Misty Meadows
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
The ringing seemed so far away, and Julie couldn't quite figure out what to do about it. Suddenly she realized it was the telephone, and it took her just a moment to recall that she was at the Jennings' house. She threw back the covers, jumped from the bed and headed to the small desk where she remembered seeing a phone. She flicked on the little lamp next to the telephone, and then with shaking hands and voice picked up the receiver. 'Hello, the Jennings'.' There was a pause at the other end of the wire, and then a gruff male voice said (in what Julie later described as a disguised tone): 'Tell your friend to drop the project now, or he'll regret it.' 'Just a minute. Who is this?' Julie asked, but even as she spoke, the line went dead. 'Who is this?' Julie cried in desperation, but the dial tone was the only response she got. She put the phone back in its cradle and slowly walked back to the bed. She sat down uneasily on the edge of it and mentally went over the brief conversation. What did it mean? Her friend? Julie stared at the phone. The project! What did he mean by the project? Once more Julie went over his words, 'Tell your friend to drop the project now, or he'll regret it.' She winced as she remembered the emphatic 'Now'. What did it mean? Julie looked at the clock-radio on the night stand. It was 12:22. *** Julie could feel her heart pounding, but she stood firmly. 'Cookie, get down. Now! Rod, will you please tell me what you have in mind.' Rod stared at her for just a moment and Julie could see his eyes darting around the apartment. He took a deep breath and said, 'Julie, I am telling you for the last time, get your coat and come.' Julie tried laughing to calm herself. 'And what if I don't?' she asked. 'Then I'll have to use this.' From his coat pocket Rod took a small hand gun, and as he did he roughly grabbed her right upper arm. 'Rod, you've got to be kidding. This isn't like you, Rod. What do you want?' 'I want you to get your coat and come with me peacefully, then no one will get hurt. But if you don't come, and come right now, I'll have to use this on you.'
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Julie Addams, second grade teacher in Misty Meadows, Minnesota, is drawn to a new student, Amy Jennings, who was brought into school by her father, Brad, a widower. Julie identifies pain and sadness in the eyes and lives of both Amy and Brad. Brad has come to Misty Meadows to head the new Computer Technical Designs shop and office. Julie is aware that Brad is involved in a secret research project at his company and that his assistant, Stacy Collins, is very much a part of the project. Julie finds herself strangely attracted to this dark-haired, dark-eyed man, but she feels she is competing with Stacey for his attention. Rod, an employee at Computer Technical Designs and an acquaintance from Julie's past, takes Julie hostage when he and his accomplices try to get the computer chip containing the project. Brad must choose between Julie's freedom and relinquishing the computer chip.
About the Author
Joyce Winters has been writing stories and poems since before she was able to write. She told her mother the 'stories' and poems, and her mother wrote them down word for word. She has had many articles, short stories and poems published, but this is her first full-length novel. She was born and raised in Racine, WI, and all her adult life served with The Salvation Army. The years spent in Minnesota gave her the backdrop for Misty Meadows. She is now retired and living with her husband in Rockford, IL. They have five grown children and thirteen grandchildren.