Page 1 of No Time for Doubt
Chapter 1
Devyn Norris listenedto the phone ring and ring.Endlessly.Unanswered.Again.
Her gut churned.She knew better than to ignore her intuition.She’d been trying to connect every ten minutes since her client missed their scheduled appointment.Her attempts weren’t even going to voicemail.She counted to ten rings.Then fifteen.Then ended the call.
Again.
Chewing on her lip, she debated her options.
Every fiber of her being was sounding the alarm, insisting there was serious trouble.Her client, Nell Pereda, was always conscientious about her appointments.She was the ideal client and one of Devyn’s favorite people.When she did have a conflict—a rare occurrence—she gave plenty of notice.
“Come on, Nell.”Devyn’s pleas had less chance of being answered than the phone call.
The swirling agitation wouldn’t solve this.She was better off to stop, take stock, and reassess so she could make a good plan.
Keeping her phone close, she opened her laptop and pulled up Nell’s file.At fifty-five, Nell was still married to her first husband, Daniel.The youngest of their three children had finished college and flown the nest last year.So far, the adjustment was rocky on the best of days.Nell had sought Devyn’s guidance for stress management strategies as she debated when and how to return to work.Daniel hadn’t been supportive of her goals, but Nell blamed his lack of enthusiasm on his own issues at work.
In her recent sessions with Nell, that particular excuse didn’t sit right with Devyn.Something consistently felt off about the marital relationship, though she hadn’t pressed, sticking to the areas and topics her client wanted to focus on.
And now, here she was, certain Nell was in trouble.
Devyn swore.
“That’s hardly the welcome I expected.”Marlene, Devyn’s closest friend and long-time mentor, walked into the sunroom wearing her usual warm smile.
Her room-dominating presence never seemed to dim.In her late sixties, Marlene credited her years of ballet for every inch of the regal posture she still maintained.Taller than average, she defined statuesque grace.Today, her strawberry blonde hair, turning white at the temples, was gathered into a sleek top-knot.Marlene always managed to create a relaxed, mystic vibe, though these days she claimed it was her brand.Her colorful tunic flowed down over black leggings and her feet were bare.She carried a watering can in one hand and a mister in the other, prepared to chatter and baby her thriving plants.
Mesmerizing as ever, Devyn took a beat to simply admire her friend.She remembered the awe she’d felt at their first meeting as if it was only yesterday.Remarkably, time never muted Marlene’s effect, no matter how she grew and refined her own skills.
“I thought you were between calls.”One good look at Devyn and the happy sparkle faded from her blue eyes, her auburn eyebrows knit together over a straight nose dusted with faint freckles.“What happened?”
Devyn knew better than to deflect or evade.Marlene had taught Devyn everything about her psychic gifts.She’d opened her arms—and occasionally her home—to give Devyn her first taste of complete acceptance.Within an hour of being introduced, Marlene had become the rare combination of teacher and doting aunt.Stern when necessary, she’d provided a grounding framework and positive guidance to harness and control Devyn’s skills.
“I should be done for the day,” Devyn replied.“My client is uncharacteristically absent.”
“This is a regular meeting?”
“Should’ve been.”Devyn checked her phone one more time.No new messages.“She never leaves me hanging.Not once in fifteen months.”
“Wow.”Marlene, a frown etched on her face, set aside the mister and watering can.“How far away is she?”
Devyn’s mind, clouded with an unspecified foreboding, cleared in an instant.“That’s why I’m here,” she realized.Her visit with Marlene hadn’t been planned, but her impromptu request had suited them both.Until this moment, she’d assumed it was simply a nudge to spend time with her friend and mentor.
“Where you’re always welcome.”A gentle, knowing smile eased the concern on Marlene’s face.“Go to her.”
Devyn hurried back to the guest room to change clothes.She prepped for appointments with an eye to blending in and being discreet.Being a psychic carried enough of a stigma.She’d learned early that being too relaxed or too creative with her clothing only invited more unwelcome judgment.Maybe, a few decades from now, she’d feel easier with the bold colors and patterns, scarves, and unique styles Marlene favored.
Urgency had her moving quickly.She pulled on dark slacks, short black boots, and traded her super-comfy College of Charleston sweatshirt for a soft, ivory cable knit sweater.It was a sunny day but spring hadn’t entirely banished winter yet.The wind coming off the lake still had quite a bite.She brushed her hair and pulled it back into a low, sleek tail at the nape of her neck.A swipe of mascara and lip gloss was the only makeup she took time for.
Opening her red velvet jewelry bag, she studied the options.Simple amethyst drop earrings caught her attention and she continued the theme with a favorite statement ring.The deep-violet oval amethyst set in a vintage silver filigree band felt warm and right as she slid it into place.Taking a deep breath, a wave of confidence washed over her, affirming her decisions as she grabbed her purse and keys and headed for the door.
A tenacious restlessness, gray around the edges of her vision, nudged her along.“I’m coming, Nell,” she murmured.“Hang in there.It’s going to be all right.”
