Playing Patience - By Tabatha Vargo Page 0,113

path through the parking lot. I put my head down and slipped through the crowd and hid in the darkness between our bus and the one in front of it.

Once I saw her walk past, my soul sang with joy. I reached out and pulled her to me. I didn’t want her to scream and call attention to us, so I covered her mouth with my palm. I could hardly believe she was here in my arms, and I vowed that no matter what happened over the last months, she’d never leave my arms again.

Years of shadows and darkness were erased in that very moment. I held my source of freedom in my arms and I could already feel the heat from her light against my skin.

Her breath was heavy as she struggled against me, but once she realized it was me and she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back, I knew things would never be bad again.

Epilogue

I watched with a smile as Blow Hole was interviewed by the DJ of a local radio station.

“So, Zeke, we get a lot of questions in about some of your tattoos. I was wondering if you could tell us what the three snowflakes on your forearm represent.”

Zeke grinned over at me and lifted his arm onto the counter in front of him to show the DJ his tat.

“The big one here is for my girl. When we first started dating she reminded me of a snowflake princess, so I started calling her snowflake. I still call her that now. The two smaller ones are for our two daughters. They’re just a blond and beautiful as she is.”

“Snowflake, huh?” the DJ asked. “It’s a wonder she doesn’t melt in this California heat.” He laughed.

Zeke’s eyes met mine from across the room and the love that lived there sparked. The side of his mouth tilted up in a knowing smile.

“Well, we went through the depths of hell to be together. If she hasn’t melted yet, I don’t think she ever will.”

“Snowflakes in Hell”

By Blow Hole

Lost in the dark, I stopped fighting it.

This is my world; this is my home.

Loss of air, wishing to forget,

It breaks me down, crushing bone.

There’s no breeze; there’s no sun,

Just this need to escape.

There’s no end to what I’ve begun.

Too far gone, it’s too late.

I’ll drag you down, hold your breath.

With me, you’re going under.

Escape my desired death.

Save yourself from dangerous hunger.

Chorus:

Can you see the broken parts of me?

They breed in my dark place, then leave without a trace.

There’s a hole within my shadowed soul.

It’s on your fingertips and dances on your lips.

In my depths, I already know.

I should never feel your glow.

A selfish thing to tell.

I want snowflakes in my hell.

I’ll scar your perfect skin,

With black traces of my need,

Engulf you fully with my sin,

Make you wish that you were freed.

Dreams become nightmares,

Fueled by jealous rage,

Rocked by my careless cares,

Beg release from my black cage.

Dig deep inside your center,

Rot you from within.

A game without a winner,

No beginning gives no end.

Chorus:

Can you see the broken parts of me?

They breed in my dark place, then leave without a trace.

There’s a hole within my shadowed soul.

It’s on your fingertips and dances on your lips.

In my depths, I already know.

I should never feel your glow.

A selfish thing to tell,

I want snowflakes in my hell.

Acknowledgements

This is my third book, and still I have a hard time writing the acknowledgements. It’s hard to thank the massive amount of people who have helped me when it comes to my writing. I have so many supportive people in my life and for that I am truly blessed.

First of all, I’d like to thank my girls—Melissa Andrea, Mary Smith, Jodie O’Brien, Amy Holmes McClung, Julia Hendrix, Kathryn Vanessa Spell Grimes, Shanora Williams, and Bree Foster High. All of you read Playing Patience before anyone else had their hands on it and I value your opinions so much. You girls and many others that I’ve met throughout this entire experience have become like sisters to me and I adore you all.

To Regina Wamba, my lovely cover designer and dear friend, you’re amazing. There isn’t much more I can write here that everyone doesn’t already know, but I just want to say thank you for everything. I’m grateful to have met such an amazing woman and talented artist.

To my dear sweet editor, Cassie McCown, thank you for picking through my work and making it better. I look forward to working with you again in the future. I’m glad to say I have found an editor I trust—one that I can also call a friend. Thank you.

To my family, I love you. You look past the piles of laundry that need to be done and you rarely complain about the quick meals that replace the home cooking you’re used to. I’m Mommy and Wife before anything else, but when I step into my office and I lose myself in my writing, you guys are still there waiting for me with a smile and hug and when I come out.

Matthew I love you more than I could ever put into words, and words are kind of my thing. Ashlynn, my beautiful daughter, you’re my breath, the reason I do anything. I can only pray that I make you two proud. <3

To my readers, YOU ROCK! Thank you for all of your kind words. I love you all!

Playing Patience - By Tabatha Vargo Page 0,113

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