Sumner's Garden

By KC Kendricks

Runaway. Drifter. Andy Pulaski made choices.

 

Fate can rule with a gentle hand, and one bright summer day she deposited Andy Pulaski in Sumnerville. Needing to work to earn enough money to get to the next stop in his journey, Andy hires on with Tom Sumner to help the older man on his homestead. Andy may be a drifter, but he's frequented public libraries and educated himself. He looks at every stop he makes as an opportunity to learn. Things are looking up and Andy may stay longer than the agreed two weeks.

 

Rafe Sumner isn't too happy about his Uncle Tom hiring a scruffy drifter. He's been Tom's helper all his life even if he doesn't always see eye-to-eye with his uncle. He doesn't get along with his mother, either. He knows his father's last name wasn't Sumner and he knows the truth is out there somewhere. He just can't find it.

Andy and Rafe develop a grudging respect for each other while working for Tom. It could be that what they're seeking is right in front of them. All they have to do is look beyond what happens between them at night.

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This work contains sexual situations and is intended for mature readers.

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A special note about Sumner's Garden:

Sumner's Garden is the companion book to Shine A Light. In Shine A Light, Sumner's Garden is the name of the theatre play in which the main character stars.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: White Deer Enterprises/White Deer Books
• Release date: Nov 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223781516

KC Kendricks

KC Kendricks calls herself an accidental writer. After completing her first novel writing as Rayne Forrest, she was urged to submit it to a publisher, and everything snowballed from there. Today, the author has had over seventy books published. In July of 2021, she tried to retire but her employer offered her a deal to work at home. She accepted. Now she balances work, writing, and hearth and home in a controlled chaos. A native of scenic western Maryland, the author enjoys most activities that don’t include snow. In warm weather she might be found walking the dog, biking on the C&O Canal towpath, planting delicacies in her garden for the deer to munch on at night, playing in the creek, or lazing on the patio with her Kindle reader or laptop. She recently began to research her family history and can't drive past a cemetery without stopping to search for family sites. Her mission is to photograph old tombstones before the elements erode the stones and the names are lost to time. For more about KC Kendricks and Rayne Forrest’s writing life, please visit the Between the Keys blog at http:kckendricks.blogspot.com . If you’d like to know more about the author’s country lifestyle and her daily activities full of simple country pleasures (and a lot of work), please visit the Holly Tree Manor blog at http://hollytreemanor.blogspot.com . KC can be reached through her blog, Between the Keys. All comments are strictly moderated by the author and personal messages are treated as such. Follow the author on Twitter for up-to-date announcements at Twitter.com/KCKendricks.

Book preview

Sumner’s Garden

by

KC Kendricks

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This book is a work of fiction. While references to actual places or events may occur, the names, characters, incidents, and locations are from the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to anyone, living or dead, is coincidental.

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Copyright © 2023 KC Kendricks

Cover art © 2023 KC Kendricks

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All rights reserved.

Reproduction of this digital e-book for file sharing or selling, regardless of whether any type of currency is exchanged, other than what the author grants in writing, other than brief excerpts for professional review, is strictly prohibited by law. Piracy is a crime.

With the exception of spell check, no artificial intelligence was used in the creation and editing of this work.

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Thank you for purchasing a legal copy of this work.

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Published in the United States of America.

About Sumner’s Garden

Runaway. Drifter. Andy Pulaski made choices.

Fate can rule with a gentle hand, and one bright summer day she deposited Andy Pulaski in Sumnerville. Needing to work to earn enough money to get to the next stop in his journey, Andy hires on with Tom Sumner to help the older man on his homestead. Andy may be a drifter, but he’s frequented public libraries and educated himself. He looks at every stop he makes as an opportunity to learn. Things are looking up and Andy may stay longer than the agreed two weeks.

Rafe Sumner isn’t too happy about his Uncle Tom hiring a scruffy drifter. He’s been Tom’s helper all his life even if he doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with his uncle. He doesn’t get along with his mother, either. He knows his father’s last name wasn’t Sumner and he knows the truth is out there somewhere. He just can’t find it.

Andy and Rafe develop a grudging respect for each other while working for Tom. It could be that what they’re seeking is right in front of them. All they have to do is look beyond what happens between them at night.

––––––––

_*_*_

This work contains sexual situations and is intended for mature readers.

_*_*_

A special note about Sumner’s Garden:

Sumner’s Garden is the companion book to Shine A Light. In Shine A Light, Sumner’s Garden is the name of the theatre play in which the main character stars.

_*_*_

What they said about  Shine A Light

This is a really nice, solidly written contemporary romance.  It’s an easy read with a satisfying ending that clearly shows the heroes hopes for a wonderful future together. I enjoyed it and recommend it. – Jessewave Reviews

Go ahead and Shine a Light on this sensual and satisfying page turner.  Well written, intriguing characters are the focus.  Van is picking up the pieces, stumbling, in shock from a betrayal he never saw coming and Shane, tender and strong, is the perfect match for Van.  Well paced, with solid secondary characters and the setting is nicely detailed as well.  Shine a Light has steamy moments – hot enough to fog your glasses - and characters you will care about.  Seriously entertaining and totally engaging. – Joyfully Reviewed

Praise for the writing of KC Kendricks

KC Kendricks never disappoints!"—Fallen Angel Reviews

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..beautifully moving in all the right places...KC Kendricks gives us a well-crafted tale- The Romance Studio

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Good to the last word....- Sensual Reads

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...Seriously entertaining and totally engaging...- Joyfully Reviewed

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...solidly written contemporary romance...-Jessewave

Books by KC Kendricks and Rayne Forrest

For current availability, please visit KC’s bookshelf at

https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/the-bookshelf-of-kc-kendricks-and-rayne_3.html

Ian Coulter’s Amethyst Cove Series

Double Deuce

Deuce of Diamonds

Ace, Deuce, Trey

Circle of Steel

Steel Wheels

The Sundown Saga

The Back Stairs

Beneath Dark Stars

River Walk

Moon Dances

Fly By Night

The Southern Cross Series

Netting Neptune

Taming Triton

Poseidon’s Pleasure

Between The Moon and the Deep Blue Sea

Catching Fireflies

The Men of Marionville Series

A Hard Habit to Break

Open Roads

What You Don’t Confess

Your Whisper in the Dark

A Cat Named Hercules

Leather Jackets

Station to Station

Dreams to Sell

The Right Brew

Where There’s Smoke

Bourbon and Blues

Twice Removed From Yesterday

Centerville Muscle

Bored, Stroked and Blueprinted

Memphis

July Heat

Levi & Stacy

Shining Victory

No One But You

––––––––

Single Titles (not part of a series)

A Friendly Neighbor

A Perfect Hire

December Promise

Devilishly Delicious Dane (out of print)

Desert Snow

Doors of Time

Eye of the Beholder

Give Me One Night

Hey, Joe

Highway Nights

Hot August Comes

Kentucky 98 Proof

Lick Me (Must Love Dogs)

Lightning Shifts

Passion’s Victory

Please Use the Door (a ghostly romance)

Ride Your Luck

Riding Against the Wind (sequel to Ride Your Luck)

SABRE

Seducing Light

September Morning

Shine A Light

Sumner’s Garden

Surrendered Victory

Tango in the Night

The Ghost at the B & B

The Quest

Undeniable

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Titles Written as Rayne Forrest

Science Fiction:

A Hero’s Bargain

Across Time

The Curiosity Shoppe

The Skies of Mahdis (out of print)

Science Fiction Series:

The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Kiana

The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Talyss

The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Reza

Futuristic Elements:

After the Sea Sprite Ball

Mischief at Midnight

Money Back Guarantee

Step Into Tomorrow

To Bed a Spy

Paranormal Elements:

Beyond the Night

A Hidden Heaven

Contemporary:

Loving Luke

One Summer

Right From the Start

Table of Contents

About Sumner’s Garden

A special note about Sumner’s Garden:

What they said about  Shine A Light

Praise for the writing of KC Kendricks

Books by KC Kendricks and Rayne Forrest

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

About the Author

Dear Readers,

A bonus read from Shine A Light

Chapter 1

Small towns tend to look alike. They have two main streets lined with shops until you get out a couple of blocks from the square in every direction. Farther out, probably still on the main drag, the fire station, the library, and the park can be found. Go in the opposite direction and you’ll likely find the police station and post office. It doesn’t change much from town to town.

This small town was a bit different. It also had a bus stop about three blocks east of the square. I was the only person disembarking.

I also had the strangest feeling I’d been here before, but I was sure I hadn’t. I’d only started to spend a lot of time in rural areas about two years ago. There was more of opportunities for hired hand work out in the boondocks.

The doors of the coach swished closed behind me and the air brakes squealed with the lack of proper maintenance as the bus driver released the pressure and headed his rig on its journey to where I didn’t care.

What was the name of this town, anyway? I’d already forgotten. I’d spent as much money as I dared on the ticket and tried to give it no more thought. I’d either find some job or the other and work for a few weeks before moving on, or I’d start walking.

But first things first. There was a coffee shop across the street, the Sumnerville Café, and I badly wanted a cup of what I hoped would be a decent dark roast. Once I had that in my hand, I’d mosey to the outskirts of town toward the wooded area I’d spotted on the way in and pitch my tent. With a little luck, there would be a clear creek in the woods.  

It was mid-morning, and the coffee shop was empty except for a single waitress. I walked inside and murmured a polite ma’am in her direction. She nodded and almost smiled, which gave me the confidence to ask the location of the men’s room. She pointed and I thanked her.

Once there, I took care of the obvious and then washed my face and hair as best I could in the tiny sink with the bar of soap provided. I then took a couple of damp paper towels and made a pass over more personal areas of my body. It wasn’t much, but it helped. I combed my dripping hair back from my face, swiped the soap, and wrapped it in a few more paper towels. One of the rolls of toilet tissue had about a third remaining so that went into my backpack, too.

I wasn’t a thief by nature. This was a necessity-driven action. I wondered what the waitress would do if I asked her for a bit of baking soda to brush my teeth. I’d find out soon enough.

I stepped out of the restroom and found a cup of coffee and a Danish in the nearest booth.

The waitress looked me up and down, and I was certain she didn’t miss a thing about me. Sit down and eat that. It’s on the house.

I’d long ago stopped protesting when kindness was offered to me. I slid into the booth, making sure my pack was beneath the table and out of her way. Thank you, ma’am.

Stop with the ‘ma’am’ stuff. My name is Mandy. And no jokes about the song or I’ll dump that coffee on you.

Thank you, Mandy. I wouldn’t presume to offend you even minutely.

Sure, buddy. Now. Do you need help or am I calling the deputy?

I took a sip of coffee, sighed, and patted my heart. That’s good coffee. No need to call the law. I’m harmless.

"Yeah, I’ve heard that before, but I think I believe you. What are you doing in our little town?"

Mandy probably had several of her manicured fingertips on the pulse of the town. If anyone knew if a job could be had, it was her.

This is as far as I could get on the money I had to spend on a bus ticket. Do you know if anyone around here is looking to hire some short-term help?

She studied me for a few minutes. Eat your Danish while I make a phone call. And no, I’m not calling Deputy Ray.

I wolfed down the pastry and checked the location of the back door. If the cops came, it might be through the rear. I had to be ready to bolt in either direction.

What had I gotten myself into now? I should have thanked her, had the coffee and Danish wrapped to go, and gotten the hell out of there – fast.

She came out of the backroom and busied herself at the counter. Her phone rang and she answered and scribbled down something before disconnecting the call. She tore the note off the pad before she walked over to the booth and slid in across from me.

Here’s the deal. Mr. Sumner is looking for someone to help him around his place this summer. He’s an older guy, a bit of a curmudgeon according to some, but he’s offering room and board plus a small wage. He’s willing to take a look at you. She slid the note across the table to me.

I took note of the man’s last name as I was in Sumnerville. Tom Sumner, it read, with a phone number and an address.

I hated it when a little pinprick of hope slipped around my defenses. Hope could kill a man. I turned the paper over.

How about you give me directions on how to get there?

She raised an eyebrow. "How about you call him right now? If he’s interested, he’ll come and throw you in the