by Lexy Timms
“You know she doesn’t drive in America. Wrong side of the road, remember?” She threw her hands in the air. “You going to tell me you can’t pick up your grandchild?”
“Fine! Go tell Maxine. I’ll meet you at my car.” Charity’s father knew nothing of his impending surprise.
Charity exited the hospital and ripped off her visitor’s badge. She’d already told Maxine and the woman had cleared her father’s schedule.
Charity and Dr. Thompson took off to the park in his Jaguar.
Scott zipped his Jaguar towards the park as he looked for a parking spot. “Must be some sort of function happening nearby. Either that or Jamie has more pals than we thought,” he said.
Charity grinned. Her father wasn’t used to having to find a spot, he had the best one at the hospital, and basically valeted everywhere else. “Why don’t we park and walk the rest of the way. Exercise’ll do you good. Margaret said you don’t have to wear the heart monitor anymore.” Charity could see the crowd in the distance. She spotted Elijah’s Boxster a few rows from the lane they were driving in. She hoped her dad wouldn’t notice.
“One less thing to worry about. I detested that thing.”
He parked and they walked through the field. As they approached the baseball diamond Jamie came running towards them with her unsteady gate. Margaret arranged for face painting for the kids. Jamie was an exotic cat and behind her was a boy whom she didn’t recognize, but they seemed to be having a blast.
“We’re having a party!”
Scott looked around in confusion as he recognized people in the crowd. Charity was afraid he would be ticked when he realized what was happening. He stood, stunned and, surprisingly, amused.
Margaret came walking towards him. The crowd began cheering and singing ‘Happy Birthday’. Everyone was wearing Red Sox caps and there were three hotdog stands set up. Bottles of red wine were flowing.
“What’s going on here?” Scott asked nobody in particular.
Charity slipped her arms around her father. “We’re all here to celebrate you, Dad. Life deserves a little celebration now and then. The carnival theme was Margaret’s idea. Happy birthday. I love you, Dad.”
He hugged her back. “Thank you,” he whispered. Then he turned to Margaret and swung her around. “You are one amazing woman, Miss Margaret Bennet!”
Margaret pulled the festivities off beautifully. The hotdog carts were identical to the ones they had at Coney Island. Charity would find out later that they were actual carts from Coney Island. She hired the symphony orchestra through some friends she had at Tanglewood. A couple of the members came from the Boston Pops. It was rare for them to ever play with an outside group. Margaret had managed to talk them into playing for the event.
“It’s perfect. I love you.” Dr. Thompson kissed Margaret. A little too passionately.
Jamie cleared her throat and loudly yelled, “Yuck!”
Everyone burst out laughing.
There were players on the baseball diamond. It was a combination of retired MLB players and some of his closest friends from med school. He hadn’t seen many of them in years. “How did you manage to get everyone together?” he asked Margaret.
“I tried to include all of the things you like, Scott.” She slipped her arm through his. “I attempted to keep the crowd medium sized but so many people wanted to join in the celebration. Please tell me you’re surprised.”
“Surprised and a little overwhelmed.” He smiled. “I thought we were doing something intimate for my birthday. I had a little something planned. I was going to turn the tables and give you a gift.”
“Whatever you had planned can wait for another day.”
Scott looked at Margaret directly. “I don’t want to wait another day. I know you said you didn’t want to get married again. You’ve made that clear but I want to see if you’d reconsider.” Scott reached in his jacket pocket. In his hand, he held a black velvet box and opened it. A dazzling emerald ring sat on a cushion of gold silk. “With this ring I promise my love to you.” He slipped the ring on Margaret’s left ring finger.
Margaret teared up. “I love you, Doctor Scott Thompson. I’d gladly spend whatever bit of forever we have left, together.”
Everyone began clapping and cheering.
Charity noticed Hal Jaworski speaking with two young women and the little boy she had seen earlier. They all had smiles on their faces and Hal looked more alive than Charity had ever seen him. He approached her.
“Thanks for inviting me, Charity. I never knew what this family thing was all about. Did you know I have a grandson? Of course you knew.” He laughed. “Finally, I have someone to leave my money to, in addition to the cancer institute. You put a smile on this old man’s face. It seems to be your specialty Doctor Charity Bennet.” Hal gestured towards Elijah and Scott.
“It’s easy with a husband like Elijah. As far as my father goes. He’s found someone to put a smile on his face. We all make mistakes and learn from them, Hal.” Charity looked over at Julie and Simon talking quietly together.
Elijah came over and shook Hal’s hand. “I need to whisk this wonderful woman off, apologies.” Elijah slipped his hand in hers and led her to Jamie Lynn, his mother and Charity’s dad.
They sat at a picnic table eating hotdogs and sipping expensive wine. Except Jamie, she had grape juice.
“I can’t think of anything that would make this day any more magical than it is. There isn’t a cloud in the sky.” Scott smiled.
“I agree. The sky is clear except for that hot air balloon that appears to be coming this way.” Margaret smiled.
“You didn’t.” Scott saw the balloon getting closer.
“I wanted to do something unexpected and over-the-top. I always dreamed of floating away with the man I love. Are you game?” Margaret asked.
“I’m not about to say no in front of all these people but I’m sure you planned it this way.”
“Think of it as the beginning of our journey together,” Margaret said.
“I’m scared to death of the things but as long as I’m with you, I’ll be fine.”
Scott and Margaret kissed before they hopped on board.
“Me next. Me next.” Jamie was amazed.
“Maybe someday, Peanut. You have to have your feet firmly on the ground before you can take the risk to fly away.” Charity and the rest of the crowd waved farewell to Margaret and Scott.
Charity slipped her arm around Elijah’s waist. He placed his hand on her belly and smiled as Jamie ran up beside them.
“I don’t know how long I can hold back the good news. I want to share our happiness with everyone,” Elijah said.
“Let’s allow everyone to relish in the happiness they have now. When the time is right it’ll be icing on the cake.” Charity smiled.
“I love you, Charity Bennet.”
“Me too?” Jamie chirped.
“You too, little princess.”
Life was good. The future seemed incredibly awesome.
~ THE END ~
SAVING FOREVER 7
Julie & Simon’s Story
Book Seven:
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SAVING FOREVER SERIES
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Book Two:
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NOTE FROM AUTHOR
To Saving Forever’s readers;
I never thought I would have the opportunity to write another chapter in Elijah and Charity’s life. It used a two year gap at the start of this story to show how time had changed them. Our lives change over time and sometimes it’s so subtle we don’t even notice. Sometimes for the better, sometimes… well we don’t have to go there, lol
I hope you will continue to stay in touch with me through social media and keep reading! It’s been an incredible journey thus far!! With SAVING FOREVER 7 now coming out!
I have a lot of new series in the works. If you enjoyed Saving Forever, you are going to love my Bosses series coming out 2015-2016. I also have two historical romances, mystery and suspense romances, and might even try my hand at a paranormal romance! I can’t wait to start writing!
Thank you for making my dream come true. I get to go to bed dreaming and wake up with the opportunity to write those dreams into stories!
Lexy Timms https://www.facebook.com/SavingForever
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Coming Soon:
Heart of the Battle Series
Celtic Viking
Book 1
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Celtic Rune
Book 2
Coming May 2015
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UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/ B00WXI50TI
Celtic Mann
Book 3
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Now Available:
A New Adult & College Sport Romance Series
The Recruiting Trip
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Excerpt included!
The Recruiting Trip
Aspiring college athlete Aileen Nessa is finding the recruiting process beyond daunting. Being ranked #10 in the world for the 100m hurdles at the age of eighteen is not a fluke, even though she believes that one race, where everything clinked magically together, might be. American universities don’t seem to think so. Letters are pouring in from all over the country.
As she faces the challenge of differentiating between a college’s genuine commitment to her or just empty promises from talent-seeking coaches, Aileen heads to the University of Gatica, a Division One school, on a recruiting trip. Her best friend dares who to go just to see the cute guys on the school’s brochure.
The university’s athletic program boasts one of the top hurdlers in the country. Tyler Jensen is the school’s NCAA champion in the hurdles and Jim Thorpe recipient for top defensive back in football. His incredible blue-green eyes, confident smile and rock hard six pack abs mess with Aileen’s concentration.
His offer to take her under his wing, should she choose to come to Gatica, is a tempting proposition that has her wondering if she might be with an angel or making a deal with the devil himself.
The Recruiting Trip
By
Lexy Timms
Copyright 2014 by Lexy Timms
UNIVERSITY of GATICA SERIES
The Recruiting Trip
Faster
Higher
Stronger
Dominate
Citius, Altius, Fortius
Prologue
From: Coach Anderson ([email protected])
Date: Sat, November 1, 2015 at 12:34PM EST
Subject: GO REDCOATS!
To: Aileen Nessa ([email protected])
Hi Aileen,
I am so excited to contact you again. Since we last spoke in September, I have been looking forward to this chance to get to know more about you. You’re an amazing athlete, extremely talented and fun to watch. You have a great attitude, work ethic and passion for our sport. I know you would be a great fit with our program. I hope you know how excited I am about you as a potential student-athlete at University of Gatica.
I know you are getting tons of pressure from other universities, most of which want an early verbal commitment but I hope you hang in there with us and that you give yourself the time you need to make the best possible decision for yourself. I believe you have the talent and ability to not only gain admission to Gatica, but be a future leader in our program and an impact performer on our team.
As we discussed early in September, the best weekend for an unofficial visit to campus would be February 10-12. We are hosting an indoor meet that weekend and would love it if you had a chance to see the Red Coats in action. Of course, if that doesn’t work we will host you any time that’s convenient for you.
Coach Maves, the sprint coach will be communicating with you regularly via email to share information about Gatica. If you have any questions or would like to chat, I am always available by email or phone.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best wishes,
Coach Anderson
Coach Anderson
Head Coach, Woman + Men’s Track and Field
[email protected]
The Recruiting Trip Sample
Chapter 1
“Aileen… N-Nessa?”
She nodded as she swung her back pack over her shoulder. “That’s me.” A guy jostled past her mumbling something about baggage claim sucking.
The chauffer driver tucked the sign with her name printed on it under his arm and took her small carryon suitcase. “First time coming to Gatica?”
“It is.” She glanced around the airport wondering why one of the coaches at the University of Gatica hadn’t come to greet her. It seemed weird. Sort of. She had no idea what proper protocol was. Were coaches required to meet recruits when they arrived? Or was a shuttle service completely legit?
She had been on four other recruiting trips, the last on two months ago in Miami. The sprint coach there had picked her up from the airport, but the university was about fifteen minutes away from the school.
The chauffer led her outside. She dug through her bag and slipped her sunglasses on against the bright sun.
“You here on a recruiting trip?” The chauffer glanced at her. “Volleyball?”
She shook her head. “Track.”
“Cool.” He loaded the ‘U of G Travellers’ van. “The memo says to drop you off Wavertree Fieldhouse. It holds the indoor track and the girls’ volleyball gym. They have a gym off the track and then a court set up in the middle of the track for games. It’s pretty impressive to watch a game courtside or up in the bleachers above the track.”
Aileen nodded, pretending to be interested. She couldn’t picture what he meant. Her indoor track was a gym at the high school. Basketball, volleyball, badminton or whatever sport was going on at the time shared the gym with her. Her coach happened to be her high school gym teacher and he was awesome. He wanted her to go to Connecticut or Louisiana, somewhere with a strong woman’s track program. She agreed.
U of G had been a last minute choice for her final recruiting trip because of their near Ivy League status – and the fact that the super-hot looking male NCAA champion happened to attend the school.
Aileen’s best friend, Becky, had dared her to go. She had gone through all the brochures at Aileen’s house and said she needed to go on one recruiting trip based on something other than track. Becky had insisted U of G because of the hot guys. Aileen had said yes b
ecause of Tyler Jensen.
She had watched him race at the USTAF championships last summer. He had this amazing physique, all muscle with no fat and a six pack which really should be referred to as a twelve pack. However it wasn’t his body that always had her staring at him, it was his face. The short, perfectly cropped hair against his naturally tanned skin and those unbelievable eyes.
She had picked U of G in the hopes of talking to him close up just so she could figure out what his eye color really was.
It was ridiculous. Stupid. She knew it, but nobody knew the real reason she had come to Gatica except Becky, and she only knew half of it. Aileen had never voiced her silly crush out loud. Nobody knew, and she planned to keep it that way.
“Ms Nessa?” The grandfather aged chauffeur lifted his foot off the gas. “Are you alright?”
She tuned back into the present and realized they were on the highway. “Sorry, pardon?”
“I was just wondering if you needed a drink. We’ve got about an hour and a half before we reach Gatica. Do you need anything?”
“No thanks. I’ve got a bottle of water here.” She could feel the heat in her cheeks but refused to acknowledge it. She stuffed her ear buds in and turned her iPod on, hoping it would defer monsieur chauffeur from chatting.
It didn’t work.
“So, where are you from?”
She paused hoping he would think she couldn’t hear him. When he repeated the question louder, she imagined her mother sitting beside her giving her the look. “From Ohio. Bucyrus.”
“What event do you do?”
“Hurdles.”
“Sprint or four hundred?”
“Sprint.”
“Are you any good?”
Aileen shrugged. “Pretty good for high school. Not so sure about university level.” She had spent the past year and half comparing her times to NCAA students. If she compared her personal best to last year’s outdoor rankings she would be second. Her indoor times this year weren’t so great, only because her coach wanted to focus on the upcoming summer and trying to make the World Junior Championships. However she wasn’t going to brag to a total stranger. She had to believe in herself, not make other people believe.