Beat of His Heart
NICKIE NALLEY SEIDLER
Nickie Nalley Seidler ©2017
Cover Design by JRA Stevens
Editor: Kellie Montgomery
Please DO NOT PIRATE or STEAL. It is against the law and really not cool! If you want to share it with a friend, LOAN it or buy an extra copy!
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and revival systems without prior consent from the author. Characters, places, events, that are portrayed in this book are all fictitious. I understand that if I share the author’s works I will be in violation of the copyright and can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
DEDICATION
I completely dedicate this book to Author Glenna Maynard. She has been there since day one and she continues to be one of my author besties. She inspired this book and it’s because of her, that I pushed myself to make this book happen. She has always given me hope and always pushed me to succeed. For her, I am entirely grateful.
Playlist
Someday- Nickelback
Love Like Crazy- Lee Brice
Someone like you- Adele
Read Your Mind- Avant
Show Em- Backstreet Boys
Show me the meaning- Backstreet Boys
God Gave Me You- Blake Shelton
Alcohol- Brad Paisley
Just a Dream- Carrie Underwood
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book was inspired by Glenna Maynard. I’m so happy that she got this book flowing in my mind because it has been so much fun to write. I set my mind to it and it happened. Thank you, Glenna.
To my husband, for always being my number one supporter and pushing me to achieve my goals, thank you and I love you. Thank you for helping with Molly when I needed to write. To Molly, I hope you get your mama’s creative talents and pursue them fully. You are my world. I love you.
My mother, always my supporter, my everything, I’d be lost without you. Thank you for your constant support and cheerleading techniques to make sure I keep living my dream of writing and publishing.
To Shelly, you made me want to finish this book. I’m so grateful for your new friendship and I’m so happy you’re in my life. Thank you for supporting me and being there for me.
To my BETAS Bev, Stephenee and Anne, I have no words. You guys mean so much to me and I’m so thankful you give me the wonderful one of a kind feedback. You guys are more to me than BETAS, but friends. Friends I’ll cherish every day. Thank you for everything you do for me.
To the bloggers, a HUGE thank you to YOU. If it wasn’t for you spreading the word of all my books I wouldn’t have gotten very far. You took a chance on me and I’m so very thankful for your support! Thank you for your endless support I truly do appreciate it. You ladies are wonderful.
To my readers, you are what makes this thing go round for me. You feedback, your positivity, your encouragement, and most of all your friendships. Thank you for supporting me and following me even through mommyhood when you all still stuck by my side when I haven’t published in a while. THANK YOU.
Lastly, Thank you so much to Kellie my editor, for helping me conquer my rough drafts I throw at her. She’s been with me from the start and I’m so thankful for her in my life and to Jennifer for the beautiful cover, I can’t put into words my thanks for all your patience with me in getting it to be perfect.
Thank you all.
Prologue October 17th, 2012
The touch of his lips sent shivers through my body as it did every morning he left me for work. It was the one thing he always did and I loved him for it. He kissed me tenderly while I was asleep as he made his stretch of ten to twelve hour days at his job. It was that kiss that kept me going all day long until I saw him later that night. That soft touch of his hands that carefully slid over my cheek like he admired how I looked every morning before he went to work. It was my touch, my lips, my presence that got him through his day.
Today felt different and I wasn’t sure why, but I was awake when he walked in the bedroom this morning. I smiled at him as he walked towards the bed, admiring his body. Bradley was tall, dark brown hair and beautiful brown eyes that made me weak in the knees anytime I could stare into them. His hair was perfectly sculpted with gel, his spikes adding some more length to his already six two frame. His blue striped suit with white tie neatly ironed, looked seamless. I knew he must have had meetings today if he was this dressed up for work. As he leaned in the bed, he was surprised my eyes were open.
“Hey, baby.” I smiled, stretching out under the covers as he smiled back.
“What are you doing awake,” he whispered, “Get your beauty sleep.”
“I have another hour to sleep, but I couldn’t resist seeing you leave if I was awake.” I yawned. Brad glanced at the clock; he was running a tad late, it was 5:45am.
“Wish I could stay home with you, we’d call in sick.”
I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into me closer and kissed his cheek. “I know, but you have a busy day, and you’re going to be late. We’ll have plenty of time to call in sick. Forever, ever babe.”
“That’s why I love you, I love you so fucking much.” He pressed his lips to mine before I could say anything. He backed off quickly, as he needed to get going and I was keeping him.
“Go, babe!” I smacked his ass. He blew a kiss and I caught it in my hands and pressed it to my face as I curled back under the covers and watched him head out of the bedroom grabbing his work bag. I lay there peacefully as this made my morning. Maybe I should wake up with him more often. Then I thought about my long day ahead. An extra hour of sleep was what I needed right now. I closed my eyes and drifted asleep before my alarm clock would sound.
I woke up right before my alarm went off, checked my social media and noticed I had a couple text messages from Brad telling me he made it to work safely and how much he missed me. How much he wished he could have called in sick today to stay with me in bed. I wished that too. I got out of bed and started the shower. My flower shop wasn’t going to run itself.
My business was my dream. Brad had been letting me live that dream now for the last two years. He’s helped me fund it and get it started and has helped me on the slow months and used money to promote it. It’s not easy running your own business when you’re in competition with the other local flower places. I had big plans for it, including spreading it further out to other cities around me and hiring on more people as long as I hit my goals for the next six months. Brad was my business coach as that was his calling. He worked for a company that helped businesses expand and created hope for them. He made really good money doing it, and when he heard I wanted to have my own business someday, he made it happen almost overnight. Always going out of his way to make me happy. He even used the opportunity to do an awesome scavenger hunt to propose by showing me my shop. My shop that was all mine, and mine to do with as I wanted. Mine that would become ours, because that’s when he dropped down on one knee and I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I knew with every fiber in my body that I wanted to marry this man. But with work so busy, we haven’t had time to buckle down with wedding plans. That was our goal for this year. To plan our wedding. My parents only nagged us with that for two years, so it was only right to start this year; we’d been engaged long enough. In fact, we had plans to meet with a venue this evening and grab some dinner. I had almost forgotten about it till last night when Brad mentioned it before going to bed. He was way more organized than me.
Stepping out of the shower, I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around me while I wrung the water out of my long blonde hair. Scrunching the towel to my wet
locks, I glanced at myself in the mirror. I haven’t been much happier in life than I was now. This was pure bliss and we were not even married. All our friends were married and having babies, and that was ok. We’d have our time, and if Brad was in complete charge, we would already have babies by now.
My phone started playing my favorite song and let me know I had an incoming call. Call me Maybe blasted and my best friend Sara’s picture flashed in the background.
“Hey!” I answered with pep in my step as I scurried to get my clothes for work.
“Hey, what are you doing later? Dinner?” she asked in somewhat of a hurry.
“Actually, Brad and I have dinner plans and were checking out a venue. Would you be interested in joining? I wouldn’t mind having my maid of honor there with me.”
“Oh my God, I thought the day would never come!” she shrieked in excitement. “Of course I’ll join you. Text me the address later, I’m late to work. I had some news I wanted to tell you, but I’d be happy to come! See you later, Amy!”
“Whoa, news?” I interrupted her exit. “You’re going to make me wait all day for news?” I laughed while I shoved my pants on.
“Yeah, I am.” She giggled. “See you!” She ended the call.
That bitch.
I grabbed my blue collared shirt with the name of my company on it, Got Flowers.
I put my hair up in a messy bun and didn’t think to even bother with make-up. I grabbed my white zip up sweater and my purse. I thanked Brad silently as he made a pot of coffee this morning and left some for me. Pouring coffee in a to go cup, I myself was running late. I hurried out the door in a rush and sped off in my car to work.
Later that evening, I went to go through my orders of the day. I had a few orders for tomorrow I prepped for Maria, who was working with me in the morning. There were quite a few orders from today that put us ahead for our numbers, which made the day that much better. Maria was getting ready to leave, and I was counting the drawer to get ready to lock up. During the week we were only open until six o’ clock, out of season, but my website took orders as well. Maria waved as she headed out the door and I smiled. She was such a gentle soul. I was glad I hired her to help me. It was just the two of us and she was such a great woman. Fresh out of high school she wanted a living for herself and her new found boyfriend. Estranged from her family, she wanted to make it on her own, and that told me, she was going to be a hard worker. I was more than right, she’d been with me since opening day and has never called off work. I’ve had to force her to take vacation time.
I headed outside to my car, checking my phone. Brad texted me he was on the way to the venue. I couldn’t wait to see him and jump in his arms in excitement for what was to come tonight. We were so eager to see this place. We would be super lucky if they had a date we wanted available because it was one of the most popular places in the city that overlooked Lake Michigan in Chicago. A spring wedding was what we wanted, and it would just be like a piece of heaven if we could nail this place down.
I texted Brad back saying I was leaving too, and that Sara would be joining us. He messaged me back almost immediately.
Brad: Ha, well, that should make tonight even more interesting. Got to love Sara.
Me: We will have a blast, I love you, baby.
Brad: Anything for you, Amy. Love you more. I can’t wait to call you my wife. See you soon.
I put my phone down and headed out of the parking lot. Traffic was light. It only took about twenty minutes to get there and Sara pulled in at the same time as me. I saw Brad standing outside waiting by the door with a huge smile on his face to see me. Grabbing my purse, I got out of the car. Sara and I walked over to Brad.
The place was huge. The parking lot had room for many cars and the lake looked beautiful as the sun was starting to go down, the shimmer from the sun sparkling across the calm water. Looking over the building, it looked like a palace. The stone exterior made it look expensive. There was a gazebo towards the side of the building attached to an outdoor patio area. That was what I wanted. The pictures in the wedding magazine didn’t even do it justice compared to seeing it in person. The arches and the green and white flowers that trailed up the sides were just perfect. Envisioning in my head the flowers I’d choose for our wedding and the colors and how everything would look.
“Take a breather, Amy, it’s going to be beautiful.” She laughed, slightly punching my arm. “Hey, Brad.” She smiled.
“Sara.” He smiled back. Then turning his attention to me as if nobody were around he gathered me in his arms, hugging me tightly before plastering his lips to mine in a romantic kiss.
“Hey guys, I’m totally right here, get a room.” She rolled her eyes before laughing and holding the door open for us. “I think they’re waiting for us.”
I giggled and kissed Brad deeply before entwining my arm in his and walking through the door. The view in the lobby was breathtaking.
The wrap around staircase with an iron railing and stone steps that led up to what looked like a bridal suite was gorgeous. I could see us taking pictures with all of our bridal party right on these very steps. There were three different rooms in front of us that all had different names, and I figured had different sizes to accommodate different parties. The one to the right was the room I was more interested in, as it had the extended outside patio with the gazebo overlooking the lake.
“This is stunning.”
“Welcome!” You heard a lady walking in heels over to the entrance as we took it all in.
“You must be Amy, and Brad!”
“Hi, yes, I’m Amy! This is my fiancé Brad, and my maid of honor, Sara.” I introduced them all as I shook her hand.
“I’m Melanie. So nice to meet you. So glad you can come out and check out the venue. I’d be happy to give you a tour, and set up a tasting as well. What dates did you have in mind? I have my calendar here so we can discuss.”
We started walking and following close behind Melanie as we took in the beauty.
“I was hoping for an April wedding. We’d love to do April 10th if it was available. But if I could land a date in April to be in this venue, I would be happy to change it.”
Melanie laughed. “You’re in luck sweetie, the 10th is actually open, by chance, my last couple cancelled two days ago.”
“Oh my God. Are you serious? Are you joking?” I looked up at Brad and practically squealed.
“Oh no, it’s yours. You can put a deposit down today.” She opened the doors to the main event room, called none other than the Grand Ballroom. Within minutes, Brad was writing a check to secure the date. Sara and I were walking every inch of the room, planning in our heads what I wanted and where. Envisioning the perfect wedding while Brad seemed to watch in awe. He wasn’t about decorations and had left that all up to me. I was completely ok with that. Melanie was very interested in what we envisioned and loved telling us all about what they offered. We went over colors of silk lavender and silver. Those were the colors I always wanted. We picked out the coolest chairs for an upcharge and they offered the really pretty lavender color for wraps. It couldn’t have been more impeccable to go with what I wanted. We scheduled the tasting for about a month from now to pick out our menu options and pay the second deposit. Brad was going to get some real good loving tonight. Because this place did come at a cost. Brad wanted it to be just what I wanted and wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Babe, my stomach is about to eat itself if we don’t go soon,” he complained with a huge smile on his face, knowing I was in my element but he was ready to scarf some food down.
“Can’t lie and say I don’t agree.” Sara laughed.
We said goodbye to Melanie and walked outside as I kept taking in every special moment that was going to be here. I couldn’t wait to call my mother and tell her all about it. My mom living out of town was the hardest part for me during this planning. I’d love to have had her here with me as we went through all the details, but she had her life in Florida wi
th my dad. My life was in Chicago with Brad.
“So ladies, where do you want to get some dinner?” Brad pressed.
“What about we order in and hang out at our apartment, I have some wine.” I smiled at Sara, “Apparently, she has news and celebrating is in order for something.”
“Call it in babe, it’s eight pm I’ll just pick it up, it’ll be faster.”
“Chinese?” I asked while I looked at both of them.
“You know me best.” Sara grinned.
“Order me the beef and broccoli, babe. I’ll meet you ladies at home.”
Sara gave me her order and I quickly called the Chinese place not far from our home. The only place Brad and I ordered from. He kissed me goodbye and whispered he loved me in my ear as I waited for the place to answer. Placing the order, Sara and I walked to our cars as I saw Brad head out of the parking lot. I blew a kiss and he caught it. That was our thing. We blew kisses at each other and made sure we caught them. We were cheesy, but we were so in love. Brad was my soulmate.
Sara followed me home. Once we got into our townhouse, I turned the lights on and got out the wine glasses.
“That venue was perfect. It was totally you, Amy. I’m so happy for you.”
“I know. And what luck was that? April 10th was what Brad and I really wanted. I just can’t believe this is really happening. We’re really set on a date now. Now the craziness really begins.”
Sara walked over to the couch and plopped down on it, smiling. She was my best friend and the only friend I’ve had for eighteen years. We grew up together, and I couldn’t imagine asking anyone else to stand next to me on my wedding day. She had just gotten married about three years ago, and was having trouble with her husband. Jeff was a difficult man, but they loved each other and I always supported her in their marriage. I knew she had just started going to counseling with him, and things were starting to look up. I was truly curious to know what her news was. But I’m sure she wanted Brad here too, and we’d talk over dinner.
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