Tears of Betrayal by Sherry A. Burton

AMBER’S WORLD IS SHATTERED when her husband Jeff dies suddenly in an accident. On the day of his funeral, in the midst of her grief, she is blind-sided with divorce papers, served only hours before the service. Forced to face how flawed her marriage truly was, Amber finally begins to deal with the lies and deceit that were at the very foundation of her relationship.

When the ruggedly handsome Kentucky horse breeder Dalton loses his beloved wife shortly after the birth of their child, he thinks he will never find love again. Four years later, he knows something is missing from his life, but just can’t seem to place it. Until he meets the raven-haired beauty – the woman of his dreams.

Will Amber overcome the fear of being hurt again and find true love?

Will she be able to see clearly through her tears of betrayal?

For excerpts, testimonials and more information, please visit the website at www.tearsofbetrayal.com

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“I was hooked by the third chapter, couldn’t put it down, and became so involved with the characters they came alive to me. I cried and laughed with them! I can’t wait for the sequel.”
Jackie Taylor

“I LOVED this book and found myself wanting to read it again and again.”
Patricia McCampbell

“I love books that grab you at the beginning and Tears of Betrayal does just that. I felt like I was
on the same emotional rollercoster that Amber was. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop.”
Kathy Carr

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Chapter One

Sitting at her vanity, Amber gazed at her reflection in the mirror; her deep, nearly black eyes stared back at her. Her mom had always said, “Your eyes Amber, they’re very special, they capture people. There won’t be a man alive who will be able to resist you when he looks into those eyes of yours.”

Jeff, her husband, had told her that her eyes had drawn him to her. He said he liked the way he could see his reflection in them.

Amber studied herself in the mirror. She was glad the wrinkles had not yet taken up residence on her face. Her eyebrows had an enviable natural arch and thankfully, she had inherited her mother’s nose. Not too big or too small, it was just right. Behind her full lips were straight, white teeth, making the three years of braces nearly worth it. She winced, remembering all the relentless teasing. Being referred to as “metal mouth,” “zipper mouth,” or “tin grin” was hard, especially combined with the small mole, which lay just to the left of her upper lip.

“Just like a movie star,” her mom would say. “Don’t worry about those kids, they’re just jealous that they don’t look like movie stars too.” No matter the dilemma – real or imagined – her mom always found a way to make her smile and see the bright side.

I wish you were here, Mom, Amber thought. I sure could use some of your happy thoughts.

As she pulled a hairbrush through her silky black hair, she let her mind wander. Surely Jeff would notice her weight loss tonight. Amber had been losing weight steadily for the past few months, but to her disappointment, her husband hadn’t uttered a word about it. Not that she had ever been heavy; she was simply trying everything she could think of to get her husband’s attention.

“Enough of this pity party,” she chided as she placed the hairbrush on the counter.

With a sigh, she headed down stairs for her morning cup of coffee. A cold breeze stung her face as she swung open the door and scooped up the morning paper. She hurried to shut out the ever-present Michigan wind, and headed down the hall toward the kitchen. The kitchen was filled with golden rays of warm sunshine, streaming in from the sliding glass doors. The large back yard was lined with pine trees, which blocked the brutal winter winds. They also added privacy from the prying eyes of nosy neighbors.

Sadly, the same could not be said about the front yard. No, that yard had plenty of eyes watching every movement – one of the drawbacks of living in a small town. Amber loved having the curtains open and wished they had lined the front with pine trees as well.

She turned on the coffee pot and sat on a stool, crossed her legs then leafed through the paper until she found the horoscope page. She folded the paper backwards then in half again as was her morning ritual.

“The time for romance is near,” it read. “Take the time to see things as they really are.”

Amber’s eyes rolled upward. “Yeah right,” she laughed. The last time Jeff was romantic was when he landed the highway repair contract in the city. That was seven years ago. Since then he had practically lived there, coming home on Friday and leaving again on Sunday. Lately, even that wasn’t a given. His idea of romance these days was a six-pack and a blowjob.

When the gurgling of the coffee machine subsided, Amber poured herself a cup and reached for the sugar. Scooping up the white crystals, she watched as they dissolved into the depths of the brown liquid. As she sat, stirring her coffee her thoughts turned inward.

I know Jeff is a good provider. Hell, most people would kill to have a house and car that’s paid for. And he is quite the looker – even if he is a tad vain. She shook her head as she pictured Jeff primping in front of the mirror. It was common knowledge that he spent more time getting ready in the morning than did she.

Then there’s Julie, she thought, smiling at the thought of their only daughter. Sure, she can be a pain, can’t all children? But as teenagers go, we’re very lucky. The happy little family…

Amber’s dark eyes filled with tears. If we’re so happy, then why am I so damn miserable?

She watched the coffee swirl around in the cup, the perfect metaphor for her inner turmoil.

It’s because every day is just like the day before, Amber thought. Is it so wrong to want to be loved or even be appreciated? Just to be told I look good, that I’m sexy or desirable.

Don’t start this again. She wiped the moisture from her eyes. You don’t do yourself or anyone else any good when you get into one of your moods. She took a drink of her now-warm coffee.

The slamming of the front door startled her out of her funk.

“Mom! Clancy got loose again,” Julie’s annoyed voice shouted from the foyer. “I let him out to do his business; he saw something and took off running down the street, leash and all! I don’t have time to go after him again. I have to finish getting ready for school.”

Wonderful, Amber thought as she grabbed her coat and keys and headed for the car. That damn dog is going to drive me crazy.

Clancy, a large goofy boxer mix, was more trouble than he was worth sometimes but he never failed to let her know when someone was at the door. Plus, he kept her feet warm on those cold, northern nights. Jeff would have a conniption if he knew she let the dog sleep with her. As if Clancy knew, he never tried to get in bed with her if Jeff was home.

Amber scanned the neighbor’s yards as she slowly maneuvered her car around the circle.

Nope. Not at the Johnson’s, she thought. Not at the Marshal’s either.

She headed toward the park. A black squirrel darted in front of her, followed by none other than Clancy. He dragged his leash in a dead run and was oblivious to everything but his mission at hand. Amber slammed on the brakes, just missing both of them. The squirrel scurried up a nearby tree and Clancy stopped. He looked bewildered; as if questioning why the fun had stopped so abruptly.

She curbed the car, opened the door and called for the dog. Clancy sniffed the base of the tree. As though realizing his defeat, he trotted to the car, jumped in and sat in the passenger seat. His tongue lolled from the corner of his mouth as he sat panting and looking quite pleased with himself.

“You rotten dog,” Amber scolded. “One of these days I just might decide not to come looking for you.”

Clancy leaned over and started licking her face. She pushed the slobbering muzzle away.

“Knock it off. You’re not going to get on my good side that easy.” To her amazement, Clancy sat back down and rested his head on his paws. Amber couldn’t help but smile.

I think the little shit actually knows he’s in trouble, she thought and patted his head.

“You better stop running off before you get yourself killed,” she said sternly. Clancy wagged his short nub of a tail.

Turning the car around, she headed back the way she had come. As she pulled into her driveway, she noticed the curtains pulled back ever so slightly at the house next door. Karen, her nosy neighbor, was always keeping tabs on everything she did. She couldn’t pass gas without worrying that Karen would run off and tell someone about it. Amber’s face flushed.

Why don’t you get a life? she thought. You’d think she’d have better things to do. The second Amber turned the car off Clancy jumped up.

“You’d better not take off,” she said firmly. She opened the car door, grabbed his collar and led him into the house. Her daughter’s voice called down from the middle of the stairs.

“Mom! Robin is on the phone.”

Amber looked up to see the cordless phone sailing down from above, and reacted just in time to catch it. Julie was clad in jeans, an oversized Redwings sweatshirt, and wore one striped sock. The other was casually draped across her right shoulder. Julie’s long black hair hung loose, thick eyelashes accentuating the startling green eyes she had inherited from her father. A few blemishes that came with being a thirteen-year-old dotted her cheerful face.

“Good, you found him. Come on Clancy,” the teen called. He scrambled up the stairs behind the dark-haired girl.

Amber sighed. She pushed back her hair and placed the phone to her ear. “What’s up Chickie?”

“Hey you,” Robin greeted. “Julie told me the dog took off again. Did you find him?”

“This time he found me,” Amber laughed. “I nearly killed the crazy mutt. He was too busy chasing a squirrel to even care there was a car coming. It’s a good thing I was driving slowly or I wouldn’t have to worry about looking for him anymore.”

“I don’t know why you keep going after him.”

Amber gazed out the window. “It gives me something to do. Besides, what would Karen have to look at if I didn’t?”

“That old crone. Is she still spying on you?”

“Yeah. She doesn’t think anyone can see her.”

“Or she doesn’t give a shit. Why don’t you just wave at her and see what she does?”

“I did.” Amber laughed. “She just moved to another window.”

“You ought to give her something to really look at,” Robin teased.

“Oh sure like what?” Amber asked. “Some gorgeous blonde hunk of a man in tight jeans and leather boots?”

“Mmmm, works for me. Why not? You could use some excitement in your life. Speaking of excitement, when does the highway man get home?”

“About eight o’clock. Why?”

“I thought maybe we could go shopping or something.”

“Not tonight. I thought I’d fix him something special for dinner.”

“I don’t know why you bother,” Robin said. “He never appreciates it. Hell, he never appreciates anything you do. Did he even notice you lost weight?”

“Shit no!” Amber said in a voice so loud it surprised even her.

“How much have you lost all together?”

Amber sighed, knowing the weight loss wouldn’t make a difference. “About twelve pounds.”

“Wow! You better not lose anymore or there won’t be anything left of you.”

“I know. I was hoping that just maybe this would be the thing to put the fire back in our marriage.”

“If you ask me, the man is gay,” Robin laughed. “Anyone that has a woman as sexy as you and doesn’t want to be with you every minute he can, has to have a problem.”

“Robin, you’re not turning bi on me, are you?” Amber teased.

“I’m just saying you’re a great looking lady and the man needs to have his head examined,” Robin countered.

Amber’s voice took on a serious tone. “You’re my best friend Robin. I hope you know that.”

Robin’s voice brightened. “If I was bi we could really give Karen a show!”

“This is getting deep,” Amber said with a laugh. “I best be getting off this phone. Clancy and I are going for our morning run; would you like to join us?”

“Me run? Yeah right! Besides, I have to be to work early this morning. I have to do the end of the month reports. Anyway, I think Clancy already had his morning run.”

Amber laughed into the phone. “You really don’t think that tired him out do you?”

“You always say he’s a mixed breed. I think he’s mixed with the energizer bunny.”

“In more ways than one girlfriend,” Amber chuckled. “He could give that bunny a run for his money. Listen, I’ve got to go. I need to light a fire under Julie before she’s late for school.”

“Ok. See ya lady!”

“Later.” Amber turned off the receiver, walked to the base of the stairs and looked up. “Julie! You need to come down for breakfast!”

“I’ll be down in a minute. I’m almost done,” Julie hollered through her door. Amber walked to the counter and folded the newspaper.

I don’t know why I read these things, she mused. Love, romance, that’s just in the movies…

“Mom, is it ok if I stay the night at Kelly’s? Mom?”

“Huh?” Amber asked, suddenly aware the teen was in the room.

“Gosh, Mom, you looked like you were in a trance or something,” Julie said sounding edgy.

“Just daydreaming I guess. What did you want?”

”I wanted to know if I could spend the night with Kelly,” she repeated, as she pulled her long black hair up into a ponytail.

Amber’s brow creased with a frown. “But honey. Your dad will be home tonight. Don’t you want to see him?” She reached up, tucking in a narrow strand of Julie’s hair that had managed to escape the grasp of the hair tie.

“I’ll see him tomorrow. Besides, he won’t miss me. He doesn’t talk to me anymore either,” Julie said, waving her hand to further express her point.

A look of confusion crossed Amber’s face. “What do you mean, ‘either?’”

“I’m not stupid, Mom. I watch talk shows. Dad is just using you.”

Amber couldn’t help but notice how much Julie reminded her of herself. The way her eyes narrowed and her lips scrunched together when she was trying to make a point.

“I think you’d better lay off the talk shows, dear. You’re reading too much into things,” Amber said sternly.

“Denial. It’s not a good state to be in,” Julie said, giving her mom a big hug. “So? Can I go to Kelly’s?”

“I guess so, but no more talk shows,” Amber said, playfully swatting the teen’s backside.

“Sure Mom. Anything you say.” Julie turned to wink at her mom then headed to pack her things.

“Hurry up or you’ll be late for school.” A sudden sense of sadness washed over her as she watched her daughter trot back up the stairs with Clancy right behind her.

God she’s growing up, she thought, shaking her head. I wonder if I was that perceptive at her age. Hell, who am I kidding? I’m not that perceptive at my age. She’s right though, Jeff doesn’t notice either one of us anymore. Maybe I should start watching those damn talk shows. Maybe they would teach me a thing or two.

Julie called down the stairs. “Mom, have you seen my new Lady Gaga CD?”

“Sure. I listen to it all the time. I keep it right next to my Alan Jackson collection,” Amber teased. “Try cleaning your room, you might just find it.”

Julie flew down the stairs with Clancy hot on her heels. Zipping her backpack, she snatched up her lunch money and rushed towards the door. She reached for the doorknob and used her leg to block Clancy. “I’ll clean my room tomorrow Mom, I promise.”

“Jeez, don’t I even get a kiss goodbye?” Amber asked, faking insult. “What about breakfast?”

Julie gave her mom a quick peck on the cheek. “Don’t worry, Mom. I have a granola bar. I’ll see you tomorrow. Tell Dad I said hi.” She slammed the door behind her.

Amber looked down at Clancy. “Well boy, I guess it’s just you and me now. How ‘bout we go for our run?”

Amber picked up the leash, sending Clancy into a frenzy of eager barking and jumping.

“Ok, calm down,” she fussed as she strained to fasten the leash. Locking the door, Amber headed out with Clancy for their morning four-mile jog.

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Sherry A. Burton, The Author

Born in Louisville, Sherry A. Burton was raised in the small town of Fairdale, Kentucky. Eloping December of 1980 with a Navy man while still in her teens, she has spent all of her adult life moving from state to state counting over thirty-two moves in her thirty years of marriage. Sherry can attest first-hand to the fact that a whirlwind marriage can indeed last. Sherry credits her frequent moves and long separations to her ability to feel her characters’ desire to find true happiness.

Sherry has worked as a private nanny and is a certified dog trainer. She is the mother of three adult children and has four wonderful grandchildren. Her hobbies include reading, walking, Pilates, and spending time with her “friends” which is how she refers to the characters she creates. She believes in daily affirmations, positive energy and feels that karma will have the final say.

Sherry A. Burton currently resides in Chesapeake, Virginia, and has several other books in the works, including a sequel to Tears of Betrayal.

Read Sherry’s blog at Sherry A. Burton Author.