The Golden Fork: Love's Stories Series

By Bille Baty

Running out of gas wasn't what I had planned for Christmas Eve and gasoline wasn't all that Gus was delivering. Our chance meeting on a lonely highway leads to a Christmas full of memories, romance, and the understanding of true love. An understanding of how something as small and insignificant as a Golden Fork can change lives forever and remind us that love is given—not taken. Some people say that true love lasts a lifetime. I say that true love lasts forever—and forever never ends...

• Language: English
• Publisher: PhiBlue Publishing
• Release date: Apr 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9798223742791

Bille Baty

Bille loves reading and writing. From Fiction to History to Self-Help. From Romance to Fantasy to Suspense to Humor to Christian Devotional. He enjoys writing series because it allows him to cover "more ground" and really develop the arc. When he isn't writing, he is traveling, hiking, biking, and exploring. He loves to go off the beaten path and find what isn't in the guide—go where no one has gone before. He is a "Birder"— actively watching, listening, and identifying on his quest for 1,000. He is a wannabe amateur archeologist/anthropologist always looking for and appreciating the evidence of our past. One of his greatest joys is to get to a really dark location—away from the city lights—look up into the sky—and be amazed at how GREAT GOD IS!  

Book preview

The Golden Fork

Bille Baty

The Golden Fork is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Text Copyright © 2014 by Bille Baty

All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

For my Lord

...whom have I in heaven but You?

To Melody

...true love is worth waiting for!

Some people say true love lasts a lifetime.

I say true love lasts forever

...and forever never ends

Table of 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

Other Titles by Bille Baty

Chapter 1

Gus

There was an eerie silence as the car coasted to the side of the road. I let it roll as far as I could before putting it into park. I don't know what difference an extra 30 yards made, but I let it roll anyway. I sat there in the dark silence for a few moments, trying to gather myself and my senses and my thoughts, angry that I hadn't stopped for gas at the last exit.

It’s amazing how quickly the inside of a vehicle begins to get cold after the engine isn’t running any longer. Only moments before, I had been so warm and comfortable that I had thrown my jacket into the back seat. Now I was straining to reach it in the farthest reaches of the back passenger seat. Finally, I fished it out of the darkness and quickly put it on. I then retrieved my gloves from the console and putting them on; ran a finger between each finger on the opposite hand, making sure of a secure, tight, snug fit.

My nerves and emotions were subsiding as my adrenaline level dropped and my brain was beginning to regain control of the situation. I was simply out of gas. No big deal. I knew what to do.

As I took out my phone to call one of the travel clubs I belonged to, the darkness was suddenly dispelled by a light so bright, I squinted as I looked into my rearview mirror to see what or who was behind me.

Merry Christmas! cried a big, booming voice almost instantly as the door on the vehicle behind me flung open.

I looked out my side mirror to see a large silhouette approaching my truck against the bright light. I opened my door to step out just as he reached my rear bumper. I don’t know what I was thinking but I figured most robberies don’t begin with ‘Merry Christmas!’ —At least I hoped so.

You OK?

Uhh—yeah, I managed to barely speak as I stood and faced this giant of a man.

I am 6 feet tall and this guy was 6 or 8 inches taller than I am. He was stuffed in a bright orange jumpsuit, two sizes too small, with silver reflective stripes, and he had on an orange and silver cap with ear muffs. The snow was blowing into his eyes but I could see a genuine smile on his clean-shaven face as he stood beside me, illuminated by the lights of his truck.

I ran out of gas and was calling to get roadside assistance.

The swirling wind was now blowing the snow into my face, and with the snow came a strange smell. A smell that was very familiar and at the same time—somehow different. A smell that began evoking memories. Memories of something—somewhere— some time—but as it sometimes happens, memories I couldn't quite remember—not yet.

That’s what I am, he laughed boisterously as he stuck out his gloved hand to shake mine, Roadside Assistance.

But, but I haven’t called yet, I said in bewilderment as I shook his huge hand.

No worries. Saved ya’ the call. It’s Christmas Eve and I’m sure you should be somewhere—else right?

About 30 minutes ago, I agreed in almost a mumble.

Got your love waitin’ on ya, huh?

I gave up on that, years ago, I declared with a mix of sarcasm and sad honesty.

Well let’s get you some gas and get you on your way, he said laughing and turning to go back to his truck.

I was just about to ask, How much will it cost? but I really didn’t care as long as I got off the side of the road and made it to where I was supposed to be.

I’m not sure what kind of lights this guy had on his truck, but I felt like I was on stage somewhere with the brightest spotlight in the world shining right into my eyes. As he walked beyond it, he disappeared into the brightness as if he were performing a magic trick just for me. The illuminated snowflakes falling to the ground seemed to slow in descent as they entered the light, enjoying the chance to briefly sparkle brilliantly, before settling into their place on the ground.

I’m Gus! he exclaimed as he came back into view carrying the largest gas can I’ve ever seen.

I—I just need a gallon or so to get me to the nearest station, I stuttered in bewilderment, still amazed at the size of the can.

Nonsense! he announced. We’ve got enough here to get you where you’re going. Don’t you worry!

Now I understood what was going on. He was going to charge me $20.00 per gallon for however many gallons were inside that behemoth can. That was the gimmick. Stick it to the poor fool who ran out of gas on Christmas Eve. Well, I was onto his trick.

I don’t think I have enough cash for that much gasoline, I quickly said, proud of myself for coming up with such a good excuse.

Gus froze right in front of me. I could feel my nerves and emotions beginning to rise again as he looked me right in the eyes and said, Well, we take credit.

He stood there looking at me for what seemed like an eternity. When he could control it no longer, he burst into the loudest laughter I’m sure I’ve ever heard. Just then, what I know was the loudest horn I’ve definitely ever heard, blasted from behind the light. What was left of my nerves and emotions were shot into outer space as my heart beat