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Marina Martindale's Musings
Category:
Romance
Publisher: Good Oak Press, LLC
ISBN-10: 0998610534
Type: Fiction
Pages: 322
Copyright: May 4, 2018
ISBN-13: 9780998610535
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
Stephanie thought she and Danny had an exclusive relationship until she stumbled on a love letter from his old flame.
Stephanie Ellis thought Danny Woodruff was her soulmate, but her dreams of a happily ever after are shattered when she accidentally stumbles upon a cache of love letters from another woman. Convinced that Danny has cheated on her, a heartbroken Stephanie leaves him and soon meets Josh Ramsey. Handsome, talented and successful, Josh appears to be the perfect man, but Stephanie is unable to shake the nagging feeling that things are not as they seem.
Excerpt
Vanessa sighed in relief as she brushed a stray lock of short blonde hair away from her eyes and rang the doorbell. The door slowly opened, revealing a sullen looking Stephanie on the other side.
"Sorry I'm late." Vanessa struggled to keep the frustration in her voice down. "I found the visitor's parking lot, but the numbering system here is so bizarre. I've been all over the complex and back trying to find the right building."
"It's okay." Stephanie motioned for her come inside, and as she crossed the threshold Vanessa took in her surroundings.
"Nice condo. I'd say Danny has good taste."
"I suppose."
Vanessa's brow furrowed. "Are you okay? You seem upset about something."
Stephanie silently nodded toward the kitchen, offering her friend a cup of coffee as she pointed to the stools in front of the breakfast bar.
"Stephanie, if you're not feeling well, it's okay. We don't have to go to the mall if you're not up to it."
"I'm okay. We'll leave in a few minutes." She grabbed the carafe and filled a mug for Vanessa. "But first, I want to show you something."
"What's up?"
Stephanie set the steaming mug on the bar and reached for a card resting on the other counter. Her face looked somber as she sat down on the bar stool next to Vanessa.
"As you know, Danny went to the office this morning to catch up on paperwork, and he told me to help myself to coffee and cereal whenever I got up."
"Well, that was certainly thoughtful of him." Vanessa picked up her mug and took a sip.
"I suppose." Stephanie's voice sounded uncertain. "After I got up, I discovered that the TV remote wasn't working, so I went to get some fresh batteries. You know how everyone has a junk drawer in their kitchen."
"Uh huh," nodded Vanessa.
"So, while I was searching for the batteries, I came across this. It was stuck in the back of the drawer."
She set the valentine card and its envelope on the breakfast bar. Vanessa raised her eyebrows as she set her coffee mug down.
"So, who's Martha?"
"You're about to find out," said Stephanie as she picked up the card.
"Wait a second." Vanessa's voice was firm. "I can understand how finding a card addressed to your boyfriend from some other woman would upset you, and trust me, if I ever came across a letter addressed to Mike from another woman I'd be mad as hell. But Stephanie, you really shouldn't have opened it."
Stephanie gave her a sharp look. "It was outside of its envelope and stuck to something else. When I removed it all from the drawer, the card fell on the floor. I had no idea it was there, and when I picked it up I noticed it had a note written on the inside."
"So, did you read it?"
"Not intentionally, but at that point, it would have been hard not to." Stephanie's voice was firm but sad. "Danny and I have had an exclusive relationship for some time now. Or at least, I thought we did."
"I understand. So, what did the note say?"
Stephanie opened the card and read it.
"Dear Danny. You know you're still my valentine, and I miss you. So does Brayden, but don't worry. We understand you're still on a time out, and we're okay with it. We just wanted to wish you a happy Valentine's Day, and let you know that we're thinking of you and we can't wait to see you again. Love, Martha."
Vanessa looked stunned. "Wow. I'm sorry, Stephanie."
"Me too. It was quite a shock."
"I'm sure it was. So, who's Brayden?"
"I have no idea," shrugged Stephanie.
"I wonder if she has a kid."
Stephanie grimaced. "I wondered the same thing. And if Brayden is her son, then who's his father? Danny?"
"Hopefully not. So, was there anything else?"
"Nope, that was it. But now that I've seen it, I feel like I've opened Pandora's box."
"I'm sure you do. Has Danny ever mentioned anything about her before?"
"Maybe…I'm not sure. When we first started dating, he mentioned that he'd recently broken up with someone, but he didn't elaborate."
"I see. And has he ever mentioned anything about having a kid?"
"Nope." Stephanie shook her head as she spoke. "When we first met, I asked him if he had any kids, and he said he didn't."
"Well, in that case, if she has a child, then it probably isn't Danny's. I just hope he hasn't been seeing you on the rebound."
"Me too."
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