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Chapter One

“Hey! Hey! Ole!” Sharon Donnelly sang as she snapped her fingers and moved her feet in rhythm with the Latin beat that the band played. Waist-length strawberry-blond hair swirled out in waves and curls as bright, jade eyes sparkled with excitement and happiness.

Her parents, Sean and Megan Donnelly, had arranged to give her this surprise nineteenth birthday party. Vivid blue and gold streamers and multi-colored balloons decorated the Silver Pines Country Club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. College friends and neighbors were celebrating with her. Lightning bursts of happiness raced through her heart as she walked smiling through the crowd and feeling blessed.

“Wow! What a grrreat party!” Lynn Yates burbled as she gyrated by Sharon in rhythm to the beat of the rollicking music.

Lynn’s mother was Sean Donnelly’s sister. When Lynn was five years old, her parents died in an automobile accident, and the Donnellys had taken Lynn to raise as another daughter. Three year old Sharon had idolized Lynn and they were much closer than most biological sisters.

Although Sharon smiled at guests, and sometimes made a comment, her thoughts took her away. She smiled lovingly after Lynn. Oh, Lynn and I were such brats. We were, and still are, horse crazy and practically lived in the stable. Poor mom. She’s such a lady, and she despaired of us ever growing to be more than tomboys. Now look at us. I’ve finished my second year of college to become a teacher and Lynn’s finished veterinarian school and Master Instructor so she can open a riding school for the handicapped. We’ll both be teaching and we both adore children.

“Sharon, darling, are you with us?” Megan Donnelly giggled. “You’re in another world and haven’t answered me.”

“Earth to Sharon.” Sean Donnelly laughed as he put his arms around her waist and lifted her to twirl around.

“Daddy! Put me down this instant.” Sharon didn’t succeed in sounding firm or angry. “Thank you, Mom and Dad,” she exclaimed as she hugged each one. “I don’t know when I’ve had more fun. This truly is a wonderful party.”

She smiled at her parents thinking, daddy’s only forty-two and mom’s forty. They both look marvelous and they’ve been the world’s best parents for Lynn and me.

“We’re happy if you are,” Megan said. “Why don’t we get to that delicious looking buffet while we have a few minutes to ourselves.”

“Lead me to food anytime,” Sean chuckled. “Mom’s right. Better grab a bite while we can.”

“Oh, no,” Sharon groaned. “I’d better not eat. If I put anything inside, it’ll be outside real quick. The grasshoppers and butterflies in my stomach aren’t mixing too well.”

“Too late,” Sean whispered. He reluctantly turned, with a smile, to shake hands with the two men who stood by him. Megan talked politely to the men’s wives while slowly moving toward the buffet table.

“Thank you for coming to my party,” Sharon told the two couples. “Please excuse me. My roommate and other college friends are wondering why I don’t spend some time with them.” She walked over to a group of young people that included Amanda Rawlings, her college roommate.

“Yoweee! I’m having a hard time closing my mouth. This is so amazing. See my big eyes,” Amanda laughed. “My family is socially active in Virginia, but we never belonged to a club like this. It feels as if I’m in the middle of ‘Gone With the Wind’ in this plantation setting. Your folks sure went all out for you.”

Sharon put her arm through Amanda’s arm. “Remember, I grew up with this. It ain’t all that hot to me. Besides, you know how I feel. It’s what a person is inside that’s important, and not what they belong to or how much they have.”

“Oh, I know how you feel, and I’m not envious,” Amanda continued. “You’re one of the most down to earth people I know. They would soon throw me out of here with my cut-off jeans and ratty sneakers.”

“You think you have ratty clothing? You should have seen Lynn and me when we were little. My dad almost got kicked out of the country club because we would ride our horses, bareback, straight across the golf course while looking worse than street urchins. We were barefoot, wearing dirty shorts and torn T-shirts. There’s a lake by the golf course for boating and an area for swimming. Can you imagine how those proper ladies felt as they leisurely drifted around in a canoe and here came Lynn and I swimming our horses toward them and yelling like savages.” The group of young people was laughing hysterically. “But at church we were angels. Mom dressed us at least to look like ladies and we were afraid to behave differently. Lynn was always better behaved than I.

“Did I hear my name taken in vain?” Lynn walked to stand beside Amanda. “Are we telling stories? Boy, could I tell you folks stories about this one,” she laughed gesturing toward Sharon.

“Okay, old lady. That’s enough out of you,” Sharon chuckled.

“Who’er you calling an old lady?” Lynn teased trying to look angry and failing. The group laughed and asked to be let in on the joke.

“There’s no joke,” Sharon answered. “Lynn’s two years older, and I like to tease her about being the oldest.” She turned to a neighbor girl. “Remember the party mom and dad gave Lynn for her twenty-first birthday here at the club a couple of months ago?” She explained to Amanda and the group. “This place was decorated horsey. Some of our hunt club friends and riding buddies even rode their horses right up the driveway to the club house. One boy tried to ride into the social room, but the club officers were present and threatened to have him arrested if he didn’t leave. Mom and dad were mortified Lynn spoke through the laughter, “Well, as long as we’re telling stories ---”

“Never you mind,” Sharon shook her head. “Why don’t we get this crowd into a line dance. The romantic couples have been swinging and swaying long enough.” She went to the band and talked to the leader. In a minute the music changed from pop to western.

Sharon was in a line dance doing the ‘Boot Scooting Boogie’ when Amanda twisted and scooted near her. “Fan me quick, mamma. I’ve died and gone where good little girls go to meet sexy, handsome men,” she gushed.

Sharon glanced up to see the Taylors entering the room. Her dad’s law partner, Malcolm Taylor, and his wife, Agnes Taylor, and their son, Jeremy, were at the door. She knew Jeremy was home on leave from the air force. He was a pilot, a lieutenant, and looked great in his uniform. She started walking toward them, happy to welcome them.

I’m sure Jeremy won’t remember me, Sharon thought. He was four years ahead of me; a football hero and in the ROTC. There were scads of beautiful girls hanging around him, and he had a wild reputation. Why would he remember me, a plain girl who was too shy to try to be part of his group.

Lynn caught up with Sharon just as she reached the Taylors. Malcolm Taylor hugged both girls. Agnes Taylor floated in, her head high, expecting adoration from everyone. She ignored Sharon and Lynn. Agnes loved to have people think she was Jeremy’s older sister, therefore, pretty girls were discouraged. They might take attention from her.

“Jeremy,” Malcolm’s deep voice boomed. “This gorgeous young lady is the birthday girl. Do you remember Sharon?”

“How could I forget?” Jeremy’s deep, sensuous voice made Sharon’s knees weak. Black, curly hair; midnight blue eyes and olive skin made a heart-fluttering impression on Sharon. Jeremy took Sharon’s hand and tucked it into the bend of his arm with a slow, seductive smile. Her five feet six looked tiny beside his six feet two muscular build.

“I’m glad you could come,” she stammered. “Oh, you remember Lynn.”

“I sure do.,” He turned a smile on Lynn as he took her hand and drew it slowly to his lips.

Lynn firmly pulled her hand back before he could kiss it. “I know your parents are happy to have you home,” she said politely with no expression.

Jeremy’s eyes narrowed. He gave a small nod to Lynn before turning to smile at Sharon. He kept looking quizzically and slightly angry at Lynn.

Malcolm took his son’s arm. “Sorry, girls. I know you’d love to get reacquainted and play catch-up, but I’d like to introduce Jeremy to some business friends.” Jeremy looked back at Sharon with a practiced, pained look as his father took him off, his mother still floating after them with her head high. “Jeremy will catch you again later.”

Lynn snapped her fingers in front of Sharon’s eyes. “Wake up and dust the cobwebs off your brain. Use the common sense God gave you, and don’t let that loser reel you in. Never forget that he’s momma’s little darling and she’s spoiled him rotten. Surely you remember all the foolish girls who did his assignments so that he could be a football hero and stay in the ROTC.” Lynn viewed Sharon with a worried, but loving, expression.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Sharon snapped. “Of course I remember. I was one of those foolish girls for a short time. I helped him with literature classes. But -- I’m sure the military has helped him to mature.”

“Don’t count on it. You know what they say about leopards,” Lynn winked.

Leopards? Sharon looked puzzled at Lynn as they walked over to join some of their friends. One of her dad’s friends asked her to dance. Sharon looked over the man’s shoulder to see Jeremy staring at her. He grinned and winked. Nervously she looked away pretending not to see him.

Jeremy’s mother had taught him to cultivate rich girls in high social positions, and Sharon qualified. As weeks flew by, Sharon fell under Jeremy’s charm. They kept in touch through phone calls and letters. In one of Jeremy’s letters, he had invited Sharon and her parents to be his guest at dinner in a famous French restaurant in Fort Lauderdale the following Friday.

“Mrs. Donnelly, how beautiful you look tonight. Everyone will think you’re Sharon’s sister. Let me help you.” Jeremy rushed to hold her chair and then hurried to hold Sharon’s, but Sean had already seated his daughter.

“Mr. Donnelly, my dad is so fortunate to have you for a partner.”

“Jeremy, I’m the fortunate one. Let’s hope you make half the man your dad is. I’m sure it’s hard to follow his example. You should count your blessings that you have such an excellent role model in your father. I’m sure you’re thankful you have the advantage of such an outstanding parent.”

Jeremy was thankful that the waiter came to take their order. He wasn’t sure what his reply should be. He had known the Donnellys all of his life and knew how close his father and Sean Donnelly were, but he really had no feelings for his father.

Malcolm Taylor and Sean Donnelly had been friends during college and through law school and had been partners for many years. They were as close as most brothers were. However, Agnes Taylor and Megan Donnelly were only polite to each other. Agnes did no work of any kind, leaving her house to servants, and attended all social functions possible. Megan volunteered for several charity groups and loved to take care of her own house and family. She only had help with window washing and heavy cleaning.

Ignoring Lynn’s, and other friends’ warnings, Sharon dated Jeremy and kept in touch.

Seven months after her party, she fell completely under Jeremy’s spell, and one of the most publicized weddings of Fort Lauderdale took place in the Baptist Church. It was an event fit for royalty.

Following their wedding, three hundred guests were served at a sit-down dinner and a well-known group of musicians entertained at a reception held at the Silver Pines Country Club. Jeremy and Sharon, on the floor for the first dance, glided through the bubbles floating through the air from a machine. Her head just reached his shoulder. An arch of white roses on a long veil was placed across her head. The white lace and satin gown made her look as if she had stepped out of a picture of the middle 1800s.

“This must be costing Sean a fortune,” a golfing buddy remarked to Agnes Taylor, sitting beside her at the dinner.

“Don’t worry about the cost,” Agnes Taylor replied, happy to supply gossip. “Sean’s family owned a successful shipping business and importing and exporting for several generations. When Sean’s father died, the entire fortune went to Sean and his sister. He has invested wisely. He and Malcolm, my husband, have a lucrative law practice. I think Sean must have descended from King Midas,” she laughed strangely. “Sean Donnelly makes no financial mistakes. Of course his sister’s share of the inheritance went to Lynn under Sean’s guardianship. He comes out on top regardless of what he does.”

The man quickly excused himself and left as if he were uneasy in Agnes’ presence.

“Look at the newly weds,” Ellen Turner sitting across the table sighed. “Aren’t they a beautiful couple.”

“Oh, to be young and foolish again,” her husband quipped.

“They are sweet,” Bonnie Stallard spoke. “I bet they will have a long, happy marriage and beautiful children. They are so right together.”

Two days later the wedding seemed like a beautiful dream as Sharon gazed out of the hotel window enjoying the view of the ocean and the beach.

“Darling, I’m sorry we’ll only have a week here in Bermuda. I want to share so much with you.” Jeremy slouched in a big chair and watched Sharon.

“Oh, Jeremy.” Sharon twirled around as if she were dancing and sat on his lap. “That’s not important. Just being with you is wonderful and our honeymoon will last a lifetime, wherever we are.”

A knock sounded on the door as a maid opened it and walked in. Smiling she asked, “Do you need anything; towels, soap, shampoo, anything?”

“Hey!” Jeremy roared jumping up and dumping Sharon on the floor. He stormed at the maid. “Did we ring for you? Did I invite you into this room?”

Frightened, the woman shook her head and shuffled backwards.

“Then get out of here and don’t come in this room unless you’re invited.” The maid ran out leaving the door open.

Walking to close the door, Sharon said, “That wasn’t nice. She’s just doing her job.”

“Shut up!” Jeremy shouted pointing his finger in her face. “You let me handle the hired help. Do you understand?”

Although Sharon was shocked at his behavior, she choked back a response. It hurt her for him to speak in that tone of voice, but she was too much in love to allow it to become an argument. She was so naïve that she didn’t recognize Jeremy was doing as his mother had taught him. She had yet to learn he had no respect or compassion for others.

After their week in Bermuda, they reported to the Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. This would be a complete change in life style for Sharon because, instead of a single family residence, they were assigned one side of a lovely brick duplex. There were a few apartments and single dwellings for higher officers, but all of the housing was much closer together than she was accustomed to living.

Their furniture would be issued from a billeting and they would be responsible for even a scratch on a piece. They would pay their own phone and cable TV bills, but all other utilities were provided.

“Can I work in that miniscule yard and plant my own flowers?” Sharon inquired eagerly. “I want to make this look truly like our home.”

“No,” Jeremy answered irritably. “The post engineers do all the lawn work and planting. You would have to ask permission and fill out papers in triplicate. You know how the government is.”

“Can I at least choose curtains and items to make this seem more like a home?”

“Yeah. Yeah. If it means that much to you, do what you please. I’ll be in later. I have people to see.” Jeremy snapped and strode out without any explanation.

Heavenly Father, I love my husband and am trying to be a good wife. I’ll need y our help a lot because all of this is new to me. I wish Jeremy would confide in me and tell me what’s worrying him. He hasn’t been the same since we married. I’m sure going to need my guardian angels. Guide me, please.

Sharon was grateful to those who came to welcome her to the base and offer help if needed. Some even brought prepared food so that she wouldn’t have to cook much until she was settled in.

Linda Pallister introduced herself as a neighbor across the section facing Sharon, and two houses down. “My husband is a military attorney, Captain Philip Pallister,” she said more proudly than she intended to. “And you might as well know, I am silly in love with him, possibly even more than I was when we married eight years ago.”

Laughing at the woman’s confession, Sharon felt herself drawn to Linda. I like all of the wives who came today to welcome me, but, for some reason, I feel that Linda and I are going to be great friends.

Jets taking off and landing actually caused a vibration in the house. “I’m not sure I can ever learn to sleep through the unfamiliar noises. I may even have to buy ear plugs,” she told Jeremy one morning and that day she did buy them.

One morning at breakfast she asked a silent grace as usual. It disturbed her that Jeremy objected to praying before meals. She quietly studied the stern face of her husband. “Darling, why haven’t you told me exactly what you do.”

“Why? I thought you knew. Lady, you have an important husband,” he leaned back in his chair. “I’m a flight instructor for the new soldiers. Their first few days are spent in the classroom and then I take them out to teach them to fly our planes.”

“How exciting. Are you the only instructor?”

“Of course not. There’s too many new recruits coming in for one instructor to handle. I’m the best though.”

“You don’t have to tell me something I already know. What else do you do?”

“I fly the big brass wherever I’m told to take them.”

“My goodness. That’s a big responsibility. Does it mean you’ll be gone overnight sometimes?”

“Sure. For instance, if I fly to Washington, D.C., it could mean two or three days.”

“I am in awe of you, my darling. Your job is much more important than I realized. Could you teach me to fly?”

“No! I can’t use military equipment for personal reasons and besides, you don’t need to know how to fly.” His unreasonable temper was confusing.

Disturbed at his anger, she changed the subject. “Oh, look at the time. We have to hurry and get ready for the orientation meeting.”

“You don’t mind going alone, do you? I have some things I must take care of.”

“Jeremy, please come with me. I’ll feel awkward going by myself.”

“There’ll be plenty of wives there alone. Not all husbands can have free time whenever they wish. Gotta go. Enjoy.” He was gone in a rush without a hug or a kiss.

“Linda, I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you volunteered to go to this meeting with me. “ Sharon was grateful for Linda, but embarrassed that Jeremy was not there.

“Think nothing of it. There’ll be many new wives, or rather new to the base, but I’m already acquainted with the base and people and thought I might be a help to you.”

“You’ve helped me just by accompanying me. Thank you.”

The Commanding Officer, General James Huff, made all of them feel welcome and at ease. He reminds me of a sweet, old grandfather, Sharon thought and smiled to herself.

After the orientation meeting and refreshments, Linda took Sharon and two other new wives for a drive around town to sightsee.

The sun had just gone down over San Antonio as a tall, thin man, in a rumpled suit, hurried along Nogalitos Street. He looked furtively around and then stepped quickly into a phone booth. He asked for reverse charges on a number he wanted in northern Florida.

“Hey, Hank, it’s me, Duke. You won’t believe it. The Fool has went and got hisself married and he never said nothing to me about it.”

Strong profanity came over the phone before the person said, “Well --keep an eye on him.”

“Sure thing. Do you want me to tell him to talk to you?”

“No. Don’t say anything. Report to me as soon as you find out anything more. I want to know all about the woman he married and what they’re doing. Be sure he understands you’re still his contact.”

“Gotcha. Ring you later.”

Sharon happily made a home for Jeremy while learning how to cook and sew. She hoped that Jeremy would change his mind about having children. I would love to start a family, and I bet Jeremy would love a child of his own.

Gradually Sharon began to notice abrupt mood changes in Jeremy; his sulking and his hurtful words to her. Although her heart was heavy, pride, self-respect and loyalty to her husband, helped her to hide her feeling from others behind a brave smile.

On Sharon’s twentieth birthday, some of the women took her out to dinner and gave her gifts. Linda Pallister had planned the evening. Although she was nine years older than Sharon, they had become close friends. Linda and Philip often took short trips with Jeremy and Sharon and ate out together as often as possible.

Jeremy was disturbed that Sharon was out with the women and he could not hear their conversations. When Sharon came home, she was shocked to find him drunk and passed out on the couch. If I wake him, he might be too angry for me to handle. I’ll just leave him alone and let him sleep it off. I don’t know when he started drinking. He wasn’t raised to indulge. Why is he unhappy? Am I doing something wrong?