She Pact

By Donya Fenner

Recently divorced, Bianca Shields moves from the California's west coast to Georgia's deep south and discovers the only way she can rebuild her new life is to be open to change. Problems occur when a potential suitor takes an unconventional approach to dating that challenges her beliefs and those of her new friends: a never been kissed barista and a susceptible southern bell. Decidedly, the group makes a pact; for one year they would pursue their potential, let go of limitation and confront their fears, proving they're worthy of much more than they ever settled for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donya Fenner
• Release date: Jan 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393800071

Book preview

Chapter One

Bianca stood at the front door of her Baldwin Hills Estate with her arms folded, watching the movers load her furniture into the back of their moving company truck.

As the men closed and latched the truck doors, one of the movers noticed her standing in the doorway. He waved at Bianca and yelled, Take care, Ms. Shields. We’re going to miss seeing you on channel 2 giving your weather report.

Bianca smiled and returned his wave. As the truck pulled off, her heart sank. Eight years of marriage down the drain. Memories headed down the street, packed away in boxes, and some in trash barrels at the end of the driveway. She breathed in the air of the warm autumn morning and headed back into the large empty estate.

Early the next morning, Bianca loaded herself into her black, 2017, 5 series BMW and embarked on the 2,452 mile road trip to Greensview, Georgia. At twelve years old, she’d visited the town with her family. She remembered that summer with fondness, how safe she felt in Greensview and how green and plush everything was. The idyllic town had given her a sense of newness. She often thought of the place, but was too wrapped up and occupied with the hustle of everyday living to return for a visit. Now, she would make Greensview her home, her fresh start.

After stopping in Houston, Texas, to spend a night with an old college roommate, Bianca finally arrived in Greensview.

Downtown Greensview was quiet. Bianca noticed a few people milling about the town. At a stop sign, two elderly women looked in her direction as they crossed the street; they smiled and waved. Bianca returned the smile and drove away. She noticed a diner at the corner called Derek’s Diner. Since it was around noon, she pulled her BMW into one of the parking spaces, grabbed her purse from the passenger seat and walked into the diner.

Chimes on the door alerted everyone when she walked in. A few people looked at her and stared. Bianca smiled and offered them a shy wave. After a moment, people resumed their conversations, but Bianca stood frozen in the doorway.

She ain’t from around here, Bianca overheard one of the men say.

A waitress passed Bianca with a hot pot of coffee. "Honey, have a seat anywhere you please. I’ll be right with you.''

Thanks, Bianca said, moving to a booth by the window. She noticed a police officer sitting at the counter watching her. She gave him a polite smile, and he smiled back, showing off a perfect set of white teeth and a nice beautiful pair of brown lips. Bianca thought he had one of the most perfect smiles she’d seen in a while.

You better stop smiling at me like that, Mr. Officer, she thought to herself. Bianca looked away from the handsome officer and turned her attention to the window.

"Sugar, what can I get for you,'' the waitress said.

Bianca turned and read her name tag. Hi, Hanna. I didn’t get a menu.

Can I recommend something for you, the police officer said to Bianca.

He’d left the counter and walked over to her booth, but she hadn’t noticed. She looked up at him and smiled. What would you recommend, Officer?

He smiled and raised an eyebrow, which she liked.

Well, Officer? Bianca said.

Hanna, can you get Miss—

Shields, Bianca blurted out.

Can you get Miss Shields the house special for today, the officer said.

Sure, Chase, Hanna said, before heading toward the kitchen.

So, Officer Chase, do you randomly go around ordering strange women the house special? You don’t even know if I will like what you are ordering, Bianca said.

I have a feeling you will enjoy it. And no, I don’t usually go around ordering strange women a bowl of spicy turkey chili. Consider yourself special, Miss Shields.

Bianca, call me Bianca. And, please, have a seat.

Thanks, Chase took the seat across from her. So what brings you to Greensview?

Looking for a fresh start. I’m recently divorced and on a marvelous quest of rediscovering who I am.

He nodded, I can respect that.

Bianca stared into his eyes as he searched her face. It felt like he could see right through her. How did you know spicy turkey chili was one of my favorite dishes? I love a good chili, especially in this beautiful autumn weather. Breaking the intense gaze, she looked out the window. The leaves on the trees were changing into beautiful fall colors, burnt orange, yellows and reds.

Bianca turned back; Chase was still observing her.

What, she said.

What do you mean?

She laughed. You’re creeping me out.

I apologize. It’s just that, Chase looked down and then back at Bianca. You’re a very beautiful woman.

Bianca blushed. Unsure of what to say, she fidgeted with her hands. Even at thirty-seven years old and eight years of marriage, she still didn’t know how to come back from a compliment without embarrassing herself like a nervous, shy schoolgirl. No one she’d ever dated, including her former husband, had looked at her the way Chase did. She felt undone, as if all of her hurt, pain, and walls of self-protection were laid bare. It unnerved her, but it also made her feel safe. And not just because he was a police officer either.

Thankfully, Hanna brought the spicy turkey chili to the table. Thank God, Bianca said to herself. She looked up at Hanna and said, Thank you.

Hanna smiled at her, Enjoy.

Chase and Bianca continued to converse as she devoured the turkey chili. The man was right about one thing, the chili was delicious. Bianca exchanged numbers with Chase and headed to the four-bedroom, three bath lakefront home she’d recently purchased about twenty miles outside of town. As she drove to her new property, her mind revisited Officer Chase’s gaze. Just how spicy would he make her time in this new town?

Chapter Two

Sunlight crept in from the window across the room, rousing Bianca from her sleep before the alarm went off. She shut the cell phone’s alarm off, pulled the covers back over her head and tried to go back to sleep. As soon as she had gotten comfortable enough to doze back off, she heard a firm knock on the door.

Who is that knocking like the law? Bianca sat up quickly in bed. Wait, that better not be that officer. She got out of bed and rushed over to her bathroom mirror, pulling her messed up hair into a bun. After brushing her teeth, she put on a little lip balm and looked at herself once more in the mirror.

Woman, what are you doing? she shook her head and walked downstairs to the front door. After taking a deep breath, she opened the door. To her surprise, it was not the law. A beautiful, 5’6 black woman who shared Bianca’s mocha complexion stood at the front door with a basketful of the best smelling something Bianca had ever smelled.

Good morning, the woman smiled. My name is Lana. I’m your neighbor in the back of you, across from the lake. Welcome to Greensview, I made some fresh baked blueberry muffins for you.

Nice to meet you, Lana. I’m Bianca, Bianca Shields, and thank you, those muffins smell amazing. Bianca opened the door for Lana to enter. Please come in and bring that wonderful smelling pastry into the kitchen.

They both laughed.

They passed through the living room, and Bianca said over her shoulder, Excuse the mess. I’m trying hard to get to these boxes.

Lana laughed again, I understand.

Do you have time for coffee? Bianca asked.

That sounds good. Lana took a seat at the kitchen table. Where are you from, Bianca?

California.

Lana’s eyes widened in surprise, What made you decide to come to the country, doll?

Bianca grabbed two coffee mugs from the cupboard. She tried to ease the grimace on her face. I’m recently divorced.

I’m sorry to hear that. Marriage is full of ups and downs, but no matter what, we still have to do our best to honor and stay with our vows. That’s what I believe. Lana folded her hands together.

Coffee cups in midair, Bianca turned and looked at Lana with a bewildered expression. Yeah? Well, he cheated on me with one of his college students.

Was it the first time he cheated?

Bianca frowned, I’m not sure. But we tried counseling afterward, and let’s just say I deserved better. Things were rough for me too, but I never cheated on him. Bianca poured coffee into the mugs. What about you? Are you married?

Lana smiled. Yes, twelve years now. Thomas and I have two kids. Twins, Marlon and Marsha, they’re fourteen.

"That’s wonderful. Darrin and I tried to have