

Blindsided by Love

Book One

The Preston's Series

By Anne Marie Beck

After battling Dyslexia for most of my life, I've seen my dream of becoming an author come true. It wouldn't have been possible, if not for the love and support of my wonderful family and friends.

Because I am not an editor, I hope you will forgive the grammar errors; occasional you may encounter, while reading and will just enjoy the actual story line.

HAPPY READING

Anne Marie

All authors work hard. Please remember this eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Other titles by Anne Marie Beck

The Preston's Saga

Blindsided By Love

A Wedding Melody

Cruising For Love

Love at Lunch

Hero of My Heart

Love Wears a Stetson Series

Wyatt

Jesse

Carson

Josh

Cowboys of the Northwest Series

Match Made in Heaven

Never Say Never

Double or Nothing

Good Guys Don't Always Finish Last

His Snow Angel

The Halfling Kings Series

The Halfling Kings

Tropical Escapes Series

Tropical Escape

Tropical Breeze

Coming Soon

Tropical Storm

Series Box Sets

The Preston's

Love Wears a Stetson

Cowboys of the Northwest

Stand-alone Books

Secrets of the Full Moon

The Story of Us
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

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Epilogue

Book Preview: A Wedding Melody

Book Preview: The Story of Us

Blindsided by Love

Book One

The Preston's Series

By Anne Marie Beck

Published by Anne Marie Beck at Smashwords.com

Copyright 02/2012 Anne Marie Beck

Chapter 1

"No Steve, just a little bit higher on your side. Just a little bit more. A tad more. That's good, right there."

I stood back and admired my very own grand opening sign and smiled.

Well, Emma Reese, you are now officially a business owner.

I stood there proudly admiring the banner that read:

Grand Opening

Bright and Early Bakery & Espresso

Immediately, the sign made my thoughts wander to my grandmother. Both of my parents had been killed in a terrible car accident, when I was five only. So my sweet Gram's took over as both father and mother to me. She had been my only family for twenty-five years until cancer took her away from me last year. Now, she was gone from me forever. I made the decision six months ago to make a fresh start with my life. That fresh start came in the form of opening my own business.

Boxing up my life, I made the move from Wenatchee, Washington to the nearby smaller community of Chelan.

"Thank you both, so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate all your work on this project."

Jared Scott climbed down from his ladder that he had been using to hang the sign on and gave me a big friendly smile.

Jared was such a sweet guy. He was the co-owner of the local construction company called "Scott and Son." Jared and his foreman Steve Walker had generously volunteered to put up my grand opening banner for me.

Looking over to the other ladder, I noticed Steve was still standing on his own ladder. He was looking at me expectantly.

"What's up, Steve?"

"I'm just waiting to see if you want me to move it up a little more?"

He paused and then gave me a friendly chuckled.

"Emma. If you want, I have a level in my truck, if you want me to use that?"

"Funny, Steve. No, it looks great just as it is. Thank you so much for doing this for me. I'm sure you had better things to do with your Saturday afternoons. I'm sorry to be so picky, but I just want everything to be perfect for the grand opening. Would you both like to come inside for a fresh apple turnover and espresso?"

Steve stepped down the ladder and walked over by Jared before replying.

"Emma that sounds great. I could use a strong cup of coffee...oops excuse me "espresso.""

Jared started laughing and slapped Steve on the back in a teasing manner."

"You're just afraid to go home and look at your honey-do-list is all, Steve. I'm sure glad I'm still single."

Walking them both inside my somewhat disorganized bakery. I directed them to the only table that had been set up so far. The bakery was a work in progress but was quickly coming together. It would be all ready for business by the grand opening, Monday morning.

"The apple turnovers were fresh out of the oven, about twenty minutes ago. I had to test out the ovens to make sure everything was working okay, before Monday morning. They're really yummy and should still be warm too. I use my grandmother's special recipe. I promise you'll love them. I'll even pack up the leftovers for you both to take home."

Walking around the counter and I turned back towards Jared and Steve.

"What type of espresso would you both like? The menu doesn't go up until tomorrow, but we have mochas, lattés, Americanos, espressos, etc.... so name your poison gentlemen."

Jared stood there in thought for a few moments, before answering my question.

"I think I'll have a French vanilla latté and make it whatever size you want. Thanks, Emma."

We both looked towards Steve, in expectation. He looked a little confused.

"What is just an ordinary cup of coffee? I don't want none of them fancy dancy flavors in it?"

Jared and I both started to laugh at his comment.

"Steve, if you want black coffee, then that's an Americano. Do you want cream and sugar with that?"

"No, black is okay with me, thanks."

I set about making our three drinks, then plated up three turnovers. I divided the remaining nine turnovers into two-to-go containers for Jared and Steve to take home.

Lifting the tray of goodies, I made my way back over to the table. After placing everyone's order in front of them, I took my seat.

Holding my breath, I watched nervously as Jared take his first bite of his turnover and then a sip of his latte. I about jumped out of my chair with excitement, when a huge smile spread across his handsome face.

"This is fantastic Emma. I'm definitely bringing my cousins with me Monday morning to the Grand Opening. Those guys are huge coffee drinkers and they can never turn down anything sweet either."

As we sat and ate our turnovers and sipped our coffees, the two men updated me on some of the local in issues and how much the area had grown over recent years.

Soon the conversation turned towards Jared and his home on Lake Chelan.

"Thirty-five hundred feet is just way too big for only me. So I decided to put it on the market a few months ago. But with the real estate market down the way it is, I don't expect for it to sell anytime soon."

I had to wonder why a single man would by thirty-five hundred square foot home, in the first place. But since I didn't know Jared that well, I didn't bother to inquire.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Sunday morning, with the help of my only full-time employee, Sarah Parker, we put the bakery together.

We arranged the four small bistro tables against the wall and then placed two matching chairs at each of those tables. In the center of what serves as a dining area, we placed three square shaped tables that had four chairs each. We then topped each table with matching red gingham checked tablecloths and daisy floral arrangements, that were placed in mason jars. The bakery was actually coming together with that cheery country kitchen feel. It was just like my Gram's kitchen, warm and inviting.

After the menu had gone up into place on the wall behind the order counter, Sarah went to Burger Hut and picked us up some lunch. When Sarah returned, she set out our lunch of cheeseburgers, fries and diet cola.

"So Emma, what do we have left to do today?"

"We need to clean the glass on the pastry display cases, line the inside of the cases with those paper lace doilies I bought in Wenatchee Friday, then we need to stack the cups, lids, etc.... After that, all we need to do is make sure all the syrups, coffee and milks are stocked up and then we should be done."

"Well, that didn't take us long at all."

"No, it didn't. Oh, before I forget, I'll be here at three o'clock in the morning to make the pastries. Kendra, the part-time person I hired last week, will be here at five o'clock to help with whatever early-morning customers we have. I have you scheduled for six o'clock, but if you could come in a few minutes, early that would be great. I just don't know how busy we'll be in the morning, Sarah. I probably could use some help with the baking, just until we get into some type of routine."

"Emma, that's not a problem. You sure you don't want me here at five o'clock, just in case it's busy?"

"No, we should be good, but keep your cell phone close just in case."

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Living in a one-bedroom apartment above the bakery, made for an extremely short work commute. Taking the back stairs through the kitchen area, I arrived at the bakery at two-forty five Monday morning. Since I was too nervous to stay up in my apartment any longer, I figured I'd get a slight jump on the baking.

Once I had put the third batch of apple turnovers into the oven, I made short work of the blueberry scones. It was only three-forty five and I was making pretty good time. When at last the baking was done it was only four-forty, so I treated myself to a large mocha with an extra shot. Mochas are all of my vices rolled into one sinful delight. Chocolate and coffee, how can you go wrong?

Kendra arrived a few minutes before five o'clock and I showed her where to keep her purse and jacket. When it was finally time to open, I walked to the front door and turned the sign.

Thankfully, Sarah arrived early at five-forty five am and began working the order counter. This gave me a chance to put a few more dozen apple turnovers into the oven. They seemed to be the most popular of all the pastries, this morning. After finishing the prep of the turnovers, I returned to the front, where the line had already started to appear at the order counter.

Kendra and Sarah were really doing exceptionally well. I was extremely pleased with their performances and their charming personalities. They look very professional in their black pants, white button-down shirts and red aprons.

It was just after seven o'clock when Jared Scott walked into the bakery with two extraordinarily handsome men. The trio walked up to the order counter and gave me similar charming smiled.

"Hello gentlemen, what can we get for you today?"

All three looked up at the menu, then began talking amongst them for a moment.

"Emma, we'll have two large French vanilla lattés, one large mocha and three apple turnovers."

I turned and called in the order then turned back to the men in front of me.

"Emma I would like to introduce you to my cousins, Will and Grant Preston."

I shook their hands.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I hope you enjoy your espressos and apple turnovers."

Just then, the bell above the door jingled. Looking up, I saw a gorgeous dark blonde haired man enter the bakery. He had to be at least six foot Two and weighed at least two hundred pounds. He was dressed in athletic sweats that read CHS and had a cougar under the letters. He walked over to Jared and his cousins, then spoke only to Will and Grant.

"I thought you two were going to wait for me to get here?"

Will looked at the newcomer, then towards Jared, who was wearing a pained expression on his face.

"We didn't think you'd show up, sorry Marc."

Jared never made eye contact with the newcomer named Marc, in fact, he looked downright uncomfortable. Grant looked at me and smiled, before he made the introductions.

"This is our eldest brother, Marcus. Marc this is Emma, the owner of Bright and Early."

Marc gave me a killer smile that should be illegal and offered me his hand.

"Hi Emma, it's a pleasure to meet you and please call me Marc. No one calls me Marcus, but my mother. I teach boys P.E. and I'm also the varsity football coach at the high school."

"Brag much...there, Marc"

Marc shot his little brother a dirty look. From the looks of it, comments like the last one was the norm, for Will. Ignoring Will's comment, I returned his smile and shook his large hand.

"It's really nice meeting you, Marc."

Kendra called out Jared's order and Jared and his cousins walked over to retrieve their order.

I couldn't miss Jared asking Kendra to make his turnover and Latte' to go because he had to get to the construction site.

When I looked back at Marc, he was also watching Jared. There was no way to miss the sadness that was so clearly in his eyes. Clearing my throat, I drew his away from something that was obviously painful.

"Marc, what can I get for you today?"

Looking up at the menu, he responded to my question half-heartedly.

"I'll have an apple turnover and a large mocha with an extra shot."

Ah, a man after my own heart.

The bell above the front door jingle and I watched Jared walk out the door. Jared had been acting strange ever since Marc had walked in. They must have some sort of issue with each other. When I turned my attention back to Marc, he was still looking at me. I called in his order and handed him his receipt.

"Emma, if the delicious smell in this bakery is any indication as to how my apple turnover will taste, then you'll have a customer for life."

"Thank you, I hope you enjoy it, their made from my grandmother's recipe."

Marc's order was called.

"I'm sure I will."

Marc joined his two brothers at the center table. I couldn't help but notice Marc watching me out of the corner of his eyes as I waited on the next few customers. After about twenty minutes, the three brothers got up from the table and made their way to the door. Will and Grant gave me a little wave and a quick goodbye. It was Marc that caught my attention. He gave me one of his illegal smiles.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Emma."

Then he walked out the door to join his brothers on the sidewalk, in front of the bakery.

By one o'clock, Sarah and I were both totally exhausted. We started our final cleaning for the day and closed on time at two o'clock.

Today, well it had been more than what I could have ever expected for my first day of business. Walking into my apartment, I went over and flopped down on the couch. After removing my shoe's, I took a moment to rub my aching feet, before propping my feet up on the coffee table in front of me. Taking a deep breath, I allowed the tension to slowly drain from my body. The more I relaxed, the more my thoughts turned towards the yummy high school football coach. Over and over in her mind she kept seeing him watching her out of the corner of his eye.

Emma, why do you care if he was watching you or not. Focus girl...you have a business to run. The last thing you need is a man in your life. Besides he isn't your type.

Great now she was lying to herself, because deep down, she knew that Marc Preston was definitely her type.
Chapter 2

After a week and a half, the word was out. Bright and Early was a success! In fact, the bakery was so busy, I was forced to hire two more part-time employees, Carly and Heather. Also, I promoted Sarah to baking, four days per week. The mornings were extremely active but slowed down typically about ten o'clock.

I saw Jared, Will and Grant, normally a few times per week. Will had informed me that he was becoming addicted to my apple turnovers.

My biggest surprise was Marc. He came in almost every morning and ordered his usual large mocha, with an extra shot. I thought to myself once again that he was definitely a man after my own heart. Marc was always polite and charming, when we spoke. But, I couldn't shake the feeling there was something up with him. It was almost like I made him nervous. Why would a man as big as Marc, be afraid of me?

It was Thursday, eleven days after our Grand Opening, when Will came into the bakery to get his (in his own words) apple turnover fix. He took a seat at the bistro table, closest to the order counter. He had only been seated for a few moments before Marc came in. He said hello to Will and he walked straight to the order counter and me, to place his order.

"Hi Emma, how are you today?"

"I'm great. Do you want your usual order, or do you want to jazz it up with an apple turnover?"

"You know me so well, Emma. I'll take the usual, plus an apple turnover."

"Marc, do you know why I can remember your drink order? Because that is the same type of mocha, I drink."

"Well, what are the chances of that?"

We both started laughing at the odd coincidence, when Will walked up behind Marc. He placed his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Hey Marc, can I have a word with you?"

"Will, if you're going to start in on me again, you can just forget it. You know why I can't, that's the end of the discussion."

Will rolled his eyes at his older brother.

"Marc, I found out some information that you need to know about. If you won't listen to what I'm trying to tell you and just do it, already, then I will."

Marc glared at him. "The hell, you will!"

"Guys, is everything okay? Marc, did you know that Kendra just called your order?"

Marc glared at Will again, before answering me.

"Yeah, everything's okay Emma, thanks.

I wasn't real sure about that. Will leaned on the counter and looked at me with a smug smile.

"I'm sorry, Emma, we'll take this discussion to my table."

Marc walked over to the pickup counter and retrieved his order. Will was still standing at the counter in front of me, when Marc walked by and grabbed hold of Will's arm and almost dragged him backward towards the small table, he had been sitting at.

I swear, Will was trying not to laugh at his older brother's action. They were both sitting at the table and I noticed that Marc looked mad, Will looked...well he looked greatly amused by something.

What the heck was going on with those two, any?

After a few minutes of what looked like a heated conversation, Will stood up, smirked at Marc and started walking toward the counter where I was standing. He had only made it a step or two before Marc stood up and grabbed Will's arm.

"Fine, fine, fine, I'll do it. Just sit down!"

Will sat down with that ever-present smirk that I now associated with him. Marc walked over to me and looked around nervously.

"Emma, do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Of course not Marc, what is it?"

He shot a dirty look over his shoulder at Will, before he took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Emma, would you have dinner with me Saturday night?"

I just stared at him blankly for a few seconds. Then, before I realized what I was doing, I answered his question.

"Yes, I would really like that."

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Will stood up, gave me a little wink and wave goodbye before he addressed his brother.

"Marc, I'll talk to you later,"

With that, he walked out the door.

"What was that all about, anyway? You're not going out with me on a dare or anything are you, Marc?"

"No, of course not Emma, I've wanted to ask you out for a while now, but I just didn't want to step on Jared's toes."

I just stared at him for a minute, totally confused about what he had just said.

"What do you mean step on Jared's toes? You think I'm interested in Jared? Marc, we're only friends. He's never asked me out or anything. I mean, I like Jared and he's a good looking guy, but he isn't the man I'm interested in."

"Well, if he isn't the guy you're interested in; then who is?"

I turned red from head to toe and looked down at the counter. I just couldn't look him in the eye when I told what I had to say.

"You're the man I'm interested in."

He looked about as shocked by my answer as I was by his question.

"Me?"

I nodded my head.

"Emma, when I stop by in the morning, we'll work out the details about Saturday, okay. I have to get to work before I have twenty, fifteen-year-olds tearing up the gym."

I gave him my biggest smile and he returned it with one of his own.

"I'll see you in the morning, okay Emma."

"You have a good day, Marc."

Marc picked up his coffee cup off the table, gave me a little wave and walked out the door.

I looked up to see Sarah with a concerned look on her face.

"Emma, what was that all about?"

"I'm not really sure. Will and Marc just had some type of disagreement or something, I'm not positive though. I have some exciting news to share, though. Marc asked me to go out to dinner with him on Saturday."

"That's wonderful, Emma. You know how charming those Preston brothers are and let's not forget totally gorgeous."

I actually giggled and Sarah joined in.

"That's the understatement of the year. Sarah, you've had your eye on a special Preston man yourself."

She blushed and looked away.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

I laughed and she blushed even more.

"Oh please, I'm not blind Sarah. I see how you look at Grant Preston. Your whole face lights up when he walks in."

"Kind of like the way your face lights up when Marc walks in the door, Emma?"

I rolled my eyes at her and sighed.

"Alright, I'll admit it. I have it bad for Marc Preston. Even though getting involved with a man right now is the last thing I should be doing. I'm sorry, but I can't help myself, he's totally irresistible."

A customer walked up and we had to postpone our talk about how sexy the Preston men were, until later.

A short while later, the doorbell jangled. I turned and saw Jared walk thru the door, with Steve following close behind him.

"Hi Emma, we're waiting on supplies to be delivered, so Steve suggested we get an apple turnover fix."

"You've been talking to Will haven't you? Did you want coffee with those turnovers?"

He laughed and shot a look at Steve.

"Yeah, that sounds good, I'll have a large French vanilla latte and Steve will have a large Americano with no....what is it you called it Steve, no fancy dancy flavors?"

We both busted out laughing, as Steve gave us both a disapproving look.

"Would it kill people to call black coffee, black coffee?"

We laughed even harder at him.

Once our laughter had slowed down, I turned in the order.

When I was finished with the purchase. I saw my chance to get a little information from Jared about what Marc had asked me earlier.

"Jared, can I talk to you about something?"

Kendra called out Jared and Steve's order.

"Jared, I'll go pick up our order and find us a table."

Jared nodded his head and Steve walked off to the pick-up window.

I motioned for Jared to follow me as I led him into the kitchen area.

"Jared, is there some issue between you and Marc? I'm not asking to be nosy. But earlier, Will kind of pressured Marc into asking me out. But Marc didn't want to because he was afraid he would be stepping on your toes. I think Marc likes me, but he is afraid of upsetting you. Why?"

Jared ran his hand thru his hair and took a deep breath.

"Emma, a while back, something happened between Marc and me. I was and idiot and asked Brittany, a girl I had been dating for only a few months, to marry me. But soon after, I found out through local gossip, that she had been sleeping around on me. During this time, I also found out that Marc had a new girlfriend, but I just hadn't met her yet. I went over to Marc's one day, to return some movie's I had borrowed and guess who was there. Brittany. I lost it and said some things I shouldn't have. After the fact, I found out he didn't even realize I was dating her let alone engaged to her. But the damage had already been done. I said things to him that I can never take back.

That day you had your grand opening was a real eye opener to me and I'm embarrassed by my own behavior that day. It made me stop to think and I have decided that we were both victims, in this whole matter. I've made up my mind that I'm not going to lose my cousin over something that was neither of our fault. I just don't think Marc has gotten over it yet. I wish he would just talk to me about it, but instead, he acts like I don't even exist."

"Oh my God, that's terrible, Jared. I'm so sorry, you both had to go thru that. Well, that explains why he didn't want to ask me out. He thought that you were interested in me and he didn't want to upset you. I'm sorry I brought up such a touchy subject, Jared. Thank you for telling me, though."

Jared gave me a weak smile.

"I'm going to head back out front. I hope that answered all of your questions."

Jared started walking out of the kitchen then stopped and turned towards me.

"Emma, I think Marc needs someone like you to help him heal. He needs to learn to trust again and I think you're just the person to do it.

I patted him on the arm.

"Thank you, Jared. But you know what I think, I think you need some to help you heal as well."

He nodded his head as we walked back into the dining area. Jared didn't say anything else about the subject as he joined Steve at their table.

I felt terrible about bring up such a painful subject for Jared. Gone was his normal happy go lucky mood and now he sat at the table looking so sullen. How could treat not one, but two wonderful me like this Brittany had. There was a woman somewhere out there for Jared, and hopefully she would give him the happiness he so deserved.

The rest of the day was slow, so I went up to my apartment and got caught up on the bakery's paperwork. As I sat there staring at my receipts, my mind wandered. The vision of a very handsome football coach came to mind. The same man I had a date within just two short days. I knew if I wasn't careful, I could lose my heart to Marc Preston and that just couldn't happen. I had lost too much this past year. I couldn't afford to lose my heart, as well.
Chapter 3

Friday morning, I was a bundle of nerves. I was constantly watching the clock on the bakery wall. Was it broke? It was a busy morning, so the time should have been just flying by. It had seemed like forever before it was finally time for Marc to show up. After five agonizing minutes, Marc finally walked thru the door and walked straight towards me.

"Good morning, Marc."

"Good morning, Emma. How are you today?"

Half a dozen responses crossed my mind at that moment. I was feeling scared, terrified and embarrassed to name just a few.

Instead, I responded with a cheerful.

"Terrific, how are you?"

"Great, now that I'm here and talking to you."

He flashed me one of his knee melting smiles and looked around the bakery.

"I wanted to talk to you, about dinner tomorrow night?"

Here it comes, I thought, he's going to cancel. I just knew it.

"Is Italian okay, or would you like something else?"

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"I love Italian. That would be great."

He had a look of relief on his face, as well.

"Wonderful, I'll make reservations. Will seven work for you? I'll have to pick you up at six o'clock since the restaurant is in Wenatchee?"

"That works for me, Marc. What should I wear? Is it causal or is it a fancier restaurant?"

He thought for a moment.

"It's a nicer restaurant."

"Wonderful, I have the perfect dress to wear."

We talked for several more moments until a customer walked up behind him. Marc placed his usual order and I called it in, but didn't ring it up. He looked at me strangely.

"You didn't have to do that, Emma. I want to pay for my drink."

No Marc, you're a really good customer. I'm having beverage cards made up Monday, so you're just getting a jump start on it."

I gave him a wink. He just chuckled.

"Okay, since you're having cards made Monday. I'll allow it."

I heard Carly call out Marc's order. He started to walk over to the pick-up counter, but he turned slightly and looked over his shoulder.

"I'll see you tomorrow night, Emma. You have a good day."

"You too Marc, I'll see you then."

Friday was dragging on it seemed? Finally, one o'clock arrived. I helped Carly clean up and stock everything for the next day. When my work day ended, I headed for my apartment to do the bakery daily paperwork. After the paperwork had been done, I decided to heat up my leftover homemade macaroni and cheese for an early dinner.

Walking into my bedroom, I opened my closet and remove the outfit I had chosen for the date with Marc, the next night. It was a form fitting, dark blue satin dress, with a squared lower cut neckline. I placed it on the shower rod. There were only a few small wrinkles in it, so it should be wrinkle free by tomorrow evening.

I heard the microwave ding, letting me know my dinner was done. Removing my work uniform, I retrieved my favorite fleece pants that were a soft, comfy, black fleece with adorable fluffy white bunnies on them. I paired it with and white T-shirt.

While I sat at my small kitchen table eating, I tried to think of something fun to do with the rest of the day. There was laundry, but that didn't sound like fun to me. Maybe watching one of my new DVD's would be fun, but that didn't appeal to me either. What I wanted was to be around people. Then an idea popped into my head.

I could go to the football game tonight, at the high school. Students were talking about it, this morning. I'm sure they said it started at seven o'clock. This had nothing to do with wanting to see Marc. Yeah right, nothing to do with Marc. How could I sit here and continually lie to myself so easily?

It was three-fifteen now, so that gave me plenty of time to take a shower and get around. I took out a pair of blue jeans and my white cable knit sweater and laid them on the bed before I picked up my terry cloth bathrobe and headed for the shower.

I adjusted the temperature, disrobed and stepped into the hot water. Standing under the relaxing stream, I let it unwind my tired muscles. Getting up at two o'clock in the morning was taking its toll on me. My body was totally exhausted.

As I stepped into my bedroom, I gazed down at my toe nails. Man, I really needed a pedicure. Almost an hour later, I was very pleased with the end results. After all the clipping, buffing and polishing was done. They were a hot pink and looked pretty cute if I do say so myself.

It was almost five o'clock and I wanted to arrive at the high school about six-thirty pm. With time to spare, I had time to work on my beverage punch cards. They had to be at the printing shop by Monday afternoon. Sitting down at my laptop, I got to work setting up the design.

Before I realized it, time had flown by and it was nearly six o'clock. Quickly dressing, I went to the hall closet and retrieved my grandmother's quilt to use as padding on the bleachers and warmth if needed. With my coat, gloves and knit hat in hand, I gathered the quilt off the couch and headed out the door.

It was just after six-thirty when I arrived at the high school and made it through the line to pay. By the time I made it to the bleachers, they were already starting to fill up with Cougar supporters. Making my way to the center of the bleachers, I went about half way up so I would have a good view of the field...and let's be honest, Marc too. I chose the seat next to the aisle laid my blanket down, before sitting.

The excitement and electricity of the crowd were contagious. I could feel my own heart beating faster with the buzz of the crowd.

All of a sudden, the crowd stood up and started to cheer. I looked to my right and saw the Chelan Cougars take to the field. At the end of the line of players, running out on the field with his players, was the tall, and forever handsome Coach Marc Preston. I couldn't take my eyes off of him as he organized his players to warm up. They warmed up for about ten minutes or so and then ran back into the locker room. Looking up at the scoreboard, I saw that there were only another ten minutes left before the teams came out again and the game would start.

Late comers were still trying to find seats, when I started to see the activity on the field. The cheerleaders brought out a large banner that they had stretched across the area so the Cougar players would have to run thru it. The huge banner read "GO COUGARS!!!" A few moments later, the pep band stood up and started playing, what I assumed was the school's fight song. The sound of shredding paper and screaming cheers from the crowd ripped thru the night. Royal blue and gold clad football players ran across the field to line up on the home team sideline. Behind the football players jogged Marc. The sight of him in a suit and tie was, to say the least, heart stopping.

My heart melted and blood was pounding hard in my veins, as I gazed out upon him. There was no way I could lie to myself anymore, there was some serious chemistry going on between us. As Marc ran to the sidelines to join his players, he glanced up into the bleachers. Instantly, his eyes locked with mine and I gave him a big encouraging smile. He returned my smile with one of his own and even added a small wave for good measure before he turned back to his players.

The National Anthem started, so we all stood up. I couldn't tell you what was going on after that point. My eyes stayed glued to the Cougar's hunky coach. It seemed like only a few minutes of time had passed, but before I knew what was happening, it was already half time.

The game was a close one, with the score at half time being Cougars ten Vikings seven. Once the band was done playing on the field, the football teams came back on the field to warm up and wait for the second half of the game.

I couldn't help but noticed that Marc kept glancing up towards me; it seemed he was just as much aware of me, as I was of him.

By the end of the game, I was one large bundle of nerves. Gathering up my things, I walked down the bleachers and made my way thru the happy crowd of Cougar fans. Everyone seemed to be celebrating the Cougars seventeen to ten Victory.

I had just started to make my way towards the exit gate of the football field, when a hand touched my arm. Jumping with a start, I looked up, and I saw Marc smiling down at me with his usual warm smile.

"I didn't know you were a football fan? Did you have a good time tonight?"

People were passing us as we stood still in a sea of exiting football fans.

"Yes I did, the game was great."

He looked around to make sure all the players had gone into the locker room.

"Umm, Can I walk you to your car?"

He looked like a shy teenager now. It was so sweet to think that I had this kind of power over such a strong man.

"That would be nice, thank you."

He took my hand and led me thru the throng of people. Once we were thru the gates, the crowd thinned out, but Marc never let go of my hand.

"Where did you park, Emma?"

I pointed to my car and then we headed in that direction. He unlocked the door for me, then turned around, to face me.

"Emma, I needed to ask you something. Is it just me, or do you feel this connection between us too?"

"It's not just you Marc, I feel it."

Oh boy, do I feel it!

He touched my cheek with the palm of his hand and I leaned my cheek into his tender caress.

"It's like I could feel you up in the bleachers. It was so strange, but I knew you were there."

"I know exactly what you mean, I felt the same thing."

He glanced to his right where some football fans were walking by. One of them looked over at us and called out to Marc.

"Nice game, Coach!"

"Thanks, Bob."

Bob gave him a wave and walked on by.

"Emma, you have no idea how badly I want to kiss you right now, but I want our first kiss to be special. It should be in private and not in the middle of a high school parking lot."

I placed my hand over his and looked into his eyes.

"It will be special. Everything with us will be special."

Leaning forward, I placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"I'll see you tomorrow night, Marc."

"I'm looking forward to it. Be careful going home and I will see you tomorrow."

He held my door open, as I climbed into the driver's seat of my car. He waited until I was belted in and the car started before he walked back towards the locker room.

When I was finally on the road heading home, I realized my heart was about ready to pound right out of my chest. Only Marc could stir this kind of response in me. I just knew that tomorrow night was going to be a turning point for the rest of my life.
Chapter 4

Sleeping in until seven o'clock Saturday morning, left me feeling lazy, compared to getting up at my usual time of two o'clock. Glancing out my window, I could see the sun shining bright in the September early morning sky.

Deciding I better enjoy the sun while I still could, because in this part of Washington when October gets here, the sun is a rare sight. The snow will be falling around the end of October sometimes, even sooner. I would try my best to go out and enjoy the sunny today while I ran my errands.

That thought brought my mind to my date tonight with Marc. I was already nervous about being in a vehicle all alone with him for an hour, each direction. It wasn't because I was afraid of Marc or threatened in any way, it was just the chemistry between us that had me so jumpy, I couldn't sit still. Just thinking about him saying last night that he wanted to kiss me, had my heart rate speeding up.

For my errands, I decided I would hit the downtown shopping area and check out some of the little shops, along the downtown strip. After my shower to clear the cobwebs of sleep from my brain, I headed down to the bakery and was pleased to see how busy it was. I greeted Sarah and asked her how the morning was going.

"It's been busy, but it's running smoothly, with no problems. Don't worry Emma, we have it under control. Would you like your usual drink?"

Aww, Sarah was really getting to know me well.

"You would be my lifesaver, Sarah if you would. Thank you. I'm going to head downtown in a little while. Do you know of any shops in the area that I could pick up some large prints and décor items for the dining area?"

She gave me a few names of some shops to check out. Kendra walked over to me and handed me my drink. I thanked her and took a sip and I was instantly transported to chocolate and caffeine heaven.

Mmm.

After returning to my apartment, I made my mind up on what I wanted to pick up today. I also wanted to pick up a little something for myself, in one of the trendy boutiques. My dress was gorgeous, but it could always use a little bling, to make it really pop tonight.

After applying just the basic of makeup of mascara and blush. I brushed my hair and retrieved my purse and keys from the living room. Excitement filled me as I headed for the door, to start my sunny day of shopping.

I kept telling myself the excitement had nothing at all to do with my date with Marc later on, but I truly knew better than that. Some of us just can't seem to help lying to ourselves and I was becoming a pro at it, where Marc Preston, sexy football coach was concerned.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

I stopped into a few décor shops. The last one had a local artist's work on display. I inquired as to who the artist was, then asked the shop owner if they thought the artist might be interested in displaying and selling some of his pieces in Bright and Early. She said she would call the artist for me and let me know when she heard anything from him. Thanking her, I wrote down my contact information and walked back out of the shop and started back down the sidewalk.

As I passed by a really cute accessories shop, something in the display window caught my attention. It was a beautiful large Lapis pendant, set in what looked like filigree sterling silver. The stone was oval shaped and about the size of a robin's egg. It was accented by a black velvet choker it sat on.

Entering the store, I headed towards the sales counter, where I saw the sales clerk. I proceeded to inquire about the Lapis choker in the display window. She walked to the window to retrieve the choker. While she was retrieving the item, I took a moment to look around the store and thought to myself that I could really go bankrupt in this store. Their merchandise was absolutely lovely.

"This piece just came in just a few days ago. This and several other pieces that I have are made by a local artist."

"It's lovely, what's the price?"

The sales clerk turned it over and then looked at me.

"This is a really good buy. It's only seventy- nine dollars, plus tax."

I thought for a second. It was perfect for my dress and I really did want to look my best tonight.

"I'll take it."

The clerk rang up my purchase, wrapped it up in a sheet of bright pink tissue paper and then placed it in a small black paper bag with bright pink ribbon handles. She thanked me for shopping with them and I walked out of the shop carrying my new found treasure.

It was almost one o'clock when I finally arrived back at my car several blocks away. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, this morning.

On my way back to the bakery, I decided I would stop by Burger Hut and pick up a quick lunch. Five minutes later, I was pulling my little Toyota into their parking lot. Making my way up to the order window, I was greeted by a cute, full figured honey blonde haired young woman. I did a double take, when she looked at me. She had the prettiest ice blue eyes, I had ever seen. Her name tag said Mandy, and she wore a warm and friendly smile.

"What can we get for you today?"

I looked up at the menu.

"I'll have a cheeseburger meal with no ketchup and a diet cola, please."

Mandy placed my order and rang it up.

"Your order will be up in just a few minutes."

"Okay, thanks."

I went to one of the six picnic tables that had been set out in front of the drive in. Sitting down, I tipped my head back, enjoying the sun as it warmed my face.

A few minutes later I heard Mandy's cheerful voice.

"Cheeseburger meal, no ketchup and a diet cola, your order is ready."

I went back to the window and Mandy handed me my order. She looked at me with the same sweet smile.

"Thank you and have a nice day."

"Thanks, Mandy, you have a nice day too."

When my lunch was done, it was just after two o'clock.

I met Sarah and the Kendra as they were leaving thru the back door. They'd done a great job today on their own, I was really proud of them both. We exchanged goodbyes and I headed up to my apartment for a short nap before my date. A nap was always a good way to kill time. Changing into something a little more comfortable, I Curled up on my bed. Pulling my extra pillow close to my chest, I drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 5

It was just before five o'clock when I woke up. Realizing I was running behind schedule, I quickly got out of bed and went straight to the bathroom. After I was done reapply my make-up, I spritzed my hair and used a flat iron on it, so it laid perfectly straight.

Putting on my matching black bra and panties, I slipped into my dress, then walked over to my closet to retrieve my black pumps and slipped my feet into them.

On the way to the living room, I passed the large mirror above my dresser, I gave myself a good long look and liked what I saw. Once in the living room, I Carefully, unwrapped the tissue paper from around the choker and placed it on my neck. Doing a double check in the mirror, when I was all done, I was glad I had purchased the beautiful choker. It went perfectly with the dress I had picked out for tonight.

Taking several minutes to switch out my large leather brown purse, for a smaller black satin bag, I glanced at the microwave and saw it was almost six o'clock. My stomach clenched with a bad case of predate jitters with the thought that Marc would be here any minute. As pulled my black velvet jacket out of the hall closet, there was a knock on the door. I sat my jacket down on the couch, next to my purse and went to answer the door.

My heart was about to jump right out of my chest, so I took a deep breath and opened the door slowly. On the other side of the door, Marc stood there in a black suit royal blue tie, with a crisp white shirt. He looked good enough to eat and I couldn't help, but to stare at him. He was also surveying me as well, from head to toe.

"You are absolutely beautiful. That dress and necklace make your eyes almost glow."

"You look pretty gorgeous yourself."

Giving him a playful wink, I turned and retrieved my purse and jacket from the couch, then walked out the door. After I locked the door, we walk down the stairs and out the back door of the bakery. Marc's truck was waiting beside the back door.

He rushed around the passenger side of the truck.

"Here, let me get the door for you and help you in."

Taking his pre-offered hand, I carefully slide into the seat, after only a slight hold up caused by my tight dress.

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome."

Marc walked back around the truck and smoothly slid into the driver's seat. He started the truck and then we were off to Wenatchee for our first and hopefully not last date.

I looked at him and he seemed a little nervous.

"Marc, was this day as long for you, as it was for me?"

He lightly chuckled.

"It was the longest day of my life."

We both had to laugh at that. On the trip to dinner, we talked about his family and I told him about my grandmother. I also told him about using a portion of my inheritance, to start the bakery. I found out he had been coaching for six years and teaching for ten. He sounded like he really loved his job.

"You must really love kids. Do you want to have any of your own or has teaching spoiled that for you?"

He looked at me out of the corner of his eye.

"I Love kids and yes, I would love to have my own someday. What about you?"

I turned and looked at him.

"I would love to have children. It was hard being an only child. I always wanted a house full of brothers and sisters."

He started to laugh.

"Take it from me, I am the oldest of four children; I have two brothers, one baby sister and it is not all that it is cracked up to be. I could see though, how it would be lonely being an only child."

"Have you ever been married, Marc?"

He kind of frowned at the question.

"No, I haven't even dated in the last few years or so. I had a really bad experience a while back and it kind of sour me on dating... that is until I meet you. What about you, have you ever been married?"

He must have been talking about Brittany, the poor guy.

"No, I've dated, but the last few years were tough. I took care of my grandmother, who was terminally ill with cancer, so it didn't leave much time to date. That's why my last boyfriend broke up with me, because I couldn't give him the undivided attention he so desperately required from a woman he was dating."

Marc looked almost angry.

"Well, he wasn't much of a man if he couldn't stick by you while you were going thru all of that with your grandmother. Better to find out what kind of person someone is before it is too late."

"I know you're right. He wasn't the one I wanted to spend my life with, I knew it after the first few dates, so it was no huge loss."

We talked about a lot of things. We even talked about how my bakery was doing. All too soon, we were at the restaurant.

Marc exited the driver's side and came around and opened the door for me. He gave me his hand and helped me out of the truck. But what shocked me more than anything was, he never released my hand though. We walked into the restaurant without fingers intertwined.

We were several minutes early for our reservations, so we had to wait for our table. Once seated, we were handed our menus. Everything sounded delicious. We both decided to try the chicken parmesan.

"Would you like some wine, to go with dinner?"

"Yes thank you."

"Is merlot, okay?"

"That would be great, thank you."

The waiter walked over to the table and Marc gave him our order. The meal was fabulous but not as fabulous as the company. I found that Marc was very easy to talk to, all that stressing out for nothing. He seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say, which was a switch from all the self-absorbed men, I had dated in the past. Dinner ended far too soon and by eight o'clock, we were back on the road, heading back to Chelan.

We were back to my apartment in what seem like, just a few minutes. I had had such a wonderful ending I didn't want it to end yet.

"Marc, would you like to come up for a cup of coffee?"

"That sounds great, thanks."

I let out a sigh of relief. After helping me back out of the truck, he followed me back to my apartment. I unlocked the door and held it open for him to enter first. I motioned for him to have a seat on the couch as I made my way into the kitchen to get the coffee started.

"Make yourself at home and I'll go start the coffee."

I was just in the process of pushing the ON button on the coffee maker, when I felt Marc's large hands on my shoulders. My heart started pounding in anticipation of what was to come.

"Emma."

I turned around to face him. Marc's gaze locked with mine as I watched him lower his lips to mine. The kiss was so tender, I couldn't help but think it was perfect.

He pulled his head back slightly as he stared into look down at me. Cupping his face in the palms of my hands, I pulled his lips back down to mine. The second kiss started out tender as well but quickly changed into something more as his tongue brushed against my lips, asking permission to enter. They parted gladly for him as he explored me with his kiss. His tongue teased mine, as his fingers weaved themselves into my hair, as he tilted my head carefully so he could deepen the kiss even more.

I was totally and completely lost to him, now. Then soon, all too soon, Marc broke off the. He was breathing hard as hard as I was as he placed his forehead against mine.

"Emma, I want you so much, but the last thing I want to do, is rush you. You're all I can think about anymore."

He lowered his head and kissed me again. I was becoming dizzy from his lips and I didn't want this moment to end, ever. He broke the kiss too soon and took a stepped back.

"If I don't go home now, Emma, we will wind up do something that I'm sure neither of us is ready for."

He was right; I knew he was, but it still left an empty feeling in my heart. Just the thought of him walking out the door and living me there alone, made my heart ache.

"I know you're right, Marc, even though I don't want this night to end, it would be rushing things, if you stayed."

"What are you doing tomorrow? How would you like to go on a picnic? It's still warm outside, during the day."

"Oh, that would be nice. What time?"

"How about I pick you up around noon? I'll stop and pick up some take out chicken and we can go to Lake Chelan."

"Great, I'd love that."

I walked him to the door and he bent his head down and gave me one last kiss.

"Now, I need to go home and take a cold shower. I'll see you tomorrow, beautiful."

He kissed my forehead, shot me one more of his killer smiles and then he walked out the door and down the stairs. I couldn't believe how much of a gentleman, Marc Preston truly was.
Chapter 6

When I woke up the next morning, I felt terrible. Reason number one, I didn't doze off until around three o'clock in the morning. Reason number two, I couldn't seem to turn off my hormones that had been humming since Marc had kissed me. I knew I should've been the one taking the cold shower.

The clock read ten-twenty, but my body was telling me it was still way too early to be up. After my shower, I got out and dried off, put my hair in a ponytail and put on some blush and mascara. Then I dressed in a pair black jeans and a T-shirt.

Wandering into the kitchen, I turned on the coffee maker and paused. Scenes from the night before filled my mind. Putting a couple of pieces of bread in the toaster, tried my best to forget how Marc's lips felt on mine.

Fifteen minutes later, I sat at my table nibbling on my toast and sipping my coffee, when a thought popped into my head. I wasn't on any type of birth control. If last night were any sort of normal reaction, I would have to speak to Marc about birth control. Maybe I should just run to the store and pick up a box of condoms? Since I couldn't take the pill, because they messed with my hormones up and made me sicker than a dog, condoms would have to do.

It was eleven-thirty, so I had a little time before Marc arrived to pick me up. With my mind made up on making a quick run to the store. I gathered up my keys and purse and headed out the door.

Once in the store I picked out of a box of condoms and almost sprinted to the register with my item securely in my hand. I felt my face flush with color as I set the box on the counter and the cashier started talking.

"You know, that's the second box of condoms I've sold in the last five minutes.

Then he began to laugh. I wanted to crawl under the counter. I quickly paid for the condoms and waited for the cashier to put them in a small paper bag for me.

As I was exiting the store, Sarah was coming in.

"Hey Emma, how did your date go last night?

"It was really nice. How's your day off, Sarah? Got any big plans?"

"No, just hanging around my place, not doing a thing. You got plans for today?"

Just as I started to say "no," I switched my purse from one arm to the other and totally forgot about the small bag in my hand until it fell to the floor. The box of condoms came tumbling out.

This is one of the times, when you wish the earth would just open up and swallow you whole. I bent over and retrieved the box putting it back in the bag and shoving it all into my purse.

"Well, I see you do have plans for today!"

Sarah started laughing, until she saw how horrified and embarrassed I was.

"I'm sorry, Emma, I didn't mean to embarrass you, like that."

"It's fine Sarah. I just want to be prepared, if you know what I mean. Better safe than sorry, you know."

"You have a good day Emma and I'll talk to you in the morning."

"Okay, you have a good day, too."

When Marc arrived, I was ready to go. I had pulled out the same old quilt I had used for the football game and set it on the couch. Marc gathered it up and I picked up my purse, jacket and keys.

We found a nice quiet spot, close to the water. It had a picnic table so we sat down and started to unpack our lunch.

As we ate, Marc told me stories from his childhood. He told me about when he and his brothers were teenagers, they use to come down to the lake and go swimming. He told me about the time, all three brothers, had their baby sister convinced that just like Loch Ness's Nessie, Lake Chelan had a sea monster called Chelly. He said she wouldn't swim in the lake until she was twelve. He had me laughing so hard, I was crying.

After we ate and had packed away the left over, we went for a walk. We strolled down the beach together, hand in hand. It was the most romantic thing I had ever done. Marc helped me look for unusual and colorful rocks that was scattered across the beach. And when I started to get cold, Marc wrapped his arm around my shoulder and turned us back towards the picnic area.

Once back, Marc pulled out my Quilt from his truck and wrapped it around my shoulders as we sat down at the edge of the grassy area, next to the beach. I unfolded the quilt completely and wrapped it around both of us, so we both could stay warm. We sat cuddled in a blanket, watching the waves on the lake. I thought this was as good a time as any, to broach the subject of birth control.

"Marc, I know it's kind of soon, but I wanted to talk to you about something. We haven't talked about this and if last night was anything to go by as to how we feel about each other, then I think we need to talk about birth control. I hope you won't get mad, but I bought a box of condoms today."

He just looked at me, with a strange look.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

He actually had the nerve to laugh at me.

"Why are you laughing? It isn't funny. Birth control is a big thing, Marc."

"Emma, I'm not laughing at you. I know birth control is important. What I am laughing about is, I bought a box of condoms early today, as well."

I was the one that started laughing, this time.

You didn't go to the store at the corner, around eleven-thirty, did you?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

Now, I was laughing so hard, I couldn't talk. Finally, I calmed down enough to speak. I told him all about the whole condom fiasco at the store, including running into Sarah. Now he was the one who was laughing so hard, he was crying.

As we talked, we cuddle closer under the quilt, sneaking kisses and holding each other. It felt so good to be held in his arms. But soon the wind picked up and it started sprinkling rain. He tugged me closer, still as he kissed the top of my head.

Soon, scary dark clouds rolled in and the light sprinkles of rain, became a downpour.
Chapter 7

We hurriedly gathered everything and shoved it into the truck. Because he refused the blanket, when I had afforded it to him, poor Marc was now completely soaked, by the sudden downpour.

Marc drove us to my apartment. After he put the truck in park and turned off the engine, I turned in my seat to face him.

"Would you like to come up and watch a movie? I have several that I haven't even opened yet. We could even have Chinese food delivered?"

"That sounds terrific. Come on, let's get out of this weather and into some place that is dry and warm."

We made a run for the back door of the bakery and was up at my apartment in a flash.

After we had entered my apartment, I noticed just how soaked Marc's shirt actual was.

"Marc, let me have your shirt and I'll throw it in the dryer for you."

He put the items down that he was holding and pulled his shirt off over his head. My mouth dropped to the floor. Marc was absolutely gorgeous. It took me several heartbeats to collect my wits, so I could finally speak.

"The movies are down below the TV and DVD player. I'll warn you, there are a lot of chick flicks."

"That's no problem, some chick flicks, I actually like. But don't tell Will that or I will never hear the end of it."

He walked over to the movies and bent over to look thru them.

Oh my, what a butt!

"Um, I'll just go ah pop this in the um, um dryer."

Great, just great, I sounded just Chelan's own village idiot. I shook my head, to clear it and walked over to the dryer, popped his shirt in and turned it on. I walked into the room just in time to see Marc put my favorite movies in. He looked at me.

"I hope this movie is okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine. In fact, it's my favorite. I'll be right back. I'm going to get out of these wet clothes."

I hurried into the bedroom and changed out of my wet jeans and t-shirt and put on my pair of fleece sleep pants and a dry t-shirt.

"I'm sorry Marc,"

I called from the bedroom.

"I don't have any pants or sweats that will fit you."

I picked up my extra blanket and head toward the living room.

"Marc, let me know when you want me to order dinner."

"What I want right now, Emma, is you, sitting right here next to me."

He patted the spot right next to him on the couch and so I hustled over to sit right next to him.

He removed his damp socks and shoes, he sat them on the floor, next to the side of the couch. Taking the blanket out of my hands, Marc draped it over us. He pulled me close to his side and tossed his arm over my shoulder. Laying my head on his chest, I wrapped my arms around his waist and I snuggled into the warmth of his chest. I've never enjoying my favorite movie more, than I did today. Several hours later, my stomach grumbled loudly and immediately, Marc stood up and pulled out his cell phone.

"You still want Chinese or do you want something else."

"No, Chinese is fine for me."

"Pork chow Mein, fried rice and prawns, sound okay with you or do you want something else?"

"That's all my favorites, so those sounds fine to me."

A little while later, we were cuddling on the couch, eating Chinese take-out and watching another chick flick. After the meal was over, I picked up our dishes and took them into the kitchen to wash. I turned on the water and soaped up my kitchen sponge.

Just as I finished the last plate, I felt soft lips kissing down the nape of my neck. There were large hands snaking around my waist, pulling me against a rock-hard chest. Those same lips moved over my neck, making their way to my earlobe.

Turning in his strong arms, I wrapped my arms around his neck. Marc's lips soft and sexy found mine. When we finally broke the kiss, Marc reached around me and shut off the faucet.

Lifting my butt up, Marc set me on the edge of the sink. His scent wrapped around me and sent my hormones soaring. It was a subtle spicy, musky scent that drove my body wild. Running my fingers thru his hair, I grabbed a hold and tugged his mouth back down to mine. His lips parted and our tongues did a sensual dance of passion. Marc's hands found my breasts as he kneaded them gently. My breathing was becoming ragged and my head started swimming. He broke the kiss to only kiss a path of fire down my neck. My hands roamed down his neck then moved on to his shoulders to end on his muscular back. Marc raised my arms, removed my t-shirt and lowered his head to snuggle the top of my breasts above my bra. He gently cupped them with his large hands.

"Emma you are so beautiful."

He kissed and licked with the tip of his tongue a trail across the top of my breasts.

"You taste wonderful. Look what you do to me. Your scent, your body, every last part of you turns me into a rutting teenager. I want to make love to you."

"I want you, too."

He gave me an almost painful laugh.

"I want you Emma, more than anything, but maybe I should be heading home for another cold shower, before I can't walk."

I looked down and saw exactly what he was speaking about. Really there was no missing it.

"Marc, why don't you let me help you out with your problem."

I gave him a seductive smile and he kissed me with so much passion; I thought I would have an orgasmic experience from it, right there in the kitchen.

"Marc, let's move this to the bedroom, so we can get comfortable."

I reach between us and gently caressed him through his jeans. He moaned in my ear and I chuckled.

"I take it, you are in agreement on moving to the bedroom."

Marc, nodded his head, obviously he had lost the ability to speak. I quickly kissed his lips and hopped down off the counter. Taking his hand, I lead him to my bedroom.

We stood next to the bed and reaching down, I unbutton his button on his jeans. Seductively, I lowered the zipper. I put my hands on his waist and slide them down into the top of his waistband of his boxers. I slowly lowered his jeans and boxers to the floor at the same time. Marc stepped out of them.

In the next breath, I knelt down in front of him. I smiled to myself as I noticed the size of him. Taking his ridged shaft in my hand, I began to lightly stroke him with my hand as I lowered my head and took the tip of him into my mouth. Swirled my tongue around his tip, before I eased him all the way into my mouth. Marc groaned and ran his fingers through my hair until his hands cupped my head as he careful guided me in a rhythm that was driving us both crazy.

I pulled back and locked my gaze with his.

"Marc, lay down on the bed. Your legs are getting just a tad wobbly."

"Oh, good Lord, Emma. Please tell me you are going to finish what you have started here, because if you don't and I have to go home right now...like this...well I'll be in some serious pain tomorrow."

"I promise, but first you have to lay down."

Marc, Laid down on her bed and just seeing spread out for her eyes to feast on made her mouth water. He looked more like a Greek God, then a football coach.

"Emma, he wiggled his eyebrows at me and gave me a wicked and all too sexy smile. Come here and let me unwrap you."

I stepped close to the bed and he sat up. Pressing his lips to my abdomen, he trailed kisses from one side to the other. Reaching behind me, Marc unhooked my bra and slid it down my arm.

He suckled and caressed each breast, before moving lower down my body. His hands moved down to my fleece sleep pant and wandered beneath the waistband. He slowly slid them down over my hip, catching my panties at the same time. Once they were both at my knees, he kissed my triangle of dark blonde hair between my thighs. Marc's hands moved to my most private area, slowly with one hand separating my gentle folds and the other, started to caress my feminine nub. I grab his shoulders to steady myself, as I felt my knees go completely weak. A moan slipped past my lips, as one long strong finger enter me.

"Please, Marc."

My body started to quiver. Looking up at me, Marc's eye's darkened with passion. He removed his hands and quickly removed my sleep pants and panties. Reaching around my waist, he pulled me down onto the bed next to him, as he made his way down my body. His touches and kissing, leaving a fiery trail that made heat pool in the very center of me. But when he took my most private part of me into his mouth and consumed me, I couldn't hold back the scream pleasure that echoed around my room. But Marc, didn't stop there, he kept devouring me until every last tremor of my release had been drained out of her.

Slowing crawling up my body, his mouth captured mine as my head continued to spin in a ride of sheer ecstasy. Once the spinning had subsided, I broke off the kiss. Pulling back, I shifted slightly and started moving farther down the bed.

Marc started to protest, me moving away from him, until he figured out what I had in mine.

With my fingertips, I brushed his erection lightly and was rewarded when he shiver in response. I caressed his sack one hand as I encircled his hard shaft with the other. Locking my gaze with his, I dipped my head and ran my tongue, over the tip of him, he moaned low and deep in his throat. But when I took him completely in my mouth he nearly came off the bed.

Alternating between hand strokes, just the right amount of suction and swirling of my tongue around him, with moments, he found his own release. Not one usually for oral sex, I was surprised by the taste of his passion, it was the most incredible thing she had ever tasted.

Moving up his body, he wrapped me in his arms. Not having the strength to move, we both laid there for a long while. Both of us so spent to do more than hold each other.
Chapter 8

Marc left around ten o'clock to go home. He knew that I had to be down to the bakery at five o'clock. He promised he'd stop by the bakery in the morning to see me and I could hardly wait to have him near me again. Being with Marc, just felt right to me. He made me feel whole and complete. He just felt right

Waking up at four o'clock in the morning, I managed to drag myself into the shower. When I arrived at the bakery, Sarah was hard at work on the blueberry scones. She looked up and smiled.

"How was your weekend?"

I blushed, she giggled.

"Well, at least it looks like someone had a good time."

I blushed even more.

"Sarah, that didn't happen this weekend.

I really wasn't lying, we didn't have sex in the possible making babies' sort of way.

"Well, that might not have happened, but you must have still had a really good time, because it shows all over your face."

Great, my face was an open book.

"Yes, I did have a good time and I'm leaving it at that!"

Sarah giggled again and I had to turn away before she saw me blush even more.

I helped Sarah finish up the baking and went out to the dining area to open the bakery. It was the usual busy Monday, with everyone in town, it seemed, stopping by to get their sugar and caffeine fix.

At seven-forty five Marc walked thru the door and walked straight to the counter. I heard the jingle as someone else came in after him. But I wasn't able to see who it was because my eyes were glued only on Marc. When he got to the counter, he rewarded me with a bashful smile. Leaning across the counter, Marc gently kissed my lips. I blushed and he chuckled.

"How are you this morning?"

I blushed, even more.

"I'm wonderful. What can I get for you this morning?"

He chuckled again and I clarified.

"I meant, what do you want from the menu?"

Marc leaned over the counter and placed another kiss on my lips. From behind Marc, I heard a chuckle. Then I saw Will's smiling face peering over Marc's shoulder.

"Emma, are kisses on the menu now, because if they are, I'll take a couple dozen of them."

Marc turned around and looked at Will with a scowl.

"They're not on the menu for you, that's for damn sure!"

I had to laugh. They both placed their order and I called it in. The brothers continued to joke around until their order was called.

When Marc was ready to leave a short while later, he walked back over to the order counter where I was standing.

"Emma, would you like to go to the football game Friday? The next two games after that are away games. I thought we could pick up a pizza after the game, maybe go to my house and watch a movie that isn't a chick flick. You're off on Saturday's right?"

I knew exactly what he was hinting at.

"That sounds like fun. Yes, I'm off on Saturday so it can be a late night if you want to watch two movies."

"Great, I'll pick you up before the game on Friday."

He leaned over the counter he gave me a very hot kiss, good-bye.

"I'll call you tonight. See you in the morning, okay."

"Okay, you have a great day."

The rest of the week went about the same way, with Marc coming in before work. He would call me in the evening to see how my day was and to tell me about whatever crazy things his students had done that day.

Friday, couldn't get here soon enough for her.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Finally, it was Friday. I've waited all week to be able to spend some time together with Marc. He would be here any minute to pick me up. Gathering my quilt, coat, hat and gloves, I sat them on the couch. A few minutes later, there was a knock on my door. Opening the door, I was greeted by Marc standing there holding a large boutique of daisies.

"When I saw these daisies, I thought of you."

He handed them to me and kissed me on the lips.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Let me put these daisies in some water."

I went into the kitchen and retrieve a mason jar out of the cupboard. Marc had already picked up my quilt, so on my return from the kitchen, I picked up the rest of my item. Stepping over to the most, sexiest man in the world, I kissed him on his adorable lips.

"Thank you for the flowers. How did you know daisies are my favorite flower?"

"Just a lucky guess. Come beautiful, let's get this night started."

We arrived at the high school at six o'clock. Going to the empty bleachers, I picked out my seat for the night. Around six-thirty, the bleachers started to fill up with Cougar fans.

The game was a close one, but the Cougars lost by one point. We left the high school, about ten-thirty and headed for the pizza parlor. Marc had me call in our pizza order, ahead of time. It was ready for Marc, when we got there to pick it up.

Marc lived in a middle-class neighborhood just outside of town. They were modestly styled homes that all had nicely manicured lawns. It seemed like a quiet and peaceful place to live and raise a family. He owned a three bedroom two bathrooms ranch styled on a large corner lot.

We parked in the garage and walked thru the door, that lead to the kitchen. His kitchen had a retro fifties feel to it. I loved it, as soon as I saw it. Marc placed the pizza on the kitchen counter and took off his coat.

"Make yourself at home, Sweetheart. Let me take your coat and I'll hang it up for you."

For a bachelor, his home was very organized. I handed him my coat and he bent down and stole a quick kiss.

"I'll be right back. You'll find the plates in the cupboard to the left of the sink. There's bottled water and juice in the refrigerator, help yourself."

He left the room and I gathered up the plates and a couple of bottles of water. Marc returned to the room in a pair of black sweat pants and a dark gray t-shirt. He picked up the pizza, while I picked up and carried everything else.

"I have to warn you, Emma; I have a certain taste in movies. Why don't you go over and find something for us to watch?"

After setting everything down on the coffee table, I stepped over toward the DVD stand and almost laughed at his movie selection. He was a comedy buff. He had all kinds of comedies and there were even a few chick flicks thrown in for good measure. Never in my wildest dream, would I have ever guessed this man loved comedies. I picked out one of my favorites from his selection and handed it to him.

He looked at the movie in his hand and chuckled.

"This one is my favorite."

"We seem to do that a lot. It seems like we have the same taste in quite a few things, Marc."

"That we do."

Marc started the movie and then walked back over to the couch as I dished out the pizza and handed him a bottle of water.

For the next two hours, we sat curled up together on the couch, eating our pizza and laughing at the movie.

When the final credits started to roll on the movie, I picked our dishes up off the coffee table and cleaned up what little mess there was while Marc put the left-over pizza into his refrigerator.

Walking up behind me, where I was standing rinsing off the plates we had uses, Marc put his arms around me and softly kissed the curve of my neck. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered to me.

"Do you want me to take you home, sweetheart or would you like to spend the night?"

I knew what he was implying and I knew I was ready. In fact, I was more than ready for us to move our relationship forward.

"I want to stay."

Turning me in his arms, he kissed me. Pulling me tighter to his chest, he deepened the kiss, as our tongues battled for control. When we finally came up for air, Marc said only four words.

"It's time for bed."
Chapter 9

Marc took me by the hand and led me down the hallway to his bedroom. He stopped at double doors, at the end of the hallway. Opening the door on the right side, he held it open and I walked in. The light was too dim to see anything clearly in the room. He closed the door behind us and flipped the light switch to the right of the doorway, we had just walked through.

Once I had light, I could finally see his room clearly as I got my first good look at his large bedroom. It was masculine in nature, but not overly macho. Very tastefully furnished in rich dark wood and very lovely red merlot color for the comforter and window coverings. A king-size sleigh bed took up a great deal of space in the room. Marc walked over to the left side of the bed and turned on a small antique style lamp that sat on the nightstand next to the bed, bed turning and walking back towards me. After turning off the main light switch, by the door he took my hand and walked me over to the right side of the bed.

He pulled me into his arms and his eyes held mine, as he spoke.

"You're sure?"

I cupped his face in my right hand.

"I'm sure."

He captured my lips and kissed me until I was dizzy. I pulled back slightly from his and did my best at relaying exactly what I felt at that moment.

"I want this more than anything, Marc."

"So do I, Emma. So do I."

We made short work of each other's clothing. And once Marc had me bare to his hot gaze, he reached down and scooped me up into his arms, then turned and laid me carefully on his massive bed. He followed me down on the bed, settling in between my thighs.

He had kissed me one more time before he painted a fiery path of kisses across my cheek and neck until he ended up at my breasts. Cupping each breast in his hands; he suckled one and then the other. His attention he was paying me had me arched off the bed. But he scraped his teeth over my, now over sensitive nipples, I thought I would explode from the sheer pleasure of the sensation.

He moved his sexual attention lower over my stomach as it traveled to one hip than the other. My body felt like it was on fire and it tensed with anticipation.

Finally, he reached the very center of me. Placing one leg over each of his broad shoulders, until I was completely bare and exposed to him. His fingers opened my feminine fold, so I laid there completely exposed to his gaze. He lowered his head and consumed me with his tongue and mouth and I cried out from the blinding pleasure he was giving me, but when he entered me with two fingers, my body exploded in the most intense orgasm I had ever had. My whole body clenched and quivered in response. Once he had wrung every last wave of pleasure from my body, he leaned over to the nightstand and pulled out a small silver package.

"Can I put that on you?"

He handed the condom to me and as I started to unroll it down his hard shaft, he moaned and his whole body tensed. Gently, he laid me back against the mattress. He situated himself between my thigh and I could feel the head of his hard shaft at my opening. I closed my eyes to enjoy every sensation of him entering me. He didn't move though.

"Emma, I want to see your eyes, when I make love to you for the first time. I want to see the passion that we share shining back at me."

I opened my eyes and cupped his face in my hands as I pulled his head down to my and kissed him passionately. When the kiss ended, his gaze held mine, as he entered me with one smooth thrust. Slowing rocking his hips, as he inch by inch filled me completely.

He was stilled for a heartbeat or two, giving my body time to adjust to him. Then he started to move inside me. Taking my hands in his, we linked our fingers together and he placed them above my head. He felt wonderful inside of me, as he carefully thrust over and over. With each of my moans, he sped up his pace a little faster. I was right on the edge, ready to topple over into the passion that we were sharing. He unlinked our fingers on his right hand. Placing it on my hard feminine nub, he started to caress it harder and harder in rhythm with his thrusts until my whole body exploded. The intensity of it actual made me see stars as I felt the sensation of floating. Moments later I felt Marc's body tense and shake as he found his own release. He clasped on top of me, as we both laid there panting for air. We lost track of time as we just laid there, holding each other.

"Emma, I've never felt anything like that before. It was..."

"Special? Wonderful?"

"No. It was...life changing."

Marc kissed me softly on the lips. Then he rolled over and got out of bed, walking into the master bathroom to take care of the condom. I laid there feeling the chill of his absence. As I ran over in my mind what he had just said to me. Life changing? A few minutes later he came back to bed and pulled me close to his chest. We fell asleep in each other's arms. This was the most wonderful night of my life.
Chapter 10

Marc and I fell into a comfortable routine. I spent the weekends at Marc's house, watching movies, playing video games and etc...Our nights together were invariably my favorite time; we'd consistently wake up every morning in each other's arms. He spoiled me and was always genuinely concerned for me. Even when I had really bad cramps a few weeks ago, Marc took care of me. He had me lay on the couch while he sat on the floor in front of me, so he could gently rub my lower stomach while we watched a movie.

The sixth of October he had his second away game and didn't get back until after two o'clock in the morning. He called like he promised, but made the call short because it was so late. We had plans for later that day to go to Leavenworth, Washington. Leavenworth was a cute little Bavarian town in the mountains of North Central Washington.

I arrived at Marc's house around ten o'clock. It would take us several hours to get to Leavenworth, so hopefully we could get there by one. Marc had the garage door open for me so I could park my car in it while we were gone. He already had his truck in the driveway warming up. I got out of my car and walked to the door that led to the kitchen, but before I could open it, the door opened on its own. Marc stepped into the garage gave me a sweet kiss and then hit the button to close the garage door.

"Are you ready to go, sweetheart."

"Give me a minute, Marc. I need to use the bathroom before we go; I had two cups of coffee this morning."

I giggled and hurried off to use the restroom. He was standing by the open front door waiting for me to go thru it when I returned. He stepped out after me and locked the lock and the deadbolt on the front door. Within moments, we were heading towards Leavenworth.

We arrived just after one o'clock in the afternoon. The first thing we did was to try and find a place to park, not always an easy feat in a popular tourist area. The second item on our priority list was finding somewhere to eat lunch.

We located a small Bavarian bakery that offered authentic German cuisine. I noticed they had apple strudel and order a piece to share with Marc. While we ate our lunch, we decided on what we would do for the rest of the day. We spent hours touring the micro-brewery and checked out all the quaint shops along the main street. In one shop, Marc insisted on buying me a really cute Bavarian doll. She was about twelve inches tall with blonde hair and wore cutest little green German costume. Before we knew it, time had flown by, it was five-thirty.

"Emma, how would you feel about spending the night here? We passed that cute little motel; you know the one that had all those small Bavarian cottages. We could get a cottage and stay the night."

"Oh, I would love that. We'll need to stop by the store and pick a few things up though."

"That's fine, let's go by the store and get what all we will need, then."

Returning to the truck, we headed for the store.

"Marc, I'll run in and get what we need, I'll be right."

"Don't forget condoms."

Then he wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"How could I forget those? They're the main reason I wanted to stop by the store in the first place."

I gave him a little giggle and hopped out of the truck.

Once in the store, I gathered up; toothbrushes, toothpaste, a few snacks, several bottles of water and condoms. After making my purchases, I hopped back into the truck and we headed for the motel. Marc went into the office and checked us in. We drove to our cottage and parked the truck in front of it. After depositing all our items inside, we decided to head back to the center of town. The micro-brewery had a restaurant attached to it and the aroma coming from it early, had been heavenly.

We ate until we couldn't eat another bite. We sat and talked at the table for so long that we had lost track of time. It was after nine o'clock, when were arrived back to the motel. I went into the bathroom and took a quick shower while Marc went to get a bucket of ice to put the water bottles in.

When I finished my shower, I walked out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel. He stopped putting the water bottles in the ice bucket.

"Yum, Dessert."

I giggled. He set the water bottle down in the ice bucket and then headed straight toward me. He was definitely a man on a mission. He pulled me into his arms, but instead of hugging me or even kissing me, as I expected, he grabbed a hold of my towel and tossed it over his shoulder. Then before I could react, he picked me up into his arms, walked me straight over to the bed and tossed me on it. What followed was, Marc stripping his clothes off faster than I thought was physically possible, right before he jumped in the bed.

This wasn't our normal love making, this was fast and furious. When we were both spent, we laid on our back's gasping great lungs full of air. Marc leaned over and kissed me before he got out of bed and headed for the bathroom to take care of the condom. As he walked towards the doorway, he called over his shoulder at me.

"Sweetheart, could you get one of those cold bottles of water for us."

I started to get up. I put my hand down on the bed, to push myself upward and that's when I put my hand in a very large...very wet...spot on the bed. My mind was reeling. No, this couldn't be happening. That couldn't be what I thinking it is. Just then, I heard Marc swear in the bathroom, then he said to me through the open door.

"Sweetheart, I think we have a problem."

I closed my eyes and thought to myself; this wasn't going to be good.

Marc came out of the bathroom, with a concerned look on his face.

"Emma...the condom broke, I'm so sorry."

I tried to play it off like it was no big deal.

"Marc, I'm healthy and so are you. What is the chance, I could get pregnant after one mishap? Really, I think it'll be okay."

He didn't look too convinced by what I was saying, but nodded his head anyway.

We headed home the next morning. The ride home was quiet. Both of us, I guess were lost in our own thoughts. We hadn't spoken again about the broken condom and I tried to put the whole episode out of my mind, but in the back of my mind, there was that voice that kept saying "what if."
Chapter 11

Things were normal between me and Marc. We didn't discuss the condom episode again, what was the point. We wouldn't know anything for a few weeks at least. However, I personally was counting the days off the calendar until my next period.

A week had passed and over those seven long not knowing days, I had come to a conclusion. I Loved Marc, if I was pregnant. Then I would just have to deal with that. Marc was the best thing in my life and it didn't matter to me what other people thought. I would invariably love the child who was half Marc half me, as a symbol of our passion and love that we had shared. No matter what happens between Marc and me in the future, I would unfailingly have that.

So I made up my mind, tonight I was going to tell him how I felt about him.

When Marc picked me up Saturday morning, he was kind of bummed out. The football team lost last night, in a real heartbreaker. It took them out of the running for the state playoffs.

We had decided we were going to go to a Local Pumpkin farm and get a bunch of small pumpkins to put in the bakery and some to carve and put on Marc's front porch.

We spent most of the day there, picking out just the right pumpkins for both of us. We also rode a hay ride and even enjoyed a cup of spiced apple cider. Once the back of the truck was loaded with pumpkins, we headed back to his house. He unloaded his pumpkins and the two large boxes of my small pumpkins into his garage. When we were back inside the house, he called and ordered us a pizza to be delivered. It arrived about a half an hour later. We sat and ate our pizza in front of a warm and toasty fireplace while watching a non-chick flick movie. When the movie was over, we sat and gazed at the crackling fire in until Marc broke the silence. He cupped my cheek and looked into my eyes.

"Emma, have you started your period yet?"

So, he had been worrying about this. It seemed it had him just as worried as much as it had been worrying me.

"I'm not due to start until at least this Thursday, but my periods aren't real regular, like most woman. I promise, if I haven't started by Halloween, we will do a test, okay? I'm sorry to put you thru this, Marc."

"Sweetheart, I would love to have kids, but I don't want you to be forced into anything that you don't want to do. If you are pregnant, I promise, I'll be there for you and our baby."

"Marc, we haven't talked about this, but I could never get rid of a baby, if I'm pregnant. Knowing you are the father would make it very special to me. I love you, Marc."

He sat and stared at me for a moment or two, before he could respond.

"I Love you too, sweetheart."

We cuddle by the fire until it started to die out. We went to bed and made love. It was so loving and tender; it brought tears to my eyes.

In the morning, we shared breakfast and he took me home. Marc had been acting strange all morning and I couldn't figure out why. He seemed so...withdrawn, like he was trying to pulling away from me or something.

Marc pulled his truck behind the bakery but never shut off the engine. All he did was stare straight ahead, lost in thought.

"Marc, are you okay? You seem sort of withdrawn this morning. What's going on?"

He didn't look at me.

"I'm okay Emma. I just have a lot on my mind right now, is all."

He kissed me on the forehead.

"You're sure, you're okay?"

"Positive."

"Okay, you have fun helping Grant."

I kissed his cheek and his hand caressed my face in a strange way, like he was trying to memorize it or something. I got out of his truck and gave him a wave goodbye. He gave me a small wave back, but he never really looked at me. Then he pulled out to of the parking area to my bakery, to go to Grants.

Something was defiantly off with Marc. I just knew there was, something was going on with him. I racked my brains trying to remember if I had said or did something out of the ordinary that might have upset him or something. Then a thought came to mind. I had told him that I loved him.

Sunday night I sat on the couch reading and waited for the usual nightly phone call from Marc. It never came. Maybe he needed some space. Maybe this was just too much for him to deal with, all at once. Maybe he really didn't love me. The thoughts just kept spinning through my mind. Before I knew it, I felt tears flowing down my face. That night I cried myself to sleep.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Monday morning, I didn't feel like going down to work. I just want to stay in bed until everything was okay again. Not just everything, I meant until Marc and I were okay again. I wanted to take back those three little words that seemed to have turned my world upside down. However, I couldn't. I had a business to run, no matter what my personal life was like. So I dragged myself out of bed and down to the bakery.

Sarah was baking a batch of turnovers when I arrived. She looked at me and I could see the concern on her face.

"Emma, what's wrong?"

I just shook my head and the tears that I thought were under control, started to flow all over again.

"I think I made a huge mistake, Sarah."

"What happened?"

"I told Marc I loved him and he has pulled away. He is acting strange. I knew I shouldn't have told him."

The tears were like a waterfall, now. Sarah walked over to me and hugged me.

Oh Sweetie, I'm sorry."

Finally, after ten minutes, I pulled myself together enough to open the bakery. I must have been a real sight with my red puffy eyes.

Marc never showed up, but Will came in about eight o'clock. Walking up to the counter, he looked at me strangely.

"Are you okay, Emma?

I nodded. He took a real hard look at me.

"Why don't I believe that? Have I missed Marc, this morning?"

My eyes filled with tears.

"Emma, what's going on, is there a problem with you and Marc?"

"Will please, I can't talk about it right now."

He placed his order and said he would see me tomorrow. The day moved like a snail, but finally, we were closed and I could go back to my empty apartment.

Marc called me about nine o'clock pm that night.

Hi Emma, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a rough day is all."

"Will said you seemed upset today. I'm sorry if it's my fault. The last thing in the world I want to do is hurt you."

"Marc, please tell me what is going on with you. If I've said or did anything wrong, please, just tell me."

"Emma, it's not you; I promise. It's me. I've got a lot to work out for myself, right now."

There was an awkward silence.

"Well Emma, I need to go; it's been a long day. I'll drop your pumpkins off in a few days."

Okay Marc, you have a goodnight."

"You have a good night too, Emma."

Then the phone line went dead.

With the click of the phone, my heart shattered a little more.
Chapter 12

I never saw or heard from Marc, Tuesday. Grant dropped off the Pumpkins Wednesday morning and Sarah jumped at the chance to show him where to put them in the back. I had cried myself to sleep for more nights now, then I wanted to count. I was to the point where I was madder than anything else, now. I couldn't believe he was using that line it's not you, it's me. Excuse."

I tried to keep myself busy, as much as I could. Thursday we decorated for Halloween, using the pumpkins that Marc and I had picked out. Finally, Marc called Thursday night.

"Hi, Emma, it's Marc."

"Hello, Marc."

"How have you been?"

"I'm doing okay. If you're calling to see if my period has started, it hasn't. I told you, I don't have regular cycles. If it hasn't started by next Friday, Marc, I promise you, I will go have a test done."

"Okay, I'm really sorry about this, Emma."

"Marc, we need to talk. I'm going to the game tomorrow night and I want to talk to you after it's over."

"Okay. I had better let you go. I will talk to you tomorrow night. Goodnight Emma."

"Goodnight Marc."

I was the one that disconnected first this time.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Friday night, I showed up at the football field at six-thirty. It was snowing, so I made sure I was bundled up to keep warm. I took my regular seat and looked around the bleachers. I spotted Will and Grant seated about four rows up and on the right side. They waved at me, when they saw me looking their way and I returned their wave. It was Homecoming, so the bleachers were filling up really fast. Marc never made eye contact with me the whole game, but I had a feeling he knew I was there. After the game was over, I made my way to the locker room area. I waited for about five minutes and then Marc finally came out.

"Hi Emma, we can talk around here."

He never made eye contact, as he led me around to the side of the gym, where it was private. I looked at him.

"What is going on with us, Marc? I want to know right now. I can't keep living like this."

"I know, Emma, I can't do this anymore either. I can't go through this again."

"You can't do what anymore, Marc?"

He looked sad.

"You and me, I just can't do it anymore. I won't take the chance of ending up like I did last time."

I just stared at him for a minute. "You mean, you don't want to see me anymore, is that it? So basically, you're breaking up with me, with no type of explanation."

"Yes."

"What if I'm pregnant Marc, did you think about that?"

"I'll provide for my child, if that's what you're worried about."

Then it dawned on me, what he had said. I can't go through it again. Brittany was the cause of all this.

"This has to do with Brittany, doesn't it? This has to do with Brittany and not me?"

"I won't put myself through that again Emma; I can't and I won't."

"So that's just it then. You think I'm like Brittany and instead of giving me a chance, you're willing to walk away."

"Yes Emma, that's what I'm saying."

"You want me gone, Marc? FINE, then I'm gone!"

I turned and ran back around the building. I kept running towards the parking lot, even when I heard my name being called, from behind me, I didn't stop. I ran straight to my car, got in and speeded out of the parking lot. The roads were slick, but I was to the point mentally, that I just didn't care. I didn't really care much about anything at this point in my life. I had only made it about a mile down the road, when I turned a corner and there standing in the middle of the road was a deer. I slammed on the brakes and the car went sideways. The rear passenger tire caught on the edge of the road and then everything seemed to be swirling around me. Time seemed to stand still for just a split second before everything went black.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

"EMMA! EMMA! Can you hear me? Come on, talk to me girl!"

My head was hurting so bad, I thought I was going to throw up. I was also cold, very cold, but I could feel something warm on my face. What was happening and where was I? I remembered the deer and the swirling. Oh my god, I'd been in some kind of accident. Was I dead? No, I couldn't be dead; my head was hurting too bad.

"EMMA! Can you hear me?"

I tried to speak, but all that came out was a moan.

"Grant, she's alive, but she's bleeding really bad, looks like a head injury, call 911!"

"I'm on the phone with them, right now. Will, you need to call Marc while I'm on the phone with 911!"

"Emma, stay with us okay, 911is on their way."

I weakly managed to get out one word.

"Marc."

I thought I could hear a cell phone being dialed.

"Marc, its Will. I want you to stay calm, but Emma has been in a really bad car accident. No met us at the hospital, you can't do anything here. Grant is on the phone right now with 911. Calm down Marc, she's alive, but she does have a head injury. Meet us at the hospital bro! NO, I swear there is nothing you can do for her here. Fine, we're a mile from the school on the main road. Marc? Marc, are you still there?"

I heard a cell phone snap shut. Then I heard a very frustrated, "Damn it!"

Then, without warning, everything faded away to nothing.

"Emma, Emma, Sweetheart, please say something! Emma, I'm so sorry. Please don't leave me, Emma."

It was Marc. I fought to open my eyes, but failed. When I spoke, it came out as a moan again.

"Stay with me sweetheart, I can hear the sirens right now. The paramedics will be here any minute, okay? Emma, you can't leave me, do you hear me. I can't live without you."

I couldn't see Marc, but I could still hear the tears in his voice. He was crying.

"They're here, Marc! Grant, move Marc's truck out of the way or at least close the door so the ambulance can get by."

I tried to speak again.

"Marc, is that you?"

His chuckle sounded strangled.

"Yes Sweetheart, it's me. You stay with me okay."

"Sleepy."

"I know, but you have got to try and stay awake."

I fought the blackness as long as I could, but the nothingness finally won out again.

Chapter 13

This is all my fault. How could I have said those terrible things to her? Now she was in the hospital fighting for her life because of me.

I sat in the waiting room for what seemed like hours. Why couldn't anyone here, tell him what was going on?

I can't believe I could lose her like this. I can't lose her, I just can't. I ran my fingers thru my hair, which must have been for the hundredth time so far tonight. This waiting is killings me. Please God, please don't let her die. This is my fault, don't make her pay for something I've caused.

"How is she, Marc?"

Will and Grant walked into the waiting room and sat down one on each side of me.

"They don't know anything yet. This is entirely my fault, you know. I let what happened with Brittany, come between us and I pushed her away, told her we couldn't be together anymore. I told her tonight that I didn't want to see her again. That's why she was speeding and that's why she had an accident, all because I was too worried about getting hurt again."

"Marc, listen to us, okay. First you can't even think like that and second, Emma loves you, we see it in her eyes when she looks at you. She is a beautiful person on the inside and out. Don't make her pay for something, she would never do to you. 'I know you love her, let her love you. Be happy that you found someone this special, okay. Sitting here, blaming yourself for all this is not going to help her right, now. We've got to think positive and believe that she will be fine."

"Will, what if she, di...?"

I couldn't bring myself to say it. I couldn't even think about the fact she might die.

"Will's right and we all have to keep positive thoughts right now and praying would probably be a smart thing to do too."

"You're both right. I know you are."

Dr. Carson walked out from behind the ER double doors.

"Are you the family members of, Emma Reese?"

This was it, please let her be okay.

"I'm Marc Preston her boyfriend. She doesn't have any living relatives."

"Miss Reese, sustained a pretty bad concussion, a two centimeter laceration to her hairline area on her forehead and two fractured ribs. From what the EMT's said, she was lucky. She will need to stay in the hospital for few days, barring any complications."

I stood up and shook Dr. Carson's hand.

"Thank you, so much Dr. Carson. When will I be able to see her?"

"Mr. Preston, it'll be a little while, they'll be getting her into a room soon. I'll have the nurse come out and let you know when she's in her room. She can only have one visitor at a time and we need to keep her calm."

"Thank you again, Dr. Carson."

I shook the doctor's hand again and watched as he went back through the double doors.

"We'll wait with you."

"No, why don't you and Will head on home. If there's any change, I'll give you a call."

"Are you sure about that, Marc?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine, Will."

"Oh wait, do either of you know Sarah Parker?"

Grant looked at me and nodded his head.

"Yeah, I do, why?"

"I need you to stop by the bakery in the morning and let her know what happened. See if she can handle the bakery for a while until Emma is feeling better? Did either of you grab Emma's purse out of the car last night?"

"Yeah, I did, I also found her cell phone. I put her purse behind the driver's seat in your truck. I drove your truck over here and Grant followed me. That reminds me, here's are your keys."

Will reached into his pocket and pulled out my key ring and handed them to me.

"We didn't want you to be stranded. Give us a call, if you need anything else."

"Great, thanks, both of you. There are no words I can say to thank you for what you did for her, tonight. I'll owe you forever."

"You can repay us both, by marrying that girl."

Will, he always goes right to the point of the matter.

"I'm definitely going to try."

Thirty minutes after they left, I got another visitor. The outside door opened and Jared walked through it, holding two paper coffee cups. He walked over to me and handed me the one in his left hand. I just stared at him for a few seconds.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, since I consider Emma my friend and you're my cousin, it seemed like a place I should be."

I gave him a confused look.

"You still consider me family, after what happened?"

"Marc, we need to talk. When all that mess with Brittany happened, I was angry at you, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized, I was angry with the wrong person. I was also angry with myself, for believing all her lies and letting her tear our friendship and our family apart. Will told me the whole story and I truly believe you didn't know about Brittany and me. I'm sorry for whatever I said to you when I found out."

He extended his hand out to me and I shook it.

"Have a seat and you can wait with me while they get Emma in her room."

Just before two-thirty in the morning I was finally allowed to see Emma, as long as I didn't upset her and was quiet. Jared had left, but said he would call later, to see how she was doing. When I walked in Emma's room, I noticed it was quite dark. Just one small light was on above her bed. Her beautiful face was swollen and she had a bandage on her forehead by her hairline. She was attached to several machines and an IV. But to him, just the fact she was alive, she had never looked more beautiful, than she did at that moment. I walked over to the bed and kissed her gently on the cheek, so I wouldn't wake her.

I picked up one of the orange plastic chairs in the room and quietly moved it over to the side of the bed. Thinking to myself, as I sat there, how lucky I was to have a second chance with the women I loved. Picking up her hand, I brought it to my lips. She seemed so frail and helpless as she slept, even though she was five foot eight. She was always so cheerful and happy, just like the daisies she so loved.

I placed her hand between both of mine and just held it there. I wanted this woman by my side for the rest of my life, baby or not. I want her with me to share all aspects of my life, if only she would take me back after what I had caused.

I hope she'd never know the kind of fear and terror I felt when I got that call from Will. I never want her to experience the kind of pain. The kind of pain that literally brought me to my knees. She deserves to have only joy and happiness for the rest of her life. And I vowed right then and now that I would do whatever it would take to make her happy. Even if that means, I have to let her go.

The nurse came in every half hour to check on her. She reassured me, that she was fine and that she had been given something to help her sleep.

I finally fell asleep with my cheek resting on the edge of the bed and holding the hand of the women I loved more than my own life and thanking God for the gift he had given me.
Chapter 14

When I became aware of my body again, the first thing I noticed was, someone was beating on my head with a very large hammer. The second thing was it was really hard to breath and my left hand felt hot and heavy. Cracking my eyes open, I noticed that I was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. Where am I? I tried to move my head and that hammer started to pound even harder. Glancing around the room with only my eyes, I came to the conclusion that I must be in some type of a medical facility.

The last thing I remember was seeing a deer. I also remember hearing someone calling my name and telling me to stay with them? The voice had been Marc's. My eyes were still a little blurry, but I could see someone's head lying on my bed, a very familiar head.

I tried to wiggle my fingers on my hot and heavy hand and realized that Marc's head was lying on it. Well, that's a strange way to fall asleep. I wiggled my fingers again and this time Marc started to wake up a little.

"Emma?"

He voice sounded hoarse and groggy. I tried to speak, but found my throat was too dry to reply to him.

"Do you need anything, sweetheart?"

Sweetheart? Didn't he break up with me last night? I tried to speak once more and he noticed this time.

"Would you like some water?"

I very carefully nodded my head.

"Let me call the nurse for you, too."

He walked over and pushed the call button and then poured me a partial glass of water. He put a bendable straw, in it and tipped the straw, so I could use it. Placing his arm behind my shoulders, he eased my shoulders forward enough, I could take a few sips. He laid me carefully back down to rest on the bed. I tried talking again.

"Thank you."

My voice was really hoarse, but at least I had one now.

"How are you feeling? Does your head hurt?"

"Yeah, like someone is on top of my head with a jackhammer."

I reached up to feel my head and my fingers touched a large bandage.

"What happened to my head?"

"You have a concussion and a pretty good size gash on your forehead, sweetheart. You had to have stitches."

Just then the nurse came in.

"You're awake, good."

She smiled at me and then turned to Marc.

"Coach Preston, would you mind stepping out in the hall for a few minutes or you could go and grab a cup of fresh coffee, now that the cafeteria is open."

"Go ahead Marc, go grab a cup of coffee. I'm sure, I'll still be here when you get back."

I tried to give him my best smile, but I'm sure I failed miserably. Marc walked over to me and placed a kissed my cheek.

"I'll be back soon. Do you need anything, while I'm out?"

"No, I'm good thank you."

He caressed my cheek with one hand, gave me a smile and then exited the room.

"That young man really loves you. I heard the ER nurses talking this morning, and they said that he wouldn't let go of your hand and didn't want to leave the room, when they were working on you."

She couldn't possibly be talking about Marc, the same Marc that broke up with me last night. All I could do was staring at her.

"Are you feeling okay, Emma?"

"Yes, I'm fine, it's just what you said, and it was a little bit of a shock, is all."

"Are Coach Preston and you having a bit of a rough patch?"

"You could say that."

She padded my hand.

"It'll work itself out, you'll see. I'll be back to check on you in a little bit."

Marc returned about fifteen minutes later. This time, I really looked at him, he had dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep, his dress shirt had my blood all over it and he seriously needed a shave. He did look like he had had one hell of a night, too. He gently lifted my hand and he leaned over and tenderly kissed it. He continued to hold my hand stroking the back of it with his thumb in a gentle caress as he spoke.

"Can we talk, sweetheart? I have a few things that I need to say to you. But let me what I have to say, before you say anything, okay."

I nodded my head carefully and tried to get comfortable. That was impossible to do.

"First thing, I'm so sorry for what I said to you last night. I Love you so much that it scared me. You were right about all of it, even the part about Brittany. When you said you loved me, all I could see in my future was pain and betrayal. I did what I thought I had to do and that was to protect myself from the pain. I was so worried about not getting hurt that I almost lost the best thing in my life. Please forgive me for being scared and blind, Emma. I swear to you, that I'll never ever do anything like that again."

I stared at him as he spoke each new word, bringing a new tear to trail down my cheek. I loved this man so much, but could I trust him with my heart again. I tried to wipe away the tears on my cheeks, but before I could, Marc was there with a tissue dabbing at the wetness. He carefully took my face in his hands, so I had to look at him.

"I love you, Emma Reese and if it's the last thing I do, I'll win back your love and trust."

That opened the flood gate of tears all over again.

'I love you too, Marc Preston and if it's the last thing I do, I'll love you forever."

He smiled at me, then carefully gave me the most passionate kiss of my life.

"Marc?"

"What sweetheart"

"Can you hold me for a little while?"

"I would do anything for you, Beautiful."

And that was the way the nurse found us, a short while later. Marc got a serious lecture, that if he wanted to cuddle with me in the bed, he had to go home, take a shower and put on clean clothes. I couldn't help but to chuckle at the chastised look on his face. He did comply eventually, which seemed to make the nurse happy.

While Marc was gone, I did have a phone call from Jared and a few visitors bearing flowers. Grant and Will brought me a huge floral arrangement of white mums, purple Japanese Irises and yellow roses. It was gorgeous. They both told me about how they found my car totaled and flipped upside down in a ditch. They also mentioned to me about how Marc had reacted and how he refused to leave my side, even when I was in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Grant told me that he went over to the bakery and let Sarah know what had happened. She had informed him, she would take care of everything until I could come back to work.

After about a half an hour, they said their goodbyes and went on their way.

A few moments later Dr. Carson came in to check on me.

"How are you feeling, Miss Reese?"

"My head and ribs hurt and along with every muscle in my body."

"That's to be expected, you're doing really well, so you should be able to go home hopefully tomorrow."

"I would love that, thank you. Dr. Carson? I think I need one more test ran, though. I think I need a pregnancy test."

"How many days late are you?"

"Three days today"

"We'll give you a test in a few minutes and we will find out for sure, because if you're pregnant, you are limited on what pain medications you can take, the first trimester."

When Marc walked back into the room, he was all smiles.

"I saw Dr. Carson in the hall. He said I could take you home tomorrow if you behave yourself today."

"I'll do my best to be good then."

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Sunday afternoon, I was in Marc's truck on my way home. It felt great, being out of the hospital.

"Thank you for taking me home. I guess I'll need to find another car, soon."

Marc turned to look at me.

"I'm not taking you to your apartment, Emma. I'm taking you home, so I can take care of you."

"What? Why?"

"First reason, I love you. Second reason, I saw how you were walking just from the wheelchair to the truck."

I called the school superintendent and I took a few vacation days."

"You would do that for me? What about football practice, don't you have to be there?"

"Emma, I would do anything for you and I've already taken care of practice. My assistant coach is taking practice Monday and Tuesday for me."

He gave me a long hard look.

Are you positive you don't want me to call the doctor to get you something stronger than over the counter pain relievers? I just can't believe they didn't give you any pain medication to take home with you."
Chapter 15

When we arrived at Marc's house a short while later, I insisted on walking into the house by myself. I walked hunched over slightly, like some little old man. Marc was right by my side the whole way into the house. He set me a bed up on the couch in the family room, for during the day.

He doted on me all day and all night. Helped me to the restroom and he even made me homemade macaroni and cheese for dinner.

My ribs were hurting really bad, but I knew I couldn't let on that they were. Knowing Marc, he would insist I get some type of pain medication from the doctor...again.

That night in bed, Marc tucked pillows around me, so he wouldn't accidentally bump against my side during the night. He was truly spoiling me rotten.

By Tuesday, I was feeling a little better. My ribs were still sore, but at least my headache had gone away.

Marc and I had a discussion about him going back to work and me going back to my apartment. That didn't go over so well. He agreed that he would go back to work, if I allow people to come by the house to check on me several times a day. But he out in out, refused to allow me to stay alone in my apartment, though. His reasoning was it would be too hard for me right now to go up and down the stairs. I had to agree with him, because of the way my ribs were still hurting.

Tuesday, at about two-thirty, there was a knock on Marc's front door. I heard a familiar female voice in the foyer. A few moments later, Sarah popped her head into the room and gave me a water smile. She walked over to the couch and cautiously sat down next to me and carefully gave me a hug.

"Oh Emma, I'm really sorry, you have to go through all of this. Are you really okay?"

"Yes Sarah, I'm doing fine. Is everything going okay at the bakery?"

"It's going great. Don't worry about a thing. I'm here to sit with you for a bit, is all? Marc has a few errands to run, today and he doesn't want you left alone, just yet."

Marc walked into the room bent down and gave me a quick kiss.

"Sweetheart, I need to do a couple of things, but I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Okay, I'll see you in a little while."

One more kiss on my cheek and Marc left the room. A few seconds later, I heard the front door open and then close.

"So Sarah, you got stuck with Emma sitting duty. I'm sorry, Marc thinks I am helpless right now."

"He's just worried about you. He almost lost you and that is going to take a while to get over."

"Yeah, he's a worrier. I'm sorry, I put him through all of this."

We sat and talked until just after five o'clock when Marc returned home. He popped his head into the family room.

"I got Chinese take-out, enough for everyone. Is anyone hungry?"

"Yes, I'm starved."

I started to get up.

"Emma, sweetheart, I'll get it for you. You just sit and take it easy."

I gave Sarah, a see what I mean look and she chuckled.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Thursday evening, Marc and I were sitting at his dining room table eating dinner. His mom had dropped off a pot roast when she had come over, for her shift at Emma sitting.

"Sweetheart, would you be up to going to the football game, tomorrow night. If you start hurting or you become tired, one of my brothers can always drive you home. It's the last game of the year and it would mean a lot to me to have you there."

The thought of getting out of the house sounded heavenly.

"That would be great. I'm starting to get cabin fever."

"Emma, thank you."

"For what?"

He picked my hand up and kissed the back of it.

"For you, just being you. I love you."

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Friday evening we arrived at the high school a little earlier than I usually did. Marc had coach things to do. He carried my blanket and pillow to my usual bleacher seat and got me settled in. Giving me a quick kiss, he headed towards the locker rooms. I only had to wait a few minutes, before Grant, Will and Jared showed up. They took the seats to my right. We chatted until the game started. After the first quarter, my ribs were really starting to hurt.

"Will, would you mind taking me back to Marc's. My ribs are starting to hurt. Will stared at me for a second and then looked at Grant and Jared. He looked at me again and smiled.

"Can you wait until half time?"

"Sure Will, thank you."

It was finally half time now and Will made no move to get up.

"Will, can we go, now?"

He gave me a wide-eyed look of something that I would have sworn was panic.

"Emma, umm...can we watch the half-time show first. It's really supposed to be something special."

"Okay, only if you promise me after it is over, you will take me back over to Marc's."

"No problem Emma, I promise."

I looked out on the field, waiting for the half-time show to start, but the only thing that was happening on the field was Marc was walking across the football field. Well, this is odd. The announcer from the booth above us walked down the aisle and out onto the field. He walked over to Marc and handed him a wireless microphone.

Marc picked up the microphone and started to speak.

"I know everyone is expecting our usual half-time show, but the band and drill team are allowing me to have their time to do something special. Emma Reese, could you please come down here."

I just stared at him in shock. After a few moments, Will stood and offered me his hand. I don't remember taking Will's hand or even walking down the stairs, out on the football field. The next thing I knew, Will was handing my hand to Marc.

"Emma, last week I thought I had lost you forever and I'm so thankful that you're still with me. You gave me a wake-up call that I'll never ever forget.

I wasn't looking for love and you totally blindsided me. I never want to be without you, Emma. I want you by my side always."

He went done on one knee, in front of me and all I could do was stare at him in complete surprise. Tear of happiness filled my eyes as I watched him pull a tiny black velvet box out of his jacket pocket, then open it. Inside the box, tucked in the black velvet was a beautiful art-deco style engagement ring.

"Emma Lynn Reese, will you do me the honor of being my partner, my best friend and my wife?"

I was mute for a moment, and then I heard myself say.

"Yes!"

The crowd on both sides of the football field erupted in cheers. Marc gently wrapped me up in his arms, taking care not to hurt my ribs and gave me hug and kiss. He whispered in my ear.

"I love you, Emma."

Then he kissed me...again.
Epilogue

We had come home from the football game and were cuddled up in front of the fireplace.

"Sweetheart, are you sure you don't want something for your pain. Will mentioned to me that you were hurting quite a bit even before half time."

"Marc, I'm fine, I don't want any medication, but thank you anyway."

Marc just rolled his eyes at what he thought was me stubborn.

"Emma, why do you want to suffer? I just don't understand it."

"Marc, can we talk about getting married?"

"Please tell me you haven't changed your mind?"

I smiled at him and cupped his face with my hand.

"Marc, of course not, I wanted to talk to you about setting a date. I would like to plan it for New Year's Eve, maybe even sooner."

"You don't want a spring or summer wedding by Lake Chelan?"

"Well yes, I would love to have a summer wedding at Chelan Lake, but that's not an option."

"Why isn't that an option?"

"I want to be able to fit into a wedding dress."

"Sweetheart, I'm just not following what you're so worried about?"

I took a deep breath and looked at him.

"Marc, do you remember when we went to Leavenworth? Do you remember what happened in that cute little Bavarian cottage?"

I saw it on Marc's face, the moment when he figured out what I was talking about.

"Are you sure? What about the accident and the drugs that they gave you? Is everything okay?"

Taking his hands in mine, I smiled at him.

"Marc, yes the doctor confirmed it and the accident didn't hurt the baby. The medication in the hospital was for a very short time, so that shouldn't be a problem. Now you know why, I can't take any type of pain medication."

Marc gave me a humongous smile.

"I'm going to be a dad!"

I giggled at his excited tone.

"Yes, you are daddy, yes you are!"

"Emma, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife on New Year Eve?"

"Why, yes I will. Oh and daddy, don't make any plans for around the end of June. We're going to be kind of busy.
Wedding Invitation

Emma Lynn Reese

&

Marcus James Preston

Requests your presents to share in their joy, as they start their new journey together on New Year's Eve in

Anne Marie Beck's book

"A Wedding Melody"

Book Two

"The Preston series

This is a romantic story of Will Preston, full time computer geek, part time country singer and Wedding Planner Melody Everson.

A Wedding Melody

Book Two

Chapter One

The Preston's Series

By Anne Marie Beck

Published by Anne Marie Beck at Smashwords.com

Copyright 03/2012 Anne Marie Beck

Chapter 1

I looked at my cell phone when it buzzed. My next appointment should be here in about fifteen minutes. Picking up what was left of my water in my water bottle and the plate from my sandwich, I headed for the kitchen.

There were several benefits of running my business out of my former childhood home. Saving money on meals and fuel, and you just couldn't beat the commute time.

After placing the plate in the sink and pouring out the small amount of water in the water bottle. I dropped the bottle in the recycle bin and walked back into my office/formal dining room to clear off the remnants of crumbs that might be on my desk from the sandwich. After tidying up my desk for my two o'clock appointment, I did a double check in the mirror to make sure everything was in place.

The Bride was a Ms. Emma Reese. Ms. Reese's wedding should be an interesting affair because she insisted she wanted it on New Year's Eve. Ms. Reese's Groom was Marc Preston, the Eldest of the Preston brothers.

I sat at my desk, where my thoughts wandered back to my high school days. Marc was five years older than I was, so I didn't talk to him too much. However, I remembered attending school with both Grant and Will Preston and their cousin Jared Scott.

Thinking back on my high school days, especially my senior year with Will Preston, always broke my heart. Will and I dated most of that year, up until the middle of July 2001. Oh my, had it really been ten years. I'd seen Will around town, over the last ten years, but managed to avoid his attention. He was such a sweet guy, with the greatest sense of humor. I fell in love with him the first time he smiled at me.

Will had a dream of going off to college, to make something of his life. I couldn't hold him back, and that would have been what I would have done, if I would have told him the truth. In the end, he would be giving up his dreams for his future, and he would've resent me for all of it. It wouldn't have ended well; I knew that. And now, well there was definitely no way he would understand now, too much time had passed. I just need to avoid him as much as possible, until after the wedding. Then everything would go back to normal or as close to normal as this situation could ever get. I didn't want to think about him right now, not with his future sister in law showing up any minute. I have responsibilities to take care and a business to run now.

Just then the doorbell chimed, "Here Comes the Bride", I know cliché, but the clients love it. I walked to the door, checking my reflection in the mirror that hung on the wall in the foyer one last time and then opened the door. Emma Reese was a full figured blonde about five foot eight with beautiful blue eyes. She had a warm, welcoming smile that would make anyone who looked at her, have a better day.

"Hello, Ms. Reese? I'm Melody Everson."

I reached out my right hand and shook hers.

"Please come in and make yourself comfortable"

"Hello, Ms. Everson, its nice meeting you. Thank you so much for making an appointment for me on such short notice"

She followed me to my office and sat in one of the two formal chairs in front of my desk. I took the seat behind my desk and sat down to get to work on planning her wedding.

"So Ms. Reese, you wanted to see if we can pull a wedding together in only eight weeks, is that correct?"

"Yes I'm sorry it's such short notice, but New Year's Eve is what we have our heart set on."

"Do you have a specific venue in mind or are you flexible in that area?"

"Well, I wanted it at Marc's house, but he's worried that I will over do. So he would like to try and find a venue that we can have both the ceremony and reception at."

"Well then, I guess we should get started. My bride's wedding check sheet is always a real big help to me. It allows me to getting to know my client's tastes and their overall needs. If you could just go through the list and mark what you have already decided on and then, we'll see what we need from there. It will also help you to determine which of my services you'll need."

"That sounds perfect, Ms. Everson."

"What time do you prefer I make our appointments to visit the bakery, florists and venues, etc...?"

"I'm real flexible in that area and if we find a venue I love, maybe we can schedule a second viewing on Saturday, so Marc can check it out, as well?"

"Do you work Ms. Reese?"

"Please, call me Emma. I was in a bad car accident almost two weeks ago, and I'm still kind of sore from my cracked ribs. Marc won't let me go back to work until I'm one hundred percent. He's worried that it will hurt the baby if I do. He is such a worrier."

"I didn't know. Congratulations Emma and please call me Melody. I'll try to get most everything scheduled for next week. Then we can take care of invitations by next Friday. How does that sound?"

"That sounds great, thank you so much Melody."

Just as I started to pull my contract and the other needed papers out of my desk drawer, the doorbell chimed.

"Excuse me, I'll be right back." I stood up and went to the door and opened it. As soon as I did, my mouth dropped open.

"Will, what are you doing here?"

He looked at me for a moment and recognition hit.

"Melody? Oh my gosh! I can't believe it's you. I knew this was your family's old home when I saw the address on the slip of paper, but didn't realize you were a wedding planner. How are you? Oh...why am I here? I'm here to pick up Emma. Marc is such a worrier."

"So, I've heard. I'm good Will, come on in and have a seat. I turned this into a wedding planning business about eight years ago."

As we turned to go down the hallway, we heard Emma.

"Will, is that you?"

"Yes Emma, it's me. Did you want me to wait in the truck?"

"Oh no, come and help me do this, if you would please."

Will walked in and sat done next to Emma in the empty chair.

"We're just wrapping things up for the day, so I won't keep the two of you much longer."

I walked around my desk and took my seat. I picked up the contract and the other papers and started to go over them with Emma. I explained about my different services and their fees. Then I walked her through her check sheet that she had just filled out just a few moments ago and circled the items she had chosen on the contract that she wanted.

After having her put her initials by each of her choices, Emma then explained she wanted a homey feeling to her wedding. She wanted nothing frilly or over the top, just warm and cozy.

"Melody, Will has so graciously agreed to sing a special song for me as I walk down the aisle. He is one of the ushers. You will need to have his acoustic guitar stashed up by where the ceremony will take place."

"That's not a problem Emma, let me just make a note of that."

She then read through the contract and signed it. Emma was leaving most of the decisions up to me. She had decided to let me chose the caterer, menu, table settings, etc.

"Can we make a sided note on the check sheet? There are two things we've decided on. We want our flowers to be yellow roses, white daisies with baby's breath. Our colors are pale yellow, white and the yellow gold color, the same yellow as the center of daisies."

Will started chuckling, as I wrote the information down.

"Well, we're making progress without even leaving my office."

I gave Emma a small nervous chuckle and smile. I started getting uncomfortable when I noticed that Will kept looking at me. Will looked at Emma still chuckling.

"Yeah, I'm sure Marc had a big part in the floral and color choices."

Emma shot him a dirty look.

"Actually Will, Marc is the one who insisted there be daisies and he chose the colors himself."

Well, that shut him up. I had to laugh to myself. Emma glowed with warmth and a sense of home and a cheery spring day. I can see why Marc had chosen daisies as one of their flowers. I patted Emma's hand.

"Emma, it will be beautiful, I promise. You just relax and let me do most of the work. Okay?"

I explained to her how much her deposit would be, and she didn't even bat an eye at it, and then she explained.

"My grandmother passed away not quite a year ago and she left me a sizeable inheritance, so that's no problem."

She reached in her large purse, removed her checkbook and wrote me a deposit check.

I obtained Emma's information for my files. I then gave her my business card, just in case she had any more ideas before we meet again. I shook her hand and then Will offered his hand, and I shook it too. I couldn't help but notice that he held it longer than he needed too. What was he doing? He gave me the standard, Will Preston smirk and walked Emma out the door to his truck.

Emma and Will had only been gone about twenty minutes, when I heard the back door open, then close. The thud of something hitting the floor was the next sound I heard. Oh, my heavens, how could I have forgotten what time it was. Then I heard a voice from the kitchen say,

"Mom, I'm home!"

I walked into the kitchen and gave Logan a big hug.

"How was your day, honey?"

"Mom, I'm too big for you to call honey, and my day was okay. Mom, are you feeling okay, you look a little strange?"

"No Logan, I'm fine and we're fine."

"Mom, what are you talking about?"

"Nothing Logan, I'm just being silly. Why don't you get started on your homework? I'll fix you a snack, and then I've got to go schedule some appointments for a client, okay?"

"Sure, after I'm done, can I play a video game for a little while?"

"Yes, but only for a half an hour."

He gave me one of his smirky smiles, and I ruffled his hair on his head.

"Okay, one hour."

I thought to myself as I fixed Logan's snack of apple slices and a glass of milk. I had no idea how to deal with Will Preston's presence in my life for the next eight weeks. I just prayed my heart could stand being around him again, so much, without breaking in two?

The Story of Us

Chapter One

By Anne Marie Beck

Published by Anne Marie Beck at Smashwords

Copyright 01/2013 Anne Marie Beck
Chapter One

October 26, 2012

Friday morning

"I'm late. I'm late. I'm late, just great. Mr. Holmes has that new client, C. R. Branson coming in first thing this morning and I wanted to meet him before I started editing his books, but no. I. Am. Late. Again. He is going to fire me for sure, this time!!!"

Katie knew she should stop talking to herself, but after the morning she was having, there was no way she would ever manage it without hurting herself again mental and physically.

After she had hit the snooze on her alarm clock at least six times, she finally managed to drag herself out of her warm and cozy bed. She knew whoever had invented the snooze button had to have been one of those dreaded morning people. Staggering from sleep, she aimed herself towards the bathroom doorway. This would have to be the fastest shower in the history of the world.

Before Katie could even reached the doorway of her destination of the bathroom and a much need shower, the leg of her dresser reach out and tried to break off her pinkie toe on her left foot. Katie just knew the dresser must be in cahoots with Mr. Lazy, her cat. There was no other explanation for a piece of innocent furniture to take such a traitorous action against her person.

Over the last five years, Katie had come to the conclusion that her cat, Mr. Lazy's life goal was to find new and imaginative ways of tripping her at least twice a day.

Katie now was not only terrible late but was in severe pain. She had just spent the next five minutes hopping on her right foot and once more talking to, yes you guessed it, herself. She also had a few choice words for the dresser that so violently attacked her for no apparent reason.

Did she actually think the evil piece of furniture would actual answer her, when she asked it if the cat were the mastermind behind the furniture attack?

The least it could do was, apologize for what looked like from the swelling was a broken foot. After she had finished her fierce tirade with the spawn of hell, disguised as a piece of her furniture, she finally managed to limp into the shower. Maybe her luck was changing this morning, she made it without falling and cracking her head in the tub.

After dressing for work and trying to taming her mass of red curls she had been cursed with, the next battle ensued. Katie wasted another ten minutes, when she realized that her foot and pinky were now so swollen that she knew there was no way she was going to get her regular work shoes on her foot. Katie quickly emptied her closet, of her whole shoe collection. Being left with no choice, Katie had to surrender finally and declare defeat, (sorry, bad pun).

Her valuable minutes were ticking by too fast. She changed from one of her standard dresses she normal wore to work, to a dark hunter green cashmere sweater, black dress slacks. Then she had to fight to put on the only pair of shoes she owns that at this moment would fit her swollen toe and foot. Oh, yeah, her old red tennis shoes that were just what this outfit screamed for. She doubted that this was not a fashion statement that would catch on anytime soon.

Making her way to the front door, she tripped over her Mr. Lazy, like usual. This morning, he laid his trap by lying halfway under the coffee table with his butt sticking out. He was all ready to spring on Katie his part of the scheme that he had with the dresser...which he did, quite successfully, I might add. Then he so humbly rewarded her with an irritated meeeoow, for her having disturbed his peaceful slumber.

Katie had righted herself before she fell and pick up her purse sitting on a small table by the front door. She was very proud of herself for doing all of this, without any further injuries to her already pain filled body, and then limped her way out the front door and down six flights of stairs.

Now, clumsily hobbling down the street in a not so graceful way, Katie watched in horror as black smoke bellowed behind the massive mode of transportation that was her ride to work. All she could do now was watch the silver bus grew smaller by the second.

"Crap, crap, crap. I need a rewind button for days like this one; I swear!!!"

Madder than a wet hen in a thunderstorm and yes, once again talking to...herself, Katie started to turn so she could hobble back to the bench to get off her throbbing left foot and wait for the next bus.

As she looked down and reached inside her purse, which was the size of airplane carry-on bag, she searched for her cell phone. She ran through her mind what she was going to tell Mr. Holmes this time, to explain her tardiness? With her eyes still on her purse, she took a step for balance and of course that was when her left foot went on the attack.

The blasted thing decided right then and there, to give out on her. With arms flailing in the air madly, she stumbled and fell right into the road. With her body falling toward the asphalt and her eyes wide with fear, she spotted a small red sports car speeding down the road, heading straight towards her.

The last thing she remembered was a blood-curdling scream, her own and then the pain exploding in the back of her head as it made contact with the road. Blackness was gradually overtaking her, and she could have sworn, she heard an almost angelic voice asking her if she was all right. The heaven-sent voice paused for only a split second before saying,

"Oh My God, you're beautiful...umm, are those Converse tennis shoes?"

Her last thought before the blackness wasn't about dying or her family, oh no. Her last thought as everything dimmed was the fact that she had been right. This fashion trend of hers, was definitely not going to catch on.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Conner Stormed out of his up-scaled penthouse apartment and made his way to the elevator. Arriving a few minutes later into the parking garage. He hustled over to his red, Mercedes convertible, jerking the door open and through his briefcase into the passenger seat. In all of his twenty-nine years, Conner couldn't ever remember being so mad...ever.

There was only one question that kept repeating itself, over and over again in his mind, how did she do it. Conner had paid a fortune, to live in this high-tech secured building, with dozens of securing codes that even he had trouble keeping straight on a good day. So the question in his mind was, how the hell had that woman done it? The shock that he woke up to this morning wasn't going to repeat itself again, he knew that much for damn sure.

Seriously, waking up to find a strange woman in his bed was enough to scare the shit out of anyone. This woman was not only strange in the sense; he didn't know her, but strange, that this woman was bat shit crazy. And to top it all off, this crazy, strange woman had been NAKED to top it all off. Conner knew he had a bit of a repetition with the lady's, but still this was way over the line.

Things had changed for Conner over the last year, when a stalker tried to shoot him, coming out of his old apartment building. Since that terrible night, he didn't leave his new apartment much and had become somewhat of a recluse. Nothing like having a gun barrel pointed at you, to make you change your life completely. He didn't know if he would ever get over the whole shooting ordeal. When he saw the crazy woman this morning, the memories from a year ago came flooding back, making him freeze up for a moment.

Now, after dealing with several amused police officers, for almost two hours and having to change all his security codes...again, which he just knew he would never keep straight. Conner was now severely late for his meeting with his new editor and madder than hell about the ordeal this morning.

This was definitely not how Conner had wanted to start his day off. In fact, he didn't want any day to start like this one, period.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, before he started the car, Conner could feel some of the anger he felt melt away.

Once somewhat calm, he turned the key and started his car. Pulling out of the parking garage, he headed straight towards the editor's office. Conner needed to give George a heads up that he was running late, so he pulled his cell phone out of the front pocket of his trousers.

George's phone went straight to voicemail. Conner hated leaving messages on voicemail. No one ever seemed to get their messages on time or even bothered to call anyone back. He hit end and disconnected the call, without leaving a message. He would call George back, in a few more minutes.

Taking a hard right, he started to pick up speed. He had a good sixteen blocks, before he had to turn again. Thank goodness for the traffic today was on the light side for New York City. Maybe luck would be on his side, and he would only be twenty minutes late to his meeting.

Picking up his cell phone from the passenger seat, he hits send again, and he waited for the call to connect. Out of the corner of Conner's eye, he spotted a red-haired woman staggering on the edge of the sidewalk. She didn't seem to be paying any attention to her surrounding as she continued to dig through her huge purse.

It was then that everything seemed to happen at once; George answered his phone, as a young woman stumbled off of the sidewalk...right in front of his car.

Conner dropped the phone, as he grasped the wheel with both hands and slammed on the brakes. When the car finally came to a stop, Conner thought his heart was going to beat right out of his chest with fear. He hadn't felt any impact or thud under his tires, but still the woman was not getting up.

Exiting his car quickly, he rushed around to the front of the car and the vision that meet his gaze, almost stopped his heart. Lying on the ground was a red-haired goddess. He knelt beside the woman, who seemed to be fighting to stay conscious. Conner's voice, as he spoke to the woman sounded weak and unsteady even to his own ears. What was wrong with him?

"Are you all right?"

Conner got received no response. When he started to ask the same question again, the words that came out could not have been his own as he gazed took in the entire gorgeous red-haired temptress in front of him.

"Oh My God, you're beautiful."

Conner paused for a slight moment when he noticed the young woman's feet

"Umm, are those Converse tennis shoes?"

He didn't receive a reply because it looked like the woman had finally lost the battle to stay conscious.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Katie struggled to come out of the black fog that had completely engulfed her. Her head felt like a marching band was doing a half time show inside her skull, and she just knew a semi-truck had run over her left foot. The pain was now shooting up her calf muscle and was heading for her knee and all areas north on that particular body part.

Carefully, Katie struggled to open her eyes, but was greet by what seemed like the blinding light of the sun. Quickly, Katie shut her eyes once again as the marching band picked up their beat in her head. She tried to move, but all that accomplished was to make her moan.

"It looks like sleeping beauty has finally decided to wake up."

"Oh. My. God, I'm dead, I have to be dead. I can still hear that angel talking to me again. Crap! What about Mr. Lazy, who will feed him and trip over him every day and my parents, I haven't spoken to them for almost two months. Now it's too late."

"Woman, what are you talking about, you're not dead and who is Mr. Lazy?"

"Yes I am! I'm dead, I just know it. If I'm not dead, how could I be talking to an angel?"

"Ma'am, you need to open your eyes and look at me."

"No...it hurts when I open them."

"See, that just proves my point it right there, you're not dead. If you were dead would you still be feeling pain?"

Katie thought the angel's comment over, and he did seem to have a point. She always thought when someone died; they didn't feel pain anymore. Wait, if he wasn't an angel then who or what was he?

Cautiously, she cracked open her right eye, a bright light felt like a knife going straight into her brain, which again seemed to supercharge the marching band. Then in a matter of just a few seconds, the blinding light was gone.

Opening her left eye, she stared straight into the face of a man who could easily be mistaken for an angel. His hair was so dark that it could easily pass as black, and it seemed to highlight his perfect facial features. But what made her gasp out loud, were his eyes. The color of blue ice, they held her totally mesmerized in their gaze.

"Green."

Katie shook her head, as she tried to understand what he was talking about. Green? What was green? Was she green?

"Ummm...excuse me, but what's green?"

"Your eye's, they are a breathtaking shade of green. Reminds me of a jade figurine my mother has."

Katie squinted at this angel/ man in a confused manner. Did she have green eyes? It was hard for her to even think now with his gaze locked on her. Yes, she seemed to remember she did have green eyes.

"Who are you, if you aren't an angel?"

"Call me Conner and you are, Katie Ann Rawlins.

Yup, that was her.

"Sorry, I had to retrieve your ID from your purse, for the ambulance and hospital. It's safe though, sitting over there on the counter."

"Oh."

"You're in the ER. When you fell in front of my car, you must have hit your head on the asphalt. An ambulance brought you here, and I followed. The doctor should be here any moment to talk to you. Can I call anyone, for you?"

As Conner watched Katie closely, she turned a cute shade of pink and slowly tried to sit up. Finally managing it with a face pinched with pain.

"No, all my family live on the west coast, Oregon actually. I'm so sorry about all of this...Conner. I injured my foot this morning, and it gave out on me at the wrong time. That's why I missed my bus and was walking back to the bench, to wait for the arrival of the next one. I must not have been paying attention to where I was stepping, because I was looking for my cell phone to call Mr. Holmes, to tell him I would be late. OH CRAP! Mr. Holmes is going to fire me for sure over this. I have to call him and let him know what's going on. Great, just great and he had that new, high-profile author coming in today."

Conner listened to her babble away only hearing about half of what she was saying as he stared at her like a besotted teenager. That was until Katie got to the last part of her rambling statement, which made him sit straight up.

"Mr. Holmes? That wouldn't be George Holmes, would it by any chance?"

She looked at him closely, and confusion washed over her, already impact scrambled brain.

"Umm, yes it would, I'm one of his editors and he is going to be furious with me. You know him?"

"Sure do. In fact, I was on my way to meet with him this morning. You know what? Let me give him a call, and I will smooth things over with him."

"I don't think that will help much; I don't think the man likes me and I'm always late, because my bus is never on time, except for this morning that is. I might as well face the fact and look for another editing job."

"I promise Katie, he'll listen to me."

"And why would he listen to you?"

"I guess I should start this part all over again. Let me reintroduce myself to you. C. R. Branson and it is a pleasure to meet you, Katie."

Katie's mouth fell open like a big-mouthed bass. She fumbled to find the words, but found they had completely abandoned her at this moment. All she could do was watched C. R. Branson walk out of her room to make a call to Mr. Holmes.
