Finding Me (Love's Not Easy Series Book 1) (15 page)

“Ella, has the same family owned the orchard?”

“No, it was sold to the current family about nineteen years ago?”

“Who did they buy it from?”

“I am not sure, sweetie.”

“Oh, ok.”

Aiden walked over and handed Aimee a piece of toast with orange marmalade on it. “You have to try this.”

She took a bite and instantly her taste buds sent her back to her Gran’s kitchen, eating her homemade marmalade. “Ella one more question.”

“Yes, dear.”

“Did the new owner buy the previous owners recipes as well?”

“Yes, dear.”

“Can we buy a bushel of your best oranges?”

“Yes, dear.”

Aimee walked over and joined the others after she purchased a bushel of oranges and a jar of orange marmalade. They walked back to car. The tour was nice, but Aimee left there more confused than she was when they got there. She explained to everyone that the marmalade was her Gran’s special recipe. She had helped her make it hundreds of times. When they returned to the flat, she and Sophia had some marmalade to make.

That evening, they went bowling. Aimee decided to leave her disappointment behind her and live for the moment tonight. It was one of the funnest evenings the group had spent together.

Chapter
Sixteen

Aiden took Aimee to the airport to pick up her dad, Deandre, and the kids. Tessa let them borrow her six passenger SUV. The flight was on a thirty minute delay, so they took a seat in the back of the main lobby. Aiden had on a baseball hat and dark shades. He bought a magazine and opened it.

“You look ridiculous.” Aimee laughed.

“I know.”

“Is it hard to hide in public?”

“I am use to it. It has been nice though, to go around campus and not have to worry. Most days it is ok, but sometimes, I would love to be able to go somewhere on the spur of the moment and not take months to plan it. I would love to get up and say hey, I want to go and go.”

“I have the perfect spot. My Savannah Plantation. It is very secluded.”

“Sounds great maybe someday, when you are at the plantation, I will just show up and visit.”

“I’d like that. But, no planning, just show up.”

They announced the arrival of the plane. Aiden lead Aimee to the gates to greet them. When she saw her family, Maddie came running at her full force. She wrapped her little arms around Aimee’s neck. “I thought we would never get here.”

“I know, this has been the longest day.” Aimee took Maddie’s little hand.

Aiden grinned when he saw how Aimee interacted with her sister. He could not imagine Ava being able to bond with a child.

Once they were done in baggage claims, Aimee and Aiden took them to the hotel. Maddie came back to the flat with them. Sophia was spending the weekend with her culinary friends at some sort of workshop, so Piper offered to room with Lexi and let Maddie stay with Aimee.

The car lot was packed with lots of awesome vehicles. Aimee knew the one she wanted.  She and Colin had done a lot of research. She spotted it as soon as they entered the lot. Her dad insisted on trying several vehicles, to be sure; but, by the end of the visit, she pulled off the lot in her choice. She followed Colin off the lot in her new deep crystal blue Mazda6 Grand Touring.

When she got back to the flat, she took Maddie, along with Lexi and Piper, to Huffington Square. She spent the afternoon treating her little sister to a manicure and a shopping spree. That night, her dad took everyone to dinner. Aimee wanted to talk to him alone, so when Deandre went to put the kids in bed, and Maddie went to get her Sunday dress, she took the opportunity.

“Dad, can you tell me what places you and mom visited here in Neahovia?”

“Aimee, we have been through this before. I can’t talk about my work when I was here.”

“I am not asking about work. I am asking about you and mom.”

“Aimee, if not for my work, I would have never met her and you know that. What I can tell you is this. She captured my heart at the very first sight of her. We didn’t do a lot of dating stuff because I was here on a mission. What we did do, was a lot of talking.”

“Can you even tell me what city you met her in?”

“No.”

Maddie came running in, ready to go to Aimee’s. She loved hanging out there already and Aimee loved having her. Her roommates had been great. She even had the guys eating out of the palms of her hands. When they got back, she gave Aimee a present she made for her. It was a DVD she had her mom make for Aimee. It was a combination of each of their dance competitions.

They watched the DVD. Afterwards, they taught some dance moves to everyone before going to bed.

The next morning, Aimee got up early for church. She fixed Maddie breakfast and a pot of coffee. She took a shower, while Aiden sat and watched cartoons with Maddie. Her little sister has really taken to Aiden. When she dressed, she came and got Maddie ready. Piper had awakened and came in to get ready by then. Lexi was going too and was getting dressed in her room.

The youth sang at church that morning. Lexi sat with Aimee’s parents during Sunday School and Maddie went to class with Aimee and Piper. When Sunday School ended, Aimee joined her dad for worship service and Maddie went to kid’s church with the twins.  Lexi was sitting next to Aimee.

Reverend Mark read the entire Chapter of Revelations 21 before he began preaching. And though he read the whole chapter, his sermon focused on verse eight
. Revelations 21:8: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

He preached on sinning and the second death in fire and brimstone. He preached on the horrible acts of the devil. The way he lies and convinces us all into thinking that God would not throw us into fire and brimstone. He picked up his Bible and shouted. “His word says He will, folks. If we don’t repent from our sins and believe in the fact that of what Jesus did for us. We were all doomed to the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. To live where the fire never burns out. But we don’t have to go there.  We can enjoy our lives in heaven, walking the streets of Gold alongside Jesus himself.”

“John 3:16 says it all, folks
: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
So, first we believe, then what’s next you ask?
”
He opened his Bible to Acts: 2-28
: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
.”

He ended the sermon discussing how we have always needed a sacrifice to wash our sins away. Jesus stepped up and became that sacrifice for us. He came. He lived on earth. He preached. He died when He did nothing wrong. He was buried and then came back alive three days later. He did that, so we can join Him in Heaven; all we have to say is, Father forgive me for my sins. I believe in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When it came time for the altar call, Lexi stood holding onto the pew in front of her. Her knuckles were white because she was gripping so tight. Tears rolling down her cheeks, her heart was beating out of her chest. She reached her hand over and touched Aimee. That was all it took. Aimee knew what Lexi needed. Aimee took her friend’s hand and walked down the aisle with her. The second Piper and Tessa noticed that Lexi was walking to the altar to pray, they followed her and the four ladies knelt down to pray next to their newest sister in Christ.

Lexi was praying for forgiveness of her sins and crying out to the Lord. The others praying for her as well. They knew she would now need God's guidance and strength more than ever. Mark motioned for one of the other preachers to come and take over the altar call. He kneeled down beside Lexi and prayed and talked with her.

When he rose, he announced that our new sister wanted to be baptized today. She didn’t want to wait. It didn’t take long to have the Baptism pool ready. Aimee and Piper stood front row and watched their best friend go under the water and come out praising God. She knew, like all of them, the water is not what saved her. It was a symbol, that she was washing her sins away and coming out new and clean from all sin.

Dinner at the Anderson’s took on such a new meaning. Aimee’s father commented on how he came to see his daughter, but God allowed him to see so much more than how she was physically doing. His little girl was finding her own way in this big world. He was proud of the responsible young lady she had become. When Colin and Aiden finally arrived, Lexi was so excited to tell them she was a born again Christian. Instead of them making smart comments, like she had expected, they hugged and congratulated her.

Chapter S
eventeen

Easter Break had finally arrived for the group. The guys left Friday night for a two week Caribbean cruise. The girls thought of going, but the thought of being on a ship with Ava did not seem appealing to them. Sophia had finally admitted that all her trips to NCS was because she had met a new guy. She broke up with the guy she had dated here in Ancaster before Valentine’s Day. She was spending Easter Break with her new guy.

So that left Aimee, Lexi, and Piper. The three girls loaded Aimee’s car after church on Sunday and headed to an ocean side spa and resort that Lexi picked out. It was so beautiful and calming at the Premium Spa and Resort. The girls spent the first two days tanning in the sun and relaxing in the pool. The resort even had a dietician who taught them things to eat to help with their complexion. Aimee loved the personal trainers who taught them simple exercises to keep their bodies tone and fit.

They went to the spa every day for some type of treatment, but the Friday before going home, they went to the Beauty Parlor inside the spa. Aimee was looking at hair magazines, while Lexi was instructed what she wanted done with her hair. The night before, they had talked about trying new things.

“Hey girls, will you look at this picture and tell me what you think?” Lexi and Piper came over and looked at it the girl in the magazine’s hair. It was the same length as Aimee’s but layered more and had blonde and red highlights. They loved it and that was Aimee's first new thing.  She added more layers and red highlights to her normal blonde highlights. It turned out to be a very good choice, Aimee loved the look on her.

Their last Saturday at the resort was here, and after brunch, the girls had to check out and head back to Ancaster. They were eating at the pool side cafe. The waiter brought their order and they sat chatting about the fun vacation they had and the new things they wanted to start doing. Aimee looked to her right. A very odd middle aged gentleman kept looking at them.

♥
♥

She looked familiar, but not like he knew her directly, but maybe someone in her family. It was truly impossible because that family tree had ended. Maybe she is a very distant relation to the family. She sure had the features of the family though. He paid a young guy to get her name earlier; she only gave him her first name, Aimee. Such a plain name. She is attending Ancaster University and has an American accent. He was certain that he was wrong, but he would go to Ancaster and see who he can hire and trust to get more information on her. He didn’t want to worry his boss, not if he didn’t have to. He tended to be very upset when anyone mentioned the name of that family. He could only imagine his reaction if there was still a living heir.

♥
♥

Aimee was certain he was looking at her now. She put down her fork. “I have lost my appetite.”

“Why?” Piper took a bite of her omelet.

“Don’t let him know you are looking, but there is a very odd looking middle age man in an ugly green shirt that has been staring at us for some time. He is giving me the creeps.”

Lexi was sitting where she didn’t need to turn to look at him; when she looked up, she realized she had saw this guy a lot the past few days. He always seemed to be looking at them. “Your right, Aimee, I didn’t think much of it earlier, but I have seen him the past few days.”

Piper went to the restroom so that on the way back, she could see the gentleman and, just like Lexi, she had noticed him as well. She sat at the table. “I think we should leave now. So we are not on the road in the dark. I have noticed him looking at us before too.”

Aimee flagged a waiter. “Can we please have our check?”

“You have not eaten much. Was the food ok?”

“Yes, we just have a long drive back home.”

“Very well.”

When he returned with the checks, which Lexi insisted on paying for, Lexi informed him that the gentleman in the green shirt had been making them feel very uncomfortable. She told the waiter they felt he may be stalking them. Then she asked him to please distract him if he looked like he was going to follow them.

They made it out of the resort without the gentleman following them, thanks to the waiter. They were well on their way back to Ancaster and no one was following them. Even though they relaxed some, Piper called James when they stopped for gas and to eat. They had another hour or so before they reach Ancaster. She told him about the man and he said he would start driving toward them now and follow them to their flat.

Once they arrived to the flat, James brought their bags in and the girls sat in the living area, relieved. “I don’t think he followed us, but he was definitely creepy.” Aimee sat looking down at her hands. “I just wonder why he was looking at us all the time.”

James sat beside Piper and wrapped her in his arms. “Seriously, Aimee. Are you that naive? Three hot looking ladies like you girls and you want to know why a man is staring at you.”

“His stare wasn’t one like he thought we were hot, not to me. It was more of a creepy look than that.”

“I don’t want to sound chauvinistic, but you girls may not want to go too far from campus alone for a while.”

“You don’t sound chauvinistic at all. I actually agree.” Piper kissed his cheek, then Aimee and Lexi told him they agreed as well. Then, they went to unpack and give Piper and James some alone time.

♥
♥

The girls got up to leave. He stood to leave as well, but the young gentleman who waited on them stepped in front of him. He informed him that the young ladies feared he was stalking them. He informed him that the resort had strict rules about these things. They want all the guest to feel comfortable during their stay here.

He told the waiter he was sorry, he never intended to cause the ladies any discomfort. When he was done, he tried to find the girls again, but they were gone. He figured they were on their way back to Ancaster, but they had an hour start on him.  No need to try to follow them today. He would need to bring someone else to help him now since they saw him staring. He couldn’t let them see him in Ancaster, that was for sure.

She looked familiar to his partner as well. They had followed her to church and to the outside of her flat. The guard at the gate would never let them in. It took them a few days to find who they wanted as a spy; now, they had to convince this person and they knew just how to do that.

♥
♥

The first week back to college and the classes had been tough. The professors were almost doubling the workload. They wanted to relax and have fun on Friday. Aiden found an alcohol free club near campus; so, when Friday night rolled around, the group of friends went to the club.

The crowd was large. The owner informed Aiden that, when word got out about him coming here a few weeks ago, business was booming. The girls had worked on dance moves all week.  Aimee taught them some of her hip-hop dance steps. So, they were ready to hit the dance floor.

Aimee first spotted LJ when they entered the club. She avoided him. He had not called her since Valentine’s Day, which was nearly two and half months ago now. She stayed on the dance floor for a long time. The DJ put on a slow song and, except for Piper who was now dancing with James, the girls went to set at their table.

Aimee took one sip of her cola, then noticed LJ standing beside her.

“Aimee, I thought that was you I saw walk in the door. I waved.”

“Oh, LJ, hi.” She wanted to say she hadn’t notice him, but she could not lie.

“So, how have you been?”

“Great and you?”

“Good. Do you want to dance?”

“No. Not right now.”

“Later then?”

“Probably not.” Lexi was holding back her laughter. Aimee was being so cool.

“Did I do something wrong, you seem mad?”

“No, I am not mad.  Just confused.”

“Confused?”

“Yes, confused. See, I went out with this guy on Valentine’s Day, who happens to look a lot like you. Do you recall that date?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Really? Well, you must have forgotten the part where you said you would call the next day. Because it has nearly been two and half months and you still haven’t called.” Aimee was so cool, but Lexi and Piper, who now joined them at the booth, both laughed out loud.

LJ looked down. “I’m sorry about that, I…”

“Stop. I don’t want to hear lies. I thought we had a great time on the date. We even kissed and, if you know me at all, I don’t just kiss anybody, LJ. I thought you may actually like me, but now, I am thinking probably not.”

“I am sorry, I have no excuses, and it was rude. But, I do like you, Aimee. Give me a chance to show you. How about you dance the next slow dance with me?”

“No. Not tonight.”

“Why?”

“You need to show me you are truly sorry, LJ.” Aimee took a sip of her cola. “We can talk, but I will not do something as close or as intimate as dancing with you.”

To her surprise, LJ took the seat next to her. “Ok, fine. What do you wish to talk about, Aimee?”

“How about we start with the real reason you never called?”

“I could say it was because of my class load.”

“But, that would be a lie. And, you are not going to lie to me; I want the truth.”

“I was being stupid. When we kissed, I realized that I have never dated anyone like you. You’re so innocent and genuine.”

“Innocent and genuine? What a way to describe a girl.”

“Hear me out. To you, Aimee, allowing a guy to kiss you is a big deal, right?”

“Yes, it is a big deal to me.”

“To most girls, a kiss is nothing special.”

“Keep going.”

“So, I realized that I was no good for you.”

“No good for me? LJ…”

“Let me finish. The guy you deserve needs to be special. I don’t know if I can be that guy. I am afraid of hurting you.”

“This is the truth, right? You are not just saying what you think I want to hear?”

“Yes. I really don’t know what you want to hear. All I know, is that I love being around you. I enjoy talking and going places with you. You are one of the best dates I have had.”

“What do you purpose we do now, LJ? What has changed in you?”

“I am not sure, Aimee. I just know, that when I saw you walk through that door, I realized how stupid I have been.”

“So, how about we go back to being friends?”

“Friends is a great place to start.”  LJ stood and began to walk off. “I like the red highlights. The next time I kiss you, I will be certain I can be the right guy for you.”

“Let’s not think about kissing.”

“Okay.”

Aimee watched him walk off. She waited until she knew he was out of her ear shot before turning her head to Lexi and Piper, who sat and listened to the entire conversation.
 
“Did either of you believe that load of manure he just spilled out everywhere?”

“I think we need some wading boots before we try to leave our table.” Lexi laughed.

“Either that or have the guys come and shovel all the manure away.” Piper was laughing too.

Aimee laughed and took a drink of her cola. “It is so great to have friends who think like you do.”