Dealing with Troubled Dreams

By Willow Love

Willow Love has written an action packed book about what happens when two half-sisters, separated and raised by two separate families, lives collide. especially when the half sister is unwanted and hated. Mischief, oldest girl, has fought her way up the ladder in what is now her company.

Mischief is beautiful, but vain and selfish. Now her younger half-sister has stepped into her life pretending to be her. The girl wanted to help, but does Mischief see it that way?

Just how far will Mischief go to stop her younger accidental rival? Does Mischief hate her half sister enough to commit murder?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512734515

Willow Love

Willow Love continues the story of the Zeiglar group seeking their “promised land” in this book. Willow has used the names and temperament of the real animals who lived through the flood of her home in 2010. Leo, Rhianna, Rio, and Lilly are just as they were written. Willow’s daughter has looked forward to this story being published and has drawn courage and laughter from the story. Willow hopes for her readers to understand this is pure fantasy and a way to retell biblical stories.

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Copyright © 2016 Willow Love.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. 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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3452-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3453-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3451-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016904228

WestBow Press rev. date: 3/21/2016

CONTENTS

List Of Characters

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Even though she had never seen or had anything to do with her; Mischief absolutely hated her half-sister. Inside Mischief’s twisted mind, she felt the unwanted girl was responsible for their Mother’s death.

And now the little twit was out in public and taking Mischief’s place. The half-witted girl was actually pretending to be Mischief, and she was taking on cases that were making Mischief famous! Mischief was incensed by the fact the younger girl was being noted as a heroine. She could not understand why any of this was happening.

Mischief just could not see why anyone, especially in HER OWN company, couldn’t recognize that this person, this other, supposedly better self was nothing, absolutely nothing outside of an imposture!!

Now just how far would Mischief go to teach her younger, unwanted half-sister and… innocent rival a well-deserved lesson? Would Mischief go so far?

as to commit

MURDER?

LIST OF CHARACTERS

Mischief Lives: has reddish orange colored hair, is twenty five years old, and owns a company that helps out people in dangerous situations. She is beautiful, but cruel, self-serving, and egotistical.

Daniel Dreams: Mischief’s half-brother and a doctor, is twenty three years old, wealthy, but a bit of a dreamer

Hero: is nineteen years old, a Christian, and Mischief’s half-sister, who is pretending to be Mischief to help her half-sister out.

Nathan Ryder: at twenty two is a young, handsome photographer, who has enjoyed the company of beautiful women, but searched hopelessly for the one to be his own love

Caroline Ryder: Nathan’s older, pampered sister and the young woman Daniel falls in love with and asks to marry him

Elizabeth Ryder: Nathan’s and Caroline’s mother and loves the Bible

Martha: Elizabeth’s friend and the main cook on the ranch

Conner Mull: Nathan’s friend/ coworker on the ranch

Joshua: brilliant, cruel, egotistical villain willing to kill or destroy to become famous and dreaded enemy of Mischief’s imposter

Mac: wealthy and handsome agent for the government

Martina Dreams: young, beautiful, blonde and well off. Mischief’s, Daniel’s, and Hero’s Mother

Ruben Lives: red hair, full red beard, Mischief’s beloved, and deceased father

Christopher Dreams: handsome, but a bit of a scoundrel. He is Daniel’s and Hero’s deceased Father

CHAPTER 1

A S THE SOFT LIGHT OF a new day broke through an opening in an elegant mulberry and almond colored silk curtain; Mischief stretched lazily on her waterbed. She smile with the sweet memory of her dream. She slowly sat up on the side of her bed and yawned. Casually she stood beside her bed for a moment before going to change for the day.

Then Mischief stood in front of her full length mirror and simply appraised her own beautiful features. Mischief knew everything there was to know about having gorgeous, female features. She almost laughed at her own complete and deep love for herself. She had installed full length mirrors in almost every room of her home. Yet she did not feel like she was in the least bit egotistic. She laughed with the knowledge that she did not have to work out or live on some scrimpy diet to keep her figure.

She grinned realizing just how elegantly decorated the interior of her home was. Every inch of her house remained in pristine condition.

I completely deserve the actual best. So I choose the absolute finest of everything, because only the best will do. she reminded herself.

"I have made very sure that no one or thing can get near what is mine or bother me!" she sassed her mirror, "and money is definitely not a problem. I’m in charge of the budget.’

Mischief knew for a fact exactly how well paid she was, because she now owned the very company she had originally worked for. Mischief allowed her mind to go back eight years ago when she was chosen from a group of high school hopefuls by Sam Martin to do grunt work like going for coffee, doing the copies, cleaning up the lounge, or picking up the company’s mail. Mischief had not cared what position she began with…as long as she began working.

She frowned then just recalling how much harder it had been for her to not only keep a position there, but to climb up the company’s ladder. Now the Martin Private Detective Company was named The Lives Private Detective and Crisis Management Company. She praised herself for keeping her mind on what she wanted and succeeding.

Mischief refused to allow her thoughts to wander down the hallways of the past. She shook all the thoughts about her previous hardships from her mind and focused on herself. None of prior events actually mattered to her anymore; because she was at the top and she was going to stay there. She slowly turned toward her favorite mirror once more. Again she adored her looks.

I am stunningly beautiful and I plan to stay that way! she stated firmly.

She lightly ruffled her boyishly short, organist-red colored hair and ran a hand contentedly down one side of her very well shaped body. She stood up noticeably proud just thinking how wonderful it was to have such a great body shape. While she thought about how she could use her beauty to her advantage; especially where men were concerned, Mischief beamed wryly.

Oh, no, I would never leave anything to chance. I carefully chose my adoring husband out of a vast number of suitors. I chose him not just for his looks, although he is handsome, or his heritage, but for his immense wealth. And I captured his heart with ease! Mischief bragged, Even though I am married my home will always belong to me alone. Yes, my own private retreat!"

She was positive that she would never disfigure her sleek form with the ballooning issue of pregnancy or mar her beloved body by child birth. That’s right, you gorgeous creature; there will be no children in the future for you! Mischief warned her image in the mirror, Oh, no! My love. My wealthy husband. I should warn you now that I want to be the only center of my entirely devoted love’s attention!

She paused to withhold a giggle before adding, But of course I won’t!

She allowed her lower lip to move outward while she happily pouted. And don’t for even one minute, think that I don’t know how to keep my love’s full attention…because I definitely do! She paused and a malicious look ran across her face. Then thoughts about the large family her husband wanted ran through her mind.

"Beware my love, because I promise that you will never discover just how far I will go or how far down I will stoop to never become pregnant." She warned her mirror.

Mischief stood proudly in front of her mirror and sneered, That’s right, my darling husband, I’m afraid you will have just one baby to pamper and that’s Me, only me!! She would make sure her beloved was at least very content.

Mischief beamed once again just thinking about how fragile and helpless she worked so hard to appear. The very thought that she might be considered a helpless female made her giggle with happiness. She entirely admired her own expensive taste in clothes with pleasure. She knew her well-kept finger nails and toenails helped her appear lady like. For the first time in six years she was actually enjoying a well-earned vacation from her company.

It wasn’t that she needed the rest or had an injury of sort or kind, but she wanted time off for very personal reasons. Mischief had rather secret plans and had arranged things to fit her idea of the perfect future for herself. She sighed unhappily with the knowledge that she had to pay a member of her acquired company to keep an eye on things for her.

I love every inch of my home created just to my private designs from its brick walls with its heavily tinted windows with ivory shutters, and a fluted chimney. And in this very exclusive neighborhood, I own a corner lot that consist of several acres. Mischief paused to recall the rather one sided prenuptial agreement she had gotten her beloved to sign. She left nothing to chance.

Mischief would be informed if anything unusual came up. Then her pretty face abruptly transformed into something ugly and utterly hideous to behold. She slammed her right fist down on her dining room table in total anger causing some of her knuckles to splint open and bleed. She was so angry that she never even flinched with the pain she caused to her own body. Instead she brought the bleeding knuckles to her mouth and wiped the blood off with her lips. She then quickly wrapped them.

Again she frowned while thinking about her company. I had half way expected that some kind of problem might actually arrive, but not this particular problem. And especially not just after I have been off only a week’s time. She thought.

She thought angrily how unfair the whole thing was and pouted angrily. She could not figure out how or why this particular problem had occurred. Mischief frowned again, just because she had decided to take time off from her company; didn’t mean that lousy half-sister of hers had to step into her personal shoes.

Yet the meddling, stupid, little twerp, and busy body had indeed done the unthinkable. she complained to the mirror. That forgotten female had stepped right into my role! How dare she! Mischief hit the table beside her angrily.

"It is bad enough that the girl had not only stepped into My shoes; she snapped, but it infuriates me that I’ve been told that she did a better job than Me".

Mischief could not understand how the completely forgotten half-sister had even discovered that she existed; much less how the twerp discover that she ran a company. She wondered how the little twerp had found out exactly what her older half-sister looked like. She was at an absolute loss to why the girl had even bothered to look into her unknown half-sister’s life; much less interfere with it! Now she had to return to work and deal with an unwanted younger image of herself.

Mischief fumed with hatred while she thought about the younger girl. She discovered that deep inside her mind she actually feared the girl was attempting to absolutely take her place in her own company. Mischief could find no reason outside of her own cruel thoughts for the younger girl’s sudden appearance and unwanted help. Her mind was flooded with anger and hatred; especially after she had been informed the girl was far better than she was!

It’s simply unscrupulous! I can’t believe that she has made her way into my company so easily, she fussed mentally, "and how dare that lousy little creature have the unmitigated gall pretend to be me! Me of all people to imitate…Why on earth is she pretending to be me?"

Mischief shook with anger and hatred before staring at her features in the mirror. As she placed her hands against her mirror image; she wished it could be around her half-sister’s neck. "Why? Why are you doing this? Are you trying to steal my company? There can be only one Mischief! she cried, and soon you…you stupid creature will understand that I alone will be the One and Only Mischief!

Mischief unhappily allowed herself to think back to her hated half-sister’s father and her beloved mother’s second husband, Christopher Dreams. After everything was over and done; both her beloved mother and that con artist known as Christopher Dreams had been killed. Mischief had paid a private detective, outside of her agency, to have Dreams investigated.

Too bad it wasn’t something I had the ability or fiances to do while he was still alive. she whispered and then shook her head, And I’m sure mom wouldn’t have wanted it done..

It was as if she was trying to discover exactly how and why the past had happened. Oh she knew she could not change the past events, but she hoped the answers would help her come to terms with things. But what she discovered merely made her angrier.

Mischief’s detective discovered that Dreams had run a low class fly by night detective agency set up to monitor spouses of unhappy ones wanting a divorce. The fact that the man had a rundown bachelor’s apartment and made just enough cash to keep himself above water actually made Mischief fume with hatred.

Yet she loved the fact that for over a year prior to meeting Christopher Dreams; her dear mother had been an extreme introvert and rarely left the seclusion of their home. Martina had merely been a widow for just a year when she had met Christopher.

Before that good looking creep entered our lives; I was my mom’s entire world. she whispered.

Mischief fumed unhappily with the knowledge of how Dreams had probably looked like a prize catch to her Mom. He had been six foot four inches tall with broad shoulders and a great build. Chris had thick mahogany colored hair and deep green eyes. He always made sure that he dressed like a hunk or a super model. Oh yes, Mischief recalled the fact that Dreams was a very smooth operator, who knew precisely the right words to tell a woman.

Mischief silently fumed and whispered, And I’m sure he had plenty of practice with his choice of women. My poor mom never stood a chance, because he knew exactly what to say to capture her heart.

Mischief allowed her frown to deepen with the realization of just how Dreams had envisioned her mom. Dreams realized just by speaking with her that Martina was a beautiful, young, lonely, and completely love hungry widow with one child. Martina had a three year old little girl, who her first husband had named Mischief. Yet Christopher never once saw Mischief as a liability to his desired relationship with Martina.

Mischief shivered while she remembered how the two people had initially met. Christopher and Martina had met completely by accident one day when Christopher was out on some assignment. He was following a wife of a client, who believed his wife was cheating on him. Chris was absolutely sure the female had gone into a local diner and followed her inside. As he was going into the diner; Martina was coming out. He ran right into her and her little girl. The bags and boxes Martina had in her arms were thrown everywhere.

Chris never turned around, but shouted out a quick, I’m sorry, but you were in my way and besides that I’m in a hurry. and left the dumbfounded young woman absolutely without help to clean up the mess he had caused.

Unfortunately, Chris had lost the client’s wife completely and could not even pick up any lead to the woman’s trail. He wondered briefly if the woman had realized she was being followed. Then abruptly, he seemed to have remembered the problem he had caused with the beautiful blonde haired lady and child outside. He laughed a little under his breath with the realization of just how beautiful the unlucky female outside had been.

I believe I will have a little fun, he whispered, and give her husband a run for his money.

Christopher checked his hair in the reflection of the store window, smoothed the wrinkles out of his jacket and straightened his tie. Then Chris walked back outside, apologized, and helped Martina to pick up her all of her things. Then Chris gently