Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedications & Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Other Books by LaShawn Vasser
CREE
By
LaShawn Vasser
CREE © 2015 LaShawn Vasser
All Rights Reserved
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead are entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
*EXPLICIT ADULT CONTENT*
WARNING
This novel is considered romantic fiction with erotic elements or erotica. This is for mature audiences only. This book contains adult profane language, mild violence and strong sexual content.
Dedications & Acknowledgments
There are so many individuals who have helped me along this journey. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience, encouragement, and advice. But, very special thank-yous are in order to some people whose support has been immeasurable. JBLogic, you can always pull out a visual masterpiece for whatever I’m feeling even when my direction is ridiculously abstract. Thank you for not strangling me and pushing me to take risks. T. Alston you continue to encourage and motivate me to expand outside of my comfort zone. P. Harrison for always keeping it honest as well as us writers as you ride hard for the IR/MC genre!
No man is an island and who would have thought The Coalition of Xyla Turner, C. Lynette, and Sylvester Diggs could connect? As diverse as our styles are one thing remains constant, you, for holding me down and sharing pieces of yourselves with me as we move to the next level in our journey – Thank you!
Chapter 1
Cree Jacobs looked up at the clock for what seemed like the millionth time. Over the last hour, time appeared to stand still. Now she was only five minutes away from clocking out.
Why did the last five minutes always feel like an eternity? She whispered underneath her breath from behind the cashier’s counter, “Come on five o’clock.”
Cree continued to impatiently tap her foot up and down while chewing on her bottom lip. She did it again. She caught herself glancing up at the clock. It had been six long weeks since the last time she’d seen her husband, Cameron. Six weeks since he’d been home from medical school. Needless to say, Cree was more than a little eager to finally see and touch him. No more screenchats or internet hook ups…at least for this weekend.
Melody Sweeny, Cree’s best friend since high school, stepped up to the register wearing an almost identical outfit; A pair of jeans, a fitted white t-shirt, and an apron with a picture of a giant pink pig on it. Just underneath the pig, the caption read, Johnson’s Meat Market & Groceries.
“Hey girl. I’m supposed to take over your register tonight.”
Anxiously, Cree took off her apron. “Thank goodness! I didn’t think anyone would ever get here. I’m in a hurry to get home.”
Cree and Melody switched places behind the register. “That’s right; David reminded me that Cameron gets in tonight.”
“Yep. Not only is he coming home, but we'll also have an extended weekend. He won’t have to be back at school until Monday night. That’s why I’m in a rush. I need to grab a quick shower and change before I have to pick him up from the train station.”
“I don’t know how you two do it….the distance I mean. I could understand when Cameron was getting his associates degree because he stayed here and went to Fredericks. When he transferred to Jackson U, that commute was almost two hours one way and now he’s at Cornell University. That train ride is more than seventeen hours away!”
Cree nodded. “I know. It’s been hard these last few years with the distance. Frederick’s was almost like high school though.” She laughed. “You know, most of our friends from high school went there.” The smile faded and her voice softened. “Trying to make ends meet, paying my school loans and his tuition has been rough. But of all of it, the worst has definitely been not being able to see each other for weeks at a time. That has been torture.”
Cree started bobbing her head, snapping her fingers, and dancing in the aisle. “But, we are literally eight weeks away from graduation. I almost feel like it’s my graduation.”
Melody joined in the fun and started swaying her hips to an imaginary beat. “You should! You’ve sacrificed a lot too.”
Cree kept dancing to the beat in her head. “He’s worth it. I can’t wait to have him home full time.”
After a couple more minutes in their private party, Melody sat down on the stool behind the register. “It wouldn’t have had to be so rough if his parents weren’t such idiots. Those people have plenty of money, and Cameron is their only child. You guys have been married for almost five years and you dated for most of high school. They should be way over the fact that their fair-haired golden boy chose you by now. If they wanted to make sure he didn’t date a black girl or have any black friends, why send him to a school with black people in it!”
She stopped dancing almost immediately after that comment and stood still then decided to shake the unsettling feeling off. Not everyone was like David’s parents; they could care less that Melody was black. Cree wasn’t about to let that negative energy bring her down.
Shrugging she responded, “Who knows. If they had their way, they probably wouldn’t have but you know Cameron. He’s headstrong and always has been. It’s one of the many things that I love about him.” Cree tilted her head slightly and gave her a devilish grin. “Can you imagine me telling my grandfather anything?”
Melody giggled. “No…I definitely couldn’t imagine you saying anything like that to your grandfather! He’s a cranky but lovable old coot.”
Cree hated the messiness of their non-relationship with Cameron’s parents but refused to spend any more time worrying about it. Hopefully, one day they would come around. Until then, it was team Jacobs against the world. They would just have to do whatever it took to realize their dreams.
“All I know is that Cameron’s wanted to be a doctor since he was six years old. I would never have married him if I thought for one second, I would be an obstacle. So, I don’t care that I’ve had to work a full time and a part-time job…” She shrugged. “…I did and will do whatever I need to. I’m team Jacobs one-hundred percent.”
Melody couldn’t help but agree. “You have worked like crazy. Does he have any idea where he’s going to do his medical residency?”
“He applied at Jackson University Hospital and a couple more hospitals in New York just in case he doesn’t get that one. But no, we haven’t heard anything back yet.”
Melody couldn’t hide her chuckle. “And then what? After he’s finished I mean. Is he planning on moving back
here to open up a practice with you as his office manager? You’d be so good at that.”
Cree rolled her eyes.
She continued to tease her. “We have only two gas stations, this grocery store, Luke’s Pharmacy, Geno’s drive-in & bowling alley. Oh, and the clinic. So, we definitely could use a good doctor around here.”
Jokingly, she responded. “Don’t forget they’re building that strip mall on First Avenue. We could put the practice there and hire you and David! You could sell your healing oils and candles while David would keep up with all the building maintenance.”
The thought of that almost sent her into a fit of laughter. Somehow, she managed to get a grip so that she could finish her thought. “Honestly, we’ve been so focused on his graduation and residency that we haven’t thought about where he was going to practice. For a while, he was thinking about staying in New York. But, I hated it there. Things moved a little too quickly for me. I’m just a small town girl through and through.” Cree shook her head, smiling. “So, I hope that we’ll end up in Jackson or somewhere close. I’d hate to live too far away from my grandfather. Not to mention, all of our friends are here. And, if we move to Jackson, I’ll be able to finish my degree at Jackson U without losing too many credits.”
Melody’s smile faded somewhat. “I hope he gets it too. That way, I’ll have my best friends around at least for another couple years. David and I will still be able to jump in the car on weekends to come for a visit.”
The thought of not being able to hang out whenever she wanted with Melody did make her feel a little somber. Absently, Cree glanced down at her watch. “Melody! You are going to talk me into being late. I’ve got to go. I’ll call you tomorrow.” The butterflies in her stomach didn’t lay dormant for too long. They started right up again as she grinned. “Very late tomorrow.”
Melody smiled knowingly and waved her off. “Sure thing. If you remember, tell Cameron we said hello!”
*****
Cree took the stairs to their one-bedroom apartment two at a time. She had less than forty minutes to finish getting ready before Cameron’s train was scheduled to arrive. Even though the car ride to the station was only about ten minutes away, it would probably be a good idea to leave a little bit earlier. The car had been acting up. If it stopped on her, she wanted to make sure she had enough time to call Jerry from the garage to give her a jump.
She sighed not wanting to add any more pressure to Cameron. She didn’t have a choice. After he’d been home for a day or so, she would have to tell him about the car. It was on its last leg. Cree just hoped it would get them through the next few months.
Hopefully, Cameron would be so distracted by what she’d done to their apartment since he’d been gone, that he wouldn’t have time to brood over the car and everything else they needed.
As she walked down the walkway, a little boy no older than four or five was riding his big wheel and almost ran into her.
“Sorry, Ms. Jacobs!”
She quickly jumped out of the way. “It’s okay, Michael. Where’s your mom?”
Just as he was about to answer, Michael’s mom popped her head out of the door. “Michael! Didn’t I tell you to come inside? It’s dinner time! Oh...hey Cree.”
“Hey Felicia. Looks like you have your hands full tonight.”
Frazzled, she nodded. “Yes. The baby’s still not sleeping through the night, and Jonas doesn’t get off work for another couple of hours.”
Cree couldn’t imagine keeping up with a rambunctious five year old and having to care for a newborn mostly by herself. As much as she wanted children, they would have to wait until she and Cameron finished school and was a little more settled in their careers.
“I’d offer to take Michael off of your hands for a few hours, but Cameron’s coming home tonight.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. I know you’re excited. Well, if you’re able to come up for air anytime this weekend make sure he stops by to say hello.”
“Will do.” Cree put the key into the door and pushed. It opened right up. She walked into her apartment and couldn’t help the slow smile from spreading across her face.
She’d done her level best to spruce the place up and make it homier. The few pieces of furniture they had had come from either the Good Will or things they’d found on the curb. Someone else’s junk was another man’s treasure. Her grandfather was willing to help, but he didn’t have much either, and Cameron would have a fit. It was them against the world.
Cree made a few modest changes with Melody and David’s help. She and David put a fresh coat of latte colored paint on the walls and installed a window air conditioning unit. Since he worked with his father, who owned a heating and air conditioning business, he had access to a used one that would have probably been thrown away. It had been broken, but David managed to fix it and get it working good enough to cool the place off.
Although her mother died when she was in middle school, she had taught Cree how to sew when she was barely old enough to hold a pencil. Since she had been sewing from such an early age, Cree was now an excellent seamstress and she had never been more grateful. It was a skill that helped bring in some much needed extra cash.
As a matter of fact, it was the order to make Lillian Anderson’s prom dress that gave her the money to refresh the apartment. Cree was able to make a new slip cover for their lumpy and ripped up sofa. The cover hid the spring that had burst through the fabric. Everyone knew not to sit too close to that end. She’d also made a set of matching pale blue and latte colored curtains. She then covered the scratched up trunk that they used for a coffee table with a soft butter cream fabric. She used the same fabric to cover a couple of decorative pillows. Those subtle changes made a huge difference. It almost made the apartment feel like new.
Luckily, she didn’t have to work her part-time job at the gas station this week, so she spent most of her time cleaning. Thank goodness there wasn’t much left to do since she’d been doing little things all week.
Melody had given her a few scented candles to set the mood. Cree put one on the coffee table and one on the card table that they used to eat dinner on. The card table also got a new table cloth using some of the same fabric that was left over from the coffee table.
Cree was proud of herself as she looked around their tiny apartment. It may not be much, but it was their special place. It was home.
Tonight, dinner was going to be a special too. Thank goodness for her discount at the grocery store. Between the blowout sale and her discount, she’d managed to scrape together just enough money to buy a couple of steaks.
It had been ages since she and Cameron had an opportunity to have a nice dinner out, or an evening just for them. Well, that ended tonight. However, if Cree had only one wish, it would have been that she could have refreshed herself too. She exhaled as she looked down at her hands. She’d polished her fingernails, but her hands weren’t soft or feminine looking. Working at the grocery store, lifting and putting away all those heavy boxes, and part-time at the gas station was taking its toll. Cree chewed her bottom lip as she noticed a couple of callouses forming. While she wasn’t able to get a manicure or pedicure, she did the best she could with them.
Lately, the heat and humidity made it almost impossible to maintain any hairstyle. Cameron was used to her wearing it in her signature afro, but last night, she attempted a roller set of her dark and coily tresses. It turned out better than she expected. At least her hair would appear as if she’d gone to the salon. She reached up to touch it. Giggling she thought, “Cameron may not be able to run his fingers through it like some blondes, but he certainly enjoys pulling on it.”
One day she wouldn’t have to worry about this kind of thing. She’d be able to pamper herself and look special for Cameron too. In the meantime, she’d continue to sacrifice and support him until that day came.
Cree quickly went into the bedroom. Time was ticking by and she still had to get a quick shower. She pulled out a soft yellow wrap-
around sun dress from her closet along with a brand new lacy bra and panty. Inwardly, she couldn’t help but smile as she tingled all over thinking about his reaction. Cameron hadn’t seen this one. Just looking at it made her feel super sexy. Hopefully, he would get at least a quick glimpse before it came off.
Chapter 2
Cree pushed her left turn signal up as she sat at the four-way stoplight waiting for it to turn green. The Henrickson train station was just a few yards away; she could see it from the traffic light.
Relief swept through her because the 2003 Kia didn’t let her down. This time, it didn’t cause her any problems and that was surely worth a kiss or two. Cree was so excited she was being ridiculous. Instead of kisses, she gently patted the dashboard like she would a pet. She spoke softly to it, “Thank you for not conking out on me.”
Once the light changed from red to green, she turned into the train station parking lot with about ten minutes to spare. There weren’t many other cars in the lot. Most people had probably gotten off in Jackson. Cameron’s train was scheduled to arrive at 7:05 pm. These last few minutes of waiting were going to be the longest of her life.
Her leg bobbed up and down as she gripped the steering wheel. Cree had so much nervous energy. She pulled down the sun-visor to check her makeup again not wanting anything to be out of place. After a quick check, her hair and makeup were fine. Usually, she didn’t wear much make up except for special occasions. However, it had been a full six weeks since she’d seen Cameron. Any wife would consider this a special time.
Absentmindedly, she started chewing on her nails. The moment she realized she was doing it, Cree stopped. Her hands looked bad enough, biting them would just make them appear worse. Maybe listening to some music would help. Cree flipped through the radio stations not actually finding anything appealing, so she turned it off. “Ugh. This waiting is going to drive me crazy.”
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