Saved for Ben: Ben and Wanda

By Jacquelyn B. Smith

This is the third book in the series. Ben Davis has graduated with honors from Middle Georgia State University. Despite unexpected tragedies and bittersweet life changing circumstances, he must pick up the pieces and move forward. The story begins in Fairville, Georgia July 1978. Ben initiates a courtship with Wanda Knowlton. His brother, David, is studying to become a chef at the Atlanta Institute of the Arts. His sister, Mary, continues to advance in her own right. In this coming of age story, Ben continues to thrive and manage all that God has saved for him. This book series is not only heartwarming, family focused, and biblically sound. It is full of life lessons and guidance. It is a great educational resource for teenagers to adults. It can easily be utilized in a classroom setting or for those that enjoy personal inspiration. It is a growth opportunity in wisdom and faith. Check it out!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664268944

Jacquelyn B. Smith

Jacquelyn B. Smith is a God-fearing, anointed, gifted, woman of God. She has enjoyed a wonderful life, starting in a small town in Georgia, being raised in the church and Sunday School. She received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Data Processing from Florida A&M University, then was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. While on active duty she earned her Masters of Science Degree in Management from Troy University. After 20 years of military service, she retired as a highly decorated Lieutenant Commander and currently resides in Pensacola, Florida where she is an active member of her church and Christian Education Ministry. Her books are fictional but have a non-fiction appeal. She is a wife, sister, aunt, niece, and a loving and gifted mother to her son, Jeremy.

Book preview

Copyright © 2022 Jacquelyn B. Smith.

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.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents,

organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products

of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

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.

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.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6893-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6895-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6894-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022911126

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/27/2022

This Saved for Ben series is dedicated to my loving and nurturing grandmother, Ora Lee Woods; a second to none mother, Lillie Mae Wood; and my village. My grandmother and mother used every opportunity available to broaden my horizons and instill life changing godly principles in me.

God has connected wonderful people to my journey of spiritual growth. My village consists of those who have prayed, encouraged, and helped me during my journey of academic years, military service, and personal growth whether in Georgia, Virginia, Texas, or Florida. I am forever grateful for their love, support, and endearing friendship. Last but now least, to my son, Jeremy, a precious gift of God, who has inspired me to continue making a difference through writing for those who are willing to trust God.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1     The First Date

Chapter 2     The Argument

Chapter 3     Meeting the Parents

Chapter 4     The Letter

Chapter 5     I Don’t Want to Break Up!

Chapter 6     Holiday Season 1978

Chapter 7     The Grand Opening

Chapter 8     Moving Forward While Giving Back

Chapter 9     The Wedding

Chapter 10   The Honeymoon

1

THE FIRST DATE

W anda had agreed to go out with Ben on Friday and Saturday night. He was elated. He just needed to come up with something fun yet memorable to do. There was a carnival in a nearby town about twenty-five miles away. He did not want to drive the hour and a half back to Macon for entertainment. Finally, he decided that they would go bowling on Friday night and on Saturday, they would go to the carnival.

On Wednesday morning, Ben had a meeting with the Certified Public Accountant, Timothy Stevens. His meeting with the lawyer, Hank Jennings, had been overwhelming, when he found out all the things that his grandfather had left him. During the meeting Mr. Stevens took his time to explain all of the different accounts and what they were used for.

Ben said, As you know I have plans to renovate the building next to the golf shop. Is there money available for the renovation?

Timothy said excitedly, Yes, there is. Your grandfather set up an account for it already. If we need more, we can transfer money from other accounts.

Ben said, I should have known. Grandpa thought of everything.

Timothy agreed, He was constantly thinking of what you would need and making sure it was set aside.

Ben asked, How do you and Mr. Jennings get paid? Is it every time I come to you for help or advice?

Pointing at a ledger, Timothy said, No, we have a monthly fee which is charged to this account. This allows us to help you anytime you need it. Your Grandpa agreed upon this fee before he died. We are happy to serve you.

Ben said, I appreciate it. I just wanted to make sure you were being compensated.

Timothy said, I look forward to working with you. I am excited about the expansion. I tried to get your grandfather to consider renovating some of the old buildings in the city that he owned.

Ben asked, Did he not think it was a good idea?

Timothy said, No, he thought it was a great idea. He just felt he was too old to take it on. When he came to me with the idea of the event center, I was surprised. We had bought that land a long time ago. I was excited to see him pursue the project.

Ben said, I have been thinking about some of the old buildings. There really is nowhere for people to go for entertainment in Fairville. The movie theater closed down about ten years ago.

Timothy said, You are right. Your grandfather also created another account for you. This account is for when you wanted to start some businesses. There is more than enough in there if you want to do something.

Ben said, Again, I should not be surprised. I do want to do something. I would like to open a bowling alley, Putt-Putt golf course, and a movie theater. I think they can be very lucrative.

Timothy asked, That’s a great idea. However, do you understand that we would have to do it under the company name of C&D Enterprises?

Ben said, I understand. What does C&D stand for?

Timothy said, As you know your grandfather’s first name was Charlie. His wife’s name was Doris. That’s where we get the C&D, Charlie and Doris. However, before he died, he told me that he wanted it to reflect Cason and Davis. Mr. Jennings changed all of the paper work to denote Cason and Davis. However, on all documents it says C&D Enterprises.

Ben wiped the tears from his eyes and said, I can’t believe he did that.

Timothy said, He loved you very much.

After getting himself together, Ben said slowly, I was thinking we could use some of the vacant land on Highway 15.

Timothy said, That would be a great site for a bowling alley and an updated movie theater. The movie theater in town is old. It is too small for the cinema-plexes they have today.

Ben asked, What do I have to do to get it started?

Timothy said, I will get with Hank and we will develop a plan for you to review.

Ben asked, In the plan can we do something with the old movie theater? It looks bad.

Timothy said, Yes, we can. We may have to tear it down. I think it is too old to bring up to code anyway.

Ben said, I am concerned that after we build it. How will we manage it?

Timothy said, That is a valid concern. We will have to hire someone to manage it.

Ben said, I don’t want people to steal from me.

Timothy said, You’re right. That is the last thing, we want. We will set up weekly audits and processes which have checks and balances. Don’t worry this is done all of the time.

Ben said, That’s good to know. I am trying to build Grandpa’s legacy, not lose it.

Looking at his calendar Timothy laughed and said, You have some great ideas. Let’s meet again in two weeks. I know you are also meeting with Hank, so on the alternate weeks, let’s meet at eight o’clock in the morning on Wednesdays. Is it OK with you?

Ben said, That would be fine.

Timothy said, Of course, my goal is to make you aware of all of your accounts and what they are used for, and how we can grow this portfolio. Do you know what everything is worth?

Ben said, Yes, Mr. Jennings told me approximately thirty-three million dollars.

Timothy said, Close! It is a little over thirty-five million dollars. You are a very rich man.

Ben said, This is all so hard to believe. I did not know Grandpa had this much money. I thought he only owned the golf shop.

Timothy said, No one in Fairville knew. Did Hank explain to you why we have to keep this a secret?

Ben said, I understand that it is for my protection. Things have changed in Fairville, but this town is still not ready for a twenty-year-old, black millionaire.

Timothy laughed and said, True! Your grandfather was white and eighty-six. Fairville was not ready for him to be a millionaire.

Ben laughed.

Timothy said, Of course, everyone knew he owned the golf shop, but that is all they knew. Did Hank explain to you about the different accounts?

Ben said, Yes, he broke it down into residential rental property, commercial rental property, industrial rental property, various stocks, the golf shop, and the event center. Oh, and he also said that there was about one hundred acres of vacant land throughout the county.

Timothy said, Correct! Over the next few weeks I will explain to you in detail about each of those categories.

Ben said, Thank you. I would also like to donate to my church, New Providence Baptist Church.

Timothy said, No problem! Your grandfather made charitable donations every year. No donation has been made so far this year. Usually he would make at least three a year.

Ben asked, Did he have a certain amount that he donated?

Timothy said, It would range between twenty thousand and twenty-five thousand dollars to each organization.

Ben said, Since no donations have been made so far, I would like to make a seventy-five-thousand-dollar donation to the church.

Timothy said, "I will take care of it. Remember, they will not know that it is