Settled For The Special

By CJ Hawk

Chick Lit. Light Hearted Romance. When two young hearts experience their share of heartache, the last thing they want is to fall in love. Coming back home to take care of a parent with Alzheimer's is enough to make a man insane. Insane enough to fall for a woman that he can't take his mind off of. One that is only visiting his old hometown, that's just like Mayberry, to escape a past that hurt her. This relaxed laidback town can't slow the pace of their fast beating hearts.
Excerpts:
I knew the drill and heard of it happening to others, but never did I think it would happen to my street smart brain. If this is where romance and love led you, in the ditch, on a county road to a Podunk town in the middle of rancher land, then I did not need love or romance anymore.
I watched his eyes travel my body again as he complimented me and I kept my eyes focused on his incredible blue eyes. I was afraid if I let them wander anywhere else I would get caught red handed. His eyes felt like warm sunshine sliding up and down my existence. Which was silly because I didn’t think he was really that attracted to me, just perhaps being a man of inquisition.
“I’m sorry. To hear about your dad that is. Mrs. Walker mentioned you were a high priced property lawyer that came home to take care of your dad.” I felt a bit awkward. Maybe he had his own dilemma to deal with like I had mine. Maybe that was the explanation for the cattiness last night. Although Cindy was sure to take the time and explain to me this morning why she thought it was. The thought that Colton Charpel might be attracted to me as I am to him held a dangerous tone.
I resettled myself to make it appear as if I was sleeping and set my head just so I can watch out of the corner of one eye. Each rippling muscle sent a tingling sensation through my body. Each tanned muscle moved in conjunction with the next. It was like a symphony of muscles and I really needed to get a grip. He was a man like any other and I was a woman that just needed to get on track, not sidetracked by bulging muscles and a cute behind on a roof.
I watched his eyes slowly graze the length of my body and then when our eyes met he took a step closer and pushed my hair behind my ear. He touched me as if he had the right.
The tears stung the backs of my eyelids as I looked at a man I fell in love with. I knew he was in pain and I wanted to help. However, when he flinched at the touch of my arm reaching out to him I felt anger build within me. "I'm not settling for the special, Colton. I am in this to make it work out. I know you've got your hands full. I can only imagine what you're dealing with. I want to help, I want to share your pain and make it all go away. If all you need from me is a warm bed and naked body at night, then I'm completely ok with that. I know it has to make you feel better." I knew it had made me feel better.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CJ Hawk
• Release date: May 10, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458032928

CJ Hawk

I am an independently published author that finds scraps of time to write with intentions to escape the perils of a working life while owning and operating three small businesses with my husband, raising teen boys, sixteen paws (yes four shelter dogs) and a tank full of fish that keep multiplying on their own every time we look for baby fish – free fish anyone? For all of the chaos, testing of mental fortitude, strength and intuition I have endured, I have a lot to be thankful for.Recent years have put my dedication to writing time on the back burner. There were a few major surgeries within my immediate household, to then have major changes in life in general. As of 2015, I lost my mother to the final battle of Ovarian Cancer. She was a strong independent woman that I loved deeply but often saw things quite a bit differently, yet only a mother knows, you love your child no matter what - and that love will always find a way.Between our business, teens, my mother’s cancer battle and life, I have found a renewed sense of what makes me content when the tides are trying to drown me... and that is to be creative in any whimsical way that nudges me. I am back to writing full force when time allows, painting, gardening, taking pictures, knitting or my all-time favorite thing that helped me morn my loss, scrapbooking. All of these things are so very therapeutic and to be able to share with others, gives me joy.I hope you like my books, not perfect as they could be; but life is not perfect and is meant to be enjoyed nonetheless. – CJ Hawk

Book preview

Settled For The Special

Chick Lit. Romance - General Adult Light Romance

Published by Smashwords.com and Copyright 2011 CJ Hawk

hhtp://www.cjhawk.com

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/cjhawk

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and strictly fictional. All persons, places or incidences are creative endeavors of the author. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people without the author's permission. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

Chapter One

The pounding rain had created slick muddy roads that were not boding well for decent driving in my small commuter car. The ten-inch tires and great gas mileage worked well in my daily commutes back home but for this barren land on the drive into Hope Spring Falls, WY, it was singing a different tune. My silver four-door commuter car was all mud covered, and my tires kept sliding in the ruts. My knuckles were white and my fingers blue from the death grip I had from holding on to the steering wheel for the last hour.

To help keep a calming reserve to my mental status, I spoke aloud to myself. Hope Forrester, how the heck do you keep getting yourself into this mess? I took a moment to look into my rearview mirror and noticed the red rim of my cried out eyes. My brown hair appeared to be in a bit of disheveled mess in a ponytail about to fall out. I pulled out the band that had held my hair up and ran a hand quickly through it before needing to grasp the steering wheel tightly again.

I kept asking myself mentally, over and over, why I felt the need to pack up, leave my well-paid job and move to the first place that looked well, hopeful for a new beginning. On the map, it looked close to civilization but far enough away from my troubles, that I would feel safe. This four-hour drive was turning into six with all the high winds and low visibility from this unsuspecting terrible storm.

With the constant words of ‘WHY?’ circling my brain, my hands were suddenly forced to turn the wheel into the ditch as a resounding ‘pop’ exploded under my car.

For the love of Pete! I hollered at myself, inside my car. No amount of soothing country music on my car speakers was going to cheer me up. I was sure the pop was a flat, and I was in a ditch no bigger than a foot deep. Nevertheless, that foot might as well felt like the canyon lands with my small tires spinning in mud as I tried to ease back up on the main road to have a flat surface to change my tire.

With one hand, I shut off my car and then reached over and turned down the happy-go-lucky country songs I had been trying to listen to in hope that music would cheer me up. I reached down to my floorboard to locate my cell phone in my purse; I heard the load drum of tires from a cattleman’s truck quickly blazing by my car in the ditch. By the time I sat upright, it was red taillight city. I gave a middle finger salute to the decent human being in the truck as their taillights faded fast into the drizzling rainy night. I prayed cell service to call my new landlord and ask for help, because without cell service, I would be, well, in a ditch.

Oddly enough when I located Hope Spring Falls on the map, I had no idea what to expect. Only the heart filled, cheery words of the woman, who the real estate agent put me in touch with to rent from. A home that was just about the only available home. Julie Hoffman, my new landlord, talked like a prom queen recipient and made Hope Springs Falls out to be the home of Andy Griffin and Gomer Pile, a real Mayberry experience. A white picket community with cherry pie festivals and true all American lure. I was sold on the appeal of a laid-back break from my very chaotic life that just happened. I didn’t ask why the all American prom queen had her house up for rent; I was just glad it was.

Since Julie Hoffman’s cell number was the only local number I had, I went ahead and dialed it hoping she was home, and could help me get a tow truck. By the fifth ring, I was about to give up knowing a message would kick in on the next ring. I started to cry inwardly with just the feel of the tears streaming down my face. I couldn't hold back the emotions as I felt so raw from everything that just recently happened to me.

The sappy sweetness of Julie’s breathy voice yanked me out of my dark spiraling hole I felt like crawling into. Hope. Honey is that you? Are you there? I couldn’t find my silly phone in this cute new knock off purse I bought on the strip yesterday.

I listened to her rambling on and realized I had not even breathed a word. That Julie must have recognized me by caller I.D. on her phone, and if I did not talk quick, I might not get a word in. Julie! I’m stuck out on the county road with a flat, and my car drove itself into a ditch!

Oh my! Listen I am in L.A., but I can call the local tow service, Walker Towing. Listen I don’t have my phone list on this adorable new phone I just got. Call information and ask for the home number of Bob Walker, and if he isn’t there, call the Walker Café. Bob and Cindy run the main local eats. Listen I gotta run, my Bob, my fiancé Bob, just walked in. I think I told you that I am engaged to be married. If not, listen, I will call tomorrow to see how you’re settling in. Have any problems, call Cindy at the cafe, and she’ll set you right up. Bye now!

The click of her call was all I heard. The fast smooth talk, from the prom queen high on love and engagement, and then click, she was gone. Just like my life. Just like the moment I walked in on my lover and boss, Hugh Finley, of Morris, Parks and Finley Law Firm –my employers. Hugh was doing some type of desktop tango with non-other than his snotty, always deviant, secretary, Ms. Nelson. Little petite domestic diva, Ms. Nelson, who always seemed to forget that my personal messages needed to get to the top of the pile to Hugh. Moreover, the second I saw him pounding his secretary, in the sexual tense, over his desk it all came clear. The constant need for him to be working later hours, with new clients I never heard of, in board meetings.

His only explanation, as I laid my notice of leave on his desk, was that his secretary meant nothing to him. He just saw her as the perfect housewife to his attorney lifestyle, and I was the one he truly loved. That they could make this threesome work. Wow, that was the blow that sunk the titanic. I had to wonder what I ever saw in that man.

My tough thick skin attitude that I acquired through my life from being raised by a poor single mom did not allow the emotions to surface. I just laid my resignation on his desk and turned with my already packed suitcase and two letters of recommendation from the other partners, which were good, as long as I did not sue the company. Along with a nice year's salary pay, to hush my lips while I was at it.

I knew the drill and heard of it happening to others, but never did I think it would happen to my street-smart brain. If this is where romance and love led you, in the ditch, on a county road to a Podunk town in the middle of rancher land, then I did not need love or romance anymore. I just needed a short leave of absence to clear my head. The six-month lease I had to sign was not one I intended on staying in the full time but would pay the renter out. I was very happy to find out that my landlord left the house fully stocked with essentials and furniture, letting me leave most of my belongings in storage. That should make my temporary transition of what to do with my life next, that much easier. At this point, I didn't know if I wanted to go back or move forward and start anew somewhere else.

Just as I dialed information, the brightness of headlights illuminated my car, and it looked like a tow truck. ‘Thank you guardian angel!’ I spoke to myself to reassure my nerves. I wiped my eyes of any mascara runs and ran a few fingers through my messy hair.

Things were looking up, and I was bound and determined to get back on my feet.

If I had not known better, I would think that I had found the male version of the chattiest and friendliest man on the face of the earth. With only two hundred or so questions under his belt firing off like a machine gun, I had to smile.

The way he greeted me by name, I could only assume that Julie had reached Mr. Walker, proud owner of Walker Towing and Walker Café with a small cattle ranch at the end of town.

His round face and balding head matched his round body and chubby hands holding on to the steering wheel of his towing truck as we drove slowly into town.

I was not sure how many of his questions I wanted to answer but the man seemed rather inquisitive. I hoped the rest of the town was not as nosey, as I really wanted to get over my recent failure and setback as I was internally calling it. Trying to figure out the next step in my career was rather foggy as I didn’t see myself moving back to Utah to live with my mom and working in Denver, in property lawsuits, might run me into Mr. Hugh Finley, the hoodwink.

Nope, pulling out the US map after drinking the two hundred bottle of wine, I snuck out of Finley’s finest liquor cabinet, held only for his best paying clients, felt like the right thing to do. When I covered my hand over my eyes and used my other hand to roll circles over the map, I counted to ten with a pointed finger and landed on Hope Springs Falls, WY. After several minutes of drunken giggles, I pulled the city up on-line and found a real estate agent that lived in the next town over. Now I was miles from nowhere and renting from the local prom queen. Somehow, I felt more alive than I had in a long time.

With the rapid succession of Mr. Walker’s questions, I answered as few as possible with the least