Breathless in Misty Falls

By Sandra St. James

SAMANTHA SLOAN MACLEAN thought she had it all. An incredible husband and beautiful daughter. Now she is torn between the love that was tragically taken away from her and the desire to love once again. NEIL PARKIN is an accomplished musician and lead singer; he has dedicated his entire life to his professional career at the expense of finding happiness and true love.

A chance encounter has brought Samantha MacLean and Neil Parkin together. Now faced with the reality of falling in love again, Samantha must decide if she can stop clinging to the past and start living for the future. And Neil must discover if its even possible to allow himself the luxury of experiencing love for the first time.

The choices are not easy ones for either of them, but then again, difficult choices never are.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477284711

Sandra St. James

Known for her unwavering spirit and love of others, Sandra St. James has lived her life following one singular purpose; discovering the absolute best in everyone and bringing it to the forefront. It is this driving principle that has allowed her to connect with her audiences in ways that few can. A lifelong observer of human nature and the dynamics involved in nurturing relationships despite overwhelming odds, she has developed her own unique writing style that is as captivating as it is inspiring. An avid music lover and die-hard romantic, Sandra makes her home in the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by her large extended family.

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Chapter 1

Pulling back the curtains with one hand and bracing herself with the other, Samantha MacLean looked out from her bedroom window, her heart heavy with the decisions that had to be made. Thick clouds blanketed the dark night sky. She stared out at the bleakness without really seeing it. Her turbulent thoughts not allowing her to concentrate, keeping her attention away from the reason she was standing here in the first place. Shaking her head slightly to clear her mind, she once again attempted to focus on her purpose here tonight.

Samantha knew that the moon was nearly full, but tonight it was unseen. Hidden away, not even a faint glow to reassure her of its presence. Tears filled her eyes. Once again, the weight of her loss was nearly suffocating. She had already loved more than anyone could ever imagine, she wondered if it was possible to ever love again. Could she allow herself to love again? Sam closed hers eyes, her head bowing as she felt the weight of her pain. What she would do to hear his voice once more, to see his smile light up his eyes, to feel his arms around her once more? Just once more. And what she would give to look up at the moon with her once again, to brush her curly black hair, and to play her favorite games together. Just once more. It had all happened so suddenly, without warning, and without any regard to the anguish and suffering it would leave behind for those who remain.

Could she really leave Misty Falls? The only place she had called home for so long? There were so many memories. Could anyone understand how it felt? The path to her future, it seemed, was as hidden as the moon. The answers to her questions had been slow in coming. But she was beginning to see them now, and she knew she needed to let herself move on, somehow. As she turned away from the window, she sighed. This place used to hold all of her hopes, all of her dreams. Now all it promised was reminders of her loss, her pain. It was never meant to be like this. This was supposed to be her happily ever after but life had cruelly interfered.

Cool water fell like a wide satin ribbon from the cliffs overhead and crashed violently over the rocks below, sending up a spray of fine droplets fifteen feet into the air. The sunlight caught the mists and reflected a rainbow of colors in every direction. This place was her paradise. Memories of that summer day were still vivid in her mind. It was heaven on earth, nature at her very best, this scene represented everything that was right with her world, and it was irresistible.

Samantha Sloan dived into the churning water as she had done so many times before.

For Sam, this beautiful place had been her private playground ever since she was a child. Most of her summers were spent playing in the pools found at the base of the countless waterfalls hidden in the canyons. Her love of the mountains and all of its hidden wonders had been shared with her whole family and her friends. This was her world, where she felt most relaxed and at peace.

It was during the summer before her senior year of high school. Sam was once again heading up to the canyon. She was waiting for Kim to catch up to her. Kim Monroe was her very best friend, and she was bringing along some of her cousins that were here visiting for the summer. Sam had been looking forward to meeting them, Kim had been talking about them non-stop since school let out a few weeks earlier. The small group met up under the largest of the falls, the one that her hometown was named after. Misty Falls. After meeting Kim’s cousins, Sam found it fascinating to see her world through their eyes. They loved swimming in the cool water, they marveled at the rainbows that glittered around them. And they were nearly speechless as they looked up at the steep cliffs surrounding them.

It was all new and spectacular to them, and it was the first time in her life that Sam had been truly aware that not everyone got to grow up like she had, in this beautiful outdoor playground. She had just never thought about it before, and it surprised her to realize that she was one of the lucky ones. After a great afternoon, Kim and her cousins had left, waving goodbye to Sam as she disappeared under the water. Kim knew that Sam always liked to have some time alone. She would never say so, but as her best friend, Kim could tell.

Sam did want to spend some more time here. It was here that she could lose herself in the peaceful surroundings. She swam down as deep as she could in the pond, seeking the still water that she could find hidden under the frothy surface. It was quiet and serene, and for a few minutes at a time, Sam could find herself in a place where her thoughts could sort themselves out and calm any of her worries or fears. Change was not always easy for Sam, and she knew that it wouldn’t be that much longer before nothing would be the same. Alone with her thoughts, she let the magic of her underwater world work on her again. Finding the reassurance that she needed, Sam made her way home. Her thoughts strayed again to Kim’s cousins. How could she not feel sorry for anyone who had not experienced the magic that her mountains held for her? For Sam, it had been a rare glimpse into what it was like in the world outside of Misty Falls.

The sprawling town of Misty Falls had always been the type of place that people loved to call home. Established nearly 150 years ago, it had its own unique charm that was irresistible. With the backdrop of a panoramic range of rugged yet spectacular mountains, Misty Falls was picture postcard perfect. Tucked up close to the base of the mountains, the town spread out like a fan, eventually blending its borders with the other larger cities that dominated the flat plains stretching out as far as the eye could see. Misty Falls, however, remained a traditional tight knit community. Old fashioned values were reflected everywhere you looked. Samantha loved growing up here, it was quaint and traditional and safe. And it held everything that made a childhood exciting.

The stone front buildings downtown still gave the town the look and feel of the history they all shared. Large parks dotted the town, attracting both old and young with playgrounds and open soccer fields. Wooded walking and biking trails snaked all through the town. The neighborhoods boasted rows of simple, sensible houses on tree lined streets. Even houses in the newer areas seemed to blend in with the established traditional designs. Samantha grew up knowing everyone in these neighborhoods and everyone knew her. Everyone that she knew, loved spending time up in the nearby mountains that boasted hiking trails, majestic waterfalls, and miles of pristine wooded acres. A paradise that was in their own backyard.

Here in Misty Falls it was normal to have lots of family all around. Many families had lived here for generations, just like hers. Sam’s parents and grandparents still lived in town, and she had her brothers and sisters here too. Not many people wanted to leave their home town. It was very difficult to find anywhere else that could match its unique appeal and charm. Samantha had had her own personal experience with that when she went away to college. She loved her classes, and though she was surrounded by friends, she had still felt alone in the place that was so unlike her home. Of course, that all changed when loved intervened for the first time in her life.

Samantha first met Eric MacLean in her psychology class. She found that Eric was yet another person who had grown up in an environment so different from hers. A city boy himself, Eric was a little skeptical about the hometown that Samantha described to him. It was almost too perfect for him to imagine, and Sam had a difficult time imagining the concrete and glass world that he told her about, it seemed so impersonal. But even so, she found that she loved everything about her new friend. They spent time together studying, then just hanging out. Finally he asked her out on their first official date. By then, Sam already knew that she was deeply in love with Eric. Every moment with him, even before that first date, had already been magical. And these feelings were mutual. Eric absolutely adored Sam, he had never known anyone like her, she made him feel alive like no one else ever had. The relationship grew, moving them closer to the happily ever after that they both wanted in their lives.

As much as they teased each other about their hometowns, Sam really wanted Eric to see where she grew up. Finally, during a long weekend break, Samantha talked Eric into coming home with her for a short visit. As she knew he would, Eric fell in love with Misty Falls. It was everything that Sam had told him it would be, and more. Eric had already thought about the possible significance this trip could have, since he was now going to have the opportunity to meet her family, and the obvious implications that would have. Mark and Elaine Sloan were immediately impressed by Eric’s attention and kindness toward their daughter. It was obvious to them that Eric loved her. It helped that they could see that Sam was deeply in love with Eric. This was also all too evident by the way she held his hand, looked into his eyes, and spoke constantly of him. They were thrilled to see that their daughter had chosen the person that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

As Samantha and Eric were leaving, Mark took Elaine’s hand in his and looked into her eyes. Elaine’s eyes began to tear up as she realized that a new chapter in her life was about to begin for their daughter. Holding her closely, Mark kissed her on the forehead and told her he approved of what they both knew was about to happen. It was what they hoped, for all of their children. Two down, four to go, he teased, as she playfully smacked his arm. It was true. They had been down this road before with their daughter Taylor, and they knew what to expect. But that didn’t necessarily make it any easier for them to let go.

The six hour drive back to the university was relatively silent. Both of them were so lost in their own thoughts. Samantha sat close next to Eric, placing her head on his shoulder. Eric had wrapped his arm around her shoulders, every so often feeling the urge to pull her closer to him, if that was even possible. This trip had been so much more than she had anticipated, Sam thought as her mind replayed everything that had transpired the past couple of days. It was exactly what she had anticipated. Although she hadn’t been able to spend a lot of time alone with her parents, she had talked enough with them to know that they both liked Eric. Their approval meant a lot, she was hoping that Eric would make what they both wanted official. Soon. She held her breath, would it be too much of a surprise if she asked him? Her heart told her she was ready.

Emerging from his thoughts, Eric was the one who finally broke the silence first. He kissed the top of her head and whispered into her ear. It was only four short words, but they instantly penetrated Sam’s heart. I Love You Sam, was all that Eric said, but it was how he said these words, that were so powerful. His voice was low and strong, with a tremor of emotion. It was what Sam needed to hear. Tears formed, and she tried to blink them away, but they would not be stopped and they streamed down her face. Eric saw the tears, and although she didn’t say the words, he knew instantly how much she loved him as well. Holding her even closer, he repeated, I Love You Sam and then he said the words that she had hoped he would say. I cannot imagine my life without you in it.

It was then that Sam responded with the words that Eric had also hoped he would hear. I Love You Eric, she whispered. I do not want a life without you in it. With tears of his own now pooling in his eyes, Eric nodded his approval. He knew that Sam loved him, but he also knew he would never grow tired of hearing her say these four words to him for the rest of his life. For now, no more words were needed. They finished their trip with the knowledge that they would be together forever. It didn’t take long. Less than a year later they were married.

Upon his graduation, Eric was offered a job with the largest software company in the state. Fortunately, it just happened to be located in a city less than an hour away from Misty Falls. There didn’t really have to be much of a discussion, they knew he would accept the offer as it would bring them back to the place they both loved so much. Coming home to Misty Falls only brought them closer to each other like never before. Every spare moment that they had was spent exploring the mountains together, sharing the beauty and the majesty that they had both fallen in love with. The first years of their marriage were priceless, they cherished every moment together.

Then their lives changed again forever. When little Addie came along, Eric and Samantha had never been happier. Addie was welcomed into a home where love was everywhere, beginning her life surrounded by a family who adored her. At a very young age Eric and Sam’s daughter began joining them on their outdoor activities. These outings brought their family closer than ever. Eric and Samantha made certain that they would do everything in their power to allow Addie to live in this area where she could be the happiest girl in the world. And it was important to Samantha that Addie would have the same kinds of experiences that she’d had growing up in Misty Falls.

When she turned five years old, she started Kindergarten at the local elementary school.

Everywhere they went, Addie told all the people she met that she was a big girl and in school now, her expressive blue eyes sparkling with excitement. Addie was friendly and outgoing. Everyone who met her loved her instantly. Her smile lit up her face with an inner glow. She was a beautiful child. From the time she was a baby, she had such a delicate look, like a porcelain doll hand painted by skilled artisans. Like her mother, her dark hair contrasted with her fair skin. The abundance of curls was a gift from her father. Her personality was pure Addie.

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Chapter 2

Once the perfect couple, now they were the perfect family. The MacLean family was typical of many of those who lived in the area, they were a mom and a dad and a child, with lots of extended family nearby. Just like many of the other families, they would be seeing most of their big family soon, because today was a very special day. It was time for the Misty Falls Holiday Faire.

There exists in everyone’s world certain truths that are accepted not only for their veracity but also because of one’s life experiences. It was, because it was. Like love and hope and loyalty and death and taxes. One such truth was that the entire community would be at the Holiday Faire. This event was a family activity that marked the beginning of the holiday celebrations. It was an integral part of the season every bit as much as caroling and shopping. Every year it just seemed to get bigger and better. The anticipation grew every day as the preparations for the event were at a furious pace, people helping each other with all of the last minute details.

The MacLean’s had been looking forward to it for weeks. Eric’s company was one of the sponsors of the event, so he had the inside scoop on some new surprises planned for the Faire this year, he was anxious to share them with his family. Samantha, for her part could hardly wait for the old fashioned horse drawn sleigh ride that took a path winding through the woods behind the fairgrounds. It was going to be absolutely beautiful this year, just like a Currier and Ives painting of a winter wonderland. A few winter storms had already laid down a nice layer of fluffy white snow, and the trees were a breathtaking sight covered in ice and snow, glistening like diamonds. It was extra cold this morning and chances were it wouldn’t warm up much during the day. So Sam had packed a few quilts to bring along to keep the dense cold from ruining their ride.

That was another truth of Misty Falls. It was cold in November. Everyone expected it to be cold this time of year. Sharp, crisp weather not only heralded the arrival of winter, but the holidays that were coming. But the truth was that this Saturday morning started out to be much colder than anyone could have expected. The day was gray with heavy, dark clouds hanging low in the sky, blocking out any hint of the sun. Strong winds had blown in another storm overnight, snow was blown into tall drifts along the sides of the road and there was a heavy dampness hanging in the air. Even the fierce weather, however, could not dampen their spirits. The MacLean family still eagerly awaited the big event today. Samantha just made sure that Eric and Addie were bundled up, in their fleece hats, gloves, scarves, thermal underwear, with a double thickness of socks in their warm fur lined boots. She wasn’t taking any chances. Nothing was going to ruin their special day.

Heading out to the fairgrounds, Eric was cheerfully leading them in their favorite Christmas carols, and the family was merrily laughing and singing together. Despite the ugly weather outside, it was cozy and warm in their car now. Seated right behind her dad, Addie was tucked into her new big girl car seat. She’s growing up so fast, Samantha thought as she looked back at her daughter. Her dark curly hair was pulled up in a ponytail tied with a red satin bow, her blue eyes were sparkling with anticipation. Sam laughed as Addie teased her dad about his harmonizing, they both ended up giggling too.

Samantha smiled warmly at Addie, she gave her a wink, and then she let her gaze fall on Eric. She noticed that he needed another haircut, his dark wavy hair curled up at his collar in the