Bridging the Gap: River's Edge, #5

By Charmaine Gordon

Anna Youngblood and James Chandler have problems. His little daughter overheard his ex say she never wanted kids; Anna must make amends for breaking rules of her tribe; he has a serious concussion and she’s pregnant. Can this couple find happiness in River’s Edge? You betcha, they can. Conflict, don’t you love it? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vanilla Heart Publishing
• Release date: Apr 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507012185

Book preview

Dedication

To families everywhere, I send my love. Life is a journey. Let’s make it a good one.

Acknowledgements

Kimberlee Williams, you are the best, always there to lift my spirits and turn me around when I’m on the wrong path.

Chelle Cordero, my C to Shining C best pal, again you’ve endowed me with the riches from your fertile imagination and given me the title to this book. Bridging The Gap fits the story of two cultures as they merge into one. Thank you.

To my friends at WEWRIWA, thanks for your help of constructive critique. I so appreciate the changes you’ve suggested.

To the readers of Bridging the Gap, it means a lot to this author to have you review my book, all of my books. Thanks for taking the time to let the public know my name.

Chapter 1

Moonlight shone through shutters in the elegant bedroom waking James Chandler. He reached for the woman next to him. Not there. He scanned the room and found her. She stood statue still, naked and slim this lovely young woman he’d made love with a short time ago. Silky black hair cascaded down her shoulders and back.

Anna, come to me.

No, Jimmy. I can’t. She pulled on her short skirt, sweater, searched for panties not to be found and cried. James Chandler, CEO of a huge Construction company stumbled out of bed, caught his foot in the sheets and sprawled forward, head bleeding as he collided with the platform on the bed.

You’re hurt. Stay still while I find a cloth and uh, stuff.

His hands groped through the thick pile in the carpet and came up with her panties. Grinning, he pulled them over his head. When Anna returned with peroxide, washcloth and Bacitracin, she found her lover slumped over on the wooden platform with her best white silk undies on his head stained with blood.

Jimmy, speak to me. No answer. She listened to his heart, breath, and checked his pulse before calling 911.

Hurry. He fell and he’s unconscious. Address given, Anna struggled to dress him in pajamas she found in a drawer. His wallet lay on the dresser. Always efficient even under stress, Anna shifted through the various cards, found his medical info and pocketed the cards.

Oh, Jimmy please let it maybe be a concussion and nothing more serious. I love you. She kissed him then ran to open the door.

The emergency team went to work, lifted her lover on to the gurney, an oxygen mask placed over his face gave the VIP an outer space appearance. Anna shivered with fear. After strapping him in, down the elevator they went. It’s my fault, Anna thought. All because I said no, he tripped and hit his head; he tripped and hit his head. The words ran through her mind. She sat in the ambulance while they did their magic even though it was against the rules for her to be there. The men gave one look at the beautiful young woman in tears and the rules were broken. Just stay out of the way. She did.

Two a.m. the ambulance sirens shut down and stopped at the Emergency entrance to the River’s Edge Hospital. Anna followed the EMT’s into the hospital. A guard tried to stop her. Are you related?

Well, almost. We’re engaged. Antiseptic smells bombarded her senses as Anna followed the gurney down the narrow emergency area to where a doctor slumped against the wall. She ran to him, touched his white coat. Doctor, my fiancée fell. He hit his head against the platform of his bed and he’s unconscious. Please hurry.

Squinting his eyes at her, he nodded. I’ll examine him and see what’s going on. She marveled at the way he shook his head as if to clear cobwebs of exhaustion and come awake. An educated guess is concussion but first an MRI. Wait here. Someone will be asking for his insurance card and personal information.

Alone in the curtained cubicle, Anna prayed to all the Gods she knew. Please keep James Chandler safe and healthy. We have plans for a life together, dear Father. I said no because I wanted to think of what to do about my dear people. They will hate me if I marry someone without making amends. She paced the floor, braided and unbraided her long hair until footsteps were heard rushing down the corridor

Fiancée.  Huh. So where’s the ring?  A voice, strong and sure of herself, caught Anna’s attention.

Thinking fast, Anna said, Pretty soon.

Sure. His insurance cards, please. This is a requirement, in case you didn’t know. The nurse also had the tired look in her eyes the