A Betrayal of Love: A Twist of Fate

By Ann Worsham Phillips

This book is about a young couple that move to a small town and how the husband is killed and the life of a single mother struggling to find answers as her home is broken into several times. Her husband had brought home some pages from his law office that were coded. He

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookTrail Publishing
• Release date: Sep 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637672051

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Copyright © 2021 by Ann Worsham Phillips.

ISBN-978-1-63767-204-4 (Paperback)

ISBN-978-1-63767-205-1 (Ebook)

LCCN: 2021906991

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Chapter One

Julie stared down at the small face asleep on the pillow. He looked so tiny and vulnerable as he lay with his ever faithful stuffed tiger. He was so young to be the man of the house. At age six, he should be dreaming about playing with his new baseball glove that his mother couldn’t afford for his birthday last week.

After straightening Jody’s room and doing the supper dishes, Julie sat in the old rocker that she had brought with her when her and Ken had married. It seemed like only yesterday that they had come to Mt. Pleasant with so many dreams for the future. Ken had been very happy at first. He had landed a job in the law firm that he had wanted and worked very hard to climb up the ladder of success.

They had bought this house in a nice neighborhood and met a lot of real nice people. They both had joined the church and worked in the youth groups of the church. Ken was so pleased when they made him the Sunday School teacher for the boys. He was always planning outings for them and included her, knowing that asking wasn’t necessary since it was a shared love.

During their second year of marriage, Julie became pregnant. They were both so happy. Ken treated her like a princess during her early months of pregnancy. She was so happy, she had everything that she had ever dreamed of. Her husband was tall with dark hair and dark blue eyes that seemed to melt her very bones when he looked at her. She knew that other women found him very appealing, but she also knew that he never gave them a second glance. As her pregnancy became more advanced, she noticed that Ken seemed to become a little withdrawn. She figured that it was work related and paid no attention to it.

One night after Ken called to say he was working late during her last month of pregnancy, Julie decided to catch a movie at the local theater. When she started down the aisle she thought she recognized the couple necking in the last row. When the man lifted his head, she saw that it was Ken with his new secretary. She backed out of the theater and ran to her car. When she arrived home, she sat in the dark and cried. Why, Ken?

Ken came home at eleven and told her how hard the new case he was working on was. She went through the usual routine of consoling him on his hard day, but she couldn’t bring herself to look him in the face. When he reached over to take her in his arms, she drew away as if she had been burned. Their marriage was never the same after that. It was three weeks later that his car was hit on the driver’s side by a hit and run truck while he was on his way home. He had stopped and picked up a dozen roses for their anniversary.

Jody helped her clear the breakfast dishes away and then ran to finish getting dressed for nursery school. Julie was glad that he took so well to the new school. Her friend that ran it was letting him stay for half the price that she charged the other parents. Julie knew that without friends like Ann, she would have a hard time making ends meet.

Hey, Sport, how are things going? Julie called as she finished putting on her makeup. She had hazel eyes and dark brown hair that she wore shoulder length, something that was easy to fix. She stood at five foot three inches and was very slim. Mommy has to get to work a little early today so I am going to drop you off at Aunt Ann’s. I will be home at the usual time so I want you to be real sweet and help Aunt Ann today while you are there. She finished as she walked into his room where he was putting on his shoes. She offered to tie his shoes for him, but he gave her his ‘I’m a big boy now’ look and returned to the job of getting his shoes tied. Gee, Mom, sometimes you forget that I am a big boy now. He said. I just turned six years old you know. With this statement he ran up and gave her hug and headed to the car. One of his newly tied shoes already undone.

Ann met them at the door of her home and waved to Julie as Jody climbed out of the little green Volkswagen. Ann had light brown hair and was the type of person that was always a little on the plump side, but always seemed to be neat and well groomed even in Levis and sweat shirts. She had a winning personality that made one feel at ease at once. Ann was the only person that Julie had told about the night she had seen Ken with the other woman. Ann was not related to them, but she became ‘Aunt’ so Jody would show respect when he addressed her.

We will be eating out tonight so we can catch a movie, so maybe he can take a little nap this afternoon. After all, I cannot have my date falling asleep on me. Julie said as she reached over and closed the door behind Jody.

Julie had a job at the law firm where Ken had worked. It had been the only thing offered to her, and she decided too, that it was something Ken could do for Jody. She took night classes during the night and Mr. Lumbar worked with her until she was up on things a legal secretary should know. When she graduated, Mr. Lumbar attended the small ceremony and immediately gave her a much needed raise.

Mr. lumbar had loved her and Ken and had been like a part of the family. He dined with them whenever he was able. He was a widower and only had a housekeeper to look out for him and his home. He had a son that lived in California. His son worked in a law firm there, it was a bit of a let down for his father, but Mr. Lumbar said he respected his son’s decision, he needed to stretch his wings and learn to fly on his own.

Julie wished that his son would come and help out his father. Mr. Lumbar was pulling his load and Ken’s load now, and it was beginning to show on him.

There were three other lawyers in the firm, but Mr. Lumbar was the one the older customers wanted. Mr. Lumbar owned the law firm and allowed the other lawyers to buy into the company, but he held the top position and owned the building and the practice.

The lawyers were Mr. Roger Paul Lumbar, boss and friend, Mr. Lawrence Steadman, senior partner under Mr. Lumbar. Mr. David Turner, the next in command, and Mr. Roger Stall who was the youngest of the lot. Mr. Lumbar was in his sixties and the rest were in their late to early fifties. They all were into fitness and none of them carried any extra weight. All of them seemed to be much younger when they were in court fighting for the rights of their clients. She often thought that she would hate to be one of the younger lawyers that had to pit their knowledge against any one of the firm’s lawyers in a court battle.

Julie was just finishing her last letter of the day when the intercom buzzed. She grabbed her steno pad and some pencils and headed to Mr. Lumbar’s office.

Sit down, Julie. He said. I don’t need you to take dictation, I just wanted you to be the first to know that Roger, my son, has just agreed to come and take over the law firm. He said he would take a year to think it over and he did just that. It was a year ago today that I asked him, and that was him that you put through to me a few moments ago. He finished as he stared out the window over looking the small park that was behind the office building. Since you will be working with us for the next few months to get everything changed over, I wanted you to know.

Julie sat with an astonished look on her face. She found it hard to believe that Mr. Lumbar had talked to his son and planned his retirement and not let any of it leak out. They had always been close since she started to work for him. He was the father, grandfather image that her and Jody would have missed if it were not for his kindnesses. Would she be able to cope with his son? He never really talked about his son around her and Jody. Would he make changes that she would not be able to handle?

As if sensing her questions, Mr Lumbar said, Don’t worry yet, my child. Roger may be a stranger, but I am sure that you and he will do just fine. I have told him all about you and Jody and how well you have organized things for me since you came to the firm. He said that if you’re as good as I said that he would have no problems working out our change over. He finished.

I’m sorry, Sir, it’s just that this is quite a shock! she said. I had no idea that you were planning on leaving the practice at this time. You always gave the impression that Roger would never come back here to practice law; and now, not only is he coming back, he is going to be the head of the firm. That is going to take some getting used to. She finished.

David, Bob and Larry and I talked over my retirement after I had that spell with my heart last year. They decided that they would rather I check to see if Roger would come and take over the firm. They would then lessen their clientele towards the day they will retire. We had hoped that Ken would eventually take over, but the Lord saw fit to intervene in that respect. After that, we turned to Roger. He said.

Well, young lady, do you realize that this is Friday and that you have a date? If you don’t hurry that young man will think that his ‘Grandpa’ has kept you late again. You don’t let the idea of a new boss cause you concern. Roger is a very level headed, hard working young man. Even though he disappointed me by going to California to practice law, he has always been a very loving and concerned son. All he really failed at is to get married and give me a house full of grandchildren to spoil. He said with a devilish grin.

Julie got up and gave Mr. Lumbar a big hug. If Roger is your son, he has to be swell. Don’t forget that Jody and I are expecting you for lunch Sunday. I’m sorry that I was a such a worry wart. I’m really glad that you and your son will finally have time to be together; he has really been missing a lot by not being around you. Jody and I would have had a hard time making our lives bloom and grow if not for your kindnesses. She said with sincerity.

When Julie arrived to pick up Jody from nursery school, she went over and gave Ann the news about Roger Lumbar coming to take over the firm. Ann was very excited over the news. Maybe he will make you think twice about getting married again. From what I remember, he was quite good looking and had a very quiet, outdoorsy type of personality.

Really, Ann! When will you stop trying to fix me up at the marriage alter. The man is not even here to defend himself, and you already have us in the wrong relationship. He will be my boss and I will be his secretary. That’s all we will be to one another! Julie firmly insisted.

Hi, Honey, Julie said as Jody came up with his jacket and his papers he had worked on for the day. Are you ready to take Mommy out to dinner? she said as she reached down and gave him a hug and took his papers and jacket. She loved him so much, he made her life worthwhile. She had dated a few times but at the end of the date it was mutually agreed to go their separate ways.

After going to the bank and depositing her check and running a few errands, they pulled up in front of the new restaurant that had just opened. Jody’s mop of sandy brown hair was already rushing to look as rumpled as his clothes. It amazed her that no matter how hard she tried, his hair looked like he had just weathered a bad wind storm. Thank heavens for little boys she thought as they climbed into the booth the waitress lead them to.

The restaurant was just opened by James and Susan Applegate. They were clients of the law firm and Julie got to know them quite well. Susan was a little in love with herself, but she was friendly enough. James was a tall rugged built man that was very sure of who he was. He was a master chef and he was fulfilling his dream with this restaurant. Susan supported him in this venture, so they both worked to see that it was ready and opened on schedule. Susan was a petite blonde, she was an interior designer, so the place looked fantastic but also looked family friendly.

Mom since I can read now, can I order for myself? Jody asked. I read the new book we had all by myself in class today. He added.

Since you are that smart, I guess you can give it a try if you let me go over anything you do not understand before you order. Julie said as she looked at the triumphant look on her conquering hero’s face. ‘Today