by Carol May
I really don’t know why she would want him to question whether I am the person for him because from what I can gather he isn’t exactly over the moon happy that his father married her. Mitchell suggests we move into the media room to watch some football which is the best suggestion I have heard since they entered the room. Gladly agreeing, we rise as Evelyn says in that condescending tone of hers, "Oh good. You finally broke away from whatever urgent business that you simply had to tend to this morning."
I am not sure I have ever been so happy to hear my phone beep from across the room. Returning back to the side table where I had placed it earlier while I was reading I unlock it and read the message. I tap out a reply to Brad about how this day is going.
Not sure if I can take an entire long weekend. Might take another happy pill I used for flying. Be on the lookout for more texts. I can’t talk now. Will call later if possible.
Turning to rejoin Blaine I am just about to tell him that Brad said hello when my eyes following the person I assume Evelyn was speaking to as he moves from the kitchen toward the fireplace. I am frozen. OH MY GOD! How can this be? Suddenly, my heart is pounding so hard that I am afraid it might beat out of my chest because standing before me is a man that has an all to familiar set of smoldering chocolate eyes. This would be an excellent time for Mother Nature to help me out. Come on sister, a freak natural disaster would be good right about now. Understanding that I am asking for the unspeakable to happen, I can't stop silently praying for one. Moving to stand beside Blaine I feel his arm around snake around my waist. He tenderly pulls me in so close that I must lay my hand on his chest. "Charli, I would like you to meet Elizabeth's son, Houston."
Standing beside Blaine, I am unable to reply. I simply can't find the words. How could this be? With a lilt to his voice, Blaine continues with our introduction, "Houston, I would like you to meet Charli." With an intentional pause he continues, "Carlton, my wife."
As a reader myself, I understand there are thousands of books for you to select from. Thank you for selecting Love, Lies and Shattered Hearts, the second book in the series, Life's Second Chances. It is my greatest hope that you are enjoying Charli’s story. If so, I would greatly appreciate you supporting my writing endeavors by leaving a positive review on Amazon and other sites. Thanks again!
Happy Reading,
Carol
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Please continue reading for an exert for the yet untitled book 3 in the Life’s Second Chances series featuring Charli Jensen. It is my plan to have the third installment of the series completed by late spring/early summer of 2016.
Chapter 1
I can't believe the bastard went through with his threat. Here I am, Houston Donovan, finally a free man and the woman I fought so hard to be free for is married to none other than Blaine Carlton. Who technically would be considered my step brother since his father and my mother are married. However, at this stage of my life, I find it quite childish to refer to him as anything other than my mother's stepson. Perhaps now, I will only refer to him as the bastard. Refraining from showing any emotion to the announcement Blaine has shared, my response is calm almost cold. Gritting my teeth, I draw upon my ability to mask my emotions, responding to her rather indifferently. I am sure this is not at all what he was expecting. With a simple nod toward her, I say, "Charli, good to see you again." Looking from one to the other I continue, "This is a surprise, Blaine. Congratulations. I hope the two of you will be happy. May I kiss the bride?" I simply must touch her. The feel of her smooth skin on my lips is a pleasure I had hoped to experience in most certainly a different manner.
With a simple laugh Blaine replies, "Of course, Houston." Leaning in, my lips graze her cheek. Quickly recognizing her delicious smell that somehow always lingered in our bed, I continue with a small forced laugh, "I believe you have surprised us all. Actually, I was unaware that you were acquainted outside of business."
Blaine calmly replies, "Thank you, Houston. I suppose we did surprise everyone." Pulling her even closer, he provides just a hint of sarism as he continues, "I did meet her in a most perculiar manner, orginally. Be sure to remind me and I will share that story with you, some time. Charli has had some difficulties to overcome in her personal life but when we realized just how we felt about each other, we didn't want to wait. Right Darlin?"
Charli
All I can do is look at the love of my life, as I stammer just a bit, "Yes, that is correct we didn't want to wait."
Mitchell, my father-in-law asks, "Did I understand you correctly? Married? Why hadn't you shared the news with me son?" Walking the few feet that actually seperates us, he shakes Blaine's hand. Smiling and seemingly unaware of the situation he says, "I understand it is early afternoon but I think this calls for a celebratory drink. I think for this time of day a nice wine will do. Don't you agree Evelyn?"
Standing quietly a few steps away, I look toward her. Houston's mother is observing the unfolding scene in front of her. I assume she is watching for signs of any type of reaction to our news. She must know that I once, not long ago actually, had a relationship, a serious relationship, with her son. Expressionless she answers, "Yes, a nice light wine would be wonderful. I agree we must toast the happy couple." It is obvious Mitchell knows nothing of the extremely awaked situation that is occurring in this room.
If this was a different century, I would find this a wonderful time for me to "swoon." At least, I believe that is what those historical romance books would call it. Unfortunately, we are in the present. What I would prefer to do is turn walk out of this room, this house, return to Miami and simply start this nightmare over. Since time travel isn't a possibility, I must find some way to handle this situation, I have just found myself in.
Returning to us with the glasses, Mitchell offers a toast. "To my son and his new bride, Charli. I hope the two of you will find the happiness with each other that I have found with Evelyn. We, Evelyn and myself as well as Houston, I'm sure, wish you nothing but a warm and blissful life." Raising our glasses, quietly we drink to his toast. This would be a prime time for one of those freak natural disasters to occur. Understanding that I am asking for the unspeakable to happen, I can't stop silently praying for one.
The chef, thank God, takes this opportunity to let us know the meal is prepared. Looking toward the table across the open space, we find the rustic wooden table is laid with a beautiful setting of various steaming soups and sandwiches. Of course, it would be the perfect meal for the day before Thanksgiving. At this very moment, I am not sure I am capable of swallowing one bite of food. It was all I could do to choke down the wine.
Laying his hand across my lower back, Blaine guides me to the table where we sit side by side, across from Houston. Leaning in to me, Blaine whispers, "I have great plans for the things we will do tonight. Perhaps you should eat heartily today. I can guarantee you will need your strength." Just as he pulls away, he takes a quick nibble on my ear. Quickly, I glance across the table to find Houston watching us with narrowed eyes. Looking up at Blaine I smile. I have no doubt my face is turning a light shade of pink.
Blaine
My father and his toasts! He found the perfect words for us, without having any idea as to what he was doing. I have no doubt that Houston is seething at being included in wishing us happiness. Silently, I respond with, "Father, you have no idea how blissful it will be."
As we move across the room, my mind races with the possibilities of what now lies in front of me both professionally as well as personally. My hope is that Houston began developing a plot for escaping from Georgia the moment he understood the situation he has found himself in. I wonder how the golden boy actually feels? Happy for us my ass. He is sitting across the table from the one thing that he now realizes he can never have again, my wife. Sitting shoulder to shoulder with her on the bench side of
the table, I must admit, I couldn't resist that little nibble. Touching Charli as we walk across a room is simply all it takes to ignite the passion I have for her. Quickly evaluating the situation, I determine that I can benefit from the lust I feel in multiple ways. The first and foremost being later I most certainly intend to follow through with my promise of intense sex with my wife. The second being I can and will get under Houston's skin during this little "family" gathering especially if he remains here. Reaching under the table to rub her inner thigh in a small circular motion, Charli coughs as she attempts to slip a little way from me. With a light grip on her, I ask to no one in particular, "Does anyone else feel as if this delicious soup is just the ticket for being warmed up on on a cool overcast November day?" I am sure she picked up on the emphasis I have just placed on being warmed up. Yes, this most definitely is going to be a very interesting holiday.
Charli
Thank the good heavens that is over. I am unsure how I will ever get through these next few days. Doing just about anything to escape I suggest a walk around the property to Blaine. As we don our coats he explains that this property originally belonged to his grandfather, Ralph, and that his father inherited it. Blaine's comment reminds me there is so much for me to learn about him. I find it facinsating that this so-called cabin is actually built with some reclaimed wood from the home of his great grandfather’s house which I’ve now learned was only a few miles away. Smiling Blaine continues, “My Grandfather left the area and moved to Atlanta. He became a successful businessman and often wanted to escape the city. So he returned to his roots and built a weekend home here.”
Stepping off of the porch we head out into the woods as he explains the current retreat is also on the exact site. I detect more than a hint of sarcasm when he says, “I call it a retreat because…” he pauses and turns back to look at the three story structure “well look at it. Have you ever seen anything like this be called a cabin?”
Smacking his arm lightly, I can’t help but reply with, “Really? I seem to remember you calling it a cabin back in Miami. Can you imagine just how shocked I was when I saw it?”
Turning away, Blaine wraps his arm around my neck pulling me to him as we begin walking down a stone path. Finally, he speaks in an almost solemn voice, “Darlin, I didn’t want to make you anymore anxious than you were. I knew if I used the term retreat you would want an explanation. Then I would have to describe it. Despite where you lived before we were married, I knew a seven bedroom, eight bath retreat wouldn’t help to calm you. The flight had you on edge already.”
Carrying on with the conversation I ask, “So what did your Grandfather’s place look like?” Point with my thumb over my shoulder, I say, “Somehow, I get the impression it didn’t look anything like the monster behind us.”
Laughing for the first time today, he says, “No is wasn’t anything like it. For the record, I think I like calling that thing behind us the monster. Grandfather’s place was nice don’t get me wrong but it wasn’t over the top like the monster. I spent quite a few summers with him when I was young. Then after he died, I came back a couple more times but it just didn’t seem right. By that time, I was in my late teens and had other things on my mind.”
Detecting a hint of pride in his voice as he says,"Remind me when we return and I will show you some photographs of me sitting on the porch with him." Looking up at this handsome man that I now share a name with, I can't help but be facinated with the thought of seeing him as a young boy.
"Were you close to him?"
Stopping, Blaine stands very still, looking into the barren trees before he answers. "Yes. The day he passed away was once of the saddest days of my life." Continuing, he turns to me, with saddness in his eyes, "I spent most of my summers here with him when I was young. We did all the manly things he grew up believing in. He taught me how to to fish and hunt. He was a real stickler about eating the meat. I can almost hear him now, "If we kill it or catch it, we eat it." Because of that rule, I generally missed when we he planned to take me deer hunting besides it wasn't about the kill for me, it was about the time I was with him. By that time, he had retired and Dad was running his business. Dad didn’t have time for me back then. He would send me here with Grandfather to make himself feel better about leaving me alone."
Pulling me to him, he wraps his arms around me saying, "Just like when I am with you, it is the being with you that is important not what we do or where we are." Laying my head against his chest, I can hear the beating rhythm of his heart. I am enjoying this peaceful interlude before we must return to the cabin. Standing here in the solitude of these woods, I wish I could lock us into this very moment never letting go of it.