Heart Strings Forever

By Diana Forrest

Alex Mason, no longer with the rock band Touchstone, is hard at work on his recording studio in Wells, New York when he meets Kaitlyn Smith and her four year old daughter. Kaitlyn needs a job and a place to live and Alex needs someone to clean his house. It seems to be a perfect solution for both of them until they start to fall in love. When Kaitlyn's abusive husband shows up, Kaitlyn wants to run but Alex helps her stand up to him and start divorce proceedings. But Cooper Winslow, Kaitlyn's husband is brutally murdered and the only suspects are Alex and Kaitlyn. Both with their secrets can not vouch for the others whereabouts the night of the murder. In the midst of the murder investigation Kaitlyn learns about Alex's past. She knows he loves her and her daughter but can she trust him with their future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781257494057

Book preview

HEART

STRINGS

FOREVER

By

Diana Forrest

This is a work of fiction.

Any resemblance to actual person, places or events is

purely coincidental.

All rights reserved, which includes the right to

reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form

whatsoever except as provided by the U.S. Copyright

law, or by the express permission of the author.

Copyright 2008 by Diana Forrest

eISBN: 978-1-25749-405-7

Acknowledgments

To Scott

This story is about finding the one love

meant to be yours, for me that is you.

Love Diana

PROLOGUE

Alex Mason stood watching his soon to be ex-wife as she tossed an armload of clothing on the bed they had shared for nearly six years. He had met Brie one night in LA at a party for some famous actor, whose name he could no longer remember. She had stood alone on the edge of the crowd sipping on a drink. Her blond hair was pulled back with little wisps curling around her face. She wore a skimpy black dress that had accentuated her small breasts and tiny waist. Her legs were long and tanned and in the three inch heels she wore, sexy as hell and it had taken Alex less then two minutes looking into her brown eyes to think he was in love with her.

The love he felt that night was nothing more then lust, but he had come to love her, she had just never loved him in return. To her he was a ticket to the good life. As the lead guitar player in the hugely successful rock band Touchstone, Alex Mason was a prime catch. Of course she had also latched her claws into Alex’s best friend, Fletcher Christian the lead singer of Touchstone.

It had taken her only a few years of marriage before she fell out of love with him and then she had cheated on him with Fletcher. Alex could still remember the pain when he had found out. It had nearly torn his guts out. The betrayal of his wife and best friend had been harder then hell to deal with, but he had done it.

He forgave them both and tried to make Brie love him again but it was too late. She wanted what he couldn’t give her, and he didn’t want the life she craved. Alex wanted a family, he wanted a wife he could love and who would love him in return. He wanted children. Not too much to ask he thought but not what Brie wanted.

Alex watched her fold her clothes and knew he was better off without her. After everything that had happened in the past year, he had decided he wanted more out of life than being a famous, alcoholic, guitar player. It wasn’t what Brie wanted and she had made him miserable for the past two years, blaming him for her brief affair with Fletcher.

Then he had met Maddy Prescott. She ran a Bed & Breakfast in Wells, New York. Fletcher had met her when he was taking time off from the band. After he was arrested for a murder he didn’t commit, Alex and the rest of the band had joined him in New York and Alex had been captivated by Maddy the minute he met her. She wasn’t like Brie or the other women he met. Maddy was real and she didn’t care what Fletcher did, to her he was just a guy she had fallen in love with. Alex too had started to care for her but knowing how much she and Fletcher loved each other he had backed off and never told her how he felt.

Alex sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets. Brie was searching the closet again. God forbid if she forgot some of her expensive designer clothes that Alex’s money had bought. She went through every drawer and shelf and then looked under the bed. It was the only piece of furniture staying. It had been custom made for the room, in the room and there was no way it would come out. For a brief moment he wondered what it would have been like if Brie had gotten pregnant and then he shuddered and thanked god she hadn’t. He couldn’t imagine a worse mother then her. She was too selfish.

Tell me Brie, what did I do to make you hate me so much? I tried to be a good husband and I know my drinking couldn’t have been easy to deal with but I loved you. He asked out of curiosity as he leaned against the bedroom doorway.

I don’t hate you Alex. You always had this fucked up idea of kids and all that crap. I never wanted that, I just wanted to be a rock stars wife. I wanted the glitz and glamour, not the little house and the white picket fence. She said and she looked at him and for a moment she wished it was what she wanted. Alex was a decent person and he was still as hot today as he had been when she first met him seven years ago.

Sorry I wanted more out of life then fame and money. He said and turned away.

She was packing her stuff and he wasn’t sorry to see her do it, he was just sorry things had worked out this way. He was over Brie, he hadn’t loved her in a long time.

Yeah well I’ll tell you Alex, I’m not sorry. I’m not sorry I slept with Fletcher, I’m not sorry about the divorce; about the only thing that makes me sorry is the fact that you won’t just give me this house. You don’t want it.

It’s mine, it was before we got married and I’m selling it. You’re getting enough out of me. Alex said and he walked from the room.

The house in LA was huge and empty.

He looked around and hated everything he saw.

He had put all the furniture in storage and the rest of his things had been sent to New York. He was done with LA for a while, he had the studio nearly done in Wells and he hoped that by the end of November it would be complete. Alex leaned on the window frame and looked out over the Pacific Ocean. He had bought the house for the view of the ocean, now he didn’t care if he never saw the ocean again.

Well I’m done Alex. Brie said and Alex turned to face her. The blond hair was the same, the breasts were now two cup sizes bigger, and the waist looked smaller. The clothes were all top of the line designer labels and her nails, both finger and toe, were manicured and even her makeup was professionally done on a daily bases.

I’ll be in touch and as soon as I get the papers I’ll sign. Alex said and Brie nodded.

Sure you don’t want to just give me the house? You don’t want it. She asked and gave him her best smile that had always gotten her whatever she wanted.

Sorry Brie, it isn’t going to work. The house is already on the market with several interested buyers. Alex said and he helped her carry her bags to a waiting taxi.

So did Fletcher’s little girlfriend forgive him? Brie asked and Alex glanced at her and knew she didn’t really care about Fletcher she just brought his name up to get in a finale dig at him.

Yes she did and you can stay away from them. Fletcher’s happy and Maddy’s happy and they don’t need you interfering. Alex said and something about the way he said Maddy’s name made Brie pause.

You like her don’t you? She gave a bitchy little laugh. How’s that for ironic, he sleeps with me and then you fall for his girlfriend. I saw the tabloids and chalked it up to the usual bullshit, but they were on to something weren’t they Alex?

Alex looked at her and shook his head.

Sorry Brie, there’s nothing between Maddy and I except friendship. Not all women are like you, some really are happy with one man.

Brie smirked at Alex and then climbed into the cab. Goodbye Alex, you should be getting the papers soon and if you sign them I think the divorce can be behind us in a couple months. She would forget about Alex in less time then it took for the ink to dry on the divorce papers, she already had her next husband lined up. Someone who could give her what she wanted a shallow life full of glitz and glamour.

Alex shut the door and watched the cab pull away. He was surprised by how little he felt when he looked at Brie. She had hurt him and for a while he thought he would hurt forever but now he was just glad to be done with that part of his life and later that night as he flew back to New York he thought about Maddy and Fletcher and hoped they would always be as happy as they were right then. And if Alex felt a little sad when he thought about Maddy it was something he knew he would get over in time.

Kaitlyn unlocked the door and stepped into the dark apartment. She was dead on her feet. The restaurant had been busy that night, as soon as a table had cleared there were more people coming in. She had made good money in tips and hopefully she could get it hidden before Cooper saw it. Setting her bag down, she could hear Zoë crying. Making her way through the dark, she opened Zoë’s room and turned on the light.

Baby what’s the matter?

Zoë was curled on her side hugging her pillow. Her blond hair was tangled and hid her face. Kaitlyn sat next to her and brushed the hair back from her daughters face. Her hand froze. The side of Zoë's face was bright red and her eye was swelling shut with a dark purple bruise. Kaitlyn felt a surge of anger, and taking a deep breath she spoke as calmly as she could to Zoë.

What happened? She felt her hands begin to tremble and she knew what Zoë was going to say.

Zoë sat up and crawled into her mother’s lap, her little four year old body shaking. Her lip was swollen and her face was streaked with tears.

I spilled Daddy’s beer and . . . and it got . . . on his new boots. She was hiccupping and breathing hard and wrapping her arms around her mother’s neck she cried in big gasping sobs.

I didn’t mean it Momma, I said I was sorry.

I know honey, I know. Kaitlyn stroked Zoë's silky hair and knew that the time had come to make a decision. Where is he?

He told me to go to bed and he leaved me alone. Zoë hugged Kaitlyn’s neck tighter and rested her head on her mother’s shoulder.

He went out the door and never come back.

He’s gone? Kaitlyn felt hope flare up.

Yes Momma, and I been here all alone and I was scared when it got dark, I was scared you wouldn’t come home and I would be alone forever.

Kaitlyn hugged Zoë and then set her back so she could look down into her face. Now was the chance she had been waiting for. They were alone and if she moved quickly, they could be gone before he returned.

Zoë, Momma will never leave you, I promise. She kissed the little girl and then setting Zoë in the floor she knelt in front of her. Can you be a big girl and help me?

Okay. Zoë said and smiled through her tears.

We’re going to leave Daddy. I need you to get your little bag and put as many of your clothes in it as you can. Make sure you get a little bit of everything and if you hear Daddy come home while you’re packing, just stay here and I’ll come get you.

Where are you going? Zoë looked frightened at the thought of her mother leaving her alone.

I’m getting my things and then I’ll be right back. She hugged Zoë and then stood. Hurry sweetie, I’ll be right back.

Kaitlyn ran to her room and threw clothes into a bag and then digging into the closet she pulled the shoebox down from the top shelf. In the bottom under an old pair of sneakers was a wad of bills. She had six hundred and seventy-five dollars stashed there and with the one fifty in tips she had made that night it would be enough to get them away from here. She wished it was more but she would stop at the ATM on the way and get an additional three hundred and fifty that was set aside for rent.

Kaitlyn took only one bag, she knew it would mean leaving most of her stuff behind, but Zoë was more important then clothing.

Lifting the suitcase she returned to Zoë’s room and saw that Zoë had stuffed her bag full of her favorite toys and one shirt she liked to wear more then others. Kaitlyn smiled despite the serious situation. She found a small backpack in Zoë’s closet and quickly packed it full of clothes.

Kneeling on it she closed the zipper and slipped the backpack over Zoë’s arms.

Ready baby? Kaitlyn asked, and picking up the bags she led Zoë down the stairs.

Stopping in the kitchen she fixed a few sandwiches and grabbed a few bottles of water.

She reached for her car keys and then jerked her hand away. If Cooper came home and her car was gone he would know they were gone. She would rather he didn’t know they were gone until morning. If he came home at all, and being a Friday night chances of that were slim, he would sleep on the couch or in his chair in front of the television.

Zoë we have to walk to the corner store okay and then Mommy will get a taxi.

Okay. Zoë said and picking up her little bag she walked to the door. She seemed to think they were going on an adventure.

Kaitlyn helped Zoë put on her boots and slipped a sweater over Zoë’s head and then put her coat on. It was lees the thirty degrees outside and the wind was blowing. Hopefully Zoë wouldn’t get too cold on the walk.

Once at the store Kaitlyn used the pay phone to call a cab and she and Zoë stayed outside. She kept to the shadows and when cab showed up she got in quickly. Thankfully no one she knew had seen her. It was nearly eleven o’clock and that helped.

After an hour wait at the bus station, Kaitlyn and Zoë boarded a bus to Wells, New York. It being the furthest she could go for less then one hundred dollars. When she and Zoë were safely on the bus she relaxed a little. Crossing from Massachusetts into New York made her breath easier. At the end of the trip they would be five hundred miles away from Cooper, it would do for now, and he would have no idea where to look for them.

Cooper staggered home in the early morning hour before dawn. He expected to see Kaitlyn in the kitchen making his breakfast and when she wasn’t there he was annoyed. The damn dishes hadn’t been done last night either. He looked at the coffee pot and saw it still had the remains of yesterday’s coffee in the bottom.

Kaitlyn get your ass down here. He yelled up the stairs and waited. Nothing, not a sound. Kaitlyn what the fuck, I got shit to do today.

He climbed the stairs and stopped by Zoë’s room. Her bed was empty and her dresser was open with clothes hanging out of the drawers. Looking at her bed again he saw her favorite doll that she always slept with was gone. He looked down the hall toward his room.

Kaitlyn you better be in that room. He said and opened his door and saw the same mess here. Kaitlyn was a neat freak and the sight of her closet open and some of her clothes on the floor meant only one thing, she had left him.

After all the threats which he had ignored, she was finally gone.

The first thing that he felt was loss, and then he felt rage build inside him. How dare she leave him? How dare she take his daughter away from him? The memory of slapping Zoë for spilling his beer flashed through his head and he shoved it away. He hadn’t meant to hit her; it was just that she had spilled his last beer on his new boots. The anger was quick and the sight of her crying and cowering from him had pissed him off even more. He was her father, she shouldn’t be afraid of him. So he had hit her and then feeling sick at what he had done he had needed to get away from the sound of her hurt.

Cooper walked into the room and sat down on the bed. He looked around the room and his eyes landed on the picture taken on his wedding day. Kaitlyn was so beautiful and she had looked so happy that day. When had she stopped looking that way he wondered, and then he picked up an abandoned shoe and threw it at the picture? The glass shattered and the picture landed upside down on the floor.

The feeling of loss came back and he wanted to cry and go find her and beg her to forgive him. Why did he get drunk and do the things he did? Why did he get so mad at her for his own shortcomings? Cooper wasn’t a stupid man, he knew why he drank and he knew that it wasn’t Kaitlyn’s fault, but it was easier to blame her then to look in the mirror and say to the reflection that no longer looked like him, that he was a failure. His life was shit and it was his fault. Cooper lay back on the bed and after a short time he passed out, still drunk from the night before and tired from lack of sleep.

CHAPTER ONE

Alex watched the snowfall outside his front window. The weather forecast predicted over a foot before the storm was done and it was supposed to last a few days. The wind whipped the snow against the windows. It was a wet snow and it was sticking and he thought it might pile up faster then predicted. The