Could This Be Love

By Francine Mason

 

 

Patrick picked up his phone from the bedside table and answered the call, even though it showed an unknown number. Initially, there was silence on the other end, and Patrick questioned, "Whose this?"

After a brief pause, the voice on the other end finally spoke, "Hello, Patrick, did you forget me?" Patrick was taken aback, as he recognized the voice, but he couldn't fathom why this person was calling him after so many years.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Francine Mason
• Release date: Jan 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223087205

Francine Mason

Francine Mason is a fun-loving, free-spirited, and down-to-earth wife and mother of three. Francine's heart beats in time with the rhythm of the natural world, and her grounded nature comes through in every word she writes. Her life is a patchwork of happy times and breathtaking scenery that inspire her tales. Francine takes readers on a magical voyage through the enchanted worlds of fantasy and love in her works, crafting fables that speak to our collective spirit of adventure. Her art is a means of self-expression as well as a means of establishing a connection between her and her audience so that they can experience the imaginative worlds she creates. Whether you are a longtime fan of Francine's writing or are just now getting to know her, her novels will transport you to a world of limitless possibilities. Every one of her works is a cherished experience because of her unwavering passion for life and literature. A special offer from Francine Mason awaits those ready to explore her world: sign up for her readers' list and get a complimentary book showcasing her singular fusion of whimsical imagination and poignant storytelling. Accept the journey with Francine and let her tales astonish and thrill you. s://webhooks.bookfunnel.com/dit184xsmz

Book preview

COULD THIS BE LOVE?

You deceived me, Patrick! You're nothing but a pitiful liar, and right now, I despise you with every ounce of strength I can muster, Jocelyn seethed into her phone after her conversation with Patrick, the man she'd encountered on the boat. From the outset of their relationship, which Jocelyn could only describe as a fleeting vacation romance, it had all appeared as a vivid journey of emotional daydreams that somehow transformed into a mystifying reality. Jocelyn was vulnerable, and Patrick found her in that desolate state—then everything changed. After years of mourning her husband, Jocelyn thought a blind date might help her move on, little realizing that fate had surprises in store. That seemingly uneventful and dim date led her to cross paths with a stranger, and in a peculiar twist of events, certain connections were made, culminating in her finding solace in this man's arms. Not just that, but in his embrace... On a boat, of all places.

CHAPTER ONE

Jocelyn Banks sat on her bed, cocooned in a blanket, her face etched with the loneliness that seemed to permeate every inch of her existence. It had been three long years without her husband. Each morning, she'd wake, savoring the precious moments they'd shared: the soft morning kisses, the mundane yet cherished grocery trips, the fiery passion, and the heartfelt letters from his NAVY missions. It all flowed seamlessly until that fateful day when the news shattered her world.

Ma'am, we did everything we could, but we lost him, a voice on the other end had somberly reported. Time stood still, and Jocelyn would have given anything to rewind, to have Mark return to her. But wishes, as they say, were not steeds for beggars. A week later, Mark's remains were brought home for his final rest in the cemetery. Life now seemed to be woven with fleeting threads of joy, and she learned to accept it.

Weeks evolved into months, and she channeled her energy into her work—a real estate investor. Financially, she was not in dire straits, which made life a bit more manageable. Yet, despite the remnants of goodness, a lingering sense of emptiness and discontent weighed on her.

One morning, she roused herself from slumber, following her routine: a run through the streets, a few squats, and a visit to her favorite restaurant for a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Mark used to fetch these for her, serving them to her in bed. Oh, how she missed him. As she jogged along, passersby glanced, perhaps wondering why a woman of her size—more than a size twelve, if one chose to avoid the word 'chubby'—was putting herself through such a regimen. But Jocelyn carried herself with confidence. She had curves, and she reveled in them. Her late husband had instilled in her a sense of self-respect; he loved her just the way she was.

Hello, Miss Delly. Good morning. May I have my usual, please? Jocelyn greeted as she entered the restaurant. Miss Delly, with her innocent countenance, was endearing, and