by Lolah Lace
Sweet Love
Lolah Lace
SWEET LOVE
By
Lolah Lace
Copyright © 2020
By
Lolah Lace
www.lolahlace.com
Cover Design by LLPro
Edited by Camille Crawford
3rd Edition
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Contents
Prologue
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
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Epilogue
About the Author
Novels by Lolah Lace
Prologue
KATRINA
I should’ve known my sister would do this to me. She’d run off with some man and left all her family responsibilities to me. Not just any man, he was her boyfriend. I was seventy percent happy for her and thirty percent jealous.
I hated to admit it was my turn to take the reigns. Long ago I moved away to go to college. I went to Northern Illinois University where I received my English Literature degree. I didn’t have much of a hand in the family business after that. I never returned to this town for more than a mere visit. Or when there was some family emergency. I was far removed from this quiet country living.
I made myself a brand new life three and a half hours away. I didn’t actually run away from this town. A brisk walk would be the best way to describe my hasty departure.
I truly believed I did my part from afar. I made sure a professional accountant did the taxes for the shop. I also did a few other things like purchased a more efficient security system. I bought a new cash register with a scanner. I also bought this huge digital scale to weigh the candy. My sister was still using that old fashioned scale that looked like a wall clock with a bucket underneath it.
I was the uppity daughter that moved to the big city. My younger sister Cherise was the good daughter that ran the family business like a boss. My brother, he was just related to us by blood. Coming back to town for an extended stay was never on my to-do list but I was here and I had to suck it up and make the most of it.
The town of Galena was a beautiful place that hadn’t modernized much over the last few decades. That was precisely what made the place pleasant and charming. The population loomed somewhere around four thousand. When I lived here the population was less than half of what it is now.
Things here in Galena were different from the overpopulated city of Chicago. I always claimed Chicago as my home even though the reality of it was I lived in the nice quaint and culturally diverse suburb of Naperville. Chicago, Naperville, places far enough away from my hometown. Small town Galena was where I was going to have to spend three entire months of my summer. I tried to not think about it.
Things weren’t in complete disarray when I walked into Sweet Treats, my family-owned store. The little sugar shack had been in my family for fifty years. My parents grew up poor so maintaining and acquiring this shop was a dream come true for them. Sweet Treats was one of the first Black-owned businesses in Galena.
I was proud of this place but I preferred to show my admiration from afar. Not an option, not today, someone had to run this place. My sister was off gallivanting and I guess it was my turn to be in charge of Candyland.
My parents were fast approaching eighty. They weren’t up for running the store or dealing with all the new technology that came with overseeing a successful business. My sister Cherise told me flat out, it was my turn to man the fort because she was going to kick it in the streets. I heed and hawed but I had to give her a break. She did a lot in my absence. She ran the store, took care of our elderly parents and watched over our trifling ass little brother. I couldn’t really say no to Cherise. She did an awful lot for everybody. She was giving and selfless. Our parents willed fifty percent of the candy store to me, and the other to Cherise. I had to do my part, no matter how small.
I kissed Cherise good-bye just yesterday. I was the oldest so I gave her a long lecture about overseas viruses, not drinking tap water in foreign countries, wearing sunscreen, watching your bags, not leaving your drinks unattended. Cherise’s boyfriend was from Trinidad so most of their summer would be spent there. She had two Caribbean cruises in the midst of her idyllic summer away. I was stuck in Galena for the entire summer. The more I say it. The more bored I get.
I slept in the apartment above the store. It was going to be my new home while I took the reins. It was the best place to be. It was a furnished two bedrooms, full bath, med-size kitchen, with a full living area that overlooked Main Street.
Cherise never rented the place out. I couldn’t make her do it. She claimed the business didn’t need the money and being a landlord was too much of a hassle. My parent’s Dutch Colonial-style house was paid off. It was so convenient. The upstairs apartment was vacant just for me. I can stay upstairs alone and still get some work done. There was no way I could stay at my parent’s house with my brother there. I would kill him for sure. We were like oil and water ever since he turned into a teenager. Now that he was thirty-five nothing had changed at all.
Being here wasn’t ideal. I knew I was going to miss my kids. Kennedy decided she’s not coming home for the summer. I guess being twenty-one means you can do whatever you like. She decided to work through summer and just stay at her apartment near the University of Chicago. She hardly came home anymore. We used to be so close and now she was out living her young adult life.
There was no way I would subject my son Aaron to an entire summer in Galena. His sixteen-year-old brain would be bored to death. There weren’t enough vid
eo games in the world to keep him entertained in this small town. The point seven percent population of Black people would irritate him. I know this because every time we visited together he made a point of mentioning that the lack of brothers and sisters in this town. Hopefully, my ex-husband, Erik will take good care of our son while he stays with him for the summer. He’d better take care of my baby.
Bright Monday morning I got up, showered and dressed. I played some old Motown hits on my cell phone and started vigorous cleaning. My sister was clean but not as clean as me. I was a proud neat freak.
The first thing I cleaned was the upstairs apartment. That happened early in the morning. Around nine I ventured downstairs to clean the shop. The shelves were first on my list. I found an old ladder in the basement and I almost broke my neck lugging it up the steep stairs. I needed help whipping this place into shape. There was a lot of traffic in the summer months. Galena had at least a million tourists traipse through town yearly. People loved the old rustic nostalgic feel of the place. This town made sure they kept the influx of technology to a minimum. The fresh country air was void of pollution. Maybe being here would be a good thing for me.
When it was getting close to 10 AM I unlocked the front doors of the store. I climbed back on the ladder and started scrubbing the top shelves behind the cash register. I probably wouldn't get a customer this early. I didn't know how the flow of customers was early on a Monday morning.
Chapter 1
JASON
Galena, this town was Deadsville USA. The name sucked. The clean air sucked. The situation sucked. Why was even here? I knew why, but I didn’t want to face it. Running away from my emotions had been a welcome milestone in my life. I was in a small town somewhere alone, and incredibly lonely. I was here just trudging around in a huge house with my willing caretakers.
I was counting down the days before I could escape. It had only been a week and I had a lot of days to go. The first thing they did was piss test me. Did they really believe I would show up with drugs on my body, in my system, well recent drugs in my system? I was currently in a drug-free status. I got a lecture from my manager before I arrived. I had to shape up. There was no ship out. Shaping up was the only option. He told me my actions were childish and pathetic. He was right of course but I had been just considered a child a few years ago. Society really pushes you to grow up to fast. Being reckless and childish seemed like such fun. Fun I aspired to from time to time.
My manager ambushed me with his tough-love technique. That was all new to me. I had never been seriously confronted about my bullshit. My crew did a total intervention on me. It was like I was in a dramatic family movie. There were accusations, tears, yelling, and hugs. Any normal bloke would’ve complained. I’m not a normal anything but I had to get a grip on reality and conform. Now I was here in Deadlena Illinois, a place where the streets were lined with green grass and gigantic trees. This place was a literal fairytale. I saw an actual horse and carriage and there’s even a lazy river. Maybe I should make the most of it.
I talked about my feelings with Dr. David Glass for an hour after breakfast every day. I had no real contact with the outside world. I only had my warden and therapist David, and his wife Fiona. I needed a break from my custodian and my nurse. I decided I would flee the prison. I climbed on my bike. Not really my bike but a bike I claimed as soon as I arrived at the cuckoos nest.
I had a lot of free time to be with my thoughts, feelings and all that sullen bullshit. I hopped on my bike and rode down the dusty road to nowhere in particular. I let the world take me wherever it wanted. The bike's wheels took me into town. The scenery was so old fashioned. I couldn't fathom how people lived here their entire lives, no hustle, no bustle, just peace, and tranquility.
I peddled past a colorful candy shop. I u-turned in the road to return to it. The shop windows had the painted words, Sweet Treats, on both sides. I had a bit of a sweet tooth now that I was on the wagon. I parked my bike in front of the brick building. It looked empty inside but I twisted the doorknob and walked in the door.
Charming little bells rang upon my arrival. Not a bit different from my regular life.
“Hey good morning.” I heard the voice of an angel coming from up above.
I saw her standing at the top of a ladder against a wall.
“Morning.” I cleared my throat. I had to pronounce my words carefully just to get them right. “Are you open?”
“Yes, I am.” She smiled. She was gorgeous, a complete knockout. Her smile was killer. She was a sunny shade of brown, her hair was dark, almost black and so were her eyes. My type! Any man’s type! They have stunning girls like her in this town? After a quick consensus, I believe I can stand this place after all.
“There’s a sign in the window.” My mouth moved to make random conversation.
“Yes, yes, you’re here about the job?”
“Yes.” I lied. I didn’t see that sign. I was referring to the, we sell candy sign but I played along because I wanted to stare at her for a bit longer. I also wanted to play with her— adult play. I was nervous and feared I would say the wrong thing. My stomach, my throat, she was just that lovely.
“My sister Cherise talked to you on the phone.” She looked down at me with dark chocolate for eyes.
“Yes, Cherise, your sister, talked to me.” A little fib, I don’t know this Cherise.
“Listen, I have to be honest. This job is unusual hours and it doesn’t pay much.”
“Not a problem. I don’t need much pay.” I tried to keep my eyes off her ass. I failed in my attempt. Hopefully, she didn’t catch me.
“It’s straightforward and very boring here. There are a lot of kids that come in here. Can you deal with sugared-up children?”
“Yes, I like kids,” I said creepily.
“Well, it’s selling candy, unpacking candy, cleaning and that’s about it. Not as glamorous as working at one of the ritzy new tourist hotels.”
“Sounds like you’re trying to talk me out of an honest day’s work.”
Her face lit up. “No, no way. I need help around here.”
“I’m here to help you.” Christ, she was sexy on a ladder. She would be so sexy on my cock.
“Well, that’s good the hear. I’m the owner Katrina Sweet.” She started climbing down the ladder.
“Please be careful.” I rushed over to break her fall if it came to that. I was behind the counter in a flash. I reached out to shake her extended hand. I looked into her deep brown eyes because I knew my eyes were very much interested in her bum. We shook hands and hers were soft. My palms might be adequate to the touch, but my fingertips were rotten from strumming Vicky.
This lovely lady Katrina, her smile knocked me out. Not literally but I felt woozy without the benefit of drugs. I was honestly feeling a bit under the influence. This can’t be good.
“I’m Katrina Sweet. Oh Lord, I said that already.” She giggled.
“Kat,” I said because she seemed like a sultry little kitty cat.
“Kat, no one ever calls me Kat.” Her smile indicated she didn’t mind the nickname. I’m sorry I don’t remember your name. Cherise told me but I can’t remember. My memory is terrible and I have a lot of things going on today.” She twirled her fingers around in the air.
I got a divine whiff of her. She carried a seductive scent of flowers or something girly and great.
“My name, my name is Jason, Jason Smith.” I wanted this job. I needed it. I was bored to pieces at the eco-friendly sober house. I wouldn’t be bored in her presence. I needed something to do outside of that therapeutic prison. Dr. David should be okay with this. He has to be. I have to have this. I have to have her.
Kat looked from my eyes to my chest. “You are tall.”
“Yes, I am. I’m a hundred ninety-three centimeters.” She flashed a blank stare at me. “I’m six-four. Yea, so you never need to get up on another ladder while I’m here. It’s rather dangerous.”
“It was more heavy than d
angerous.” She added. “It’s so heavy.”
“You carried it?”
“Yes, up the stairs, from the basement. I thought I was going to through my back out.” She giggled the sexiest giggle in all of America. “I banged up my shoulder.” She rubbed her shoulder quickly.
“That’s not good. Your real last name is Sweet?” I couldn’t believe I paid attention and remembered her words. I spend a lot of time tuning most women out and forgetting whatever name they gave me.
“Yes, that’s my real last name, the one I was born with. I changed it when I got married but when I got divorced I changed it right back. I’m back to Sweet.”
Oh yes, you are.
I wanted to taste her to see if that was true inside and out. Was she really sweet? Was she candy-coated? I smiled with all my teeth just to block out all my sexual thoughts. It didn’t work. There were too many. I imagined sucking her neck, her lips, her chin, her collarbone.
Words, maybe saying words would snap me out my trance.
“Sweet, that name fits you perfectly.”
“You think so?” She wrinkled her nose.
“Yes.” Because your skin looks so deliciously lick-able.
“Is Jason Smith your real name?”
“Yes.” A slight panic hit me. I didn’t know if she was joking. Did she really think I was lying?
