Sarah's New Beginning: New Beginning Series Book One

By Lillie Shaw

At twenty-eight, Sarah has had enough. She lives with her controlling parents, but after one last harassing phone call from her mom, she hits the road with her meager belongings. She takes the car and heads to an unknown destination. Theres a chance her parents will let her grow into her own woman, but theres also a chance they might drag her back home.

Will Carter is the eldest son of the town doctor, who runs a prosperous ranch that has been in his family for generations. Just recently single after breaking up with his long-time girlfriend Shaye, Will is determined to remain singleuntil a car crashes into the ditch on his familys property. He rushes to the aid of an unconscious woman and takes her to see his father.

The first thing an injured Sarah sees when she opens her tired eyes is Will, and her heart skips a beat. The two instantly connect; something about Will speaks to her heart in a language shes never heard before. They tumble into love, but both carry such baggage. Will they follow where their hearts lead, or are they destined to remain alone and running forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781491795095

Lillie Shaw

Lillie Shaw uses a pseudonym in memory of her grandmother. In life, she surrounds herself with friends and family who are always available to offer encouragement and support. In fiction, she writes characters in homage to people she has lost.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

T he morning sun's first rays were sneaking into Sarah's bedroom between the break in the curtains. She stretched and moaned, not knowing what the new day would hold. Slowly, she pushed the blankets aside and made her way to the shower.

While the hot water from the shower fell over her body, the peacefulness of those few minutes was broken by the constant ringing of her phone from her bedroom. She dreaded speaking to the person who she knew was bound to be on the other end of her new cell phone---a gift from her parents. She wrapped herself in a large, purple terry cloth towel and made her way back into her room where she picked up her phone to answer it.

Isn't that always the way? The phone stops as soon as your hand is on it to answer, Sarah thought, rolling her eyes as she sighed.

Sarah checked the number of the missed call, and as expected, it was her mother trying to reach her, probably so she could guilt Sarah into doing something she did not want to do. Not only was it her mother who had called, but there were three other missed calls from her mother all within the past ten minutes. Sarah took a deep breath and listened intently to the messages her mother had left.

Once again, her mother's voice was spoken with a hint of sadness. That was her way of getting Sarah to do what she wanted. Her now-famous tactic used to make Sarah feel guilty, but it wasn't going to work anymore Sarah had decided.

Hi, Sarah. It's Mom. Please answer your phone. After a pause, Sarah heard a barely audible sigh. Where are you? Well, anyway, I just wanted to see if you remembered that we are having company tonight. I need you to clean up the house and make sure you are home. One more thing ... I cancelled your vacation this week, because your father needs the help at work, and we need you here with us so we don't worry. Talk to you later. I love you.

Sarah rolled her eyes and thought, Why can't they trust me to live my life and not try to live it for me? I wish they would just try to really get to know me---the real me. I wish they could understand who I really am, who I've become. I can't take this constant control anymore. I have to get away from here---away from my controlling family---to find out who I really am and what I want, not what my parents want for my life. I am a strong, independent, grown woman. Today is the day I will break away to begin a new life.

Sarah dressed in her light-blue sundress and sandals and took out her suitcase to begin packing as many of her belongings as she could load into her red 2003 Ford Fiesta. Her parents had insisted she buy the car from a business associate of her father.

Two hours after the call from her mother, Sarah was packed and ready to embark on her new journey.

Taking one last look around the house in which she had lived her whole life, she knew that she was going to miss her home and her family. At the same time, she needed to break away from her parents' controlling ways. Sarah knew she needed her life to be her own. She needed to be able to make her own decisions without the fear of being made to feel completely stupid. She wished her parents could be proud of her and what she was capable of accomplishing with her life.

Sarah climbed into her car and drove away from the only life she had ever known and headed onward into her new life. She did not know where she was headed, but she figured when she arrived to where she was supposed to be, she would know.

The old Sarah would never do anything like this, she thought to herself. After all, she was what some would consider the perfect child, always doing what was expected of her and what she was told to do by her parents. But not anymore. This new Sarah is doing something for herself for a change---no looking back, no regrets.

This pep talk gave her the courage to continue down the highway as her hometown grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.

Sarah could not stop the flow of tears from her eyes. Even though she knew she really needed to do this, she also knew she was going to miss her family. She silently prayed to herself that her family would understand and in time forgive her. Sarah loved her family even though they make her feel like she couldn't do anything right. She also knew that they loved her and only wanted the best for her. They just had a strange way of showing it.

After driving for hours, Sarah was hungry and felt the need to stretch her legs. She knew she had to find a place to spend the night. The day that had begun so perfect turned out to be a long and emotionally draining one. Up ahead, she noticed a motel sign and silently prayed that they would have a room available.

She registered under a false name and made her way to her room where she ordered a pizza for supper. The room was average size with a queen-size bed in the middle of the room. The bathroom boasted a large bathtub, and the mere sight of it had Sarah longing to climb in and sink to her neck in hot water just to relax, especially after the day she'd just had. Sarah did exactly that after her supper was delivered.

Sarah stayed in the hot bath and relaxed until the water began to cool. She then put on her nightdress and crawled into the warm bed. As she laid there looking at the ceiling and waiting for sleep to find her, her thoughts drifted to her family and how much she missed them. Sighing, she reached over to the night table for her phone and dialed her parent's number. The phone was answered after only one ring.

Sarah? her mother asked, sounding worried and annoyed at the same time.

Yes, Mom. I just wanted to let you know that I am all right.

Sarah, what were you thinking, taking off like that? That was a really stupid thing for you to do. Go get in your car and come home right this minute. We love you, Sarah. Your father and I can help you get over this craziness that has gotten into that silly little head of yours. Besides, you were needed here tonight. How could you embarrass us like that? Do you know what people are probably thinking? You knew that we had company coming over, and you let us down, her mother said, feigning tears Sarah knew were only there to make her feel bad for taking off.

The sadness in her mother's voice was something Sarah was used to hearing when her mother was trying to make her feel guilty. Sarah could also hear her father in the background yelling at her to stop being selfish and to come home.

Mom, I need to do this. I need to live my life my way---

Her mother cut her off from finishing what she was saying by stating matter-of-factly, Don't be foolish, Sarah. You have a perfect life here with us. You won't be able to make it on your own.

Mom, you can't keep trying to control me. I am not a little girl anymore. I'm twenty-eight. I know you and Dad love me, but you can't control my every move or my every thought. You both need to accept that I am a grown woman, and I am capable of controlling my own life and my own thoughts. I needed to leave, Mom. That was the only way I could, because I knew that you and Dad would try to stop me.

Sarah, you are so wrong about us. We don't control you. We only try to make sure that you make the right decisions and keep you safe. We don't feel that you made a very wise decision by running away from your family.

Mom, stop! Sarah said firmly. I did not run away from my life. I am running toward my life. I left a life that I had no control over because it was being controlled for me.

The tears were starting to burn her eyes, which could also be heard in her wavering voice even though she tried to keep control of it so that her mother would not be able to tell that she was hurting.

Mom, let everyone know I love them. I need to do this for me. I will call you again to let you know that I am all right. Good-bye, Mom. I love you. Sarah said the last part tearfully as she hung up the phone. She then placed her phone on the bedside table before rolling onto her side and crying herself to sleep.

The following morning, the sky looked as miserable as she felt after her call home the night before. The sky was full of dark-gray clouds that looked like they wanted to open up. Sarah still felt like crying, but she had to keep going. She just could not go back to her old life, or she would never be happy. Sarah so wanted to be happy and be who she was supposed to be. Sitting behind the wheel of her car, Sarah took a deep breath and then continued her journey toward her new life.

CHAPTER 2

T he sky began to clear, and the sun came out as the day went on. Sarah's mood also improved as she continued on the road to a destination unknown even to her. She rolled down the window and let her long hair blow in the wind.

It turned out to be another long day. Sarah had driven from sunrise to sunset, only stopping once. She pulled into the parking lot of a motel she had spotted on the side of the road. She hoped that tomorrow she would decide where her new life would begin. Sarah checked in at the motel office and was happy to be able to get the last room available. She parked the car in front of the room and made her way inside where she lay down on the bed. She was full of excitement and nervousness but had a smile on her face. Sarah still could not believe that she had taken off like that, but as she drifted off to sleep, she decided she was glad that she had.

As the morning sun slowly peeked through the curtains, Sarah stirred, anxious to start the next phase of her life. She then stumbled into the shower to awaken her senses. Sarah liked to refer to these showers as her morning coffee. It was yet another routine that differed from her controlling family. As the hot water cascaded over her hair, she wondered what was happening back at home.

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Sarah's parents were becoming more agitated by the minute. After yesterday's phone call from Sarah, her mother, Beth, was convinced that Sarah would be home in time for breakfast. Beth was a tiny woman with light-brown hair and hazel eyes who loved her family fiercely to the point of trying to control them, as Sarah knew all too well. But breakfast came and went with no sign of Sarah's little red car driving up to the house as Beth had instructed her to do.

I will give her one more hour, and then I will be going after her to bring her home, Ray, her father, stated angrily. He was a hardworking man who supported his wife unconditionally. Although he also interfered in the lives of his children, he tried to sound supportive of their wishes.

I refuse to wait! Beth declared as she reached for the phone.

Beth dialed Sarah's number. It rang until the voice mail picked up. After hearing Sarah's greeting, Beth left a message.

Sarah, where are you? We expected you home hours ago. Pick up your phone, honey. Sarah Anne Wilson, you need to stop this foolishness and come home. We can help you through this little crisis. I love you. Call me back please. The tone of her voice hid the anger welling up inside of her.

After hanging up, Beth dialed another phone number. Ben, Sarah's older brother by a couple of years, grumbled as he rolled over in his bed and reached for his phone. His blue eyes squinted as he looked at the number, and his usual happy demeanor changed as he realized who was calling.

Hey, Mom, Ben mumbled as he answered the phone. His blond hair fell back against his pillow as he settled in to listen to another of his mother's ramblings about his sister's behavior. Ben worked for his father's company not as a son but as a contractor, another way his parents controlled his destiny. He was slender but in shape from working out at a local gym almost everyday.

They wanted him to earn his way in the company rather than expect a handout from them. He supported his parents in their views and concerns for his sister, but at the same time, he secretly wished she could break away from the control they had over her life.

Ben, Sarah's gone! his mother yelled.

What?! What do you mean she is gone? She can't do that. I thought she had more brains that.

Ben, your father and I already told her that. Get up and come over, so we can figure out what to do next.

Of course, Mom. I'll be right over. I love you, Ben said as he hung up the phone.

Fifteen minutes later, Ben was standing in his parents' living room. How could you let her leave like that? he asked them angrily, the guilt he felt for what he had done to his sister coming through in his voice.

Calm down, Son, Ray said firmly before continuing. We did not let her leave. She left while we were at work.

How long has she been gone?

This is her second day.

What happened to make her leave? What did you say or do to her? Ben questioned, visibly annoyed. Ben loved his baby sister more than anything. When she was not at home, he worried about her, but he did not try to control her every move.

Nothing happened. We called home to check on her. Everything seemed fine. When we arrived home for lunch three hours later, she was gone. She took all her possessions with her, Beth said tearfully.

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As the sunny day progressed, Sarah decided it was time to slow down. She left the highway to enjoy the miles of farmland that stretched out before her on a long, winding country road.

The past few days had been really stressful for Sarah. The guilt and anxiety she felt for leaving the only home---the only way of life---she had ever known was almost too much. Sarah kept telling herself that she had made the right decision leaving her old life behind and making a clean start. At one point, she even debated giving herself a new name. That way, if her family came after her, they would not have an easy time finding her.

The name debate Sarah had with herself went on for what felt like hours. But in the end, she decided that if she changed her name, she would not be staying true to whom she was and whom she wanted to be in the future.

As the early evening approached, Sarah noticed her car starting to make a strange sound. Oh no! What is that sound? Sarah thought to herself.

Sarah groaned as she searched the dashboard for a warning light or some other sign that would tell her the origin of the strange noise. Then, out of nowhere, there was a loud bang. The car shot sharply to the right, almost pulling the steering wheel from her hands. Panic shot through her as she held tight, trying to regain control of the car. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the wheel.

What is that? Smoke or steam? She was not sure what it was, but it was coming from under the hood. It is not like one is any better than the other, she thought with a chuckle.

Oh no! Sarah screamed as the passenger-side tires hit the loose gravel on the side of the road. Before she could react, the car had