True Hearts

By A.D. Lewellen

True Hearts is the first in the Taylor Family Series. This book depicts a whole family that is loyal, sexy, and wickedly naughty. They share a deep faith and trust in each other that is shared by all of their friends.
It takes place in the hills of Southwest Missouri and is centered around a strong family with traditional values and hearts of gold. The head of the Taylor family, William has raised his children with a sense of love and respect that allows each one of them to share it with their own significant other. It is that same sense of love and respect that pours out whenever his lovely wife, Kathryn is in the room or even a thought on his mind.
The oldest child, Will has lived the majority of his adult life in New York City as partner in a law firm. He spends his days a high profile criminal defense attorney always waiting for the next big case to bring him fame and fortune. It’s not until his latest big case that he comes across a client that may cause his days of fame and fortune to come to an end prematurely.
He realizes that after a dramatic ending to a case that living the good life isn’t always what it is cracked up to be and that the what ifs have always been in the back of his mind. He decides that it is time to make some major life changes.
Allison Carlson teaches English at her old high school. As a busy, single mom to her teenage son, she spends her days working to give him the life that he deserves and hiding an old secret. Until the day, her world is turned upside down and Will Taylor walks through her classroom door.
Can Allison keep her secret? Can Will make Allison remember how much they loved each other or will he walk away from Allison again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.D. Lewellen
• Release date: Nov 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311629500

A.D. Lewellen

I am married to my hubby, Eric of 15 years. We have two sons, Jamie, 18, who is a freshman in college and Bob, our 8 year old Pug. We just recently moved to Republic, Missouri after spending 10 years in Clever, Missouri. I have been a professional photographer for the past 20 years and a legal secretary for the past 6 years. While I love to spend my extra free time with my Donkey Lovin' Divas, my boys like to spend their free time in the woods hunting or out on the lake fishing. We also love to spend our time with our family and have been known to have more than a few friendly get-togethers with our favorite neighbors and friends. I love to show my pyro-technique on the Fourth of July with a few firecrackers!! I also spend my free time raising money for a special organization that is very dear to my heart, the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life. We formed our first team over 8 years ago and have worked very hard to raise money to find a cure. I started writing when I was in high school, because I liked to experiment with the what-ifs of life. I really got into writing while I was in college at the College of the Ozarks and working with a local writing mentor. She told me once, "To write about what I know and to find my characters from within my own circle." So, that is what I have done. I hope you enjoy the Taylor Family Series!!

Book preview

True Hearts

By

A.D. Lewellen

DEDICATION

For Eric, you are my one true love.

Thank you for supporting me and

For giving me the love,

and the strength to follow my dreams.

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

TRUE HEARTS

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright c. 2014 A.D. Lewellen

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

A NOTE TO READERS

True Hearts is the first in the Taylor Family Series. This book depicts a whole family that is loyal, sexy, and wickedly naughty. They share a deep faith and trust in each other that is shared by all of their friends.

It takes place in the hills of Southwest Missouri and is centered around a strong family with traditional values and hearts of gold. The head of the Taylor family, William has raised his children with a sense of love and respect that allows each one of them to share it with their own significant other. It is that same sense of love and respect that pours out whenever his lovely wife, Kathryn is in the room or even a thought on his mind.

The oldest child, Will has lived the majority of his adult life in New York City as partner in a law firm. He spends his days a high profile criminal defense attorney always waiting for the next big case to bring him fame and fortune. It’s not until his latest big case that he comes across a client that may cause his days of fame and fortune to come to an end prematurely.

He realizes that after a dramatic ending to a case that living the good life isn’t always what it is cracked up to be and that the what ifs have always been in the back of his mind. He decides that it is time to make some major life changes.

Allison Carlson teaches English at her old high school. As a busy, single mom to her teenage son, she spends her days working to give him the life that he deserves and hiding an old secret. Until the day, her world is turned upside down and Will Taylor walks through her classroom door.

Can Allison keep her secret? Can Will make Allison remember how much they loved each other or will he walk away from Allison again?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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 FIFTHTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Prologue

It was another crisp fall morning in Manhattan, the sun shone brightly against the fall colors of Central Park. Will Taylor was making his way to the District Court of New York. In the middle of another high profile murder trial, he felt on edge. He knew that his client’s alibi was solid, but he just wished he had that key piece of evidence to lock in his defense. Will didn’t like to leave anything to chance especially when he was going up against the top DA in the city, Alex Wright.

 In the middle of going over his line of questioning, Will’s phone buzzes with a news update. This is a Special Report…

The high profile murder trial of Les McCullough is expected to reach its final round of testimony of key witnesses. Stay tuned for further updates…

Just what I need, the media breathing down my neck, Taylor muttered with a sigh. As he crossed the street in front of the New York City Court Building, a large gathering of media personal were waiting for any little tad-bit of information of the case. His hopes of making it past the group unnoticed failed and questions began flying at him from all sides.

Mr.Taylor, when do you expect to reach a verdict? asked a reporter from Channel 5.

We hope to have one soon after the jury is sent into deliberations. Taylor stated.

Has your team established your client’s alibi? asked a reporter from the Times.

 No comment. Taylor stated.

  Do you have any surprise witnesses for today? asked a reporter from the Sun.

 Now if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise. Taylor stated with a chuckle.  Now, if you will excuse me, I have a murder trial to attend. As Taylor hurried up the steps, a million thoughts were running through his mind.

The crowd of spectators had increased in numbers since the opening day of the trial. As he approached the bench, he noticed several men lining the back wall of the court room. His client was keeping a nervous eye on the group. Are you okay, Les? Taylor asked after noticing his client’s nerves seemed to be on end.

Yeah, I’m fine. Just don’t like all of the gawkers staring at me. McCullough stated with one eye on his attorney and another on the back of the room.

Before, Taylor could say anything more to his client. The bailiff approached the bench. All rise, the District Court of New York is now in session. The Honorable Judge Starks now presiding.  Just as the judge took his gavel in hand to bring the court to order, a dark haired man entered the court room. Les froze in his place as the man began to approach him.

You may be seated. Judge Starks stated.

The man just stared at Les before he pulled a Glock from inside of his jacket. The sound of shots rang from inside of the court room. The bailiff and another deputy sprang into action only to find that before they could get a shot off at the stranger, he had turned the gun on them, shooting them, Judge Starks, Will Taylor, and Les before turning the gun on himself.

Shots fired! Shots fired! Lock down the court building, we need paramedics to court room 213, multiple causalities. Was all that Will could hear as he took one last look at his client who was staring back at him with a surprised look on his face. Will’s world started to go black and he began to have visions of his life back with his family. Is this really, how his life would end; him alone, with only strangers.

Chapter 1

       After the court room had been cleared; the paramedics went to Will to start assessing his status. Alex was still holding Will, keeping pressure on his wound. With tears streaming down her face, she feared that she would never be able to share her true feelings with him. Even though, she had heard him call out for Ally. She knew that he really meant Alex. In his state, he probably wasn’t thinking clearly.  Please, Will just hang on a little longer. Alex begged.

Madam, I need to get to him to start an IV, the paramedic stated as he turned to Alex. Are you his next of kin?

No, I’m his girlfriend, though. Why? Alex asked, even though Will and she had never really defined their relationship. They had been dating for eight years. She just assumed that one day he would take her home to meet his family, but they both had always been too busy to take a vacation.

Do you know if contact information for his family? They will need to contact his closest relative when he gets to the hospital. The paramedic stated as he continued to stabilize Will for transport. We will be taking him to Mass General if you want to meet us there.

Thank you, I will do that. Alex stated as she watched the paramedics wheel him out of the court room. At that moment, a police officer approached her for her statement. Alex looked around the room and realized at that moment just how lucky she really was and that she wasn’t wounded or worst yet, dead.

The ambulance arrived under police protection to Mass General Hospital where the chief of trauma was standing by to assess Will’s situation. After a nurse rattled off Will’s vitals to him, Dr. Quinn began to work on Will to find the bleeder and prepare him for surgery. Cross and type, 2 units and call the blood bank to have 2 more units ready to go. He’s lost a lot of blood. Crap, the bullet has nicked his aorta. Clamp. Okay, that’s got the bleeding stopped for now. Shit, the bullet went through his left lung. His lung just collapsed. We’re going to need a chest tube. Call OR2 and tell them to stand by. Dr. Quinn ordered the nurse as he worked to inflate Will’s lung.

OR is ready, doctor. The nurse stated as she went to hang another unit of blood.

Okay, he’s stable enough to move, let’s get him to the OR. Dr. Quinn told his crew as they all hustled to get Will upstairs to the OR. Dr. Quinn looked over at one of his nurses to give instructions to hold off calling any family members until he was finished with the surgery. I want to be the one to contact them, just find his information.

Yes, doctor. The nurse responded knowing that this was Dr. Quinn’s normal routine when it came to patients. He was a hand on type of physician. It was what everyone liked about him. He actually showed his patients and their families that he cared about them.

After four long hours in surgery, Dr. Quinn finally came out to speak with the nurses about Will’s plan of care and to gather the information that he would need to make his phone calls. Do you have Mr. Taylor’s information? He asked the head nurse.

Yes, I do; however, there is a young lady here that says she’s his girlfriend. The nurse pointed to the door that led to the waiting room.

If, she’s just a girlfriend, I can’t tell her anything. Did you explain that to her? he asked as the nurse looked over the information she had gathered from his pockets. It appears that his family is all out of state.

Well, I will go speak with her and explain the situation. Dr. Quinn stated as he walked away from the nurse’s station. As he walked into the waiting room, he noticed that only one person was sitting in the room. A young lady that looked vaguely familiar. Are you with the Taylor family? he asked to see how she would respond.

Will Taylor? Alex asked with a hopeful look on her face. Yes, I’m his girlfriend."

With a sigh, Dr. Quinn prepared to explain the situation to her, I’m sorry, if you aren’t an immediate family member due to HIPPA, I can’t share his information with you.

Can you tell me if he made it or not? Alex asked hopefully.

No, I can’t I am very sorry. You will be able to get an update from his family when they arrive here. With that being said, Dr. Quinn turned to walk out of the room.

Well, I guess I’ll go home then, since there’s nothing else I can do then. Alex gathered her things and walked out of the room to make her way to the elevator. As she was getting off of the elevator, she noticed three men dressed in black suits standing at the information desk. As she walked by she overheard one of them asking for information on Will. The investigator in her told her to stick around to see what was said to them. Alex made her way around the corner to stand where she couldn’t be seen, but could still overhear their conversation.

The elderly woman looked at her computer screen and then looked up at the men, I’m sorry sir. I don’t have any information on a Mr. Will Taylor. Are you sure that he was sent to this hospital? she asked as the men looked at each other.

Well, we were pretty sure that’s what we had heard the paramedics say. The larger of the men stated. Could he still be in the ER?

Well, it’s possible, but either way he should be in my computer. I’m sorry. She said to them dismissing them to help the next person in line. The three men walked away from the desk, but Alex could still see them. As she was trying to hear their conversation, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was her office wanting an update on Will. She quickly texted back, that she didn’t know anything and that the doctor wouldn’t tell her anything, because of HIPPA. She texted back that she was taking the rest of the day off and she would be back in the office tomorrow. She decided it was time to head home, change clothes and relax, but first she needed to contact her boss to let him know about the three men wanting information on Will. The same three men that were in the courtroom. Hey, I’m at the hospital and three of the men that were in the courtroom during the shooting came to the hospital looking for Will. I think they are part of the family.

Okay, thanks for letting me know, I’ll let the chief of police know so he can put officers on his room. Her boss texted back to her.

Thanks, I’m heading home to rest. Alex wrote back to him.

Sounds like a good idea. Did they see you? How are you holding up?

Fine, just tired.  No, they never saw me. See you tomorrow. Alex wrote back and then headed out the door to catch a cab and head to her apartment. She had never felt so tired in her life. She only hoped that she would be able to sleep after a hot bath.

William Taylor grabbed his briefcase and made a quick walk to the courthouse to meet with his client before another battle in the court room. As a local family attorney in Conner’s Crossing, he mainly handled the contested divorces that really only consisted of the husband and wife fighting over alimony and child support. This kind of law was something that he had been practicing for over 40 years and had become one of the top attorneys in the state. Unfortunately, he was tired of the fights, name calling, and overall forgetting about the children’s feelings in each matter.

He was ready to retire, if only he had someone to take on his clients. It had always been a dream of his to have one of his children to follow in his footsteps. When his son, Will had graduated from law school that he would be the one; only Will had different plans in mind. He took a high profile job as a criminal defense attorney in New York City. Who could blame him, he’s young and he has the whole world in front of him.

Good afternoon, Mr. Taylor, how are you today? a bailiff stated as William came through the metal detectors.

Oh, doing just fine. It’s another day and how about you? You been to the lake recently?

Sure have, I caught a nice 6lb large-mouth bass on top water over the weekend. the bailiff stated with smile. Found him down along there in a cove across from Cape Fair.

Well, that’s great to hear. I wish I had the time to do a little fishing, maybe one day after I retire. William stated with a sigh. Well, have a great day.

 You, too. the bailiff stated as he began to move more individuals through the lines.

As William was stepping onto the elevator, his cell phone rang, figuring that it was his paralegal calling regards to the pending case, and he took it out of his pocket to answer it. Only to discover that his caller id read an unknown New York number, Hello.

Is this William Taylor? the unknown caller asked.

Yes, it is. How can I help you? William asked with a dreaded tone in his phone. He didn’t like the unnerving feeling that was going through his body.

 Sir, this Dr. Alexander Quinn. I am the head of the Trauma ICU at New York City Mass General Hospital. I am sorry to say that your son, William Taylor, Jr. has been admitted for a gunshot wound to the chest.

Oh my God! William had to find a chair to sit down. What happened? Can you tell me his prognosis?

Yes, sir. At the moment, we have him stabilized; however the bullet did enter the muscle of his heart. The cardio-thoracic surgeon just completed the repairs to his heart after removing the bullet. At this time, he is in good favor to recoup fully from his injuries, but I would advise you that if you or any family members are available to come to be with him that would be a wonderful idea.

Thank you for letting me knows and my family and I will be on the first available flight out. William was already making plans in his head, the first thing would be to get out of this hearing and then to go home and break the news to his wife.

William pulled into his garage all the while wondering how he was going to break the news to his beloved wife, Kathryn. He knew this news would devastate her. As he walked into the kitchen, William called out to her and when she didn’t answer. He finally found her in her rose garden looking as young and beautiful as the day they first met.

Well, hello darling. You are home early. After glancing at her watch, Kathryn realized that William shouldn’t be at home at all. As she looked as his appearance, she knew something was wrong. What happened?

Sweetheart, you need to sit down. William was going to tell her gently as possible.

 No, just tell me, now! What is it? Kathryn was growing impatient.

 It’s Will. He’s in the hospital in New York. He’s been shot. William reached out to grab her as she began to crumble in a heap.

 Is he…dead? she asked with fear in her voice.

No, he’s still alive, but he’s in the ICU. The bullet entered into his heart, but the doctors were able to get it out and repair the damage, but we need to go to New York to be with him. Can you pack for us, while I call the others? William looked at her with the love that he had always felt for her.

 Yes, of course, but we should say a prayer for him to protect him until we can get there. William nodded his head in agreement and after a moment, Kathryn went full force into planning mode.

William placed a conference call to the rest of his children with the hopes that they would be able to travel with them.

 Hey dad, what’s up? Katie, one of the twins was just walking into class.

 Hey Katie, are you with your sister? he asked not wanting to worrying her.

No, she’s already in a biology lab. Why?

  Ok, hang on; I need to do a call with all of your siblings, so stay on the line.

Ok, but can you hurry, I’m running late.

Once, William had Wyatt, Kylie, and Krista added to the call. He began to tell them what had taken place with their older brother. Will’s in the hospital, he was shot this morning, but he’s alive and in stable condition. Your mother and I would like for you guys to go with us to New York to be with him. Your mother is packing right now. Our flight will be leaving Springfield National Airport at 4:30pm.

Wyatt was the first to speak, Dad, I’ll let the principle know that I need a substitute for my classes for the next week and my assistant can take my spot coaching. Where do we need to meet you and mom?

Girls, what about you? I know you all have school, but it would be a great idea to have the family together to support him.

All three girls agreed to meet at their house and ride with William and Kathryn to the airport. We will be home as soon as classes are finished and I let our advisors know that we will be out for the next week. Kylie stated with the agreement from the twins.

Dad, he is going to be okay, right? Krista asked in her usually quiet voice.

 I sure hope so, kiddo, I sure hope so! Okay, everyone try and get through you day as best as you can, Wyatt we will meet you at the airport at 3:30pm and girls, we will see you at the house around 1:00pm okay? William was so thankful that