Love in Plain Sight

By Kateena M Runge

Jennifer has been hiding from her fianc for three years now. She moved to the country to this little community where she does a lot of painting. She gets settled in and meets a man, Tom, and they become close friends. In any problem she has, hes there for her. Theres something about him that she likes, and when theyre together, she just melts into him. She trusts him with her life. Then she meets William at one of her shows and falls for him fast. She has different feelings for both men. Wholl be the one to win her heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984541291

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Copyright © 2018 by Kateena M Runge.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2018908451

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-9845-4131-4

             Softcover     978-1-9845-4130-7

             eBook          978-1-9845-4129-1

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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 07/23/2018

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This book is dedicated to my loving parents who have always been there for me and have given me so much support in whatever I do. Also, to my son, who is my sunshine and my world. I love you all with all my heart.

In a small community, about thirty miles from the nearest city, the weather is cool with some heavy fog in the early morning.

Jennifer Tanner, 26, has just finished settling into her place a week ago in that community. She moved in a month ago. She’s a "do-it yourself" kind of woman and is very independent in many ways. She’s been moving around a lot in the last three years hiding from an ex-fiancée.

Jennifer drives to the general store to get some groceries and a few supplies she needs to start on things that need some fixing. She buys them and puts them in the cab of her truck and locks it before she decides to go across the street to check out the second-hand store for some coveralls to do some outdoor work around the house. It needs a little work.

She plans on painting the trim, then fixing up the porch, and also wants to plant some trees and flowers. Later, maybe even a small garden.

At the second-hand store, she finds a pair of coveralls but they’re a little big for her but she buys them anyway along with a gardening hat and gloves.

The fog is still heavy but you could still see across the street.

After she pays for the coveralls and things, she starts to walk out of the store when there’s a loud crash. Bystanders rushes to the accident to see if the driver is alright.

Jennifer walks over to take a look at the accident to see how bad the destruction is. Lucky for her, she has a heavy-duty bumper and the damage isn’t too bad. The other truck will need work in the front grill area and a headlight on the passenger side.

Does anyone have a phone to call for emergency services? she asks calmly.

The local police and ambulance are on their way. one gentleman says.

How long before they get here? Jennifer asks looking at her watch.

About 15 to 20 minutes.

Okay. I guess someone should check on the driver to see if he’s okay. she says. Everyone looks around at each other and no one knows what to do.

Jennifer goes to the driver and opens the door to check his pulse. His pulse is fine. She tries to wake him up and he begins to groan. Everyone is watching her. She reaches over and puts the truck in park and turns the ignition off.

Sir, my name is Jennifer. Are you hurt? she asks concerned.

Just my head. the young man answers.

What’s your name? she asks.

Trevor… Trevor Smith.

Is anything broken? Jennifer asks.

I don’t think so. he says moving his arms slowly.

Okay that’s good so let’s sit back. she says helping him tilt his head up. Any pain?

Not really. Just a bad headache.

His forehead is bleeding and she applies pressure to the area.

Okay. I’m going to need you to sit still until help arrives. Can you do that?

Sure. he says softly.

Good. I’ll stay here with you until they get here. Jennifer says reassuring him.

Thank you, lady. You’re an angel. the young man says.

You’re welcome, but I wouldn’t call myself an angel. I’m just here at the right time to help you.

A little while later, a man walks up to the truck after he has been watching her for awhile.

Do you need anything ma’am? the gentleman asks softly behind her. Jennifer looks over her shoulder slightly and sees him.

A first aid kit and a rag would be good thank you. she says turning back to the young man.

The man goes into the general store and comes back with a first aid kit and a small rag.

Where do you want it? he asks holding them.

Set it on the hood of his truck. she says to him. Okay, I’m going to need you to hold your forehead right here. she says to the young man as she shows him. He put his hand there. Jennifer opens the first aid kit and gets what she needs. Then she goes back to the young man and patches his wound.

How old are you Trevor? Jennifer asks.

Twenty. I’m sorry for this. I was working extra hours at the gas plant just outside the city and I guess I fell asleep.

It’s okay. Your truck will need to be fixed but my truck looks to be okay. she says.

I didn’t mean to do this. he says heartfelt.

I’ve been there. Long hours are not a good thing. You need your rest.

Yes ma’am. There’s a short pause before he asks her something. Are you a nurse or a doctor?

I was in the medical field but I gave it up. It’s a long story.

A short while later, the ambulance and the sheriff arrive.

Okay, Trevor. The paramedics are here to take over now. It’ll be okay. They’re just going to check you out and if they see the need, they’ll take you to the hospital.

Thank you for helping me and staying with me. I appreciate it. he says holding out his hand.

It was my pleasure. Take care. Jennifer says then steps away so the paramedic could take a look at him. The officer motions her over.

Ma’am could I ask you some questions? the officer asks. She looks at his name badge.

I know what you’re going to ask. Let me save you some time. she says stopping him. You might want to write this down. she says then pauses for him to get ready to write what she’s going to tell him. His name is Trevor Smith, a twenty year old male. He had a long night at work. He was driving home, fell asleep and hit my truck. His truck is damaged and will need to be towed. Mine is fine. He has a small cut over his left eye but it will heal. I applied pressure to it and dressed it. And no, I will NOT be filing charges. He’s been through enough.

Anything else you would like to add ma’am? the officer asks.

Sure, Officer Brooks. Sorry for taking up your time coming out here for this little problem. she says. My name is Jennifer Tanner and I just moved here.

It was a pleasure meeting you Miss Tanner. he says putting his notebook down. Your name sounds so familiar. Have we met before?

I don’t think so. I just moved here like a month ago.

Oh okay. One last question. he says to her. How did you know what I was going to ask?

I heard these questions so many times at the hospital I worked in. They’re always the same. she says turning to walk away. Have a good day, Officer Brooks. she says then walks away to talk to the tow truck driver.

The paramedics take Trevor to the hospital to make sure there was nothing else going on with him. It didn’t take them long since Jennifer had it under control. They get her information, her statement and leave. The tow truck driver gets the pickup ready to load. The other tow truck driver helps him before he leaves.

Jennifer didn’t want to wait around to watch so she heads over to a nursery just a little down the way to look at some flowers, trees, and extras. She pays for them then walks back to get her truck. The nurseryman will hold them for her.

She goes in the hardware store near her truck and buys a medium ball peen hammer, a regular hammer, and some nails. She puts them in the back of her truck and goes to pick up the garden things. Then she goes home.

The guy that got her the first aid kit was watching her get things done and he wants to know more about her. He gets in his truck and follows her slowly to see where she lives.

When Jennifer gets home she goes into her house to change clothes before taking the things out of her truck to start work on the flower bed.

The guy watches her from afar and then after some time, he drives up to her place slowly so he wouldn’t scare her. He parks, gets out and walks over to where she is.

A short while later, she hears something walking closer to her. She keeps working on the flower bed as the sound stops. Then there are a few more steps and they stop close behind her.

His name is Thomas (Tom) Jenkins, 34, tall, country boy type, handsome, and friendly.

Hello there. she says looking over her shoulder at him. Can I help you? she asks getting up as she dust her knees off.

I didn’t get to introduce myself in town with all the excitement going on and you being a hero.

I’m not a hero. I was just doing what I know. she says modestly as she walks closer to him.

I’m Thomas Jenkins, but you could call me Tom. he says holding out his hand to her.

I’m Jennifer Tanner. I just moved here. she says wiping her hands on her pants before shaking his hand. Nice to meet you, Tom.

My pleasure, Jennifer.

I didn’t get to thank you for getting me that first aid kit. So, thank you.

You were great. You took control and handled it all on your own. You were calm and kept him calm.

Someone had to do something. He could’ve been really hurt.

I’m glad you were there and took care of it.

It’s all in a day’s work. she says. What brings you out here besides wanting to thank me?

I saw you get some trees and wondered if you needed any help planting them?

She smiles as she stops a few feet from him.

That would be very helpful. Thank you. she says. I’ll show you were I want the trees. she says walking over to her truck. He helps her take the young trees off the truck. She grabs a shovel out of the back of the truck and takes it to where she wants the tree planted. He follows her with a tree and almost drops it.

Could I ask you something? he asks curious.

Sure, I guess.

I know you’re new here. What brings you here? he asks.

I just wanted to get away from things. she says then walks to her flower bed to work on it.

When she finishes with the flowers, she looks over to see how far he’s gotten with the hole. He didn’t get very far. She smiles and goes into the house to grab a couple drinks. She takes one out to him and watches him work for a few seconds before she walks closer.

You could take a break if you want, Tom. she says. He stops and looks over at her. She holds out a glass to him and he take it.

Thank you. he says as he takes a drink.

Come on. she says.

Where too? he asks taking another drink.

To the porch to sit. she offers. They walk over to the porch and sit on the steps. They talk.

"Are you