Blue Love Song: Book Two

By L Rita St. Claire

She knows his incredible secret. She marries him anyway. But will his secret be the death of her?

When Pamela marries Hunter, her happiness is complete. Then his revenge-seeking ex-wife from the future invades her life. His ex uncovers evidence that Hunter broke the law again and will use it to rip him from Pamela. Her only option is to time travel to the future with Hunter and help him prove his actions were justifiable.

Once there, Pamela is thrust into a world beyond her imagination. A world full of amazing technology, soul-crushing obstacles, and a bitter ex-wife who's determined to prove Hunter's guilt and settle an old score. She'll break up Pamela's marriage by any means necessary, even if means death. Pamela must not only fight for Hunter but also her life. Will she survive?

Blue Love Song is the second book in a time travel romance series. Buy it today and discover how love can move heaven, earth, and even hell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L Rita St. Claire
• Release date: Sep 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781393780625

Book preview

To my father, Ivan Edward Wright

Copyright© 2016 by L Rita St. Claire

Cover design by Sweet ‘N Spicy Designs

Formatting by Wyrding Ways Press

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any printed or electronic form without express written permission of the publisher.

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

I woke up with a start. Something had roused me from my sleep. I listened to the quiet house, but only Hunter’s gentle snoring interrupted the silence. Perhaps I’d heard Jay. I turned my ear towards the baby monitor I kept on the night stand. More silence greeted me. I needed to check on him and tried to rise, but strong arms wrapped around me, preventing me from doing so.

No, Hunter murmured.

I patted his arm. It’s okay. Just checking on Jay.

He released me. Oh, right. Sorry.

I walked across the hall to Jay’s room. The soft glow from the night light illuminated our baby love, all tucked in and fast asleep. I breathed a little easier, but what had roused me? It couldn’t have been an intruder. The security system Hunter installed made the house virtually impenetrable. I didn’t fully understand how it worked, but once the alarm was set, if your thought patterns weren’t programmed into the system, you couldn’t enter the house. If you came within three feet, heavy metal plates, invisible to the eye and silent as the night, would cover all the windows and doors in a flash. Hunter had explained that all timelers were required to install it in their residences for their protection when they visited the past. Being married to a time traveler had its advantages.

When I returned to bed, the bedside clock glowed with the time 5:19. Jay would be up at eight to start his busy two-years old day. Wide awake now, I doubted if I’d be able to fall back to sleep to enjoy a few more hours of rest before I began my busy day keeping up with him.

Jay’s okay? Hunter asked.

He’s fine. I snuggled close to him. He wrapped his arms around me and my uneasy feeling vanished. His presence always gave me such a sense of peace and contentment.

Are you okay? Did you have that bad dream again?

No, something woke me up. I don’t know what. Lately, I had been having dreams in which Hunter disappeared from my life like he did three years ago.

I’ll never leave you again, Pamela, but on a subconscious level, you don’t believe me. That’s the reason you’re having these nightmares. What can I do to convince you?

I suppose you’re right. Our lives are so perfect right now it’s hard to believe such perfection can last.

We had our share of heartache. We deserve the happiness we have now. I’m not saying we won’t have challenges, but our love will get us through them.

Yes, I could walk through hell as long as I had you by my side.

He caressed my back with gentle strokes. That, my love, is something you will never have to go through if I have anything to do with it.

I sighed. That’s just it, Hunter. I know you’ll never willingly leave us, but things can happen beyond our control, just like before. You’re a time traveler from the future. Suppose your authorities decide your work here is done and request you return there permanently?

Is that what has you worried? It’ll never happen. It’s a life time endeavor to study, analyze, and catalog the twenty-first century. You have to be committed to do just that in order to be a timeler. And if for some unknown reason I have to leave this time frame for good, you and Jay will be coming with me.

What? I stiffened. How will that be possible? I thought your device only allowed the person wearing it to time travel.

We now have devices called t-travelers which enable more than one person to travel at a time. I told you that before his death, my father worked on such a device. His work was completed by other physicists during the time I was away.

I swallowed hard, digesting this new information, not sure I wanted Jay and I to time travel. Do your authorities know about us? You know how I feel about them learning about Jay.

No, they don’t know about Jay, but they do know about you and our relationship. He paused for a moment then continued to stroke my back. That came out during my trial. But they don’t know we’re married now. My personal life should be of no concern to them. I keep it private. The only time I would reveal it would be if my status as a timeler were to change, and I couldn’t travel here. They would have to allow me to bring you and Jay with me or for me to stay here. They are very big on families in the twenty-fourth and don’t like separating them. You have nothing to worry about, Pamela. You always tell me that you’re mine forever. Well, I’m also yours forever. I’m not going anywhere.

You would give up your future world and stay here with us?

Of course, my place is with you and Jay.

I wasn’t too surprised at his response. He sacrificed his career before when he changed the past to save my son Sean’s life. I would hate for him to make that kind of sacrifice again, but I also couldn’t imagine living in the future with him if that were at all possible. Wouldn’t it be illegal for me to time travel to the future? You said it was illegal for non-timelers to visit the past.

He sighed. So many questions. Relax, sweetheart. The law states only timelers can travel from the future to the past and doesn’t address bringing someone from the past to the future. That wasn’t an issue before, since the person from the past would need a device to travel. Those devices were only available to timelers. It’s a loophole, and the laws are now being reviewed. Chris is head of the review board, and I’m a member. But, it’ll take years before new laws are enacted. He massaged his foot against mine. Mmm, your feet are soft as cotton. Did I reassure you? Feel better?

Yes, I guess so.

You don’t sound convinced. When you’re falling to sleep, think about our happy times together. Perhaps that will help stop the nightmares. Remember our honeymoon in Paris?

How can I ever forget? I didn’t think I would ever get to see the city. You kept me in bed most of the time. I stroked his back, marveling at its smooth tautness.

He chuckled. I didn’t hear you complain any.

What woman would? Ah, those idyllic days and nights spent nestled in bed with him. We didn’t leave our suite at the Ritz the first three days we were there. I had packed a variety of sexy undergarments I’d spent a small fortune on. It was a waste of money. Hunter would strip them off me, saying though he liked my underwear, he preferred his pretty lady naked. I liked him naked too. We spent the days exploring each other in the most delightful ways.

It was heaven. I snuggled closer to him. We discovered that new position and named it.

Mmm, the Parisian stroke. Shall we practice it now? he asked then caressed my body with his lips.

Yes, Pharaoh, practice makes perfect.

Later after lunch that day, Hunter kissed me good-bye then kissed the top of Jay’s head before leaving for work.

Jay smiled. Bye, Daddy.

Bye, Son.

I’m not Son, I’m Jay, Daddy.

Hunter grinned. I know, Jay. I call you Son because it means you’re my boy, and I’m your proud papa. Now, I better get to my class.

Hunter taught a class on ethics at the Institute of Time Traveling in the twenty-fourth century. A well respected scholar there, he trained new timelers in addition to his work researching the twenty-first. He led two lives: his life in the future and his life in the twenty-first with me and Jay. Up until now, he had left and came back at the exact moment, so it appeared he had never gone. But that proved to be too stressful on him. He remained on the same time as the future, and it extended his days. We decided that was no longer necessary. Even so, I insisted he not leave in my presence if he wasn’t coming back right away. It reminded me too much of the time he left and didn’t come back for three years. The heart-wrenching memory of him vanishing in front of me was something I would never forget and never wanted to experience it again. We had kept our individual houses so he would go to his and leave from there.

After he left, I busied myself with household chores and looking after Jay. I had just put him down for his afternoon nap when the doorbell rang. I had hoped to get some writing done on my latest children’s book and didn’t look forward to having my plans interrupted. When I answered the door, I was surprised to see my neighbor, Valerie. She wasn’t the type that dropped by unannounced, even though she had lived across the street from me for years, and our kids had grown up together. Her daughter, Stephanie, was my daughter Sasha’s best friend.

Hi, what a nice surprise. Come on in. I led her to the family room and offered her something to drink.

Thanks, but I’ll be here for just a minute. She took a seat on the couch. Look, I don’t want to alarm you, but when I left for work the last two mornings, I saw a car parked in front of your house with the motor running. I leave at five and it just seemed weird. Most of the time, I’m the lone person on this block up and about that early. Valerie, a news commentator for one of the local radio stations, worked on the morning drive show.

Really? I joined her on the couch. What type of car? How long did it sit there?

It was a black SUV. The first morning I drove away before it left, but this morning I glanced out the window when I heard the motor running and waited until after it left. It sat for a good fifteen minutes before the door opened. The person started to get out, but then slammed the door and took off. I thought maybe it was someone’s ride, though you and Hunter work from home, and the twins are away at school.

That’s odd. I guessed it was the sound of the slamming car door that woke me up that morning since my bedroom faced the front of the house. I wonder who it could’ve been. Thanks for letting me know. If it’s out there tomorrow morning, I’ll call the police. That should scare them away. Grateful for our advance security system, I wasn’t really concern about anyone breaking in, but I couldn’t mention that to Valerie.

Valerie nodded. Good idea. I should have done that myself, but I wasn’t sure if it was someone you knew.

No, not at all. No one I know would be visiting us so early in the morning. Maybe they were lost, though that seems unlikely since it’s an easy access from here to Route 301. That route would take them north to Baltimore or south to Richmond.

It’s probably nothing to worry about. Just thought you should know. I have some more news. Eric has decided to retire this June, and we’re moving to South Carolina. I’ve been offered a position with a station there that will start at the end of the summer. We’ve put the house up for sale already. In this slow real estate market, there’s no telling how long it will take to find a buyer.

Congratulations, though I’m going to miss both of you. You’ve been good neighbors over the years. Valerie was my age, but Eric was sixty-three and had always wanted to move back to his hometown.

Thanks. We’ll miss you too, but Stephanie will finish college in May. Now it’s our time to kick back and enjoy. I’ll be on the air just once a week, not the five days I do now. I’m looking forward to some down time. She grimaced. I don’t know how you do it, Pam. I think I’d go crazy if I got pregnant at my age.

I smiled. Jay’s a blessing in more ways than one. Hunter has always wanted children. I’m so glad I was able to fulfill that dream of his.

Valerie rose. Spoken like a woman in love. Good for you. I’ll talk to you later.

I told Hunter about Valerie’s visit that evening over dinner. He also wondered who the person could have been. When we went to bed, he set the alarm clock for five and would get up then to see if the car came back. Tired from my lack of sleep that morning, I slept through the alarm. Hunter told me at breakfast the car hadn’t returned. I barely heard what he said. The pungent odor of the bacon on my plate made my stomach lurch. I rushed to the powder room and threw up my breakfast, then dropped to my knees and held onto the toilet, hoping the waves of nausea would go away.

Pamela, are you okay?

I released my grip on the toilet and rose. Hunter stood in the doorway with Jay.

I’m fine, just a little queasy.

You sure? he asked, his brow furrowed.

I managed a smile, suppressing the urge to throw up again. Yes, I need a little privacy right now. You two go back and finish your breakfast. I’ll be there in a minute.

Hunter raised an eyebrow, but nodded. Come, Jay, Mommy’s fine.

After they left, I closed the door and gave in to my lurching stomach. When it subsided, I rinsed my mouth and splashed cold water on my face. What was that about? Could it be food poisoning? We had homemade turkey chili made with the freshest of ingredients last night, and Hunter and Jay were fine, so I could rule that out. Why, I hadn’t been sick like that since I was pregnant with Jay.

Pregnant—the operative word here.

Could it be that? I hadn’t missed a period, so I could rule that out. It was also unlikely at my age. Maybe I had a stomach bug, and if so, I hoped I wouldn’t pass it on to them.

I returned to the breakfast table, but didn’t have an appetite now. Hunter watched me push the food around on my plate. Are you sick, Pamela?

I grimaced. I think I may have a stomach virus or something.

I can get Autumn over here to check you out.

Autumn Joyner, a doctor in the twenty-fourth, and also a timeler, was here in this time frame to study medical practices of this era for a book she was writing about the history of medicine. Married to Hunter’s brother Chris, she and I had become good friends, but I didn’t want to bother her with something as trivial as an upset stomach.

No, don’t bother. I rose. I’m going to go lie down. I’m sure I’ll feel better if I rest for a while.

All right, he said, but didn’t look too pleased.

I fell asleep right away when I lay down, which surprised me since I got a full night’s sleep the night before and shouldn’t have been so tired.

Hunter kept up his watch for the mysterious SUV the rest of the week, but the car never returned. I forgot about the incident, being too busy fighting the bouts of nausea which overtook me every day along with the fatigue. I hid my symptoms from him, not wanting to worry him, thinking I would get over it. But when my breasts became tender to his sweet touches, missed period or not, I was pregnant.

I wasted no time buying a pregnancy test and took it when I was alone one afternoon. When the indicator displayed two pink lines, I clapped my hand over my mouth.

Pregnant.

I couldn’t believe I had conceived again—I mean—what were the odds? At forty-eight, I should’ve been beyond the child bearing years, but apparently my biological clock didn’t get the memo and still ticked strongly. Perhaps the test was wrong. After all, nothing was infallible, so I called my old obstetrician. To my frustration, I couldn’t get an appointment until the next week.

Hunter, always so attuned to me, noticed my distress in spite of my attempts to hide it. I would brush off his concerns and explain I had a stomach bug, though I felt a little guilty about not telling him the truth. But, if I were pregnant, he would know soon enough. I didn’t want to get his hopes up only to find out it was a false alarm despite what the home test indicated.

The morning of my appointment, I wasn’t hungry, but sat down with him and Jay at breakfast so as not to rouse his suspicious. I took a small bite of my scrambled eggs and became nauseated. I spit them into a napkin, then took deep breaths, hoping to calm my stomach. That seemed to work, but I pushed my plate away.

Hunter frowned. Something wrong with the eggs? They tasted fine to me.

I shrugged. No, just not hungry.

Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been sleeping a lot this past week, and your appetite seems to have gone. You’re not on some kind of diet, are you?

I took another deep breath. No, I’m fine.

Good. I love your curves and glad you gained back some of that weight you lost while I was away.

I smiled. It was so nice to be loved and appreciated just the way I was, even though I carried an extra ten pounds now. I really don’t have time to eat, that’s all. I’ll see you two when I get back.

I also had an appointment with my hairdresser, Bennie, that morning. Hunter thought that was the only place I was going. I kissed him and Jay good-bye, got my coat from the foyer closet, and hurried out the door before he could ask me more questions.

I drove my new Mercedes Hunter had bought me to the beauty shop. He didn’t like cars and consider them a necessary evil of this century. But since his wife and child had to travel in one, he wanted to make sure they had one with all the latest safety features. I breathe a sigh of relief when I reach my destination without having to pull over to throw up. When I walked into Bennie’s, Jill came over and gave me a big hug. I hadn’t expected to see her since her appointment was usually on Saturday and today was Wednesday.

Hey, lady. You’re simply glowing these days. Marriage agrees with you. I’m surprised Hunter’s not with you. You two seemed glued together ever since he returned.

I smiled. Hunter and I were still in the honeymoon phrase and pretty much inseparable these days. Yes, you’re right, but he’s keeping Jay so I can get my hair done. How are the boys? Guy’s holding down the fort?

She nodded. Oh yes. It’s a good thing he’s self employed and can make his own hours. He knows a pampered mommy makes a sexy wife. She now had two boys after giving birth to another son, Corey, a year after their first son, Billy, was born. She loved motherhood and was very pleased she had boys because she said she wouldn’t know what to do with girls. I wanted to tell her about my suspected pregnancy, but I knew I should share the news with Hunter first. For two older women, we were unbelievably fertile.

We spent the morning catching up while getting our hair done. Since we both had young children, we no longer had our Friday evening dinner dates. We discussed starting them back up if not every Friday, then at least once a month. We were both sure our husbands would agree and keep the boys just like today. Jill suggested we take advantage of our free afternoon and have lunch together, but I explained I couldn’t because of my doctor’s appointment.

Everything okay? She searched my face.

Yes, just a routine check-up. A routine pregnancy test, I silently amended and waved good-bye.

My appointment went well, and just as the home test and my breasts indicated, I was pregnant. My greatest desire was to provide Hunter the children he had always wanted, and knew he would be just as happy with the news. When I left the office, I wanted to skip to my car, but stopped dead in my tracks. How would this pregnancy and Jay’s existence affect Hunter? Would it be considered changing the past, which was illegal or perhaps more accurately, changing the future? Hunter could have descendants living in the twenty-fourth now. It was a mind boggling possibility.

I rushed home and found him in the kitchen, attempting to make what looked like a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. He had all the ingredients lined up on the counter as if he were about to perform an operation. Food preparation was not one of his talents. I watched as he put raw bacon on the bread, and had to smile at his efforts.

Hunter, you have to cook the bacon first.

Oh, I was going to microwave the whole thing.

You should cook the bacon first. I removed the bacon and put it on a plate. When it’s done, you can add it to the sandwich.

He sighed. Right, one day maybe I’ll get the hang of this. Your hair looks nice.

Thank you. I wrapped my arms around him and brushed my lips against his ever so gently while breathing in his intoxicating scent, light orange with a hint of musk from his aftershave.

Hey, did you miss me that much? He wrapped his arms around me.

I have a surprise for you. I kissed him.

What is it? He returned my kiss.

Hunter, I love you so much. I pressed my body close to his, allowing his heat to flow around me.

I love you too, sweetheart. Did you buy some sexy underwear for me to strip off you? Is that your surprise? He lifted my sweater and stroked my back. Nothing like love in the afternoon. I just put Jay down for his nap, so we have at least a good hour.

That would be the perfect way to spend the next hour, though that isn’t my surprise.

Does this surprise have anything at all to do with loving? I sure hope so.

It has everything to do with loving, but it’s not that. I looked up and smiled. Hunter, we’re going to have another baby.

His blue eyes widened. What? Are you serious?

Yes, I am.

He lifted me up in a huge bear hug and swung me around. That’s wonderful news. Another love baby. He put me down and hugged me again. So that’s why you haven’t been feeling well this past week. How far along are we?

How long have you been back?

Two months.

Our new baby is due September 14th.

He released me and took a step back, taking