Freedom in Friday Harbor: Clean Slate Series

Freedom in Friday Harbor ANNEE JONES Contents Contents Copyright Cast of Characters Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Available Now A Note From Annee About the Author Copyright FREEDOM IN FRIDAY HARBOR ©2022 Anne Kemerer Jones All Rights Reserved No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles and reviews. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the author’s permission. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale, or organizations is entirely coincidental. The author does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content. Published in the United States of America Editor: Redline Editing Proof Read & Format: Susan Horsnell Cast of Characters Summer Connelly(30)—Public Relations Specialist Malcolm Connelly(40)—Banker, Summer’s ex-husband Dr. Yvonne Fielding(50s)—Psychotherapist Ace Lockhart(34)—General Contractor Jessica Lockhart Thatcher (38)—Ace’s sister Scott Thatcher(43)—Jessica’s husband Victor Lockhart(late 70s)—Ace’s father Peggy Lockhart(deceased)—Ace’s mother Jim Reed(50s)—Summer’s boss, Co-owner Reed & Reed Public Relations Mark Reed(50s)—Jim’s brother, Co-owner Reed & Reed Public Relations Phil Stout (50s)—Construction Superintendent Gwen Eubanks(50s)—Hospice Nurse Frank Nordin—Chaplain Britney—Hostess/ Server Travis and Eddie—Crew members Mary—Hospice receptionist Chapter One SUMMER Dr. Yvonne Fielding peered over the dark rims of her square eyeglasses, smiling as a proud parent would do when their toddler finally pulls up their underpants all by themselves. “That’s very good Summer, you’ve come a long way since beginning psychotherapy last year. I’m glad you’re able to recognize the red flags in your former relationship now in hindsight. This is a big step in your growth.” “If you say so,” Summer said, her eyes filling with tears. “Looking back, now I can see there were so many red flags it was practically a carnival. Unfortunately, I’ve always enjoyed those.” She reached for a tissue from the blue box on the glass-topped coffee table that sat between her and the therapist. Her skin prickled with goosebumps as the air conditioning vent overhead pushed cold air toward her. Did all doctors’ offices deliberately turn their thermostats down? “What are you feeling right now?” asked the 50-something Seattle psychologist. Summer dabbed at the corners of her eyes and tucked a curl of brown hair behind an ear, trying to sort the jumble of emotions welling up. “On the one hand, I’m glad I understand the subconscious reasons why I agreed to marry Malcolm, and why I stayed so long, even though we were never right for each other. You were right – being the child of divorce and having to shuffle back and forth between my parents’ homes all the time wasn’t easy. I guess it affected me more than I thought.” “Of course it did.” Dr. Fielding replied in a calm, reassuring voice. “That’s only natural. Children usually blame themselves when their parents split up even though they weren’t responsible. Plus, since your mom and dad both remarried so quickly and began families with their new spouses, it makes sense that you ended up feeling lost in the mix.” “Exactly,” Summer said, nodding. She twisted the tissue in her hands and reflected on her childhood. With so many half- and step brothers and sisters at both households, it seemed everyone was always too busy to notice when she was there. Or if one of the adults did notice her, it was to set her to some task or chore. She couldn’t recall anyone ever asking how she felt about anything. “I’ve always seen myself marrying young and having lots of babies of my own,” she said. “I suppose I’ve been trying to create the family that I never had.” “Yes, and I’m sure the attention that Malcolm lavished on you when you first met spoke to that sense of longing,” Dr. Fielding said. “Definitely,” Summer agreed. “I couldn’t believe it when he asked for my number at the charity event. Here I was, just starting out at Reed & Reed, and it was the first project I’d been assigned to. When none other than one of the most successful businessmen in town started paying attention to me, I thought I was imagining things at first.” “You were very impressionable at the time, Summer, and rightfully so, given the position you were in coupled with your background,” the counselor said. “The fact that Malcom had already achieved a measure of professional success but was ten years your senior should not be lost on either of us. There was a huge power differential there, and he took advantage of it. It’s important to realize that.” “I know,” Summer admitted. “He was so charming – not to mention attractive - that I was pretty much smitten from the second he laid eyes on me. When we started dating exclusively, I thought there was a chance for me to have my perfect family at last.” “But that there are no perfect families,” Dr. Fielding said softly. “In fact, there are no perfect people, for that matter.” Looking down at the crumpled tissue in her lap, she realized the truth of the woman’s words. She nestled back against the cushions of the navy upholstered couch and sighed. A few beats of silence passed. “Talk to me, Summer.” Dr. Fielding’s voice was low, encouraging. “The more you can let everything out, the easier it will be to rebuild.” “Honestly,” Summer said, “I think perfectionism might be my problem. I wanted Malcolm – and our relationship to be perfect, and so I kept pretending that everything was fine to maintain that vision that I had in my mind. Even