With Love Read online

  With Love

  By

  Shawnté Borris

  Published by: Shawnté Borris

  Copyright © 2013 by Shawnté Borris

  ISBN: 978-0-9918287-0-8

  www.facebook.com/shawnteborrisauthor

  Twitter / Shawnté Borris @Borris_1982

  Copyright © 2013 by Shawnté Borris

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Characters, places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, placed or events is purely coincidental.

  This novel is dedicated to my wonderful husband, Ricky,

  and to our beautiful children, Remi and Gavin.

  ***

  Ricky, what can I write that I haven’t already said to you? There have never been enough words that could ever fully express my love for you. I am so grateful and blessed that you are my better half and my beloved life companion. You are my soul mate.

  Every day you entertain me, dance with me, and most importantly, you love me. You watch me succeed and guide me when I fall. You are always in my cheering section, and for that…

  ~ I will ALWAYS love you. ~

  ***

  Remi and Gavin, I will always love you unconditionally, protect you from any harm, respect you, laugh with you, and cry with you. I will encourage you during your struggles and help you with your talents. Most importantly, I will always be there for you.

  Thank you both for being the joy of my life and the reason why I get up each morning.

  You both have made your Dad and me very proud.

  ~ I love you most. ~

  ***

  To my Mom and Dad ~ I love you.

  To my Grandparents ~ Thank you for always being there.

  Thank You …

  I don’t even know where to begin!

  I guess the first person that I need to thank is Lacy Almon. Without her, my book would not have been finished as soon as it was. Your guidance and support have meant the world to me. I love that when I text you at 6am, you always reply with a smiley face.

  Thank you, Chris and Avery, for sharing Lacy with me.

  Lisa Harley, thank you for the laughs during the writing process when I had writer’s block. I can’t wait for your book to be finished because everyone needs a whipped-cream-vodka-drinking-cowboy-riding good time.

  To my world-famous cousins, Kim and Angie! This should go without saying: If I didn’t mention you, there would be no more fun times in the sun or getting tattoos. I love you both like there is no tomorrow.

  I also need to thank my wonderful beta readers—Marybeth Provence, Jean Findlay Bowden, Lisa Harley and Lacy Almon—for taking time out of their busy lives to help edit, read, and re-read this book. Your dedication will never be forgotten.

  Tina Moreau, thank you for setting me up with publishing and all that goes into that.

  Also, thank you to Jovana Shirley at Unforeseen Editing and Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations.

  To the BDHM board!!! OMG, how you make me laugh ~ almost to the point of peeing my pants. I love you all and would be lost without you.

  I also want to thank other authors that have inspired me: Lynda LeeAnn, Kelly Elliott, Amanda Stone, R.L. Mathewson, L.B. Simmons, Jamie McGuire, Molly McAdams, the soon-to-be Lisa Harley, E.L. James, Sylvia Day, Kathryn Shay, Melody Anne, S.C. Stephens, Sylvain Reynard, Marie Kelly, Delia Delaney, and of course, the one who started it all…Stephenie Meyer. Thank you for your dreams and for placing them on paper to share with us.

  Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank YOU! That’s right! I want to thank you for taking a chance and reading my novella.

  ~With Love,

  Shawnté

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Epilogue

  CHAPTER ONE

  My name is Alyson (Ally) Almon, and I am twenty-eight years old. I’ve started a new life that is so unrecognizable from what it was before—when he stole my heart at the age of eighteen.

  ***

  As I left the city airport, the sun shone brightly upon my face, the warmth sending a tingling sensation throughout my whole body. It was the best feeling that I have had in a long time—or so I thought.

  ***

  It all started ten years ago in a small community high school with a population of eleven-hundred students. Throughout high school, we had a few classes together. I never really noticed him—and that’s when he fell in love with me.

  When Sam would tell me this story, I would be tightly cuddled into his chest with his hand gliding through my hair. Sam always said it was unbelievably hard to gather the courage to ask me out. “When I thought I’d had enough courage, you’d flash your beautiful smile, and there I was drowning in your beauty.”

  ***

  As I waited for the taxi driver to gather my luggage, I stared hopelessly into the warm sun, remembering the story Sam told me of the first day he knew that I was the one.

  ***

  It was in eleventh-grade English class when we were re-enacting the play Twelve Angry Men. I was playing the part of the court deputy, and Sam was the witness.

  Sam said he knew I was his when I placed his soft hand on a book and looked into his eyes.

  After that encounter, he tried asking me out. Usually, I’d say something like “I wish these mechanic students would wash up after class, so we all don’t have to smell like oil,” and then Sam would back out. I found out later that an oil pan had dropped on Sam’s shoes right before class ended.

  About a month or so after that, I was trying to cram all my textbooks into the smallest locker possibly made. Frustrated, I yelled, “Come on!” Noticing how pissed I was, Sam offered to give me a helping hand. “Thanks, Sam,” I said with a half smile. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.” As I walked away, I looked over my shoulder to say thanks again, but all I noticed was a big grin on Sam’s face.

  ***

  When I got into the taxi, the older man with grey hair asked me, “Where to?”

  I didn’t know how to answer the question—because I didn’t know the answer. “I guess...to a hotel close to the beach,” I said with hesitation.

  “Sure thing,” he replied with a slight nod and smile.

  As we drove away, I smiled and looked out the window, thinking of our first date.

  ***

  It definitely wasn’t the easiest first date that I have ever been on. Sam picked me up on a Wednesday night in his 1987 red orange two- toned Chevy Wrangler truck with matching red interior and subwoofers that vibrated your back while the music blared.

  To this day, I can still smell the inside of his truck.

  It was a forty-five minute drive to the movie theater—a very silent and awkward drive. I don’t think that I could have sat any closer to the door of his truck because I was so nervous. When we arrived, the only seats available were in the make-out corner. Great, I thought to myself with a large sigh.

  I remember Sam telling me later he wanted to grab my
hand in the worst way.

  After the movie, the drive home didn’t seem as long. We shared a few laughs and told embarrassing stories about our childhoods. Before I knew it, we were already at my house. Sam walked me to the door.

  “Thanks for coming out with me. I had a really good night,” he said and then took a deep breath. “So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  As Sam turned away, I thought to myself, Why didn’t he try to kiss me good night? That’s a first.

  “Um…yeah, tomorrow,” I replied.

  ***

  “We’re here,” the taxi driver announced as he drove up to the hotel, pulling me away from my thoughts.

  The hotel had a beautiful cream exterior with rich gold and red accents. When I was getting out of the cab, I couldn’t help but notice the smell of the nearby ocean. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, taking in the refreshing scent. As my eyes opened, I saw the taxi driver handing me my luggage.

  “Thanks,” I said startled, grabbing my luggage from his hand.

  I walked through the lobby of the hotel to the front desk, not knowing what to expect.

  “Hello. Welcome to Haven Hotel. May I help you?” greeted a young woman.

  “I need a room, please.” I paused for a moment, staring at her.

  “Do you have a reservation with us?”

  “No,” I said while I slightly shook my head.

  “How long do you plan on staying with us?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe a few days? For a while.” I looked at her uneasily.

  “Well, let’s see what we have available. Have you even been to Aventura, Florida before?”

  “No, this is my first time. I’m from Flavanna, Virginia”

  “I have a beautiful room facing the water on the third floor. Will that work for you?”

  “Yes, that will be fine,” I said, fidgeting with the pen on the counter. Really at that point anything would have done, I thought.

  Riding on the elevator with the bellhop, I realized that I was in uncomfortable territory. When we arrived on the third floor, I stepped out of the elevator and noticed a beautiful gold-framed mirror. It reminded me of the one Sam and I saw while we were on our honeymoon in the Dominican Republic.

  As the bellhop placed my luggage in the room, I felt the warmth of the sun again, shining through the balcony windows. I pulled the curtains aside a bit more to let in more light. Then I opened the French doors, revealing an outdoor terrace.

  I walked outside and leaned on the balcony for a while, watching the crowds of people on the beach. Before I knew it, enough time had passed that there was hardly anyone left. The sun was an amazing color, setting on the water and sparkling with each flowing wave.

  I headed back into the room and saw all my luggage was on the bed. I didn’t even notice when the bellhop left. While I was unpacking my things, I heard a light knock at my door. It was a fruit tray from the lady at the front desk with a note: Thought you could use a snack. Nibbling on the fruit, I put away the bathroom essentials—products on the left side of the counter, all four toothbrushes in the glass holder, and a hand towel by the right side of the sink.

  As the setting sun disappeared, I started to undress.

  I noticed Sam’s favorite T-shirt in the corner of one of my suitcases. It was an old, thin hockey shirt from his college days. Still smelling like Sam, I slipped it on. I also placed two old and ratty teddy bears on my nightstand.

  That was the first night when I realized they were not here. I was alone.

  Pulling back the covers ever so slowly, I quietly slipped in and felt the tears running down my cheeks. As I lay there, I thought about how big and empty the bed felt.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The next morning sunlight peeked through the opened window. I slightly tossed back my hair away from my face, staring toward the early sunrise. I lay there for a while, closing my eyes and listening to sound of the ocean waves crashing into the shore.

  I decided to start the day with a hot shower. While waiting for the water to heat up, I turned on the radio, hoping that it would fill the sound of the empty room. In the background, I could hear Brad Paisley singing “Wrapped Around.”

  It felt so good to have hot water flowing over my body. I stood in the shower in a daze. In no time at all, I remembered the first time Sam ever saw me naked.

  ***

  We had been dating for two years, and it was a cool, crisp night. We sat in the back of his truck, watching the northern lights and listening to the radio. That was the first time in my life I felt safe.

  I had never had anybody look at me like the way Sam did. His warm fingers softly touched the side my face, staring into my eyes as if trying to gather my every thought. His lips were silky soft with a slight smell of peppermint gum. His kisses were always light. His fingers ran down my neck, slightly pulling my hair toward the center of my back. With his trembling hands, he undid the clasp of my bra ever so lightly. Feeling the cool air on my back gave me a slight shiver. Sam looked at me with his steady eyes.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered.

  It was so powerful having our naked bodies touch with his fingers trailing over my naked breasts.

  ***

  I gasped to catch my breath, realizing that I was back in the shower. I grabbed the shower curtain for dear life. I NEEDED OUT!!!

  I needed out! I needed to breathe! I shot out of the shower, throwing on any piece of clothing that I could find quickly. I left the hotel and headed outside.

  As I walked down one street, I couldn’t get Sam out of my mind. I felt his touch, remembering the tickle on my ear as we laughed when we cuddled on the couch. I felt the waves of his hair lightly on my fingertips as I slightly rubbed them together.

  Listening to the sounds of the morning birds, I stopped at a small park where the trees and flowers were still in the midst of blooming.

  I sat under the most beautiful oak tree that I have ever seen. The tree had a reddish tone to the evenly spread bark. The roots were somewhat lifted from the ground, and the leaves were only halfway developed. I inhaled, smelling the sweetness of the tree sap. I sat on the ground for a while, watching the people walking by. Some were laughing, some were busy on their phones, and some were playing with their children. I would give anything to have that back. I miss my children more than anything.

  An elderly couple across the street caught my eye. I gazed at them as they were holding hands. She was in her early eighties with her hair all done in a roller set. She was wearing a cotton button shirt with different shades of blue all over and a dark blue pair of pants with a light blue pearl bead necklace. I was intrigued with how well she looked after all this time. While she was feeding the squirrels, her husband just sat back, watching her with love-filled eyes. One could easily tell that he loved her more in that moment than when he said I do on their wedding day.

  I sighed and thought, I wish I had my camera with me.

  ***

  When Sam and I would sit on our front porch, talking about what it would be like growing old together, he always said we would travel the world together to explore new and exciting things. In my heart, I knew he would have been just as happy sitting on our front porch for the next sixty years. That’s the one thing I loved most about Sam. He would always dream with me, and he’d let me go as far as I wanted. I knew he loved watching my eyes light up, thinking about our next adventure together.

  CHAPTER THREE

  A few days later I went to this small coffee shop on the east side of town. I had a medium fresh-ground French-roasted coffee that smelled incredible. I decided to sit outside, facing the beach. I was trying to gather enough courage to take out the yellow envelope that was waiting for me at the bottom of my bag. Inside the envelope were some of the letters that Sam wrote while he was on a six week family vacation to Germany while we were in high school. I finally took them out and began to read them.

  ***

  I’m not even gone, and I miss you like crazy. I was hoping for y
our little check of necessities since you are a master at packing. I wish you were here with me, sitting on my bed watching me pack.

  Love,

  Sam

  Sam always carried my picture in his wallet. He showed me off any chance he got. His distant family would tell him that I was “sehr beautiful,” and he’d reply, “That’s what’s waiting for me back home.”

  I’m lying here thinking about the first night we shared the stars. It’s funny how little things remind me of you—like when someone smiles or laughs really loud. I can’t stop thinking about you. You are always the last thing I think about before I go to sleep, my love.

  I love you.

  Sam

  No matter where Sam went people always wanted him to stay and work for them at their farms. Sam always showed so much pride in everything that he did.

  Although I am doing a lot here in Germany, you are always on my mind. Love you, honey. I really miss you, and I can’t wait to hold you once again. I will never let you go.

  Love,

  Sam

  xoxo

  Sam and I always held a special place in our hearts for our dear friends. No matter where we were, we often thought of them.

  Everywhere you look there is beer; this would be paradise for the Fluvanna boys. Honey, there are no chocolate factories like you thought. Gotta buy it in the stores, same as home. Boy, it sucks not knowing how you are doing or how you are spending your time. The last time I saw you in my truck you said that while I was away our love would grow. You were right.

  Later Alligator,

  Sam

  He didn’t know that I was doing the same as him, writing letters every day.

  It didn’t matter where Sam was; he could sleep anywhere and sleep through anything.

  I’ve had the best sleep in over a week since we’ve been here. You are in my dream. I dreamt I came home and saw your face. I remember holding your face in between my hands and kissing you. Everything seems to be better, knowing that you are close by.

  Love you,

  Sam

  I missed him so much.