Rock Bottom

By Jeannie Kirkpatrick

Connie Fairfax, she had it all, smart, beautiful, at the end of a very successful college career. Then she meets the wrong guy. In the midst of it all Nate Ford enters her life at the worst possible time. Her dreams crushed, her faith shattered. Connie returns home searching for redemption. Nate searches for Connie, but military service is calling him. Connie will be forced to face her past. Will she find redemption, will her faith be restore before she hits Rock Bottom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeannie Kirkpatrick
• Release date: May 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386219507

Jeannie Kirkpatrick

About the Author Jeannie Kirkpatrick in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband of 50 years. She is the proud Mom of three handsome boys, 3 beautiful daughters-in-law. Fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jeannie started writing ten years ago. Rock Bottom, however, is her first published novel. Her current work in progress is a book of devotionals she hopes to have published by the end of 2019. In addition to writing, Jeannie also speaks at Christian Women events. You may contact her through her web site at: www.jeanniekirkpatrick.com If you have enjoyed or were bless by this book please leave a review on the venue were the book was purchased.

Book preview

Dedications

I dedicate this book first to Christ, without Him; not one word would have been written.

In Memory of my Parents Ed and Jo Gossett who raised us up in the church. Because of that you gave us a priceless gift, our faith in Christ.

Also, to Paul, who listens to endless plot possibilities. He developed what we laughingly call conversational whiplash as I jumped from one topic to another. Your love and support are priceless.

Finally, to all the survivors of domestic violence. I pray that with God’s love and help from others, you will heal and someday trust enough to love again.

Acknowledgments

A Big Thank You to the Following:

Phillip Buys, for helping me with legal questions.

Brenda Westbrook, for helping me understand the hierarchy in a bank.

To my fellow authors who took the time to answer my endless questions about publishing.

To our Pastor Chuck Stephenson helping me with church processes

Last but not least my editors:

Mickey Folger Boyd who waded through the first editing and smoothed out the rough edges.

Annette Zamora, Donna Stephenson and Paul Kirkpatrick for

Reading and correcting those final few items.

It has been said that writing is a solitary and lonely life. But I am here to tell, you it does take a village to get it published.

JK

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Chapter 1

Connie Fairfax held tightly to her can of soda and hurried through the crowd doing her best to remain unseen by Richard.

How did I get here she thought? Here I am with a person I have tried to walk away from, at a place I never wanted to be.  

Now she was stuck here until Richard chose to leave.  After several minutes of squeezing through the crowded rooms, she found herself outside on a well-lit patio. Connie looked around. On her right was the swimming pool and her date, Richard, with his buddies around the beer keg. On her left she saw a small gazebo, praying he would not see her as she walked as close as she could to what few shadows she could find. She passed a bay window and spotted a bench with a cushioned seat tucked inside just a few feet away. She hurried over and took a seat and settled in to wait for Richard to decide to leave.

Nate Ford wandered around, hands in pockets, doing his best to sidestep exuberant partygoers.  He stepped out onto the brightly lit patio, wondering what in the heck was he going to do while he waited on his friends. He noticed a group of guys, most of them being the friends he was to get home later, clustered around a beer keg and decided to go in a different direction.

Nate had been out of high school for three years aimlessly drifting from one job to another. After attending a church retreat, he felt the call of God on his life. Surrendering to the call, he knew the next step would be seminary. Money was a huge issue. His parents owned a small farm in Paradise Springs, Texas. Nate did not come into their lives until they were both in their forties. His mother’s health was fragile. Nat did not want to burden them with his college expense. He did not want the burden that student loans would give him for years to come. He chose the military as a path to getting his education, and in a week, he would be leaving for boot camp.

Stopping to look around, his gaze swept past her then back again quickly.  His breath caught in his throat, she had to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.   Long curly red hair flowed over her shoulders. He had always been a sucker for redheads! Wow! Nate thought.  This evening is looking up!

She looked as out of place at this party as he felt. Looking at the beauty in front of him, he decided that meeting this lovely lady would be a great way to spend what remained of his time before the military took him away.

As she sat inside a small gazebo, he had to stop and stare for a moment. She was just so beautiful he almost forgot to breathe. He knew it would be a memory he would carry until he left this earth.

Smiling, he continues over to where she sat and stopping in front of her. Leaning casually against the arbor frame he asked her in his slow Texas drawl, Mind if I join you? 

Startled, she looked up. In front of her stood the most gorgeous man she had ever seen, tall with brown hair, even in the dim light, she could see that his eyes were the most striking shade of blue. 

Oh my, she thought, is this guy for real?  Realizing that she was staring at him like a fan-girl, she said the first thing that popped into her head.

Does that Texas drawl always get you what you want? she quipped.

Well now, little lady, that depends on if you say yes" Nate replied in his best Texas drawl.

Laughing Connie scooted over, happy to have someone to help her pass the time while she waited on Richard. 

How can I resist? Yes, you may join me.

Connie gave a sideways glance at him thinking he must be quite tall. When he sat next to her, she only reached his shoulder. Of course, since she was only a few inches over five feet, everyone was taller. Nate had positioned himself on the arbor bench at an angle, making it easier for her to see his amazing blue eyes.

My name is Nate Ford.

What? His voice made her realize she was staring.

I said my name is Nate Ford. His smile widened, knowing she had been checking him out.

I’m Connie Fairfax, blushing at being caught staring.

So, Connie, are you having a good time? he asked