Angels Flying With One Wing

By Suzanne Kimball

When Allison Janson literally runs into her girlhood hero, Daniel Altamont, for the first time in 15 years, she sees him as the same compassionate man who rescued her from schoolyard bullies so long ago. Her love for Daniel, carefully tucked away in her heart for so long, is stirred at their re-acquaintance. The attraction is mutual and undeniable. They both see a future that holds the promise of dreams fulfilled. Days after they meet, tragedy strikes, brutally changing the course of Daniel's life. And Allison's. Her attempt to save Daniel from the despair that engulfs him results in a brief moment of hope for them both. But when tragedy strikes again, Allison is left to pick up the pieces of her broken life.***EXCERPT***Allison finished her dinner and sat for a moment enjoying the last of her wine. Her visit with her parents was always wonderful but it was time she got back to work. The need to go away from Stonebridge, away from memories of Daniel and the impossibility of her fantasies about him, made the return to her hectic, mind-numbing work schedule appealing. Anyway, she thought, it's been fifteen years. He's probably married with kids by now. She carefully tucked away her fanciful imaginings once again, collected her coat and headed toward the exit. As she rifled through her purse for her keys, her foot caught on something shiny intruding into the aisle. She stumbled forward, careening off the busboy carrying a tray loaded with food, and shot toward a man fingering his keys. Allison slammed into the man's chest, catching him off balance and forcing a resonant "ooff" from him. It was as though she had run into a wall-a wall, she noticed, that was covered in blue chambray with small white buttons. Strong arms encircled her and as one, they staggered backward, tipping the table behind them, once again sending food, plates and utensils flying in all directions. The scarf keeping her thick hair under control came loose, allowing the fire-red mane to fall across her face. She couldn't see much but she heard metal trays and cutlery crashing around them. A split second later, all motion stopped and she found herself on the floor still wrapped in a man's arms...strong, muscular arms. Reluctant to open her eyes, she thought that maybe if she kept them closed long enough the noise and the chaos around her would all go away.No such luck.After a quick, deep breath and in the calmest manner possible, she collected the scraps of her poise to extricate herself from this horrible situation. Slowly, tentatively, she turned her head slightly, tucked her hair behind her ears and looked to see what was happening around her. Food was splashed over everyone within several feet of them. People picked bits and pieces of pasta from their clothes, as well as salad and, here and there, an errant meatball. Most of the diners within her range of vision were not smiling. All she could manage was a soft moan."Okay, Allison," she muttered softly, "you got yourself into this mess. You'll get yourself out." Taking another deep, composing breath, she pushed herself away from the blue chambray wall and raised her head slightly, only to be greeted by the warmest smile she'd experienced only once before. A lump of tomato sauce inched its way down the man's face, a tangle of spaghetti rested comfortably atop his shoulder. Perhaps she would live through this after all. "Are you all right?" the man asked, his voice filled with residual laughter.She quickly took a physical inventory and, except the mortal wound to her dignity, no body part seemed injured. "Yes, I think so." The man continued to hold Allison, supporting her as she tried to get up. She looked up at him again."Allison?" he whispered. "Allison, is that you?"She heard her name breathed softly and tenderly and was confused. "You know me?"She raised her eyes to look closely at the man. The instant their eyes met fully for the first time in so long, he said "Allison, it's Daniel."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1470117401
• ISBN13: 9781470117405
• Release Date: March 2012
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.7" x 6.0"