Soul and Shadow (24 page)
Authors: Susan J McLeod
"Hey Lily. It's me. How did your meeting with Caliman go?"
"I was just telling Cleo all about it," I said to Katy. "It went very well. I like him. He makes me feel better, safer. We've got a lot more to talk about, but it was a good start."
"I'm glad he's helping you. What does Cleo say?"
I looked at my pet and laughed. "She's too busy being jealous right now to spare a thought for Caliman. Stephen has been seen with another woman."
"Are you joking?" Katy asked incredulously. "What woman?"
"A nurse who works in pediatrics with him. A beautiful brunette named Jenny. They were having lunch together in the cafeteria. Cleo does not approve at all."
"And what about
you
? How does it make you feel?"
"Well, how should I feel? Stephen understands that we're just friends. He's been a huge support to me and I wish him every happiness, with whomever he chooses."
"
Okay
. So what is she like?"
"I can't judge after two or three minutes. But I'd say pretty full of herself with the instincts of a barracuda."
"Uh-huh. Well, I'm glad you can remain unbiased. Your selfless devotion to your friends is one of your best qualities. It's nice that you've been able to maintain it."
"Thank you, Katy. It's poor Cleo that I worry about. We did pick her out together, and she thinks of him as a father. I don't want him spending all of his time with this Jenny and becoming a deadbeat dad. What if—" I lowered my voice to a whisper—"she has a D-O-G?"
Cleocatra yowled loudly. "I told you she could spell!" Katy exclaimed. "Stop doing that!"
"Oh sweetheart, I'm sorry." I stroked the cat's ruffled fur. "I was only joking. I promise, not another word about it."
Cleo left the room with what could only be described as a withering look. I sighed. "All right, I admit it was a little strange seeing another woman eye Stephen. But it's bound to happen. After all, he's a handsome man and a self-confident, successful one too. I don't expect him to spend all his time hanging around with me."
"It has been nice, though, hasn't it?" Katy asked shrewdly. "To know he's there, that he cares so much, that you can count on him. It's a luxury most women could only dream about."
"Are you implying that I'm leading him on?" I was hurt. "I'd never do that. He knows exactly how I feel, and he still wants to be friends."
"Lily, I know that you'd never do it on purpose. But I don't think even you know exactly how you feel. Kent is a long way from here, and you see Stephen almost every day. It's got to be confusing, what with everything you've been through. All I'm saying is that I don't want you to get hurt. You've got to be aware that time isn't standing still for other people. Don't let it blind side you when things like this happen."
"Do you think Kent is dating someone else?" I demanded. "Because he wouldn't, not without telling me! He agreed to wait while things got sorted out, he understands—"
"Whoa, there, Nellie! No, I'm not saying that Kent is dating anyone else. I'm not trying to scare you. I just want you to focus. Understanding yourself is the key, and everything else follows that. I think talking to Cal is a very brave step. Tell me more about what happened."
Still feeling a bit hurt, I described the meeting.
"Well, he sounds nice," Katy said when I had finished. "And there are others? Are you going to consult with them too?"
"Yes, I am. I want to see how different people handle it. I hope Cal introduces us soon."
"Good. You're doing just what you need to do. And don't forget to tell them about your dream."
"Is this really crossing the bridge to a new life?" I wondered.
"I think so. And it's going to be built on your strengths. You're going to do it, Lily."
Mollified, I hung up the phone feeling more optimistic. Maybe I was finally going to get some answers.
Fire and Shadow
will be available in Spring 2012.
About the Author
Susan Jane McLeod has been writing since she was seven years old. At age eleven she won a county-wide essay contest and her professional career was launched. By the time she was nineteen, her poetry had appeared in several magazines, including
American Girl
and
Seventeen
.
She also won an honorable mention in
The Writer
.
She grew up in Rochester, New York, with her three sisters and one brother. In her early thirties she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and given a 50-50 chance to live. She survived only to have the cancer recur, necessitating more surgery and an aggressive course of chemotherapy. Today she is cancer free.
The best job she ever had was managing a bookstore, surrounded by her passion: literature.
Susan has published several short stories and two novels. The first,
Soul and Shadow
, is an award-winning paranormal historical romance. The second,
Fire and Shadow
, is classified as paranormal suspense. Both have garnered impressive reviews.
Susan believes strongly in several causes and has raised money for
the
American Cancer Society
,
Foodlink
, and the
House of Mercy
h
omeless shelter.
She still resides in Rochester and will always call it home.
She can be contacted at
http://www.susanjmcleod.com
and
IMAJIN BOOKS
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