A Flame Rekindled: The love that reunites (Contemporary Christian Romance suspense) (Contemporary Christian Romance Novel Wealthy Billionaire Book 1) Read online

  A Flame Rekindled

  - The love that reunites -

  Copyright: Published in the United States by Lorraine Gomez

  Published 2015

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of this material in any way. You must not circulate this book in any format. Lorraine Gomez does not control or direct users’ actions and is not responsible for the information or content shared, harm and/or actions of the book readers.

  Table of Contents

  INTRODUCTION

  CHAPTER ONE: TIM

  CHAPTER TWO: KRISTEN

  CONCLUSION

  NEXT STEPS

  CHECK OUT MY OTHER BOOKS

  A NOTE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Introduction

  Timothy Beck is an attractive wealthy business man, caught up in a life of success and beautiful women. When an unexpected phone call informs him of the death of his father, Tim is forced to return to his modest country roots. At home, he reunites with a girl whom he never reciprocated feelings for, a plain but vivacious young lady named Kristen. Soon Tim realizes that his old feelings of indifference toward her have changed, but by now she does everything she can to avoid him so as not to be rejected as she had in the past.

  When the two share an unplanned but intimate moment, Kristen decides she needs to move far away, partly because of her fear of growing close to Tim once more. A surprised Tim decides he wants to reconcile their differences and sets out to find her. When he does, he sees Kristen contentedly enjoying her new life. Will the two let go of their history and start a new life together, or are there still more barriers between them and a new relationship? The answers are yet to come in the second part of this series.

  Chapter One: Tim

  The door of the small New York City bar swung open as a well-dressed young man entered. The familiar scent of cigarette smoke and boos assailed his nostrils as he navigated through the groups and couples who accompanied him in the tightly packed room. Never breaking his stride, he continued to the counter where he seated himself on a nearby stool and placed an order with the barman for his usual. As the rather bad live music pulsed through the room, the man’s eye’s roved this way and that, looking for someone he hoped he’d find. Feeling the cool night air brush toward him, his gaze flickered to the door where a tall, attractive blond entered alone. The man grinned a satisfied grin and rose, making his way toward her through the crowded, smoke filled room.

  “Good evening to you.” He greeted with a smile. She was slightly taller than him with her heals on, her slight, curvy frame attracting looks from other partiers. For the last week or so he had seen her here, but tonight was the night he planned to get up the courage and make his move.

  “Hi there!” She responded, flashing a smile. “I’ve seen you here a few times I think.”

  “I’m around.” The man replied, holding out a hand in greeting. “My name is Timothy Beck. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Same to you.” The pretty woman shook his hand, her handshake confident, her hands minuscule compared to his, the softness and warmth contrasting to his large, rough ones. Lauren McCann. What do you say to a drink?”

  “What do you say I buy you one?” Timothy winked at her and the two moved away from the entrance back to where Timothy had previously been sitting. “So, what will it be?”

  She made him laugh and smile from ear to ear, with her easy going personality and flirtatious nature. He made her feel as though she were falling in love for the first time all over again, with his gentleness and quiet shyness that made him seem excitingly mysterious to the young woman. Now that a few drinks were in their system, the two were talking and laughing like old friends, and beginning to feel the confinement of the highly populated bar. Therefor, it didn’t take long at all before they were exiting the small building, flagging a taxi and zooming off into the late night darkness headed for Timothy’s large, well-kept apartment in the heart of the busy city.

  “You have a nice place.” Lauren commented as Timothy swiped his key-card on a small box which lit up and emitted a small high-pitched beep. The lock clicked and he grabbed the door handle, pulling it open and gaining them access to a beautiful brick high-rise.

  “Wait until you see the inside.” He replied, leading the way to the elevator bank and pressing a button. “This is one of the finest apartment buildings in the city.

  “What do you do again?” Lauren asked, laughing. They had covered all this basic information at the bar but now the alcohol was setting in and Lauren was a lot less together than she normally was.

  “I own a business.” He replied, his eyes skimming the inside number panel of the elevator until he finally hit the number twenty seven. “It’s a technology business, we produce various micro components for new electronic devices.

  “Oh so you have money and brains!” She said. The elevator rose with surprising speed, causing the now intoxicated woman to grab the low metal railing on the wall for balance.

  “Money, yes.” Timothy laughed. “Brains, not so much. My developers do that, I’m just the boss.” With two little dings the doors slid open and the couple strode out onto the quiet hallway. Turning left, Timothy lead the way through a maze of hallways, pulling out a key and stopping at a doorway on the right. “This is me. Welcome to my humble abode.”

  “This place is a mansion.” Lauren breathed. Waisting no time, she flopped down on a leather couch decorated with fluffy pillows.

  Timothy laughed, taking her hand and pulling her up. “This is nothing.” He told her with a grin. “What you need to see is my bedroom. I promise you will be very pleased in more ways than one.”

  “Oh this is great.” She was out of breath now, laying side by side with Timothy on his large bed. Her eyes shifted from his naked form next to her to the beautiful city view out the window to her left. Even in the partial darkness, both scenes were wonderful and at that moment she felt blessed to be surrounded by such wonders.

  “I told you I wouldn’t disappoint.” Timothy whispered in reply. “How about one more drink and a little more fun before the night is over?”

  “Only if I can stay here.” Breathed Lauren seductively, Her hands trailing down passed her companion’s bear waste with a mischievous little smile.

  When he woke up the next morning, Timothy felt a surprising degree of contentment. While true he got little sleep and had to go to work soon, and true he felt the results of last night’s alcohol consumption crashing in as the world’s worst hangover, he also had a beautiful naked woman next to him and for that, it was all worth it. For a moment he lay there just watching her chest rise and fall, listening to the soft sounds of her breaths in the silent room. After a few moments of this he let out a soft sigh, preparing to ease himself out of the bed as careful and quiet as he could so as not to wake the sleeping woman beside him.

  A sound shattered the peaceful silence with a loud ringing. Very much annoyed by this, Timothy bolted out of bed and crossed to the phone as Lauren rolled over with a groan, arms over her head. “What the hell is that?” She slurred sleepily into the pillow.

  “Hello?” Timothy’s voice came quiet as he closed his bedroom door and sat
down on the couch. “Who is this?”

  “Tim, it’s your mom. You need to come home.”

  “Mom, you know it’s not that simple. I know you’d love for me to come home but I have a business to run here, remember?” The exhausted man rubbed his throbbing head with a grimace, standing and moving to the kitchen for a much needed pot of coffee.

  “Timothy,” His mother began slowly. On the other side of the line, Timothy braced himself. When his mom used his full first name it was never followed by anything he wanted to here. “Your father’s dead. You need to come home and take over the ranch. You know I can’t. You’re brother Bryan still has two years of college left, Kevin’s in Iraq, and Amanda’s off in Africa doing her work there. You’re the only one who can take it over. Just get internet at the house and manage the business remotely.”

  Static filled the phone line as Tim stood stunned. “What happened?” He asked, his voice breaking. “I’ll come home for dad, but I’m not managing the ranch. Let Andy take it. God knows it would do him good to learn responsibility.”

  “Andy’s still in high school Tim. I’m not going to make him deal with school and the farm, and I’m sure as hell not letting him drop out either. Your father had a heart attack last night. In his will he left everything to Kevin, but Kevin can’t just up and leave the army. At least help out until Kevin comes home.”

  “If he comes home.” Tim couldn’t help thinking. When Kevin announced he was enlisting and going to Iraq, Tim begged him not to follow through. He hated every single thing about the war and even more so, he hated the idea of his big brother and role model getting dragged into it. Unfortunately however, Kevin didn’t listen and in no time at all he was gone. It had been a year since then, and the occasional letters and visits never made it any easier in Tim’s personal opinion. Still, he tended to keep his mouth quiet where that subject was concerned, as most of the family liked to focus on all the supposed good that Kevin was doing there rather than all the other aspects of the situation.

  “Good morning to you too!” Lauren’s eyes were on Tim, now tossing the phone onto the table looking beside himself. “Oh good, coffee. Got anything for breakfast?”

  Recomposing himself and his expression, Tim cleared his throat as he examined some items on packed wooden shelves. “Oh um, yeah, absolutely.”

  “Are you alright? That must have been quite the phone call judging by the look on your face a moment ago.”

  “I’ll be fine, I just found out my father passed away unexpectedly last night. My mom wants me to step up and manage the family ranch until my older brother gets out of the service.”

  “Oh I’m so sorry. What are you going to do? Will you be able to help your family and keep your business?” Lauren’s face showed genuine concern, making Tim’s heart well with emotion and love for her just as he had felt last night. “the family ranch? Were you raised in the country?”

  “”Yes I was.” He replied. “I’ll have to find a way won’t I?” His back was to her as he spoke, hiding the fact that his eyes were now filled with tears. “Here, have some coffee. What would you like to eat? I’m sorry I don’t have much, mostly cereal, waffles and eggs.”

  “Waffles sound grand.” She replied as he set a steaming mug of coffee in front of her. “Is there anything I can do? Maybe I’ll come with you, help you out and meet your family.”

  At this, Tim laughed, his heart fluttering. It was a nice gesture, and the truth is he would have loved it, but it wasn’t a good idea. “That’s really sweet of you, Lauren.” He told her as he placed waffles in the toaster and grabbed a large bottle of maple syrup which he placed between their seats at the table. “We just met last night, and I think you’ll hate it there. My family live in the middle of no where, in a small town deep in the sleepy state of South Dakota.”

  “South Dakota!” She cried in excitement. “I’ve never been there. It would be such a great change from this busy city life. I’m sure I could find a job there, or just enjoy helping on the farm, or both. I’ve never experienced farm life but I’d love to.”

  “What do you do again?” Asked Tim, wanting to change the subject, and having no recollection of half the things she told him last night.

  “I’m a nurse.” Lauren replied with another little laugh. “Mostly I work in pediatrics. They have kids and hospitals in South Dakota don’t they?”

  “Well of course.” The toaster popped up and Tim withdrew the hot, circular waffles before placing them on two plates. “Want syrup? Anyway, I just can’t let you make that sacrifice. I’m sure I’ll see you again when I come back. Right now, I have to do what I have to do, unfortunately.”

  Leaving everything behind was a difficult challenge for Tim, who’s emotions were so conflicted at the current time. His business was flourishing with the rapid growth of the technological market so present, and even though he could tend to his administrative details from the ranch without a doubt, it wasn’t an ideal scenario by any means. In no way did he have it all, but he was comfortable here with a nice place to live and as of just now, the most promising relationship he’d had since getting out of college, but soon all that would be gone. Every molecule of his body hurt with the news of his father’s sudden passing, yet he also resented his mother for putting him in this position that he could see no way around. Regardless of all this, he began to throw himself full force into preparing to leave. Packing his belongings, giving up his lease, making arrangements at work and saying goodbye to Lauren all happened in a matter of two brief days, until all to soon Tim was booking a one way ticket back to his birth place and getting on a plane.

  His backpack weighed heavy on his shoulders like bricks strapped to his arms. Casting around for someone he recognized, Tim moved through the familiar airport, its usual level of inactivity a first reminder of how quiet it was in the place he was born. Once he reached the baggage claim area, he quickly spotted his luggage and grabbed it off the moving belt with a resounding clang. Finally, he cast his gaze around once more looking for any of the half dozen people who could have possibly been detailed to pick him up at the airport about forty-five minutes from the farm.

  His mom now lived in the little one story house with his youngest brother. However, after her car accident two years ago she was unable to drive and often had to use a cane or even a walker to get around. This left her unable to tend to the place herself, but thanks to the hired help, they weren’t entirely screwed. That being said, Tim was now looking for one of the six or so people who helped on their expansive land, probably in the old truck his father drove, to pick him up this afternoon.

  “Hello Tim. Do you have all your things?” Came a cool female voice from somewhere behind him. Surprised, Tim spun around to see the most unlikely person staring back at him. Firstly, he had no idea his family hired Kristen Boden to work for the farm. Secondly, of all their hired help mom had to appoint her? Could this day get any worse?

  “Yeah, absolutely.” Stammered Tim, still very taken aback. “When did you get hired? No one told me.”

  “A few weeks ago.” The girl replied shortly, beckoning with obvious impatience for him to follow. “Come on, let’s go. I have to get back, you know.”

  Kristen was shorter than Tim by at least a foot. Matching her hurried, purposeful stride, he looked at her out of the corner of one eye, trying to stay inconspicuous. She hadn’t changed much, except that of course she looked older by two or so years, since it had been at least that long since he’d been home. Kristen was a heavy set girl, with very short curly brown hair and hazel eyes. She could have been the poster child for the stereotypical farm girl award; always dressed just as she was now in boots and faded jeans, an old long-sleeve shirt peeking out from under her thick leather coat. Back in the day, she was head over heals for Tim but he never reciprocated the feelings. The funny thing was, Tim would have taken the annoying over obsessed Kristen over this cold dispassionate one any day. What on earth caused this anyway? It can’t have been anything he did, could
it?

  The trip continued in awkward silence, that made Tim eager to get out of the vehicle despite his previous feelings of not wanting to return home. When they finally pulled onto the long gravel driveway that lead up to the house and adjoining land, Tim was shocked to see the fair amount of cars already parked there. “Your mom has had lots of people up at the house offering their condolences.” Kristen said, speaking for the first time since their conversation leaving the airport. “I think Kevin’s even home for a few days to attend the service. One of the other attendants picked him up late last night.” At this, Tim was truly eager to be home, because now being home would mean seeing his older brother, and that really was something to look forward to.

  Almost as if in answer to his thoughts, Tim noticed the silhouette of someone standing at the end of the drive near the house where the truck was about to park. As the vehicle trundled slowly down the long path, bumping and crunching over the rocky ground, Tim watched as the figure drew closer into his line of vision. The man stood tall and straight, giving Tim the impression that it was his father meeting him at the door to his old home. Blinking back the tears that sprung into his eyes at this thought, he squinted harder and just made out the army uniform and the man’s young but experienced face. It was not his father but Kevin, an exact younger replica of their late patriarch.

  “Hey Tim! Kevin wrapped him in a tight embrace as he climbed out of the pickup. “You look just like dad.” Kevin eyed him closely. “You look great though. Business is good?”

  “Business is great.” Tim replied with a broad grin. “And I have to say you’re the one who looks like dad. When I saw you from the driveway I swore for a second it was him.” The two brothers began to walk side by side up to the house.