Envisioning Hope

Envisioning Hope

Envisioning
Hope Copyright © 2014 by Tracy Lee.

This
book is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, places and incidents are either
the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.  Any
resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales
is entirely coincidental.

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Cover
Art Design:  Sprinkles on Top Studios LLC

Cover
Art Illustrations:  Sprinkles on Top Studios LLC

Editor:
WordNerd Editing

Copyright
© Jan. 09, 2014

Published
by: Tracy Lee

Printed
in (United States of America)

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Acknowledgments

Wow,
it's so hard to believe that this book is done! The list of my gratitude has
seemed to grow longer and longer with each book but I feel so blessed to have
the privilege of calling these people friends.

First
and foremost, I have to thank my "Sisters from the heart" Isabella
Rae and Nicky Jayne. We have come so far on together on this journey and I
couldn't think of two more special ladies that I would want to continue on
with. We ain't stopping until we've reached the top…together! Love you both!!

To
my editor Monica over at Word Nerd Editing, you did such a beautiful job! Much
appreciation and gratitude.

As
always to Sarah over at Sprinkles on Top Studios for another breathtaking
cover. I will never find a better cover artist, I am forever in your debt for
making my books so much more amazing!

My
WONDERFUL assistant Amy C. If it wasn't for you, I'd forget to screw my head on
in the morning!! Thank you for all your hard work and devotion! There isn't
enough money in the world to repay you for all you have done for me.

I
have to thank my street team!!! I love all you ladies: Crystal, Erica, Athena,
Amy, Rebekkah, Michelle, Donna! Y'all are amazing and I appreciate all the
pimping you do for me.

Thank
you to the bloggers out there that helped with the cover reveal and the
release. Angie's Reading Dungeon, The Book Diaries, Chicks Controlled by Books,
A One-Click Addicts Book Blog( If I didn't mention you, I'm sorry) but I
appreciate all your hard work.

To
my dear friend Marion who always pushes me to take what is in my head and make
it into some sort of sense on paper.

To
my "older" sister, Trish…Thank you for allowing me to come into your
family and call it my own. I am so grateful for all the great talks, the Sunday
clean fests while we would jam to Elton John and Bad English. You made
Christmas Eve's night of perfect giftwrapping a tradition in my house. I love
you!!

To
ALL my readers… followers on Facebook, Twitter and Google plus. If it wasn't
for you and your wonderful encouragement I'd probably still have these
characters all cramped up in my head!

I
can't tell you enough that I love you from the bottom of my heart!!!

Without
Hope you have nothing!

Dedication

I
have to dedicate this book to an amazing woman, a dear friend of mine that was
taken way too early from this world, a sister that was not connected to me by
blood but by something far more special, a connection fashioned by destiny that
pulled two strangers together and created a bond that still today has never
been severed.

My
dearest Patti, I miss you today as much as I did the day you left us. Your
force still shines bright daily as I see something that reminds me of you. I
never got the chance to say goodbye so this book is my farewell to you; my
healing. You are in my thoughts every day and will continue to be until I'm
done breathing.

You
imprinted your smile on this world but it wasn't big enough for you, you needed
bigger…God gave you endless, honey. Go with it and be happy!!

I
love you, my friend.

To
Patti

12/14/67-
3/30/10

Chapter 1

I
could hear the church bells ringing repeatedly from the room I was standing in.
I couldn't believe the day was finally here, I was going to be Mrs. Charlie
Saxton. My reflection stared back at me as I took in every inch of my image. I
was no knockout, but I had to admit, I looked like a fairytale princess in the
long gown and veil that fell to the middle of my back. I admired the intricate
beading that was sewn into the tulle that covered my upper chest as I wondered
just how handsome Charlie looked in his black tuxedo.

"Hope,
you're going to be late to your own wedding if you don't hurry and get dressed,"
my sister, Faith, mumbled just as fast as she ran around the room looking for
the flower girl's bouquet.

"Faith,
I can't get over this dress…it's not like I'll get another chance to wear it, I
want to savor the moment." I defended my actions by running my hands down
the skirt, feeling the silk slide under my fingers as it poofed out from the
hooped garment underneath. I felt my sister's arm come around my center as her
head popped up behind mine in the mirror.

"You
make a beautiful bride, sis," Faith whispered as she placed a small kiss
on my cheek. My mind was overwhelmed with all that was happening. I fought back
the tears threatening to ruin my makeup; I wanted Charlie to see me perfect.
Closing my eyes, I covered Faith's hands with mine. The cold metal from her
class ring pressed into the skin of my palm as we concluded our moment.

Faith
and I had always been close; you had to be when you were named after the two
most important emotions in the world. If my parents would've had a third child,
I'd have felt sorry for her. She would've had to walk around with the name Love
all her life. Our family had always been close, we loved each other just as
hard as we fought with one another for what we thought was right. My mom used
to tell us that was what made our family special; we could fight with the best
of them, but finding the courage to say we were sorry was what made us unique.

Filling
my lungs with a fresh intake of air, I thought about the first time I had met
Charlie. I didn't want to go out that Saturday night, but my best friend,
Libby, talked me into it. I saw the group of teens standing in front of the
movie theater. Some I recognized, others I didn't. As we approached, his eyes
caught mine. I noticed the growing smile on his face matched the gleam in his
eye. He was amazingly handsome, jet black hair with blue eyes that were almost
crystal clear. The thought of those eyes looking at me sent a chill over my
skin. I knew I would never grow sick of looking deep into his gaze.

From
that day on, we were never apart. Six years later, and here we were, him
standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for me as though he had been waiting
for me all his life. So patiently, so lovingly.

The
ushers opened the sanctuary doors and I heard the song that I had specifically
picked out to walk down the aisle to begin to play. The tones of the violin and
cello blended so well, it was as if I was floating on air as we walked down the
middle of the church. All were standing, so I wasn't able to see Charlie yet. I
wrapped my hand around my dad's arm as he placed a kiss on my forehead. "You
look like an angel, honey." I could see his eyes were watering up.
Quickly, I turned my head and held my breath. I was not going to cry, I told
myself over and over again, as if saying it would make the tears stay away. I
turned back to him and offered up a silent smile. I was afraid to say a word, I
was barely holding on to my composure as it was.

We
began the march down the aisle. Looking at the passing faces, some
recognizable…some not, I could see approval in all of their smiles. I offered a
small nervous smile in return. I began to question myself about what Charlie
would think when he saw me for the first time. Would he think I looked
beautiful? Having never seen my dress or my accessories, would he approve of my
choices? I gripped my dad's arm tighter, giving him most of my weight. I could
feel the anxiety building in my stomach. Suddenly, it became twenty degrees
hotter in this church. This sanctuary that sat four hundred easily became a
tiny room that could only hold ten. I began chastising myself for not just
having a small ceremony downtown at the courthouse.

This
walk seemed like it was continual; the white runner that lay beneath my white
shoes seeming to go on and on, never coming to an end.  I wouldn't be able to
see my husband-to-be until I passed the last pew and turned to advance to the
front of the church. My eyes went back and forth from side to side, making
contact with the large white lily arrangements that were centered at the end of
every pew.

Finally,
we came to the last bench, turning to proceed to the front of the church when
my eyes aligned with Charlie's. In that very moment, every drop of nervousness
I was feeling dissipated. I became overwhelmed with the emotion of being filled
with nothing but pure love for this man in front of me. I couldn't catch my
breath. There he stood, in front of five of his closest friends and family with
his hands linked in front of him. The black double breasted tuxedo with the
long tails that he had chosen suited him well. I could never in a million years
have imagined how handsome he looked standing in front of me, his smile beaming
just as bright as his eyes. The tears began to form in my eyes as I smiled back
just as big. I couldn't wait any longer to be next to him. I began pulling my
dad quickly but elegantly just so I could reach him faster.