Jilted

By Kara Tollman

After having her heart broken numerous times, Molly Banter gives up the search to find the 'perfect man', and vows to throw in the towel...relationships were just not worth the effort.

Todd Sinclair, a handsome man, becomes intrigued with Molly and wants nothing more than to get to know her. He's willing to go through great lengths to prove, to not only Molly, but also, her longtime friends Justin and Marci, that he is the perfect man for her. Marci and Justin grow suspicious of Todd when the dead body of Molly's ex-boyfriend is discovered.

Jilted is the only way to describe how the actions of one person cause heartbreak and pain to another. Toss a big serving of murder and mystery into the mix and you're left with a shocking revelation. Not all crimes of passion are equal - and not everyone is the person they portray.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Valerie Bowen
• Release date: Jul 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301919000

Kara Tollman

Kara Tollman lives with her son in the northeastern section of the United States. "Her Silent Tears is Kara's debut novel. She prays the story touches the heart of many.

Book preview

Chapter 40:

Chapter 41:

Chapter 42:

Chapter 43:

Chapter 44:

Prologue:

About the author:

JILTED

Chapter 1

Molly Banter was your typical, everyday, run of the mill woman in her late twenties. The only difference between her and millions of other women her age, she vowed to give up on men. After her latest relationship, which lasted only two months, she came to the realization, there wasn’t a descent single man left in the world.

She tossed the memorabilia from her latest failed relationship into a box with all the other memories of failed relationships. Molly marked her calendar with a big red ‘X’ and circled it five times. Realizing the available single men was slim pickings at best, she vowed May thirtieth was the day she’d stop looking for a guy.

Her eyes were swollen from the hours she spent the night before wallowing in self-pity. Dave, her latest ex-boyfriend, told her, you’re about as interesting as dirty sock on laundry day. That comment alone nearly pushed her over the proverbial emotional edge. She knew he was just saying it to justify his reason for the break-up, but seriously did he have to be so mean and arrogant when he said it.

Picking up the pile of dirty Kleenex, Molly decided since it was a new day, of a brand new week, she was determined to start her new way of thinking on a high note. Once she was dressed and ready to venture out into the world, she grabbed her purse and walked out the door.

Molly sat in her car for a good fifteen minutes just trying to decide where she could go to get her mind off her misery and onto something a little brighter. After tossing ideas around in her head, she concluded she would go to the Memorial Day picnic her friend Justin had invited her to. Stepping out of the car, she ran to the house and grabbed the few things she would need for a day at the beach.

After piling her long dark hair loosely on her head, Molly held it in place with a large clip. She changed into her bathing suit, pulled on a pair of her favorite denim shorts and slipped into a white cotton blouse. Smiling at her image in the mirror, she said, Not too shabby looking considering the night you had. She grabbed a beach towel, sunblock and her sand chair. She returned to her car and tossed the items into the backseat. She was determined to put the events of the night before behind her.

Chapter 2

Molly drove along the interstate singing along to one her all-time favorite tunes. Her mood lightened as she sang to the top of her lungs. She scowled when she noticed a car alongside her that was driving at the exact same speed as her. Embarrassed by the thought of being caught singing, Molly turned down the stereo and pressed a little harder on the gas.

The man, who was driving a BMW convertible, kept pace with her. The top was down and he kept turning his head to glance in her direction. His sandy brown hair was neatly trimmed and Molly thought he must have put a tremendous amount of gel in his hair just to keep it from blowing around in the wind. There was a huge smile on his face, making Molly a bit uncomfortable.

His hair is absolutely perfect…not one strand is out of place. She said out loud.

As Molly stepped harder on the gas so did the man beside her. She tried to pass him, but every time she slowed or sped up, so did he. Nervous, Molly took the first available exit and left the intimidating man and his beamer, speeding along the highway. She kept her eye on the rearview mirror while she waited for the light to change from red to green. After a few long moments, she glanced up at the light. Her face turned bright red when she realized the signal was flashing red. She scoffed, looked both ways and turned left.

Once she was driving, Molly slid a C.D into the stereo and started singing again. She drove along the winding country roads toward the park where the picnic was being held. Stopped at a light, she noticed the same BMW that had intimidated her on the highway. The man was stopped directly across the intersection from her. Not willing to let the handsome driver see her face, Molly glanced down and started rummaging around in her purse. The light turned green and she stepped on the gas, avoiding eye contact with the man in the oncoming lane.

A horn sounded and Molly peered into her review mirror at the vehicle behind her. She noticed the driver of the BMW had nearly caused an accident as he performed a U-turn in the middle of the road. A white mini-van was forced to veer to the right just to avoid hitting the small sports car. The driver smiled and waved as he cut off another unsuspecting driver. He sped up and eased into the lane directly behind Molly’s beat up Chevy. What the hell is that guy’s problem? Molly asked herself as she continued to watch the quick maneuvering of the man in his little sports car. I swear, some people think they own the road.

As she continued to drive, she noticed the man stayed right on her ass. Finally fed up with the arrogant jerk, she pulled to the side of the road to allow the ignorant man to pass. Molly’s heart started to race when she realized he was pulling to the shoulder directly behind her. Her hands trembled when she reached for the door release.

She had had enough with men. She shoved open the door and quickly climbed out. Molly was determined to let the inconsiderate jerk have a piece of her mind. The man had a huge smile on his face as he climbed out of his car, without using the door no less, and approached her.

What an ass. She thought as she watched him meander toward her. Molly scowled. Her hands were on her hips and she was fuming. What the hell is your problem…why have you been riding my ass?

He leaned against the hood of his car, crossed his legs and folded his arms in front of his chest. Molly nearly lost her breath when she noticed his muscular frame leaning against the car. His dazzling blue eyes were enough to send a wave of warmth through her body. She nearly passed out from the way he was looking at her. She leaned against the trunk of her car, breathless and waited for an explanation. She had completely forgotten about her vow and the big red X on her calendar. The man was drop dead gorgeous.

He stared into her dark brown eyes. My name’s Todd.

Molly bit her lip and knew from that moment on, she could quite possibly be in trouble. She thought, Oh God he’s so friggin handsome. What was I thinking? I’m acting like a total bitch and here he is looking like he’s some sort of Greek god. She twirled a stray lock of hair around her finger. Ah…hi Todd, my name’s Molly. She smiled brightly.

Hi Molly, I thought you might want to know… he directed her attention toward the rear passenger’s door. You have a…ah… he ran his right hand nervously over the top of his head.

Molly was smiling to beat the band. She had never been a flirt, but she was flirting now. Is there a problem Todd? She asked while batting her eyelids.

Well it’s just…you have something hanging out of the rear passenger’s door, and I thought you may want to put it completely inside your vehicle. Molly’s brows scrunched together so tight it looked like she had a unibrow. I don’t think you really want to drive around with that flopping in the wind. Todd had all he could do to retain his laughter.

Molly turned to look at her rear passenger door and her jaw nearly hit the ground. Mortified, she slowly approached her vehicle and opened the rear door. Quickly she grabbed the lacy bra and mashed it firmly into her canvas beach bag. She was so embarrassed, she didn’t have the nerve to turn around and face the handsome stranger. Oh she wanted to thank him, but somehow, after picturing herself driving down the highway with her bra flapping in the wind like it was some kind of flag…well she just wanted to crawl under her car until he vacated the scene.

Todd approached her with caution. I hope this doesn’t ruin my chances of getting to know you better.

She replied, without so much as looking in his direction, Oh…ah…I…ah. What she was thinking was, finding a manhole and crawling into it. God she was so embarrassed. She turned her body toward him, kept her head bowed and stared down at the ground. I don’t think that’s such a good idea Todd. Maybe we should just get in our cars and be on our way. She fidgeted with the hem of her blouse.

Todd couldn’t believe how absolutely adorable she was. He knew she was embarrassed, but he also knew he wouldn’t have stopped her had she been an uglier woman. Well, can I at least have your phone number?

No, no, I don’t think that’s such a great idea either. If he had asked her before he told her about her undergarment mishap, then maybe she would’ve considered it. However, since he witnessed her absolute ditsy-ness first hand…well, she just couldn’t go there.

What do I have to do to get you to have a drink with me?

I’m sorry Todd, I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m in a rush. I just don’t have the time to discuss this with you right now. She started walking toward her car. Damn why did he have to be such a nice looking guy…why can’t the guys who look like Fred Flintstone embarrass me? Why do I always have to embarrass myself in front of the gods? She thought as she grasped the door release. It was…Oh damn, how was she supposed to tell him it was nice to meet him. Molly had all she could do to yank open her door and climb in. Maybe another time. I really have to go.

The woman, who appeared to be embarrassed, intrigued Todd. He loved the fact her face turned a bright shade of red when she realized her bra was waving like old glory on Memorial Day. He chuckled. All right, another time it is. You have to at least promise me, if our paths ever cross again, you’ll let me buy you a drink.

She twisted the key and started the engine. She nodded knowing the chances of her ever seeing him again were extremely thin. Todd patted the side of her car as she pulled away from the curb.

Chapter 3

Molly had calmed down considerably after leaving Todd on the side of the road. She said out loud, Mental note to self, make sure all your garments are completely in the vehicle, before you leave the driveway.

After entering the highway, Molly checked her rearview mirror with a silent hope the BMW and its handsome driver wasn’t following her. Thankful she was no longer being tailed; she turned up the stereo and started to sing. She drove the final fifteen miles of her journey without further incident.

While turning into the park, Molly thought she spied the little sports car. A huge knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Damn it, I hope that isn’t Todd character. As she turned into the parking area, Molly’s head also turned, eyeing the area around the menacing car. Suddenly her car came to an abrupt stop. Her body jerked forward, she didn’t realize she drove the nose of her vehicle into a huge maple tree.

Molly clenched her teeth and turned her head to see what she had hit. With wide eye astonishment on her face, she stared at the tree she had barreled in to. Shock was the only way that could describe her expression. Placing her forehead on the steering wheel, her hands placed at the ten and two position, Molly started to laugh. She just couldn’t believe how horrible her day was going.

Unbeknownst to her, a crowd was gathering around her car. When she finally was able to gather her composure, she looked up and immediately her face washed with a deep red hue. Embarrassed, she returned her forehead to the steering wheel. She murmured, Oh God, please don’t tell me all these people witnessed my carelessness.

Tapping on her window disrupted her temporary bout with self-pity. Slowly Molly lifted her head and glanced at the torso of a man standing beside her car. The only thing she could see from her vantage point was a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt. The cheerful palm trees and sunset scene seemed to be mocking her. A moment later she heard, Hey Molly, are you all right?

The man wearing the shirt bent down and peered into the window. Through the glass and the fingerprint smudges, Molly recognized her friend Justin. His dark hair glistened in the bright sunlight. His crooked smile was almost a comforting sight. She lowered the window. I’m fine. I just wasn’t paying attention I guess.

Justin laughed out loud. That’s par for the course with you Mol. Maybe we should put bumper pads around the exterior of your car so at least you’ll be able to keep the dents to a minimum.

Ha, Ha very funny! She gave him a halfhearted smile.

I think you’d better let me park this heap for you. I wouldn’t want to see you putting another dent on that tree. Justin pulled open the door and waited for Molly to step out. The crowd dissipated once they realized Molly was unharmed.

With her arms crossed over her chest, Molly watched as Justin maneuvered her car around the parking lot. As he walked toward her, Molly scowled. You don’t have to be such a damn show off. She playfully punched him when he handed her the keys.

I wasn’t showing off. I was merely demonstrating how to drive in a parking lot. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Glad you could make it. She eased out of his embrace. Although I don’t think that tree is all too excited about your arrival. He chuckled when he noticed her frown.

All I know is I should have stayed home. This trip has been a total disaster almost from the time I backed out of my driveway. I’ve only just arrived and already I managed to gather a crowd.

Awe, what happened?

Molly gave him the five-cent story about the ride. She was upset when he laughed out loud about the whole bra flapping in the wind incident. Never a dull moment when you’re around…damn I wish I could have seen the look on your face.

Yeah well, it wasn’t pretty. I wanted to die. I swear if I ever see that man again I’ll...I’ll…oh I don’t know what I’ll do.

"Face it Molly, the chances of seeing that