Christina, I need to know that what I’m putting into this relationship isn’t all for nothing. To me, you mean everything. But I won’t be your stepping stone. Because as much as it would kill me, if you refuse to commit to something more, I will walk away.

Will Christina ever be ready? Will Andrés stay or walk? Will their love endure or is it doomed before they even have a chance?

“I haven’t seen you in a while, Andrés. How have you been?”

My hands go clammy as I give the military doctor a blank stare. Why did I think it would be a

good idea to come here? Oh, yeah, closure. That’s what I kept telling myself on the drive to the VA

hospital. I wanted to let Doctor Barnes know I don’t need to see him anymore.

Because I don’t. I’m better now.

I wipe my hands on my jeans, trying to get rid of the excess moisture. It must be hot in here. I

have no reason to sweat. No reason at all.

“I figured as much.” He crosses one leg over his knee, looking casual as he leans back against the

upholstered leather chair, but there’s still that expectant look in his eyes. Despite the glare on the

doctor’s glasses, I can see the man’s impatience. “How else have you been?”

This shrink is never one to waste time. He’s not afraid to pressure me to get to the point, which

is one reason I have always liked him.

I sip from my water bottle, clear my throat, and then answer. “I haven’t had a bad dream in

months.”

After the roadside bomb had flipped our truck and killed my best friend in Afghanistan, I

couldn’t escape the nightmares that plagued me. Although the occurrence of those dreams slowed after

I met Christina, they completely stopped three months ago, after my best friend’s wife, Letty, contacted

me on Facebook. She’d written me a long letter apologizing for blaming me for James’s death. She’d

even invited me to San Antonio for her youngest son’s birthday party. It seems I just needed Letty’s

forgiveness for the nightmares to stop.

“That’s great news.” The doctor smiles wider this time.

I can tell this smile is genuine, and I release a pent-up breath of air.

Then the doctor hits me with the next question. “Are you adjusting to life as a civilian?”

“Oh, yeah.” I nod before sticking one clammy hand in my pants pocket. The little velvet pouch is

still there, and though it takes up no more room than a wadded-up tissue, it feels heavy. The weight of it

presses into my thigh. What’s worse is, the strain is somehow tethered to an invisible noose that is

wrapped around my neck. Each day the pouch feels heavier, and the noose feels tighter, so tight I feel I

may suffocate from the pressure. “I’m learning how to take over my uncle’s businesses.” I say the words

I rehearsed on the drive over. “Working out and….” I pause and finger the pouch again. “I met a girl.”

I shift in my seat, trying to suppress my arousal as I envision last night in bed, when Christina’s

long auburn hair had been fanned around my thighs. I can’t forget the expression in her emerald eyes

when she looked up at me, flashing that seductive smile right before she took me in her mouth.

“You sound hesitant to talk about her. Are you having second thoughts?”

“No, never.” I vehemently shake my head before I force myself to stop.

Doctor Barnes has that look in his eyes again. Damn, he’s too smart for his own good. I remind

myself I need to find a new shrink, maybe one a little less observant. Maybe one who nods and agrees

with everything I say.

I avert my gaze, but I can’t escape the feeling Doctor Barnes can see through me, straight into

my soul. But I came here to talk, didn’t I? No. I came here to tell the doctor I no longer need him, as

soon as I get help with this one little problem.

I look the doctor in the eyes, take a shaky breath, and slowly exhale, even though the invisible

noose is making it harder to breathe. “Ever since we moved in together, my family has been pressuring

us to get married.”

He gives me a pointed look. “How do you feel about marriage?”

I answer without hesitation. “I love her. I’ll do anything to marry her. I even had a ring made, but

I don’t think I have the nerve to pop the question.”

I shouldn’t have asked Tia for my grandmother’s ring. That was a bad idea. A very bad idea.

We’ve only been together six months, and I’ll scare her off. Then I remember Tia wagging a finger in my

face and clucking her tongue, telling me the church frowns on sex out of wedlock.

I don’t want to offend God, but I don’t want to lose Christina, either. Her parents were unloving

and abusive. How can she possibly be ready for marriage and family after what she’s been through?

Slowly, I pull the velvet pouch out of my pocket, loosen the drawstring, and dump the ring in my

palm. I hold the shining silver band beneath the soft glow of the overhead lights.

“The emeralds came from my grandmother’s wedding band,” I say to the doctor as I press the

ring between the tips of my fingers. “They’re the same color as Christina’s eyes.”

“You said you don’t have the nerve to ask her,” he asks in an annoyingly impartial monotone.

“Why?”

“It’s just….” I swallow against the tightening knot around my throat as I place the ring back in

the pouch. “I’m afraid she won’t say yes.”

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Struggling to accept the loss of her wings, Bryn’s not sure if she can be a real Valkyrie anymore. But when a mysterious prophecy claims she will be the reason the All-Father dies, she is determined to ensure the prediction will not come to pass.

A visit to the three fates who live beneath the great Tree of life, sends Bryn racing against time to find the missing Heimdall and his horn. As Odin’s life hangs in the balance and Ragnarok draws ever closer, Bryn has to find a way to save Heimdall and Odin before she can discover the truth about who she really is.

In the thrilling conclusion of the Valkyrie series Bryn must battle not only the formidable frost giants and the hated God Loki, but she must also find a balance between what she will lose and what she will gain.

It’s not only Melissa’s trust that’s put on the line, but Brett’s as well. Will their love be strong enough to get them through the lies? Will Melissa finally be able to say those three words she’s been dying to say? I trust you …

Trusting You Teaser

Author Bio

L.P. Dover lives in the beautiful state of North Carolina with her husband and two wonderful daughters. She’s an avid reader that loves her collection of books. Writing has always been her passion and she’s delighted to share it with the world. L.P. Dover spent several years in college starting out with a major in Psychology and then switching to dental. She worked in the dental field for eight years and then decided to stay home with her two beautiful girls.

Her works consist of the Forever Fae series, and the Second Chances series. She’s really excited to be able to experience writing in the different genres. Her reading used to consist of nothing but suspense thrillers, but now she can’t get away from the paranormal/fantasy books. Now that she has started on her passion and began writing, you will not see her go anywhere without a notebook, pen, and her secret energy builder … chocolate.

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Other Books By L.P. Dover:

Forever Fae

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Betrayals of Spring

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Summer of Frost

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Love’s Second Chance

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Love, Lies, and Deception

Amazon

Barnes and Noble