A Memory Unchained

By Gloria Graham

Who will unchain the memory tucked deep in her heart? Pamela Thornton, beautiful widow and successful Fashion Designer of Boston, accidentally meets playboy Jeff Desmond, Department store magnate, and is instantly swept off her feet. Tragedy strikes, but Pamela relies on her faith to pull her through.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elderberry Press
• Release date: Nov 3, 2009
• ISBN: 9781452392554

Gloria Graham

Gloria Graham has been actively writing for 20 years. Gateway to the Jungle was a bestseller around the world and she writes a weekly column for The Inland Empire.

Book preview

A Memory Unchained

© 2009 Gloria Graham

Smashwords Edition

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chapter one

The delicate old lady with snow white hair sitting next to Pamela counting her prayer beads never missed a beat as the Jumbo Jet broke ground and darted upward. Oh my, she gasped. Her wrinkled face grimaced with fear. Pamela reached across the seat and patted the old woman’s shaking hand. First flight? she asked, trying to show a great deal of calm herself. The old lady nodded, never skipping a count on her beads!

Everything will be just fine, try to relax a little. Pamela’s friendly smile captivated everyone she came into contact with and the shaking little old woman was no exception. She returned her smile a little reluctantly as she asked in her broken English, Are you Catholic Mon Ami?

Pamela smiled realizing the old lady was very much a Frenchman. Baptist, she answered shaking her head, and smiling again as she said, Same God. With that the old lady nodded in agreement and continued her prayers.

Pamela sat quietly looking out the window deep in thought, as New York passed under her and quickly only blue sky was visible.

Are you visiting someone in my Parie? the old lady spoke. Pamela turned in her seat to answer her question.

Not exactly, she said. I’m traveling on business. I am a dress designer and I am going to Paris for the new fashion showings. Pamela shivered as she uttered those words, it was a dream come true.

The Captain’s reassuring voice came over the intercom. They were at altitude and could unbuckle the seatbelts and move about the cabin. Pamela thought how wonderful it was to hear him.

Pamela adjusted her seat back and gave a sigh of relief. The magazine in the pocket in front of her had a beautiful colored picture of the Eiffel Tower on its cover. She smiled as she gently touched the cover. I’m really on my way and I will see you soon, she said to herself staring at the picture.

As she closed her eyes she remembered the note her daughter Jill had tucked into her pocket with instructions not to read until she was airborne. She wasted no time in opening it.

Inside the note read, I love you Mom, have a wonder time. Watch those fabulous Frenchmen! She added, Ha Ha. You deserve this trip! Love, Jill

Leaving Jill was definitely the hard part of the trip. But she was a grown woman now and Pamela hated to admit that. She still liked to think of her as her little girl. Jill often had to remind her that she had her own job, her own apartment and doing quite well at college. It hadn’t been long that Jill left for College and the apron strings had to be broken.

Pamela thought of her daughter and the wonderful friendship they had developed since that time. Jill was a young lady with a definite mind of her own. She recalled their conversation just two days before. Who will keep you in line in Paris Mom if I’m not with you? I think I should go as your chaperone, she teased. It was a natural thing for Jill to worry about her Mother. She hated her living alone and never doing anything. She knew her Mother was never going to get over the death of her Dad until she began socializing and meeting people again. That’s why this trip to Paris was so important to Jill. This was going to be her Mom’s coming out again trip!

I can’t believe you are actually going to Paris. Maybe you’ll meet some handsome, exciting Frenchman who will sweep you off your feet! Jill was only half teasing. It was really her dream for her Mom.

Is that all you ever think about young lady? Pamela scolded her. She too was only half teasing. Jill was not afraid to tell her Mother her feelings. Pamela had taught her to always be truthful. Jill smiled at her Mother sweetly and replied, You need to start living again Mom!

Pamela closed her eyes as the quiet hum of the jet engines filled the air. It was hard to swallow the lump that had developed in her throat as she thought about leaving Jill behind.

It’s only a month, thirty days, get a hold of yourself, Pamela thought to herself. It was her reality check on herself. She learned that lesson a long time ago from a very famous pastor who reminded her that Jesus suffers when we suffer. He feels our hurts; he knows our thoughts – so talk to him. That was how she had survived this past year without her beloved husband. God came alongside and filled her heart when it was in such pain. Pamela breathed deep and thought, God is good. She glanced at the little old lady next to her who seemed to be a little more relaxed. That’s good, she smiled.

Pamela jumped as the fasten your seatbelt sign went on and the announcement came over the speaker. She felt a few bumps and looked out the window to see a very cloudy sky. Staring out the window Pamela began thinking of how it all happened that she was even on the plane, heading for Paris.

It had only been a few weeks since her boss, J.P. Orland had surprised her with the news of the Paris trip. There had been some very catty remarks going around the office as to why she had been chosen to take this trip. She overheard one of the girls at the copy machine saying, She’s sleeping with J.P., that’s how she got the trip. That remark hurt her deeply. She thought she had always tried to present herself in a better light than that!

J.P. was so caught up in his business he wouldn’t give her a second look. She had almost decided to ignore the remark but decided to face it head on. She prayed as she decided just how to approach Sally in a Christian way. This took a lot of prayer on Pamela’s part, she had to get over how she really felt, mad.

The office was the open style with at least 50 desks placed around the room. There was an obvious silence that fell over the room as Pamela walked around Sally’s desk and placed her hand on her shoulder. Sally winced as if she were expecting to be hit.

Can we go somewhere and talk? Pamela said in a quiet tone. I need to clarify something for you and I don’t want to do it out here in front of everyone. She smiled at Sally.

Sally looked pale but agreed to go with Pamela to the ladies lounge. Pamela could see the pain Sally was going through. She knew what it was all about, that was obvious. It would be so easy to really light in on her, put her in her place, show her who’s boss, but Pamela knew in her heart that would not be right, not the Christian way, not a way she could show she was a Christian.

Sally, she said calmly, I’m so happy to be going to Paris to represent Mr. Orland in this years fashion designs, I know you’re happy for me. Sally swallowed hard.

Pamela continued, I don’t know if you know it or not but this was a joyous surprise for me since I hardly know Mr. Orland personally. But I know you know all that. I know how hard it is to keep a secret around here, she laughed.

Sally laughed a little shyly, dropping her head.

I would love to bring you something back from Paris, do you like perfume? she asked.

Sally sputtered as she said, That would be real nice of you, Miss Pamela.

It would be my pleasure, perfume it is. I do hope you will have a wonderful day today, there’s lots to do before I am ready to go. I really appreciate all you do for Orlands and for me especially!

Pamela leaned close to Sally and whispered in her ear, The tongue can be a very wicked thing, if not used properly. I really try to remember that. She smiled at Sally.

Yes Ma’am, I will remember that too. She answered sheepishly.

Pamela patted her gently on the shoulder and said, I will see you when I return.

Sally was obviously impressed with the way Pamela had taken care of the situation. Tears filled her eyes as she thanked Pamela for understanding.

As Pamela turned and walked away she couldn’t help wonder why J.P. had picked her for this trip. She did have seniority and she was the head of the Fashion Department at Orlands, but J.P. definitely had his favorites and she never saw herself as one of those girls.

Pamela had looked at the ticket she held in her hand that made her trip a reality. She didn’t know why but she was going to the fashion capital of the world, Paris!

Pamela had a few second thoughts as she listened to J.P.’s blistering voice. Get over there – get the scoop on the fashions for next season! Get us some new ideas! New ideas, that’s what we need, he spit out the orders never looking around to face her.

Pamela thought to herself, He wouldn’t recognize me if I ran right into him in the hallway. She wanted to ask him to turn around but she thought better of it! After all, he was the boss.

She wondered as she began gathering up the things she needed to take with her on the plane how she would ever change J.P.’s conservative ways. She had tried before during this past year as head Fashion Coordinator for Orlands Department Store Chain but it hadn’t worked. He just couldn’t get modern and that was really hurting his business. He always laid her ideas aside and took the least line of resistance, staying with designs he was absolutely sure would sell. Now he wanted her to go to Paris and get the scoop as he called it. Would he be open to the new ideas she would bring home? She wondered.

The clouds had disappeared and beautiful blue sky was all you could see out the window of the plane. She glanced again at the in-flight magazine and the picture of the Eiffel Tower on the front.

Are you alright Mon Ami? The little French lady had been watching Pamela deep in thought. She added quickly, You are so elegant, your clothes, so lovely. Paris should be honored to have such a guest as you.

Pamela smiled as the old lady added, I have never met a celebrity before.

Just a very lucky lady, Pamela answered. She reached over to squeeze the woman’s wrinkled hand that still clutched the prayer beads tightly in them. Pamela had a special feeling for the old lady. It struck her as strange