I Hear...Love (A Different Road #2) (29 page)

I pull on a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt, then go into the kitchen to make coffee. I pull her coffee cream out of the refrigerator and pour some into a travel mug. I pour coffee into the cup, as she comes out of the bedroom with Sadie on her heels.

I screw on the lid, hand her the mug then quickly brush my teeth. Sadie’s certificate came in the mail last week, and Kate’s all set to keep her with her all day at the studio. Kate grabs the leash, then we head out to the back deck. We walk through River’s quiet house; no one is awake yet.

Outside the front door, we stop to let Sadie do her thing, then we head downtown to the studio.

Kate walks through the front door, flips on the bright neon ‘open’ sign, then grins from ear to ear. She bounces on her heels as she walks around, making sure everything is perfect.

One by one, clients start to filter in. Soon the studio is almost to capacity. Kate steps up front and takes her place on her mat. The door opens again, and River, Joss, Nina, Josh, and Maddy, all walk inside. Kate’s face lights up when she sees River is here. Her eyes quickly find mine and I wink at her.

After the hour session, everyone claps for Kate and her eyes glisten with pride.

“You did so good!” Joss says, giving her a hug.

“Are you going to offer prenatal yoga?” Nina asks.

“Girl, you kicked my ass,” Maddy says.

“I’m not sure I see what all the hype is about,” Josh says, then Nina backhands him in the gut.

“Thank you!” she says, looking at Joss. “Yes, I’ve hired an instructor to come in and teach prenatal,” she says, looking at Nina. “Good, you need a good ass kicking,” she says to Maddy. “Tell me tomorrow morning if you don’t feel what all the hype is about,” she says, looking at Josh.

River walks up to her and holds out his hand for Kate. She takes his hand and he steps closer to her.

“I’m so proud of you, Kate,” River says.

That glisten of pride in her eyes, streaks down her cheek in the form of a tear.

“Thank you, River,” she says with a smile.

Over the next few months, Kate Mason Yoga has become a huge success. She even got a write up in a popular fitness magazine. Sadie takes her role very seriously as both Kate’s therapy dog, and her partner at the studio. Now, six months to the day, Kate and I just brought over the last box of her belongings from the pool house.

Kate sets down the box, then steps outside to the back deck. Sadie follows behind her, sloppily sits on one hip resting against her leg then places her nose in her hand. I’m so thankful a stray dog found me the day I moved into this house. I’m so grateful Sadie can read Kate and be everything she needs her to be.

As she stares out into the ocean, I can’t help but smile at her. Her kaleidoscope mask has long been gone, and now she radiates with happiness and beauty. She’s found gratifying pleasure in teaching the craft of yoga to others, to calm their mind, body, and spirit.

I step out onto the deck and stand behind Kate. I wrap my arms around her waist, then look at what she’s looking at. She has her left wrist in front of her, and she’s rubbing her semicolon tattoo with her right thumb. I place a kiss on her cheek, turn her so she’s facing me, then I gently take her left wrist in my hand.

I run my thumb over her tattoo, look into her eyes, then softly whisper, “Our story isn’t over yet.”

Her eyes lift from her tattoo and lovingly find mine.

She smiles and says, “
L’amour vrai.
”

A Different Road Series
will continue with Stephen Mason and Maddy Malone in:

I Speak … Love

A Different Road Book Three

You may not be able to hear it at the moment, but there is help.

24 hours a day, seven days a week

Suicide prevention lifeline: 800–273–8255

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Service Dog—Emotional Support Dog -Therapy Dog

http://usdogregistry.org/

Project Semicolon

http://www.projectsemicolon.org/

The Running Into Love Series:

Take A Chance
– Running Into Love – Book 1

I’ll Take A Chance
– Running Into Love – Book 2

Second Chance
– Running Into Love – Book 3

A Fighting Chance
– Running Into Love – Book 4

Running Into Love Box Set
- Books One to Four

Unavoidable Chance
- Running Into Love Book 5

Unexpected Chance
– Running Into Love Book 6

A Very Wellington Christmas
Novella

A Different Road Series:

I See . . . Love
—A Different Road—Book 1

I Hear . . . Love—A Different Road—Book 2

I Speak Love—A Different Road—Book 3

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I’m an “Indie” Adult Contemporary Romance author. A thought occurred to me in December of 2012 that maybe I could write a romance novel. So, I went to work with the encouragement of my husband and my sister-in-law.

It didn’t take long to figure out that I really enjoy writing. I published my debut novel
Take A Chance
in October of 2013.

I’ve been married to my wonderful husband since 1996, and I love being a stay-at-home mom to our two teenage boys. I was born and raised in Michigan, but currently live in sunny California.

I’m a self-published author, and it’s been an amazing, crazy, wonderful journey.