And Then There Was Rain

By Kathy Almeida

And Then There Was Rain is the third book to join the Sunnys Story Trilogy, this time told through Rain (Sunnys younger sister). Shes a force of naturebeautiful, spoiled, and used to getting her own way. That is, until she meets KT, the one man she cant manipulate or wrap around her adorable little finger. Shell win your heart as she deals with family, a new business, a house with ghosts, and a love that sneaks in, catching her unaware and unprepared for the changes it brings. Be ready to sit back and enjoy the Johnson sisters once more as they move through your heart and mind, sharing their life adventures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jul 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781504384711

Kathy Almeida

Kathy Almeida is a creative artist. She lives in Belleview, Florida along with her husband and family on a farm with their animals - which includes a dog, three cats, five cows, a rescued steer, a donkey, and up until this year, a very bossy goat. She loves taking care of her family and her special needs adult son who has autism and a seizure disorder. She writes, paints, and crafts - inspired by her love of life. Mikaela’s Story 2 is her 7th novel and 8th book.

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And Then

There Was

Rain

Kathy Almeida

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Copyright © 2017 Kathy Almeida.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Balboa Press

A Division of Hay House

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.balboapress.com

1 [phone]

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.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and some of the places/restaurants are a fragment of the author’s imagination.

Frank Almeida, Photographer

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.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-8469-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-8470-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-8471-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017911529

Balboa Press rev. date: 07/29/2017

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

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Mom, I’m not sure who I want to dedicate this book to.

"Who has had the greatest impact on your life? she asked.

I thought about this. There have been a few who have had a huge impact on me. But then, like an easy summer day at the beach, where the water laps lazily onto shore, I heard my answer. I looked across at the warm, beautiful hazel eyes that were looking back at me and I knew my answer.

The person who gave me life, has loved me since the beginning and loves me still, the heart and soul of our family, the person I want to honor today.

I love you, with all that I am and I thank you for being you.

This one is for you, Mom.

I like sex. I like lots of it…and with men…lots of them. Not at the same time, of course…unless…never mind. It’s not that I’m against falling in love with one man. I’m totally for it, it’s just that the love usually lasts a day, two, a week at tops…and then I get bored and want someone new. Maybe I’m just too fickle, get bored too easily, or I have a huge basket that I want to fill with as much delicious variety of love as possible.

That is until I met him. Then it all changed. More about that later.

I also like to shop…a lot. And dress up. And buy things for myself, my home and my new business, which happens to be my big two-story house with a huge attic, which by the way is haunted.

I love my parents, but I can’t believe my mother had another baby last September, at her age. I’m twenty-six for heaven’s sake. I was their baby, but not anymore…that title goes to my brother JR, named after my father…it’s a good thing that he’s so adorable. And then, there’s my older sister (by a year) Sunny. Our parents thought it was cool to name us after the weather. I’m just thankful the hippy people I call Mom and Dad, didn’t name me Moon, which was a real consideration, but Mom said since it was raining when I was born, they went with Rain. Isn’t that just lovely?

I love my sister, but she’s usually a royal pain in my ass. Still, there are those moments when I almost like her…almost. And I love my niece, she’s the cutest thing this side of ever. Even if her good-for-nothing-trying-to-redeem-his-cheating-ass-father, is her father. And now they’re going to have another baby, but that’s Sunny’s story and this one is mine…all about me…whoop, whoop…wait, that’s something Sunny would say…and I am definitely not Sunny.

So, this is my story. Hell, Sunny, got two stories before me and got our grandmother’s house, which was totally uncool, but I’m over it. Now it’s my turn…to tell my side. I’ve heard that some people, who read the first two books said I was a bitch. I’m not a bitch. I just have my tastes and my ways, and if you don’t like it…well you know what you can do with it. Oh, okay, maybe a little bitchy. So where do I begin?

Chapter 1

"Rain! Rain! Are you okay?"

My sister screamed out to me even before she was out of the door of her Mustang convertible, which was no easy feat. As I watched, she struggled to lift her heavy belly out from behind the wheel. Jeez, she was only seven months pregnant and already she looked like a beached whale. When she’s pregnant she gets huge. Hell, I don’t think the word pregnant was even out of her mouth before her belly mushroomed like a helium balloon.

Ah, and there was my precious niece, Crescent, waving to me from inside the car, buckled in her car seat. At almost three years old, they didn’t come any cuter. Those dark ringlets formed a halo around her cute little cherub face and fell long behind her back.

Oh great, and there’s Beaches. Sunny can’t go anywhere without that mangy dog. Honestly, the thing is as big as a miniature horse. As if he could hear me, he jumped out over Sunny and barreled my way.

Beaches! Get down! Sunny, call your dog back! I yelled at her. A strong black boot met Beaches’ huge paws and gently nudged him away.

Beaches, leave Rain alone, Sunny said, finally free from the seat belt and car, going around to unbuckle my adorable niece. Are you okay? she yelled again.

Do I look like I’m hurt? Seriously, like I said, I love her, but she is a royal pain in my ass.

Well, why are all the fire engines, squad cars, and an ambulance here? Not to mention that guy holding you in his arms, Sunny, holding Crescent’s hand, walked over to us. Hi! she said to the fireman.

Oh yea, there is that. I looked up into blue eyes attached to a gorgeous smeared face, looking down at me. I think you can set me down now, I’m fine.

If you’re sure, the deep masculine voice rang out.

I’m sure. Thanks, I said, watching his cute buns, not that I could make them out much underneath all that garb, but I watched him anyway as he made his way back to the house.

Rain, look at me. Are you okay? What happened?

Even as big as a beached whale, my sister is beautiful. Her hair fifty shades of blonde, auburn, and brown with curls galore, shined liked her name in the warm afternoon sun. Her smile, could light up any room, and her eyes, the color of honey and toasted almonds with a green leaf thrown in, instantly wrapped you in her warmth like a quilt. Her skin, freckly and tanned from times stolen in the sun, radiated health. Oh, and of course, she attributed it all to being a vegan and a good attitude. Yuck.

I’m fine! I insisted, feeling annoyed with her.

So why all the vehicles? she said, wrapping her arms around me in a big hug.

I felt the baby kick. And then some more. It felt like a drum roll.

Sunny? What’s going on in there? Did you eat too many beans today?

Sunny lowered her sunglasses and peering over them, her eyes sparkled. Guess what?

What? I asked suspiciously.

I’ll tell you, if you tell me.

Tell you what?

Why are there all the red flashing light vehicles parked in your front yard and why are you so calm about it all?

Oh, that. It’s nothing. The fuse box blew up and threatened to burn the place down. They were able to contain the fire to the one room and part of the room up above it.

Oh my God, Rain, are you okay? Did you get hurt?

Sunny, do I look hurt? Come here precious girl; give your auntie a big smooch. I reached down to pick up my niece. Crescent Blue, what have you been eating? You’re almost as big as your momma. That sent Crescent into a fit of giggles. I couldn’t help myself, I needed some sweet baby loving, so I put my lips to her sweet neck. Ah, that’s what I’m talking about. Crescent ticklish, started laughing even harder, squiggling free from my arms. As soon as I put her down on the ground she took off with Beaches towards the house.

Crescent, come back here, now! shouted her nervous mother.

Sunny, relax, she’s fine.

How can she be fine? You’ve got a zillion people in there! And a fire!

Nah, besides, Jim’s there. He’ll watch out for her.

Officer Jim?

Yep.

I thought he wasn’t talking to you anymore.

We’re good. In fact, we’re going out for dinner tonight.

What about Tristian?

Last week’s news. Tristian, also an officer of the law, was Jim’s best friend. And I’d had a thing with both. Actually for a while there, I’d dated both of them at the same time, but of course they didn’t know that, until later, much later.

Wow.

What?

I don’t know how you do it, Sunny said, leaning against the squad car.

My eye brows lifted in question.

You know, switch from one man to the next, she answered.

I smiled. I wasn’t about to let her in on my secret. Not that she needed to know. She and Romeo, my name for her two-timing husband, were thick as thieves, even married again, this time legally. And so far, he was walking the line, a very fine one, as far as I was concerned. Watching the two of them together was sickening, turn your stomach sickening. They were so much in love. But still I was keeping my eye on him and he knew it.

So, how’s Romeo? I asked.

Jake’s fine. Had to run to South Florida this morning, business.

Yea, that’s what they all say.

Sunny looked at me long and hard. Let it go.

Humph. I looked at the house where my niece was trying to make it up the big wide steps that led to the huge veranda. Jim walked onto the porch and seeing Crescent, his face opened into a huge grin. She smiled and held up her toddler arms for him, which he instantly gravitated to, picking her up in one fell swoop. A new round of giggles filled the air.

Jim made his way to us. Hi Sunny, how are you feeling?

Other than huge as that house, she said pointing to the two-story Victorian style home, I’m good.

So, what’s the scoop? I asked Jim.

It looks like the whole place has to be rewired.

Shit.

Rain, Crescent, Sunny motioned to her daughter who was looking up at me and smiling. I winked. Sunny went on, You knew when you bought this house that there would be stuff like this popping up. I mean how old is this place anyway?

At least a hundred years, I answered. Shading my eyes, I looked up, watching the firemen step out of the doorways onto the second-floor balcony.

Another fireperson poked her head out from the two-story window and yelled, All clear up here. I’m going to check the attic now just to be sure that the fire was contained to the fuse box and that one area.

Wow, you were lucky, Sunny said. It could have been so much worse.

I know, I said.

You can’t stay here, Jim said.

What do you mean I can’t stay here? You and what army are going to tell me where I can stay or not stay? I said, hand on my hips.

Whoa, lower those guns, Jim said smiling. Until the county inspection says that it’s safe for you to move back in, you’re not living there. And that’s that.

Fine. Sunny, looks like I’m staying with you, I said. Jim, how long do you think it’ll take?

I don’t know for sure, sometimes these things can take up to a month. But you’ve got a big place, so I’m thinking, maybe three.

Three! Sunny and I both yelled.

That was something, Sunny said, sitting on a lawn chair, outside under an old oak tree that was almost as big as the house. She swallowed a sip of raspberry iced tea.

I know, I said, watching the last of the emergency vehicles leave the driveway and move off the front lawn. I held a Michelob Light in my hand. Bringing it to my forehead, I swiped it across, enjoying the cold against my skin, easing the throbbing pain that had settled there. I checked the cooler next to me that housed the last remaining ice from the fridge, and the food and drink I couldn’t afford to lose. Yep, all the beer and wine, accounted for.

Maybe buying this house wasn’t such a great idea, Sunny said.

I know that you didn’t just say that.

Yes, I kind of did. Crescent, quit putting dirt in your and Beaches’ mouth. Eat the crackers instead.

Well, it’s my dream.

This week’s.

What are you saying, that I can’t stick with anything?

You said it, not me. I mean it Crescent Blue, spit that out right now or consequence!

Consequence? Does she even know what that means?

She will. So, what are you going to do now? Sunny put her drink down and pushed her way out of the chair, tipping it over in the process and landing on the grassy slope belly first.

Are you okay? I said, standing and putting the beer down on the arm of the chair.

Yes. Sunny lay on her side laughing.

Are you going to get up?

In a minute. Crap.

What?

Pee. I’ve got to pee. Help me up, please!

Jeez, Sunny, I said, walking over to her.

Just wait until you’re pregnant; you’ll be peeing like a waterfall.

First of all, I’m not getting pregnant, that’s for you and our crazy mother, and gee willikers, having a baby at her age…what was she thinking anyway? And second of all, waterfall?

I know, it’s all I could think of. Thanks, keep an eye on Crescent and Beaches please. By the way, do your toilets work?

I think so…just make sure to hold down the lever until the water goes down. And don’t put anything in there besides …well you know.

Sunny stopped long enough to turn and give me the look that our mother is famous for and taught her well. Me, I don’t give looks. Well, maybe a few, like now. Crescent, sweetheart, please don’t eat that cracker after it was in Beaches mouth.

It seemed like forever, but Sunny waddled her way back to us. Once she’d safely maneuvered her way into the lawn chair, I asked her, So are you ever going to tell me your news?

Oh yea, that. Um, well, she started and then stopped.

Will you just spit it out?!

No, not when you talk to me like that, she said, tears filling her eyes.

Oh jeez, there go the hormones again. Every time she’s pregnant she gets like this, crazier and more sensitive than usual-if that’s even possible. Okay, I’m sorry. Please tell me what you were going to tell me before, I said, and noticing her still vulnerable expression, I reached over to touch her hand.

Okay, I’ll tell you. But first, you have to promise not to tell anyone. I mean it, no one!

Fine, I promise.

I mean it, Rain. Jake doesn’t even know yet and he probably should hear this first, but I can’t get hold of him and I’m dying to tell somebody.

I promise, I said, taking a swig of my beer. By now I didn’t even care if she told me.

I’m carrying twins, she said with a smile.

I almost choked, spitting out foam.

You’re what?!

Sunny smiled, wrapping her arms around her big belly. I found out this morning. Can you believe it?

You mean, the doctors didn’t hear two heartbeats or see from the ultrasounds two little bodies, before now?

Well they suspected, but it was confirmed today. And guess what else?

What? I asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

Boys! She nodded her head, smiling like she’d won the lotto.

Wow, two boys, I said, picking up my phone.

What are you doing? Sunny asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

Nothing, I said, as I sent Mom a text message.

Sunny’s phone rang.

Hi Mom, she said.

Sunny, twins!!!! our mother’s voice called out.

Rain, seriously!!! Sunny sent me a murderous look.

I shrugged my shoulders and sat back to enjoy the rest of my beer, as I watched my sister for the next half hour explain to our mother why she needed to forget what she’d just heard, and why Sunny told me before her.

Later that night back at Sunny’s place, I sat on the back deck watching Crescent play in the sandbox while Sunny fixed dinner for the two of them. I sipped on a beer, watching the waves roll onto shore, keeping my niece in my peripheral vision.

A lone runner dodged the foamy surf coming up on shore. Sea gulls danced overhead, squawking nosily, before landing back on shore as the runner passed by. The sky on the horizon was a bucket full of color, ranging from pinks, corals and yellows to blues, as the sun set behind me. I missed the times I’d stayed at Sunny’s, being near the ocean. And even though the house I’d bought sat on the bay, it wasn’t the same as living on the coast. I wondered how much it would cost to move it. Ha! Now that would have my parents’ tongues wagging and eyes rolling.

Speaking of our parents, it took Sunny awhile to convince Mom not to rush right over here and see for herself, that Sunny’s pregnant with twins. I think the only thing that stopped her was my baby brother.

JR is short for John Junior, and even though my mother hated him being called that, it had stuck to him like glue, that is with the exception of my mom. She was determined to call him John Jr. …totally gross.

Wow, I wonder what Sunny would name hers? Jake and Romeo. There, that would cover it. Ha! I’ll tell her that.

Hey Sunny! I shouted inside from my perch on the deck.

What?! she yelled back. Apparently, she was still mad that I’d spilled the beans. She should have known better. Not that she’s any better at keeping secrets. Hell, she told Mom that I had a threesome. Now who does that, I mean tell your mother? The threesome was fun, though. I smiled at the memory.

I need to get ready for my date. How much longer?

I’m not talking to you! she yelled back.

Fine, then I’ll just go get ready, I shot back, knowing full well, she’d come running. Hi, there, I said, as she huffed and puffed trying to catch her breath.

Rain, that’s not funny. I can barely move and you go and scare me like that, she said, sitting down.

What? Crescent’s fine, I said standing. Are you done in there? I asked nodding towards the kitchen.

Yes. Sunny started crying.

What? I asked, feeling a moment of worry.

Nothing.

Sunny, don’t be an ass. Tell me, I said softening a bit.

I feel so bad that I didn’t tell Jake first, she said, sniffling.

Oh jeez that? I thought it was something serious.

Okay, so if looks could kill, I’d be dead, but the good news is, at least she wasn’t crying anymore. He’ll get over it, I ventured.

Sunny speared me another look. I might have felt it, if I gave a rat’s ass, but hey, didn’t, so… Okay, then on that note, I’m going to get ready for my date. You got this?

Tears back again. Jeez, hormones. Remind me to never ever get pregnant. Speaking of which, did I pick up my birth control pills? Sunny, I’m sorry. Besides, Jake doesn’t have to know he’s not the first, just lie to him.

Really Rain, lie?

Well don’t lie, but act as if he’s the first to know. That’s not lying; that’s acting.

You’re crazy, you know that? she said to me, tears rolling down her face.

Yea, I’m the crazy one alright, I said. Part of me wanted to go over and put my arm around her to comfort her. The other part, the not so nice side, won out. Can I get you something? I offered.

No, just go and enjoy your date. Oh, and just for the record, I can’t ‘act’ as you call it with Jake, because he already knows.

Really? How? I asked, curiosity stopping me.

His mother told him.

How did Ann, know? I shook my head wondering, then the light dawned. Our mother?

There went that piercing look again. Okay, I’m out of here. Sorry, really truly, I said, not.

Why are you so quiet? Jim asked.

We were sitting in the restaurant waiting for our steaks to arrive. The martini tasted good but I’d lost my appetite for the salad that I tossed around with my fork.

Nothing, I answered.

Jim raised his eyebrows.

What?

Tell me, he said.

I feel a little guilty about my sister, that’s all. And I don’t like feeling guilty. It’s not like I committed a crime or anything, I said, meeting his eyes which were raised even higher now.

What did you do? he asked.

What makes you think I did anything? I asked, crossing my leg over the other one, giving Jim a peek at what I was not wearing underneath. Damn, this dress is way too tight. I wonder what was I thinking when I chose this? I know exactly what I was thinking, I wanted Jim to look at me like he was now, those blue eyes of his smoldering, his tongue almost hanging…jeez, what a push over and annoying too. Why would he think I’d do anything wrong, even if I did? What a dweeb.

At that moment, the waiter came with our dinner. Steaks, medium rare, baked potatoes with the fixings, and grilled asparagus in a special cheese sauce. Yum, okay, so maybe I could eat and worry about the guilt later. Just the thought of her made my stomach hurt. So, no thinking about Sunny.

By the time dinner was over, I was over Jim too. The attraction I’d once felt was history, just like with his friend Tristian. Both good looking guys, great in bed, but over…

Hey Jim, I’m sorry to cut the evening short, but I don’t feel so good, I said as we sat in the car ready to go.

Are you sure? I was hoping we could have a nightcap at my place, he said, reaching over to squeeze my thigh. I looked at his hand and wanted to yank it off me, but instead I smiled politely at him and lowered my eyes just so.

Oh, on any other night, that would have been great, but…it’s my stomach, I said, suggestively circling my hand on my flat very flat belly, which was probably a mistake by the look that walked across his face. I hope you don’t mind, I said, leaning over to plant a kiss on his cheek. Then for effect, I leaned back and closed my eyes, with my hand resting on my belly.

Okay, he answered in a gruff voice. Jim started the car and drove to Sunny’s not saying a word, but keeping his hand firmly lodged on my leg, running his thumb around in a slow circle.

I’m not sure what he was hoping to accomplish but by the time we pulled into Sunny’s drive, my stomach did hurt, like I was going to throw up. I was totally grateful when he removed his hand to get out of the car. It felt like forever before he came around, opened the door and helped me out of the car. I sprang out like a caged tiger only to remember that I was supposed to be sick, so I faked like I had to throw up.

He held my hair back.

False alarm, I said, as he took my arm by the elbow and helped me to the door.

When can I see you again? Jim asked.

Um, soon. Right now, it’s hard for me to think. I just want to lie down, I said, holding my stomach.

I’ll call you tomorrow, he said, leaning in for a kiss.

I turned to open the door, so he caught my cheek instead. I’m sorry, I said, turning back to stroke his cheek. Thanks for dinner.

Feel better, he said, backing off the stoop.

I smiled and closed the door, leaning against it.

What are you doing? Sunny asked from the living room.

Shush, I whispered. I watched from the dining room window, until I saw Jim’s headlights turn to the highway. Whew, thank goodness, he’s gone.

Why are you home so early? she asked, eating a handful of popcorn from the bowl sitting on top of what was left of her lap.

Bored, although Jim thinks I’m not feeling well. What? I asked, catching her glance.

You’re through with him, aren’t you?

So through.

What happened?

I don’t know. Maybe it was guilt. Thank you for making me feel guilty, by the way.

How did I make you feel guilty? I didn’t know I had that kind of power, Sunny said, smiling.

Don’t give me that mumbo jumbo stuff that I’m in charge of my happiness shit. You know what you did, I said.

Okay, I made you feel guilty…not! So, what did that have to do with Jim?

I don’t know, one minute I couldn’t wait to be with him, fantasizing about the sex we’d have later, and in the next, I had to stop myself from stabbing his hand with the steak knife, just to get it off my leg. I helped myself to some of the popcorn. Ew, what’s on this?

Olive oil and nutritional yeast. I don’t understand you. You’ve got all these great guys just falling all over you and none of them meet the Rain standard.

What can I say, they’ve either got it or they don’t. And so far, none of them do.

"One day, you’re going to meet your match, mark my words, and then you’re going to be a goner, hook,