Heart Ties: Love Never Dies Novella

By Linda L Barton

Death. Is it the end or merely a new beginning?
From a child, Shane felt as though at one time he had been someone else. His dreams haunted him with the memories of a different life and his death. Is there more than this life? Do our souls move on, or does our life-force cease to exist?
Sometimes in this life, our souls touch another, and we find ourselves helplessly drawn to them. This is a special gift, not to be denied. This is Heart Ties.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda L Barton
• Release date: May 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370617753

Linda L Barton

Linda L Barton is a Multi-Genre Author. Publishing her first book in 2011, Linda started out by writing Dark Thrillers. Since then she has branched out by writing YA Fantasy, Women’s Romantic Fiction, and even Children’s Books under the name Nana Barton. One of the high points of Linda’s writing career was when Next Move, You're Dead: The Trilogy Bundle was chosen as 1 of 100 pre-loaded Kindle Fire ebooks given away in the 2013 Emmy Awards VIP Swag Bags to over 600 of those in attendance at the awards that evening. Linda is also the Founder of Deadly Reads, Deadly Reads Author Services, and Host of the Deadly Reads Radio Podcast on Youtube. Linda is also blessed to be married to a wonderful man, Bob for more than 30 years. Bob is her writing muse and has created several of the plots for her books. Together they have a daughter and son, as well as 5 beautiful grandchildren; all of whom are the joy of their lives. Linda never thought she would become a published author, but now she cannot imagine doing anything else.

Book preview

Heart Ties

Love Never Dies

Novella

Linda L. Barton

Copyright@2017 by Linda L. Barton

All Rights Reserved

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Special Acknowledgements

For my loving husband, Bob.

You are the driving force

in this writing adventure.

For it’s in your creative mind

where our stories are born.

Editing, Formatting, and Cover Design

Deadly Reads Author Services

Table of Contents

Title Page, Copyright,

Special Acknowledgments,

Prologue,

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3,

Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6,

Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9,

Chapter 10

Prologue

I want you to promise me you’ll be careful over there. Pushing a pea to the side of the plate with her fork, Rachel fought back the tears stinging her eyes. I know how you love to take risks.

Michael looked across the table at the woman he had loved for as long as he could remember. He knew she was frightened, but he also knew he must do his duty.

Don’t you worry about me, I’m like a cat with nine lives, the same playful grin that always made Rachel forget all her worries appeared on his lips. That was until the day Michael was notified his unit was shipping out to fight in the Pacific.

Stop joking about this, Michael. I know how you are, and it’s so dangerous, tears wet her cheeks at the thought of what he would be facing.

I know it’s dangerous, but I also know I must do this. Come on, Baby, don’t you have faith in me as a pilot? Michael gazed deeply into her eyes, hoping to ease her fears.

Realizing he was right, Rachel sighed. Of course, I have faith in you, but I also know how willing you are to push things to a dangerous level. Promise me that you won’t take any unnecessary chances, okay?

However, no sooner had the words left her lips, she knew they were spoken in vain.

You know I can’t make that promise. Japan attacked us, and it’s up to men like me to stop it from happening again. You must remember how we all felt when we learned what happened at Pearl Harbor? Anger burned on Michael’s face.

Rachel began to protest, but he continued.

They must pay for what they did, and I plan on doing my part! So, I need to know you’ll be here waiting for me to return, he reached out and took her hand in his, squeezing it gently.

Rachel knew there was no sense in pursuing this conversation any further. When they had first met that fateful day, she had learned once he made up his mind, there was no changing it. They had met on the playground when his family had moved into the house up the street from hers. She had thought what a silly, little boy but over time, she knew they would be with each other forever. He would laugh whenever she spoke of how they had loved each other since the beginning of time and how their love would continue for all eternity. In her heart, Rachael knew their souls were connected in a way she could not explain.

You know I’ll be waiting for you. It’s just that I’ll just miss you so much. Another tear escaped the corner of her eye. Gazing deeply into his eyes, she struggling to force the growing sense of dread from her thoughts.

Michael returned her gaze and smiled. That’s my girl. I promise you’ll see me again. Then we’ll buy a house and start having all those kids you seem to want. As a matter of fact, why don’t we get started on that right now? Michael stood and pulled Rachel into his arms, pressing his lips firmly to hers.

***

Before the sun had risen, Rachel was up and getting the last-minute things together for Michael to leave. He was thrilled to find his favorite breakfast of biscuits with sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, and a large cup of steaming hot coffee waiting for him on the table when he walked into the kitchen.

Good morning, that looks delicious. After sitting in his chair, Michael reached for his coffee cup. I bet I won’t have good coffee like this while I’m gone.

Rachel struggled to understand how he could be in such a good mood; this of all mornings. She knew he was excited to put his skills to work, but her heart was breaking.

Would you like a glass of orange juice? she struggled to muster a smile.

Yes, I’d love some. Michael reached for the salt shaker and sprinkled some on his scrambled eggs. I must say you do look quite lovely this morning. I hope it’s the glow of a mother-to-be after our night of passion.

This statement causing a soft, pink glow to spread across her cheeks.

Michael, that’s not a proper topic of conversation at the breakfast table, she scolded, but the smile appearing on her face betrayed her true feelings.

As Rachel and Michael enjoyed their meal, they both wondered if they would ever sit together for a meal, or if this moment would become a memory of the possibilities of a life not shared.

Glancing up at the clock hanging above the sink, Michael set his napkin on the table, Well, it’s getting late, and I need to go.

Pushing away from the table

Rachel rushed into his waiting arms.

"Please don’t try to