ONE

BREATH



SYNOPSIS





Nineteen-year-old Tavin Curtis steps out of an Idaho juvenile prison with a train ticket, a handful of letters, and no idea what freedom will ask of him. The letters are from Nora Taylor, a young woman in Seattle who first wrote to him by mistake and kept writing after she learned who he was. Now Tavin is traveling to meet her without warning, hoping the connection they found on paper can survive the reality of two complicated lives.


Once a girl with plans for college and a future in music and art, Nora lost her sophomore and junior years of high school to a consuming romance with Jake, whose part in a fatal robbery exposed the danger beneath his charm. Will she choose sobriety for herself and rebuild the life that belongs to her?



On the train, Tavin meets Charlie Matheson, an elderly veterinarian who has spent decades retracing the journey that separated him from the love of his life. As he tells Tavin about his love story, a hidden family connection comes to light, moving between two generations.


ONE BREATH is a story of generational love that asks what happens when love cannot undo the past—but can help us find the strength to choose what comes next.



EXCERPT



SETTING

SEATTLE TRAIN STATION

SEPTEMBER, 2019


Charlie rested his bifocals atop his salted hair and placed the National Geographic magazine on his seat. He shifted to the center aisle, allowing Tavin to exit row 29. Tavin gathered his backpack from under the seat. Inching toward Charlie, he knocked the cap from the head of the male passenger seated in front of him. He excused himself and continued toward the center aisle.


Both men stood in the aisle, uncertain of the appropriate salutation. It was their first awkward moment since Tavin boarded the train eight hours earlier. Charlie extended his right hand. Tavin stared at Charlie’s age-spotted hand, recalling how Charlie clutched his hand five-seconds-longer than normal during their initial greeting. This time, however, Tavin hugged the older man with both arms.


Charlie wrapped both arms around Tavin, whispering - “Let noting deter you from finding love, Tavin. Love is paramount!” Tavin did not respond, but their embrace spoke louder than words. They broke from their hug at the demand of hurried passengers behind them. Tavin wove his arms through the straps of his backpack, turned and walked down the center aisle, exiting the train.


Charlie moved to his seat, 29C, allowing passengers behind him to exit the train. He peered through the window at Tavin as he maneuvered through the Seattle train station. Sifting through the sea of passersby, Tavin glanced back at the train, wondering how a chance seating assignment had shifted his destiny? Or had it been by chance?


Fixated on the possibility of finding Nora, Tavin reflected on Charlie’s last words. “Let noting deter you from finding love, Tavin. Love is paramount,” he repeated. Tavin knew he was on the right journey.