Trish Edmisten - Letters from Linc

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2016 by Trish Edmisten

All Rights Reserved.

For the 4,495 men and women of OperationIraqi Freedom and the 2,329 men and women of Operation EnduringFreedom, who have given their lives in service to their country. Nowords can ever thank you enough for your sacrifice.

And for my husband, Wes, who taught methere was more than one way to achieve my dream.

Letters from Linc was written over thecourse of a year in 2005 and was released in March 2006. It was myfirst published novel and my first foray in to independentpublishing.

At the time of its publication, eBooks didnot exist as they do now. They were still a wave of the future. Thecompany that I released this book with did offer Letters fromLinc as an eBook, but it was a PDF that was emailed to thereader and intended to be read on the computer.

When eBooks became the industry standard, thepublisher of Letters from Linc began to offer it in allelectronic formats. Though I did not know it at the time, therewere numerous problems with formatting when the printed version wasconverted to the new electronic version. It wasnt until I read areview from a disappointed buyer claiming that the novel wasriddled with so many errors that she was forced to ask for hermoney back that I was made aware of this problem.

The publisher and I tried to work together tocorrect this. When it became clear we werent going to be able toreach an agreement as to what should and should not be corrected, Iwas offered a choice. I could pull the electronic version or agreethat only the publisher approved corrections would be made. At thattime, I chose to pull the offering of the electronic version.

Since I still own the rights to this story, Idecided that when the time came, I would revisit this story andoffer an updated version to my readers. As much as I love thisnovel, Ive long understood that it was in need of improvement. Alot has changed in the last ten years, including my writing andits time.

I give you the ten year anniversary editionof Letters from Linc. For now, this book is only availablein the electronic format. Please be aware that if you purchase theversion of this book printed in 2006, it will not contain the samecontent and may contain some minor editing errors that have sincebeen addressed here.

While I thank all of you for taking thisjourney with me, the members of all branches of the U.S. militarydeserve the most gratitude. Without you, Linc would not exist.

Why do I keep doing this to myself?

Pounding bass, one indistinguishable technosong fading into the next and a sea of sweaty bodies grindingagainst one another; it was the same thing every weekend. It wasntEricas scene, but every weekend she subjected herself to the sametorture while asking herself the same question.

Why do I keep doing this to myself?

Erica sighed as she looked in the directionof the dance floor. Somewhere out there, Cory and Veronica werehaving a great time. While her best friends were dancing with acouple of hot guys, proving that blondes really did have more fun,Erica sat alone in a corner, sipping the one and only drink shewould purchase that night.

Why did she do this to herself every weekend?Because her friends counted on her to be the designated driver andshe couldnt let them down.

Just once though, it would have been nice ifshe could let loose and have some fun like every othertwenty-two-year-old in the world. It wasnt like she was hopelessin the looks department, at least not according to her friends.Long, dark hair, green eyes, average height, thin without being tooskinny, mostly clear skin minus those pesky breakouts that camewhen it was that time of the month and a set of straightteeth that cost her parents a fortune in her teenage years; seemedlike the combination would appeal to someone.

It didnt.

Every weekend, the guys skipped right overher, their lust filled gazes zeroing in on Cory and Veronica, apair of bubbly blondes whose boobs were a full cup size bigger thanEricas own B cup.

Having fun? Cory dropped into a chairbeside her.

Erica forced a smile. Tons, as usual.

Erica had known Cory since junior high schoolEnglish class. Their completely opposite personalities seemed to bethe perfect formula for a lasting friendship.

Since their awkward junior high days, notthat there were many for Cory, her friend had grown in to a tallwillowy blonde with an ability to attract all kinds of men toher.

You could have a lot more fun if youd finda guy to dance with, Cory said, fanning herself with a napkin.

In case you hadnt noticed the line at thistable is a little short.

Then I guess youll have to take someinitiative and ask a guy to dance.

Erica arched her eyebrows. Ask a guy todance? Even if she pretended it was just that easy, it wasnt inher nature to do that kind of thing, and Cory knew it.

Come on, Erica, its easy, Cory encouraged.Find a guy you like and ask him to dance.

What are we doing here? Veronica floppedinto the last empty chair at the table.

Were trying to persuade Erica to ask a guyto dance, Cory answered.

Sounds like a good idea. Veronicas eyes aslit up and her smile turned devilish. Which one?

Cory scanned the room. Theres one thatsright up your alley, Erica.

Ericas gaze followed Corys, coming to reston a guy sitting alone in the corner of the club. Between thedistance and the darkness, she couldnt see any distinguishingfeatures, but he was definitely worth a second look.

Veronica laughed. Looks like you two alreadyhave a lot in common.

Cory pulled a twenty dollar bill from herpocket and held it between them. Ill give you twenty bucks if yougo over there and ask that guy to dance.

Oh, Im in, Veronica said.

What if he says no? Erica asked.

He can say whatever he wants, Cory replied.I just want you to ask him to dance.

Glancing in the corner, Erica saw that he wasstill there and still alone. Without another word to her friendsshe stood and made her way to his table, all the while askingherself what she was doing.

Was she really willing to make a fool ofherself for a lousy forty dollars? Apparently she was because shewas heading straight for the guy.

So, do you wanna dance? Erica blurted outwhen she stopped in front of his table.

The guy looked up at her with wide, blueeyes. Sweet Jesus on the cross, he was hot with his strong jaw andfull lips to compliment those pretty blue eyes. And that body!

Erica could only see his upper body, but whata sight it was. Nice broad shoulders, biceps straining against hisplain white T-shirt and what appeared to be a tightly sculptedchest. No doubt he had a six pack too.

Judging by the high and tight haircut, he wasmilitary. They were close enough to Camp Pendleton to make the ECNightclub a popular spot for military men looking to have a littlefun without straying too far from base.

Um, no, thanks. I dont really like todance.

No part of her was surprised that he turneddown the invitation, but at least his rejection was kinder thanmost guys.

You just came for the drinks? Erica asked,not ready to end their conversation.

Nah, I dont like to drink.

Dont drink, dont dance, you must be theDD?

Yeah, but its cool.

The awkward silence that fell between themwas the exact reason that Erica ended up stuck in a corner everyweekend. How to Talk to Guys 101 was not a course she passed inhigh school.

Um, guess Ill be going. Sorry I botheredyou.

I was thinking about going outside. Wannacome?

Erica frowned. Come outside? With you?

Please, I dont get to talk to beautifulgirls very often.