SECRETS OF A HART

~A NOVEL~

ELIZABETH JAMES

ROMANCE ON THE BOARDWALK

SERIES BOOK #1

Smashwords Edition

Copyright ©2013 Elizabeth James

All rights reserved.

ISBN-10:

0988899574

ISBN-13:

978-0-9888995-7-5

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to real people, historical events, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, locales, persons living or deceased, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part and in any form.

Edited by Kathy Krick

Cover photo ©2013 Used by Permission-Karla Allen

Cover design by Rochelle McGrath/Shamrock Designs

DEDICATION

To Sissy and Bobby- You never leave my thoughts and every song brings a memory and a smile. I was blessed to be a part of your lives and know you were an important part of mine.

~with all my love

THANK YOUS:

There are so many people I want to thank but first and foremost, my husband. I love you and I appreciate your letting me continue to follow my dream.

I also want to thank my mom and dad for being the best support a person could have and the rest of my family for being there for me.

I want to thank my sisters who I carry in my heart every day. I love y’all and am blessed to have you in my life.

I am also blessed to have a wonderful friend in Kassie Baker who has now endured four books with me and she hasn’t killed me yet. Thank you for being here for me. You rock!

I’m so happy to have worked with Kathy Krick on this book as my friend and my editor. Kathy, you’re great at what you do and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you to Rochelle McGrath for your help in bringing my cover to life. You saw my vision and brought it to life in a beautiful way. I love ya!

To my beta readers, Kassie Baker, Jodi Negri, Maria DeSouza, Becky Nichols and Sharon Courtney…thank you for keeping my words in the right places and also for giving your awesome feedback. You have been a tremendous help to me and I love each and every one of you!

To my amazing author friends in my FTLOF Authors group who share my love of writing, I thank you. I’m so proud of all of you and am a big fan! Thank you for all of your cross-promotion and support!

To my E. James Street Team: I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends and supporters. You are with me every step of the way and I appreciate everything you do.

Prologue

Kendall

I heard the sirens wailing as I came through the woods. My heart beat a little faster as I realized they were headed toward my end of the street. I sped up but stayed close to the edge of the woods so no one would see me. I certainly didn’t need to get caught when I should’ve been at home in bed. Suddenly, I caught a whiff of smoke and could hear the crackle of a fire. As I cleared the tree line, I could see the flames leaping toward the sky, and I instantly felt tears spring to my eyes. It was my house! I could barely breathe as my heart hammered in my chest like thunder. Running toward the house, I saw huge hoses snaking across the lawn all pointed toward the upper bedroom windows. My eyes scanned the crowd of people lined up on the sidewalk, and I saw my neighbors but no one from my family. With legs feeling like lead, I sprinted toward the back door but a fireman, who was rounding the side of the house with an ax thrown across his shoulder, saw me and intercepted my attempt to go in. I screamed but with no sound. Fighting him by scratching and clawing, I managed to break free but soon another strong pair of arms wrapped around me like a vise. Tears streaming down my face, I finally managed to scream out, My family! They’re in there! Help them! I heard one of the firemen call on his radio to alert the others about possible victims and hearing that word caused me to collapse against the man holding me. There was a buzzing in my ears, my tongue felt tingly, then I spiraled into darkness.

Noooo! I cried as I thrashed around in my bed, sweat beading on my forehead, damp sheets tangling around my legs. It was that nightmare again, inspired by my own horrible reality. I could feel every emotion, smell every smell, just as if I was there that night almost five years ago. My heart was pounding. My mouth dry as I lay there panting as if I’d just run the same distance I did that night. With a trembling hand, I wiped my tear-dampened cheeks. Then reaching over, I clicked on the lamp beside my bed to chase away the darkness, for at least a few minutes. After my eyes adjusted to the brightness, I could see the tiny tattoo on my wrist. Laying back against my pillow, I traced it with my finger remembering every moment of pain the day I’d gotten it done. The pain I’d felt on my skin couldn’t erase the emptiness in my heart but would be a constant reminder of my loss and guilt. Turning my head, I glanced over at my nightstand and my eyes locked on the simple silver frame that held the only salvageable photo of my family. A fireman had retrieved it from the rubble. It was water-damaged and scorched on the edges but was the most precious thing to me. It was the only physical proof they’d been alive once and that we’d been a happy family.

I’d always been the model child until right before my sixteenth birthday. That was when I fell in love. It wasn’t falling in love that changed my life, but it started the chain of events that led to the fire. The object of my undying affection was Tristan O’Neal. Tristan was heartbreakingly beautiful. He towered over me at 6’4 even though I was unusually tall for my age at 5’11. His hair was dark blonde with lighter blonde highlights made by the sun and he wore it short and spiky, an easy style because he played football and loved to surf. He’d been a senior when I was a lowly freshman, and unfortunately, he didn’t know I existed. The reason he had no idea who I was? Simple, I was a dork. Tall, gawky, ginger haired and sporting a nose full of freckles that I found unattractive and was always trying to cover up. On the day that I lost my heart, I’d been walking down the hall when I got intentionally shoved by one of the boneheaded football players who seemed to have radar for the weaker kids. As fate would have it, I ended up falling, not so gracefully, into Tristan’s arms. Embarrassed beyond belief, I’d looked up to see the most beautiful blue eyes I’d ever seen looking down at me with concern.

Are you okay? He’d asked before gently helping me back to my feet. With my face flaming redder than my hair, I’d mumbled something unintelligible and then stumbling away, ran into the bathroom where I proceeded to hyperventilate and bawl my eyes out. My embarrassment was off the charts, but I also couldn’t help but relive the phenomenal feeling of being wrapped in his strong arms. And he’d smelled good, so good. He had the sweet smell of soap and shampoo having just freshly showered after gym. I got myself composed, waited in the bathroom until the bell rang and then when the halls were quiet I’d snuck out and found the closest exit door to leave school. I’d gotten caught leaving the grounds by my English teacher, Mrs. Locke and had been taken immediately to the principal who called my parents. When they’d arrived, they talked about how I wasn’t a bad kid, and they couldn’t possibly understand why I would leave the school. I couldn’t bear to explain the real reason I’d been leaving so I just sat there sulking and didn’t speak. Since I’d never gotten into trouble before, I was given a warning of suspension and sent home to face whatever punishment my parents felt was appropriate. They were a very passive generation, never raising their voices at either myself or my younger sister, Kelsey. They preferred to be our ‘friends’ and talk everything out. After a round-table family meeting at the kitchen table, I found myself grounded with all of my electronic privileges taken away to give me time to reflect on what I’d done. I’d fled their looks of disapproval and my sister’s glee at my predicament, ran to my room and threw myself on my bed. With nothing to do, I glanced around my room and spied a paperback that my Aunt Melanie had bought me for my birthday. I settled back on my bed, started reading and soon found myself lost in the story. I enhanced the story by picturing myself as the beautiful countess, Nicola and Tristan as the dashing knight, Christian, who was destined to fall in love with her. I read all night, literally until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore and fell asleep with the book still clutched in my hands, dreaming of Tristan sweeping me off my feet.

The next morning, I’d eagerly gone to school desperate to see him again. All throughout the day I’d blended in with the crowds hoping to catch a glimpse without him seeing me. Finally, I found a space between the lockers near the gym and flattened myself against the brick wall. People walked by, the hallway buzzing with voices, unfortunately, none of them his. I checked my watch and realized the bell was going to ring any minute. Just about to give up, I thought I was dreaming when I heard his voice. Instantly, my heart started racing, and my mouth went totally dry. He was walking with his brother Ian, who played football also but on the JV squad. Ian was a year ahead of me in school and like Tristan, had no idea I existed. I could feel my palms begin to sweat as they got closer, and suddenly I felt the insane urge to jump out in front of him and thank him for being so nice the day before. It sounded so easy in my head, make it casual, cool. Taking a deep breath, I’d started to take a step forward and that’s when I saw that he had his arm around Maria Wright. Maria was blonde, gorgeous and very popular, everything I wasn’t. She was the total package: head cheerleader, tall, athletic and above all sweet. Everybody loved her and honestly, who wouldn’t? I’d always envied her and sometimes, in the privacy of my bedroom, I styled my hair like hers or put together an outfit copying one she’d worn. The fact that Tristan was interested in her wasn’t a surprise at all, but it also meant I had no chance in hell. Feeling like a whipped dog, I’d eased back between the lockers and watched as they walked down the hall. I blinked back my tears, wiped my nose and taking a hitching breath, stepped out of my hiding place.

Watch where you’re going! I heard as my butt hit the floor. I looked up to see Ian staring down at me. What’s the hurry, Red? He asked laughing. Ian was the exact opposite of Tristan in looks and personality. He wasn’t quite as tall as Tristan, was thinner and had dark brown hair. The only thing they had in common were the same crystal blue eyes. Now those eyes were focused on me as I scrambled awkwardly to my feet. I was gathering the strength to say something but was roughly pushed out of the way before I could. When I saw who it was, I knew exactly what was going to happen.

I think you owe her an apology, you big bully. It was my best friend Averi and she was on her tiptoes pointing her index finger in Ian’s face. Well, she was in his face as much as she could, being 5 feet tall to his six feet.

He looked down at her and chuckled. Really? What are you going to do to me, Little Bit. You sure you want to defend your friend? Or maybe we can have some fun instead, he said waggling his eyebrows. Averi quickly drew back her hand to hit him, but I intercepted her arm in mid-swing.

Let it go, Averi, I said pulling her away. Ian looked her up and down and was about to say something, when we heard one of the kids yell that a teacher was coming so he turned and disappeared. Thank you, I said looking down at my best friend. She and I were like night and day in our appearance but best friends in our hearts. While I was tall and gangly, she was short and shapely. My flaming red hair was wavy and unruly while hers was thick, straight and as black as night. We’d become best friends in elementary school where she was a year younger than me, but we’d been placed in the same grade. We lived on opposite sides of town but always hung out together during school and always were together for birthday parties.

Ahem, Miss Hart? Are we having ANOTHER problem today? I heard the voice, and my stomach clenched. Of all people it was Mrs. Locke, again. You seem to be involved in a lot of hall disturbances these days.

No ma’am, I muttered eyes downcast.

She looked me up and down over the reading glasses perched on the end of her nose. Well, I’m keeping my eye on you. You’re on my radar now. With a stern glare, she walked away and as soon as she was out of sight Averi grabbed my arm and dragged me toward our next class.

So, what was that all about? She asked as we walked down the crowded hallway. I didn’t say anything right away so she stopped me by grabbing the back of my shirt. Spill, she said with exasperation.

It’s nothing, I said trying to look nonchalant as I looked up at the stain that resembled Marge Simpson on the ceiling tile over the classroom door.

I’m calling bull on that one, she said giving me a sharp pinch on the arm.

My mouth fell open in shock. Ouch, that hurt, I said pulling my arm back. You don’t need to know what’s going on because there isn’t anything going on.

She looked at me and cocked her head to the side. Do you like him? She asked scrunching up her nose.

Puzzled, I asked, You mean Ian O’Neal? When she nodded, I laughed. No way!

She studied me for a moment then her mouth fell open. Oh my God, it’s Tristan?!

I felt my face flush immediately, but I laughed it off. Yeah sure, right, it’s Tristan. I turned on my heel and walked into the classroom still laughing. She followed me and sat down at the desk beside me giving me the evil eye. Finally, I had to say something. Averi, it’s not anyone. Just let it go.

We never spoke of it again but if I so much as glanced Tristan’s way, I felt her watching me. He and Maria ended up dating for the rest of their senior year. I had to endure the torture of watching him kiss her every day at school after he walked her to class and even after the football games. Following graduation, Tristan went off to college in Charlotte, and I was left in our little town of Kure Beach wishing I could see him again. I’d heard around school that Maria and Tristan had gone to different colleges so the thought that they weren’t together every day makes me feel a little better. One day, a rumor went flying around that she’d cheated on Tristan, and I prayed it was true.

The next year was rough. I’d become the target of a group of bullies and being the daughter of pacifists, I didn’t confront them but instead withdrew from everyone who cared about me. My self-confidence plummeted so to cover it up, I began to act out, which threw my parents out of their comfort zone. They were at