Pinned

By Megan Shauri

McKay Cook, an average twenty-something librarian, knows there
is something missing in her life. When she needs a date to her sisters
graduation, she discovers a website built on how-tos and attempts to give
herself a makeover. Pinterest teaches her about style, decorating, cooking,
and even pursuing long-forgotten dreams. But when two men come into
her life, can it help her decide who will win in the battle for her heart?
Join McKay as she attempts to fi nd out who she really is by undergoing
the transformation of her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543427295

Megan Shauri

Megan Shauri grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest but now calls sunny Southern California home. She is a writer by day and a reader by night. In addition to Pinned, her fi rst novel, she is a seasoned writer for FamilyShare Voices, where she writes about parenting, marriage, and the latest trending topics. Her articles have been published in newspapers and magazines across the country. She is known for traveling the world on a budget, being a mom of three, and having an amazing husband, who is just as adventurous as she is.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Megan Shauri.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2017908817

ISBN:               Hardcover                           978-1-5434-2731-8

                       Softcover                              978-1-5434-2730-1

                       eBook                                   978-1-5434-2729-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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.

Rev. date: 06/05/2017

Xlibris

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

This book is

dedicated to the love of my life, Mario. Without him, I would not have had the courage, time, or confidence to write, let alone finish this story. His questions and suggestions made while writing the book helped bring it to life and let’s be honest, make more sense! Thank you, sweet husband, for not only being my biggest critic, but also my biggest fan.

Chapter 1

McKay folded her arms across her body, hugging herself to try and stop her body heat from escaping. Most days this time of year only required a light jacket, but Colorado weather was best known for being unpredictable, and the lingering winter winds had brought a cold chill to the air.

Come on, Hugo, get ’er done. That was McKay’s way of telling her sixteen-month-old golden retriever to hurry up and do his business. Hugo had been smelling the same dead weed for about five minutes, and she was ready to go back inside.

McKay started hopping from foot to foot, hoping moving around would raise her body temperature. It didn’t help.

Good boy! Okay, let’s go inside now. Hugo was a little hesitant to follow McKay, but he grudgingly climbed the staircase to get to her second-floor condo. Once inside he took a long drink of water and then slumped on his doggy bed. McKay knew he was upset because she had her work shoes on. She wore different clothes to work each day, but she always wore the same shoes. He knew once they were on, she was leaving. It didn’t matter that she went to work five days a week, he was always sad when she left. That was one thing she admired about dogs—their ability to love you no matter what. Hugo just wanted to play and give love; he was always happy to see her, despite the mood she was in.

As McKay swept her medium-length brown hair into her usual ponytail, she tried not to look at Hugo. It made her sad to think he missed her when she was gone. Of course he could just be waiting for her to leave so he could destroy another piece of furniture or article of clothing—something he was known for doing. She thought back to the day she first met Hugo. She had been going through a time in her life when she felt unfulfilled. In an attempt to get out of her slump and feel like she was doing more with her life, she started volunteering at the local humane society. It wasn’t long before someone brought in a box of puppies, and one had captured her heart. Hugo was just a tiny little thing, and while all the other puppies were barking and pulling at each other’s ears, Hugo was just sitting in the corner, staring up at her. She had realized what love at first sight was in that moment.

McKay’s self-pity party had ended right then and there, and her life was filled with doggy licks, potty training, and puppy love; it was just what she needed to get out of her slump. Lately, however, her uneasy feeling about her life had started to return. I’m not getting another puppy! she said aloud, as she tied her black tennis shoes and slipped on her coat. My heart is already taken! she said as she gave Hugo a good scratch behind the ears.

McKay made sure the book she was reading was in her purse before picking up her car keys. Her job had a lot of downtime, and she was allowed to read during those times. After all, it was a library. Of course if McKay forgot her book, there were always thousands of others to choose from, but she was hoping to finish this one tonight and check out something new.

Be good, she called as she locked the door behind her.

The distance to the library was not very far from where she lived, but she still chose to drive. It isn’t that I’m lazy, she told herself. It is that I get off late and don’t want to come home in the dark without the safety of my car. She repeated this to herself as she guiltily looked at her ten-speed bike gathering dust on her balcony. She knew deep down this was an excuse, something she was good at coming up with; she actually lived in a very safe neighborhood, but she ignored the nagging voice in her head as she put her foot on the gas. She was so familiar with the drive to work that she often found herself zoning out while at the wheel. Her body went through the motions—break, gas, turn the wheel, break again—but her mind was elsewhere, thinking about her life and where she was now. She had a bachelor’s degree, not that she was using it in her current job, but English majors don’t really have a lineup of jobs to go to once they are done, do they? She thought to herself. McKay parked in her usual spot, got out of the car, and locked it before she came back to the present and realized she was at work. She hardly even remembered the drive.

Hey, Tawni, McKay said halfheartedly as she clocked in.

Hey, what’s with you? Tawni asked as she looked up from her files at McKay. There was something about her tone that sounded off.

Oh, you know, just feeling so happy to be here. McKay plopped down in her chair with the same enthusiasm she used to express her emotions.

What’s with the sarcasm? Did Hugo eat another blanket?

McKay flashed back to a couple months ago when she came home to find her favorite quilt that her aunt had handmade full of unfixable holes. She had cried for a good two hours over that quilt. It was a hard loss to get over. No, I finally broke him of that. He mostly sticks to furniture now.

So what is it? Tawni pressed.

I don’t know, just feeling a little unsure of myself today.

That’s not like you. Usually you are so resolved with life. This doesn’t have anything to do with that graduation announcement I saw sticking out of your purse the other day, would it?

McKay’s thoughts went to the opened envelope still sitting in her purse. She knew this day was coming, but somehow the announcement made it seem more real. Her younger sister, Harper, was just about to finish medical school, and her graduation was right around the corner. Perhaps this was what was bringing her down. McKay sighed loudly.

I am happy for her, you know that, right? McKay hoped Tawni believed her; she really was happy. But somehow seeing her younger sister graduate from something so monumental made her own life seem mediocre and pointless.

I know you are, Tawni said, reassuring her. But I also know how your mom tends to overreact about these types of things. You’re staying away from Facebook, right?

Tawni knew her too well. For the past week all she saw on social media was her mom’s posts about how proud she was to have a daughter graduating from med school with honors. Tawni could tell by McKay’s face that she had in fact not stayed away from the Internet like she had advised.

How many times have I told you to delete your Facebook account? You know how I feel about social media. Facebook is a pseudoworld masking the everyday monotony with happy updates about new shoes and cute little ‘make you want to throw up’ things your kids do. No one puts what really happens on Facebook, like ‘overdrawn on my bank account again today, I guess I won’t be eating at McDonald’s this week.’ That’s what real life is. Facebook has ruined our social skills and heightened our secret stalking tendencies. Tawni stopped to take a breath, but before she could continue McKay interrupted.

Okay, okay, I know. I agree, I should just stay off of it. McKay paused, and then she added, Not everyone creates a pseudolife on those things. I hardly post any updates on my account because I literally have nothing going on to post about.

Tawni walked over to where McKay was sitting. She put her hand on McKay’s head and turned it toward the north end of the library, where the exercise and health books were located. Well, I know what can cheer you up. Look who is here today.

McKay looked in the direction Tawni was turning her head and saw Mr. Personal Trainer, as the library staff called him. She didn’t know his real name; he never actually checked out books, just came to read them at the library, usually while drinking a protein shake. A smile came to her face as she took a moment to ogle the toned body, short blond hair, green eyes, and square jaw with the tiniest cleft in it; that made up Mr. Personal Trainer.

There’s the smile I was looking for! Tawni patted McKay on the head and walked back to her files, leaving McKay to linger by herself. Mr. Personal Trainer stood up to restock a book, and McKay shifted her gaze before he caught her staring. She turned back to her computer, which had just finished booting up, to scan through e-mails and prioritize what she needed to do that day. One e-mail caught her eye right away.

We’re having a work party? she asked Tawni, not looking away from her computer.

Yeah, I saw that too, maybe it’s their way of getting all the bookworms that work here to mingle Tawni said with a laugh. Tawni didn’t need any help with mingling; she was always going out with friends and on dates. McKay looked forward to hearing about her various adventures and crazy first-date stories she would tell in her usual Tawni fashion, which basically meant a lot of body language and sarcasm.

Mr. Personal Trainer drew her attention as he stood up, gathered his things, and started to walk toward the exit. McKay straightened up in her chair and tried to exude confidence as he walked by. He sent a wink toward Tawni when she looked up from her filing, but he totally ignored McKay. After she was sure he was gone, she let out a sad sigh as her shoulders slumped to their usual hunched-over posture. She looked at Tawni with a scrutinizing eye. She had a specific style, very eclectic. Today Tawni was wearing tall black boots with black lace leggings, a short black skirt, and a white button-up silk top that billowed out at the waist. She looked very professional yet totally Tawni. McKay glanced down at her attire. She had on a white shirt that buttoned up to her neck, but hers, unlike Tawni’s, had a stiff collar and was not silk but cotton. She was wearing her most comfortable black slacks and no makeup. She didn’t spend much time on her appearance; she never had. She didn’t understand the point of dressing up to go to work. It seemed like too much effort in her opinion.

Tawni caught her absorbed in thought and broke her concentration.

What? Tawni asked accusingly. There is something up with you today, you’re not acting like yourself. There is more to it than just the graduation.

McKay sat for a moment, thinking how it felt to be totally ignored by Mr. Personal Trainer, and any man for that matter. This was not the first time someone walked right by without even a look in her direction. She was never one to get a lot of attention from men, but she did a good job of convincing herself that it didn’t bother her.

McKay’s silence was answer enough for Tawni. She pushed her filing drawer closed and came over to sit by McKay.

Look, I know your sister is doing amazing in med school and your brother has a family and a successful career, which could make any sibling question their own place in the family, and life for that matter, but I have never known you to be so down. Is there something else going on?

McKay let out another sigh. No … I don’t know, maybe. She couldn’t decide exactly what was wrong with her, maybe talking about it would help, but Tawni was not one to conform to what is popular and would encourage McKay to keep doing what she was doing and not to let others influence how she feels. She looked into Tawni’s eyes and could see real concern there. Maybe Tawni’s advice is what she needed to hear.

It’s just lately when I think about my life I just feel like it is so … so … average. McKay looked down at her hands and briefly noticed she had no more fingernails left to bite. She suddenly felt very vulnerable. I think about Harper and how, even though she is finishing med school, her life is really just beginning. She has all these possibilities in front of her, and she can do anything she wants in a career she loves. What do I have? The same boring life I’ve always had. There is nothing about me that really stands out. I come to work, go home, play with my dog, and that’s about it. Sometimes I wonder if I’m wasting my life away just going with the flow and not having a bigger goal or objective in mind. The graduation is not the cause of my mood, but it is reminding me that I’m lacking in my own life. McKay was surprised at the way the words just came tumbling out of her mouth. She usually chose her words very carefully, knowing that each one could have its own hidden meaning, but this was such a personal confession she raced through it without much thought.

Wow! Okay, let me digest all that. Tawni sat back in her chair, lost in thought, but only for a moment. She leaned forward again, looking squarely at McKay. McKay, you have a good life. Sometimes average just means there is no drama or frustration, which is okay. Most people would love to have an average life. Life isn’t meant to be like the characters you read about in all those books that you always carry around. That’s why people read those stories, they are different than their own normal, boring lives.

McKay knew Tawni was right. It was easy to get lost in a character’s story; that’s why she liked to read. She could live someone else’s journey from the comfort of her own living room.

Now, if what you’re telling me is that you’re unhappy, Tawni continued, that is a bigger problem and we need to fix it. Tawni took McKay’s hand and gave it a squeeze. She wanted her to know she was there for her.

I’m not unhappy. I’m just worried I guess. I mean, I’m not getting any younger and what have I done that compares to graduating from med school? McKay’s life flashed through her mind. There wasn’t much to show for her twenty-seven years so far. A couple blips of triumph, but nothing outstanding.

McKay, you’re a good person. Life isn’t just about accomplishments. It’s about experiences, kindness, and love.

Well, I’m kind, I suppose, McKay commented. At least I’ve got one out of three.

What are you talking about? You’ve had some life experiences. I know you have. What about Hugo? I’ve never seen someone love a dog as much as you love him.

I thought you meant the other kind of love. McKay lamented.

Tawni gave her a small smile. It’s not too late. I’m going to karaoke this Saturday with Dusty if you want to come. I’m sure Dusty knows someone he can bring. We can double. It would be fun.

McKay felt her mouth go dry and her palms start to sweat. Karaoke? A blind date? Separately the two things were bad enough, but together? No. She couldn’t do it. Luckily she had an excuse.

I told Mitch I’d watch the kids this weekend. They have tickets to some concert or something.

Tawni eyed her suspiciously, but she didn’t push it.

So what are you going to do then about how you’re feeling?

McKay just shrugged her shoulders. She really didn’t know.

I remember you feeling this way before. I believe it was right before you got Hugo . . . ?

McKay rolled her eyes. Yes, but if I volunteer at the humane society again I’ll end up with another pet.

Maybe you should volunteer somewhere else? Someplace where you can’t take home what you are helping.

McKay knew Tawni was right. What was the saying? Something about losing yourself in the service of others in order to find yourself? I guess so, McKay answered.

Tawni wasn’t convinced. It sounds to me like you are too comfortable. You’re in a rut.

Yes, a rut so deep that I may not be able to get out of it, McKay added gloomily. Tawni put her hands on McKay’s shoulders and looked her square in the eyes. You don’t have to be in a rut. You can do anything you want. If you feel like you want a different career, change it! You can always go back to school or get additional training. Get a new haircut, buy an expensive purse. You are young, have no real ties here. You could pick up and move to New Zealand if you wanted to. The world is your oyster, McKay, go out and defeat it!

McKay didn’t think that Tawni got the analogy right, but she understood her point. She was right. Maybe she should go out and take on the world. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, she thought. Yes, I need a change, but I don’t need to pick up and move to a foreign country.

McKay, what is it that you want? What are you truly passionate about in life? Tawni let the question linger in the air for a while. She gave McKay time to think, time to ask herself the same question.

I don’t know, was all McKay could say.

Well, maybe that’s what you need to figure out, Tawni said as she stood up and walked back to her files, leaving McKay to think about her statement.

Chapter 2

The sun peeked through a crack in the blinds of McKay’s bedroom window. It was hitting her in the face, and she groaned as she rolled over. Hugo felt her movement, jumped up on her bed, and started licking her face.

Hugo! she cried out between licks. Stop, stop. I don’t want to get up, it’s too early! she complained as she tried to reach for her phone to check the time. Yep, seven thirty in the morning was far too early to get up, especially for the weekend. McKay was used to sleeping in until ten or so and then slowly starting her day; it was an advantage to working the night shift. She was definitely a night owl; she liked to be up when most of the world was getting into bed. She also liked not having an alarm to wake her up in the morning and spent most nights reading until all hours of the night. When she started a good book, it was hard for her to put it down. Her schedule worked perfectly for her.

Hugo curled up next to her on the bed, and she tried to fall back to sleep, but her brain was awake. Her eyes fell to the book she just finished laying on her nightstand. The main character, Samantha, had been faced with the choice of either fulfilling her dream of going to college on a full-ride volleyball scholarship or saving her brother’s life by donating her kidney. Of course she saved her brother, but it caused a ripple effect of negative events. She could not afford to go to school, she could not play volleyball—or any sport professionally ever again—and it changed her world. McKay went on Samantha’s journey with her. She felt her disappointment and frustrations. She cried when she watched the team she should have been on make it to the state championship and win. She understood why she felt guilty for being upset that she missed out on her dreams. Playing volleyball, no matter how much it meant to her, was nothing compared to saving the life of her brother. Yet she was still struggling with the personal loss. It was a complex and difficult story that had McKay’s attention captured from page 1.

The story had a happy ending, which was her favorite kind. McKay felt the joy the author conveyed when Samantha holds her nephew, Sammy, for the first time. She knew he would not be there if it was not for her act. It’s then that she realizes what is important in life, and when you love someone selflessly, that is the greatest accomplishment you can achieve.

Between that story and her sister’s graduation, McKay’s own life seemed meaningless. No wonder she was feeling so bad about herself.

She couldn’t help but think about her conversation with Tawni the night before. Maybe I should volunteer again, she thought. She pulled up the Internet browser on her phone and started googling volunteering opportunities. She supposed it would be a good start. She scrolled through the list of organizations, trying to find one that stood out to her, one that would get her excited. A couple caught her eye. The Colorado Make a Wish Foundation was located in Denver. There was also a No Hungry Child initiative gaining momentum as well as opportunities helping to rehabilitate wildlife. That might be fun. She thought, You can’t keep children or wild animals, so there would be no need to worry about adding to my family. She filled out the applications and hit submit.

McKay lay back against her pillows, but Hugo didn’t let her rest for long. He was pushing his head against her back in an attempt to get her out of bed.

You think it’s time for your walk? she asked as she wrestled with him playfully. His tail wagged in response. Okay, let’s go.

Hugo barked while McKay got dressed. You’re going to wake up the neighbors! she said, trying to quiet him, but that just got him more excited. He nearly pulled her off her feet as she walked down the flight of stairs outside her door.

Easy, boy, she said as she tried to keep up with him.

It was a beautiful morning in Aurora, the suburb where she lived. As much as she liked sleeping in, she wished she would watch more sunrises. They were beautiful. The warm glow the sun cast on the meadow where she walked slowly awakened the flowers and animals living in the brush. She saw a couple bunnies run away as they came toward them. She had seen deer on occasion as well as several types of birds. It was a beautiful little spot.

McKay spent some extra time with Hugo, making sure he got a lot of his energy out. When they did finally go back inside, she gave him his food and made herself some oatmeal. The hot meal helped warm her up. It was still cold in the mornings, despite the sunshine.

After breakfast, McKay grabbed the book from her purse that she checked out last night. She knew she’d finish Samantha’s Sacrifice the night before, so she got one to read over the weekend. She sat in her favorite spot on the couch and examined the front cover. She did this with every book. She never just delved right into the story. She liked to take her time. She read every word on the cover, even the reviews. She looked at the picture, if there was one, and tried to pick up any subtle hints it gave. Then she’d open the book. She would glance over the publishing information, noting the year the book was released and the publisher. This was more out of habit. She had to know this type of information for an English degree, and she found it helpful for her job as well. She lingered on the dedication page, enjoying the comments the author made about whom the book was for. Some authors were detailed, and others got right to the point. This particular book just read, For Dave and Bobbie. Of course she read any author’s notes and prologues, before finally getting to chapter 1.

She loved getting to know new characters and hoped the author had done the work of developing the people in her book. It took a page or two, but soon McKay was lost in the story. It was, or at least it seemed to be, a classic love story. An innocent girl was about to embark on a new chapter in her life, but before she left she met someone, someone who made her question if she was making the right decision.

McKay read until her stomach started growling. She looked at the time to see that a couple of hours had gone by already. That was fast, she said as she got up and stretched. Hugo followed her lead. He first stretched his front legs, then his back. He happily followed her into the kitchen as she made herself a sandwich. It wasn’t very exciting, but it did the job.

I better get ready to go or I’ll be late. Hugo looked at her with questioning eyes.

I’m going to go to Uncle Mitch’s house, she answered his look. I’d take you, but Amber is allergic to dogs. Hugo whined in protest.

Amber was Mitch’s wife. McKay wasn’t sure if she was really allergic or if she just didn’t like dogs. She pondered this thought as she made the forty-minute drive over to her brother’s house in Boulder. She made the drive often, but every time she hit that one spot on the turnpike where the houses faded away and the horizon opened up to rolling fields, the occasional golf course, and small clusters of shopping centers and residential homes, she felt herself relax. She always found herself taking a deep breath as if it was somehow easier to breathe. She wasn’t sure if it was because she was out of the smog from the city or if it was because she knew she was on her way to her brother’s house, a place where she felt safe and loved. Perhaps it was a mixture of both.

As the mountains inched closer, she thought about her brother. He had lived in Boulder for about thirteen years. His move to Colorado for work was one reason McKay decided to go to school here. She was always close to her brother, even after he married Amber. When he moved out of their parents’ house, she felt like she lost her best friend. McKay was bullied a lot in school. Kids teased her because she wore glasses and spent most of high school in braces. She was a bit awkward and clumsy, which just added more ammunition for the kids to fire at her. Mitch always protected her from the mean kids. He sat by her at lunch and reminded her that those kids didn’t matter. Once he left home, school was hard, but she made it through using the skills he taught her. Getting her braces taken off helped, but she still had to endure teasing because of the glasses she wore.

As she thought about it, her hand automatically went to the space between her eyes to push her glasses up. Then she remembered they were no longer there. She had switched to contacts when she went to college as a way of starting fresh. No braces, no glasses. It was actually Mitch’s idea. He wanted her to enjoy the whole college experience. While McKay can’t say she loved being in school, she did have a better time at the university than she did in high school. She felt a large part of that was due to the fact that she was living with Mitch and not her parents.

McKay’s relationship with her parents had always been rocky. Her dad was a workaholic, and as a result he was not around much. Her mom was a perfectionist and always wanted McKay to be someone she wasn’t. She always told her what she should be, or could be; she never acknowledged what she was. McKay felt like she was not the daughter her mom wanted, and on the reverse side, Harper was. Harper was the model child. She excelled in school and was the president of the student body, homecoming queen, a social butterfly—everything McKay wasn’t. As a result, McKay often felt like she didn’t exist in her parents’ eyes. Between Mitch, their only boy, who was successful in everything he did, and Harper, their child genius, McKay paled in comparison.

McKay knew the minute she graduated from high school she would move out of her parents’ house. It didn’t take much convincing from Mitch to make her come live with him here in Colorado. She started attending Front Range Community College, which was close to where Mitch lived, then transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder when she established residency. McKay had lived with Mitch until