by Nella Tyler
Finishing the last of his beer, Lance said, “It sounds like you have everything together for tonight. I’m not sure why you’re nervous, you’re going to kill it.”
“I hope so.” I reached down into my pocket while we sat there and Lance told me about a few more ideas he had about advertising. I fingered the soft velvet of the box I’d slipped in there earlier when Summer walking into my apartment. She’d almost caught me with it and ruined the surprise.
*******
I sat at our table that night with Summer and I couldn’t help but look at her and think about how far we had come in the past year and a half. It was almost eighteen months to the day that we’d sat at in the gardens at the gala as scared, insecure kids who knew they had the beginnings of something good, but had no idea where to go with it. Now here we are at the grand opening of a business that will hopefully be the legacy we can someday pass on to our children, if they want it. If there’s one thing I learned from my father, it’s that people have to be given the opportunity to live their own lives as they see fit or they’ll never truly be happy.
The press was here and they’d interviewed Summer about her program for the homeless. When the reporter asked about her background, I’d heard a hesitation in her voice. But then she’d squared her shoulders and held her chin up and she’d told her,
“I lived on the streets for almost six years. I saw some terrible things and some days, it was all I could do to survive. But one thing I learned that I will carry with me for the rest of my life is that while I thought the people rushing past me every day just didn’t care about my lot in life, the truth was closer to them just not knowing what to do to help me. When I finally realized that being suspicious of kindness was getting in the way of not only my survival, but any success I might go on to have, my life got a whole lot easier.
“I’m hoping this place will teach people job skills and give them back the self-confidence that being homeless takes from you. I’m also hoping that coming here and opening themselves up to the idea that there are a lot of people who care about them will give them the motivation they need to begin reintegrating into a society they walk around feeling like they’re on the fringes of.” I was so damned proud of her.
After dinner, I took to the podium on the stage and introduced everyone that would be taking part in the school. Then Summer and Phoebe gave small tours of the museum section while Lance, Kobe, and I showed our guests the rest of the place. When at last it was time to clear the tables and open up the dance floor, I got up on the small stage and behind the microphone once more before the band started to play. I was about to open my mouth when I saw Bennie holding open the main door and my father stepping through it. He made eye-contact with me and I watched him look around the place, taking it in with his eyes. Now more nervous than I had been all day, I tried to recall the speech I’d had memorized for weeks.
“Ladies and gentlemen, once again I’d like to say that I’m so honored at the turn out we’ve had tonight, as well as overwhelmed by the offers I’ve gotten from many of you to help. I will probably be taking a lot of you up on those offers since this is my first foray into the business world and I’m not really sure yet what I’m doing.” I glanced back towards the door. My father was still there.
“I came up here for a specific reason and I will get to that. But while I’m here and talking about my business acumen, or lack thereof, there is someone else I need to make honorable mention of. My father, Neil Spencer, is one of California’s most successful businessmen. He’s a self-made man that worked tirelessly for hours day and night while I was growing up to go above and beyond when it came to providing for his family. There was a time, a lot of time, when instead of realizing that and appreciating it, I took it all for granted. I didn’t let myself consider the hours of intensive brain power it had taken for him to earn what I spent freely in a day. It was just my life and I was so caught up in living it that I didn’t know how to look outside of myself and really see the world. My father and I haven’t seen eye to eye on most things since I became an adult. The fault of that lies with us both, but tonight, I’d like to say that for my part, I’m sorry. It would have to be devastating to build a legacy for a family who not only doesn’t appreciate it, but doesn’t want any part of it, either. Many times I’ve complained about how unreasonable he is, but now I realize that he’s actually been a lot more patient than I ever gave him credit for. So tonight, I’d like to thank him for what he has taught me. He’s taught me about hard work and free enterprise, and he’s made me tough enough to stand on my own two feet, even when I could have continued to take the easy road and let him keep doing it for me. I’d also like to thank him for coming tonight and tell him that I hope one day he realizes just how much that means to me.”
The audience was clapping and my father’s eyes still hadn’t left my face. For a second, I thought he was going to just turn around a walk back out. The expression on his face was unreadable. But after a brief hesitation, he gave a nod in my direction and then he went over to where my mother, sister, and Summer were sitting, and he sat down with them. I wasn’t joking when I said it means a lot to me for him to be here. There’s only one thing left that I need to do and with the right answer to my question my life will finally be complete. “Summer, can you come up here for a minute?” She looked embarrassed. She hates being the center of attention and I knew that. But tonight, I want her to be because from here on out, I wanted everyone to know that she’s mine.
Summer came up and stood next to me on the stage. I gave a little talk about her and what her role was going to be in our business. I thanked her for everything she has done to help me, and then I took her hands and slid down to one knee. There was a collective gasp in the crowd and as I took the velvet box out of my jacket, Summer’s eyes filled with tears. I flipped it open so that she could see the sapphire and diamond ring as I said,
“Summer French, nothing in my life prepared me for falling in love with you. When people talk about things that consume them, I never really understood that – until I met you. I’ve been consumed by you for eighteen months and during that time, the only part of it I was unhappy was when I wasn’t with you. This business is a dream of ours and I believe it will be successful, but if it’s not and if nothing else in this world works out the way I think it will, I know I’ll be okay as long as you agree to stay by my side. Summer, will you marry me?”
Tears were streaming down her face as she took my hands and pulled me up to my feet. She reached up and put her arms around my neck and pulled me down so her mouth was next to my ear. “Yes, there’s nothing else I’d rather do with my life than be your wife and your partner and hopefully someday, the mother of your children. I love you.”
“I love you so much, baby.” I kissed her then in front of everyone. For a minute, the rest of the room and the world disappeared. When I pulled out of the kiss, I took the ring out and slipped it on her finger. Then, I held her hand up to the crowd and said, “She said yes!” There was clapping and cheering and as I took her hand and led her down off the stage, the band began to play a slow song. “Dance with me?”
“I still can’t dance,” she said with a grimace.
“Remember what I told you about slow dancing.”
“Yes, it’s like making love.”
“Then make love to me on the dance floor, Summer.”
She grinned and led me out in front of the stage. I took her into my arms and we began to dance. “Will you teach me?” she asked.
I looked down at her pretty face. “Teach you what, baby?”
“Will you teach me how to dance, the way you taught me how to surf?”
I grinned at her. “It would be my pleasure.”
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FINDING HIM
THE COMPLETE SERIES
By Nella Tyler
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, p
laces and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 Nella Tyler
VOLUME I
Chapter One
Mackenzie ran her fingers through her mahogany hair that hung to just below her shoulders. It was Friday night, and her coworkers were quickly packing up to go home for the weekend. She felt an intense loneliness, just as she did every other Friday night. It seemed like everyone in the world had somewhere to go, but her.
“So, what are your plans for tonight?” Lucy asked.
“You know very well I don’t have any plans. Why do you ask me that every Friday?”
“Because I keep hoping you’ll get smart and put yourself out there.” Lucy’s cherub face framed two brilliantly baby blue eyes. “That is, unless you want to be alone for the rest of your life.”
“That’s not very nice,” Mackenzie retorted. “You know I’ve been on a few blind dates since David died. None of them worked out.”
“Why didn’t they work out? Was it because they were bad people or was it because you went with the intention of not making a connection?” Lucy teased her.
“It’s because I hate blind dates. There’s just nowhere to go to meet good people.” Mackenzie pulled the nail file from her bag and touched up her pinky for the fifth time that day. “You’re so lucky that you’ve got Marty. My life ended with David.”
“Look, kiddo, there’s no one who feels worse about your situation that I do. You know I’ve spent many a lonely night trying to cheer you up.”
“I know; you’ve been a real doll.”
“That’s not why I’m saying this. You have to move on. You may never again find the perfect love like you had with David. It might just be that that was the highlight of your entire life. But that doesn’t mean you have to live alone, and it certainly doesn’t mean you have to be celibate.”
“Lucy! You know the only person I’ve ever been with was David. I can’t imagine anyone else in my bed.”
Lucy scoffed, “Keep this up and you’re going to wear out your personal electronics department.” She had tidied her desk and was just killing time before she left.
She hated to leave Mackenzie sitting there all alone – it just didn’t seem fair. Mackenzie was a vibrant, attractive woman whose life to all outside observers had ended the night David’s car left the road on that curve and came to rest upside down against that telephone pole.
Mackenzie had been in shock for a very long time. She had gone from her father’s house to her husband’s house. Never having lived alone, she was unprepared for what it would involve.
Lucy had managed to get her a job at Fuller’s, where she worked. The two sat at side-by-side desks, reviewing spreadsheets for anomalies. It was a boring job, repetitive and monotonous. The highlights of the day were the morning coffee break and sharing a chef salad at lunchtime from Waldo’s across the street. It was hardly the pinnacle of life, in Lucy’s opinion. Mackenzie, on the other hand, seemed to almost crave boredom as though it cocooned her from the misery of grieving.
“Look, Mac, you know this is no good for you. Your hair looks like shit, you need a decent manicure, and I am so sick and tired of that red dress, I’m about to rip it into shreds. You’re so much more than this. There are a thousand guys in this very town who would love to be with you.”
“They are not David, though.” Mackenzie put her nail file back in her purse and after looking around to make sure her desk was tidy, she stood and shoved her chair beneath. “Come on, how about if I buy you dinner?”
“Sorry, can’t. Marty’s waiting for me at home. He’s got some new sci-fi movie he wants me to go with him to see. You know how I hate those things, but sometimes you have to be the good little wife and go along. Anyway, the theater is at the end of the mall and I’ve got my eye on a new handbag. I’m kinda hoping I can drag him back and forth in front of the store window long enough that he finally gets the idea.”
Mackenzie had to smile. Lucy never did anything without a motive. She knew Lucy loved her husband, but was fairly materialistic. She had an angelic face, but the soul of an enterprising miser. Mackenzie loved her nonetheless and considered Lucy her best friend. There wasn’t anything Lucy wouldn’t do for her, especially since David died. “Come on, I’ll walk down with you, Mac.”
The two women left the office, using the elevator down to the parking garage. Mackenzie watched the numbers as they counted down, thinking how ironic it was that it also felt like she was counting down her life. She waved goodbye to Lucy as the blonde pulled out of the garage in her baby blue VW bug. Mackenzie climbed into her own red Taurus and carefully pulled out into traffic.
With an urge for spontaneity, she saw Ben’s Saloon coming up on her right. Despite the name, Ben’s was a very posh hang out for business people after work. She pulled into their parking lot, parked her car, and went inside.
She paused just inside the door, allowing her eyes to get used to the dim light inside. A soft jazz was being piped throughout the lounge and it smelled of too much perfume, aftershave, and a little bit of excessive drinking. These were people who were powerhouses during the day behind their desks, but receded into needy, lonely people on Friday nights. Mackenzie had driven by frequently and considered stopping in. This was the first time she acted on her impulse.
She looked around the room for a remote place to sit. She saw hand waving through the air and looked over her shoulder to see who they may be signaling. To her surprise, there was no one behind her. She took a few steps forward, angling to the right so she could see who owned the hand. To her surprise, she recognized Tim Cooper, a rather sturdy, but nice guy from her office. She had suspected he was interested in her, but didn’t have the courage to ask her out on a date – not that she would’ve accepted regardless.
His wave became more frantic, as he realized she wasn’t aware that he was waving at her particularly. She gave him a sort of half smile and walked toward him. He was pointing to the open stool next to himself.
Oh, what the heck, she thought to herself. At least it’s someone I know. Putting on the best face she could muster, she approached him as he twirled the stool so she could take a seat on it.
“Hi, Mac,” Tim said. He used the more familiar nickname, hoping she wouldn’t mind.
“Tim,” she acknowledged. “Thank you for inviting me to sit. I have to admit; it feels better to know someone here. I feel like I’m totally out of place. I’m not one to frequent bars.”
“I know. It was written all over your face when you walked in. I’m glad I could be of assistance. Let me buy you a drink. What we you have?”
“Why don’t you order something for me? As I said, I don’t frequent bars, and I know they have all sorts of new drinks with unfamiliar names. I’d like something sweet but subtle.”
“Give the lady a molten strawberry,” Tim called to the bartender.
Mackenzie rolled her eyes. She decided she may as well be blunt. “So, what have I gotten myself into?”
“What do you mean?” Tim’s voice sounded curious.
“Well, is it mandatory that I go home with a stranger?” Mackenzie had a smirk on her face and Tim thought it was absolutely adorable.
“Well, it doesn’t have to be a stranger.”
She realized she had walked straight into that trap. She’d have to be more careful in the future. “I just stopped in this evening on an impulse. I wasn’t really planning on going home with anyone – now or ever, to tell you the truth.”
“Yes, Lucy has mentioned you lost your husband. I’m sorry.” His face held genuine empathy, and she felt bad for having cut him off so quickly. He simply wasn’t her type. He was somewhat overweight, commonly had a wrinkled shirt, his tie loosely nodded around his neck, and he probably only watched television all weekend.
David, on the other
hand, had been tall and athletic. He always smelled of manly soap, the outdoors, and the only time she remembered seeing him dirty was when he was making her a garden. The images filled her mind. He had tilled a large area, dividing it down the middle. One half was for flowers, the other for vegetables. He had added two split rail fences for the plants that needed to vine. The garden plot was empty now. She couldn’t bring herself to touch the soil because his hands had touched it last.
“Mac, are you okay?” Tim’s voice was sympathetic.
She realized he really was a nice guy. It wasn’t his fault that she wasn’t very good company. She wouldn’t be very good company with anyone right now. “Sorry, I was remembering.”
“I get it,” he nodded, patting her on the shoulder. “So, are you dating?”
Mackenzie froze, dreading him working around to this question. “No, I haven’t been.”
“How long has it been?”
“Almost three years. To be very honest with you, Tim, I’m not sure that I’m ready to date.” She hoped he would get the hint from that. What he said next made her feel quite churlish.
“Look, Mac. I know that I’m probably not your type. Anyway, I’ve been talking to a girl online for a couple of weeks now. She’s seen my photos and I’ve seen hers, and there’s a little’s hint of magic between us, if you get what I mean.”
“Really? You, too?
“How do you mean?”
“Lucy is always on me to try online dating.” She took a sip of her drink and set it down on the bar. She realized she was hunched over the edge of the bar and wondered why it was that people always felt the need to hunch when sitting on a barstool. At the office, or even at home, she always sat with a very straight back. The stool felt sticky to the touch, and she didn’t want to imagine what had touched it before she sat down.
