Love's Elusive Dream: Finding Love, #8

By Dianne Reed Burns

Over four years ago, Jack Preston’s world was destroyed when Sara Johnson, the woman he was going to ask to marry him, disappeared from his life. Slowly, over the years, he has become a successful rancher, but emotionally he remains the bitter, wounded man she left behind. This rancher has been unable to move on from the one true love of his life, wondering what he did to run her off and where she went to or if she was even still alive.

When Sara left Jack, she had just received devastating news that would alter her life and leave her feeling like she was no longer a whole woman. Feeling like it was the best for everyone involved, she slipped out of town in the dead of night. Now, four years later, she has unwillingly returned to face her past and the demons haunting her.

Jack’s meeting with his loan officer turns into fireworks when he walks in to find Sara, the woman who left him, standing across the room. Determined that he will not lose her again, he decides he will do anything to keep her with him, but when an accident happens on the brink of Jack proposing to Sara her secrets will be unleashed. Will Jack be able to accept the woman Sara has become? Will she? Or will they forever be chasing love’s elusive dream just to find it beyond their grasp?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dianne Reed Burns
• Release date: Jun 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533786890

Book preview

Love’s Elusive Dream

The Finding Love Series, Book 8

By

Dianne Reed Burns

Copyright

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. 

All Rights are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

Love’s Elusive Dream, The Finding Love Series, Book 8

Copyright © 2016 by Dianne Reed Burns

Cover design by Dawn Charles at bookgraphics.net

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all the men, women, and children

who have survived the dreaded ‘C’ word.

Live, laugh, and love as if it had never made

an appearance in your life!

Book List

The Finding Love Series:

Deaf Love: A Short Story - Book 1*

The Power of Love - Book 2

Love’s Little Rewards - Book 3

To Love a Man - Book 4

Love Hurts - Book 5

Worthy of Love - Book 6

Teach Me to Love - Book 7

Love’s Elusive Dream - Book 8

A Healing Kind of Love - Book 9

Deaf Love, The Cowboy’s Gift - Coming Soon*

To learn how Luke and Amanda met, be sure to read Deaf Love: A Short Story first.

All other books can be read as stand-alones; however, you will see repeating characters throughout the series. To purchase or read more about any of these titles, please read the excerpts at the end of this book, or click here.

Book Description

Over four years ago, Jack Preston’s world was destroyed when Sara Johnson, the woman he was going to ask to marry him, disappeared from his life. Slowly, over the years, he has become a successful rancher, but emotionally he remains the bitter, wounded man she left behind. This rancher has been unable to move on from the one true love of his life, wondering what he did to run her off and where she went to or if she was even still alive.

When Sara left Jack, she had just received devastating news that would alter her life and leave her feeling like she was no longer a whole woman. Feeling like it was the best for everyone involved, she slipped out of town in the dead of night. Now, four years later, she has unwillingly returned to face her past and the demons haunting her.

Jack’s meeting with his loan officer turns into fireworks when he walks in to find Sara, the woman who left him, standing across the room. Determined that he will not lose her again, he decides he will do anything to keep her with him, but when an accident happens on the brink of Jack proposing to Sara her secrets will be unleashed. Will Jack be able to accept the woman Sara has become? Will she? Or will they forever be chasing love’s elusive dream just to find it beyond their grasp?

Prologue

Four and a half years earlier.

Miss Johnson, the nurse said. Can you wake up?

The woman in the hospital bed moaned and turned her head slightly to follow the voice she heard.

Is your name Sara? the nurse coaxed.

Yes, the woman croaked in a whispered voice.

That’s a beautiful name for a lovely young woman.

Sara tried to smile, but her lips were so dry. Can I have water? Thirsty.

I know, honey. Maybe some ice chips later today. You want to be careful. You don’t want to be sick at your stomach.

Oh. She looked around the room at the bright lights and the medical personnel walking around the recovery area. Is it over?

Yes, Sara. And you’re doing great, the nurse said as she continued checking her vitals. By the way, my name is Carla. Do you remember me when you went into the operating room? I was with you during the surgery.

Yes. I remember. Thank you.

You’re welcome, dear. Everything went smoothly and you’ll feel so much better now.

Sara’s mind was racing at Carla’s words, thinking about what had just been done.

How…how long did it take?

You were in the operating room about two hours. You’re awake and doing good. We’re going to move you to your room. You’ll feel better there, and then maybe later today you’ll get to go for a short walk. It won’t be long before you’re back home.

Carla started tucking tubes between Sara’s arms and the safety rails on the bed. She checked the IV bag one last time that was hanging on the pole attached to the bedframe, and unplugged some connections before placing them across her pillow.

Tommy, Carla said, calling to a young man in blue scrubs that was walking by. Can you help me get Miss Johnson to her room?

Sure, glad to.

The two of them rolled her out of the space in recovery and headed through two wooden doors that opened automatically as they approached them.

As Carla and Tommy rolled her down the wide hallways, onto an elevator and off again, she stared at the ceiling lights as they hurriedly flickered by. Sara heard the general noise of the hospital, along with the two nurses talking to each other, but she couldn’t comprehend what they were saying. They began to slow the bed and turn it as they rolled her head-first into her private room and parked the bed in the center of the open area close to the far wall.

Thanks for your help, Tommy.

Glad to do it. I’ll see you back in recovery.

I’ll be there shortly.

Carla went to work plugging the various cords into the waiting black and green television looking monitor by the head of the bed, and restarted the readings. An obnoxious beep began to fill the room. She moved the IV bag to another freestanding pole with another monitor and reset the dosage of the contents.

How are you feeling, Sara?

Okay, I guess.

Any pain?

Not right now.

That’s good, she said making one final adjustment. Here’s the call button. The nurse attached it to the pillowcase with a clip. If you need anything, just push it. It’s connected to the nurses’ station down the hall. They’ll know your doctor’s orders.

Thanks, Sara said, turning her head to the side and looking at the edge of the pillow.

She watched the nurse walk to the end of the bed and slip her chart out of the holder. Carla flipped the metal top back, wrote for several minutes, checked the readings on the monitors, and wrote some more. When she was finished, she closed the chart and slipped it back in the holder at the foot of the bed. She walked around to the side of the bed and looked at Sara.

Do you need anything? Another blanket?

No, I’m good I guess. Do I get ice chips?

I’ll get the floor nurse to check on that for you. Now, you shouldn’t get the urge to go to the restroom, because you still have a catheter. That’ll come out before they get you up to walk. Don’t try to get up without help. The first time can be a doozy.

Okay, Sara said, feeling overwhelmed and placing the palm of her hand over her flat stomach.

I’m going to move this close to you in case you need tissues or the vomit tray, she said, maneuvering the overbed table across her. If you get sick or even feel sick, press the call button. Don’t try to take care of that on your own. We’re here to help you.

Okay. Sara tried to take a deep breath and relax.

Do you have someone here with you that I can let know you’re in your room?

Margie’s waiting. Margie Collier.

I’ll let her know where you are. You take care of yourself and I hope you have a speedy recovery. Carla patted her arm.

Thank you for helping me.

Glad to do it. You rest and I’ll go find Margie and get the floor nurse to check on those ice chips.

Sara watched her walk out the door, pulling it partially closed behind her. Her eyes flitted around the room finding it bare of everything except a lone, empty chair and the essential medical equipment. She ran her eyes across the table in front of her and they settled on the soft, worn blue t-shirt she’d left folded there. She reached out a trembling hand and drug the shirt to her face as the unbridled tears burst forth at all she’d lost in the last three weeks and two hours.

And that’s how Margie found her when she walked into the room.

Chapter 1

The handsome, well-dressed, older man walked into Sara Johnson’s office with his hands in his suit pant’s pockets, jingling his keys and change. After entering through the door, he turned and closed it with a loud click.

Sara turned from the file cabinet behind her desk, and acknowledged her boss, noting the closed door behind him.

"Hello, Mr. Barker. How can I help you, today?" She smiled warmly at him with a little laugh in her voice.

Good afternoon, Sara. How are things going? he questioned. Did you have a nice weekend?

Good, and my weekend was uneventful, as usual. I’m taking care of the Turner family right now, she said, indicating the papers spread out on her desk. We’ve worked it out where they can hold onto their family farm, with your approval, of course.

I’m sure you’ve done a fine job. You always do. Her boss took a seat in the chair across from her desk. Will you be able to wrap up the Turner’s loan in the next few days?

I’m sure I can, she said warily. Did we have a meeting I forgot about? she asked, frowning.

No, but I guess I’m calling one, her boss answered quietly.

She stared at him for a moment and then at the closed door. The room seemed to take on a bit of a chill as she spoke, And what is this little meeting about?

Sara, I hate to do this to you.

"Do what? she asked in an alarmed voice. Are there more cut-backs coming?"

No, it’s not that.

Then what?

I don’t like doing this, but I’m going to have to transfer you, he stated.

Sara stared at him trying to digest this information. Where to? she managed to ask as she paced behind her desk.

Please understand, I wouldn’t do this if I had another choice. You’re the best Agricultural Loan Officer in the company, and this little bank needs you. Hopefully it won’t be for long.

Just tell me where it is.

It’s in far West Texas.

How far? Sara asked, going rigid and stopping to stare at him.

The company just bought the only bank in Mountainside, where you were before. As you well know, that little town is surrounded by ranches and family farms. They’re having a really tough time with this drought and everything else that goes along with being in agriculture. These folks need your expertise and guidance.

Tom, I… She shook her head from side to side.

I know you’ve got a lot of memories from when you were there. I understand you went through some rough times after leaving, but you’re good now, right? And I really need you to do this.

Why me? she asked, with a deep sigh.

Because the folks out there need the best. And you’re the best we have, he stated, looking squarely at her.

She looked away from him and wrapped her arms around her waist, trying to comfort herself and deal with the turmoil growing inside her.

How did we acquire the bank? She wanted to know.

It was an individual owned bank. The owner retired. The same man you worked for when you were there. He was the bank’s only Ag Loan Officer. Hence the need for your services.

This is a good sized corporation we work for. Isn’t there someone else you can send? she questioned.

"They want you. They need you."

You’re not going to let up on this are you? No matter what I say.

No. I can’t.

She sighed deeply. When am I supposed to be there?

Two weeks. But sooner, would be better. I’ve taken it upon myself to find you a place to stay. There’s a boarding house in town that’s furnished, so there’s no need to move. Like I said before, you may not be there that long. Just until we make sure things are good in that department. I’m talking to the board to get a new person hired for that position. The trouble is, they’re afraid no one will want to go to that dry, desolate land.

And they thought I would? she spat out, turning on him.

What is it? What’s wrong? Are you okay?

Nothing. I’m fine. I’ll get things squared away here, and be on my way, she stated. Who owns the boarding house?

He pulled a note out of his pocket and read it before handing it to her. It belongs to a woman named Jenny Marks. Everyone apparently calls her Aunt Jenny. She has three furnished rooms for rent. Two are occupied. You have the run of the old Victorian house and all meals are furnished, except lunch and Sundays.

Hmp…sounds like a deal, she said, with a smirk.

The corporation is picking up the tab. He looked at her, cocking his head to the side.

How very thoughtful of them, she replied moodily.

Thank you, Sara, he said, rising from the chair and walking to the door. With his hand on the doorknob, he turned to look at her. I appreciate you, and so will the people of Mountainside, Texas.

Sara watched him leave her office and then sunk down into her big leather office chair, her legs suddenly turning to jelly.

Oh, dear Lord, she said, catching her head in her hands as she placed her elbows on the desk. What am I going to do?

Hey, Sara, Margie greeted, as she hurried by her door. The woman stopped and backed up, looking in at her friend. Forgetting her task, she turned and stepped into the office.

What’s wrong?

Sara drug her hands down over her tear filled eyes to settle over her mouth and look at the woman standing in front of her.

Honey, what is it? she asked, rushing around the desk and wrapping her arms around her.

Oh Margie, I don’t know what I’m going to do, she stated.

What is it? What’s happened? Is it ba…? her friend asked, fear lacing her voice, unable to finish the last question.

The…the corporation bought a small bank in West Texas when the owner retired. And since the owner and the Agricultural Loan Officer were the same person, they need a replacement for that position. Tom said he needs me to go out there and fill in as the Ag loan officer.

Permanently? Margie asked frowning, slightly relieved at her friend’s answer.

He said it might not be for long, but any length of time is going to be too much. Sara reached for a tissue and dabbed at her eyes.

Why are you so upset about this? Margie asked her. It’s not like you’ll be there forever. They’ll find a replacement.

Margie, Sara said, looking at her with tears still in her eyes. You do remember me telling you about Jack and what happened?

Yes, of course I do.

Jack lived in Mountainside.

I remember.

He’d always talked about buying his own ranch in that area. The bank is in Mountainside, Margie. I could be his loan officer.

Oh, crap.

Yeah, exactly. Sara took a deep breath. I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can stand to see him again after the way I left. So many things have happened. I know he must hate me.

I don’t know what to say.

You can’t say anything that I haven’t thought of in the last fifteen minutes after having my whole world turned upside down.

You’re strong, Sara. You can do this. Look what you’ve already been through.

Sara looked up at her friend, not believing what she’d just said.

I am not strong when it comes to Jack. Heaven help me, I still love him.

Chapter 2

Jack Preston turned off the highway and headed down the long drive to Wade and Charlie Garrison’s sprawling ranch house. Seeing the house come into view, he said to himself, Yep, one of these days I’ll have a place like this on my ranch instead of four rooms and a bath in the old wood cabin I live in now. Yep, one of these days.

He drove the last quarter of a mile and parked on the side of the house next to Wade’s new diesel dually pickup. He got out of his three-year-old crew cab truck, and slammed the door shut as he made his way to the workshop behind the house. The door was standing open and he leaned in, with his hands on the doorframe, to look inside.

Hey, Wade.

Hi, Jack. Come on in.

You busy?

Oh, got a damn gear froze up on the hay bailer. The parts house can’t get one in for two weeks. If I can get this one going, I can keep working and not lose any more time.

I understand that, Jack said, adjusting the straw Stetson, on his head.

What’s going on? Wade asked.

I wanted to ask a favor.

Shoot.

I’m going to try to get a loan to buy some cows and heifers. I can’t get a bull right now, and your Hercules has a good blood line.

I know what you want, and the answer is yes. When you get them bought, you can use Hercules to breed them.

What’s the fee going to be?

Oh, hell, Jack, there isn’t a fee for you. You know that. I couldn’t have gotten this place off the ground without you.

Thanks. You’re a good friend. They shook hands to seal the deal.

You know, they sold the bank in town, Wade said.

I know. Old man Hartford wasn’t just the owner, but the Ag Loan Officer, too. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried.

Have you heard who the new one’s going to be?

Nope. I just know I have an appointment with him two weeks from Monday at nine o’clock in the morning.

Wade nodded his head in understanding. "I hope he’s as