by Holk, VM
Beginning Again (Sweet Pleasures Book 1.5)
Copyright 2015 V. M. Holk
All rights reserved.
This book may not be reproduced in any form: in whole or in part, without written permission by the author.
All characters and events in this book are fictional. Any similarities to real life people and events are purely coincidental.
First Printing, 2015
Cover Artist: VM Holk
Editing: Elaine Kelly
Photgraph by: Katie Holk
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ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
I want to give a big thank you to my husband, Jason Holk for encouraging me to continue writing. My daughters are my biggest fans and are always telling people about their mom the author. It warms my heart to think of them bragging about me.
I want to thank Jamie Sexton for being a great PA and friend. Without you I don't know what I would have done. I can't do what I do without you!!
I want to thank Tami Czenkus for being there for me and always let me bounce ideas off of you. I also want to thank Jennifer Ingman for always encouraging me to write and to never stop chasing my dream. I truly appreciate you girls putting up with me and listening to all my concerns and helping me throughout this whole process. #lovemybookbabes
I also want to give a huge Thank You to Jim Sorensen. I appreciate you reading my books and giving me such honest feedback. I consider you a great friend.
I am a lucky person to have so many wonderful people in my life, who listen to my ramblings and give me so much encouragement.
Thank you to all my beta readers, for taking the time to read my book and giving me your honest opinion. Tami Lee, DeeJay, Karrie S., Antoinette M., Michelle M., Elaine K., Autumn O., Jim S., Michelle S., Patty V.,
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ELAINE KELLY - I appreciate you editing my book and being a good friend!! xoxo
DEDICATION
To my best friend, Jenniger Ingman. For always being there for me.
I LOVE YOU
Beginning Again
Sweet Pleasures Series
Book 1.5
By
V. M. Holk
Chapter 1
Eight years ago
Izzy was a year younger than me in school. I graduated and all summer we talked about our future plans. I was going to Michigan State University, this way I could come home to see her, and with any luck she could drive out to see me. We were sad that we weren't going to see each other every day, but we had it all figured out.
About six weeks before I was to leave for school, Izzy calls me in tears. I could barely understand her and told her I was coming to get her right away. I thought it had to do with her dad, he didn't like me. Izzy was from a rich family, and I was the mechanics son. Not what her father wanted his only daughter to end up with.
I pulled into her driveway and barely stopped the car and she was running out of her house. She jumped in and she told me to leave, quickly. I drove to our spot, the little park in front of the Belle River, on Gratiot. Once I parked the car, I turned to her and she fell into my arms.
"What's wrong, Izzy?" She only cried more as she clung to me. "Please, baby talk to me." She was scaring me and I just kept stroking her hair. She finally stopped crying, pulled away, looking up at me.
"Oh god, Jack. I'm pregnant," she said with a tremor in her voice.
I was in shock, I didn't know what to say. "Are you sure, baby?" She looked at me and only nodded.
A million thoughts ran through my mind. "Okay, we will figure this out, together."
"What are we going to do? My parents are going to kill me and you." She started sobbing again.
I took her in my arms and we sat like that for what seemed like forever. It was getting late and I knew I needed to get her home.
"Let's talk more tomorrow, okay. I want to sleep on it and figure everything out."
She nodded, and I started driving her home.
I'm going to be a father, kept running through my mind. What the fuck do I know about being a dad?
I pull into her driveway, and put the car in park. I turn to her and wipe all the tears from her face. I keep my hands on her cheeks and rub my thumbs gently across them. I pull her towards me and gently kiss her.
"I will come over tomorrow and we will figure it all out."
"Okay."
"I love you, Izzy. We can do this."
"I love you too."
She kisses me again before she gets out of the car. I watch her until she walks through her front door.
After a long night of tossing and turning, I drive over to her house. Once I get there, I park the car and walk up to the front door. I knock, Izzy always answers the door, but this time it's her father.
"Well you have a lot of nerve showing up here."
"Hello Mr. Bennett. Can I please talk to Izzy?"
"NO, you may not. We found out last night that our Izzy is pregnant. You are no longer welcome here or with our daughter."
"Please Mr. Bennett, I'm the father and I love her. I have a plan for us."
"I don't give a shit about your plan. If you even think of coming near my daughter again, I will file charges against you."
"What charges? You can't keep me away from her."
"I can and I will. You come anywhere near her, I will file statutory rape charges against you."
"Of course you will." I shake my head in disbelief, this can't be happening.
"Don't think I won't. Now get the hell off my property." He points at me to leave.
My head is spinning and I don't know what to do. I get back in my car and drive home.
Once I get in the house, I hurry to my room and slam the door. I throw myself onto my bed, punching at my pillow. I calm down some, and try to figure out what I'm going to do.
I hear a knock on the door and then it swings open. Mom walks in and grabs the chair from my desk and sits down.
"What's wrong?"
I'm too scared to tell my mom. I don't know what she will think or say.
"Nothing."
"Well it doesn't look like nothing."
"I'm fine. Izzy and I got in a fight, that's all."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
I shake my head and mom nods. She gets up and walks to the door, looking back at me sadly. She closes the door behind her. I put my head in my hands and lose it. I don't remember ever being this upset. My life is turned upside down and I have no power to do anything about it.
I lay down on my bed, and eventually fall asleep.
For the next couple days I try calling Izzy with no response. When I finally get someone to answer, it's Mr. Bennett.
"Jack I've warned you. Do not call again, I've already talked to the police."
Not knowing what else to do, I hang up. I feel defeated. I can't stay in Michigan, because if I do, I know I will find a way to see her. That will land me in jail and that won't do either of us any good.
So I called Montana State University to see if they would still accept me so close to the start of school. Somehow it all worked out.
I let my parents know about my decision. Mom doesn't say much, almost with a knowing look. But when I call dad to let him know, he asks what seems like a million questions. He doesn't buy the excuse that I give him.
"It's a better school, dad."
"MSU, is just as good. What's going on, Jack?"
"Nothing, really."
"Your mom told me that you and Izzy have been fighting. Is that why?"
I roll my eyes, kicking myself for saying anything to mom. "Maybe," I whisper.
I hear dad sigh on the other end, "You don't have to run away."
>
"I know, but I want to go there."
"Fine."
The rest of the conversation, was about when I was leaving. I could tell that he was upset, I was going so far away to school. But for me, this was the best decision.
So, the day I left for school, I didn't look back. But somehow I’ll figure out a way to get to Izzy, to our baby.
Present Day
I drive into the parking lot of Salmon Lake Park. I pull into a spot and park my pick-up truck. I get out and take a deep breath of the spring air. I watch as the sun peeks up over the trees. I'm a DNR agent for the state of Montana and I love it. It was something I always wanted to do growing up in the small country town of Richmond. I never thought I would leave my hometown, but fate had other plans for me.
I hear a vehicle pull in behind me and it shakes me from my thoughts. I see that it's some of the locals coming out to fish. They come here to fish the lake for a variety of fish including rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook and bull trout, largemouth bass, White Mountain whitefish, kokanee salmon, yellow perch and northern pike.
This is our busy time of year for fishing, so we like to have our presence known in the parks. We have to make sure everyone has a license and make sure to keep the peace. I walk up to the two guys getting out of their pick-up truck. I recognize Mike as soon as he turns around.
"Hey Mike, how the hell are you?" I say, and extend my hand to his.
"Hey Jack. I'm pretty good, we missed you last weekend at the poker game."
"Yeah, sorry. Had a blind date. I should have come to poker, instead." We both start laughing and Mike smacks me on the back.
"Hey this is my brother in law, Joe. He is in town for a week, so I told him we had to go fishing."
I walk up to Joe and shake his hand, "Nice to meet you. Can I see your license, I have to ask."
He nods his head and pulls it out of his wallet. I check it over and see that everything is good.
"Thanks. You guys have a great time today. Maybe we can catch a beer later, Mike?"
"Sure, see ya later."
They both start unloading their gear into the boat. I turn, when I hear more vehicle's pulling into the parking lot.
The rest of the morning went by really quick, being a Saturday. Plus it was the first beautiful day we have had in a while. I decide to go have lunch and fill out some of my paperwork.
I pull into my favorite restaurant, Willy's. It's a small whole in the wall place, but they have the best club sandwiches. I walk in and take off my hat, to see that Shelly is working. She is taking an order at another table, she smiles and winks at me. I decide to sit at the counter, she comes over and fills my cup with coffee.
"The usual hon?" she asks.
I nod my head, "Yeah." I mix my cream and sugar in my coffee and take a drink. Damn I needed that. I grab my folder and start to fill out my forms. This is my least favorite part of my job, the paperwork.
While I'm writing, Shelly puts down my plate of food. I grab the ketchup and squirt it onto my plate for my french fries. As I eat, someone slaps me on the back.
"Hey Jack. Strange finding you here," Mike says behind me with a laugh.
I turn and laugh, "How was fishing?"
"Not bad, actually got enough salmon for dinner tonight."
"That's great. We still on for a drink tonight."
"Yeah call me later."
I nod and watch Mike and his brother in law, Joe walk over to an empty booth and sit down. I go back to eating and working on my paperwork. I finish my lunch, throw my money on the counter and wave to Shelly on my way out.
Once I get in my truck, my phone starts ringing. I look to see that it's my sister, Anne. She got divorced a few months ago and just bought a house. I was going to call her tomorrow and congratulate her.
I hit the answer button, "Hello Anne, how are you? I heard about your house, congratulations." She doesn't answer. "Hey Anne. What's wrong?"
"Jack, Dad had a heart attack. He is having surgery right now." I could hear the worry in her voice.
So many things run through my head, that I can't answer her right away. "Oh no. Is he going to be okay?"
"He has a blockage, the doctor said he should be fine."
"I will make some calls, I'm on my way. Hang in there sis."
"Okay. I will call as soon as we hear anything. I love you."
"I love you too. I'll see you as soon as I can get there."
I hang up and try to collect my thoughts.
I call the airlines and see what flights I can catch to Detroit Metro Airport. Once I have the flight for this evening booked, I start my truck and drive to my townhouse. I'm only about five minutes away. I pull into my parking spot and run into my place and remember that I haven't called my boss yet.
I look up his number and hit dial. I'm so anxious, that I can't stand still.
He picks up after two rings, "Hey Jack, what's up?"
"Hi Alex. Hey my dad just had a heart attack." I start to get choked up and stop talking.
"Oh man. Okay are you leaving today?"
"Yeah. I booked a flight out this evening. He is in surgery now. I don't know how long I will be. My sister, is picking me up from the airport." I know I'm rambling, but I can't get my thoughts straight.
"Alright. Have a safe trip, call me and let me know what's going on. You have vacation time, I will put that in for you."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it."
"Don't worry. Hey you take as long as you need. You don't have to worry about us."
"Thanks."
I hear the phone click and I sit down hard on the couch. I'm lucky to have such a great boss. Maybe that's why we all love working for him. I run my hands through my hair and try to collect myself.
My townhouse is small, but it has always worked great for a single guy like me. The main floor is an open floor plan, it's the kitchen and living room with a half bath. I've always liked comfort, so the furniture is the soft micro fiber and a lazy boy chair. The chair is where I watch TV each night, which is across the room. I love my large 70" flat screen with my PlayStation 4. I don't spend a lot of time on actually decorating my place, so it's very plain.
I take the stairs to my bedroom and master bath. My bedroom has a large king size bed in the middle with a black comforter. There is two night tables and dresser in dark wood to match. The bathroom has double sinks, a standing shower and a soaker tub.
There is also a basement with my laundry room and I use the rest for storage. Plus I have a deck off the back that I like to invite the guys over for BBQ's. The view from the deck is one of the reasons I bought this townhouse. The yard tapers down into a wooded area, but beyond that from a distance you can see Trapper Peak. The view is breath taking. I love sitting out there with my coffee in the morning.
I open my walk in closet and find my large duffel bag, and throw it on the bed. I start rummaging through my drawers and throwing things into my bag. I'm not sure how long I will be gone, but I will bring enough for the week. Once I get that all done, I bring my bag downstairs.
I walk over to my laptop and decide to print out my boarding passes for the airport. Once I have that done, I figure I better text Mike and let him know what's going on.
Jack 1:47pm
Hey my dad had a heart attack. Catching the next flight home
Mike 1:48pm
Sorry man. Let me know if u need anything
Jack 1:50pm
Can u keep an eye on my place? Will be gone at least a week
Mike 1:52pm
Np
Jack 1:53pm
Thx
I make sure that I turn off all the lights, except one lamp in the living room. I grab my boarding pass, bag and head out the door. I lock the door behind me and head to my truck. Once in there, I decide to send Anne a quick text. I let her know what flight I'm on and when I land. With that done, I throw my phone on the seat next to me and take a few deep breaths to calm myself. I put the car in drive and begin my long drive to
the airport.
Once I get on the expressway, I turn the radio up. This drowns the thoughts that keep trying to get in my head. I pray that dad is fine, and hope that everything goes okay.
Chapter 2
Anne called me before I got on my flight to let me know that dad's surgery went well. We didn't talk long, but she said she would be here to pick me up. Once I get off the plane, I head downstairs to get my bag from baggage claim.
As I stand with the crowd waiting for our baggage to be unloaded from the plane, my mind wonders. I haven't been in Michigan for over a year. I don't come home very often, which is for many reasons. I'm not really close to my family, well not like some people. My parents divorced when I was four years old. I don't remember my parents married, not like Anne. She was nine years old, and she was and still is a daddy's girl. She moved in with my dad when we were young and I stayed with our mom. So I only saw her on weekends. I know Anne blamed mom for the divorce, I honestly don't care why they got divorced.
My mom married Stan, he was dad's best friend. They had Mia and Emma, and they were mom's whole world. So I always felt left out by both parents. I don't let that affect my world, but it doesn't make me rush home for holidays. I feel bad because that doesn't make me the best Uncle to Katie and Shannon. Those girls are the best and I love them to death.
Then there is Izzy and that whole situation. I'm afraid of running into her while I'm back. That whole time was hard and I never forgave myself for leaving her behind.
I look up to see that luggage is starting to come out onto the belt. I walk up closer when I see my bag come out, and grab it as it comes around. I walk to the exit where Anne is picking me up. I step outside to wait for her, its a little cold, but I need the fresh air to clear my head.
I don't have to stand there for long, when I see Jaylah and Anne pull up to the curb. I wave and push off of the side of the building. They both get out of the car and walk up to me.
