New Beginnings: Part One: Horseshoe Bay Romance, #1

By JODIE COLLINS

Jacqueline has left her home in San Diego to escape her abusive ex-husband Dwayne. Driving north along the California coast, she comes across the picturesque town of Horseshoe Bay. After befriending some of the locals, she decides it will be the perfect place to disappear, forget her past, and move on with her new life as a single woman.

But then she meets her mysterious, brooding neighbor and learns of his questionable history and unfavorable reputation in town. And an email from an old friend warns her that Dwayne continues to search for her.

Nervous about new possibilities and wary of old problems, Jacqueline is still determined to make things work in Horseshoe Bay.

Suspenseful yet romantic, New Beginnings Part 1 brings the vistas of the northern California coast to life and gives hope for the possibility of a new start.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brighthavenpublishers.com
• Release date: May 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533755155

JODIE COLLINS

Jodie Collins is an author of romance and lives in Cornwall in the UK with her husband and two children and two dogs. Jodie has always been a book worm. Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book. She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice- that of an author.

Book preview

NEW BEGINNINGS:

PART ONE

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ADAM & JACQUELINE’S STORY

A Horseshoe Bay Romance

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JODIE COLLINS

PUBLISHED BY:

brighthavenpublishers.com

Copyright © 2015

JodieCollins

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This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and situations either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously.

All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written consent from the author or publisher.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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 FIFTEEN

CHAPTER ONE

Rebecca’s vivid green eyes sparked with fury and frustration. It’s time you started living again, Adam.

He turned to her with anger in his eyes. It wasn’t her pain—or her business. She had no place intruding or offering words of wisdom.

What’s that supposed to mean? Adam asked harshly.

You’re so busy feeling sorry for yourself, grieving or whatever it is that you do. It’s all consuming. You no longer live, really, or take part in life.

He felt his hands tighten. What do you think I’m doing, crawling into a corner? I’ve had the media hounding me, tourists coming to gawk at me. I’m still running my business. I’m not sitting at home and hiding from life.

No, she agreed hesitantly. You’re not hiding—you’re running from life. Isabella is gone. Where? Who knows? But it was her decision. It’s been nearly eighteen months now, Adam. It’s time to come back.

Just what do you think I should be doing, Rebecca? he asked, unable to hide the bitterness in his voice.

When was the last time you came and entertained us with your brilliant music? When was the last time you joined us for a drink?

I’m just not in the mood.

Rebecca leaned close and framed his face with her hands, her long, polished nails touching the ends of his wavy hair. Let her go, Adam. She’s gone. You loved her, and she loved you. But it’s over. You’ve still got the memories. But isn’t it time to put them away where they belong and get involved in life again.

"I am involved," he argued weakly as the broken record of his shattered life repeatedly played in his mind.

Oh, Adam, have it your way, Rebecca sighed. I just want my friend back among the living.

***

Come on Dawn what choice do I have? Jacqueline said facing her friend with her hands on her hips. This is the only place I have ever lived. It’s scary for me to leave and begin someplace where I know no one. But if I stay I’ll be dead.

Can’t you take out another restraining order?

They’re just pieces of paper. Since when has Dwayne ever taken any notice of those? Jacqueline said with raised eyebrows. And when he gets out of hospital, he’ll come gunning for me. He’ll blame me for this latest accident you can count on that. He already told the police I deliberately lured him in front of the car and attacked him with a knife.

But they didn’t believe him.

Not once they’d checked their files. That’s after dragging me out of my apartment in the middle of the night and down to the station for questioning.

I guess you don’t have much choice. It just seems so unfair he should be allowed to drive you away from your home. said Dawn. I just hate to see you go and I’ll worry about you.

You’ll be able to worry about me a lot less knowing I’m no longer in the same city as Dwayne. I just have to regain some power and control of my life without living in constant fear.

You’ll keep in touch though won’t you?

Yes, with the new emails we’ve set up. Just don’t use it for communicating with anyone else, Jacqueline said sternly. I’m still spooked as to how he got my last new address and unlisted phone number.

That is scary. Trust me I won’t do anything to compromise your freedom.

Freaky, and frightening, Jacqueline said. So as a precaution, I’ve requested the California Department of Motor Vehicles suppress my car registration and driver's license records from being released to people other than court and law enforcement officials and a few other necessary officials.

Good thinking.

I’ve also notified my bank as to the situation. I’ve done everything the stalking helpline has advised me to do.

‘Where do you think you’ll go? 

"I honestly don’t know where I’ll end up. Probably somewhere in northern California and pray that it’s a safe enough distance from Dwayne.

Well, when you get settled let me know then maybe I can come visit?

As long as we know Dwayne isn’t following you. Jacqueline was certain that when Dwayne got out of hospital he would be watching Dawn, waiting for her to lead him to her. Hard as it would be she didn’t know when she would see her friend again.

Jacqueline put the last box in the back seat of her new Volkswagen Golf and closed the door. Just about every square inch she didn’t need for driving or breathing was taken up with boxes, duffel bags, and suitcases—all her life possessions.

Turning once more to Dawn she said, Okay now one last hug before I go.

She drew her long time best friend in for a hug. With tears threatening to fall Jacqueline pulled away and climbed into the driving seat and started up the engine and with a final wave to her friend pulled away from the curb.

***

Jacqueline Porter was sad to be leaving San Diego, but she had to get away from her abusive ex-husband. No matter how many times she moved, he always managed to track her down and fill her life with misery. It had gotten to the point where things that should be effortless were always laced with fear. Her phone ringing startled her. When she checked her mail, she found herself praying there was no mystery letter. Even walking down the street or into her apartment was a cautionary action. She was sick of living behind a double bolted and locked front door. Sick of sleeping in sweats and long-sleeved T-shirts instead of a nightgown in case she had to suddenly leave.

Now, with her mother passed away from cancer, there was nothing stopping her from leaving the area, the city where she had spent her entire life. The money from the sale of her mother’s house and her own small apartment in La Jolla meant that she had the financial independence to start again elsewhere. It was both liberating and scary.

She had a vague idea of settling in Santa Cruz as she had heard good things about its laid-back lifestyle and liked what she had researched on the internet. But she had no definite plans beyond being close to the ocean, and if she found somewhere else on the drive up the coast that grabbed her fancy, then so be it. It would be an adventure. A new beginning. And she couldn’t wait. She had nothing holding her back and everything to gain.

As she drove out of San Diego, she shook her head, trying to clear the memories. He had taken up too much of her life for too long. As she drove, she savored her new found freedom. It was time to do the things she wanted to do without living in fear of Dwayne. She had been through quite a lot over the last couple of years, and it was time to put the past in the past and start anew. She deserved it.

Yet thoughts of what Dwayne had once been played out in her mind as she drove along. She’d met him in college. He was a star basketball player there, referred to by many as the new Michael Jordan. He had a killer physique and took great pride in his appearance. He enjoyed all the attention he received. All the girls at college had yearned for Dwayne—his effortless charm and good looks, his golden blonde hair, his bright blue eyes. She had felt special and proud to be his girl, the one he chose to pursue. And did he ever know how to pursue.

He had always been generous with compliments and gifts, making Jacqueline feel