CHAPTER 1

June 25th, Fairfax, Virginia

“Watch out. It’s slippery and there’s broken glass,” Erin Price warned an elderly shopper as a teenaged store employee arrived to clean up the puddle of olive oil and sharp green shards.

“Sorry about this,” said Erin as she turned to the teenager. “Can you reach another one for me, please?”Why do they always put whatever I need on the topshelf?

“Thanks,” she said, as he handed her a new bottle. “Really sorry for the mess.”

She placed a few more items in her cart and glanced at her watch. Only three hours before Nick would be home. She wanted everything to be perfect tonight. She smiled, once again deciding that marrying him was her best decision ever. The last six months had been wonderful.

I just hope he isn’t late again.

Erin’s favorite checkout clerk looked up as she reached the register.

“Hi,” the woman said cheerfully. “You don’t usually shop this time of the week. Having company?”

“No,” said Erin. “Dinner with my husband for a change.”

“Is he working nights?”

“Recently, yes. He’s back in graduate school and spends his evenings at the university lab. Tonight’s our six-month anniversary, and I’m preparing his favorite dinner.”

“Didn’t you two meet in college?”

“No. We met at a bookstore and started chatting over a cup of coffee. Nearly five hours later, at closing time, we had to be chased out, having discussed everything from astrophysics to medieval Europe.”

“Ha! Good conversation on a first date? I don’t believe it.”

“Nick’s well-read and an unusually good listener. I was enchanted, but I surprised everyone, especially myself, when I agreed to marry him a month later.”

“Wow. Proposed so soon? An impetuous fella, huh?”

“No. I think it was his first impulsive life decision. His next one was spending his savings on a wonderful honeymoon in China.”

“Ah. It’s grand to be in love,” the clerk said as she handed over the last bagged items.

Erin grinned, nodding. “Yes, it is. Thanks. Have a great day.”

Leaving the parking lot, she turned on the radio and sang along, ignoring the amused glances from other drivers. About halfway home, a favorite song came on. Cranking up the volume, she belted out the lyrics.

Suddenly, she was blinded by a dazzling flash of pure white light, and she was flying a