"Too Tall, Too Dark, Too Handsome" chap 3

Chapter 3

Safely inside of her house, Shea breathed deep cleansing breaths. How would she live next door to that man? Her heart rate increased just thinking about him! Sliding down the closed door, Shea sat with her face in her hands. She'd promised herself she'd never fall for another man. Never!

Jingle Bell rubbed up against her leg, purring sweetly as if to say she was there for Shea, it was then that she realized just how pathetic her life was. The only living being left to comfort her was the cat she'd found in a snow bank on Christmas eve!

Sighing, she scooped the up the cat and rubbed her cheek against Jingle's soft fur. "Thanks Jingle." she whispered. It was days like today, when she felt the most lonely, that she'd gather herself and take off to her quiet spot. Where she could think, and say her good-byes once more to her last chance at love.

Standing, she set Jingle down and scooted out the garage door. With a quick good-bye to her cat, she hopped into the car and took off toward the cemetary.
The breeze flirted with the trees encompassing the headstones. Somehow the peace of this place drew her. With knowledge of the lay of the land, Shea began her walk. As she came upon the headstones she looked for, she sat nearest the tiniest one. With shaking hands, she ran her fingers over the delicate inscription on the marble.

"Keely McMalley
October 6, 2004 - December 24, 2004
Mommy's Angel."

Tears flowed down her cheeks in tiny streams. No matter how many years it had been, the memories still brought her to tears. She'd tried to tell herself it wasn't her fault, and yet it still galred in her mind.

It had been a normal day just like any other, only it was Christmas Eve. To be exact, her first Christmas Eve as a mother. Keely sat in her bouncy seat watching with wide green eyes as Shea decorated the tree. With each ornament she hung, Shea made a noise making two month old Keely giggle with joy. Her heart was truly full.

"We're going to make it, Keely Grace, I can promise you that!" she babbled to her baby animatedly.

Just as the words left her mouth, the front door flew open. Her worst nightmare stood in the doorway, Rick Harley.
"I hear you've got my daughter, O'Shea!" he slurred, staggering across the wooden floor bringing with him the stench of alchohol.

"Get out Rick!" she screamed, doing her best to hide Keely with her body.

"I want my baby!" he shouted back, throwing Shea across the room.

She hit the wall and the room began to spin, head pounding Shea did her best to make the room stop spinning. Yet the need to get to her baby before Rick did, made the room spin worse as her blood pressure rose at the sight of him grabbing Keely and maliciously tossing her across the room. "STOP!" she screamed, her heart plummeting for her toes at Keely's cries.

"You kept my baby from me, Shea, I'm going to take her from you." he said, his voice calm now as he stalked across the room and lifted the baby shaking her violently.

"Rick!" she did her best to crawl across the floor and grab the phone.

Just as she dialed 9-1-1, her world went black, and everything was gone.

"I'm so sorry Keely." she cried, wishing she could comfort the baby she'd lost. Nothing in the world could keep the tears from flowing now. Not even if they had found Rick. With a long sigh, she stood to her feet and adjusted the small potted plant before Keely's headstone. Life was never the same after that, and her pit was deeper than ever now.

--

Kent shoved the last box into the dumpster and looked around with satisfaction, maybe his mom was a bit of a taskmaster, but she got the job done. She'd ordered he and his moving crew around all afternoon, but every last bit of his stuff was in its place. No need for a second day of moving, nor weeks and weeks of shoving boxes into the dumpster.

"So the rumor is true." came a sultry voice from behind him.

Turning quickly, he identified the voice. Isabella Ramirez, his childhood sweetheart. "I don't know..I'd suppose it depends on the rumor." he quipped, not so much in the mood for her games.

She fiddled with the silk of her red dress with long nimble fingers, "That you're moving back home. You must've finally given up on the city. We all knew you'd come running back home to me." Tip-tapping across the sidewalk, she wrapped her long arms around his waist and stood on tip toe to kiss his neck.

"Get away," he growled low, stepping out of her arms.

"Come back here baby." she whined, wrapping herself around him again.

Sighing he tugged away, "Touch me again and you're next in the dumpster. I don't understand what you find so hard to understand about this, Isabella. You hurt me once, I won't stay around for it a second time. I came to be here for my mother. Not you. Good bye." Turning, he stalked back to his house.

"You're making a huge mistake!" she screamed after him, folding her arms and pouting like a child.

"Only mistake here, honey, is that lipstick with that dress!" shouted his mother after her.
He chuckled, "Thanks Mama."

"Anytime honey." she laughed, hugging him close.

Maybe moving back wasn't a total mistake, it felt good to say good bye to Isabella finally. To move on with his life, that was something completely different for him. Shea climbed out of her car, eyes puffy and red as if she'd been crying, and he sighed. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad though, if he could successfully reach out to her. There was something so magnetic about O'Shea McMalley.

"Stop drooling and get back in here, Kentavious!" shouted his mom, as she walked inside.
He chuckled, "Yes, mother."

Too Tall, Too Dark, Too Handsome? chap 2

Chapter 2

Shea knelt on the green grass before her small garden, nothing like pulling weeds to take all of her anger and get her mind off losing a friend. The bright colors of the flowers she'd planted did little to cheer her, however. What had transpired the day before had kept her awake all night long, and still replayed in her memory as a horror film.

The sounds of the morning floated on the slight breeze, tickling her senses yet doing little to awaken the part of her spirit that'd been dead along with her last chance for love. Bitterness still flowed through her veins cold and thick. Why couldn't she pull herself out of this pit, nor could she see outside of it. Yesterday, Sherry had only kicked more dirt in on top of her.

Looking back down at the flowers, Shea shook her head, as a truck pulled up at the empty house next door. Apparently, the house that'd stood empty since Mrs.Johanssen had been transferred to the nursing home, was about to be occupied. Really, she could care less who moved in next door. Shea prided herself on not getting too close emotionally to any one human being. No, it was just her and her cat. Jingle Bell, so named for her Christmas birth, was a tiny little scrap of fur with a large attitude. Yet, she was good company, and she was dependable.

Sighing, Shea began to sing. It'd been years since she had sang, her father had encouraged her to start the singing lessons at the age of three. After he'd hurt her, Shea lost her zest for singing. When he did finally leave her and her mother, she'd quit the lessons and singing all together. That was nearly ten years ago, and the first notes of a song came from her lips startling her voice box. The song was one she'd written, but never sung.

"Well, well, well, imagine running into you here."

The voice startled her, making her lose her balance and fall face first into her little garden. Blinking, she stared up at him from her place on the ground, "Do you ALWAYS have to do that?" With quite an effort, she straightened herself out and stood on her own, ignoring his offered hand.

"I didn't try. You scare so easily though." he smiled, and her knees wobbled. He was the most incredible looking man she'd ever seen. That was for sure.

"I know, mostly because no one bothers with me. I'm what you'd call a hermit, Mr...." her voice stumbled as she realized she had no idea what his name was.

"Pharrell. Kent Pharrell." he offered, his smile widening.

"Nice name." she stuttered, tugging the last weed and tossing it in her garbage bag.

"My mother seems to think so," he winked and moved closer, "You ran off so quickly I never caught your name either."

"O'Shea McMalley." she bit off, standing and swiping at the dirt on her knees.

"Well, Ms. McMalley, I suppose now is a nice time to ask if I can assist my new neighbor in any way?"

--

Kentavious watched his new neighbor's face transform, no longer did she seem composed and slightly flirtacious. Her deep green eyes were now shuttered, and her teeth seemed clenched so tight he was waiting for one to fly out and slap him in the face. Something wasn't right about O'Shea McMalley. Aside from losing a friend, she seemed cut off from the world around her, and she had said she was a hermit. Well, he'd have to change that. Wouldn't he?

"New..New Neighbor?" she stuttered, grabbing up the garbage bag from the ground and twisting it in her hands nervously.

"Yes, that's my house over there." he replied, gesturing with his hand toward the house beside her's.

"Oh my..." she groaned, pushing her hair back from her face with a hand. "If you'll excuse me, I really should be getting back inside."

Kent watched O'Shea's retreating form and he sighed, "If I am always scaring you, you're always running away from me. How exactly am I going to get to know you any better, Miss McMalley?"

"Kentavious Josiah Pharrell!" his mother's shrill voice echoed around the neighborhood, and he hurried to get to her side.

"Here I am, Mom." he whispered, sliding his arm through her's.

"When I come to your house to help you unpack, I expect you to be here to let me in. Do you see this? A locked door." she muttered, tugging on the locked door knob.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'll get it." with his free hand, he slipped the key from his pocket and unlocked the door. Somehow he needed to learn to juggle the women in his life, because if not they'd soon kill him. And, he had the feeling that if they knew he was thinking like this, they'd kill him anyway.

With yet another sigh, he shook his head and whispered to himself Hold onto your head, Kent.

Too Tall, Too Dark, Too Handsome? chap 1

Chapter 1

The minutes ticking away on her watch spurred O'Shea McMalley to action. In only thirty minutes her best friend in the world would be saying 'I do' to a man who was completely wrong for her. As if to prove that to Shea at least, she'd seen the lying, no good man out last night with another woman. It'd taken her this long to work up enough nerve to tell Sherry that her fiance was nothing more than a man. A no good man! Shea's entire life had been filled with them, oh sure they come with some good lines and in some pretty packages, but at their core they were men! This time however, they weren't toying with her emotions, it was much more personal when they were blind-siding her friends. She would stop at nothing, even intruding on a wedding to keep this from happening to Sherry.

The church stood tall and beautiful against the slowly descending sun, her heart thudded in apprehension and adrenaline. Somehow, Shea felt like a movie star climbing the marble stairs of the church and throwing open the heavy cedar doors. The minister's booming voice echoed in the entry hall and it only served to make her heart beat faster. Each step echoed louder in her ears until it seemed one more step might make her ear drums burst. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, she found herself staring at the double doors that lead to the sanctuary. Just as she grasped the door handle, a hand gripped her arm.

"Can I help you?" a deep voice asked from behind her.

A scream exited her lips, alerting the ushers on the other side of the door. Soon the entire sanctuary full of people were staring at her and the man who's hand dug its imprint into her upper arm.

"Shea?" Sherry asked from where she stood hand-in-hand with Joe Lampart.

"Yes, Sherry, it's me. I came to tell you not to do it. Don't marry this jerk!" she yelled from the back of the church, wishing that she hadn't seen a thing. Yet she had, and so this was her duty. Simultaneously, she was doing her best to squirm out of the man's grip, yet he did not let go. Turning back toward him she came face to face with the most incredible looking man she'd ever seen in her life. Dark eyes, dark hair, dark skin, an amazing smile...blinking she mentally slapped herself. What was she doing? Shea McMalley didn't drool over men, she ignored them. Instead of drooling any longer, she gave one last forceful tug against his hand forcing him to release her and she stomped toward the front of the church.

"Someone get her out of here!" shouted Joe, tugging Sherry toward him and whispering something in her ear.

"No, I won't leave until I've told Sherry everything I've seen. She needs to know the truth. Either I tell her in private or I tell the world. Your pick." clamping both hands onto her none-to-slim hips Shea stared him down.

"Private works." he choked, running a finger between his neck and his collar.

It seemed everything was going to be okay now, Sherry ushered her into a side room, her face red as a tomato. "What do you think you're doing, O'Shea McMalley?"

"Telling you something you need to know, I saw Joe making out with another woman last night. He is no good, Sherry." she sputtered, hoping her friend didn't hate her for ruining the day she'd dreamed about for her entire life.

"Not my Joe, you must be blind Shea. Can't you see the love in his eyes? He'd never do that. Not to me. Maybe it was someone who looked like him. Now, if you'll excuse me I have friends and family waiting to see me get married." her long time best friend shoved past her long white gown flowing in the breeze she'd created.

"Sherry! He doesn't love you, he can't if he's doing that!" she shouted after her.

The door swooshed open nearly slamming the wall and Sherry turned toward her, "Well maybe I do not care, Shea. I love him, this is my life, I'll take my chances. Good-bye."

A tear tore down her cheek, and Shea exited from the side of the church hoping not to interfere with Sherry's special day anymore. Heart heavy, she glanced back at the church, why didn't Sherry believe her or care? Was this the end of their friendship? Sighing, she realized with growing certainty that it most likely was.

"Hey!"

The deep voice caught her off guard once again and the heel of her shoe got caught in a crack in the sidewalk. Tugging her foot, she lost her balance, tumbling end over end to land on her behind in the moist grass. "You seem to catch me at the most embarrassing times." she muttered, turning her face up toward the man.

He smiled, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to tell you that I respect what you did in there. That took some guts." Extending his hand toward her, he implored her with his eyes to take his offer of friendship.

Sighing, Shea placed her hand in his silently thanking him for trying. There was nothing she hated more than men, but right now she needed someone to tell her everything was going to be alright. That she wasn't hated, that she had a friend in this world. "Guts. I've got guts, what I haven't got is friends." she whispered, tears began to trickle down her cheeks at that.

"Oh now, now." he said, his voice growing softer, he tugged her into a gentle embrace, rubbing her back as he soothed her.

Arms now wrapped around the man's middle, Shea stood uncomfortably in his arms crying her eyes out. Yet, after a few minutes the original feelings of thankfulness subsided and she realized what was happening. He had control. Her breath became labored, and she tugged away. "I'm sorry, I really should go." she clipped out, wiping furiously at her eyes.

"No, wait. What's your name? Can I call you? Don't leave now." his hand caught her's, and her knees went weak.

"I've really got to go!" she replied, tugging her hand away from his and sprinting the rest of the way to her car. She could not let herself get too close to a man again, couldn't allow her heart the pain.

--

Kentavious Pharrell stood watching the little red sports car disappear down the street, never in his life had he seen such a gorgeous woman. The moment he'd laid eyes on her, he'd been amused. Scared as she was, she still had a presence that told him her temper was like none other. Irish, that was for sure as he took in her red curls and deep green eyes, not to mention the smattering of freckles that littered her rosy cheeks. When on his ushering duties, which he really hadn't wanted in the first place, he'd seen her nearly stomping into the church he had to see what was going on with her. When he'd grasped her arm, electrical sparks had shimmied up through his nervous system and from that point on he wanted to kiss her.

Sighing, he lay his head in his hands and shook his head furiously. Maybe his braids were too tight, but there was something undeniable about the connection he felt with that woman. Not that he knew her name, or even anything about her, but something in her eyes made him want to hold her and never let go.

"Kent, you giving up on us?" his sister Ivonne's voice floated to him from the doorway of the church.

"No, I'm coming back." he replied, straightening himself out and walking back toward the door.

Ivonne laughed, her eyes sparkling, "Good, Mom was beginning to think that you'd run off with that crazy lady who came burstin' in here."

Kentavious shook his head, "No, I would never do that." Yet his heart screamed, yes you would. Telling it to shut up, he linked his arm with his sister's and walked back into the sanctuary to watch the rest of the wedding unfold.


That's all for chapter 1, let me know what you think!!--Jo