Following a late lunch, I convinced Mitch to set all the business stuff aside and just spend the day relaxing with me. After the frantic week which just ended, I wanted him all to myself for a while. We took ourselves out for a late lunch and spent an hour or so at the bark park with the dogs. Later that night as we cuddled on the couch, I realized our lives merged comfortably into days of love, laughter and purpose. Mitch broke me out of my reverie with a gentle squeeze on the knee. “I can hear you thinking, babe. Good thoughts?” I swooped in for kiss and then pulled him farther into my lap.
“Thoughts of you are always good. So, are we going to get married? Lisa seems to think it would be a good idea.” Mitch chuckled. “She just wants to be in charge of planning the whole thing, and probably thinks getting married will erase all the bad memories for me. She may be right, but it’s not something I want to rush into. What do you think?” I thought for a moment, wanting to be careful how I worded my response. “Doug and I were seriously considering it at some point in the future, and I kind of wish we could have before he died. You’re right, though, we need to consider it very carefully - though I’m not getting any younger you know.” Mitch smiled at me. “Duly noted, my love. Meanwhile, we’ll just have to make do with what we’ve got. For your immediate future, I am planning a significant rise in your blood pressure, followed by screams of ecstasy. Interested?” I was, and the hour was late when we finally drifted off to sleep.
EPILOGUE – MITCH
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Two years later
I was nervous enough already, without suffering the stiff starchy confinement of a tux. I was used to spending my days in faded blue jeans and tennis shoes, so this was just torture. If I could find the person responsible for the dress code at this shindig, I was going to demonstrate what strangling by cummerbund felt like. Karl gently squeezed my hand as we waited anxiously for the announcement. The annual Historical Society ball was preceded by the naming of certain awards, which was the primary reason I was here tonight. Across the table sat Lisa and Robb, Grant and Katie, and our dear friend Suzanne. David Donner approached the podium to make the presentation.
“This next award goes to a person who has made a significant contribution to the Society or its properties. As you know, we have just completed an aggressive restoration campaign at three turn of the century homes. A large part of the project was restoring the original gardens, which, I’m sure you can imagine, was a difficult task. We were fortunate to have obtained the services of a very gifted and creative individual who has delivered not one, but three, award winning gardens, all of which have been featured in national publications. It is my pleasure to award this year’s Golden Key award to Mitch Graham.”
Reluctantly, I got up and made my way to the platform while the applause continued. David presented me with a large golden skeleton key, mounted on a wooden plaque. My name and the date was engraved at the bottom, and I laid it down on the podium before making my remarks. “I would not be here tonight if it were not for the support and encouragement of my family and dear friends. They saw something in me I didn’t recognize, and it was their faith which enabled me to step out into the unknown. My deepest thanks, however, go to my husband, Karl. I couldn’t have done it without you, babe. Thank you all very much.”
The second round of applause carried me back to the table, where Karl rose to kiss me before being seated again. The rest of our table sat with mouths open as they noticed our rings for the first time. Lisa was shaking her finger at me, but we couldn’t talk until the program was finished. Karl and I decided to get married with as little fuss as possible, and purposely did not inform the kids, wanting to surprise them. As soon as the program was over, we were deluged with congratulations, hugs, and demands for all the details.
When the music started, Karl convinced me to join him on the floor, though I never considered myself a good dancer. I think he just wanted to show me off, but I didn’t care. As we danced, I thought back on the wonderful changes which had taken place in the last two years. My business was thriving and I was finally free to enjoy what I did for a living. The awards and attention were all good, I suppose, but my real reward was coming home to Karl every night. Before him, I never experienced the happiness and contentment which I now enjoyed. He may have a brown thumb when it comes to plants, but together, we were growing strong.
END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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I GREW UP IN A big house, with a big family, and a big imagination. My writing began back in Junior High school, and over the years has included unpublished stories, music, poetry and drama scripts. I enjoy reading and writing in several genres, including science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and romance. Reading has always been a way for me to relax and escape real life for a little while. For that reason, I endeavor to write stories which are interesting, generally upbeat and have a happy ending. If you enjoy my work, I would love to hear from you.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.aelliottbooks.com
Author Page: https://books.pronoun.com/alexanderelliott/
Alexander Elliott
OTHER TITLES BY ALEXANDER ELLIOTT
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SECOND CHANCE EARTH
Caught in a whirlwind of destruction, a dying Earth is host to only a handful of old, starving humans. With few women, little food, and a toxic environment, humanity is faced with extinction. Scott Hayes, at the end of his hope and longing for death, awakens to find that the Earth has been rescued by a strange amorphous entity he names the Cloud. While they have begun restoring the planet, they have also made drastic changes to the people left behind. With everyone given a new mind, young body, and the ability to carry children, Scott inherits the leadership of the first community to be awakened. With a new love at his side and a determination to succeed, he embraces the Cloud and their vision of the future.
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Men of Retail: Love for the Working Class
Who says only the rich, powerful or famous have successful relationships? Most of us are everyday guys, working common jobs, and looking for love like everyone else. If you like stories about real people with happy endings, Men of Retail is the series you have been waiting for.
Green’s Thumb
Men of Retail – Book 1
Mitch Graham and Karl Hartman are meant for each other - they just don’t know it yet. They’re both gay, middle aged, single, and hoping to meet that special someone. Problem is, they never get out of the house! Mitch’s gardening job at Green’s Thumb doesn’t pay enough for any sort of social life, and Karl works from home, so the chances of them meeting seem pretty slim. When Mitch decides on a whim to visit a new dog park, Karl’s greyhound takes a shine to him, bringing the men together. After Karl hires Mitch to spruce up his front yard, something special begins to grow along with the flowers.
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Galactic Neighborhood Trilogy
The Galactic Neighborhood Trilogy traces the fate of three Earth colony ships, sent out into the void to find new worlds for man to conquer. Though their futures are ultimately intertwined, each face the uncertainties of a galaxy filled with wonder, danger and incredible opportunity.
Book 1: Expedition
Book 2: Odyssey
Book 3:Exploration
(Author’s note – though each book may be enjoyed as a stand alone, I recommend reading them in sequence to get the complete backstory.)
Expedition
Galactic Neighborhood – Book 1
In 2096 the starship Expedition began a centuries long search for a suitable world to colonize. Assisted by a sentient AI, the unsuspecting crew is awakened when a strange craft suddenly appears transmitting an appeal for help. Led to an underground sanctuary, they discover the remains of an entire alien race, preserved in stasis. W
hile the newfound allies make preparations to leave, they are threatened by an aggressive race bent on acquiring the alien’s secrets for themselves. In a race against time, the eventual confrontation will change the destinies of three disparate races, and give the victors a chance to spread their influence throughout the galaxy.
Odyssey
Galactic Neighborhood – Book 2
The Earth colony ship, Odyssey, at last settled on the dry barren world of Sahara, only to find themselves struggling for survival with no hope in sight. Help arrives when their existence is discovered by the descendants of their sister ship, Expedition. All too soon, long buried secrets of the past, and the machinations of a scheming politician, threaten to upset the carefully laid plans to bring the colony to prosperity. Caught in the middle is an elusive, telepathic species already inhabiting the planet. Unaware of the human intrigue, they are desperate to find a way to communicate with the strange beings who have disrupted their lives. It takes a fortuitous accident to finally forge a bond between the races which promises to alter the destiny of two peoples forever.
Exploration
Galactic Neighborhood - Book 3
The long journey of Exploration, Earth’s last colony ship, ends abruptly in disaster. Following an attack by a panther-like alien race, the doomed vessel is stripped of it’s crew and priceless genetic banks before being destroyed. While the men are marooned elsewhere, the women are taken to the enemy homeworld, and forced into a slavery of the worst kind. Meanwhile, the first two colony ships have succeeded in their missions and are actively seeking the whereabouts of Exploration. Everything changes when they discover a corridor through space, leading straight to the enemy and the dark secrets they hide. With a battle looming, an audacious rescue effort seeks to reunite the remnants of humanity and bring them safely home.
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