Hello Hell
When circumstances force Claire Nelson to return to her hometown, after sixteen years of estrangement, She must leave the life she’s built for herself behind, face the painful secrets of the pasts, while confronting a truth she never expected to find.
Chapter One: Chance Encounter
Claire’s feet made soft lite taps on the pavement. A swirl of multicolored leaves fluttered across her path like confetti ...
Chapter Two: Luck of the Draw
Gabe couldn’t believe his luck. What were the odds of running into a woman named Claire Nelson on his first day? Of course ...
Chapter Three: If It Ain’t Broke
At five-fifteen Claire hit the send button, turned off her computer, and stretched, proud of herself. The overhead light brighte ...
Chapter Four: Lying Was Always Easier
Sam’s words, you have an obligation, played over in Claire’s head like a broken record. She couldn’t believe S ...
Chapter Five: Blindsided
What the fuck? Stephen slammed his fist against the steering wheel, put the car into gear and backed out of Claire’s drive ...
Chapter Six: Shifting Ground
It was ten-thirty by the time she arrived at the kennel and Sadie was neither happy nor cooperative. Claire tugged on her leash, ...
Chapter Seven: The Road Home
The Inn’s driver held up a sign with her name on it. He looked like one of the locals she remembered. Dressed in a flannel ...
Chapter Eight: Main Street Bed & Breakfast
Shimmers of soft light danced across the dark walnut floors of the entranceway from one of the largest crystal chandeliers she&r ...
Chapter Nine: Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained
Gabe examined himself in the mirror and adjusted his tie. Better, but still felt like a damn noose around his neck. The last tim ...
Chapter Ten: Cold Reality
The bedside clock read just past six AM when Claire awoke from a fitful night's sleep. The aroma of fresh baked bread and coffee ...
Chapter Eleven: Old Acquaintances
Claire wished she could talk to Stephen. She understood his anger, especially after she made a promise, melted under his touch, ...
Chapter Twelve: Post-Op Conference
“Ms. Nelson?”Claire stood and laid the tattered magazine aside as the doctor approached. “Yes?”&ldq ...
Chapter Thirteen: The First of Many
Claire paced the length of the hall trying to figure out what to do next. She needed to talk to Sam and her boss. Arrangements h ...
Chapter Fourteen: Information Airways
Gabe spent his Sunday afternoon in his new favorite bistro taking advantage of the free WIFI scanning pictures of every social e ...
Chapter Fifteen: Junior High Again
As planned her mother had been transferred the following day to room 505 on the orthopedic floor. Claire spoke to the nurse in I ...
Chapter Sixteen: A Meeting With Sam
They had finally gotten a break; for the last forty-eight hours, Dorothy had remained lucid, and Dr. Norman agreed to go ahead w ...
Chapter Seventeen: The Evaluation
Claire was the first one in the dining room after a fitful night's sleep. She needed to get in, grab her coffee, and get out; to ...
Chapter Eighteen: Flying Shrapnel
Claire left the cafe unnerved. Memories were coming at her like flying shrapnel and the desire to run, was almost overwhelming. ...
Chapter Nineteen: Pressure Mounts
Time raced by Claire in a blur. In the last few days, her visits with Dorothy had been brief; the shorter, the better for now. T ...
Chapter Twenty: Trouble
Claire didn’t bother going back to the hospital, and she didn't call to check on Dorothy either. By the time she left the ...
Chapter Twenty One: The Going Rate
Claire barely slept a wink. Tossing and turning, kicking covers like a four-year-old. She finally got up about three and took a ...
Chapter Twenty-Two: One Step Closer
Gabe stuck his briefcase between his feet and the phone on his shoulder as he removed the top from the scalding hot coffee and b ...
Chapter Twenty-Three: A Crack in the Veneer
Finally, Claire felt as if all the stars were beginning to align. She had her sitter, Fanny was getting the house clean and read ...
Chapter Twenty-Four: Unexpected Guests
The way her moods were shifting, especially today, it’s a wonder someone didn’t accuse her of being off her meds. Am ...
Chapter Twenty-Five: Safe Harbor
Sadie hopped up on the bed as soon as Claire closed the door to the room. She wasn’t prepared for all the surprises from t ...
Chapter Twenty-Six: The Hour is Late
Although the hour was late when Claire finally crawled beneath the covers, she slept like a baby cuddled next to Sadie. She&rsqu ...
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Lost Opportunities
A whimper, followed by a scratching sound woke Stephen with a start. Sadie? “Hang on girl; I’m coming.” He thr ...
Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Unraveling
Other than the directions, turn right, next left, coming from the passenger side of the car, the ride to the house remained sile ...
Chapter Twenty-Nine: New Evidence
That didn’t go as well as Gabe planned. Wendell’s aggressive and angry manner had caught him off guard. Obviously, h ...
Chapter Thirty: Time for Truth
The car-ride back to town was so quiet Stephen felt as if he could hear the tires rotate against the blacktop. It was driving hi ...
Chapter Thirty-One: Claire Comes Clean
“So, talk to me,” Stephen said, “I’m listening.”“Are you sure you want to know?”&ldquo ...
Chapter Thirty-Two: Stunned
The color drained from Stephen’s face. “What did you say? What child? Claire, what are you telling me?”“ ...
Chapter Thirty-Three: Tell Me About Her
“Is Sam around?” Gale looked up from her computer, removed her glasses, and came around from behind the desk to ...
Chapter Thirty-Four: Gabe’s Cards
“Afternoon Mr. Lawrence,” Sam directed Gabe to the same chair from their earlier meeting, “please have a seat. ...
Chapter Thirty-Five: Saying Goodbye
Claire didn’t linger in the tub. Time and the reality of the situation weighed heavy on her. Today, she had to say goodbye ...
Chapter Thirty-Six: The Disconnect
Claire stared at the woman in the bed for what seemed like an eternity before pulling herself up next to her. Tears filled her e ...
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Friends & Strangers
Annie set the tea tray on the table in the parlor, freshened everyone’s cup before taking one for herself and took a seat ...
Chapter Thirty-eight: Arrangements
Claire awoke with a start at three AM, cold, and disoriented. Within seconds reality of the previous twenty-four hour ...
Chapter Thirty-nine: Accolades to a Stranger
“You ready?” Stephen asked. “I would rather have my teeth pulled. I can’t believe I let Annie and S ...
Chapter Forty: Safe Place
Claire awoke to the sun streaming through the half-closed curtains and Sadie trying wedge herself between she and Stephen. Oh kn ...
Chapter Forty-One: Letting Go
Sam stared after Claire and ran his hand through his thick, white hair. It was true, the Lawrence man had left town. Sam wasn&rs ...
Chapter Forty-two: Envelope Please
Claire hung up the phone and smiled. God willing by six tomorrow evening, she would be back in Boston and in Stephen’s arm ...
