Life suddenly, p.1
Life, Suddenly, page 1
Back Cover Copy
Sometimes life happens suddenly and when you weren’t looking for a change.
Tala Henderson grew up with her Native American roots playing a role in her day-to-day life. But when she caved to familial pressure and gave up the one man she could love, the pain she felt told her she could no longer afford to let anything--even her deep investment in her culture--determine her destiny.
Craig Wordell was all but destroyed when Tala ended their relationship before it could begin. A small town boy who made good, he never forgot the one who got away nor has he forgiven her for choosing her family’s ideals over him. Wanting one more chance, he looks her up and tracks her to the church on the day of her sham wedding.
As soon as they see each other, the simmering passion they’ve felt for fifteen years boils over and they give into their baser instincts, where souls collide and mesh. When a simple misunderstanding threatens to undo the tentative trust and bury the love they’ve discovered, it will take acceptance and love on both parts for them to realize that sometimes life happens suddenly and maybe fate just waited for them to find the right path.
Content Warning: Graphic m/f sexual encounters
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Tala swung around as the hairs rose on her arms. “Craig?” She hadn’t seen him for years, not since they’d both graduated from high school. He’d been good-looking in school, but the man he’d grown up to be took her breath away.
His mop of sandy blond hair ruffled in the breeze and reminded her of a modern-day James Dean. Tall, slightly over six feet, and lean, he lounged against the side of a candy-apple-red SUV. A black leather bomber jacket covered his upper body, pulling tight along his crossed arms. Her gaze traveled downward, taking in the faded jeans that clung to every contour of his legs, ending in black hiking-style boots.
She snapped her attention back to his face. Even though ten feet of space separated them, the laughing gray depths of his eyes pulled at her, reeling her in as an invisible thread connected them. Time rolled backward, and again she was an insecure seventeen-year-old, plagued by doubts and familial guilt. Although, back then his smile had caused her warm fuzzies. This time, it had the power to dampen her panties.
She wanted to burst into flames. “What are you doing here?”
He smiled. “Waiting for you.”
Life, Suddenly
9781616502997
Copyright © 2011, Sandra Sookoo
Edited by Stephanie Szymanski
Book design by Lyrical Press, Inc.
Cover Art by Valerie Tibbs
First Lyrical Press, Inc. electronic publication: August, 2011
Lyrical Press, Incorporated
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.
Published in the United States of America by Lyrical Press, Incorporated
Dedication
To my mom, who gave me the deck of cards that inspired this story.
Acknowledgements
This story wouldn’t have happened without the rich lore of Native American stories that Indiana is steeped in, and special thanks to the Indiana chapter of the Native American Indian Council.
Also, again I must thank my tireless editor, Stef, who worked with much patience with me until we whipped this little story into place. I’ve enjoyed every step of the process. Thank you so much.
Chapter 1
Liquid warmth flooded Tala’s body, swirling through her bloodstream to culminate in a series of pulses and throbs that grew steadily stronger. She stirred in her sleep, whimpering as she stroked a finger over the damp crotch of her cotton panties, searching for relief from the constant pressure. She listened for the whispered voice of her ex-boyfriend from high school, Craig, hoping it would come again.
Tala, why didn’t you pick me? We could have made a life together. I would have given you everything you wanted.
She hadn’t seen him for fifteen years, but just as he had many times prior, he popped into her dreams—only this time he haunted her weeks before her wedding to another man.
“Craig?” She spoke the word aloud, semi-waking her from the dreaming state. “Where are you?”
Something rough brushed over her skin. The pads of his fingers, perhaps, yet even in a half doze, it felt as if he were in the bed with her. The imagined texture teased her body into a heightened sense of awareness, bringing her nipples to attention as she touched them through the soft cotton fabric of her nightgown to ease the ache. “Craig, don’t leave me.”
It was your choice, Tala. You rejected me, not the other way around.
Tears wet her cheeks as she remembered ignoring him in the crowded hallways of the small-town high school, publicly denouncing their relationship, telling him they would never be together; he wasn’t good enough. He’d left after graduation and never returned.
“I’m so sorry. Come back.” She’d never gotten over the guilt or the feeling she’d lost something fleeting and precious, but her family’s demands and her beliefs couldn’t be forgotten--not even for a relationship. “I didn’t know… Come back.”
I can’t. You’re almost a married woman. His baritone voice sounded in her ear as though he rested on the pillow next to her.
Her heart lurched and she reached out, only to explore the empty side of the bed. “I don’t love him. I’m only marrying him to shut my mother up.”
Are you? Isn’t he what you want? A man like you, with the same traditions?
Her stomach roiled at the veiled accusation. She’d thought she’d wanted a man who believed what she did, to continue the old ways just like her mother had always told her. Now doubt crept in.
We missed our chance. You missed it. The softness of his lips seemed to drift up her neck and touch her mouth in a kiss so delicate she never wanted it to end.
Remember me.
Desire strengthened the ache between her thighs. She slid a hand beneath the waistband of her white cotton panties to massage her tender clit. “Craig, wait.” Within moments, she hit the familiar rhythm. Tears continued to spill down her cheeks. “I need you. I didn’t know…”
Seconds later, she tumbled into blissful oblivion, cresting on the waves of a gentle release, still dreaming of what might have been.
* * * *
Three weeks later, Tala Henderson paced the length of the tiny bride’s room at the First Presbyterian Church as bubbles of anxiety rose in her throat. The wintery sunlight streaming through the windows caught bits of glitter falling from her wedding dress, but did little to soothe her nerves.
“Cold feet, Miles?” Tala stared at her fiancé. “If you have cold feet, you’d better put on some socks because, buddy, I’m getting married and that’s the end of it. We’ve all spent too much time, effort and money on this event to back out now.”
Regardless of the speech, Miles, her unfortunate groom, shook his head and began undoing his tuxedo tie. A sick expression shadowed his face. “I’m sorry, but marriage isn’t what I want right now. I…” Terror sprang into his faded brown eyes. “I never wanted this. You did.”
“What?” Tala clutched a handful of the gauzy full skirt of her wedding gown. She brushed the fingertips of her other hand over the lavender satin sash at her waist. “You asked me. You want this.” She gazed at Miles, seeing him for the first time in a new light.
Miles Tanner, a mortuary specialist, had nothing going for him except his Native American heritage. His tall, lanky frame and thinning, black hair that he tied in a ponytail wouldn’t warrant a second glance on the street, but she’d been drawn to his gentle mannerisms and loving sense of humor. Her mother had fallen for his Native American roots and steady job, telling Tala daily he could provide strong sons and security. Tala remembered letting her parent talk until she’d finally been convinced. That was how life should be. She should never marry out of the tribe. Never look further than her own people. Physical appearance hadn’t played into Tala’s decision to accept his proposal three months ago--a ticking biological clock and a harping parent had. She wanted kids, except she still wasn’t convinced she wanted children with Miles.
“You do want to marry me, don’t you?” She heard the hesitation in her own voice and wondered about it. Did she really want to be married? Wisps of the erotic dream she’d had weeks ago came back to haunt her. Her skin tingled as if she could really feel the touch of his hands on her body. She wished it were Craig in the tuxedo, even though she’d sealed that fate long ago.
“Actually, no.” Miles removed his lavender cummerbund and meticulously folded the silky material before laying it on a dainty white-and-gold end
“Honestly? Neither.” She glanced at the one-carat ring on her finger. Cold as ice, it held no joy of what the day should have brought. “I figured you were my last shot for the life I thought I should have. The life my mom wants.”
That wasn’t true. Though she believed in the old ways with a grain of “modern” salt, something about Miles didn’t set her soul on fire.
Yanking the piece of jewelry from her finger, she handed it to him. “Turning thirty-two a couple of days before you proposed didn’t help either.”
Not to mention the damn dream she couldn’t forget.
A ghost of a grin cut into his stricken expression. “No, I guess not.” Miles tucked the ring into a pocket of his pants. “Well, should I thank you or what?”
Tala shrugged. Instead of the anger or grief she’d expected to feel from the collapse of her wedding, happiness and a sense of freedom welled within her chest. “I have no idea.” She stared at the man she’d thought she wanted to marry. Try as she might, she could summon no other feelings except relief.
Damn. She’d been saved from making the biggest mistake of her life, and all because of a reluctant groom and memories of a man she’d never even been with that way.
“Okay, I’ll go track down my family and let them know what’s going on. I assume you’ll do the same for your mom?” When she nodded, Miles visibly relaxed. “Feel free to use the honeymoon cabin. It’s already been paid for. I won’t cancel the reservations in case you want to get away.”
“You don’t want to use it?” That was a surprise. Miles had gone on and on about it for weeks.
“Nah.” He shrugged and undid the top button of his shirt. “I’m not a big fan of the cold, especially since I won’t be spending time in the sack.”
Heat jumped into her cheeks, but she ignored it after seeing the teasing grin on his face. “Thanks.” The cabin, a little hideaway tucked within the hills of southern Indiana, sounded like heaven right now. “I may take you up on the offer.”
“Great.” Miles waved, his long, slender fingers fluttering. “I think you should go. I’ll stay here and take care of all this.”
“Thanks.”
Bows, yards of tulle and the odd flower from floral arrangements along with other bits of wedding finery lay scattered over the floor. Gifts wrapped in foiled paper decorated a tabletop while Tala’s white rose-and-lily bouquet waited on a cushioned chair. She couldn’t wait to leave it all behind.
She chewed her bottom lip as indecision filled her. “Um, if I don’t see you again, I hope everything works out for you.” The urge to be free and unfettered grew stronger. Her mind and heart clamored for the wide-open spaces only nature could provide. “I gotta go.”
Before Miles could respond, she grabbed her worn, black leather purse, wrenched open the carved wooden door and swept into the hallway. Seeing no one around, she walked lightly over the maroon carpet, praying her mother wasn’t waiting to pounce. Thank God she’d convinced her parent she needed a few minutes alone with Miles before things got started. Now that the rest of her life beckoned, listening to her mother’s complaints was the last thing Tala wanted to face. The thought of her mom’s lecturing made her stomach tighten. She could almost hear her say, “There is nothing wrong with an undertaker” or “Leaving this relationship isn’t the path I saw for you.” She shoved the thoughts away.
Native American blood ran in her veins but it didn’t mean she needed to follow the old ways down to the very last letter. For as long as she could remember, her grandmother had indoctrinated her into the folklore, stories and the importance of animal guides and totems. When her grandmother died a few years ago, Tala had breathed a little easier, knowing the personal history lessons would diminish as time went on. The funny thing? She couldn’t completely forget, and more often than not, the traditions came back and colored her daily life.
Her mom, every once in awhile, would get on a wild kick and go all Mother Earth, dragging up the stories and legends she’d no doubt heard as a child, apparently in a bid to reinforce these things to Tala. It was fine to keep the old ways alive, but when they became the measuring stick for everything else in life, that was when Tala’s stubborn streak kicked in and she tried to denounce them.
Another round of guilt plowed over her. Inability to mesh tradition with real life had been the reason she’d given up Craig… No. Shaking her head, she forcefully pushed him to the back of her mind. It would do no good to remember that failed relationship now.
The only way to avoid her mother’s boring lectures or revisit old memories was to escape outside the house. Lucky for Tala, she felt an affinity for the natural world, probably brought on by the same roots she wished to avoid--except for one small problem. Living in the small town nestled by subdivisions and strip malls didn’t afford many chances to commune with the outside.
The remote honeymoon cabin sounded better and better.
A low buzz of conversation drifted from somewhere down the hall. If she followed it, she’d end up in the community gathering area, embraced in the bosom of the two soon-to-be not-so-happy families she wanted to avoid at all costs. Skittering along the corridor, Tala slung the strap of her purse over one shoulder and hitched the long, trailing skirt of her dress higher as she hurried in the opposite direction.
At the end of the hall, she pushed open a gray door. Relief washed over her as she drew the sharp February air into her lungs. Her pulse sounded loud in her ears, and she swore she could almost feel the blood pump through her veins. Lifting her face to the gentle breeze, she narrowed her eyes against the midday glare off the snow-covered ground.
In spite of the endings the day offered, new beginnings were always waiting. Maybe now she’d find the right one.
Letting the door slam behind her, Tala skipped down the three steps to the wet pavement below, only then realizing she had no transportation to get home or even to the cabin. She rolled her eyes and stripped the satin gloves from her arms, tossing them into a puddle of melting snow. The veil attached to the tiara followed as she moved through the car-crowded parking lot.
As her gaze went to the gleaming black hearse parked to one side, she shuddered. Thank goodness she wouldn’t be riding to her honeymoon destination in such a contraption. Tala stared at the hideous vehicle, wondering if Miles had left the keys in the car. She could temporarily borrow it. Four strides carried her to the driver’s side door, but she couldn’t see the ignition from her vantage point.
“Damn it.” Tala struck the window with a fist.
Behind her, a deep, masculine chuckle rang out in the chilly air--the kind of laughter that strummed along her every nerve to revitalize her like a whiff of peppermint.
The same laughter she’d heard in the intimate dream. The same sexy laugh she’d tried so hard to forget.
“It’s awfully cold to be contemplating grand theft auto, especially in the princess-wear. Someone could pick you out of a lineup very easily.”
Tala swung around as the hairs rose on her arms. “Craig?” She hadn’t seen him for years, not since they’d both graduated from high school--unless she counted the sex dream. He’d been good-looking in school, but the man he’d grown up to be took her breath away.
His mop of sandy blond hair ruffled in the breeze and reminded her of a modern-day James Dean. Tall, probably more than six feet, and lean, he lounged against the side of a candy-apple-red SUV. A black leather bomber jacket covered his upper body, pulling tight along his crossed arms. Her gaze traveled downward, taking in the faded jeans that clung to every contour of his legs, ending in black hiking-style boots.
She snapped her attention back to his face. Even though ten feet of space separated them, the laughing gray depths of his eyes pulled at her, reeling her in as an invisible thread connected them. Time rolled backward, and again she was an insecure seventeen-year-old, plagued by doubts and familial guilt. Although, back then his smile had caused her warm fuzzies. This time, it had the power to dampen her panties.
