left her husband back in Nevada, taking their 3 kids with her. Now, after 5 years of being on the run from him, constantly moving, always looking over her shoulder, wondering when he would find them, she finally decides to settle down, in the nice and quiet little town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Hesitant at first about her decision, Claire's worries begin to ease as she pursues the career she's always wanted while getting to know all the friendly townspeople living there. Jimmy Conway, the town's loner. From her very first encounter with the man, her body immediately reacted to his. Given her past, getting involved with him was not such a good idea. Will Claire ignore the feelings he awoke inside her or will she surrender, allowing him to have her just for one night? Will Claire's ex find her and destroy all hope she has for living a happy, normal life without him?
Jimmy Conway was once a respectable, happy-going family man, and a damn good police detective. Then, a few years ago, a tragic accident happened that changed his life forever, one that he has never been able to forgive himself for. He left his job, lives in solitude, barely comes out into town, and is stuck living with his guilt for the rest of his miserable life. He had accepted that. Then, Claire Thomas, moved into town and started stirring up feelings inside him again, feelings he swore to never feel again. As irresistibly tempting as she was, Jimmy resisted... at first. But, the more he came into contact with her, the harder it was for him to resist. Will Jimmy continue to live his life full of guilt and solitude? Or will he let Claire in, changing his life forever?
About the Author
I'm Felicia Hickman. Although this is my first book going to be published, I am not new to writing. I took several college courses in creative writing. I also have been writing novels since I was 12. I owe my passion for writing to my dear friend Liz, who if it hadn't been for her, I would have never discovered that I love to write novels. To her, I just want to say thank you. And to everyone else who has supported me, thank you as well. You guys are equally as important.
I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. I look forward to getting more novels published in the future after I finish writing them. I am currently working on a few, so there will be more in the near future written by me. If you enjoyed reading this book, then keep an eye out for my next one. It might be coming sooner than you think....