Playing Games

By TJ Yeomans

When Jason spots Sam and her girls at the local farmers market, it’s love at first sight. Becoming quickly aware of her magical ability, Jason senses that to enter into their lives, he must take care. Not ashamed of her own power, Sam is a private person and cautious around men. She had good reasons, for because of her gift of power, Sam had been spurned more than once.

As they slowly build a relationship, Sam is dealing with the strange mix-ups and canceled dates with her catering business. While trying to get to the bottom of her troubles, she is shocked to learn that like her, Jason has powers similar to hers. Hurt and confused, Sam pulls away.

With determination, Jason works to win Sam’s trust and cement their bond, while figuring out who is sabotaging her life. Will Sam let the pass rule her life, or accept the future Jason offers?

• Language: English
• Publisher: TJ Yeomans
• Release date: Sep 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463632437

TJ Yeomans

Having a vivid imagination as a child, I began putting my ideas on paper in 2000. Since then I’ve had a lot of fun working with my characters as they tell their story. Now it’s time for them to venture out into the world for readers to enjoy. When I’m not at the keyboard, you can find me playing with fabrics to create fun and colorful quilts and other sewing projects.

Book preview

Playing Games

Copyright 2018 T.J. Yeomans

Published by T.J. Yeomans at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

A special thanks to my sister-in-law Pat Yeomans

and all my other readers who helped with the editing process.

And especially to my son Jason for the cover.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Epilogue

CHAPTER 1

1

CHAOS WAS REINING SUPREME AT THE moment. Seeking refuge, Sam slipped into the homey scents of her kitchen for a few minutes of peace. The smell of her freshly baked zucchini bread still lingered in the air. Picking up the cup of tea she had fixed sometime that morning, Sam sipped then frowned. Why she thought it would still be warm, she didn’t know. Taping the side of the mug with her index finger, she drank and was pleased with the warmth.

Sebastian, Sam’s sleek black cat sat on the counter watching his mistress. Prancing closer, he purred to get her attention. Out of reflex, Sam reached over to stroke the animal’s sleek fur, for he too was feeling the tension in the house. Sam’s ex-husband was due to pick up her girls for a scheduled visit.

So, she asked the cat, you think he’ll come or not?

A good judge of character, Sebastian hissed in response.

My sentiments exactly, Sam replied, then let out a heavy sigh, for her quiet moment had come to an end.

The patter of feet and claws raced down the hall. Faith, Sam’s eldest rushed into the kitchen, with Sadie, their black lab right behind her. In her eagerness to keep up, the dog lost her footing and skidded across the wooden floor. Standing in the doorway behind her sister, Grace giggled.

Oblivious to everything but her own needs, Faith called out. I can’t find my jeans.

Sam just stared at the girl, for Faith wore nothing but. Which pair?

Impatient with her mother, Faith started to shout. Remembering that type of behavior would get her in trouble, she toned down her demands. You know the one that Grandma Sarah gave me. The ones with the flowers painted on the legs.

Oh, those jeans. I think they’re in a basket next to the dryer.

Without so much as a thank you, Faith tore out to the garage. Grace rolled her eyes and followed. Within seconds the two girls, along with the dog were racing back down the hallway. Picking up the cat, Sam followed.

In her daughters’ room, Sam saw that Faith had wadded up the pants she had wanted so desperately to take and had stuffed them in her overnight bag. Filled with her own nervous energy, Grace bounced on the bed as her sister frantically searched for something else. Finding the latest in her favorite T-shirts, Faith tried to shove it into her bag as well. Seizing both articles of clothing, Sam folded them neatly, before tucking them into the bag.

Sadie, Sam said sharply, for the dog was running around and over the beds. At once she plopped her butt on the floor.

He’s going to come, Faith stated firmly.

I hope he does, Sam replied calmly, watching as her daughter geared up to defend her father.

Sam knew the girl was pinning all her hope that this time would be different. Since February, Faith had been contacting him once a month, trying to arrange a visit. Except for the first month, Brandson had been a no-show ever since.

Not feeding into the argument that was brewing was the best way to defuse the situation. Quietly Sam continued to help her two girls pack.

Will you braid my hair? Faith asked.

Mine too, Grace asked and plopped down on the bed. Reaching out, she scratched Sadie behind the ears.

Waking over to the old dressing table, Sam straddled the bench that sat before it. Patting the seat, she invited her eldest to sit. Picking up the brush that had once been hers when she had been a young girl, Sam began to move it through her daughter’s thick mane of black hair.

All at once several items on the dresser began to dance around. Faith’s eyes shot up in the mirror and met her mother’s. Just a few shades lighter in color, they held her gaze. Sam’s eyebrow raised in warning.

Don’t bind me, Faith complained.

Gently Sam began to move the brush through her daughter’s hair. You know the rules when you go on a visit. Besides, magic makes him uncomfortable.

I’m almost nine, the young girl complained. And was already pushing on the restraints of Sam’s own ability to clamp down on the girl’s power. I’ll behave, Faith pleaded.

Rules are rules, Sam replied calmly and began to weave Faith’s hair into place.

To this response, Faith muttered something rather rude under her breath. Comments any mother with sharp hearing would pick up, Sam caught it and wanted to give her daughter a good little tap on the butt. Instead, she said calmly. I don’t talk to you that way, why do you think you can to me?

Part of her wanted to add more, but she knew where the emotions were coming from, and Sam chose to rest the blame on Brandson. Keeping her mouth shut, Sam kept her thoughts to herself.

I’m sorry, Faith muttered miserably and let her mother finish her work. Looking in the mirror, the new hairdo brought a smile to her face. Apparently pleased at how she looked, Faith nodded in approval. Popping up, she planted a kiss on her mother’s cheek, then as if she remembered something else tore from the room. Once again, the dog raced after her.

With Sebastian in her hands, Grace walked over. This was Sam’s calmer child. She took the comings, or to phrase it more correctly, the not comings of their father in greater stride. Turning, she sat on the bench and allowed her mother to work her hair into a similar braid.

As Sam weaved, she studied her two girls. Bursting back into the room, Faith dumped out her travel bag to put what looked like a different pair of jeans inside. Letting the brush glide through Grace’s hair, Sam thought how funny it was she could see so little of their father in either of them.

They both had thick dark hair with just enough wave to give it body. It was hard to tell what their heritage really was, for they had a mixture of French, Italian and German, with a touch of Spanish blood added in for good measure. In the summer their skin warmed in the sun and took on a rich tan. Even in winter, they maintained a healthily glow. Brandson was fair of skin and blond. None of that showed in Faith or Grace.

Are you finished, Faith demanded, as she crammed the rest of what she wanted to take inside her overnight bag. He’ll be here soon!

Almost, Sam replied with patience. Slipping a ribbon on the end of Grace’s braid, she rose. Let me do that, she said quietly and sent her girls, along with the dog, out of the room.

Eager for her father to come, Faith was off and running again. Grace only watched her sister go. Sitting on the bed, she bent down to pick up the cat. Looking into her mother’s face, Grace seemed to know the worry that rested in Sam’s heart. I’ll take care of her, Grace whispered.

The words were almost enough to break Sam’s heart. At the tender age of seven, her youngest was already older beyond her years.

WITH THEIR PACKED BAGS SITTING by the door, the waiting game began. Doing her best to manage the situation, Sam knew she had to let her oldest go through the school of hard knocks. Sunday was Faith’s ninth birthday. All she had wanted was to spend the weekend with her father and sister. Brandson had said yes without any quibbles and that had put Sam on edge right from the beginning. He had told the girls to be ready by one. From past experience, Sam had made sure they were ready well before the appointed hour. For years he had taken no interest in the girls, so the agreed planned visit last February was a surprise. Showing up early, Brandson had left immediately, stating since they weren’t ready to go, he wasn’t going to take them. Tears of disappointment had reigned for days afterward. Since then he had broken every prearranged visit.

Glancing at the old grandfather clock, Sam was relieved it was only quarter till. She had full custody and the only reason she was tolerating this or any of the other