Sealed With A Kiss. Mae Nunn

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      “Even if you can sell a few motorcycles, it’s only a matter of time before you get bored with this place and want to leave again,” Tara blurted.

      “I can see where a city woman like you might think that,” Sam reasoned, “but there’s still plenty for me in Beardsly. Have you considered that folks might be a bit suspicious of your staying power?” The deep crease between his brows softened as he indulged in a patronizing smile.

      “What’s that supposed to mean?” she bristled.

      “I was forced to relocate when my opportunity here dried up. But you had every advantage and every reason to stay. The folks here know the difference between being left behind and being dumped. I think they’ll give me another chance. You, however, might have some charred bridges to rebuild.”

      Sam’s insight was a punch to the solar plexus. Had she been a fool all these years, unconcerned how the hometown folks would react to her refusal to visit? She might have accepted her grandmother’s challenge without seeing all the relationship repairs that would be necessary, but thanks to Sam, the blindfold was off.

      MAE NUNN

      grew up in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in communications. When she fell for a transplanted Englishman who lived in Atlanta, Mae hung up her spurs to become a Southern belle. Today she and her husband make their home with their two children in Georgia. Mae has been with a major air express company for twenty-five years, currently serving as a regional customer service manager. She began writing four years ago. When asked how she felt about being part of the Steeple Hill family, Mae summed her response up with one word—“Yeeeeeha!”

      Sealed with a Kiss

      Mae Nunn

      But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

       where moth and rust do not destroy, and where

       thieves do not break in and steal. For where

       your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

      —Matthew 6:20–21

      This book is dedicated to my father, Ward Cooper,

      and to the memory of my mother, Ruth Snyder.

      I love you, Daddy. You are inspirational proof

       that with hard work, my personal goals can be

       achieved and my dreams can come true.

      I miss you terribly, Mama. You taught me

       to believe in myself and to understand the

       power of my words. I owe this success to you.

      My parents planted seeds of faith early in my life

       and for that I will be forever grateful. They gave me

       roots to keep me grounded and wings to let me fly.

      Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Thirteen

      Chapter Fourteen

      Chapter Fifteen

      Chapter Sixteen

      Chapter Seventeen

      Letter to Reader

      Chapter One

      The rumble of a motorcycle distracted Tara Elliott from her grandmother’s graveside service. Her eyes, formerly fixed on a soggy tissue, glanced up. She peeked through damp lashes to see if others were reacting to the noise.

      “Miriam Elliott will be sorely missed by the townspeople of Beardsly.” Pastor Ryan raised his deep voice over the disturbance. “Her generosity and commitment to the community were unparalleled.”

      Tara had heard little else in the two days since her return to the east Texas town of barely five thousand residents. Condolence cards by the dozens sat on the kitchen counter in the little space not occupied by deep-fried chicken, potato salad and buttermilk biscuits. Among the locals, grease and starch still abounded as edible symbols of sympathy.

      “Though Miriam celebrated her eighty-eighth birthday in April,” the pastor continued louder, “she was still a vital presence at Mount Zion Church, as well as a member of the Beardsly College Board of Regents.”

      The leather-clad rider cut the powerful engine, the sudden silence drawing even more attention from the crowd of mourners who surrounded the green canopy. Tara squinted to make out the man’s face, hidden by the dark-visored helmet. Whoever the intruder was, he would get a piece of her mind once the service ended.

      “As we lay our sister in Christ to rest, may we all meditate on the ways in which she touched our lives and made our community stronger.” The preacher crossed his hands before him and dropped his chin in silent reflection as recorded music filled the air.

      Tara smiled through her tears at the selection her grandmother had insisted be played at her interment service. A Texan through and through, Miriam was determined to pay honor, even in death, to the state she loved.

      The female country singer’s husky voice drifted across the quiet cemetery, singing about her desire to go to Texas if Heaven wouldn’t let cowgirls in. Tara’s dear friend Lacey placed a comforting arm across the back of the chair and together she and Tara tapped their toes to the familiar chorus.

      The final notes of the song were lost in thunder as the bike roared to life once again, its tires crunching the ancient road. Through a cloud of red dust kicked up from dry Texas clay, Tara watched the man square his well-defined shoulders beneath the fringed jacket and offer a nearly forgotten gesture as he disappeared through the cemetery gates.

      Years ago, the snappy salute followed by a thumbs-up sign ended every economics lecture by Sam Kennesaw, the college’s most popular teaching assistant. Tara covered her mouth to hide what she hoped sounded like a choked sob. In truth, it was a gasp of recognition. Understanding, Lacey squeezed Tara’s hand.

      “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…” The gleaming silver casket was lowered into the grave.

      Grief and confrontation often go hand in hand, and this would be no exception. On the heels of burying her only relative, it appeared Tara was destined to come face-to-face once more with the man whose academic career her grandmother had ruined nine years ago.

      The man Tara had once loved with all her young heart.

      Sam arrived at Wade Latimer’s law office the next morning earlier than required and parked at the busy grocery across the street. Hidden among the minivans, he straddled his favorite bike and considered the meeting to come.

      Why was his presence required for the reading of Miriam Elliott’s will? He scrubbed a hand over a three-day growth of whiskers, exhaled and folded his arms across his chest.

      At precisely 9:00 a.m., a gas-guzzling sedan pulled into the parking spot in front of the offices marked Wade Latimer, Attorney at Law. The woman who emerged was one of the black-draped mourners at yesterday’s service. At first glance he almost didn’t recognize her. She’d filled out, quite a lot.

      She swung the massive car door closed and made her way up the fieldstone walk. The familiar auburn hair