Losing to Win (Clearwater)

by Dobson, Marissa

  “Thank you.” He was in awe by the generosity of the Clearwater residents. It was more kindness than he had ever known. He owed so much to the town and somehow he’d find a way to pay them back.

  * * *

  The day was growing late, but Rebecca didn’t want the night to end. She snuggled against JC, her head against his chest as a movie played on the television. She couldn’t focus on the movie while waiting for her time with JC to end. His family was arriving in two days, and she hated the thought of him leaving. The apartment would be empty without him. She’d miss their quiet cuddle sessions after Kelly went to bed. He couldn’t continue to stay here…or could he?

  “Sugar, you seem a million miles away. What’s wrong?” JC’s fingers trailed up her arm.

  “I was thinking how quiet it will be when Jackie and the kids arrive, and Kelly leaves. You’ll be going back to the manager’s flat above the shop.” Saying the words made her sound like a child who didn’t want to be left alone. She didn’t want him to think she was pouting.

  “I don’t have to.”

  “What?” Her heart skipped a beat.

  “I could stay, if you want me to? Or you could stay with me. Wherever you want to be is fine with me, as long as I have your body curled around mine each night, I’m happy.”

  Excitement coursed through her like a wave of cool water. The tension from the thought of being alone disappeared. “Then stay here. My apartment is bigger. Or I can move in with you so you can be close to work. I don’t care either, as long as we’re together.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Five Months Later…

  With the house finished, JC conned Chloe and Tessa into keeping his family occupied while the men moved the stuff from the rental into the new house. He wanted the house to be perfect when his family saw it for the first time.

  “They’re coming up the drive, is everything in place?” Rebecca asked JC from her post next to the front door.

  “Cameron and Jordan are putting the dresser in Mom’s room and that’s it.” JC walked toward Rebecca. “Everything’s perfect. I wish your father could have been here, after all he’s the one that made this possible.”

  She slipped her hand into his. “He promised he’d be over later. This is a family occasion and he didn’t want to intrude.”

  With her hand in his, he opened the door, allowing his mother and siblings to enter. “Welcome home.”

  Kelly shot past everyone, running to the room he had promised would be hers.

  “It’s beautiful!” Tears welled in his mother’s eyes as she glanced around the room. The house had an open floor plan, providing the family with as much space as possible. The hardwood floors added a touch of class, while keeping the floors simple for upkeep. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I hope you’re happy with everything.” His mother had a say in most of what was done, but there were a few added features JC had worked on with Robert to be a surprise to his mother. One of them included a small reading nook in the master bedroom for her to unwind at the end of a long day.

  Bringing up the rear, Laya and Lee stepped inside. JC pointed down the hallway. “You two, go down there until you see your names. There’s something special waiting for you.” Their eyebrows rose before doing what he said.

  “What did you do?” His mother walked around the living room, her arms stretched open.

  “Robert and I made a few changes to allow them to have their own rooms.” When his mother opened her mouth to speak, he held up his hand. “I know Lee’s only has one year of high school and then he will be going off to college. Believe me, he’ll be thankful for the privacy, and so will you.” He laughed. “Laya said she wanted to stay at home and attend the online college she’s currently enrolled with, so she’ll need her own space. That will leave the twins, Ann and Marie, sharing a room, with Kelly right next door. The boys, Brian, Keith, and Jason, will share the other bedroom, and the twins can move into Lee’s room when he leaves for college. They are all used to sharing so it won’t be a problem. Laya and Lee deserve some privacy, especially with their studies.”

  “Laya’s going to love that. She thought she was going to share with Kelly again.”

  “I know.” Letting go of Rebecca’s hand, JC took his mother’s hand in his. “We have a year before Lee leaves, to make this a true home. A home all the kids will want to come back to. Our apartment was never truly home, but you can create one here. You’ll have more time now that you only have to work the one job at Dr. Bowman’s office.”

  “All because of you. I couldn’t have asked for a better son.” She hugged him tight, and then stepped back to reach Rebecca’s hand. “Thank you, Rebecca. You opened my eyes to what I tried to stay blinded from. You not only brought my family happiness, you returned the son I had before his injury. I can never repay you for that. You are a true blessing to my son, to me, and my family.”

  “I’m honored to help. JC means everything to me.” Rebecca put her arms around JC’s waist.

  “Don’t let her go, she’s truly a catch.” His mother winked.

  “I don’t intend to ever let her get away. I love her.” JC smiled at Rebecca. “I have to go to Express-Ohh’s to pick up the lunch I ordered. Want to go with me?” His stomach churned, worried she’d say no, which would throw his next plan off track.

  “Sure.” She grabbed her purse and met him at the door.

  “Mom, we’ll be right back.” He followed Rebecca down the front steps, and for the first time since leaving the military, he was nervous.

  * * *

  Entering Express-Ohh’s Rebecca frowned, as if surprised to find the place empty. JC had actually arranged it to be that way. He wanted to propose in the same spot he met the woman of his dreams.

  She glanced around the room and checked the back office. When she returned to the front counter, JC was bent to one knee.

  “Rebecca James, since the day I walked in here you haven’t left my mind. You’re an inspiration to me. You brought my family together, and most important, you made me feel like a whole man again. You made me a better man. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted and more. I love you, Rebecca, and I ask you in the same spot we first met, will you marry me?”

  Tears glistened in her eyes. “I love you, JC. Yes, I’ll marry you!”

  He slid the ring on her finger and stood. She wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him. “You’ve made me the happiest man.”

  She kissed him hard on the lips.

  Everything in his life had come together. He found a place to call home in Clearwater. His family was here, and he had a future wife and hopefully children of his own in the coming years. He may have lost his leg, but he gained so much more.

  Christmas Countdown Teaser

  Jasmine Pierce has been burned by her family and by love. Leaving her past behind, she longs for a quiet place to start over and raise her daughter. Upon learning about a grandmother she didn’t know she had, she inherits not only a house, but a chance at a new future.

  Snowbound in a cottage, twelve days before Christmas, Jasmine meets Logan Clarke. His kind personality and loving nature has her considering the possibilities, but she’s already played the game of love and lost.

  Could this have been her grandmother’s plan all along? For Jasmine to return home and find the missing pieces, bringing her dream of a real family and her heart’s longing for love finally within reach?

  Chapter One

  December 10

  Jasmine Pierce rocked her six-month old daughter in her arms while she waited in the hotel lobby for the attorney. Her mind raced, trying to understand why Dave Johnson, an attorney from Wyoming, had traveled to Virginia to meet with her. It probably had something to do with her ex, who went missing months ago, but that situation was over. She wasn’t going to bail him out—never again.

  The lobby was near empty at this time of day, which she was glad of. Everyone had finished breakfast and gone on with their day. The owners’ tw
o kids were waiting for the school bus outside, leaving no one close enough to overhear whatever shame her ex had gotten himself into this time and expected her to bail him out of.

  “You must be Mrs. Pierce.” A man approached her and held out his hand. She accepted his hand, giving him a halfhearted handshake. “I’m Dave Johnson, we spoke on the phone. I appreciate you taking the time to see me. Let’s have a seat.” He led the way into a little nook the hotel offered, with a small sofa, two chairs, and a fireplace, giving it a homey feel.

  Jasmine sank onto the comfiest chair the room had to offer, which wasn’t saying much. It was stiff and had a straight back. She turned her attention to the man before her, wanting to get this meeting over with before Alyssa stirred. “Please, call me Jasmine.” She hadn’t been Mrs. Pierce since the divorce, but she didn’t want to get into that conversation with a man she just met. “I don’t understand why you requested to see me. What do you want?” She prayed it had nothing to do with her ex. She wanted to move on with her life and to provide a loving home for her daughter.

  “I’ve come from Wyoming searching for you. I’ve been your grandmother’s attorney for years. She passed away in September, but asked me to find you a few months prior. I had a difficult time locating you since your mother changed your last name and then you married.”

  She leaned against the hard back of the chair, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. Grandmother? Her mother had always said she had no family left and that her own mother had died years before Jasmine was born. “I’m sorry, but you have the wrong person.”

  He scooted to the edge of the stiff brown couch. “Let me explain.” When she nodded he continued. “Your mother ran off with you when you were very young. She sent pictures to your grandmother, but wouldn’t allow her to see you. They, your grandmother and mother, had a difference of opinion that led to an estrangement.” Mr. Johnson leaned down to pull a stack of envelopes, tied with a red ribbon, from his briefcase. “These are letters she wrote to your mother. They were returned unopened. Your grandmother said they explained the distance between her and your mother. She tried for years to make things right, but your mother refused her letters and calls. But that’s not why I’m here. I came to give you the deed to her house. When she passed, your grandmother left everything to you.”

  Marissa Dobson

  Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Marissa Dobson now resides about an hour from Washington, D.C. She’s a lady who likes to keep busy, and is always busy doing something. With two different college degrees, she believes you’re never done learning.

  Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave her the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read she has always had her nose in a book. It wasn't until she was a teenager that she started writing down the stories she came up with.

  Marissa is blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He’s her other half and allows her to stay home and pursue her writing. He puts up with all her quirks and listens to her brainstorm in the middle of the night.

  Her writing buddies Max (a cocker spaniel) and Dawne (a beagle mix) are always around to listen to her bounce ideas off them. They might not be able to answer, but they are helpful in their own ways.

  She love to hear from readers so send her an email at marissa@marissadobson.com or visit her online at http://www.marissadobson.com.

  Other Books by Marissa Dobson

  Tiger Time

  The Tiger’s Heart

  Tigress for Two

  Night with a Tiger

  Storm Queen

  Snowy Fate

  Sarah’s Fate

  Mason’s Fate

  As Fate Would Have It

  Learning to Live

  Learning What Love Is

  Her Cowboy’s Heart

  Half Moon Harbor Resort: Volume One

  Passing On

  Reaping Good Time

  Restoring Love

  Winterbloom

  Unexpected Forever

  Losing To Win

  Christmas Countdown

  The Surrogate

  Clearwater Romance: Volume One

  Secret Valentine