John and Sandy had already spent time at their new home in Hawaii. Ethan and Julie were a few houses over. Chris and his growing family were just beyond them. They all talked about getting Gavin, Josh, and Heath buying houses as well. If they worked it right, they could own the whole strip of beach between them.
Sandy helped Julie and Lisa plan a baby shower for Becky. The day had finally arrived. With all of the ladies pregnant, the guys agreed to show up and carry things around for them. They figured it was smart to have it before she was too pregnant to enjoy it. Everything could be set up early in case the babies made a surprising entrance ahead of their date. Julie was sure that they would. The whole gang was there early to help decorate the hall. Kelly was right there with her mom. The two had grown even closer. She brought her husband and two kids with her. It was definitely a family event.
John couldn't help but smile as he watched the guys protecting and taking care of their pregnant women. Ethan was right next to Julie every time she moved to do something. She let him know that being pregnant didn't make her incapable of doing things. He let her know that he was there to make sure everything was done for her. Their baby needed to be taken care of and safe. John understood the way Ethan behaved. He knew that his brother was terrified of something going wrong. It was understandable with everything he had happen in his past. Josh wasn't much better with Lisa, and they were on their second baby. Gavin waited on Becky every moment, but that was nothing new. He started that as soon as she told him she was pregnant again.
Heath walked over and stood next to John.
“Why am I here?” Heath asked.
“To help,” John said. “We need to do all the work while those three run around their wives.”
Heath laughed.
“I'm so damn glad I don't have to deal with that shit. Love's for suckers. You will never see me act like that. No woman's worth that aggravation.”
John laughed but could see beyond the act Heath had going on.
“When are you going to tie the knot?” John asked.
“Never,” Heath snapped. “I'm no fool. That's not for me. I'm happy with my life the way it is. Women drive me crazy. They never know what they want. Try building a house for one. They change their damn mind every two minutes.”
Heath shook his head and walked away. He's screwed, John thought to himself.
John turned his attention to Kelly. She took a decoration from a table and walked over to a chair. It was one of those that hung from the ceiling. John watched her pull out a chair and move to stand on it. Two second later, her husband was at her side saying something to her. John watched her arms flail as she spoke back to Eric. When Eric grabbed it from her hand, let out a huff, and got onto the chair, John laughed. Sandy had just walked up to him. He nudged her and pointed to his daughter. Her mouth dropped as she watched the show before them. Kelly turned to face them and John's eyebrows lifted in question. A huge smile crossed her face as she nodded that their concern was correct. John crossed the floor and stood in front of her.
“Really?” he asked.
“Yes,” Kelly answered. “I'm pregnant.”
John felt his face light up. He couldn't help it.
“I'm going to be a grandpa again.”
It was more of a statement to himself.
“Yes,” Kelly answered.
“I can't believe this. I'm going to be there every second. You call me if you need anything. I know Eric will take care of you. That doesn't matter. This is my grandchild. You call me. I don't care when. I will be there in two seconds. I can't believe this. You need to sit down and rest. You shouldn't be moving around so much.”
John stopped when he heard laughing behind him. He turned to see Ethan, Gavin, and Josh all bent over laughing.
“Don't you think you're overreacting, John?” Ethan asked with a smile.
“Hell no,” John said. “That's one of my grandchildren in there.”
Everyone around them burst into laughter, as they began congratulating them all on the new baby.
The End.
Be sure to watch for my next novel - “Built for Love” (Bachelor Billionaire #5) October 30, 2015.
I will also be working on and publishing throughout this year and the beginning of next
His Assistant, the Finally (5 years later)
It Happened After Vegas
After the Dark Knight
A book tying it all together (Bachelor Billionaire #6) – title undecided
A secret project not yet titled
Please continue on for Chapter 1 of “His Assistant - Part 1” and Chapter 1 and 2 of “A Love Rekindled” (The Game of Love #1).
Other Stories by Sharon Cummin
Romance Series
Romance and a... Series: The Complete Collection
Billionaire Romance Series
Finding Love, Keeping Love, and Saving Love
Bachelor Billionaire Series
Sea of Love (Bachelor Billionaire #1)
Sea of Love is a complete, stand-alone novel. It is #1 of a 5 novel series.
Hot for Love (Bachelor Billionaire #2)
Hot for Love is a complete, stand-alone novel. It is #2 of a 5 novel series.
Battle for Love (Bachelor Billionaire #3)
Battle for Love is a complete, stand-alone novel. It is #3 of a 5 novel series.
The Game of Love Series
The Game of Love Boxed Set
His Assistant Serials
His Assistant, Part 1
His Assistant, Part 2
His Assistant, Part 3
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His Assistant – Part 1
Prologue
Brooke
As I sat in the front row of the funeral home, I could not help but think about her life. My mom passed away just two days before. A chill ran through my body, as I sniffed in the smell that surrounded me. I was glad there were only three flower arrangements delivered. It would have been hard to get any more than that back to the house. People came in and out of the room, letting me know how sorry they were. They all stood around telling stories about my mom. The entire room acted as if they knew her so well. She had been such a good friend to each of them, they claimed. I had to laugh, as I listened to the bullshit going on around me. None of them knew her. Not a single one of them were there for her. I can't remember any of them offering to help me through those two long, painful years. If they were such good friends, where the fuck were they when I needed help?
My mom was an amazing woman. She was a single mom at only twenty. I have no idea how she raised me alone. My father passed away in a car accident before she even had the chance to tell him she was pregnant. She admitted that I was a product of a one night stand but still planned on letting him know. There were no pictures of him for her to show me, and she didn't really know anything about him. My birth certificate did not list anyone as my father. How sad right?
I always loved to watch my friends with their dads and wished I could have met mine. I was always Brooke Smith, the little girl without a father. There are so many kids in the world with only one parent, but all of my friends had two.
My mom worked her ass off making sure I had what I needed. Sure we struggled all the time, but she made sure I had the necessities. I knew there were times she went without, so that I could have something I really wanted. She had more than one job at a time for as long as I could remember. I know she was often tired, but she never let it show. Dinner was always ready. I might have had to heat it up, but it was there when I got home from school. Thinking back, I don't ever remember her dating. She was always so busy working an
d raising me. It was just the two of us, but we made it work.
When I was fourteen, we moved to Michigan. That was where my mom's parents lived. We had only visited a few times when I was younger, so I didn't really know them very well. I talked to them on the phone sometimes, but that was about it. They seemed nice enough. We moved into their house with them. My mom said she wanted to be there to help them, because they were getting older. I really think she was tired of working so hard, and it was cheaper to live there. They were very loving right from the start. My grandmother made sure I ate well and rode me every day about my homework. It was nice to have two more people to love.
Everything was great for four years. My mom worked one job, so I was able to see her more. It was nice to see her with her parents. They seemed so happy to have her home. I often wondered why she moved away in the first place. Mom always said it was better for us to live where we had. I thought it would have been better with them. She must have had her reasons, right?
My high school years were great. Keeping my grades up was difficult, but I did it and was looking forward to college. I wanted to go into business and planned to eventually own my own company. Working for someone else didn't appeal to me at all. It was going to be great. I would be able to take care of my mom one day. Then she wouldn't have to work. She would be able to do all of the things she never had time for while she was raising me. I had been accepted to University of Michigan. It was going to be awesome to live in the dorms and be on my own.
Two days after my graduation, my grandparents were killed in a car accident. They were hit by a drunk driver who had crossed over the line. I never understood how people could make such bad decisions. Why risk other people's lives? I get that they want to drink, but why get behind the wheel of a car? My mom had a very hard time with their death. I did too. She felt bad for not being there for them before and regretted staying away for so long. It was horrible. I had just gotten to know them. They were such wonderful, caring people. I really missed them and always would. It would have been nice to have known them longer. We should have been there.
They willed the house to my mom and me. We wanted to stay there. It was where she had grown up and where I had gotten to know them. I decided to stay home and commute to school, so my mom wouldn't be alone. It wouldn't have been that long of a drive each day, but my mom as adamant that I still dorm my first year. She didn't want me to miss out on experiencing the fun side of college life. I knew I would make sure to go home most weekends. It was going to be strange being away from her.
I jumped when I felt someone touch my leg. It was the funeral director. I had almost forgotten where I was. It was easy to block out all of the noise around me. I wanted the day to be over more than you can imagine. It was so hard to sit there while everyone talked about my mom like they knew her. They were all going to leave that day and go on with their lives. By the time they got home, they would be done thinking about her and be busy thinking about what they were going to make for dinner. She deserved better than that. I was relieved when the director asked me to go into his office to sign something. It was tiring being around all of the fake people surrounding my mom's ashes, pretending to care.
The viewing would be over in fifteen minutes. Then, I would take my mom's urn and ashes home where they belonged. Before she passed, we agreed to only one day of visitation. I wanted her to have a large funeral and burial, but she refused to agree with me. She wanted to be cremated and have just a short visitation. I know she thought it would be easier for me. After sitting all day in a room full of strangers, I had to agree with her. It would have been too hard for me to sit with her body in front of me for longer than a day.
I know it wasn't fair of me to think negatively about all of the people who came to pay their respects, but that didn't change the way I felt. She had worked with some of them. A few of them were my grandparents' friends. Some of my mom's high school friends came. I'm not sure how they found out. I didn't put anything in the paper. My mom was strict on her direction for that. It was not to happen. I couldn't figure out why. Again, I'm sure she had her reasons.
She was never one to explain her feelings. All she ever said was “I have my reasons.”
When the last person left, I was so relieved. It had finally ended. Everything that I had known for so long was over. What was I going to do with my life?
Chapter 1
Brooke
Two Weeks Later
As I sat in the reception area of Luke Technologies, I could not stop my hands from shaking. I was waiting to interview for a secretary position. Would I see him? Would he be there for the interview? His company was in a very nice building. I was surprised to find out it was only twenty minutes from my house. It took me a week to gather the nerve to apply for a job there. I was so relieved to find something available that fit with my resume. My legs shook as I waited patiently. Hopefully, I wouldn't start sweating or embarrass myself. I didn't want to give anything away.
You're probably wondering how I ended up there. I was surprised myself.
The day after my mother's viewing; I woke up and remembered what she had said to me the night she passed away. I was snuggling next to her in her bed. She hadn't spoken for most of the day and was very weak. I felt her squeeze my hand and looked over at her.
“I love you so much, Brooke,” she said. “You know that right?”
I could barely understand her words.
“Yes mom,” I answered. “I love you too.”
“In the attic is a box with your name on it. It's right inside the door. After I'm gone, I want you to open it. Promise me you'll wait until after my viewing.”
Her voice was so weak. What could she have in a box? It was probably stuff from my childhood. Maybe it was something she had saved for me.
“I promise mom. What is it?” I asked.
“I love you. You'll always be my baby girl. You're my everything,” she said. “Please remember that. Everything I have ever done was for you. I want your dreams to come true, Brooke. I love you.”
“I love you too mom. You're the best mom a girl could have. I could never doubt your love.”
That was the last thing we said to each other, as she drifted off for the last time.
I hadn't thought about those words since that night. Those few had past in a blur. Everything seemed like a dream. As the sun lit up the room, I thought about her words. What could she possibly have in the attic? I missed her so much. She was my best friend. We had grown so close over the past two years. Maybe it was memories of us together.
I couldn't wait any longer to find out what my mother had kept for me. Slowly, I opened the door and turned the flashlight on. On the floor was a box, just off to the right. It had my name on it. That must be the box she was talking about, I thought. I picked it up and carried it out of the attic and down the stairs. Letting out a huge breath, I opened the lid. The box was full. On top of what was inside was tissue paper. Why did she cover the contents? On top of the tissue paper was an envelope with my name on it. I picked up the envelope and sat down on the couch to prepare myself and my emotions. Slowly, I pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it. I was not even close to prepared for what I was about to read.
A Love Rekindled (The Game of Love #1)
Chapter 1
Jessica
Jessica stood as she looked at herself in the mirror. It was Friday night, and she had been invited to a Christmas party. Her friend Linda, from work, was having all of her friends over for an evening celebration. Jessica had not been out in months. Her friends from work tried to get her to go out with them often, but she always turned them down. She liked being at home with her son. He was her everything. That was what she had always told them.
Her sister Renee talked her into going to the party. She knew Jessica needed to get out and have a little grown up time. Renee was two years younger than Jessica, and they had been best friends their entire lives. Anytime Jessica needed her little sister, she was there
. Renee volunteered to watch her favorite nephew for the night, so that that Jessica would go out and be with her friends. Jessica didn't want to hurt her friend Linda's feelings, so she agreed to go to the party. She figured if she stayed for a few minutes, she could leave without anyone noticing.
The doorbell rang and snapped Jessica from her thoughts. She ran and opened the door. It was her sister Renee. She had her hands full of pizza boxes and bags.
“Where is my favorite nephew?” Renee called out.
“I'm right here,” a cute, little, brown haired, blue eyed boy shouted, as he ran up to hug her.
“I brought pizza, soda, popcorn, and candy,” she said. “We are going to have some fun.”
The little boy laughed and ran back into the living room.
“You better not feed him all of that stuff,” Jessica snapped.
“We are going to have fun. I don't get to spend as much time with him now,” Renee said. “Go get ready for your party.”
“I am ready,” Jessica said.
“You are wearing jeans a sweater to a party with your work friends?” Renee asked.
“I am not staying long. This is fine,” Jessica said.
“No,” Renee said, as she put the boxes and most of the bags down.
There was a dress bag wrapped around her arm. She held it out with another bag toward her sister.
“This is what you are wearing,” Renee said. “Go get dressed.”
Jessica blew out a sigh, took the stuff from her sister, and headed to her bedroom. What did it matter what she wore, she thought? There was nobody she needed to impress. She wasn't even planning to stay. Aggravated, she took off her clothes and pulled out the dress. It was beautiful, she thought. The dress was knee length and a very pretty red. Jessica put it on and looked into the mirror. She smiled at herself. It did look much better than jeans. The front was a little lower cut than she would have liked. Her sister always wore things more revealing than her, so she was not surprised. In the bag was a pair of heels, necklace, and very cute little round earrings. She put everything on and finished getting ready.
Rescue of Love (Bachelor Billionaire #4) Page 17