BREAKTHROUGH (Love's Not Easy Series Book 2) (21 page)

Chapter Twenty-Two

“You did what?”  She almost shouted the words.

“I moved in with James and his roommates.  Tyler Duncan is moving in my room, we kinda did a room change.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Because that is the only thing keeping us apart.  After we exchanged gifts on the beach, I knew it was time for us to date.  Aimee, God is ready for us to be together.  I feel it in my heart.”

“I feel the same way, but I am going miss you living at the flat.”

“Honey, you will not have time to miss me. The other flat is just the place to sleep and shower.  It is in the same villa. During the day, we will be in class together and in the evening, we will study and hang out.”

“When did you move?”

“The day you left to come here.  Lexi and Jaxson went to visit someone in the church that was in the hospital, while Rev. Mark and James helped me move.”

“Does everyone else know you moved?”

“No. I wanted to tell you first. Mark and James are the only ones that know.  I had a talk with Mark at our Christmas get together at the flat.  He helped arrange the whole thing.”

Aimee sat quietly for a second.  She needed to give everything time to sink in. 

Aiden stood and took Aimee’s hand and helped her up from bench.  They stood with only inches between their mouths.

“Aimee Pittman, I would be honored if you will be my girlfriend.”

Aimee smiled and closed the gap between them and kissed him. He lifted her off the ground as they kissed and then twirled her around in the air. She was laughing hard.

“How do you know that is a yes?”

He slid her down to the ground.  “Because, Aimee Pittman doesn’t just kiss anybody.”  He kissed her again and, this time, the kiss got disturbed when the twins started giggling.

“Daddy hisses mommy oo.”

Aiden and Aimee laughed, as they regained some composure. Then, Aimee turned to Aiden “I would love to be your girlfriend.” She slipped her hands in his.

“Aimee, I cold.” Grant hugged himself

“Me too, bruter.” Carter did the same.

“How about we go home and I make you some of my famous hot chocolate?”  Aimee bent down to her brothers.

“Wit da peprdmin?”

“And da dandy dane?”

“Yes, with the peppermint and the candy cane.”

When they got to the flat, Aimee made hot chocolate with peppermint coffee creamer and a candy cane stick.  When everyone was done, Deandre took the kids up to shower and get ready for bed.  Aimee and Aiden had Lexi and Jaxson join them at the table while they video chatted Colin and Piper.  James knew what Aiden was going to say, which meant Piper probably knew as well, but they wanted to tell the group as a whole.

Aiden broke the news to them easy.  Surprisingly, they were all happy and, in unison, replied.  “Now you can date Aimee.”

“You are the real deal.” Colin winked at Aimee.

“I think so too.”  She smiled.

They ended the call, when the kids came down.  They played games with the kids until they went to bed. Then, they watched movies together.  Aimee didn’t want her dad to know just yet about Aiden, so they kept the charade of being only friends when he and Deandre were around.

The next six days were so fun.  They skied and snowboarded every day.  In the evenings, her dad and Deandre had some kind of family adventure planned.  Aimee’s dad and Aiden were bonding. They were doing a good job keeping the fact they were dating from her dad.  Deandre suspected that Aiden liked Aimee, but she knew Aimee well enough, that she would not date a guy who lived in the same flat as her; and, since they never told her about him moving, she remained clueless to the fact they were dating.

Aimee explained to Aiden that, even though she was getting along with her dad and Deandre, she was still afraid they would use his title of Prince to boost her votes in the election. He understood and agreed, for now, they would not tell her dad.  He wanted to make sure her dad liked him and trusted him anyway.  After what happened with LJ, her dad had become more protective and involved in her life.  He was calling Aimee every day and has made several comments about how the next guy she dated will be drilled by him.

Tonight was New Year’s Eve, the resort was having two separate parties.  One for the guest without families and one family friendly.  Mattie was so excited to be going to her first New Year’s Eve party.  Aimee and Lexi fixed her hair, while Deandre lightly added eye shadow and lip gloss.  Then, they got ready themselves.

The gentlemen waited for the women at the foot of the steps.  Each had a rose for the girls.  The twins gave theirs to Deandre, while Aimee’s dad gave his to Mattie.  Aiden could not take his eyes off of Aimee.  As always, she was a vision of beauty.

The party started at ten.  Aiden held Aimee close during slow numbers. He danced with adorable Mattie, while Aimee danced with her dad and Deandre danced with the boys.  Aimee and Mattie taught everyone some dance routines; and, during freestyle, the girls laughed so hard at Aiden and Colin teaching Clint and the twins some moves.

Around eleven fifty, Aiden took Aimee out to the deck.  The light from the full moon shined on the snow.  He played with the loose strands of her hair.  “I love those earrings.”

“Oh really?  Thanks, they were a gift from a really special guy I met in Neahovia.”

“Hmm…I’m not sure I like the idea of guys giving you gifts.  What does this guy look like?”

“Well, let me see.  He is about as tall as you.  His hair is the same shade of blonde as yours.  He has the same blue eyes and a smile that drives me crazy.  He has a body that shows he loves to work out and take care of himself.”

“Well, he sounds familiar.  It is amazing how many things I have in common with him.”

“Yes, it is.  There is just one more thing I need to see if you are as good at as he is.”  Aimee wrapped her arms around his neck as he put his around her waist and pulled her close to him and kissed her.

Aimee grinned when they stopped kissing.  “I think you could use a little more practice.”

They heard the countdown starting inside. Ten… nine… eight…. seven…. six… five….

Aiden moved in when the crowd yelled three and kissed Aimee until well after they heard the crowd shout one and the kids blew their party blowers. “Happy New Years, my love.”  Aiden kissed her again.

“Happy New Years to you as well.  I think this may be the happiest year of my life so far.”

“I hope so.  You deserve it.”  He kissed her once more.  Mattie swung open the door.  “Aimee, you are missing all the fun; we blew our party blowers, everyone yelled Happy New Year, and confetti fell from the sky.”

Aimee hugged her little sister.  “Sounds fun. We will be there in a minute.”

Mattie ran back in.  Aimee turned to Aiden.  “I have her beat because I saw fireworks.”

Aiden laughed. “Me too.”

♥
 
 
♥

A Letter from the Author

Thank you for taking the time to read the Second Book in the Love’s Not Easy Series.  I hope you enjoy reading about Aimee and her friends as much as I have enjoyed creating and writing them.  I am so thankful God has allowed me to fulfill this dream of mine.  God has taught me a lot about my life while writing.  I hope you take the time to listen to what God tells you.

The Bible verses I use in my books are from the KJV of the Bible.  I pray for God to give me verses that will reach my readers.  The sermons, are some I have heard over the years being preached at church.  I tried to write them as best I could remember.  They are not word for word what the preacher said, but what I took from the message.  They moved me and I hope they move you.

I never attend to offend anyone with my books.  I do pray that God speaks to my readers through my work and I have to write what he tells me to.  I feel that we are living in a time that being a Christian is as much a minority, as any other minority group,

we need to band together to spread the word of God’s love.

God Bless You

Nicole Rickman

Discussion Questions

1.  Aimee was upset when she found out the Deandre was telling people she had adopted Aimee, and was referring to herself, as Aimee’s mom.  How would you react if someone did that to you?

2.  When Aimee learns her dad is letting people believe the lies about Deandre, and thinking of using her mom’s accident as a sympathy vote she felt betrayed.  How would you feel?

3.  When Aimee goes to Lilliend Rose for the rest of summer she learns that she is now the majority shareholder to two major corporations and that she will take over CEO whenever she feels she is ready.  Could you handle that stress?  How would you prepare yourself for such a task?

4.  Aimee started dating LJ when she returned to Neahovia.  Would you have dated him after dinner with his family?

5.  While reading her mom’s diary she learns about her wedding to RGA.  How would you have handle reading that?

6.  When and how should Aimee break up with LJ?

7.  How would you react if someone tried to violate your friend?

8.  Aimee and Aiden share a sunrise kiss then went back to the friend’s zone.  Could you return to friend zone with someone you love?

9 How would you react to Deandre telling you she was sorry for the way she had treated you?

10.  Did Aiden make the right decision by moving out of the flat?

About the Author

Nicole Rickman is 39 years old and lives in Eastern Kentucky with her husband Bill and their son Luke.  Luke is their nine year old miracle that God gave to them after the doctors said she couldn’t have children.  Every time she looks in his blues eyes and sees his face that is a combination of her and her husband she remembers how God is in control.  She feels the Lord has called her to write Christian Fiction. She is inspired to write books that will inspire the youth. She wants the readers of today to see we can have good books to read that is not full of profanity and negativity. She wants to touch them with stories of situations they can relate to. She prays they find a piece of them in the book

You can visit Nicole on her Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/nicoledrickman

Website  
http://nicolerickman.weebly.com

Blog:
http://nicolerickman.blogspot.com

Christian Books in Multiple Genres, Join Christian Indie Author ~ Readers Group on Facebook. Opportunities for free books and giveaways.
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Finding   Me

Chapter One

Aimee stood in the lobby of the Ancaster Neahovia Airport holding to her carryon bag while searching for Mr. Myers.  One look at the line for baggage claims and she was glad she had shipped most of her belongings to the home of the Andersons.

She called Mr. Myers from the airport in London and told him to meet her here at five p.m.  She took her phone from her bag to turn off the airplane mode and noticed a text message from him.

“
Aimee, I am so sorry but I have an unscheduled meeting I have to go to.  I have arranged for my driver, Mr. Malone, to pick you up at the airport.  He will be waiting for you in the front lobby and will take you to Ancaster University.  I also arranged for Mr. Andrews and his lovely wife, Tessa, to meet the two of you in front of Winchester Villa.  I will call you tomorrow so we can get together to set up your accounts.  Have a good evening dear.”

Aimee slipped her cell back into her bag and began her walk to the main entrance.  After a few minutes, she found the front entrance and Mr. Malone.  He was not too hard to spot.  He stood close to seven feet tall, extremely muscular, and was holding a sign above his head.  Due to his height, the sign was way higher than all the others.  Aimee managed to turn and squeeze her way through the crowd while keeping an eye on the sign that read:  WELCOME TO NEAHOVIA MISS AIMEE PITTMAN.

“Welcome to Neahovia, Miss Pittman.  I am glad God blessed you with a safe arrival.”  His grin proving he was no more than a big, old teddy bear.

Aimee grinned.  He was a Christian as well.  “Thank you Mr. Malone, it was indeed a safe trip.  I thanked the Lord just minutes ago for being with the pilot and crew as we traveled.”

Mr. Malone held the back passenger door of the Lexus opened for Aimee.  “Please call me Brock.”

Aimee slid in the backseat of the Lexus.  “I will as long as you agree to call me Aimee.  Miss Pittman makes me sound old.”

Brock laughed.  “Agreed.”

The Lexus was very classy.  The cream seats was made of fine leather and very soft.  Aimee couldn’t help herself, she just had to look around the car.  Then, she rolled down her window to have a clear view of the sights as they drove through the city.

Brock watched Aimee through his rear-view mirror.  “As long as traffic is not bad, the commute to the university should take a little over ten minutes.”

Aimee took a deep breath and inhaled the salty ocean air.

“Aimee, are you ok?”

She smiled noticing that he was speaking to her.  “I am fine.  I was just taking in the view and the fresh air.  The ocean here smells so different than in the States.”

Brock laughed.  “I thought the same thing when I visited the States last year.”

♥
♥

The lady in blue couldn’t believe her eyes.  Aimee had come to Neahovia after all.  This was not good.  Everything she has worked so hard to protect is now in jeopardy.  All her carefully laid out plans are useless if Aimee finds out anything about her family roots in Neahovia.  She needed a while longer to make sure everything goes as plan.

♥ 
♥

Ancaster University came into sight as soon as they turned onto Maple Avenue.  Aimee gazed out her window as they drove by the old buildings that made up the university.  They reminded her of old castles with lots of character and charm.

“What is your major Aimee?”

“Business Management and Marketing.  I am also taking a few Neahovia History and Geography classes.”

Brock turned onto Oak Street.  “That is an awesome major.  I hear the History and Geography classes have a lot of off campus assignments that allows you to visit different parts of our great Neahovia.”

“I hope so.  It would be great to see different parts of the country.”

Brock turned the car into the Winchester Villa drive and stopped at the security booth.  Once he informed the guard of who he was, he opened the gate and directed the car to the guest parking area.

“Mr. Myers mentioned we are meeting Rev. Anderson and his wife here.”  Brock looked back at Aimee.

“Yes they are old friends of my mother’s.”

Brock took the first parking spot he found.  “Do you mind if I walk you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Anderson?  I attend Wise Chapel Church, where Rev. Anderson is the pastor.”

Aimee opened her door.  “I would be delighted if you walk with me.  You know my friend, Piper, and I are going to attend services at Wise.  We worked on a mission trip there a few years ago.  It was during the beginning stages of the restoration.  We are so excited to see the finished product in person.”

“That is wonderful.   My wife and I are the head of the Wise Chapel Youth Outreach Program.  We are always looking for recruits.”  Brock walked beside Aimee.

“I will speak with Piper, I am sure we can help somehow.”  Aimee spotted Tessa ahead waving.

The Reverend Mark Anderson was just as Aimee remembered him.  His hair was more of a salt and pepper color, but otherwise, the same.  He embraced her with a hug.  “We are so glad you came to study at Neahovia.  We have prayed for your return here for some time.”

Aimee returned the hug.  “Thanks Rev...”

Reverend Anderson stood back.  “Please call me Uncle Mark, like you always have.”

Aimee smiled.  “Of course.”

Mark noticed Brock standing behind Aimee.  He thanked him for escorting Aimee to the campus.  Then, the two men walked off discussing some church business.

Tessa joined Aimee and greeted her with a hug.  The two ladies looked at the view of the Winchester Villa.  Each building was made of cedar wood with the front doors trimmed in stone.  Aimee counted a total of seven two story buildings.  A flower garden separated each apartment or flat, as they called them in Neahovia.

Aimee removed her cell to double check the text Piper had sent earlier that day.  “I am in Flat 707.”

Aimee and Tessa walked toward the Flat. It was on the farthest end of the parking area and it just so happened to be the closest to the beach as well.

Mark jogged over to them.  “Sorry about that.  Brock says hi to Tessa and, to Aimee, he looks forward seeing you in church.”

Aimee turned around.  “I wanted to say thanks, but I didn’t want to be rude and interrupt.”

Mark put his arm around her.  “I thanked him for you.  I see James over there at the end of the lot.  Let’s go get you moved in.”

Aimee could see James from a distance.  He was standing by an old red pickup truck.

“I am so sorry the Administration Building closed before you arrived today.”  Tessa turned to Aimee.

“It’s ok.  I told myself God had a reason for the unexpected layovers in Chicago, and then, again in London.  I knew when my flight from Richmond took off on time, it was too good to be true.”  Aimee said as she laughed.

Tessa looked at her.  “You are so much like your mother, always looking on the bright side.  Even so, between the layovers at Chicago, and again in London, plus factoring in the time difference, your flight turned into a 17 hour flight.  You have to be tired.”

Aimee stopped just in front of James.  “I am definitely ready for a hot shower and nap.”

James came over to give Aimee a hug.  “I have to say, I have never seen you travel so lightly.”

Aimee faked laughed.  “Just wait until you help me put my stuff in storage.”

James grinned.  “Who said I would help?”

Aimee shook her head.  James had always been like an older brother to her.  He loved picking on her; but, he also was very protective.  It was a hard adjustment for them both when he moved to Neahovia with his parents.  Aimee had already lost the two most important people in her life and, to her, it felt like her whole family moved away.  She pouted for days.  Then, James began calling more frequently.  They stayed in touch with each other over the past two years. Seeing him in person made her feel so happy.  “My pretend big brother will do anything I ask.”

James laughed.  “Yeah, my pretend sister always gets what she wants.”

Aimee felt so silly ringing the doorbell to her own flat; but, she was keyless until tomorrow; and, Piper had not answered the text Aimee sent letting her know she was here.  She waited nervously for someone to answer the door.

A tall, light brown haired guy opened the door.  “May I help you?”  He asked with a thick accent.

“Yes, I am Aimee Pittman.  Pipers friend.”

“Oh yes, the American.  I am Colin. Welcome to our flat.”  He stood to the side of the door, holding his left arm out.

The foyer appeared a little small, but held lots of potential.  He began giving her a tour pointing toward the living area.  He explained that the cable for the telly would be turned on tomorrow.

“Like she will watch any of our Neahovian shows.”  A girl close to Aimee’s height with long, light blonde hair entered the foyer.

Colin turned toward her.  “Don’t be rude, Lexi.”  He said as he gave her an evil eye.  He pointed to his left.  “The kitchen is this way…”

“I got it from here, Colin.”  A familiar voice came from the stairs.

The two girls squealed each other’s names as they jumped up and down in unison like little girls.

Aimee met Piper in a boarding school they attended when they were fifteen years old.  They had shared a room and instantly became best friends.  They both attended the school for only one year.  They used social media to stay in touch over the past three years.  The minute Aimee finally received her father’s permission to attend Ancaster University, she called to tell Piper.  The instant they hung up, Piper phoned her mother and had arrange for Aimee to room with Piper and her Neahovian friends.

James cleared his throat as he nudged Aimee’s arm.  “I am so sorry Piper, this is my friend, James.  This is his parents, Tessa and Rev. Mark Anderson.  Mark is the pastor of Wise Chapel.”

Piper stared at Aimee’s friend, James, a short second.  “Rev. Anderson, I am looking forward to attending church services at Wise.  I have heard so many wonderful things about the church.”

Mark shook her hand.  “Thank you, Piper.  We look forward to seeing you there.  Please, just call me Mark.”

Aimee and Piper made small talk with Mark and Tessa while James and Colin carried Aimee’s belongings up the stairs.  When they finished, Piper gave Aimee a tour of the downstairs portion of the flat before guiding her upstairs to the bedrooms.  There were four rooms, two on each side of the hall.  Piper directed Aimee to the last room on the left side of the hall.  The room had two twin beds separated by a bay window with a view of the ocean.  Two desks sat in front of it.  Aimee could see herself sitting at her desk for hours at a time.

“Let me guess, you were the first to arrive?”

Piper grinned.  “The early girl gets the view.”

Piper took a glance over at Aimee’s stuff.  “Since when did you start traveling so light?”

Aimee walked over to her side of the room and removed a credit card from her purse and began fanning herself with the card.  “We haven’t been shopping together in so long.”

Piper and Aimee went back to the living area, where Piper introduced her to some of her roommates.  Lexi, the girl from earlier.  She was sharing the room next to Aimee and Piper with Sophia, a petite girl with shoulder length, black hair.

Colin was rooming with Aiden (who has not arrived yet).  Then, there was Josiah, who looked kind of scary with his black hair spiked all over.  The tips of his hair was dyed green and he appeared to be wearing more eyeliner than all four girls put together.  He was rooming alone because the guy he was to room with, decided to get an apartment off-campus so they could have a place for band practice.

Colin decided he wanted to check out a local pub.  Lexi, Sophia, and Piper joined him.  Josiah said he was hanging at Jorge’s place (the roommate who got an apartment).  Aimee wanted to stay back.  She was in need of a hot shower and some rest.

She took out her bag and unpacked her toiletries, bath towels, and some clothing.  After a nice, hot shower, she put on her favorite aqua and pink plaid Capri pajama pants with a matching aqua tee.  She wrapped her hair in a towel and got out her laptop.  She found the site to her favorite Contemporary Christian music station as she began the task of unpacking.

A fast uplifting song about praising God was on the radio, so she sang along while folding and hanging her clothes.  Lost in her own world enjoying the uplifting songs, Aimee was working at a great speed.  Midway through singing along with one of her favorite songs, she heard someone clear their throat.

Startled, she jumped and turned toward the door.  The hottest guy she had ever laid her eyes on was standing in her doorway with one hand on the frame.  There was no question, he liked to work out.  He was wearing a seersucker shirt, which clung tight to his body, leaving no reason for anyone to have to imagine the physique he had under the shirt.  She looked up at his face and prayed her mouth was shut.

His sparkling, white teeth helped show off the best smile she had ever envisioned.  His hair was light brown and styled in a fade cut with the soft spikes on the top.  He had mesmerizing dark blue eyes and a five o’clock shadow that made him that more appealing.  She was so caught up in the sight of him she forgot that her hair was wrapped in a towel.