The Long Road to Love

  Contents

  The Long Road to Love

  Copyright

  Hidden Beauty Series

  Hidden Hearts Series

  Dedication

  Chapter One Nancy

  Chapter Two Rex

  Chapter Three Nancy

  Chapter Four Rex

  Chapter Five Nancy

  Chapter Six Rex

  Chapter Seven Nancy

  Chapter Eight Rex

  Chapter Nine Nancy

  Epilogue Rex

  Note from the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Resources

  About the Author

  COPYRIGHT

  © 2018 Mary Crawford. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems – except in the case of brief quotations in articles or reviews – without permission in writing from its publisher, Mary Crawford and Diversity Ink Press. Copyright protection extends to all excerpts and previews by this author included in this book.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. The author or publisher is not associated with any product or vendor in this book.

  Published on November 6, 2018, by Diversity Ink Press and Mary Crawford. Author may be reached at MaryCrawfordAuthor.com.

  Republish date: August 1, 2019.

  Originally published as The Christmas Message

  ISBN: 978-1-945637-50-6

  Cover by Covers Unbound.

  HIDDEN BEAUTY SERIES

  Until the Stars Fall from the Sky

  So the Heart Can Dance

  Joy and Tiers

  Love Naturally

  Love Seasoned

  Love Claimed

  If You Knew Me (and other silent musings) (novella)

  Jude's Song

  The Price of Freedom (novella)

  Paths Not Taken

  Dreams Change (novella)

  Heart Wish (100% charity release)

  Tempting Fate

  The Letter

  The Power of Will

  HIDDEN HEARTS SERIES

  Identity of the Heart

  Sheltered Hearts

  Hearts of Jade

  Port in the Storm (novella)

  Love is More Than Skin Deep

  Tough

  Rectify

  Pieces (a crossover novel)

  Hearts Set Free

  Freedom (a crossover novel)

  The Long Road to Love (novella)

  Love and Injustice (Protection Unit)

  Out of Thin Air (Protection Unit)

  Soul Scars (Protection Unit)

  OTHER WORKS:

  The Power of Dictation

  Use Your Voice

  Vision of the Heart

  #AmWriting: A Collection of Letters to Benefit The Wayne Foundation

  DEDICATION

  To those who have been

  led to believe they are somehow

  worthless and unlovable.

  May you find the strength to

  love yourself in spite of your flaws

  — or perhaps because of them.

  And if you’re one of the lucky ones,

  you’ll find someone else to love you

  as you should have been loved

  all along.

  CHAPTER ONE

  NANCY

  MY HEART BREAKS AS I glance around Paint Your Art Out. I don’t even recognize it as the quaint little arts and crafts store I left behind a couple weeks ago before I went into the hospital. It looks more like a disaster area. My once neat display shelves are in complete disarray and inventory is strewn everywhere. Some valuable pieces lay shattered on the ground. My window displays look like someone stomped on them. Looking closer, I smell the distinct odor of vomit. Befuddled, I turn to Libby Mayfield for answers, “What happened here?”

  Trying to disguise her nerves, Libby shrugs as she averts her gaze. “I guess one of the temp people Stephanie hired to cover for the holidays decided to hold her bachelorette party here and things got a little wild.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Obviously. Why didn’t this employee help clean up the mess she created?” I ask as bone rattling fatigue sets in.

  “Stephanie took her keys and banned her from the facility.”

  All my carefully reserved strength flows out of my body as I concede, “Come to think of it, that was probably a good idea. I just don’t know how I’m going to clean up this whole mess.”

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Lyons. I wasn’t working because I had exams last week.”

  “It’s okay, Libby. You probably couldn’t have stopped it anyway. You can call me Ms. Williams. The divorce is officially final. Although, I’d prefer it if you’d simply call me Nancy. Listen, I’m going to go clear my head and get some coffee. If someone comes in to buy something, offer to order it for them — I guess that’s all we can do.”

  On my way to the coffee shop, I stop in at Ink’d Deep, the local tattoo shop owned by my landlords, to let them know I won’t be stopping by at their barbecue tonight because of the calamity at the shop.

  I try to sneak in the front door and be unobtrusive, but that’s not the way things work around here. Jade, one of the owners, is the first to notice me. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you just get out of the hospital? I thought they told you to go home and rest. The flu is killing people. I would’ve thought over a week in the hospital and being connected to oxygen would have persuaded you not to overdo it,” she scolds.

  I sway a little on my feet and my vision grays at the edges. I struggle to find the words to explain my actions. “I … I stopped by the shop to pick up some paints to occupy myself because I knew I’d be down for a while — but the whole place is trashed.”

  I hate feeling weak. I lean against the room divider and try to pretend nothing is wrong, but it’s far too late. Marcus and Jett notice my hesitation and come over to help me. Even though they have both been my friends for two years now, I still flinch at their touch. If I was strong enough, I would kick myself for my response. I see a look of surprise and pain across Jett’s face. This nearly crushes me. Jett and his wife have been nothing but generous with me. They allow me to live in a house on the property for a pittance for rent. I know it’s not even remotely close to market value, but they never say a word. They claim I’m doing them a huge favor by watering the plants and giving their cat food and water while they’re gone. Yet, this is how I repay him? I can’t believe his presence still makes me jump even after more than two years.

  Marcus and Jett escort me back to a large comfortable couch in the break room and help me sit down. Rogue comes in and drapes a blanket over me. Softly she asks, “What’s going on, Nancy?”

  “Someone demolished the shop while I was in the hospital,” I explain. “I don’t even know how I can put it all back together before Savannah and Casey come back into town for the holidays. My daughter trusted me to take care of Paint Your Art Out while Casey was going to school. I thought I had it covered. I had a big tole painting workshop planned for Christmas — but I’ve been so sick, I haven’t had a chance to do any promotion for it and now I don’t even know if we have the supplies in stock.” I start to tear up. “I’m so sorry, I know I shouldn’t —”

  A distinguished gentleman with silver hair and a sexy smile wearing cargo shorts and with a dramatic tattoo curling around
his calf pokes his head in the break room. “Sorry to interrupt, Jett. I need to go. Do you want to run my card now or do you want me to pay when I come back next week?” he asks as he twirls his card between his fingers.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting, Rex. I need to swing by your office after we close tonight. I’ll talk to you then. You know the routine with your tattoo. Keep it covered and out of the sun,” Jett replies. “We don’t want those colors fading.”

  “It’s gorgeous work,” I stammer and then blush uncontrollably.

  Rex looks down at the see-through bandage. “Yeah, it took us a while to get here. I was amazed what Jett could do, considering what a gnarly mess my skin is underneath all this beautiful artwork.”

  “Really? They can do that?”

  He nods and pulls his cargo shorts up to expose more of his thigh. “Believe it or not, the scarring Jett covered up was even more extensive.”

  Instinctively, I cover my scar on my upper breast with my left hand as I ask, “Looks painful. What hap —” I have to close my eyes as a wave of dizziness overtakes me. I slump back against the cushions of the couch.

  Marcus yells out into the shop, “I think Ms. Lyons needs your help, Jade.”

  Jade rushes in and I mumble, “It’s Williams now —”

  “Well, your divorce took just about forever. It should make your life easier. Nancy, do you trust me to take care of you?” Jade asks.

  I nod and then instantly regret the motion. “I think so,” I respond with a puzzled look.

  Something in my expression must’ve struck Jade as funny because she laughs. “Don’t worry, a lot of people feel that way about me. I’ll take care of you. It’s obvious to everyone except you that you should have stayed in bed today. So, I’m going to make it happen. After all, you need to be strong for the big Christmas get-together.” She puts her arm around me and helps me to a standing position.

  “Normally, I would resent you all to pieces for your bossiness, but today I’m too sick to care,” I admit as I lean on her for support.

  CHAPTER TWO

  REX

  I SLIDE THE PAPERWORK across my desk to Jett. “You gotta know I have a million questions about this afternoon. Who is Nancy Williams — and what is she to you?”

  For a moment Jett looks confused. “You mean our tenant, Nancy Lyons … uh … right … I forgot. Her divorce came through and she finally gets to dump her albatross.”

  My eyebrows raise. “I thought you believed in happily ever after and all that jazz.”

  “I do — unless the guy you’re married to is a complete jerk face,” Jett responds with a grimace.

  “That bad?” I ask.

  Jett nods. “I’m sure there’s a bunch of stuff she’s not telling us, but the things Nancy does admit to are downright horrific. After their son was born with some sort of birth defect, her husband turned into a crazed zealot and took their entire family on the road in search of faith healers. After Owen died, George was afraid they would be charged with the death of their son. He took his wife and ran, leaving their other two children to fend for themselves. He basically kept her hostage and on the run for about fifteen years. They didn’t even have a home, and he never allowed her to seek medical help.”

  “I guess that explains why she looked like you could knock her over with a light summer breeze yesterday. So, you gonna tell me where this loser is? Seems to me, a guy who could treat a woman like that and desert his children needs an attitude adjustment or two.”

  Jett smirks. “Too late. Georgie boy split town. Seems he couldn’t handle it when his wife grew a backbone and stood up for herself. That’s why it took so blasted long for her to get a divorce. She had to find the slime ball.”

  “Wouldn’t it simply be a matter of paperwork?”

  “That’s what her son-in-law Mark, who is an attorney, told her. Even so, she didn’t want to take the easy way out. She wanted George to know she wanted the marriage over.”

  “Wow! That took guts.”

  “You have no idea. From what I understand, this guy basically ruled everything in her life from what she wore, to what she ate and drank. He even criticized her thoughts.”

  I shake my head in disbelief. “I don’t even pretend to understand how that happens.”

  “Me neither. You’ve met my wife and daughter. Can you imagine me telling them what they were allowed to believe or giving them fashion advice? I tried that once when Jade was in junior high school. I swear her skirts got three inches shorter,” Jett reminisces with a chuckle.

  “So, I guess I have a question. Is there anything we can do to make Nancy’s life a little easier and prove to her not all guys are jerks?” I ask as I idly spin a pen between my fingers.

  “Funny you should ask. I was thinking about calling an emergency meeting of Coastal Cruisers with a Cause to see if they might want to help. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Nancy was recently hospitalized with a wicked case of influenza and pneumonia. While she was away, somebody completely trashed her business. She’ll need a little help to put it all back together. You met her yesterday — if someone doesn’t step in, she’ll try to do it herself.”

  “I did. Although she seems to have the willpower to fight the world, she doesn’t seem to have the strength to shadowbox with her own reflection. Let’s do this. I’ll call the guys.”

  “Are we sure an isolated tornado didn’t go through here?” I ask Jett as I look around the store in dismay. Every place I look, something is overturned or demolished. The stench is something I associate more with a bathroom at a seedy bar than a craft store.

  “From what I understand, this was caused by a bunch of twenty-something bridesmaids who had far too much to drink.”

  “Any reason she doesn’t want to file an insurance claim?”

  “Knowing Nancy, I suspect she doesn’t want it to go back on her kids.”

  I raise my eyebrow. “I’d definitely bill the delinquents who attended the party.”

  “Not a bad idea. I’ll have the guys keep track of any damaged inventory during cleanup and ask Libby to give me an itemized list. Mark should be able to issue a sufficiently scary letter asking for reimbursement.”

  Using the box cutter, I break down the last box of many and throw it in the pile out back. As I enter the store, out of the corner of my eye, I see Libby wobble on one of the step stools as she struggles to put inventory away. I rush over to steady her. “Careful there,” I caution.

  I am about half a beat too slow and Libby falls backwards into my arms. Fortunately, I catch her and set her back on her feet before she drops the merchandise in her hands. She blushes. “I’m so sorry. I guess I’m just not tall enough to do the restocking.”

  I try to surreptitiously work out a kink in my shoulder. Honestly, it’s never been quite the same since the car sideswiped me on the interstate and caused the wipeout which almost ended my ability to ride altogether. “You’re welcome. It’s not a problem. Is that how everybody has to do inventory?”

  She shrugs. “Most of the good storage space is clear up there.” Libby says as she points to large cupboards about two feet over her head.

  I look around to find Jett. “Hey, did you say Nancy was readmitted to the hospital until Wednesday?”

  Jett nods. “Yeah, turns out the pneumonia was a little tougher than they thought.”

  “Would it be okay if I build her a rolling ladder system?” I ask as I study the shop.

  Jett narrows his eyes. “Know anything about that?”

  I chuckle at his skepticism. “I wasn’t always a banking executive. I worked my way through college as an apprentice to a furniture maker.”

  “Why would you do this for my boss?” Libby asks in a distrustful voice. “Are you sure you won’t charge Nancy anything?”

  I shake my head. “Not a dime. Sometimes you just encounter someone who has had so much bad happen in their life, you feel compelled to show them there are still good people in the world. Something tells me Ms. Williams
needs to be reminded that good things can happen to good people.”

  Jett grins. “Amen. Besides, it’s the holiday season. Knock yourself out. I’ll do my best to keep her out of here until your crew is done. Diamond will be thrilled. My wife already thinks you are one of the nicest guys she’s ever met. Wait until she hears about this.”

  I pull at the neck of my T-shirt and shift my weight uncomfortably. “Let’s keep this between us. After all, I’m supposed to be a tough guy — you know, I’m in a motorcycle gang.”

  Jett scoffs at me. “Yeah, we’re in a motorcycle gang which specializes in raising money for children’s causes. I don’t think our toughness quotient is off the charts.”

  “Does my tattoo count?”

  Jett claps me on the back of the shoulder. “Yeah, Hudson, you’re a real rebel. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”

  Libby makes a show of zipping her lips and goes back to sorting inventory, while I make mental plans to make Ms. William’s workplace safer and more beautiful.

  CHAPTER THREE

  NANCY

  NERVOUSLY, I FLUFF MY hair and rearrange the couch pillows behind me as Ketki opens the door. I don’t know why I’m even worried about all this. If I look as bad as I feel, I’m probably as attractive as a dingy, worn-out dishrag.

  Ketki bursts into the living room. Being a teenager hasn’t slowed her down much. “Grandma, this guy is here to see you. He says he works at a bank. I told him I’m really good at math and he said I should consider a career in financing.”

  “That’s great, Ki. Maybe you guys can talk about it sometime,” I reply.

  Just then, I hear a car honk in the distance and Ketki brushes a kiss across my cheek. “Gotta go — but you can’t tell Mom and Dad. I’m going Christmas shopping with Maya.”