A Splash of Hope
Authors: Charity Parkerson
Tags: #Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, #Mystery, #Romance, #Romantic Comedy, #Mystery & Suspense, #Suspense, #Romantic Suspense
A Splash of Hope
By
Charity Parkerson
Without limiting the rights under copyright(s) reserved above and below, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
Please Note
The scanning, uploading, and distributing of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal and punishable by law. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Brief passages may be quoted for review purposes if credit is given to the copyright holder. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. Any resemblances to person(s) living or dead, is completely coincidental. All items contained within this novel are products of the author’s imagination.
--Warning: This book is intended for readers over the age of 18.
Copyright © 2014 Charity Parkerson
Editor: Victoria Reese
Photographer: CuraPhotography
All rights reserved.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Ben Ditmars, for the cool usage of your poetry...you rock!
This book is for all the pieces of my soul living in Australia.
***
PROLOGUE
Harmony, Faith, and Serenity—better known as the Hope sisters—had always been a bit of a town joke. The locals liked to enjoy a good chuckle over their names, since it was widely known the girls’ parents never possessed any such virtues. This is why it came as no surprise when a twenty-year-old Harmony, along with her parents, were killed after accepting a drunken bet. It was rumored to have involved some sheep, a motorcycle, and a two-dollar prize. Thankfully, no harm came to the livestock in their antics. At eighteen, Faith was newly graduated from high school. She feared sixteen-year-old Serenity would be sent to live with strangers since they didn’t have any other living relatives. However, Faith had easily received guardianship when it turned out that no one else wanted a teenager who’d surely turn out to be as wild as her parents had been. Little did they know, she would indeed become the talk of the town. Unfortunately, it was for a whole new reason.
Chapter One
Serenity: Seven years later
He was graying at the temples. It was the first thing Serenity noticed about Carter Monroe when she spotted him eating alone in a restaurant otherwise crowded with couples and families. He might have gone unnoticed if they weren’t the only two people there seated by themselves, while everyone else packed noisy tables. Serenity snorted at the ridiculous notion of Carter Monroe going unnoticed. He possessed the type of powerful presence that would stand out even if he were dressed as a beggar. His steel gray eyes could pin a man in place and have him shaking in his boots. They also crinkled at the corners when he smiled, making a person feel as if the gesture was meant for them alone.
Those eyes lifted, meeting hers as if he felt her stare. Even though her face flushed at being caught watching him, she didn’t look away. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. He tilted his head slightly as if assessing her courage. Serenity forced herself to stay still. Unfortunately, she couldn’t help the defiant tilt of her chin during his inspection. She’d be damned if she let anyone find her wanting. Taking her by surprise, he stood and tossed a few bills down on the table. After making his way across the room, he stood over her. The expensive three-piece suit he wore was obviously tailored to fit. The color was the same shade as his eyes. Taking a deep breath, she drew the scent of his cologne into her lungs. Her body tingled with awareness.
“Serenity Hope.”
“Carter Monroe.” She ensured her reply matched his dry tone. As if it was his cue, Carter took the seat across from her. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Refusing to give him an inch, she kept her face smooth by sheer force of will. It was always the same greeting, and for Serenity, it never got old. They jogged in opposite directions on the greenway every morning. Each day as he ran by, he would nod his head politely. “Serenity Hope.”
“Carter Monroe,” she would say in response, always making sure to match his bland tone. That would be the end of it. There’d only been one day when the strange routine they’d formed had been interrupted. She’d been jogging her usual route when she glanced down for a moment to adjust her mp3 player. In her distraction, she missed the cyclist speeding around the corner. He clipped her as he went by. Although it knocked her off balance, she righted herself before falling completely to the ground. It came as no surprise the man didn’t slow long enough to check on her. Of course, it added fuel to her anger.
“Fucking dick!” The screeching words barely left her lips before she found herself face to face with Carter who, having witnessed the entire incident, moved to check on her. It was the one and only time she’d seen his smile. It was the most amazing thing, beginning at his eyes before spreading to the rest of his face. For a moment, his grip tightened on her shoulders. As he was busy checking her for injuries, she was incapable of looking away from his mouth. When he seemed satisfied she was unhurt, he released her, and took a step away. She instantly hated the distance. The loss of his warmth left her cold.
“Serenity Hope,” he said in his usual manner. The smile remained in place.
“Carter Monroe.” She matched his tone, as always. It no longer felt the same.
Chapter Two
Faith: Six months later
Even though it was only a thirty minute drive from where Faith currently lived in Nashville to her hometown of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, it was a crucial thirty minutes. The compilation of seconds ensured the distance she needed to avoid seeing anyone with whom she had grown up. Her hands clenched around the steering wheel as she thought once again about what she was getting ready to do.
In Faith’s opinion, her sister, Serenity, had been the one who’d suffered the most embarrassment over their parents’ deaths. She’d been forced to endure two more years at a school filled with knowing gazes and hate-filled gossip. Faith ruefully admitted she’d not helped the situation any by her own actions after her family’s horrible accident. She spent a moment wondering if those years shaped Serenity into a person incapable of commitment. She sighed aloud. Who was she kidding? Serenity was solid as a rock. Beautiful inside and out, Serenity easily won the hearts of others. If for no other reason, being mean to Serenity was akin to kicking a puppy. She didn’t have a mean bone in her body. That’s why the letter Faith had received by messenger that morning completely blew her away.
Today, Serenity was set to marry Adam Monroe, the hottest bachelor the south had to offer. The same Adam Monroe Faith had drooled over her freshman year of high school. Even though his “most popular” and senior status set him way out of her reach, she’d still wanted him. The same Adam Monroe who’d given Faith the job she’d desperately needed to support Serenity. Adam was also the man who’d rocked her world late one night. Long after all his other employees had left for the evening, Adam had stolen her heart. Now, he was marrying her sister. Faith’s shock seemed miniscule when she compared her feelings to the entire town of people who were scrambling to host a wedding. It made her feel better to know that none of those people had been aware the couple were dating either. The wedding had been thrown together in less than a week. Of course, the thanks went to Adam’s father, Carter Monroe, and his mounds of money. Now, her baby sister was ditching Adam at the altar. In the worst twist of fate in history, she was leaving the duty of dumping him—on the day of their wedding, no less—to Faith. The joys of family never ended.
***
She was going to be sick. That one thought stood out loudly in the face of all others as Faith walked past the filled pews to the front of the church. Carter Monroe, Adam’s father, met her halfway. She smiled as he held his hands out to her. At least she tried to arrange her features into a smile in return. In the end, she felt sure it came across as more of a grimace. He wrapped her in his warm embrace. For a moment, she felt transported through time as the memory of her own father’s hugs surrounded her. No matter what anyone else believed, she and her sisters had been showered with love while their parents were alive.
“I’m sorry.” The words tumbled from her mouth in her nervousness. “If my parents were still alive,” she added helplessly. She didn’t know what she’d been about to say. If her parents were still alive, they would’ve probably been enjoying the open bar right about now. He shushed her. Cutting off her ramblings, he spared her the embarrassment of saying those words.
“If your parents were still alive, then things wouldn’t always be left to you.”
She thought it unlikely. The sentiment was appreciated all the same. For some reason, his presence alone calmed the panic swiftly rising inside her. He did not seem surprised she was there while Serenity wasn’t. He must’ve known what it meant. Nonetheless, he offered her his reassurances. With a final squeeze of his hand for support, she turned to face the room of curious stares. She’d been more than ready to give the speech she’d been practicing in her head all the way there. Unfortunately, when she opened her mouth, the truth poured out instead. “Serenity isn’t coming.”
*
A huge wave of whispering fell over the crowd, giving the first clue that something wasn’t right.
“Why is Faith coming down the aisle instead of Serenity?” Brother Tristan asked as Faith moved at a clipped pace toward the front of the church. Adam shushed him. His father met her halfway. As Adam looked on, Carter’s face transformed into one of a caring parent. Holding Faith’s hand, Carter listened to her words, nodding his understanding. He’d almost forgotten how very sexy Faith was. Her dark hair, which normally fell past the center of her back, was now piled on top of her head. Tiny curls escaped, framing her face. She kept shoving them behind her ear, showing her nervousness. Her blue eyes stood out starkly compared to her dark hair and tan skin. She was almost hypnotic. Following her with his eyes, he watched her exchange with his dad closely. Without hearing their conversation, he knew. Serenity was dumping him. Of all the emotions a person should feel at being left at the altar, relief was the one thing a groom shouldn’t experience. This wasn’t a normal wedding, and his was no love match. Faith dropped her bomb. She was almost out the door before his body caught up with his mind. Breaking into a jog, he shot out after her. In his efforts to catch Faith before she could escape, he missed the look of triumph passing over his father’s face.
*
“Hey.”
Faith glanced over in surprise at the man walking beside her. She’d hoped if she moved fast enough, she could make a clean getaway without ever having to speak to Adam. She should’ve known to wear lower heels. Adam kept his hands shoved in his pockets. His eyes shone brightly. He looked nice. It was the best word she could think of to describe him. His smile was friendly. Somehow even his brown hair gave the impression he was an affable person. She’d hoped her memories of him had become exaggerated over the years. It wasn’t to be. He was everything she remembered, if not more. She wanted to kick herself. Why did she bother trying to kid herself? He was every bit as sexy, dangerous and way too appealing for her peace of mind.
“Hey,” she said back lamely, feeling like a jackass but refusing to slow her steps.
“What’s the rush?” He all but trotted to keep up with her. “Do you have another wedding to ruin today?”
Even though his words stung, Faith ruefully admitted he had a right to his anger. However, he didn’t sound angry. He sounded almost cheerful, which brought her up short. “You were my only wedding, but I do have a full schedule today,” she admitted. “I still have to throw rocks at the homeless and trip an old lady in the park before I head off to find Serenity to kick her ass.”