The One Online: Single Seniors Searching for . . .

By Tina C. Smith

The One OnLine tells the story of six single senior ladies and their search on the Internet for the long-awaited Mr. Right. Dixie, Ashley, Tracy, Penelope, Tori, and Peaches, from different parts of the world, move to the southwest cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale and soon become best friends.

As Dixies focus narrows to what she believes is her dream come true, will her health interfere? Ashley believes her search was successful, but will events point to a different conclusion? Has Tracy finally ended her loneliness upon the result of her pursuit? Tori avoided the Internet, but after being given a different direction, will she have a positive outcome? Penelopes search led to her fianc, but as events unfold, will she still be getting married? Peaches finds herself on the Internet, but is finding Mr. Right possible?

Finally, will their quest answer that all-important question: Could he be the one for me?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524584276

Tina C. Smith

While Tina has published some articles for a trade magazine in the Phoenix area, she has always dreamed of pursuing a writing career. At last, with the release of Love OnLine and having the available time needed to write now that she has retired from her credit analyst position, Tina looks forward to the publication of the upcoming sequel to Love OnLine. Tina enjoys her home in Arizona with her husband, Rick Jellen. At the same time, she travels quite extensively throughout the United States. The summer months are her favorite time to travel and visit their seven grandchildren and to also escape the heat.

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Copyright © 2017 by Tina C. Smith.

Library of Congress Control Number:    2017902407

ISBN:      Hardcover            978-1-5245-8429-0

              Softcover              978-1-5245-8428-3

              eBook                  978-1-5245-8427-6

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: 03/06/2017

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Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PROLOGUE

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

This book is dedicated to my mom,

Clara Tomkus,

and all who have suffered with cancer.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T O RICK JELLEN FOR BEING the absolute best husband I could possibly imagine. I admire you in more ways than I ever thought possible and thank God for you every day.

To Bob and Winnie Tomkus, for your relentless support and encouragement, your perceptiveness and your exceptional insight.

To Joseph Frattari, for your inspiration, reinforcement and the limitless compassion you have shown me throughout my life. Mere words cannot possibly express the appreciation and admiration I continue to have for you.

To my many friends and family members who have shown such magnanimous support and consideration. You are definitely appreciated.

PROLOGUE

A FTER A MONTH OR SO, Ashley wasn’t all that happy with her relationship with her online dream come true, Paul Jones. She loved him, but now she doubted her choice. She wanted someone to love and someone to be there for her, and not just once or twice a week. She wanted a real relationship with a solid foundation and commitment. She thought she had that with Paul, but things didn’t seem to be working out the way she had hoped.

Sure, in the beginning, he made time to see her three or four times a week and called to check in regularly. The pursuit Paul had for Ashley was relentless. He was busy with both his full-time job and his personal electrical contracting business. However, he always seemed to make time to spend with her, hoping she would fall head over heels for him and let him penetrate the thick wall she built around her severely wounded heart. When Paul finally said those most desired words for which Ashley patiently waited, her heart melted, and she was his.

But what happened? Why did he avoid meeting her friends and not attend parties and social gatherings that were becoming a larger part of Ashley’s world? Was he losing interest after all that was said and done? Was work that demanding? Was his financial position so strained that he needed more money to meet his obligations to support his children?

Was he really just too busy to attend the different parties to which Ashley had been invited or just lacked the interest? Ashley was embarrassed when she arrived without Paul. Weren’t they in a committed relationship, and didn’t it seem peculiar that he was unavailable so often?

Did he have any friends, or did he just work without any personal life? She didn’t know, as he never introduced her to anyone, including the two sons who lived with him. What was he hiding, or did he have a dark side that she never noticed?

Finally, before Christmas, Ashley met Paul Jr. and Liam, the sons to whom he is most devoted. Ashley was hoping to have a family event at Christmas with not only Paul’s sons but also her brother and his wife. Unfortunately, Liam unexpectedly decided to spend the holidays with his mother in Colorado Springs, much to Paul’s displeasure. Paul tried to dissuade Liam from traveling north but to no avail. Paul Jr. was still living at his father’s home and also tried to encourage Liam to change his mind. Junior finally got his life in order after getting things straight with his parole officer, but still Paul was unhappy. Liam made up his mind.

The closer it got to the holidays, the more distant Paul seemed to become. Plans were not made, and Liam’s absence was affecting Paul more than anyone could have expected. And, of course, he wasn’t exactly the easiest person to be around. Ashley felt like she was walking on egg shells while in Paul’s company.

At the same time, Paul felt obligated to spoil his children and allocated as much money as possible to the most elaborate gifts his children could ask for. Perhaps that was the real reason for taking on the extra work? Money was no object when it came to his children. In Liam’s case, his main interest was guns, and Paul indulged him since they shared the same interest in hunting and often hunted together, especially since Liam moved to Arizona.

As time went by, Ashley became sad and discontented, and her friends began avoiding her. Ashley was becoming withdrawn, quiet, and just plain gloomy. Eventually, she made it to a cheese-and-wine night with her friends, and Dixie, outspoken as she was, just came forward and asked, What’s up? You’re not happy, you’re withdrawing from your friends, and your boyfriend won’t socialize with us. On top of everything, he’s not going to Penelope’s engagement party at the Biltmore, the biggest party of the year. What’s going on?

Immediately, Ashley began to make excuses for Paul. "He’s just so busy with his heavy Christmas workload, plus he’s really bummed that Liam chose to spend the holidays with his mother instead of him. I think he’s extremely frustrated and disheartened.

In fact, he mentioned to me that he spoke with Liam the other night and how sad his son sounded. Liam told him how his mother’s new husband was drilling him about getting a job, yet everyone knows how difficult that can be just before Christmas. Paul felt that Liam wasn’t being completely honest with him when they spoke on the phone and felt that Liam was holding something back, but Paul couldn’t put his finger on it. Paul even made the attempt to find out from his ex what was bothering Liam, but Paul was reassured by his son’s mother that Liam was fine. Paul still felt uneasy about his son’s well-being.

What about you, Ash? Perhaps it’s time to call a spade a spade and move on? He’s not making you happy. In fact, you’re unhappier now that you were before you were introduced to the Internet dating phenomenon. Is he really working, or is he sharing what little time he has with someone else? I know it’s not a good time of the year to be thinking about this, but you can’t continue with the letdowns. This is supposed to be your favorite holiday, and look at how disappointed you’ve become. You deserve better, Dixie concluded.

Ashley thought about what Dixie said and agreed she was right. She remembered how despondent her ex-husband made her, and she wasn’t going there again. Perhaps she would check out the website again. It had been months since she made that initial search, and it made all the difference in her life. But what about Paul? It always came back to that.

The day following her conversation with Dixie at the cheese-and-wine night, Ashley replayed those words over and over in her mind. Perhaps Dixie was right, and she needed to rethink this entire situation. She needed to have a serious conversation with Paul and find out what they had and if it was worth keeping. He wasn’t available to socialize with her now, and he said he was definitely not going to the Biltmore for the engagement party due to his workload. Well, I’m going, she thought as she heard her cell phone ring. She was happy to see Paul on her caller ID. Hello, she answered.

He’s dead! I can’t believe he’s dead! He’s dead! Paul cried at the top of his voice. He’s dead! He’s dead! he said, sobbing.

Paul? Paul, stop! Paul, who’s dead? Paul? she kept asking.

Paul took a deep breath and said unsteadily, Liam!

CHAPTER

1

I T WAS SUNDAY MORNING AND the Inn Restaurant was packed with hungry customers. This was definitely the most hectic time of the weekend, and Tracy was glad she was busy. There was a waiting list and a line forming at the hostess podium to add more people to the waiting list. Since the weather was perfect—not too hot with a slight breeze—it turned out to be a beautiful September Sunday, which invited so many people to leave their homes and venture out to enjoy the delicious meals prepared in the comfortable atmosphere provided by the Inn. Tracy loved being one of the managers of such a popular restaurant.

As minutes flashed by, the kitchen was on full alert. Omelets and pancakes were flying off the grill. Customers were chatting, consuming coffee and croissants, and concluding their meals in a steady rhythm. Ninety minutes later, the waiting list was pared down to one or two parties that were being seated by the hostess. Tracy was walking to the reception area when who walks in but Ashley and Paul.

Look at those two, Tracy thought. They’re kissing and snuggling as they walk! They look like they just got out of bed! Go, Ashley! Finally, she met her man. Her face was emanating happiness, and she looked so feminine in a soft pink sleeveless dress. Tracy was so happy for her and a little envious as well. That will be me one day, Tracy thought.

Well, good afternoon! Isn’t this a surprise on a Sunday—now afternoon? Breakfast or lunch?

Tracy, Ashley began, I’m starving, and I want the biggest waffle covered with blueberries, so I guess it’s breakfast. She giggled and leaned into Paul. Her head just reached his shoulder, and she snuggled it again.

Breakfast it is, announced Paul in his deep cowboy voice that sounded like the old Marlboro Man cigarette commercials, Tracy thought. He was a tall, handsome man in his tailored jeans and polo shirt, and Ashley was positively into him, Tracy could see.

Right this way, Tracy said as she led them to an available spot not too close to anyone. She was absolutely planning to visit with them at their table when she got a minute.

Ash, she whispered, you look like you just got out of bed. She looked at Tracy with a startled expression, and Tracy assured her she looked fine, just newly bedded.

Spent the night, then the next night, she whispered back as they arrived at their table.

Bryan will be right with you, and I’ll be back in a few minutes, Tracy said as she slid menus on the table and rushed to the next party arriving and waiting at the podium. Paul slid into the booth next to Ashley as they continued to cuddle.

Paul, I think she knows, Ashley said. You okay with that?

Are you kidding me? I couldn’t be happier, and I hope you are too. I’m starved, let’s order, he said as Bryan approached the table.

Well, look what the cat dragged in, Bryan said very routinely. They exchanged greetings and ordered; Bryan poured coffee and was gone. Minutes later Tracy slid into the booth across from Ashley.

What have you two been up to? Anything you want to share, or should I just mind my own business?

Tracy, you know we’ve been dating for a few weeks. Why do you ask? Just having a friendly breakfast at a familiar place, Paul stated.

Paul and Ashley looked at each other, and Ashley’s face started to redden. Paul added quickly, We had a nice dinner by my pool Friday night, and I got to see Ashley in her bathing suit for the first time. She has quite a lovely figure, he said affectionately.

Well, I’m happy for you both. Have you talked to Dixie lately?

No, I haven’t. Is she all right? Ashley questioned curiously.

She was in for lunch with Tori and Peaches yesterday afternoon and announced she’s back. She’s on the websites again, and I haven’t seen her looking so good. She was on her way to get a massage, hair, and makeup done, and had a date at seven last night. I hope to hear from her later to see how everything went. If you hear from her before I do, tell her to call me. I’m dying to find out how everything went. Probably didn’t have as much fun as you two did, but she looks like her old self, and I mean that in a complimentary way.

Ashley and Dixie had been friends for quite a few years, and Dixie was the friend that helped Ashley set up her profile on the website that brought her Paul. Ashley was astounded at the amount of questions that needed answering, and Dixie was there to walk her through it.

Dixie was the matriarch of online dating. She was on four or five different sites for an undetermined amount of years looking for her Mr. Right. Having been divorced twice, she was reaching retirement and didn’t want to face that alone. She constantly reminded her friends that her clock was ticking louder and louder, and she was determined to find her Mr. Right, and at last count, she hoped she reached her pot of gold at the end of the Harry rainbow.

Dixie recited many of Harry’s qualities the day before to her friends at lunch, and the one quality that was most outstanding was his financial independence. He passed the business he built from scratch onto his daughter and her husband but let Dixie know that his bank account had a seven-figure number, and that was all that Dixie had to hear. She wanted to find someone who could provide her the life she always wanted, and Harry looked as though he might just be her ticket to a life of luxury.

The first date happened the night before, and all her friends were on pins and needles, waiting to hear the outcome of what could be the beginning of something wonderful.

Dixie’s back? After all that her last engagement put her through, I didn’t think she was back online yet. Good for her, and I hope she finds her Mr. Right, Ashley said cheerfully. Hair, makeup, and a massage all in one day? She must have been feeling fantastic getting all that done. What did she tell you about her date? Is he rich?

"She seemed to think so, and we’re waiting to find out if he’s as good as he says.

I have to get back to work, so I’ll leave you two lovebirds. Enjoy your ‘brunch’ since breakfast has been over for most people for more than an hour. I’m out of here at three, so have fun, Tracy said has she returned to the floor to check on her other customers.

Do you think we look like lovebirds? Ashley asked as Tracy walked away. Well, we are, aren’t we? And now we’re lovers. I haven’t been this happy in more years than I want to think about. How about you?

Ashley, I told you how I feel, and I still feel the same. You make me happy, and happy is a nice place to be if you ask me, Paul confessed.

Well, I guess I’ll take my profile off the website now that we have each other, Ashley mentioned. I certainly don’t want to be with another man now that you are the love of my life. She slid closer next to Paul as he was sipping his coffee.

Well, good. And that was all he said. Paul thought quietly that he should do the same, but not yet. She was all he could think about and couldn’t imagine wanting another woman. Time would tell.

Paul thought about his past relationships and the four children that were born to four different women. He was famous for a wandering eye when he lived in Colorado Springs since he just couldn’t help himself from being attracted to beautiful women.

He moved to the Phoenix area years before after his divorce. He remembered how nasty his only marriage ended when his wife learned about the affairs he was having. He also recalled how her attorney father said it was a good thing he was in another state or he would have been in jail for being as late as he often was with his child support.

He prided himself on the fact that he always sent the check even though there were quite a few times that the check had been unacceptably late, causing his children’s mothers to become extremely angry. They depended on the expected funds, which were needed to provide for his children, and he was more than aware of that. He started his own electrical contracting company on the side of his full-time job just to keep up with the payments. He was also relieved that Ashley didn’t care about his past mistakes and that she seemed pleased that he did, in fact, take care of his children.

Bryan brought their food, and Paul dived into his omelet and pancakes like he hadn’t eaten in a week. Ashley sipped her tea and wondered why Paul didn’t say he would do the same thing with his profile but was then distracted by the blueberry-covered waffle and didn’t say much until they were done eating.

What are we going to do today? Any ideas? Ashley thought of going back to bed but was afraid to say so. She waited for Paul’s response that didn’t happen as quickly as she would have liked.

Ash, I’ve a few things I need to do, so I’ll drop you home, and I’ll call you later. I still have a son who needs supervision with his parole problems, and I need to check in on him. That DUI he received and deserved last year has caused more problems than he ever realized, and not showing up for appointments with his parole officer was even more stupid, which he continues to regret. He should be home from his girlfriend’s by now, and we need to cover a few things. Paul noticed the disappointment on her face and consoled her with a light kiss on the lips. I’ll call you later, you know that.

Okay, but I just thought that we would extend our time together, but you’re right. I know your son is having some problems, and you need to go be a dad. No worries.

Minutes later Bryan brought their check. Is Tracy still here? Ashley asked Bryan. She thought she would do something with Tracy since Paul was going to be busy.

She’s in the office finishing the shift’s paperwork. Want me to get her? Is everything all right? Bryan was concerned, as he strived to be the best waiter in the place.

Everything’s fine, Bryan. I just wondered what her plans were later. I’ll call her, don’t worry about it. Bryan was reassured and left the table.

*     *     *

When Tori returned home from her lunch with Dixie and Peaches the day before, she was happy and excited for Dixie. She, too, was inspired and decided to look at the same dating site that Dixie seemed to have so much success at meeting eligible men.

She had given a lot of thought to what Dixie had said the night before at the nightclub Skye, where they stopped after the movie:

"For one thing, you don’t go out thinking it’s a date. You dive into this like he’s an applicant for the open position of your boyfriend. It’s a date, not a job interview, and you’ve been on more job interviews than anyone I know. For good reason, so don’t get defensive, but meeting a man is a whole ’nother situation.

"A woman is expected to be a woman: feminine and flirty, not an investigative reporter. From what you tell me after each of your ‘meetings,’ you report that he is this way or that way, where he works, his marital status, how many children he has from each relationship, and it goes on and on. You have a checklist in that brain of yours, and you just cover one question after another on that checklist, and no man wants to feel like you’re looking at him through a magnifying glass. If you know all the answers, then there isn’t anything to ask on the second date, and there doesn’t seem to be a second date because men just don’t like being interrogated.

"What I try to do is find out one thing that is important to me and then just enjoy his company. If he wants to ask questions, let him. Let him feel like he’s the most important thing at the moment, and save some questions for another time. In your case, there isn’t another time because no man wants to think you are looking at him too closely or checking his credit report. You have to back off and just enjoy his company.

Don’t give me that look! If you’re offended, I’m not sorry. You asked me, remember? Dixie had been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. They had been friends for more than a decade, but Dixie wasn’t someone who just came right out and told a person what she thought. She was too opinionated and knew it. She offered her opinion only when asked, and that allowed her to have many friends and offended few. If someone wanted to know what she thought and asked, well, she never held back after that.

Well, you don’t beat around the bush, do you? Tori commented. It’s just that I don’t want to waste my time or his, and the only way I can know is to ask questions. Any man who is secure shouldn’t have a problem answering a few questions, should he? Tori felt like a twelve-year-old asking for advice from her older sister on what to do for the first date of her life.

"Tori, men are like big little boys. They want to play and have fun. Of course, questions are going to come up. That’s normal, but in your case, you just don’t know when to stop inquiring until it sounds like you’re just being nosey. A favorite movie, a favorite food, a special song—things like that are fine to ask when you first meet, but diving into someone’s personal past is going to put anyone on edge and on guard, and it gets uncomfortable. That’s why they don’t call or ask you for that second date. Plus, making it known that you will not sleep with them until your wedding night is definitely not recommended."

You know how I feel about premarital sex. I take my faith and the Bible very seriously, as you know. Tori hated getting into this topic. Dixie knew full well how she felt about that subject, and it made her feel very defensive and uneasy.

"Hey, you don’t have to bring it up the first time you meet someone. He’s not going to call for a second time if he knows the answer to that question. Keep that to yourself, and if after the third date, which you haven’t had a third date with anyone in more than two years, then you just let them know that you’re not comfortable yet. Look at Ashley—she’s been dating Paul three or more times a week for almost two weeks, and he still calls. You can bet she hasn’t slept with him yet since she feels almost the same way you do about sex.

Be a little mysterious. Don’t put all your cards on the table—ever. A man needs to be kept guessing and thinking about what it’s going to take to get you naked.

I don’t have a problem with letting someone know that I want a committed and permanent relationship—like marriage. Sex isn’t everything, Tori announced.

It is, and it isn’t. You just have to be a little less judgmental and a bit more understanding. Men have different ideas and attitudes about that, and you can’t find them out on the first meeting, so don’t bring it up. Period.

As Tori drove home that night, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for herself. What was wrong with her? Well, now she knows and wasn’t sure if it was something that she could change. She was nearly sixty, and since her breakup with Eddie all those years ago, she hadn’t had anything that closely resembled success in the dating department. She often wondered if she was still in love with him, despite how badly they broke up, and she was sure she still was on some level.

Eddie had been the special love of her life, and it still hurt sometimes to even think about him. A relationship that lasted nearly ten years was something that wasn’t easily forgotten. When the engagement was broken and the money lent to him was never repaid, it drove her to psychological counseling. Years later when she heard he had married someone so much younger than her, the bitterness returned. She would revisit her counselor on occasion and was always glad she did. Yet the thought of dating seemed to remind her of the heartbreak. Still she had hope.

No one, however, at the church’s single group had ever asked her out. She was a greeter every Sunday at church and met hundreds of people every month, but no one seemed even a little interested. It had to be more than just her attitude. Maybe she wasn’t flirty enough or inviting enough. She was a member of the church’s prayer team and prayed for so many people’s needs, including her own. Now she doubted she even did that well enough. Stop! Stop the downward spiral that so many people told her she did when she became despondent.

She had to remind herself to stop beating herself up and lighten up. She was too serious for her own good. She would work on not being so serious. She remembered something one of her counselors said, No one can make you happy but you. Work on making YOU happy. That’s the answer, she decided. When you are happy, her counselor said, "you