by Tia Siren
“Mr. Johnson tried again today,” I informed him, beyond frustrated as I set some dirty dishes in the sink. “Is there any way you could put a sign up asking them not to harass the wait staff?”
“C’mon, Scarlet, it’s hard enough keeping myself from doing it,” Greg teased with a smile that filled his entire face. “You are gorgeous, and you should hear men say it more often.”
The smile on his face and the genuine compliments he sent my way always made it impossible for me to stay mad—or even annoyed—at him. I laughed it off while he flipped sausages.
“Well, you’re no help.” I sighed, shaking my head. “And you’re just as bad as Mr. Johnson.”
Greg’s chuckles echoed throughout the kitchen as I gathered a few plates that were ready for delivery and made my way out to the floor. I was barely out the door when I felt a familiar vibration. A line formed between my brows as I delivered the food with a forced smile.
Worry that it might be the babysitter calling about Kimmy made the few minutes it took me to return to the back room feel like an eternity. As soon as the door closed behind me, I ducked into a corner and slipped my phone from my server apron.
My heart settled when I saw Lisa’s name in the text message. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I’d talked to her. It was probably before I’d had Kimmy, but I didn’t really care either way. Still, my curiosity got the better of me, and I tapped on the message.
Hey, Scarlet. I know it’s been years, but I’m getting married this weekend, and I really want you at my wedding. We were best friends for so long, and it wouldn’t be the same without you. Call me. It’s been too long, and we must catch up. Bye!”
Lisa was getting married? I didn’t know what was more surprising, that she was actually getting married or that she had found a man capable of putting up with her for more than ten minutes. I chuckled at my mean thought and tucked my phone back into my pocket as I left the back room.
I did my best to be the diligent worker I always was, but the message kept playing in the back of my mind. I hadn’t seen or spoken to Lisa in so long, and now she wanted to hang out like it was still high school. The notion was weird at best.
It was a slow day, and I was eager to return home. I believe Greg could tell that I was preoccupied with something, because he let me leave a little earlier than usual. I thanked him with a hug and ran out to the bus stop at the corner.
Home wasn’t too far away, but it was just far enough that walking at the end of a long day’s work was difficult. As per usual, I got a few looks from men on the bus, and I did my best to ignore them. Thankfully, no one worked up the courage to introduce themselves.
My little apartment, a one-bedroom rental above an old grocery store, could barely be called that, but it was home. And thanks to my friendship with the owners and my part-time job at their establishment, it was also cheap. As an added bonus, the wife, Dawn, sometimes looked after Kimmy for me, which saved quite a few bucks on babysitters every month.
“Hey, Dawn,” I greeted as I opened the door.
Dawn hushed me and pointed at Kimmy, who was tucked into the crook of her arm and peacefully taking a nap. Despite her efforts, the sound of my voice woke her, as it always did.
“Mommy!” she shouted, still a little groggy, as her eyes popped open.
My heart melted, and I ran toward her, lifting her up for a big hug.
“What did you do today, Kimmy?” I asked in between kisses.
“I learned how to count to five!” She showed me her tiny open palm. “Wanna hear?”
I giggled and nodded, as she was already starting to count.
“One . . . two . . . th—” Dawn leaned in and whispered in her ear, and she went on. “Three . . . four . . . five.” The smile on her lips was so big and sweet, it filled me with pride.
I kissed her on the cheek once more. Somehow, no matter how exhausted I was, her smile always brought me back to life.
“Okay, Kimmy, I’m going to get dinner started. What do you want to eat?”
“Noodles!” she shouted.
I laughed. “Okay. Noodles sound good.”
She nodded as I set her on the floor to run around the tiny apartment, singing songs only she knew. I shook my head and chuckled.
“Good day at work?” Dawn asked.
“Define good,” I said with a chortle.
“That great, huh?”
I nodded as we walked to the kitchen. “I got a text today from an old high school friend.”
“Anyone I know?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Do you remember Lisa?” Dawn shrugged and tilted her head. “We used to spend every waking hour together as kids.”
Recognition shone in Dawn’s eyes. “I remember you two running around in my store. You were cute kids.”
A smile formed on my lips. “Well, you’ll get to see her again. She’s coming into town to get married and wants to hang out, which will be super weird since we completely drifted apart over the years.”
“And who’s fault was that?” she asked. I sighed, slightly annoyed. I knew where she was going, and I didn’t like it. At my reaction, she changed gears. “Any idea who the world’s most patient man is?”
I chuckled as I filled a pot with water. “No clue, but if she’s anything like she was back then, he’s in for a treat. A handful wasn’t even a proper description for her. She demanded the photographer take at least ten shots before she approved one for our senior yearbook.”
“What did the final photo look like?” Dawn asked, amused.
I walked over to the bookshelf and plucked the yearbook out. After thumbing through the pages for a bit, I got to her photograph and started laughing. When I showed it to Dawn, she laughed as well.
Lisa looked like a model in a shampoo commercial. She was throwing her hair over her shoulder and giving a come-hither look.
“My mother would’ve disowned me if I took a photo like that when I was in high school.” Still laughing, Dawn checked her watch and slapped her forehead. “I’m late! I need to get down to the store. I’ll see you tomorrow, dear.”
I ushered her to the door and locked the bolt behind her. Kimmy was watching her cartoons on the TV, making it easy for me to finish dinner without the adorable distraction she provided.
As I waited for the pasta to cook, I returned to the yearbook to fill my time. I paged through the autographs I’d received from my classmates and even laughed at my own stupid photograph. I looked so clueless and carefree; I almost felt sorry for that girl. If only the younger version of me had known how things would turn out.
With a sigh, I quickly flipped past the sports section, trying to keep those memories locked away. However, they were impossible to control, and by the time dinner was ready, they lingered like ghosts in my mind.
Kimmy devoured her noodles and then fell asleep in her chair. I lifted her to bed and kissed her forehead before I returned to the musty old couch to relax.
I flipped through the channels to take my mind off those old memories, but that turned out to be a mistake. Monday Night Football flashed on the screen, and as luck would have it, of all the people and football players in the world, he was front and center on my screen.
Ryan was just as gorgeous as he was in high school, but way more famous, which sucked for me. I’d tried being with a few men over the years, but none of them drove me as wild as he had. I wanted to click off the television and rid myself of the memory of the only man I’d ever really wanted, but I couldn’t. As always, I was utterly and completely hypnotized by him.
I still remembered the last night I saw him as though it were yesterday. He had looked so handsome waiting for me in the stands, and even more handsome as he cradled me in his arms during the most passionate night of my life.
Now I wanted to cry, which was unacceptable considering the amount of tears I had already shed over the years. Besides, what had passed had passed. Decisions couldn’t be changed, and even if they could, I would still m
ake the exact same choice.
I felt guilty thinking about Ryan, especially since his younger sister, Lisa, was getting married this weekend and all I cared about was whether he’d be there.
*****
END OF SAMPLE
*****
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Table of Contents
Big Bad Professor: An Older Man and a Virgin Romance
Mail Order Bride Collection
Regency Romance Collection
Older Man Romance – What the Boss Wants, He Gets
Older Man Romance: Billionaire Flawed
Big Bad Baller Exclusive Sneak Peak
More Steamy Romance by Tia Siren
Mail Order Bride Collection
The Gambler’s Bride – A Clean Western Romance
Chapter One
The sun was burning brightly in the Virginia sky. Caroline was grateful she had thought to wear a pretty hat with a wide brim. It kept her face from burning. She walked briskly down the sidewalk, anxious to get home. Her shoes were beginning to wear and she hadn’t thought to ask her mother to purchase her a new pair while she was out.
She preferred to choose her own shoes anyway. She would just go past the store on her way to work in the morning and stop for a pair. She passed several young men who were walking in the opposite direction. They all looked at her and smiled. She smiled back.
She could see the differences in their smiles and wondered if they realized they did that. She passed them every day on her way home. One of them was tall and thin and though he wore a shirt and tie, he didn’t look like he was coming from an office. The two with him were dressed in work clothes. They were shorter than their companion and were almost always covered in dirt. It was an odd sight until Caroline became used to seeing them.
Over the last six months or so of passing them every day, she had noticed that they all looked at her in different ways. The tall one greeted her with a quick nod of his head and half a grin. One of the other boys gave her a leering look and his eyes scanned her from head to toe every day. The third was the one she liked. He looked friendly, his smile was warm and genuine and she saw a gentleman in him.
The three never spoke to her and she never said anything to them.
She was almost home, turning onto her street and walking to the third house on her left. She didn’t look up at it as she went through the gate and down the sidewalk, missing all the new flowers that had recently been planted and the artfully shaped sculptures and fountains that dotted the wide green yard. The groundskeeper was a master at his craft. But Caroline didn’t notice.
She went up the steps to the front porch, crossed it and pulled open the storm door first. She went through both doors and immediately stopped to the sound of upset voices in the den. She made a beeline for it, dropping her light shawl, which she had regretted taking in the first place and her hat on the foyer table.
“Who’s there?” She asked as she went, not recognizing the voices. She was surprised when she turned into the den to see it was her family that was upset, not some visiting stranger. Raised voices were not common in Caroline’s home. Her parents were extremely calm people, upstanding citizens in their small town.
“Caroline!” Her little sister Dorothy came running over to her and threw her arms around her middle.
“Ooof, Dottie, what’s the problem?” Caroline attempted to disentangle herself from her sister’s grip, but Dottie was too upset.
“Oh, Caroline, that’s it. We’re done. Nothing left. It’s all gone! Oh, Caroline!”
Caroline looked up at her parents in confusion, but they weren’t much help. Her mother was holding a glass that had some type of liquor in it, probably brandy. Another wave of shock went through Caroline. What in heaven’s name could have happened that would make her mother drink the brandy that had been in the cupboard ever since Caroline could remember.
“Please someone tell me what’s going on here?” She said, taking her sister’s face in between her hands and giving her kisses on her forehead. She hugged her and Dottie finally released her.
“It’s a terrible situation for us, Caroline.” Her brother replied. He was standing with their father next to the huge bay window, staring out over the land, where their cows and horses were.
“What is?”
“We’re bust! Got no money left! We’re done!” His words came out forceful and he didn’t even look at her. She shook her head.
“I am afraid I don’t understand, David. What does that mean?”
Her father was the first to look at her. His round face was red with anger and frustration. When he spoke, she knew the underlying pain in his voice was real. The anger he felt wasn’t directed at her, she could see that. “Mr. Stapleton has up and stole all the profits from our restaurant for the last three years. He’s been fudging the books, lining his pockets with stolen cash for a long time. Now he has disappeared and no one knows where he or the money he stole is at.”
Caroline frowned. “I don’t understand. How can that be? Is there anything you can do? Do you know where he is?”
Her father shook his head. “I don’t know where he is. There is nothing I can do. He has pulled off a scam that will ruin this family. We can’t keep the business going for long with no money behind it. We would have to start from scratch with a corner food stand.”
Fear ran down Caroline’s spine. The restaurant had been her family’s life. They all worked there, they were comfortable because of it and the plan was to continue running it for the next hundred years if possible. Without it, there was only her job.
Her secretary’s job.
She looked around herself at the furnishings and other luxuries she hadn’t seen before. Her mind even took her to the front yard, where there were beautiful sights to be seen. This would all disappear.
Her breath caught and her mind began to race. There had to be some way to prevent this from happening.
“Father,” she said. “What will we do? Do you have a plan?”
He stomped to the couch and dropped down as if he had given up on life. “Right now, I’m too angry to think of one. Surely there will be one. But no, I have no plan for now. We will have to do something.”
“Can we get a loan from the bank?” Caroline sat next to him and put one hand on his knee. “Papa, we have to do something! We can’t just give up.”
He nodded. “Oh, we might not have a choice, daughter. Our loans at the bank are already in place from the expansion this summer.”
Her heart fell into her stomach. She had forgotten about the expansion. They had been considering opening another restaurant, as well. She shook her head. This couldn’t be happening. The weight of it all gave her a headache.
She lowered her head to her hands, trying to think. No loan from the bank. No money in profits. Very little in petty cash kept on hand in the restaurant safe. What would they do?
Dorothy began crying loudly. “Oh, papa. We will be living on the street.”
He shook his head. “No. That won’t happen, Dottie. We will get through this. God is on our side.”
“On our side?” Dorothy stood up, her small face pale and thin. Red rings had formed around her eyes and she shook her long brown curls around as she spoke. She clenched her fists and stomped her foot. “If he was on our side, then why did this happen? We haven’t done anything wrong to deserve this! We go to church every Sunday and all that. Why would he do this to us? Why didn’t he stop Mr. Stapleton??”
David was the one who replied to their sister, looking at her, his hands pushed deep into the pockets of his pants, his suit jacket open and pushed back behind
his elbows. “That’s not the way he works, Dottie. You’re just too young to understand it.”
“Well, I don’t understand it! I don’t understand it!” She stomped her foot again. “Mr. Stapleton is the Devil! He’s the Devil!”
With that, she turned on her heel and ran out the door, weeping. David turned back to the window. Her mother began to cry. Caroline stood up.
“I’ll go after her. I will talk to her.”
She was out the door only a few minutes after her sister and could see when she opened the door that Dottie was already at the barn. She was going for her horse. Caroline had to get to her before she went riding off. She wasn’t in the mood for a horse race.
“Dottie, wait!” She called out. Her sister stopped at the door of the barn, turned back to look at her and then dropped to her knees, crying. Caroline ran to her and dropped to her knees next to her, wrapping her in her arms tightly. “Sshhh. It’s going to be okay, Dottie. It really is.”
“No. This is too much. We can’t run the restaurant with no money. You heard what Daddy said.”
“I did. But you have to trust that things are going to work out the way they should. There is always a blessing on the horizon.”
Dottie shook her head, covering her face with her small hands. “No, Caroline. This is too much. This is too much. God hates us.”
“Dottie, don’t say that. You know that isn’t true. He has blessed us tremendously all through our lives. There are dark times, too. You can’t expect all sunshine and roses all of your life.”
“Why not?” Dottie was just being unreasonable. Caroline could tell that even her young sister could see that. “I want sunshine and roses. I don’t want to be desolate and poor. Where will we live when they take the house? Why is God doing this to us?”
“Dottie, this isn’t the work of God. This is the work of evil. It was evil and deception that caused Mr. Stapleton to do what he’s done.”