Finally Getting Love Right Read online

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  Copyright © 2012 Jamie N. Nichols

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-1475013290

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-62346-518-6

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  Dedication:

  For my Grandparents to whom I wouldn’t be who I am or have had the courage to do what I love. Thank you. I Love You.

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  CONTENTS:

  1.............Betrayal

  2.............George

  3.............Re-Arranging

  4.............Max Proposes

  5.............Weekend Getaway

  6.............The Best Idea In The World

  7.............Making It Happen

  8.............The Reveal

  9.............Wedding Bells

  10...........Suspicion

  11...........Bad Karma

  12...........Waiting Game

  13...........Deserved Apologies

  14...........Reunions

  15...........Vacation

  16...........Charlee’s Delivery

  17...........Settling In

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  CHAPTER 1: BETRAYAL

  ‘There is a time in everyone’s life where they have to ask themselves where they went wrong. Even now, as the sun sets, I am asking myself that very question. Was I wrong to want to trust him again? George was always the one I wanted to marry. Then he went and ran off while we were on vacation. I still don’t know what that was about. Now everything in my life is falling apart and I don’t know how to fix it.’ Samantha Lee sat in deep thought in her hiding place, a large waterfall that had a cave behind it. When she was in that cave nothing mattered. She felt safe and secure like no one could touch her.

  She got up, brushing herself off, and stepped down off the large rock that she always sat on. It was big enough to lay her oversized throw on and, if she wanted to, fall asleep on. ‘Time to get back to my reality.’ She thought.

  Sam ducked under the falls and started back up the trail toward her car. It was getting dark out fast so she tried to hurry. She walked up the steps and down the trail to the small parking lot. When she got to her car she found a note tucked behind her windshield wipers. Quickly grabbing it, she repeatedly tapped the unlock button on her keychain. She looked around feeling like she was being watched, Nothing. Was she imagining things again? She started her car and tore out of the parking lot not looking back.

  The second she was out of the woods and onto the open road, Sam turned on her favorite cd, turning it up until she couldn’t hear anything but the loud music resounding in her ears. She hoped it would be a good distraction from all the drama of her life. It only helped for a few seconds though. She clicked the stereo off and reached for her phone. Punching in Elizabeth McAdams number, she pressed the phone to her ear, as it started to ring.

  “Hello.” Liz said excitedly.

  “Hey Liz, What are you up to?” Sam said trying to hide how troubled she was.

  “Nothing really. We are getting ready to head to Tj’s. What are you up to Sam?”

  “I am on my way home from the falls. I’ve got a lot on my mind lately. I am really going to do it this time. I can’t take it anymore.” Sam said

  “Are you sure this time?” Liz questioned.

  “Yes I am sure this time. I don’t know why I haven’t seen it before. I realized that I have been letting him use me in ways I didn’t know it was possible.” Sam was almost in hysterics.

  “Slow down.” Liz was laughing quietly. “You have known that for a long time, honey, you are just now letting yourself feel it.”

  “Yea I guess.”

  “Ok we can talk about it when you get to Tj’s. Go home, shower, and change into something sexy. We will have fun tonight and plan a course of action.” Liz said still laughing.

  “Ok. I will see you in half an hour. Bye.” Sam said clicking the end button.

  Sam could see her house from here. Her house was just one of her pride and joys. It was a beautiful 2 story brown colonial with a gorgeous garden and an amazing courtyard. She started to smile until she noticed the extra car in her driveway. ‘Elle is here. Just great.’ She thought. She pulled into her driveway and turned off her car. She grabbed her purse and the note that had been on her windshield and walked into her house.

  “She better only be here to drop off the kids!” Sam yelled into the darkness. No reply came and that can only mean one thing, that her worst fears were true. She walked toward her bedroom flipping the lights on angrily as she went. When she got to the bedroom door she paused and listened.

  “Oh, Will come on, yea baby, yea baby, Ahhh.” Elle was breathing heavy after her release.

  “Shut up Elle! You have to be gone before she gets home. Now go get my kids and bring them here. Now! If she finds you here….” William Hunter was stopped in the middle of his sentence.

  The bedroom door swung open. Sam was in the open doorway, and she was pissed off.

  “Had I known that you two repulsive people were sleeping together in my bed every time I left the house I would have kicked you out a long time ago Will. In fact, get out of my house now! Both of you!” Sam said as calmly as she could but on the inside she was screaming.

  “I am not going anywhere. This is my house to.” Will said forcefully.

  “This is not your house. I am the one who worked hard to buy it and fix it up. The only thing you did was lounge around and make a mess.” Sam shot back just as forcefully.

  “If anyone is leaving, Samantha, it will be you.” Will said with a sly smile on his face.

  “Oh really, is that what you think.” Sam said walking down the hall to the phone. She dialed 911.

  “911, how may I direct your call?” The operator said.

  “Hi, I need the cops here as soon as possible please. I need someone removed from my property.” Sam said without blinking an eye.

  “Ok, I will need some information from you first ok?” the operator replied “Ok.”

  “Do you own your property or do you rent?”

  “I own it.”

  “Are you the only one on the deed?”

  “Yes I am.”

  “And who do you need removed?”

  “My ex and his mistress, William Hunter and Elle Barnes.”

  “Ok. The police are on their way, Please meet them at your front door.” The operator said.

  “Thank you so much.” Sam replied and hung up the phone.

  She started walking back into the bedroom until she heard something she couldn’t believe. They were at it again like two dogs. She shuddered and turned the other way deciding she would go to the front door the back way. So she headed through her bathroom to the hallway behind the kitchen. The doorbell rang when she was halfway through the kitchen almost to the door. She wasn’t worried they didn’t hear her yell when she got there, so why would they hear the doorbell.

  “Hello ma’am. You need two people removed from the property?” The first officer asked as Sam opened the door.

  “Yes, they are in the bedroom. Down the hall, second door on your left.” Sam replied.

  She listened to the footsteps of the officers walking down the hall. Then she heard the door open and the screaming start. She couldn’t help but to giggle to herself. ‘That will teach him.’ She thought. Her cell phone ringing startled her as she wasn’t expecting it. Picking it up she saw who was calling.

  “Hey Liz, I will call you back in a few minutes. I know I’m late but this is worth it.” She said hurriedly as the officers were escorting Will and Elle down the hallway toward her.

  “How could you do this?” Will was screaming as the officer escorted him out the door and into the back of the squad car. Elle was unrealistical
ly quiet as the officer led her out the door.

  “Ok ma’am.” The officer started. “Here are the papers you will need to fill out for court. The clerk will call you with the exact date and time. I suggest you get a lawyer. Goodnight ma’am.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate it.” Sam said as she closed the door. She quickly dialed Liz’s number while walked into her room to get ready.

  “Ok Sam this had better be good you are over 20 minutes late!” Liz answered angrily. She was always the most impatient when it came to someone being late.

  “I know, I know. I am getting ready now. Which top should I wear with my black pants?” Sam said casually.

  “Stop trying to change the subject, but, the pink and black halter.” Liz answered.

  “Thank you. Long story short though. So I got home and Elle’s car was here. So when I walked in the door I yelled that she better just be here for the kids. When I got no answers I walked to the bedroom, caught them having sex, and busted in on them. Will got in my face and wouldn’t leave so I called the cops. No sooner had I walked away from the bedroom to call the cops they were at it again. So like I told you earlier, we are over.” Sam paused, waiting for the guaranteed reaction.

  “Ok I forgive you. Now let’s go! I am waiting.” Liz said laughing.

  Sam hung up the phone, grabbed her clothes, and headed for the shower. She turned on the hot water and waited for it to heat up. That was the only bad thing about her house. The water took forever to heat up. In the meantime, Sam went back into her closet and tried to find her favorite shoes. By the time she got back into her on suite bathroom it was steamy and hot. Just as she liked it. She took the shortest shower that she ever had. As she was drying off she remembered the note that was in her purse. She couldn’t help but to wrap herself in a towel and make a bee line for the purse on her hall table. She pulled out the note, headed back to her room, and sat on her bed. She read:

  Sammy,

  Be at the cave under the falls tomorrow at 5 p.m. Dinner will be provided.

  She looked at the note with a funny glance. There had only be one person who had called her Sammy. There was no chance that it could be him, right? She was shaken out of her trance by her phone as it alerted her that she had a text. It read. ‘Where are you?’ She looked at the clock. She was definitely late now. She threw on her clothes and her makeup. She was almost ready to walk out the door when she looked in the mirror and shuddered. All she could picture was those two in her bed. She needed to sell it. She flipped her shoes on and grabbed her purse off the hall table. She double checked to lock the door behind her and took the spare key from under the potted fern. If he got out she wasn’t going to risk him getting in.

  She got in her car and drove the 10 blocks to Tj’s. She had rocked out to her cd the entire way. As she pulled up to Tj’s she thought she saw a familiar black mustang. She shrugged it off thinking to herself there was no way it could be the same one. She parked her Pontiac g5 at the valet, got out of the car, and handed the keys to the good looking valet. She walked into the huge double doors and into the bar part of the building. She smiled and waved shamelessly the bouncer.

  “Hey Sam, how’s it going?” The bouncer said.

  “Great.” Sam said laughing as she walked down the steps to the bar to meet Liz.

  “Hey. I see someone finally graces us with her presence.” Liz said smiling and handing her a drink.

  “Yea, yea. I know. At least I made it though.”

  “True. I was beginning to think that you weren’t going to. So you called the cops finally. I am proud of you.” Liz said

  “Why thank you,” Sam said laughing “I know it took a long time to see it but I realize now that we were never really together anyways. He was always just there.”

  “That is right. He was never there for you emotionally. So is it too early for you to move on?” Liz questioned.

  “I don’t know about that yet. I will let you know when I figure it out.” Sam mumbled taking a giant gulp of her drink.

  “Ok, you better. I’m staying with you tonight. There is no way that I will let you stay all alone after tonight.” Liz smiled.

  “Great.” Sam said sarcastically. She had learned to not try to convince Liz of things that she already had her mind set on.

  Tj’s looked better than usual tonight. She was lucky that she had an in when it came to her favorite spot. Tj’s was owned by Liz’s husband TJ McAdams. He was usually nice and always kept his business in tip top shape. The best thing about Tj’s was that no matter what it was open to her. She had a few vices in life. Those vices being that she loved to drink away her pain when she needed to, she was obsessed with her music store, and then there was her last vice…Him.

  She needed to figure out why everything tonight was reminding her of him. It wasn’t Tj’s because the interior had just been done. Maybe it was the note? She took the note out of her purse and read it again. She went as far to smell the paper, not caring if anyone saw her. Still nothing and she was getting the feeling like the anxiety was going to kill her. Liz walked up behind her and startled her.

  “Hey” Liz yelled in her ear. “What is that? We are supposed to be having fun tonight. You just look miserable.”

  “Well even if I was miserable at least I’d have a reason to be. I will tell you what this is when we get to my house. Speaking of can we go now?” Sam begged.

  “You haven’t even been here for an hour yet and you want to leave? I guess we can. Let me go tell TJ that we are leaving. Wait right here.” Liz said disappointedly.

  “Thanks Liz.” Sam said thankfully.

  She went and stood by the giant column to her left. Leaning against it she let out a deep breath and then she saw him. There was no mistaking it. George Ames was here. ‘How could he be here? Wasn’t he supposed to be in LA or somewhere equally as far away?’ She thought frantically. She looked around to see if anyone else saw him. When she looked back in the direction she had seen him in, he wasn’t there. Maybe she was dreaming it?

  “Ok, let’s blow this joint.” Liz said as she walked back over to Sam.

  “Yea, Let’s go.” Sam said still feeling a little dazed.

  They walked out the door and signaled for the valet to retrieve. Sam’s car. When the valet came back he was driving Sam’s dream car. It was literally a car that matched everything Sam had once drawn up 5 years ago. It was a sleek black Lamborghini Diablo with pink ghost flames and tinted windows.

  “Here is your car ma’am.” The valet said to her.

  “This is not my car!” Sam started “My car is a black Pontiac g5. Not a Lamborghini.”

  “My apologies miss, I have been instructed to give you this note and tell you that you will find your Pontiac at home safe and sound. The gentleman took the valet key that you gave us with him.” The valet turned and walked away as fast as he could.

  Sam looked at Liz.

  “Who would do this? I would call the cops!” Liz was outraged that someone would have the audacity to do something like this.

  “Yea” Sam said quietly as she opened the note. She recognized the handwriting as the same as the note before.

  Sammy,

  If my memory serves me correctly this is your dream car. It is all yours now. All will be explained tomorrow. I hope you like it.

  “Liz, let’s go. I will explain what this is on the way back to my house.” Sam said in a surprisingly calm voice as she slipped it into her purse next to the other one.

  “No! We have to call the cops. Someone stole your car Sam! Liz exclaimed.

  “Trust me on this ok? Let’s go!” Sam said sternly.

  “Fine.” Liz said with a look that said ‘ok lady, you are crazy.’

  “Hurry up Liz!” Sam yelled as she got into the car.

  The car was just as sleek on the inside as it looked on the outside. There was a note on the steering wheel. She peeled the sticky note off and read:

  ‘Look in the trunk but not until you get home.’<
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  “Well, put the petal to the metal.” Liz said “so what are you going to explain about? How could you just let someone switch your car and then be so nonchalant about it?”

  “I have been getting these notes randomly all night. The first one was on my car at the trail, and now the one from the valet. I don’t know who they are from, but whoever it is wants me to meet them back at the trail tomorrow afternoon.” Sam said waiting in silence for Liz’s response as she headed out of the parking lot and started toward her house.

  “That is creepy. Is that why you weren’t so upset about the car? What did these notes say?” Liz asked with a deep sense of concern.

  “Go in my purse and get them. You will see what I mean when you read them.” Sam said as she turned onto her street.

  As Liz was reading the notes her eyes got bigger and her mouth was slightly open like a person would when they were surprised.

  “You should probably close your mouth before the flies get in it.” Sam said laughing.

  “Do you know who is writing these to you?” Liz asked

  “If I did I wouldn’t be so nervous for tomorrow. I thought I knew but there isn’t any way I could see it being him.” Sam said pulling into her driveway.

  Sam turned the car off and saw her Pontiac sitting there. She got out and made a bee line for it. After looking it over thoroughly she decided that she wouldn’t get all worked up about whoever did this. She had bigger problems to deal with behind her front door. She popped her trunk and looked inside. There were 5 boxes of all different sizes inside.

  “Someone sure loves you.” Liz said with a spark of intrigue.

  “Let’s take them into the house. We can put them into the living room and then we will open them after we get changed.” Sam said grabbing the 3 biggest boxes. “Can you please shut the trunk?”

  “No problem.” Liz said as she grabbed the remaining two boxes and shut the trunk.

  Sam walked up the sidewalk toward her house at an unusually fast pace. She shoved her free hand in her purse, fumbling for her house keys. She pulled her house keys out and unlocked the door. They walked into the empty house slamming the door behind them. An unmistakable echo rang through the foyer and seemed to make the whole house resonate. Sam flicked on the lights and walked into her living room dropping the boxes onto the couch. They seemed to bounce off the first cushion and onto the next with one of the boxes landing cockeyed onto the floor.