"Daddy's Girl"

Chapter 8, Part 1

Grayson stared at the trunk that now sat in the corner of his daughters room. Raeanne had insisted on cleaning it up herself and stenciling Eva's name on the top of the trunk. She'd also obtained a key from somewhere unknown to lock the trunk until Eva would be old enough to see the contents. Her eyes filled with wonder and tears, Rae had parted with the trunk and left him there all alone with his thoughts. The big wooden trunk was beautiful with it's brass hinges and lock, the dark chesnut finish. His eyes were glued to the craftsmanship of the piece, and he hoped Eva would see the love put into the gift her aunt had given her once she got to be a bit older. The tiny baby was still with his mother-in-law, and Rae had walked home. He'd tried to offer a ride, but still she went.

Shrugging, he kneeled next to the trunk and touched the now dry purple paint. Two swirling pink roses lighted either side of the name, and Raeanne's talent showed through. Had it been so long that he'd forgotten about her artistic abilities? The delicate detail that went into the painting had him there for who knows how long. Just in awe of her ability and loving work. Sighing, he got off of his knees and walked to the window noting that Rae hadn't made it too far. There she sat on the bench in his yard, in the pouring rain.

Quickly, he set to work going down the stairs without a thought for what he might say to her when he reached her. However, this was what he had to do. Nodding, he grabbed two coats, one for himself and one for Raeanne, and walked onto the porch.

"Hi there," he whispered, wrapping the jacket around her shoulders.

Looking into her face, he saw a mixture of rain and tears on her cheeks, green eyes round took him in. "Hello." she replied.

"What are you doing out here? Why didn't you come inside?" he asked finally, sitting beside her without slipping the jacket on himself.

"I couldn't Grayson, I just couldn't. Like I couldn't see those things again, or talk about Evan. Things have just changed, thats all. Why have they changed?"

The sadness of the moment struck him silent, yet one glimpse at the falling rain of spring showed his answer. Revealing God in an incredible new way to him. "Things never can stay the same, our lives are about change Raeanne. It took a lot for me to finally see that God has a plan for our lives. That we aren't just bumbling around this earth like idiots. Change happens to bring us closer to him, to set us higher on a new plateau so to speak." he said finally, his entire being alight with the realization.

"Do you really think so, Grayson?" she asked, turning toward him now, the haze of confusion was dimmer than before. Tears had stopped, and the rain was letting up.

He smiled, "Yes, I really think so."

"Well, where do we go from here?" she bit her lip nervously awaiting his answer.

"To your parents house."

"How'd I know you'd say that?" she asked, a smile finally breaking over her face.

He shrugged, "Woman's intuition?"

She pushed him gently, and began to run ahead of him.

"Hey, I thought we'd drive..."he held up the keys and jingled them.

"I'll race you!" she called, and she seemed more alive than when he'd first met her.

A feeling akin to being kicked in the stomach fluttered through him. What was going on here?

--

"Pinned by Love"

Chapter 1, Part 3

Bryant Everett sat in his living room, looking around at the cushioned chairs and rich draperies his interior decorator had ordered and set just so. He shrugged, looked just fine to him the way it was before. But, Miss Connie, as she'd ordered to be called, said a professional wrestler needed more than an 'okay' living room. His assistant, Terry Kline rushed into the room, a combination of vivicious blonde, and energetic child. She smiled big, though it looked rushed, and thrust a stack of mail at him. "Thanks." he muttered, looking at the top envelope which looked to be addressed by a child.

"Not a problem, B-man." she winked, and rushed out the way she'd come, her hair flying behind her like blonde silk.

Without wasting a moment, he ripped open the envelope and stared stunned at the letter inside.

"Deer Myss-ter Briunt,

My nam is Gabe. I am six yeers old. I am a big fan. Sew wuz my Daddy, he iz up in heven now. Did you kno that? Mom saz they don't have Restling in heven. But, whut is he doing then? I want to meet yoo sometym, just like my Daddy did. He wuz a cool guy. Rite bac soone, yor frien,
Gabe Sheridan"

His eyes widened in awe of the child's ability to convey such things in writing, and he automatically sympathized with this six year old boy. His mind strolled back memory lane twenty years to the time he'd lost his father. He'd been ten years old, but the memory was still as strong as ever. It had been raining, and he'd waited for hours for Dad to come home. As a ten year old, he still didn't grasp the meaning of heaven. Nor did he realize that his father was never coming home. His mom had tried her best, but it was hard on her. Bryant realized that now. His only role model growing up had been a professional wrestler. But, he'd never gotten to meet the guy. No, he didn't have the guts to write to his hero. He wasn't that kind of kid, but this kid was. Gabe Sheridan was now on his list of most wanted to meet people. He'd see that the kid got his wish, and more.

"Terry!" he shouted, jotting the return address the child's guardian must have written in the top left hand corner of the envelope.

"Yes'sir." all southern charm, Terry rounded the corner.

"I want two tickets mailed to this address, open ended tickets. I don't know how you'll do it, but do it. Pull whatever strings you need. Include backstage passes." he ordered, feeling more military man than professional wrestler.

"Sure thing, Bryant." she nodded, as if noting the importance of his request.

He smiled, "Thanks."

"Anytime." she agreed, jogging off the way she'd come with the piece of paper in hand.

"Daddy's Girl"

Chapter 7, Part 2

Raeanne allowed herself to be led to the storage shed, Grayson's eyes were alight with the mystery behind the door. She however wasn't so thrilled. She knew what was behind this door, just like all the others in her heart. Yet, this was near and dear to her, and she'd figured Lizzy would keep the key safe just like she had the secret. Looking toward the sky, she sighed, it's all in your hands, Lord.

"Ready?" Grayson asked as he slipped the key into the hole in the door knob.

She nodded, however her heart and mind screamed a definitive no.

The key slid into the lock easily, and all too soon he was opening the door to the last secret she contained. All of the baby things she and Lizzy had bought, stood in the room, still put together, still gleaming in cleanliness.

"Wow, Rae, I didn't know..." his voice trailed off, and she moved like a robot toward the sole trunk standing in the corner. "I wouldn't have made you come in here if you'd just said so.." he wrapped an arm around her as she knelt before the trunk.

"No, it was about time I came back here." she whispered into the steady silence of the surrounding. With a creak the trunk opened to reveal all of the things she'd wanted to pass down to her son. Yet, for some reason she felt ready to pass them on, but not to her own child. To Elizabeths. "I want to take this with us." she said finally.

"Are you sure?" Gray's eyes were filled with wonder and a deep sadness he seemed to understand.

Nodding, she closed the trunk again, "I want to take it back to your house. I want Eva to have it."

"Oh no, Raeanne, you will have another baby one day. You'll want to pass these things on to him or her." he said, his grip on her tightening.

Her head shook back and forth in an answer to the negative, "I doubt I'll ever marry or have a child. Really, Eva should have it. It's mostly Lizzy's anyway."

He nodded in the silence, hefting the trunk with ease. Grayson walked out of the storage shed without another look back. She however, wasn't so easily released from the memories that surrounded this place. Her heart thudded with sadness, in tune with the tears that burned at her eyes now. Running a hand over the solid oak crib in the corner, she whispered a prayer for help to not cry in front of Grayson again. Yet, memories ran rampant over her heart, and it was all too soon she was crying.

Strong arms wrapped around her middle from behind, pulling her into the warmth of him. "It'll all be okay, Rae, we'll be okay, together." his voice whispered, his words wrapped around her to envelope her in a different sort of hug. A promise. She felt it deep in her soul, they'd be okay.

Nodding slowly, she sighed and turned toward him, "Let's get out of here."

"Right." he took a quick breath in and released her.

However, she could still feel the warmth of him and his words, her heart beat double time as she took in her surroundings one last time. "I'll be back." she promised her things as she closed the door and locked it once again.

Requested Story..

Chapter 1, Part 2

Sawyer Hartford clicked to his horse and pulled on the reins, slowing White Lightening to a halt before his mother's apartment building. The building was his mother's pet project, she'd haggled with old man McNeely until the coot had buckled on the price. Mom claimed she needed something to do now that she was alone. Sawyer had taken over the ranch after Dad had died on his eighteenth birthday. Tying White Lightening's reins to the fence in front of the apartment building, he waved to Mr. Shepherd across the street before taking the stairs two at a time.

He stopped in the hallway at the sight of his mother and a beautiful woman, tall and graceful she had piercing eyes that appeared to be purple in color. Long, tight curls spilled down her back, and a brilliant smile was pasted to her face as she talked to his mother.

Clearing his throat, he walked in kissing his mom's cheek, "Hi Mom."

"Sawyer, this is Miz Oakley. She needs to be shown around town." his mother's eyes sparkled with mischief.

He tipped his stetson, turning his smile toward the woman, "G'day Miz Oakley."

She blinked a few times, "Please, call me Gianna."

"Alrighty then, as you wish." he set his stetson on correctly, and held out his arm. "Shall we?"

Gianna centered her purple eyes on his mother, his mother's head bobbed up and down with certainty. "Okay, I guess so." her accent was definitely something northern, he decided as he held the door for her. As the door swung open, her pretty face showed signs of worry, "Where is your car?"

Now his grin really did stretch, as he pointed toward White Lightening. "Right there."

Her mouth dropped open, her purple eyes widened, "That..that..that isn't a car."

"Very good, Miz Oakley." he imitated his fifth grade teach, Miss Beesley as he untied the horses' reins.

Shaking her head, Gianna ran her hand down Lightening's smooth white coat. "He's beautiful."

Lightening neighed in approval.

"He knows."

Gianna giggled in approval as he climbed onto the horse and pulled her up with him. "Let's get to this." he said as he clucked and the horse started off at a trot.

"Pinned by Love"

Chapter 1, Part 2

Turning off the light in her son's bedroom, Karena sighed as she stared at her son's sleeping form. The ultimate little boys room seemed to sigh along with her, the peaceful blue walls clad with sporting equiptment and pictures looked on with her. Still, every night when she turned around she expected Ray to be behind her smiling. Sadness clutched her heart as she turned to the emptiness of the hall way. With slow steps, she walked to the guest room turned hers after the funeral. She'd gathered all of her clothes out of that room and the rest she'd left. It had been three years before she actually cleaned the room out. Leaving it for a guestroom, it just didn't seem right to sleep in the room they'd shared alone. Ray was gone, she'd had to face that chilling fact.

The writing desk that crowded the corner of her bedroom, it's surface covered in bills and things that needed to be taken care of. Her heart dropped for her feet as she looked at the balance of her check book and the total amount needed for the water, heat, and electricity to remain on for the next month. Not to mention the cable her son was so fond of. Taking a deep breath and expelling it, she vowed to thank God once more for today and for her son's company. For his excitement over every little thing, and even his repulsion to water.

The box of envelopes that usually sat atop her desk perfectly, was askew and devoid of envelopes. Her mouth gaped as she looked at the tiny prints on each scattered envelope. The dirt from behind her desk now covered every envelope except for the two with stamps on the back of the envelope. A smile stretched her lips as she picked up each and peeked at them. One was addressed to a "Myss-ter Briunt Evret", the other simply to Dad marked "Hvn" in childish scrawl. Tears burned her eyes as she held each in her hands. Fumbling with it, she finally opened it and looked aghast at the letter inside. On a large piece of red construction paper, Gabe's favorite, was written a simple note that read:

"Deer Dad,

It's your son, Gabriel. I am six now, it's been a long time since I saw you. I hope you aren't mad, but I don't remember much about you, Dad. Mom tries, but she cries a lot. A hole lot. I want to meet Briunt Evret, like you did. Mom showed me a picture of you two together. What do you think?

From: Gabe."

Her heart in her throat, Karena wiped her eyes dropping the letter into the drawer. Sighing again, she glanced toward the ceiling. "I do miss you a lot, Ray." she whispered.

The words from Gabe's letter stayed with her as she finished writing out checks, and cleaned up her work space. As she climbed into her bed, she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders and she turned out the lights praying for a day better than the one she'd endured. For understanding and strength to be both mother and father to her little boy. The weight seemed to clamp on tighter as she closed her eyes, and in doing so tried to close out the pain that the world brought to her soul.

--

"Daddy's Girl"

Chapter 7, Part 1

Grayson set Eva into his mother-in-law's capable arms and smiled, "Thanks for watching her, Janice."

"Anytime, Grayson, and I mean that!" she grinned at him.

He turned around, closing the door behind him watching Eva's grandparents dote on her. Shaking his head, he treaded through the snow covered sidewalk, "Ready?" he asked Rae, sliding into the driver's seat.

She nodded slowly, her face set in a mask of determination.

"You sure, you want to do this, Rae?"

Again a nod, "On to Harborville Storage." The words were grated out as if Harborville was the last place she ever wanted to go.

"Why don't we stop for something to eat first?" he asked, settling his hand over her pale frail one.

She shrugged, "If it's all the same I'd rather get this over with." she fumbled the key in her free hand.

Nodding, he steered the car toward Harborville. Did they really have to do this? His heart screamed out not to put her through something that could open up the wounds again. Yet, his head longed to know more about her, and her past. After all, the past formed your future right?

The Harborville exit came into view, and he turned the car expertly onto the exit monitoring the silent status of Raeanne. Her eyes were wide as she looked around the town. He could harly contain his mind's race as he thought of all the things that could be in a storage locker.

The storage shed's came into view finally, along with the sign denoting the place. His heart beat faster with anticipation, and he could mostly guarantee that hers was most likely doing exactly the same.

Rae's hand clamped the door handle, and her teeth were clenched tight. She extended the key to him, "I don't know if I can do this, Gray. I thought I could." Tears pooled in her now large green eyes, as she released the key to his care.

"You can do it, Rae, I'll be right here with you." he cradled her hand inside his, looking down at their joined hands as a feeling of peace washed over him. Was this right? His heart said it was, but his mind screamed at and berated him. What was he doing?

The look of resolution that now sat in her green eyes as they dried set his mind as ease. It was okay, this was all okay.

"All right, let's do this." she whispered.

--

I've been tagged...

Yes, fair people of Blogville, you have heard correctly.

Jolene has been tagged.

By whom, you may ask? Those beautiful, wonderful Christian sisters who comprise my group of cheerleaders, spiritual help, mothers, sisters, and friends. haha. Michelle, thanks for the tag! I've gotta find someone else to tag..

So, I suppose that means I'm supposed to post fifteen things about myself and my reading. Hum..we'll see...

1. I mainly read Steeple Hill Love Inspired books..or their suspense line, which I love.

2. I'm also a huge stickler for a historical romance.

3. Which means, I love history, so basically anything historical bears reading to me.. Especially Civil War time period. Yup.

4. Ah, let's see about me: I just turned 18 last month...I'm a homeschooled senior with not enough time on my hands.

5. I babysit every weekday for 7 kids ages 2-14.

6. I volunteer at a hospital, where I'm what is mostly known as a Candy Striper. Or, as my little sister used to say..a candy stripper. Don't ask.

7. I have been volunteering in the nursing home ministry since I was 6. Which is 12 yrs experience.

8. I write, or try to write everyday. Mostly the "try to write" but, we're getting there.

9. Started this blog for my friends on eharlequin, steeple hill, n other places. So they can read my writing & comment. :)

10. Jo is running out of things to say about herself..or reading..let's see..yea. I have dozens & dozens of books which I loan mostly to my Grandma. Now that we live in the same house it's much easier. haha.

11. I love the library..most Tuesday nights thats where I can be found, of course that could be because it is directly across the street from the college...but we wont go there

12. I'm single, currently..Not really looking either. I've got someone in mind, but the whole situation is kinda crazy..so..yea. I'm pretty sure he likes me..but we wont go there.

13. Ah..I'm actually working to start a piece that's really heavily set in a spiritual battle sort of phase. I'm praying about it, because 1. it's really tough to write that stuff 2. It's not exactly what everyone believes...because everyone believes differently. Right?

14. I'm a huge yankee fan. haha Why I waited until now to say that is beyond me. I started out the blog that way, and I'll say it again. I love the New York Yankees. Even if they get rid of Tom Gordon and Mariano Rivera. I still am a die hard yankee fan. But, if they get rid of Robinson Cano, heads are going to roll. You heard that here first!!

15. I'm madly in love with my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ who is the son of the most incredible Father anyone could ever ask for. :) Amen..

Yea..thats it..

Requested Story

Unnamed as of yet..

Chapter 1, Part 1

The town of Braxton, Texas, wasn't much of a town to be honest. Gianna Oakley surveyed the tiny town that looked like something out of a movie, it's main street was filled with people milling in and out of tiny shops. Each tiny shop looked positively ancient in decor, and around the shops nothing but space stretched. She took a deep breath of the fresh air that filtered in her car window, and felt the bands of fear loosen. No one knew her here, and they wouldn't find out anything about her past either. A smile stretched her lips as she pulled the car into the parking spot before a tall apartment building.

The brick building boasted large windows glinting like diamonds in the sun, and dust so thick she was pretty sure there were small animals caught in it. Frowning she realized small town or big city, some things never did change. When she'd found the ad for apartments for rent in this small town community online it had seemed like her dream come true. After practically being run out of her neighborhood in New York, she'd vowed not to go back. She was through with those people she'd once called friends and their knowing glares. The way the women stumbled over their children trying to get them away from her. Or the way the elderly people she'd once been near kin to glanced away instead of saying hello. She shuddered just thinking about it, and closed her eyes promising herself not to think so much. Right now, she was beginning a new life, a clean slate as the chaplain at New York State Prison had once said.

The door to the apartment building opened wide, revealing a tiny woman with big blue eyes and a wide smile. "Well hello there, doll, what can I do for ya?" her southern twang and dainty looks endeared her to Gianna.

"I'm Gianna Oakley, I'm here to look at an apartment." she took a deep breath hoping beyond hope that saying her name wouldn't make her lose any points with the woman.

"I've been waiting for you, Miz Oakley, I'm Lorraine Hartford. Your new landlord, if you'll have me." the kind eyes of Miss Hartford showed no restraint, pity or fear only happiness.

"Thank you." she smiled at the kindly woman and followed her inside.

The inside of the apartment building was far understated by the outside, tall ceilings, ornate moldings and beautiful woods filled the lobby. The scent of cinnamon wafted her nostrils, and the spiral staircase reminded her of the many fairytale books her mother had read to her as a child. "Here is your apartment, Miz Oakley." Lorraine opened the door with a key, and walked before her into the space.

The inside of her apartment was barren, yet reflected the lobby in the way of molding, woods, and ceiling structure. She released her pent up breath, "It's beautiful!"

Lorraine's face radiated with a smile again, "I was hoping you'd like it."

"It's lovely, just lovely, I'll take it." For the price she'd be paying for rent here she would have only had one foot of her old apartment. This apartment was far superior anyway.

"Great, I'll just bring in the papers." Lorraine was gone with a flurry of activity and the gentle tip-tap of her feminine cowboy boots on the wood floors.

"What did I do to deserve this, God?" she asked aloud, pacing to the window which over looked the main street.

"We don't deserve anything, Miz Oakley, but He sure supplies, don't he?" Lorraine was back, her red curls springing with her spry step.

"Yes, he sure does."

--

NEW STORY

Pinned By Love

Chapter 1, Part 1

Six-year-old Gabriel Sheridan turned off the television and sighed as his mother called him to take a bath yet again. "Coming mom!" he called, rolling his eyes. What was it about mothers that made them think their kids were ALWAYS dirty. He didn't need a bath every night. Did he? Johnny Templeton had told him this story about a kid who took so many baths that his mom had scrubbed his skin right off of his body!

Eyes wide he turned the corner, she stood there beside the tub, hands on her hips. "Gabriel Bryant Sheridan, look at you!" she grabbed his hand and looked at his nails. "How does a child acquire so much dirt in one day?" With one hand she tugged his shirt over his head, with the other she opened the shower curtain.

"Moooom, do I hafta?" he frowned as she finished undressing him and plopped him directly into the water.

"Yes." the simple word brooked no argument, but still he felt his lower lip protruding.

"Do you think that Bryant Everett has to take a bath every night? Do you think HIS mom makes him get a bath sooo much that his skin might just fall off?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at the culprit of his anger.

"I think his mother would make him take a bath every night, yes. And, you need to stop listening to that Johnny Templeton, your skin will NOT fall off. Now scrub." she tossed him a blue washcloth and grabbed up his dirty clothes pushing them into the hamper.

"Mama?" he asked finally, his mind moving faster than his hands at scrubbing the dirt off of his shoulders.

"Yes, Gabe?"

"Does Daddy still watch Bryant?" he still tried to figure out what his daddy was doing in heaven when he obviously needed him right here. Mom's didn't understand anything! Not trucks or wrestling or how his favorite blue shirt was the only one he could wear. Gabe could hear his mom sniffle, and he bent over the tub to touch her back, "I'm sorry, Mama, I didn't want you to cry." he rubbed her back in circles like she did when he was sick.

"Baby, your Daddy can't watch television up in heaven. But, I'm pretty sure he watches over you, me, and definitely Bryant Everett. He probably smiles everytime he wins a game." she turned toward him, and smiled wiping at her tears.

"Match, Mom." he shook his head at her girl-ness.

"Right, match..sorry."

--