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    Escaping Her Past
    Escaping Her Past
    Escaping Her Past
    Ebook158 pages2 hours

    Escaping Her Past

    By Amber Grosjean

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Kathy has just discovered a room filled with things lost from her past. As the obsession grows, she is haunted by a secret she's kept from her new husband. The kind of secret that could scare him away. She wants to start a new life with John, but she must say goodbye to her old life before she can start a new one. Will she have the strength to face her fears and cut ties from her past? Or will her secret destroy her before she has the chance?

     

    A door leading to Hell has been opened and the key that locks it is missing. Kathy must find that key and push through her fears or die trying. Will she survive or will she pay the final price for wanting all that is lost?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAmber Grosjean
    Release dateJan 29, 2025
    ISBN9798230886310
    Escaping Her Past
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    Author

    Amber Grosjean

    Amber Grosjean is a dreamer with an imagination to match. She is a wife, mother, and the author of Magical Expansion, Song of the Bones and Sun, and Birth of a Witch just to mention a few. She has been writing since she was eleven years old. Today, Amber lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana with her husband, Billy. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.

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      Book preview

      Escaping Her Past - Amber Grosjean

      Dedication

      Escaping Her Past is dedicated to my husband, for without him, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. He is my rock and I am thankful he came into my life. I also dedicate this book to my children and grandchildren, for they bring inspiration to my life. Though this story is about cutting ties from one’s past, it is my past that makes me who I am. I thank everyone who molded me to become the author I am today. Thank you!

      Chapter One

      Kathy Webber opened the door to her new home. She inhaled the aged scent of wood and exhaled a sneeze as dust found its way into her nose.

      Bless you, John said as he carried another box.

      Thanks, honey. She swirled in the living room, in love with the comfortable, generations-old, elegance. Ceiling beams topped aging plaster while the worn floors paved the way to the kitchen. She shivered as her finger skimmed the stone of the fireplace. She was home. I can’t believe we got this house!

      It wasn’t like there were other offers, Katherine.

      I know.

      John set the box on the floor in the large open space.

      Are you sure you want to bring those in before I clean the house?

      Do you want me to pay for another day on the truck?

      No.

      All right, then. Help me unload and I’ll take it back.

      O-kay. She was reluctant. If we put everything in this room, I can put things away as I clean the house.

      John was the smarter one between the two, being eight years older than Kathy—he was 28. Sounds like a plan. Let’s get this done. He hurried through the front door, propping the screen door to keep it open.

      Kathy fumbled right behind him. They headed out to the street and stopped at the back of the boxed truck.  It was mostly her belongings inside the truck, things she couldn’t bear to throw out after they got married.

      John leaped into the back of the truck and handed Kathy a small box. She carried it toward the house as he grabbed a heavier box. As they returned inside, Kathy noticed a door in the hallway leading to the kitchen.

      I didn’t notice that before, she said as she stood there holding the box.

      What? He almost bumped into her.

      That door.

      Which door? he asked. He set the box down next to the first box in the living room and circled back to Kathy, still standing in the opening of the hallway.

      That door. Kathy pointed at the door next to the stairs. It was a unique door, didn’t quite fit with the rest of the house. It was old with white crackled paint. The black iron hardware and doorknob appeared antique, and covered with rust. The other doors were clean with a maple varnish, which had been part of the reason for choosing this house.

      Hmmm, I don’t recall ever seeing it before. I promise you can explore the house once we get all these boxes inside. Come on.

      Fine, she sighed.

      They returned for another armload of boxes. I wish your family would have come to help us, John told her.

      Me too. This would have been so much easier. Mom said she wouldn’t be off work in time, and you know my sisters wouldn’t have come without her.

      Yeah, I know that all too well. Why did you need to bring so much, Katherine?

      Hey, that’s my childhood. What’s left of it, anyway. We might have children someday. That stuff will save us money.

      Whatever you say. He placed the box on the floor and moved a smaller box to make room for the others. He put the smaller box on top of the large one. I think we can do this in a hundred more trips.

      Haha, very funny. They returned outside for another load.

      I’m not trying to be. He handed her a box and quickly grabbed another one. They returned to the house. You got a lot of stuff, he told her.

      You didn’t say that when you loaded it into the truck, John.

      He laughed.

      What’s that suppose to mean? She stood in the middle of the yard, holding the box with both arms.

      We had an army helping us load this stuff up. Even with your dad helping.

      He’s not my dad!

      Sorry, step-dad. John walked past her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. I’m sorry. Can you please keep moving?

      I don’t know if I like your attitude. Kathy stood there as she tried to argue.

      John placed the box on the top of the steps and circled back to Kathy. He pulled the box away from her arms and placed it by his feet. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in as he gazed into her eyes. His voice was gentle as he spoke slowly. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything bad by what I said. Can you ever forgive me?

      Kathy lowered her eyes. Her voice was in a whisper as she held back the tears. This is hard for me. You know that. It’s the first time I’ll be on my own.

      But you’re not alone. I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere.

      You promise?

      I would give up my life to make sure you were safe and happy. You know that. He pulled her chin up and gazed into her eyes. Katherine, I love you with every fiber in my body. I will always love you. You mean everything to me.

      Kathy’s cheeks reddened as they warmed. You always know how to make me feel better.

      I know you. He turned his head to look at her sideways. So, are you okay?

      She nodded.

      John picked up her box and handed it to her. They walked toward the house. He picked up the box he left on the porch, and they brought them inside. It took them a few hours to get the remaining boxes out of the truck.

      The rest of our things will be here tomorrow. Are you okay with sleeping on the floor tonight? John asked her.

      I won’t have a choice, but yes. It’ll be like camping. I haven’t done that since we were kids.

      Your mother told me stories about those days, he said as he smiled.

      Oh my God, did she tell you about the tent falling down around us? Kathy asked feeling embarrassed.

      Yep. It was cute.

      No, it wasn’t.

      Yes, it was. Are you hungry?

      Famished.

      All right. I’m going to refuel the truck, drop it off, and grab something to eat on the way home.

      Home. I like how that sounds.

      Me too. He leaned in for a kiss. What sounds good?

      Surprise me.

      All right.

      The moment John closed the front door behind him, Kathy rushed to the white crackled door and tried to open it. It was jammed tight. She tried turning the knob and pushed with her shoulder like she’d seen John do many times. The door was more stubborn than she was.

      Kathy knelt and peeked through the large keyhole. She only saw darkness. I wonder what’s inside. She straightened and examined the door. The hinges were old and the rust covered the screws. She wouldn’t be able to use a screwdriver, so that idea was out. She took in a deep breath and walked away. She had the rest of her life to get inside that room, whatever type of room it was. It would wait for her. She only hoped she wouldn’t have to wait that long. Mysteries like this always intrigued her. The more she was intrigued by something, the more she wanted it. It was like waiting for Christmas morning to come—the anticipation was murder.

      Chapter Two

      ​​​​ Kathy opened a box. She looked inside and moved to the next one feeling frustrated. 

      John? she yelled out.

      Yeah?

      Which box did we put the cleaning supplies in?

      Didn’t you mark the boxes when you packed them? he asked as he entered the living room.

      I thought I did. She turned the box. In black marker, the box in front of her read, bathroom things. She laughed. I guess I did.

      Well, there you go. I need to get moving. Are you going to be all right while I’m at work?

      I thought you were going to take today off? she asked as she straightened her back.

      John inched toward her and pulled her into his chest as he smiled, and wrapped his arms around her waist. I tried but Alex said they were too short and I wasn’t able to take the day off. He promised me a longer weekend. I told you there would be days like that.

      Kathy gazed at his shoulders as she tried to reveal a smile. I know. I thought since this was our first full day in the house...

      John pulled her chin up. I will make this up to you. Alex knows we were just married. He’s promised me a raise and a bonus. But I must work if we’re going to make this happen.

      I know. I’m sorry. I’m just feeling a little nervous.

      I can understand that. This is our first home, our first big purchase together. I’m nervous about it too. But we got this.

      Kathy smiled.

      Look at it this way. I’ll be out of your way as you make this house our home. He kissed her. Are you good?

      She pulled back with her eyes closed and nodded. She opened her eyes, looked up, and smiled. By the time you get home, this house will look amazing. Her eyes widened. What time will the truck be here?

      John looked at his watch. They should arrive around ten or eleven. That gives you time to clean the house and get these boxes moved out.

      All right.

      John turned as one arm remained on her waist.

      Will the movers bring in the furniture?

      John turned back around. Yes. They were instructed to put everything exactly where you want it.

      Thank you.

      You’re welcome. I’ll bring dinner home with me when I get off work. What sounds good?

      Chinese?

      Chinese it is. He gave her another kiss. I’ll see you tonight.

      I’ll be here, she told him with a smile. Kathy stood there as she watched him walk away. Her

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