Reveal

MC Yatsko

Description

Can you find a second "love of your life" after the loss of your first? Paul Kellogg, a widower with two young daughters, attempts to answer this question as he struggles to overcome the loss of his wife.Christine O'Neil, a beautiful, unmarried, marine biologist, has trust issues with men due to a demeaning sexual relationship with her college boyfriend. As a romance develops between Paul and Chris, Brenda Harris--a jealous and vindictive associate of Paul--wants him in her bed and will do anything, even kidnapping, to break up his relationship with Chris.Will Paul and Chris's love survive Brenda's antagonism and harassment? It may take a tragedy to provide the answer.

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Date de parution: 28 février 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781645368311
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Reveal
MC Yatsko
Austin Macauley Publishers
2020-02-28
Reveal About the Author Dedication Copyright Information © Acknowledgment 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 Epilogue
About the Author
Maryclaire (MC) Yatsko grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania and graduated from Misericordia University with a B.S. in business. She also holds an M.A. in history from the University of South Florida. She spent two years in St. Vincent as a Peace Corps volunteer teacher, and also taught English for two years in Hungary. MC worked for the government as an analyst and for several corporations as an auditor, accounting manager, and compliance technical writer. She is an avid runner, sports enthusiast, and animal lover. MC enjoys spending time with her dog, Dakota, traveling, and cheering for MU sports teams.
Dedication
To my mother – for her inspiration, support, courage, and love. Mom, I miss you every day.
Copyright Information ©
MC Yatsko (2020)
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.
Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
Ordering Information:
Quantity sales: special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.
Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data
Yatsko, MC
Reveal
ISBN 9781643786070 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781643786087 (Hardback)
ISBN 9781645368311 (ePub e-book)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019918055
www.austinmacauley.com/us
First Published (2020)
Austin Macauley Publishers LLC
40 Wall Street, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10005
USA
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Austin Macauley is committed to publish works of quality and integrity. In that spirit, we are proud to offer this book to our readers; however, the story, the experiences, and the words are the author’s choice.
Acknowledgment
A huge thanks to my beta readers, Pat and Yolanda – without your encouragement, this book would not be possible. Thanks also to my good friends (Gail, Kim, Nancy, and Julie), who offered much needed support. A big thank you to the staff at Austin Macauley for answering my numerous questions and correcting my errors.
Chapter One
The beautiful Florida evening failed to improve Paul Kellogg’s mood. Although the weather was sunny and warm with the smell of spring flowers and freshly cut grass in the air, Paul’s face revealed only sadness and despair. With the car windows down, he drove listlessly to his sister, Lisa’s home for their weekly family dinner. Lisa lived in the Carrollwood area of Tampa in a four-bedroom home with a large, caged pool and a tree-filled backyard that ended at a conservation area. At Lisa’s, Paul and his two young daughters, Julie and Becky, were greeted by her twin daughters, Sophie and Samantha. The twins hugged Paul, then ran off to their bedroom with Julie and Becky. Paul carried a bottle of wine and an apple pie into the kitchen. He sat the pie on the counter, kissed his sister’s cheek, and handed Bob, Lisa’s boyfriend, the Merlot. Paul offered to help with the meal preparations but Lisa told him to relax, so he sat on a bar stool, watching his sister cut up vegetables.
Paul was a recent widower with his own business, and an aching heart. He stood six-feet two, with blonde hair turning slightly gray at the temples. He had the body of an athlete, having played sports in high school and college, and continued to work out, thinking exercise could somehow rid the loneliness of his wifeless life.
After chatting about their goings on at work, Lisa turned the conversation to her favorite subject – movies. “Have you seen the latest Emma Stone movie?” she asked Paul.
“Emma who?”
“Damn, Bro. You need to get out more if you don’t know who Emma Stone is,” quipped Lisa. She was tall and thin, with short, curly, black hair. Her olive skin and her wide mouth revealed a radiant smile. Lisa played volleyball in college and still had the killer instinct that revealed itself when someone hurt or threatened her family.
“Come on, Sis?” replied Paul. “Just because I don’t know who Emma Stone is, doesn’t mean I need to start dating again.”
“I didn’t say anything about dating. I just think you should get out of your office and go see an adult movie once in a while.”
Paul walked over to the counter where Lisa was working and grabbed a carrot. He loved being with his sister and since his wife’s death, spent even more time with her than in the past.
“You know I enjoy movies, but I’m not the big movie critic that you claim to be,” stated Paul, munching on the carrot.
“Claim to be! I’ll have you know that I have watched ninety percent of the American Film Institute’s greatest films. Your idea of a movie night is staying home with your girls to watch Disney films about princesses, or tuning into Star Trek.”
“What about Star Trek?” asked Bob, returning to the kitchen with three wine glasses.
“Nothing,” said Lisa and Paul together, both rolling their eyes.
“This man has watched every Star Trek episode at least fifty times,” said Lisa.
“Wow,” said Paul, shaking his head, “A real Trekkie.”
“Damn straight,” replied Bob. “In fact, I’m going to the Star Trek convention next week in Orlando.”
Paul shook his head, “Maybe Scotty will beam you up to a galaxy far, far away.”
Now, it was Bob’s turn to roll his eyes. “You’re mixing up Star Trek and Star Wars—”
“Anyway, Bob,” interjected Lisa, “I was just telling Paul that he needed to get out more since he doesn’t know who Emma Stone is.”
“Are you kidding me? She’s hot!”
“Excuse me, Bob. But I’m standing right here.” Lisa hated when men went gaga over film actresses since Lisa never considered herself movie-star gorgeous. She thought her height was an issue for most men and when she attempted to grow her hair longer, it looked as though she had put her finger in a light socket resembling the famous Einstein photo.
“I didn’t mean…” explained Bob, turning beat red.
“Now you’ve done it,” laughed Paul.
“Please grab the plates and set the table,” suggested Lisa to Bob.
After fixing the vegetables plate, Lisa took the roast from the oven. The smell of cooked beef, potatoes, and onions filled the room. Paul helped her carry the food into the dining room where seven place-settings were fixed around the table.
“Paul, tell the kids dinner is ready,” said Lisa.
Paul walked to the bottom of the stairs that led to the bedrooms and called out, “Come on, girls, dinner’s on the table.”
“Okay, Daddy,” came a reply from Julie, Paul’s oldest daughter.
Four young girls came running down the steps, giggling all the way. The four cousins ran past Paul to their places at Lisa’s table.
Bob and Paul each took a chair at the ends of the table. Bob started carving up the roast, putting slices on Sophie and Samantha’s plates. Paul was trying to convince Becky to have some vegetables and she reluctantly agreed to a couple of carrots and a few celery sticks.
Everyone complemented Lisa on the meal, as the roast disappeared almost immediately from the platter, with only a few stray potatoes remaining. After Lisa served the apple pie, the girls ran off to play, as the adults relaxed now that the quiet had returned to the dinner table.
“Great jobs, as usual, Sis,” said Paul, pushing away his empty plate and finishing off his glass of wine.
“Thank you, big brother,” smiled Lisa.
“So, Paul,” said Bob, “How’s business? Lisa told me you bid on the contract for the new government building out in Brandon.”
“Yes, we did,” answered Paul proudly.
Paul was an architectural engineer. He started his own business, Kellogg Engineering, following graduation from Penn State. Kellogg Engineering was a fast-growing company due to its reputation for quality work and reasonable costs.
“If we get the job, I may have to add an engineer and an assistant to help Helen with the administration things,” added Paul.
“The local government would be foolish to give the work to anyone else but your company. It’s the best engineering firm in Florida,” added Lisa.
“Thanks, Sis.”
The two siblings were very close. Their affection was evident even though they loved to razz and tease each other on a regular basis. They were even closer now, following the unexpected and sudden death of Paul’s wife, Joan, two years ago.
“Well, I hope you can find time for some fun,” said Lisa. She worried about her brother. He took Joan’s death extremely hard. Lisa always noticed the sadness in his blue eyes. Between his business and the girls, she understood that he didn’t have much time for himself.
“I will,” answered Paul, with no real enthusiasm.
“Maybe we can take in a Ray’s game sometime,” said Bob. “I think they have a series coming up with your Yankees.”
“Sounds good,” said Paul, again with little enthusiasm.
“Hey, buddy, you really should listen to your sister and get out more.”
Paul shrugged.
“I think it would be a great idea for you and Bob to go to a baseball game,” said Lisa, filling cups with coffee. “I can always watch the girls.”
“Thank you, guys. I’ll think about it.”
“Hey, man, don’t take this the wrong way, but you need to get a life,” suggested Bob. “I know you’re still mourning Joan, but don’t you think it’s time to move on?”
Paul sat quietly contemplating Bob’s words. Lisa had sugg