Charley

by Shelby C. Jacobs

  Charley

  By Shelby C. Jacobs

  Creative Gateway

  *****

  Revised Edition published by Creative Gateway 2013

  First published 2013

  Copyright © 2013 Shelby C. Jacobs

  The moral right of Shelby C. Jacobs to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, brands and events, other than those clearly in the public domain are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author

  Any people depicted in cover images are models used for illustrative purposes only. Stock imagery © iStockphoto.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of both the author and the above publisher of this book

  eBook Kindle Edition ISBN: 978-1-908636-10-2

  Published in Great Britain by Creative Gateway, Norfolk, UK

  Creative Gateway is an imprint of Creative Gateway Ltd

  A company registered in England, number 4684923

  Registered Address: Edwinstowe House, Edwinstowe, Notts NG21 9PR, UK

  Dedication

  The poet, John Donne, wrote

  No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.

  And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

  “No man is an island…” and truly no author works on an island, isolated from the world. That author is influenced and shaped by all with whom there has been contact, some incidental and some significant. The vision of a lonely writer sitting at a tattered desk is romantic but unrealistic. No author works alone or uniquely creates. It can be said. ‘No one work is the product of one person’. Thus it is with Charley.

  I began the work during my lunch break when several of us were talking about what we would like to do if not working at our current employment. I commented that I would like to be a writer, and thus began the constant reminders from my fellow colleagues. “When are you going to start? How’s the book coming? Don’t give up!” So this story is dedicated to those two or three friends who would not let me give up, as well as those other colleagues who encouraged me once I had begun.

  My creative writing teacher graciously read the initial opening draft chapter of Charley and redlined most of it. Thankfully, she also made many critical suggestions to improve the text and she finally said, and I paraphrase. “I think you have a good story there.” The most helpful mentor throughout this process has been my publisher. I was excited when I received this message early summer 2012.

  Concerning your editing thread, we will be happy to read your manuscript, one of my editors will do it free.

  I promptly sent the manuscript and began planning how to spend all the money I would surely make. Then this message came back at the end of that month.

  In its present form we would not publish it.

  But he was kind enough to preface his remarks by the comment that has consistently driven me to complete the work.

  …we (he and his editor) both believe your novel has definite potential but needs much more work doing on it.

  We determinedly did that work, and on March 12, 2013 Charley was published by Roy Baldwin at Creative Gateway. I can try, but I will never be able to thank Roy enough for having faith in a new American writer with potential.

  Finally I need to thank my three Beta Readers for changing the direction and content of the work once more for this revised edition. Charley was initially conceived and first published as an erotic romance with significant descriptive and graphic sexual scenes. The novel had been started well before the erotic novel became all the public rage during 2012. The ongoing clamor surrounding this phenomenon only served to fuel the fire and drive me forward. But however excited I was about Charley, there were others who did not completely share my enthusiasm.

  One reviewer suggested:

  “I believe the story is compelling but the definitive sex scenes turned me off. I almost put it down early on but continued to read to see if there was a purpose … The epilogue actually made it all worthwhile … I’d have enjoyed more of the story line and less graphic sex.”

  Another reader reported:

  “There might be too much sex, particularly at the beginning, it slows the story down. I enjoyed the second half much better.”

  I really value all feedback and comments from readers, and this convinced me to rewrite this newly revised edition of Charley, changing it from an erotic snapshot of the romance between Charley and PJ to a heartwarming love story, where the young couple enjoy most of their own intimate privacy to themselves. In addition, many were intrigued and wanted to know more about the horrific ending of Charley’s marriage to Randle. This is a story in itself and so “Loose Ends” is being written, to be available in due course. And I have included a taster at the end of the book to whet your appetites.

  So you see, No author writes alone, but is a piece of the fabric of life who happens to enjoy telling life stories. To all those who helped me tell Charley’s story, all I can say is

  “Thank You!”

  SJ

  Thoughts of Pastor John

  “God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic — what a find! And proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.

  “Or, God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.

  (The Bible, Matthew 13; 44-46)

  Substituted “True Love” for “God’s Kingdom”

  About the Book

  All Charlotte Howard ever wanted was to be married, have three children and live a peaceful life in the suburbs. But the Fates had other ideas, and her happiness was not part of their plans.

  In the six years after her husband's tragic death, successful businesswoman Charley has taken a small neighborhood Bar and Grill and developed a major regional restaurant, now on the verge of a significant expansion forward. The only thing that stands in her way is PJ McCoy, a small college basketball coach.

  Charley plans a lust filled weekend with her dream man, PJ McCoy, and find out whether the experience will fulfill her long sought need for renewed physical and emotional intimacy after the tragic death of her husband and baby. Her plans did not include love to emerge from the weekend. Neither is she prepared to deal with the devastating effect that love could have on her hopes, fears, ambitions and careers. Do the Fates intervene once again and allow Charley to fulfill her deepest needs? Or is the road ahead littered with painful and ultimately insurmountable obstacles.

  Contents

  Title

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Thoughts of Pastor John

  About the Book

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter
Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Chapter Fifty

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Excerpt from Loose Ends

  Prologue

  The three Vietnam vets sat at the neighborhood bar nursing their beers and talking about nothing in particular. It was Jimmy Brewster’s bar, so he and his friends drank freely and often.

  The three joined the army after high school, went through boot camp together, and were assigned to the same infantry platoon in Vietnam. Six months in, they were on a night patrol when they came under heavy fire. The three survived with only a handful of others. Their platoon leader was one of the casualties. Because of the lack of qualified officers, Jimmy was field promoted to platoon leader and given the rank of second lieutenant.

  His buddies, Ronnie Mitchell and Shelby Loomis, had all the fighting they wanted during their first tour, and returned to Stateside with honorable discharges. Shelby went to college and became a banker working for his father’s bank. Ronnie went to work as a bus boy at the Winslow Room. It didn’t take long for him to work his way up to assistant manager of the upscale restaurant.

  Lt. James Brewster received the Purple Heart among other honors and served a second tour of duty before coming home to an ungrateful nation. With a small inheritance, money saved during his time in the army, and a government loan, he and his two friends bought an old three story building on Second Avenue where Jimmy Brewster opened a veteran-friendly drinking and eating venue, which he called Jimmy’s Bar and Grill.

  The three meet here often to talk about life and drink. This afternoon, the topic was an old high school friend. Ronnie raised his glass. “Here’s to Kate Bishop and Russ Howard, may their marriage be blessed.”

  He took a drink and added. “I don’t understand what she sees in the man. I wouldn’t sleep with him.”

  Jimmy laughed. “Of course you wouldn’t … he’s not gay!”

  “Well that’s true, but I can’t see why anyone would get next to him. He stinks.”

  Jimmy added. “I don’t think it was love, I heard she’s already pregnant. Guess she got with him the one time he took a bath. Figured, they had to get married.”

  When the conversation turned to Kate Bishop, Shelby Loomis bent his head to his drink, took a long swallow and shook his head.

  Jimmy noticed the change in Shelby’s mood. “What’s wrong big boy? Daddy cracking the whip at the bank?”

  Shelby looked up from his beer, his eyes closed and his lips tightly gripped. He put both hands on the bar, slowly shook his head and inhaled deeply.

  “Guys, Kate is pregnant, but Russ isn’t the father.”

  Shelby mumbled so quietly, they almost missed his next words.

  “The baby’s mine.”

  “What the hell!”

  “Yours? Loomis, you’re married. What are you talking about?”

  “You know I always loved Kate even in high school. But Mom and Dad were dead set against her … working class family, status and all that bullshit. Like a fool, I went along with them and married Helen. She’s a good woman and we get along great. But I swear to God, I’ve always loved Kate and still do. When she told me she was going to have my baby, I offered to divorce Helen, but sweet Kate won’t let me. Damn, I’m such a fool.”

  “So what are you going to do?” Jimmy leaned in close and put his arm around his friend. “What do you want us to do?”

  “I’m not going to do anything. I just want you guys to help me protect Kate and the baby,” Shelby whispered.

  “Don’t ever tell anyone, please.”

  Chapter One

  The crowd at the bar was loud, the music was blaring, couples were draped over each other, and I was standing at the bar waiting to grab my date and join the fun. Suddenly the noise muted. The couples continued swaying to the jungle beat and my date disappeared. No one paid any attention to me. The next moment, I was in the lobby of the bar standing alone. Suddenly a cold breeze swept over me as a man stepped in from the cold. Our eyes met and without a word we rushed to each other’s arms. Next, somehow, I was sitting naked on a bear rug in front of a roaring fire in a dim lit mountain cabin. Beside me was PJ McCoy, naked, sipping a beer, wearing a red baseball cap and smiling. I leaned toward him. I knew I had to have him, now!

  The alarm rang and I woke up in a cold sweat. It took me a few seconds to realize I was in my bed in my apartment over my Bar and Grill, lying there with an inane grin on my face. I had kicked the covers off during the night, and was sprawled limply on the damp sheet, one pillow between my legs and my arms wrapped around another. I felt silly just lying there, but at the same time a feeling of peace and contentment washed over me.

  Just another night with my dream man! And I am going to meet him tonight for real, oh, yeah!

  Today was going to be a good day. At 3:30 this afternoon, I was meeting with my bank about the loan we needed to expand the Bar. That meeting was important for my business. I felt good about the prospects.

  But, I was more excited about what I had meticulously planned for this evening. I was finally going to meet my dream man … and I was going to see if he really was the man I hoped he was.

  *****

  It’s hot today. Not a dry heat. This is our fourth day of this sticky humid heat. The official temperature is 101 degrees, but the ‘feels like’ temperature is 106 degrees. Old folks were warned to stay inside. Even the homeless had enough sense to flock to the air conditioned shelters around town. The air was so heavy that walking outside was like strolling through a swimming pool. Even when you walked on the shady side of the street, within minutes you were soaking wet. Only idiots or those with absolutely necessary business ventured out. If I had any sense, I would have rescheduled my appointment today. Since I didn’t do that, I must be one of those idiots.

  So, I trudged through the heat to my appointment with Shelby Loomis at the First Commerce Bank. The sixty year old Loomis was the elder statesman of banking and finance in Nashville. Twelve years ago, he succeeded his father as President and CEO of the bank, which old Mr. Loomis founded in the 1950s.

  Not only was Shelby Loomis a major force in banking, but he was reputed to be the king-maker in Republican politics in Nashville and probably the State of Tennessee as well. More importantly, he is my banker and my friend, a kind of older mentor.

  I will have to admit the heat didn’t bother me this day. With a good response from Loomis, and with my plans for the evening, I was feeling particularly good. But I still had to be out in this miserable weather to get the loan, and I needed to check on my plans for getting my dream man to
the Bar that evening.

  Business at Jimmy’s Bar and Grill had been good for the last few years, primarily because of our location two blocks off the tourist district on lower Broadway. We had our steady customers of local politicians and business folks, and we also enjoyed a healthy, steady trade from Nashville’s locals. We had become an upscale hangout, close enough to the action on Broadway, but sufficiently off the path to give us some exclusivity.

  Our old building had a colorful past, starting out in the 1870s as a warehouse for the goods transported by boat to and from Nashville on the Cumberland River. In the 1920s, the building became a brewery and bar. With prohibition, it converted to a speakeasy and nightclub, as well as headquarters for the criminal elements associated with the bootleg whiskey business which flourished in Nashville. With the Great Depression, several churches converted it to a homeless shelter. World War II eliminated much of the need for a homeless shelter, but the old building was needed as a garment factory where one hundred and seventy-five women sat at commercial sewing machines, making uniforms for our men and women in arms. It remained a garment plant into the 1960’s until the cost of a downtown factory became prohibitive. During the 1960s and the 1970s the building sat virtually empty. In 1976, three Vietnam veterans bought the three story building, opened a veteran friendly bar and grill on the first floor and used the remaining two stories for an apartment and for storage. In the early 1980’s, organized crime discovered Nashville, and the downtown bar for good old boys became the base for one of Nashville’s most notorious crime bosses.

  I own that bar, well I have a long term lease on the building, and that history now. The hoods are gone, but the old wooden floors and the rugged red bricks still contain memories of their storied past.