Stolen Hearts

By Anna Hague

The third installment of the Heart Series, Stolen Hearts.
Haley Marcum draws the attention of a bad boy on a motorcycle, but her father’s overprotective tendencies make rendezvouses difficult. She’s sick of him treating her like a child. She’s sixteen, after all and according to her friends, very mature.
Jamey Marcum’s undercover past made him suspicious of everyone where his children are concerned. Honestly, he’s trying to give Haley more freedom, but when he spots Tyler Reynolds watching Haley, his alarm bells go off. Reynolds is no teenager and with his long hair and Harley, the guy reminds him of a past he wants to keep buried.
At odds with Haley over Tyler, Jamey believes he’s taken care of the problem, Haley disappears into the night. He’s frantic because he knows what can happen to young girls who vanish.
Finding Tyler is the first step and exacting revenge is the second

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Hague
• Release date: Jun 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463516515

Anna Hague

My career in Sports Journalism spans over 25 years. I currently do freelance sports reporting to allow more time for writing. I published my debut contemporary novel Captured Hearts in November of 2016. I live in central Indiana with my husband, three parrots and a dog.

Book preview

One

Allee rubbed her left palm with her right thumb. The familiar motion offered a calming remedy for the stress of sitting in a public place. The stands of a high school softball field weren’t exactly a crowded mall, but the on-field chatter and the noise from the nearby track meet all collided in her ears at once.

Her eight-year-old son Eric sat on his knees next to her, pushing toy cars along the ridged lines of the bleachers.

Her baby. She worried so much about him.

She’d sat in the emptiest part of the aluminum bleachers, and those who knew her kept their distance. Even so, she overheard two women watching their own daughters on the field.

I wonder what their story is. People talk about how nice Jamey is, but mention Allee and everyone shuts up like she’s in witness protection or something, came a voice from above her.

Allee shoved her hands in her short brown leather jacket and stretched her legs in front of her. She shivered with a chill even though she was warm enough in the Wisconsin spring sun. Tapping the toes of her brown ankle boots together, Allee tried to block the woman’s voice. Cathy, she thought, was her name.

Everyone loved Jamey. He’d talk to anyone, help anyone, and hell, he played in a local band, so yeah, Jamey was social. But her… Well, no one but Kim and Mark knew about her past and how Jamey and her had come together. Jamey still harbored guilt over his part in her getting caught up in a human trafficking ring. Despite the horror she’d experienced, she’d come out stronger, and Jamey had saved her in more ways than one. He’d made her realize she had worth and had helped her learn ways to combat her sometimes paralyzing anxieties.

Still, hearing people talk about her sent her back to her younger years when the cruelty of other children had kept her on the fringe of society.

It’s like she’s too good for any of us, one of the women said.

Hardly. Allee almost laughed out loud at the woman’s assessment of her.

But, boy, as soon as Jamey appears, she gets all smiles and talkative, to him, that is.

Come on, Cathy. If your husband swooped in and kissed you in public like Jamey Marcum does his wife, you’d be all smiles too. Hell, if he’s that way in public, imagine what goes on at home.

Just the mention of her husband brought a smile to Allee’s face. Jamey made no effort to hide his affection when they were in public, and at home, dear God, no one would ever think they had three kids in the house. Jamey was insatiable and, in reality, she was too, but only for him.

At forty-six, Jamey still had movie star good looks, and his thick dark hair showed no signs of thinning nor any gray. Most of the mothers got all giggly and flirty when Jamey was around, and she’d heard from Haley that her softball teammates thought Jamey was hot. She didn’t really mind. Allee was the only one he showered with his affection.

Allee’s attention flew to the man walking toward her and Eric, and her racing heart calmed.

Jamey.

He caught her eye and winked before taking the bleacher steps two at a time.

Cathy’s friend, Jan, elbowed her. There he is. Watch this, she whispered overloud.

Jamey bent and cradled Allee’s face with his hands before planting a fit-for-the-bedroom kiss on her lips. Miss me?

Do I know you? Allee teased and brushed her fingertips over his cheek.

Daddy! Eric jumped to hug Jamey, leaving his cars in a major pileup on the bleacher step.

How’s my dude? Learn anything at school today?

Allee raised an eyebrow, wondering if Eric would fess up.

Her son wrinkled his nose. I learned that writing your name on the back of your chair makes you miss recess, he muttered.

Jamey arched a brow. And why would you write your name on your chair?

Eric sighed. He rehashed the same story he’d told her, which was the same one his teacher had recounted when she’d called Allee today. At least he was honest.

We were playing musical chairs, and Sam didn’t want to give me my chair back. He said my name wasn’t on it, so he could have it.

Jamey ruffled the hair of the miniature version of himself. I guess you won’t do that again, will you?

Eric’s eyebrows lowered. I’ll just hit him next time.

Allee bit her lip to keep from laughing.

You are certainly your mother’s child. Eric, I think hitting isn’t the right choice to make.

Jamey swept the cars aside, sat next to Allee, and gathered Eric on his lap.

Allee leaned toward Jamey. You didn’t miss much. Haley’s only been up once. Grounded out to third. She swung her attention to the entrance gate. Oh, here comes Kim…and Adam. Practice must have gotten out early.

Removing Eric from his lap, Jamey kissed Allee’s forehead. Come on, Eric. Let’s go see your brother.

Yeah, now that my babysitter is here, go see Adam, Allee groused.

Uh, I think she’s the one who needs the babysitter, or at the very least, a filter. Jamey grinned and winked.

Eric gathered his cars and stuffed them into the front pocket of his Wasson Lake Eagles hoodie while Jamey waited at the end of the row.

Once again, Allee heard the women quietly talking.

There’s something not quite right about that kid, Cathy said. He’s just weird.

He’s eight and a boy. They’re all weird, Jan said.

No, it’s something else. He’s never with all the other kids playing behind the bleachers during games. Both of them are always cuddling that kid, or if he’s with his brother Adam, Adam’s always carrying him around on his shoulders. It’s like he can’t function if they aren’t around.

Maybe he’s just shy, Jan shrugged and focused her attention to the outfield.

Yeah, he’s something for sure. Not normal. Cathy rolled her eyes.

Allee steamed inside but remained cemented to her seat. She wouldn’t say anything because, when she was angry, words weren’t her strong suit, but rather action. Jamey had had enough bruises and black eyes over the years to prove it. Although years had passed since she’d last had a violent outburst, she exhibited the very essence of a lioness where her children were concerned.

Trying to train her brain away from the desire to maul the woman, Allee watched Eric run down the steps to his brother Adam. Adam hoisted Eric to his shoulders and gave him his baseball glove. She heard Kim’s roar of laughter as she and Jamey stopped to chat when they met on the steps.

What’s so funny? Allee asked as Kim flopped down next to her.

Jamey was telling me about Eric’s chair. Kim threw her leather backpack next to her, and the aluminum clanked as she propped her chunky heels on the space in front of her.

I see his logic. She really did. Her biggest worry was to have a child with her social anxieties, and Eric was that child. But all she saw was the sweet loving little boy who wanted to be accepted.

She saw her own messed up self and feared for her son.

I did way worse things in school than that.

Kim’s wide grin and mass of copper red hair reminded Allee of The Little Mermaid. I’m quite sure you did. That pastor’s wife thing hasn’t really jived with you, has it? Twenty years of marriage to her laid-back pastor husband, Mark, hadn’t curbed Kim’s exuberance for anything at all.

Kim waggled her eyebrows. I only do scandalous in our bedroom.

Allee noticed that Jamey, Adam, and Eric had moved to the fence line between third base and home plate and Haley was up to bat again.

Come on, Haley. Allee clapped her hands as her daughter approached the plate.

Geez, girl, she’ll never hear you if you talk that low. Kim stood. Come on, Haley! Knock it over the fence!

Haley glanced over her shoulder and smiled at her family cheering section.

See, she heard me, Kim said, smiling.

I think the next town heard you, Allee murmured.

After two balls and a strike, Haley swung, knocking a line drive between second and third base. The shortstop reached wide in an attempt to stop the ball, but she missed, and the centerfielder ran to grab the ball as Haley crossed first base.

And another thing, Jan, the woman behind her said, her voice louder now. Coach Williams said that every parent has to help with concessions. Allee Marcum has done it zero times. Zero.

Allee went quiet, and her cheeks burned.

Jan rolled her eyes and a heavy sigh rang through the air. Jamey has and she’s the one who bakes all those yummy baked goodies. They sell out every time and make a ton of money for the team.

I get that, Cathy said, her tone filled with acid, but she doesn’t even have a job. It makes me mad that she’s never had to sling a hotdog.

Beside her, Kim drew a sharp breath and cast a glare behind them. What the heck?

Allee slung back her head. They’ve been having a conversation about my family and me. Apparently, they don’t realize I can hear them. It’s really only Cathy. Jan’s kinda taking up for us.

Kim brushed off her pants and stood. Well, I’m putting a stop to it.

Grabbing Kim’s forearm was something Allee never would have attempted so many years ago, but she reached out now. Kim, don’t. It’s not worth it. People have talked about me my whole life. I can deal. I just don’t like it when they talk about Eric.

Kim gently pulled from Allee’s grip. Come on, give me a little credit. I’ll respectfully point out the rudeness of their ways. She smiled. I said ‘heck’ didn’t I? How much more respectful can it get.

Swallowing the large lump now formed in her throat, Allee nearly bit through her lip, trying to prepare for the litany of words Kim was surely to spew.

Making no effort to quiet the sound of her boots stomping up the metal bleachers, Kim stopped when she reached the two women. With her hands on her hips Kim said, You know, we can hear every ugly word you’re saying, Cathy. And even if we couldn’t, how dare you talk about someone you don’t even know.

Allee watched her friend bend forward, bringing her face but a few inches from Cathy’s face. You have no clue about the Marcums. You have no clue how wonderful a family they are. You have no freakin’ clue how to…ahhh. Kim whirled to look at Allee, and then returned her attention again to Cathy. Are you proud of yourself? Do you feel better about your shit self by talking about other people? Her fingers curled and uncurled. Keep it up, and you’ll regret it.

Cathy’s gaze seemed to sweep the stands to see who was watching the scene. Well, that’s not very Christian of you.

Straightening, Kim said. "You might want to reevaluate your Christian values."

When Kim returned to Allee, she sat on the bleacher, crossed her legs, and smiled.

Allee shook her head and sighed. I don’t know why you feel the need to defend me. People have talked about me for years. I don’t care anymore.

Don’t think of it as me defending you. Think of it as me defending the masses from rude, self-righteous assholes.

Well, in that case… Allee watched Haley field a ground ball and toss it to the player