The One That Got Away

By Susanne Marie Knight

New Contemporary Romance! The "one that got away" catches up with twice divorced Chris Chambers twenty six years later. Is it too late to have a happily ever after?

 

RUNNING FROM LOVE

Twice divorced Chris Chambers doesn't believe in a second chance at love... or rather, another chance. She definitely isn't looking for love... or even a quick hook-up. She's very happy where she is at this stage in her life. But at a business convention in Tampa, she comes across an intriguing man she just can't say no to. He seems so familiar. When she realizes Eric is the one that got away twenty-six years ago, or rather her nineteen-year-old self ran from him all those years ago, she does the predictable thing: she runs again. But sometimes, Fate won't be denied. After all, as the old saying goes: third time's a charm.

 

RUNNING TO LOVE

Widower Eric Paulsen has it all: successful career as a medical doctor, two prospering adult children, a gorgeous house overlooking Tampa Bay... what more can he want? True, his nights do get lonely; his assistant, Hildi, imagines herself to be his next wife; and his daughter goes out of her way to help Hildi accomplish that goal. But when he takes a romantic dinner cruise, a birthday present from the smitten Hildi, he spots a woman who peaks his interest on every level. Turning on the charm, he decides Chris is to be his birthday present. The morning after, he discovers Chris is Christine, his first love from so long ago. Living all these years without her, without true love, he's determined to convince Christine to finally become his, and his alone.

 

Praise for THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

 

I'm a sucker for second chance romance stories. Ms. Knight delivers once again in this new contemporary, THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY. We have a couple in their forties who had a bit of a history when they were teens, to finally find themselves together again. Should they take the next step? Will Eric's adult kids give their blessing? Can Christine overcome her two previous failed marriages? Should she and Eric finally commit? Grab your copy and enjoy the ride! 5 Stars!--Norwood Reviews

 

A cute meet at a roller skating ring? A romantic dinner cruise? A possessive office assistant? A persistent medical doctor? All this and more in this poignant love story: THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY. Sometimes our soul mate comes along and we're just not ready for him or her. I could feel Christine's pain at being burned by her two ex-husbands. I teared up at reading about Eric's unfaithful wife. Can these two put aside their fears and become a loving couple? Do yourself a favor: don't let this book get away!--S.G. Reviews

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susanne Marie Knight
• Release date: Mar 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224320684

Susanne Marie Knight

Award-winning author and seven time EPPIE / EPIC eBook Award Finalist Susanne Marie Knight specializes in Romance Writing with a Twist! She is multi-published with books, short stories, and articles in such diverse genres as Regency, science fiction, mystery, paranormal, suspense, time-travel, fantasy, and contemporary romance. Originally from New York, Susanne lives in the Pacific Northwest, by way of Okinawa, Montana, Alabama, and Florida. Along with her husband and family, she enjoys the area's beautiful ponderosa pine trees and wide, open spaces--a perfect environment for writing.

Book preview

Chapter One

This was it; this was the culmination of Chris Chambers’ many years of hard work. At least she hoped so. She fervently hoped so. Her recent move to the frigid environs of Minneapolis, Minnesota—at least it was frigid as compared with the more temperate climes of her native New York City—had yielded the perfect job: executive editor of a small but successful publishing press.

And now, here she was, comfortably seated in the business class section on a plane flying to sunny Tampa, Florida, representing Jadedore Publishing at a business convention. An additional bonus was that once the convention was over, she could visit her nearby retired parents for a few days, and then fly back home.

Mmm, success was sweet, oh so sweet! Five—count ‘em, five!—of her authors had been selected as finalists for the coveted BOOKISH international awards honoring outstanding fiction and non-fiction books. And not only that, but personally, one anthology: The One That Got Away Collection, included her own short story—number five—was also chosen to compete.

Taking a sip of a bloody mary drink, Chris glanced out the airplane window to let her mind drift on the fluffy expanse of endless clouds. She couldn’t help sighing. Yes, life didn’t get much better than this.

Sitting next to her in the aisle seat was Marilynn Adda, Jadedore Publishing’s acquisitions director and Chris’ best friend. Ever since Chris moved to Minneapolis a year ago, she and Marilynn had become as thick as thieves. Chris was even the godmother for Marilynn’s youngest.

At the advanced age of forty-four, almost forty-five, Chris now focused on friends, not family. Sure, she had her parents, who were living a dream life in a small town outside of Tampa, but as for significant others? Nope. No way, no how. Chris had been there, done that. Frankly, two divorces under her belt were two divorces too many.

A shudder traveled through her. Thank heavens those two chapters of her life were finally over. It was way past time for her to move on.

Y’know, I’m really proud of you. Marilynn finished her bloody mary, smacked her lips, and then signaled to the flight attendant for another drink. You have a nose, or maybe I should say an eye, for ferreting out a bestselling novel. And you’ve only been at Jadedore Publishing for a year. Less than that, really.

Happily married—as much as a person could be happily married these days—Marilynn worked hard as the acquisitions director for the company. She was an over-frizzed blonde with premature lines on her long-jawed face. Surprisingly, she was younger than Chris. Almost at the over-the-hill point, as Marilynn liked to phrase it.

Over-the-hill meaning forty.

Being over forty didn’t bother Chris one way or the other. She was who she was, and that was the end of that. She’d learned that lesson during both marriages. Then again, she didn’t have four kids like Marilynn. Regrettably, she didn’t have any, not that being a single mom held any appeal.

Sighing, Chris buried that hurt and turned to her friend. Marilynn had very kindly complemented her so she had to reciprocate.

She adjusted her eyeglasses. Perhaps so, but as the acquisitions director, you’re the one who pulled these jewels from the slush pile.

Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Kiss my butt. But honestly, sweetie, one of your short stories is in the collection up for the BOOKISH award. That’s all on you. Plus, you’re as gorgeous as a Hollywood actress. Blue-grey eyes to die for, mocha chocolate hair, as slim as Audrey Hepburn but still curvy. Marilynn waved her hand in front of her face. Woof!

Chris couldn’t help herself; she blushed.

Marilynn kept going with her praise. "My personal favorite in our anthology, The One That Got Away Collection, is your contribution. I absolutely love it. Number five. It’s perfect; y’know, not too many authors can pen a short story of only 750 words."

Perhaps. Chris tried to be cavalier about it, but what Marilynn said was correct. Telling a complete story in just a few words was extremely difficult.

Marilynn flashed her eyes at Chris. Tell me, the story’s true, isn’t it? I mean you wrote it under your real name, C.C. Chambers.

Chris’ real name now was C.C. Chambers. Her birth name was Christine Cora Niles. Hubby number one had it changed to Chris Georges. Hubby number two made it Chris Chambers. Even though she’d been divorced from number two for three years, she kept the last name. It had a nice ring to it.

She shrugged. Thanks. I guess the story is real. Mostly, anyway. We were both nineteen. His name wasn’t Rick, but yep, he did help me find my orthotic inserts that I’d left in my rented roller skates.

So romantic! Marilynn clapped her pudgy hands. I’m gonna read it again.

And so she pulled out her copy of the anthology and read it aloud.

Selection 5: THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

By C.C. Chambers

AT NINETEEN, I THOUGHT I knew everything about life. At nineteen, my knight-in-shining-armor thought he did, also. Maybe that’s why we fell so hard and fast for each other. Maybe, after a time, that’s why we found it so easy to say goodbye.

Looking back on all those years ago, I can see that Rick and I really weren’t suited. He thought I was everything a girlfriend could and should be: perfect, friendly, sexy, and with eyes only for him. As for me, I was petrified that one day he would find out that I wasn’t any of those things. That I was a fraud: just a scared, timid rabbit easily influenced by others of the male persuasion.

But I digress. Let’s talk about our cute meet: Friday night roller-skating at the not-too-far-away rink. Or rather, not-too-far-away by car. On foot, it was a bit of a hike for me. At that time I didn’t drive; none of my girlfriends did. With public transportation galore, there was no need. We were all used to walking so the distance was no big deal. And, since wine was on the premises for those over eighteen, we had no fears about having a paper cup or two of the alcoholic stuff.

The night was very young... and so was I, especially juiced up with the grape of the vine. My three friends and I skated and flirted and yep, fell down on our butts more often than not. That’s where I saw Rick for the first time, sitting on my butt in the middle of the rink floor. He came to an abrupt stop by my side and very gallantly held out his arm for me to take hold of.

Of course I giggled like crazy but, now on my feet, I politely thanked him. Then I ruined the effect by quickly skating away to have a laugh riot with my friends.

Not too mature of me, but hey, let’s just say he wasn’t repulsed.

During the evening he and I would find ourselves next to each other as we skated and, yep, it was a foregone conclusion that at the end of the session, he asked to exchange phone numbers.

Happy to comply, I then said goodbye and sailed out of the skating rink into the cool night air as if I conquered the world... only to feel my stomach then plummet to the ground. I suddenly realized I’d left my expensive custom-made orthotic inserts in the rented skates that I’d just turned in.

With a mad scramble, I dashed back inside and pleaded my case with a couple of indifferent rink employees. Finally, I was told I could look through the rented skates myself.

Oh, thank goodness, thank goodness, thank...

Yuck! A mountainous stack of heavy, smelly roller skates and roller blades waited for me to sort through them. Instead of the workers putting the skates back into their boxes, the boots were thrown into a pile, one on top of the other.

And I had to stick my hand in each boot... one at a time.

Mentally holding my nose, I did put my hand in, over and over again. Then, unexpectedly, standing by my side was my knight-in-shining-armor, asking if he could help. Rick had no idea what I was looking for, but he gamely inserted his hand into the foul smelling mass of skating rink boots.

Even then I knew that Rick was a keeper. Once I finally found my inserts—yay!—he offered to drive me home in his father’s car. So I said yes and he did, and once we reached the dead-end street where I lived, he parked. No surprise: we made out for a bit. I mean, I owed him. Back at the rink, he bravely stuck his hands into the jaws of death... well, almost, anyway.

Besides, I still had a buzz from the wine and, after all, I was nineteen.

Our idyllic fairytale together lasted three months. I’m not sure why, exactly, we broke up. Was it him? No, I really think it was me. All I remember is that he mentioned he wanted to be a gynecologist... and oh boy, I think I ran in the opposite direction!

But, sure, Rick was the one that got away. Sometimes I wonder even now if he got his degree and is happily... well, you know. Then again, I also wonder if he ever thinks of me.

MARILYNN SIGHED. MY Adrian would’ve never even worn rented roller skates, let alone stick his hand in some stranger’s boot. He has a germ phobia, y’know. It’s a wonder we have four kids, right?

Chris found herself blushing again. Well, you have a lovely family. Your kids are terrific.

"Huh. That’s what you think. Tell you what, you can have one of mine. Or take two; take the twins. Please! Oof da! I’m so looking forward to this break from the chaos. Four whole days of peace."

Laughing, Chris settled back in her seat. Let’s start our ‘vacation’ right now. It’s a three-hour flight and a one-hour time change to Tampa so we’ll arrive around five o’clock. I’m going to try to get some sleep.

Not me, Marilynn vehemently replied. I think I’m gonna watch an X-rated movie! Live a little, yeah? Maybe I can teach Adrian some new tricks.

Blushing once again—and she didn’t have the excuse of the Tampa sunshine for the redness—Chris mumbled, That’s too much information.

Sometimes her friend chafed under the yolk of her respectable long-time marriage.

Well, Marilynn, you enjoy your quiet time your way, and I’ll enjoy mine. Later on tonight we have to be professionally on.

On? What do you mean?

You know, the world’s largest book signing, as it’s touted, is scheduled to start tonight at our hotel. Authors, and of course, us as vendors, will be setting up our promotional displays and also will be on display—selling Jadedore Publishing’s services. After we drop off our luggage in our rooms and have a bite to eat, we can then hurry downstairs to get our tables ready for tonight’s onslaught of voracious readers.

Yeah, right, don’t remind me. Marilynn wrinkled her finely shaped nose. But then again, maybe I’ll meet Mr. Where-Have-You-Been-All-My-Life who’ll then spirit me away to his castle on the Bay.

Chris snuggled in next to the window. I certainly hope not. You’ll miss your kids like crazy.

With that thought, she removed her eyeglasses and stuffed them back into her handbag. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes. She hadn’t planned on keeping an eye on her friend, or playing chaperon but maybe she’d have to. Perhaps for Marilynn Adda, thirty-nine was a dangerous age... for foolishness and lack of discretion.

With a sigh, Chris pulled out a donut pillow and settled against the window. Hopefully she could sleep, even if it would be a restless sleep.

Frankly, it was a good thing she was well past the age of youthful indiscretions.

DOCTOR ERIC MARCUS Paulsen, board certified internist with a subspecialty of hospital medicine, stood by his office window and stared out at the majestic palm trees lining Tampa General Hospital’s parking lot. With his hands in his chino pants pockets, he leaned against the window frame and watched streams of people—patients, staff, visitors—scurry back and forth from parked cars to the hospital entrance, over and over again.

No matter the day, no matter the time, there were always a few restless souls wandering in and around the parking lot. Then again, inside those walls a myriad of loved ones received care. Sometimes to await healing; sometimes to await their final journey.

Blinking, Eric then shook his head. Geez, he was morbid today. Then again, tomorrow he’d turn forty-five. Forty-bloody-five. That felt odd. He felt odd. It was like he was at a crossroads in his life.

Sitting at his large mahogany desk, he flipped through his notes on the appointments scheduled for today. He had a full load ahead of him. If he knew what was good for him, he’d ditch the melancholy and concentrate on being a cheerleader for his patients.

Since he usually was all business, all the time, he stopped complaining and got to work.

In the middle of analyzing blood results for his two o’clock, he heard a soft rapping at his door.

Hildi. No one else on his staff had perfected that quiet yet persistent knock.

C’mon in, Hildi, he called out.

Hildi Opperguard, nurse, assistant, and trusted confidant, tiptoed in and closed the door behind her. She wore her white lab coat well; actually, no matter what she wore, she looked elegant.

She’d been with him for eleven years; helped him through his wife Ester’s death ten years ago. Even helped babysit Brent and Katie on occasion. Of course both his kids were adults now. Brent was working on his Master of Science degree at Columbia University, New York, and Katie was a senior at the University of Miami.

Although Hildi had never said anything, he knew she fancied herself to be the next Mrs. Paulsen. Not that he ever fanned that particular flame. Not that it would ever happen.

No. One marriage had been quite enough.

Hildi, have a seat. He gestured toward the two comfortable armchairs in front of his desk. Can I help you with something?

She gave a little smirk of a smile. With her silver-blonde hair and high cheekbones, she always reminded him of a precocious puppet.

So, Eric, you know we’re having a little office party for your birthday tomorrow.

He huffed a sigh. There’s no need for that, but sure, it’s in the afternoon.

She settled her manicured hands in her lap. I, um, wanted to do something special for your forty-fifth. So, I’ve arranged for you, me, Doctor Tiller, and Gail to take a dinner cruise. We’ll nibble on appetizers, have a cocktail or two, enjoy a gourmet meal and good conversation. And, we’ll watch the sunset off of Tampa Bay.

He couldn’t help blinking. Staring at Hildi, he blinked again.

That sounds... He wanted to say romantic, but hell, he didn’t want Hildi to get the wrong idea.

Stalling, he glanced out his window to steady his thoughts, then he turned back around to Hildi. That sounds like... fun. Is Jed on board with this?

Jed Tiller was the other internist associated with Sunshine Healthcare. Always busy, Jed never seemed to have time for anything other than work. He was single, just as Eric was but five years younger. Gail Dumont played Nurse Nancy to Jed’s Doctor Dan. 

Oh yes, Hildi eagerly nodded her head. I discussed this with him three weeks ago. And I made sure your schedule was free for tomorrow night. We’ll be sailing on the StarShine Royale, with boarding at 7:00 pm and dinner at 8:00.

Having his evening arranged for him wasn’t something Eric particularly liked but truth be told, the thought of a dinner cruise was appealing. And, after all, he