I still get emotional when I hear Sam recount my journey through his eyes. “Thank you. Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember the victories. It’s easier to remember the pain. Speaking of victories, how about your promotion? Mr. VP of Asset Acquisitions — the youngest one ever!”
Sam pulls on his collar and shifts uncomfortably. “I know. I was shocked Jorge made that move. I would’ve never guessed when I first started working at Heartbeats in Rock Jewelers that someday I would be upper management.”
“I’m sorry I was deployed when your parents passed and they weren’t able to see your big promotion.”
“It’s all right. I knew my mom wouldn’t last long once my dad had his massive stroke. At least they’re not in pain any longer.”
We were so busy talking I didn’t realize that Sam had taken the exit to Coronado until we pull up to a seemingly random convenience store. “I’m sorry I didn’t plan ahead for this part.” He reaches behind him and pulls a garment bag off of the hook behind the driver’s seat. “Jessica says she’s sorry she can’t be here — but your grandmother would approve.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Remember the banner?” Sam asks, his speech slurred by nerves. “You know, Taylor Taylor?”
“You meant today?” I reply with my jaw slack with shock.
Sam nods. “Didn’t you?”
“Well, I did say I wanted to define my life on my terms. Getting married would certainly qualify.”
Staring back at my reflection in the small vanity mirror on the visor in the van. I wonder how in the world Jessica Campbell pulled this off. I am the spitting image of my grandmother’s wedding pictures right down to the tea-length wedding dress and bright red lipstick. It’s not a look I would typically wear, but I am so honored to carry on my grandmother’s tradition. My hands are shaking from the adrenaline coursing through my body. I cannot believe I’m getting married today.
At first I was incredibly sad that none of my crew mates or my friends will be here. Then it occurs to me that my relationship with Sam was built mostly through private conversations and game nights on his front room couch. We didn’t have huge parties and public events. We fell in love one email, text message and late-night phone conversation at a time. So, I guess it’s appropriate that it’s only the two of us.
As I slide my foot into the ivory pumps, I encounter a note in the toe. As I pull it out to read it, I chuckle at Jessica’s promise of a bodacious party when we are all able to get together. That sounds more like Mitch’s friend.
Sam transfers into his scooter and meets me at the bottom of the ramp. “I’ve never seen you look so beautiful.”
“Thank you. You look pretty handsome yourself. I wondered why you were so dressed up just to meet me at the ship. I thought it was because you wanted to look dashing for pictures. I should have known you had an ulterior motive.”
Sam grins. “I do want to look dapper for pictures. I just never told you I wanted to look handsome for our wedding pictures.”
As we close up the van a gentleman in a black shirt and pants walks up to us with a chair made from PVC pipe with oversized wheels. “Sam Taylor?”
“That’s me,” Sam answers.
“I thought you might like this. It belongs to my grandson. He uses it when he goes surfing. His regular chair gets stuck in the sand. I thought perhaps you and your fiancé might want to get married on the beach.”
Sam looks up at me with wide eyes, “What do you think? I’ve never really had the option.”
“Sounds good to me. It’s a beautiful day.”
Sam nods at the officiant. “Thank you so much, we would love to get married on the beach.”
“I left my notes back at the office. What kind of ceremony were you folks wanting today?”
I look at him steadily in the eye as I answer, “I want it to be as simple as possible. I want to tell Sam I love him, I want to promise him I will love him forever, and I want to hear that he loves me. Beyond that, nothing much matters.”
The guy looks at Sam. “Does that sound good to you?”
Sam pulls me toward him so he can kiss me. When he’s finished, he answers, “It’s perfect.”
The officiant tucks in his shirt and smooths back his hair as he motions for us to follow him down toward the beach. “I agree. It sounds like a wonderfully straightforward plan. I love making the dreams of happy couples come true. So, let’s turn you into Taylor Taylor, shall we?”
I place my hand on Sam’s shoulder as we carefully navigate our way down the winding path to the beach.
That’s how I found my port in the storm by knocking down a perfect stranger while I was taking a picture.
Life is funny that way.
THE END
The Hidden Hearts Series continues with Love is More Than Skin Deep.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Dear Reader,
Thanks for giving this little novella a read. If you liked reading about people who are not so stereotypical, then I’ve got good news…
…there’s more.
The Hidden Hearts Series continues with Love is More Than Skin Deep.
Life is never simple.
Shelby Lyons wanted to get a tattoo to celebrate her accomplishment of becoming a teacher.
Little did she know her impulsive move would change the course of her life.
Mark Littleson has his hands full owning a law firm and raising a daughter with autism on his own. He doesn’t need any complications.
Yet, when he witnesses Shelby’s breakdown in the middle of Ink’d Deep, he feels compelled to help.
Far from being a complication, Shelby is the piece of the puzzle he and his daughter have been missing.
When Shelby’s health is in question, will Mark learn that love is more than skin deep?
(This story is inspired by the heroic journey against skin cancer fought by Judy Noble Cloud.)
Get Love is More Than Skin Deep in paperback, e-book version or read it through Kindle Unlimited now.
~Mary
Because love matters, differences don’t.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NO AUTHOR EVER WRITES in a vacuum. In this project, I had wonderful outside experts. I’d like to thank Scott, Richard, Lacie, Kathern, Heather, Ada and specifically, my husband, Leonard, for his wonderful story idea.
Portions of this version of Port in the Storm were released in the Passion in Portland anthology earlier in 2016. The anthology was conceived to benefit Bradley Angle which is a program in Portland Oregon which helps victims of domestic violence.
Thank you AJ Harmon and Heather Carver for the opportunity to participate in the Passion in Portland anthology. I have spent many years as civil rights advocate and I view my writing as one more extension of that work. It was a wonderful experience.
RESOURCES
If you need help immediately, call 911.
National Sexual Assault Hotline:
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224 (TDD)
Domestic Shelters.org— A tool that enables you to find a domestic violence shelter in your area by ZIP Code or address. You can search by the specific service you need. There are also informative articles about how to help someone who may be a victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) — The nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline at rainn.org, and publicizes the hotline’s free, confidential services; educates the public about sexual assault; and leads national efforts to prevent sexual assault, improve services to victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
Take Back The Night—Media links, literature and other information about surviving and preventing date rape. Many of these resources are beneficial for helping survivors as well as their family and friends th
rough the healing process.
When Georgia Smiled—A Foundation created by Robin McGraw to create and advance programs that help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault live healthy, safe and joy-filled lives. Initiatives include a phone app that helps create a safety plan for use in domestic violence date rape situations, education initiatives for use in high school and college settings and support programs for women.
Loveisrespect.org— Our mission is to engage, educate and empower young people to prevent and end abusive relationships. Highly-trained peer advocates offer support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. We also provide information and support to concerned friends and family members, teachers, counselors, service providers and members of law enforcement. Free and confidential phone, live chat and texting services are available 24/7/365.
Bradley Angle—The domestic violence program in Portland Oregon for which this anthology is raising funds. It provides comprehensive emergency assistance and ongoing education including programs designed to help members of the LBGT community who have been victims of violence.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I have been lucky enough to live my own version of a romance novel. I married the guy who kissed me at summer camp. He told me on the night we met that he was going to marry me and be the father of my children.
Eventually, I stopped giggling when he said it, and we’ve been married for more than thirty years. We have two children. The oldest is a Doctor of Osteopathy. He is across the United States completing his residency, but when he’s done, he is going to come back to Oregon and practice Family Medicine. Our youngest son is now tackling high school and where he is an honor student. He is interested in becoming an EMT.
I write full time now. I have published more than thirty books and have several more underway. I volunteer my time to a variety of causes. I have worked as a Civil Rights Attorney and diversity advocate. I spent several years working for various social service agencies before becoming an attorney.
In my spare time, I love to cook, decorate cakes and of course, I obsessively, compulsively read.
I would be honored if you would take a few moments out of your busy day to check out my website,
MaryCrawfordAuthor.com. While you’re there, you can sign up for my newsletter and get a free book. I will be announcing my upcoming books and giving sneak peeks as well as sponsoring giveaways and giving you information about other interesting events.
If you have questions or comments, please E-mail me at [email protected] or find me on the following social networks:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authormarycrawford
Website: MaryCrawfordAuthor.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MaryCrawfordAut
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