Marie Bush Pinschmidt
MAGGIE'S RETREAT is a sequel to the author's successful first novel MAN ON THE BALCONY, a continuation of the lives of Maggie (an accomplished artist), and Brad (a doctor), each striving to make a difference in an unsettled world. Their continued love story brings them face to face with the misdirected youth of today, Alzhimer's disease, and a shooting that almost destroys everything. This book shows that doctors can have a life outside of medicine and a successful artist doesn't need to live in a NYC loft.
Although Maggie and Brad's dreams have come true, they find there is no safe place or guaranteed future in their small town. Their home is invaded by a troubled young man but the encounter proves to be an unexpected blessing when Maggie and Brad are able to chart his course in a totally different direction.
Maggie's dream of running an artist retreat also came true but not without challenges after being caught up in the personal lives of the artists.
Just when Maggie's hopes were merging and expanding, her full life was shattered by a shooting at Brad's clinic, leaving a life hanging in the balance. The shooting catapulted him into national fame, a place he had no desire to be. Courage, love, and determination paved their way not only for survival, but brought them unexpected joy.
MAGGIE'S RETREAT stands on its own as a novel, but those who loved MAN ON THE BALCONY will not want to miss the exciting twists and turns in the continued saga of Maggie and Brad. The author's descriptive prose and sense of story will delight you. She is now working on her third novel, SPANISH MOSS, so stay tuned.
To read more about this accomplished writer visit her web site at www.mariepinschmidt.com
Marie’s first novel, “Man on the Balcony”, received much praise for the characterization, sense of place, and refreshing yet riveting writing style. At her reader’s request she has written “Maggie’s Retreat” as a sequel. Both books can be read as a continuing story or each read as a separate novel. Her artistic and medically related background allows her to write with authority and believability. The cover art for this book, as well as for her first novel, was painted in oil by the author.
Marie continues to reside, paint and write in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She welcomes feedback from readers and can be contacted by e-mail at MariePin001@comcast.net or through her website, www.mariepinschmidt.com Her books are available through her website as well as book stores and internet book sellers.
Maggie heard Brad’s car enter the driveway. Oh God, she thought, then realized she was now holding the gun. Scott, too, heard the sound and grappled wildly about for his weapon, until he saw the gun held firmly in Maggie’s raised hand. His chair banged the wall behind him, fell on its side and slid across the floor. He vaulted toward her but froze when Maggie raised the gun and pointed it directly at his heart. Now sheathed in fear of his own, his gaze turned frantically toward the kitchen door and possible escape.
“Sit right back down,” Maggie ordered. “Now, you can deal with my husband, but you won’t do it with a gun.”
Scott pounded his fist on the table in frustrated defeat. “1 can’t do anything right,” he mumbled between clinched teeth.
Shaking with fear and relief, Maggie backed toward the family room door. She needed to signal Brad that all was not well in their little corner of paradise.
Brad’s jaw dropped when he saw Maggie’s head motioning him toward her. Where was the welcoming smile he had grown to expect? Her body sagged as her legs began to buckle. With pounding heart, he pulled her into his arms and tentatively reached for the weapon in her hand. Something was terribly wrong; Maggie would never handle a gun. Leaning against him, she managed to direct his focus to the young man at the far end of the kitchen.
“He — he came to kill you,” she stammered.
With the gun, Brad directed Scott to the family room where he could better deal with the intruder, as well as keep an eye on Maggie.
“Sit your sorry behind on that sofa and don’t move,” Brad demanded.
“1 wouldn’t have shot you. Please don’t call the police,” Scott pleaded.
Shocked fury filled Brad, not for having his own life threatened but for what could have happened to Maggie.
Brad moved to a wing chair by the door and fumbled blindly in his briefcase until he found a bottle of pills. He handed it to Maggie. “Take one of these and go lie down. Don’t get up until I deal with this situation.”
Maggie took the bottle. “Please be careful, Brad, he’s just a child.”
“If he carries a gun, he’s not a child.” Never had Maggie heard Brad speak so sharply. He waited until she was safe on the bed before approaching Scott.
“Now, young man, tell me why I shouldn’t call the police? You entered my home uninvited, toting a gun, terrifying my pregnant wife and threatening to kill me. Why?”
“Because my mother is going blind and you won’t help her.” Fear had replaced the young man’s former fury; he sniffed as he wiped away his tears with the back of his hand.
The tears left Brad speechless. He knew immediately who the boy was. His name was Mayes, his mother had advanced macular degeneration, and there was little he could do to save her vision. On her visit the previous day, she had confided how ten years earlier her husband had abandoned her and two children. Her main concern was that the children finish their education. Brad promised to help her solve the problem in any way he could. Two teenage children could be a blessing or an additional problem. It appeared the latter would be the case.
“They’re good kids,” she had told him, “but not having a father has been hard on them, especially Scott.”
