A Home for Your Heart

By Leah M. Kosin

Mayor William Duquesne and his wife Nancy are thrilled when they hear their youngest of two daughters, Sarah, is getting married to Benjamin Daniels, a successful stock broker living in New York. For Sarah, marriage is the least of her concerns as she focuses on her true passion, writing, at a local New York paper, The Daily Grind.

Announcing her plans to write a feature story on homeless people living in the city, Sarah's ideas are snubbed by both Ben and her family who feel she should be spending less time at the paper and more time planning her big day.

Despite what her family thinks, Sarah takes to the streets where she meets a number of people who change her life, including Denny, a homeless man she soon falls for, putting Sarah in a situation she would have never imagined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468545388

Leah M. Kosin

Born in Rome, NY, Leah M. Kosin spent most of her life growing up in Erie, PA. She attended Penn State Erie, The Behrend College where she earned a degree in Communication and Media Studies in December 2005. Shortly after graduating, she began her career as a full-time journalist for a local newspaper in Herndon, VA. In 2007, she became a stay-at-home mom where she continued her profession as a freelance reporter. She currently writes and edits for Patch, an online news and information platform. Leah currently resides in Leesburg, VA with her husband, Michael, and two children.

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© 2012 by Leah M. Kosin. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 02/18/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-4540-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-4539-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-4538-8 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012901060

Printed in the United States of America

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

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

EPILOGUE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In memory of my dad

"A touching story. A Home for Your Heart not only catches the reader's attention, it propels them through to the end. I truly couldn't put it down and it brought me to tears. Topical and socially charged with real-life issues, the characters are believable and you truly want them to find happiness, whatever that might be. "

- Victoria Hyla, Author of In Death We Part

"A Home For Your Heart is gripping, funny, intriguing and emotional. It deals with a sensitive and very important topic carefully, making you have real compassion for the characters. Sarah and Denny – two people from opposite lives collide, by chance, to form an unexpected connection. Not only did Sarah Duquesne want to know Denny’s story – but I did also. It’s true, everything does happen for a reason! An excellent and powerful read."

- Claire King, Author of The Fall Of Essence

PROLOGUE

Present Day

Someone once told me that the experiences you have in life make you who you are as a person. The people who share those experiences with you can have just as much of an effect. I have met a number of people throughout the years who have made a huge impact on my life. But there has only been one who has affected me more than anyone else. It’s because of him that I’m the person I am today and because of that I wouldn’t change a thing. If I did I wouldn’t have this story to tell… a story about how two completely different people can fall in love instantly even if they don’t see it right away. It took me a while to realize how much he really meant to me. I thought it was just an infatuation… something that would disappear as quickly as it had started. But, as time passed, I realized it was something more… something that would change the way I saw everything in this strange, confusing world. It would be something that would change my life forever.

CHAPTER ONE

Pop! Corks flew across the freshly manicured grass as family and friends cheered. A late summer breeze blew through the trees, leaves rustling as if they too were applauding the newly engaged couple. Sarah, the youngest daughter of New York City’s Mayor William Duquesne and his wife Nancy, had just accepted the hand of Benjamin Daniels, a wealthy stockbroker who had grown up living in New York. To her surprise he had proposed less than a year into their dating, during her family’s annual end-of-summer picnic. More than one hundred people had been invited, including family, friends and co-workers, who had gathered around the couple as soon as they saw Ben get down on one knee.

Welcome to the family, said Mayor Duquesne, pushing his way through the crowd. Placing his right arm around Ben’s shoulder, Mr. Duquesne quickly pulled him in, and began to pat him on the chest. You’ll make a fine addition to our family. You’re educated, employed and a true gentleman if you don’t mind me saying. I’ll have everyone know that he made sure to ask me for permission before proposing to my daughter.

Wait. You knew about this? Sarah asked, surprised.

Of course we did, her father responded. Isn’t that right, Nancy?

Standing to his left was Mrs. Duquesne whose champagne drinking was interrupted by the sound of her name. A set of crow’s feet became visible near each eye as she responded with a large smile. I couldn’t agree more, she responded. We knew from the day you two first met that you’d be the one to marry her. And I can’t think of a better person to play the part.

Sarah brushed a black curl away from her light blue eyes as she watched her parents dote over Ben. Adjusting the strap of her white sundress she cleared her throat as she attempted to free her fiancé. To a new beginning, she said.

She grabbed Ben’s hand and together they raised their glasses high. Toasting to their future, everyone took a drink and congratulated the couple one last time.

Ben, why don’t you come help me, Mr. Duquesne said, giving him a friendly slap on the back. We’ve got a barbecue to serve and a lot of matters to discuss.

Lead the way. Kissing her hand, Ben loosened his grip to catch up with Sarah’s father. Wearing a white polo shirt, tucked neatly into a pair of pressed khaki Dockers, she watched as he made his way towards the back of the deck. The afternoon sun beamed off his brown hair, the same color as his eyes.

How in the world did you ever get so lucky?

Turning around Sarah was surprised to see a large group of female friends surrounding her.

Would you take a look at that, one of them said, bringing Sarah’s left hand to her face. A large two and a half carat, nearly flawless princess cut diamond, in a stunning platinum setting, encased her finger. It’s gorgeous.

Sarah, I’m so jealous, said another. How did the two of you meet again?

Sarah looked over her shoulder, watching Ben and her father interact while waiting for the grill to warm up.

We met at the Rockefeller Center last year, Sarah said, recalling the evening. My family was there for the lighting of the Christmas tree when he accidentally stepped on my foot.

I hope he apologized, someone said. The group of women began to laugh.

He did. And afterward he proceeded to introduce himself to me and later he invited me to dinner. The rest is history.

How romantic, someone else replied.

You could say that, Sarah said, sounding a bit unsure. Excuse me.

Feeling overwhelmed, Sarah made her way towards the front of the house, which was located in Southampton. The two story building, made of white stone, still belonged to her parents even though they had purchased a smaller home, near the city, just before Mr. Duquesne was elected Mayor.

Passing over the front lawn, Sarah caught a glimpse of the white, wrap around porch and recalled the many summers that her family had spent sitting on the swing. It was there that they had read books, listened to music or told stories about their day. One of Sarah’s favorite pastimes was to listen to the sound of flowing water from the large fountain, which was centered in the front yard. Her father had built it himself after moving into the home nearly fifteen years ago.

Sitting on its edge, Sarah watched as three gold fish, about four inches in size, chased each other in circles before she let out a long sigh.

Is it that bad? a voice questioned from the front porch.

Startled, Sarah turned to see her older sister Gwenyth coming down the front steps of the house, wearing a pair of tan capris and a light blue cardigan, which Sarah had gotten her for her birthday just two months earlier.

Seven years older, Gwenyth was what Sarah considered to be the favorite. She had followed in her mother’s footsteps and studied psychology, focusing on the human mind and behavior. Graduating a year early, from the University of Michigan, Gwenyth had begun working with their mother, who had owned her own private practice for at least ten years. Shortly after, Gwenyth had married Nathaniel, one of the finest surgeons in the area, who she had met during college. Together they moved into her parent’s estate since the home was only used in the summer months or for brief weekend getaways.

Sarah, on the other hand, was twenty seven years old and still living at home. She worked as a full-time journalist for The Daily Grind, a much smaller version of The New York Times, which focused strictly on local coverage. In her spare time Sarah could be found exploring the outdoors with her camera snapping images of flowers, landscapes and buildings. She was the quiet one of the family and often times preferred to be alone. However, despite their differences, Sarah and her sister had always been the best of friends.

Carrying a small bag of bread crumbs, Gwenyth sat down next to her sister and began to feed the fish.

You scared me, said Sarah, still holding her right hand over her chest. I didn’t know anyone else was out here.

I was inside getting something for mom when I saw you through the window, she explained, throwing in a handful of broken up bread. Shouldn’t you be out back celebrating your big engagement?

Sarah looked away and began to laugh nervously. I just… I can’t believe he asked me to marry him. Not to mention in front of all these people!

Gwenyth looked toward her sister and was surprised by her response. You’re not being serious are you?

Gwen, I’m getting married. Not to just anyone, I’m getting married to Benjamin Daniels.

Is there a problem with that? I mean, last I knew you two were getting along just fine.

We are. It’s just… I don’t know. Sarah stood up and began pacing back and forth, looking for what it was she wanted to say.

Sarah. Ben is crazy about you. Not to mention he’s got a great education, a fantastic job and he’s wealthy. And let’s not forget the fact that he’s got mom and dad wrapped around his little finger, which last I checked wasn’t an easy task. What more could you possibly ask for?

Sarah remained silent as she stood in one place. Looking up, she became distracted as a flock of geese flew