Bittersweet: A Romance and Life Stories Novel

Book 1: Acorn Hills Series

by Grace Augustine

Genres: Romance; Contemporary Romance; Later in Life Romance

Synopsis

Jake Evans, savvy businessman, had it all...a magnificent home in Acorn Hills, a great job, money to burn, and the perfect girlfriend, but his wandering eye seemed to always get him in trouble.

Jillian Halloran was your typical girl-next-door. Widowed at a young age, she raised her two sons with the help of family and friends. Now the boys are on their own, Jillian enters the world of entrepreneurship.

After finding a puzzling note on Jake's desk, she confronts him. It results in life changing circumstances. She takes solace in the comfort of her friends as she works through the heartbreaking split, the love they shared, and everyday life.

Bittersweet, Book 1 of The Acorn Hills series, brings memories of painful relationships and good friends who are there when the going gets tough.

Release date: October 5, 2013

Print pages: 166

Content advisory: For Mature Readers

Sample

PROLOGUE

One truth will always remain; there are people who come into our lives to just wreak havoc and leave! But then again, others come and leave us with lessons learned and still others remain with us forever. How our friendships have survived for 40+ years is beyond my wildest imagination. Of course some have embarked on journeys elsewhere; some have come back and reconnected. Some have moved away and some have even died. Yet, for us, this unique group of friends, life goes on. Our families and our businesses are ever expanding. I cannot keep up with all of the changes our little circle has gone through in this life time. Honestly, I have to level with you. I can’t imagine living anywhere but Acorn Hills. I was born here, I grew up here. I did move away to attend college, but moved back because there was this haunting in my very soul. A part of me will always belong here and belong to the value it places on its people and its land. I can’t explain it. We are all connected on a soul level. I own the flower shop across the street, Special Occasions. My name is Jillian and I can’t wait for you to meet my friends and become a part of our family. Welcome to Acorn Hills. I promise you won’t want to leave!

Chapter 1

The town of Acorn Hills nestled snugly at the base of the Cascade Mountain Range with the Klikatka River meandering through the middle of town. It was a community that was booming with businesses; top ranked schools and friendly, welcoming people. The economy was stable. Dairy and fruit farms dotted the land and the citizens, for the most part, took pride in what their town had to offer. The welcome sign at the entrance to the city summed it up well… “Acorn Hills, home of 35,000 amazing residents with a few nuts mixed in for good measure!” Jake Evans had driven past that sign so many times in his life. Now that he was home again, he’d drive by it a couple times a day, at least. He smiled as he remembered more of why he was back in Acorn Hills. Living on the East Coast opened Jake’s eyes to a lot of differences between the big city and his home town, but now he had to return to Acorn Hills. The death of his father brought him back. Because of that fact, he now not only owned a business but also ran a business; he a new life to live, new people to meet. And, this would allow him to check up on Jillian Halloran, the woman of his dreams. Jake’s mind had wandered back to the day they had first met. He had taken a few vacation days and had come home to visit his folks. His dad, John, invited him to attend a Chamber of Commerce luncheon and Jillian was also in attendance. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. From the moment he entered the Oakdale meeting room where the luncheon was held he seemed to watch her every move. There was something so wholesome, so pure and unexplainable about this woman. Jillian Halloran. His dad had told him she owned and operated a floral shop in the new district not far from Austin and Evans. He made a mental note and would definitely have to explore that further. A car horn blaring behind Jake brought him back to reality. He flipped on the turning signal and rounded the corner to what seemed to be his home away from home these days, Evans Enterprises. He pulled up in the designated “CEO” parking space and just sat there for a moment before grabbing his briefcase to begin the day. He smiled as thoughts of his father ran through his head. John Evans made a name for himself in the 1970’s when he and his partner, Stan Austin, decided to do things “a little differently” in their approach to the business world. Jake was away at college and upon graduation moved to New England taking a job offer from a prestigious marketing corporation. He came home for special occasions and holidays. He kept track of the news and read about the successes of Austin and Evans. What was once his grandfather’s publishing company was now a top notch consulting firm. John Evans took it from Evans Publishing to Austin and Evans, and little by little as time passed, John had the savvy to change and grow the business into the multi-million dollar venture it was today. It was a true force to be reckoned with. The now three generation-owned business would still provide jobs and financial security to hundreds of citizens in the area. The Evans’, including Jake, knew what hard work was and knew that it took teamwork to accomplish things. From its inception, this business gave to the community through scholarships and donations and fundraising. The community suffered a huge loss when John Evans died. Jake, who was living in New England returned to Acorn Hills for his father’s funeral and during the reading of the will found out that he was the heir of his father’s shares in the business. And the change began… After a few months back “in the company”, Stan saw that he was no match for the new ideas Jake brought to the table and offered him the option to buy his shares. Stan convinced Jake that he was too old and that Jake had just what it took to bring the company into the future. It didn’t take long for Jake to say “yes” and become the sole proprietor and CEO of the company, changing the name to Evans Enterprises. After the buy-out, most of the furnishings were given to Good Will or to the employees who wanted a piece of the “old” regime. The only thing Jake kept of his father’s was the very heavy antique desk. It had belonged to his Grandfather Evans and he had hoped at some point to pass it down to his son or daughter, when and if that ever happened. The desk was fashioned from the finest cherry that money could buy. The workmanship was impeccable even to the dovetail corners and brass handles. It took a small army to move it from the other side of the building to this location when Jake claimed this spot for his office suite. It was a beautiful location in the almost all glass building. Jake spared no expense when doing the renovations. He hired the best architects, the best contractors, imported floor coverings and other furnishings. He made sure that comfort was the main word in this project. Three private suites stocked with wet bars and bathrooms as large as the room was itself were created for visiting businessmen/women; office space was made more than “user friendly” to the point of almost being too comfortable. Jake made his office suite functional as well and again spared no expense. If this business was truly moving into the new century as a success, it needed to look the part as well. There was a cafeteria that was staffed with an award winning chef, several conference rooms for meetings and a whole floor of this state of the art building was devoted to those who worked out. Every kind of work out and exercise equipment was on this floor. Jake had even hired massage therapists and physical therapists. Behind the building was an arboretum with beautiful blooming trees and plants of every kind and a magnificent fountain in the center. There was a patio for entertaining that had built in grills and wrought iron chairs and matching round glass tables with umbrellas. There was also a roll out canvas that could shelter the entire patio area in case of negative weather elements. Jake had thought of it all. He wanted Evans Enterprises to be the best…wanted it to look the best, have the best employees, and the best clients worldwide. He wanted his consulting firm to be the one that people asked for by name when they needed his service. Most of all he hoped his father was proud of him for turning Evans Enterprises into the cornerstone of the new business district. Jake had it ALL; this great business, a beautiful condo that was being custom built to his specs, and the most fabulous girlfriend anyone could ask for. He smiled. He checked his watch and noticed it was 2:30 p.m. He had spent way too much time “wool gathering”. His lunch appointment took longer than he had expected, too, but if it meant he was adding a new client, he would have stayed until dark. Jake was a workaholic. He ate, slept, and dreamt about new clients; how to better serve the ones that were already established and how to make a bigger impact on Acorn Hills and the world in general. He opened the door to his navy BMW, grabbed the stack of papers on the passenger seat as well as his briefcase and began the short walk to his office. Upon entering the building he greeted the main receptionist and made his way to his office. Once there he handed the stack of papers to his secretary, Joni, and opened the door to his office. It was time to get started on the next project. Walking across the room to his desk, he stopped, smiling at what he saw. He was greeted with a warm smile from a woman holding a cup of coffee and a lemon tart. Jillian. He smiled. She always seemed to know exactly what he needed and when he needed it. He took the cup and sack from her and put them on his desk and grabbed her in a head to toe hug, held her tight for several moments then released her. “Hey, sweet stuff! This is a nice surprise! What did I do to deserve this?” he asked as he peeked into the sack. “I just thought I’d bring you a treat,” Jillian began. “Actually, it has been a horrid day and I just needed a hug from someone who cares.” She looked like she could break out in tears at any moment. Jake hugged her again and just held her. He savored the fragrance of her hair. It was clean, fresh; reminded him of freshly mown grass. Jake took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. He moved back just enough so that only their foreheads were touching. “It seems like we never see each other anymore, you know?” she said, looking into his beautiful blue eyes. “With you being so busy here at work and deciding to spend your nights here, too, it doesn’t give us much ‘us’ time.” Jake sighed and caressed her shoulders. “I know, Baby, I know. And, yes, I know work is crazy for the moment. It won’t always be this way. There have been so many meetings that have lasted well past 1 a.m. and I just didn’t want to wake you up when I came home. You need to rest, too. I know you have been plagued with funerals lately.” Jillian nodded and looked over Jake’s shoulder at the assortment of things on his desk. Besides mounds of contracts and file folders, there was a framed photo of her and Jake at the last Citizen of the Year dinner, a crystal paperweight and a note pad by the phone. Jillian’s eye read what was on it. “Reservations…Gotham suite…check in 2 p.m. Mmmmm sweet warm Dorian…” She pulled away from him and must have had a really puzzled expression because Jake asked what was wrong. “What is this all about?” she asked pointing to the note pad. “Oh, there is a prospective client from Canada that is coming into town in the next couple weeks.” Jake explained; his words hurried. “Care to tell me what ‘mmmm sweet, warm Dorian’ means?” The tone in Jillian’s voice was icy at best. Deep down she had a feeling she KNEW what it was all about but wanted to hear it from his lips, not just assume that she was right. With a shrug of his shoulders, Jake began, his voice rather nonchalant about it all. “Well, Dorian is someone that has been coming to Acorn Hills for a while now. It is my job to entertain her during her visit. You know how that goes, Baby Doll. I can’t say no to a pretty girl.” He smiled one of those million dollar smiles and winked at her “Oh, Jake! First you tell me it is a client that is coming to town. Next you say she has been coming regularly for a while now. Which is it?” She questioned him. Then as if someone had punched her gut Jillian exclaimed with horror and in disbelief. “No! No! Please don’t tell me that you have been sleeping with her. Have you been having an affair? Jake, tell me the truth!” Jillian demanded and sat down in the chair that faced Jake’s desk. Jake ran a hand through his hair showing his dislike at her words. He slammed his fist down on the top of his massive desk. “Oh my God Jillian! You just don’t get it!” Jake exclaimed. “Why can’t you see that it isn’t what you think; that I don’t love you? I DO love you, but I need excitement in my life. You KNOW how easily I get bored. I have needs that just one person cannot satisfy.” He continued, “It has nothing to do with YOU. You are wonderful, but truthfully, it is like eating the same food meal after meal after meal. I get tired of the menu and I want something different.” Jake took a deep breath and put his hand on his stomach. Seemed like these days something was always hurting. Eating, breathing, arguing…all of it made the burning in his stomach and pressure in his lungs worse and made it much more uncomfortable for him to breathe. He reached inside is jacket pocket then popped a couple anti-acids. He rose from the high-backed black leather office chair and walked around his desk to where Jillian sat. She analyzed his every move and stared at him as though what he just said was a scene in a movie, a bad dream. He looked so business-like and so sure of himself. He wore a 3 piece navy Armani suit with a crisp white, wrinkle-free shirt and a tie with navy, silver and light blue swirls. Gold set diamond stud cuff links peeked out from the sleeves of his jacket. His black leather shoes were buffed to a high sheen. His trousers, perfectly creased. The full length windows behind him framed his statuesque figure and made him look even larger and more dashing than he was as he sat on the corner of the desk. He reached his hand forward, and cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing her skin. “Jillian, Baby Doll, you know I love you. I am not looking for another girlfriend. I have you.” Jake flashed a sincere smile. Then he shrugged his shoulders. “I just need to play. It’s who I am; and I LIKE who I am. You knew this when we got together. No one woman has ever been able to satisfy me. I love you, but I am just not a one woman man. Sex and love have nothing to do with each other. If we are going to stay together you need to come to terms with this. You need to fix that pretty little head of yours,” he suggested as he stroked her hair. Jake looked at her. Damn, she was beautiful! No other man would maybe see her as he did, but to him she held this wholesomeness that not many women had; especially women over fifty. That in itself was what attracted her to him. She was different than the others that were in his life. Jillian was more of a ‘plain Jane’ than a striking beauty. She preferred jeans and sweatshirts over designer dresses and heels; yet given the chance, she cleaned up well and could play the part of the society snob almost as well as he could. Jillian could turn on her charm, flash a smile or bat her lashes and people were sucked into her world…just like he was sucked into her world from day one. Now after three years, she still held his heart, but there was that need to hunt. The feeling of that adrenaline rush was unlike any other feeling. And he hated that Jillian just simply could not understand that. It was just natural human male instinct that made him the way he was. Being with other women was what men were supposed to do. After all, from before the Victorian era, man’s primary job was procreation, and Jake was going to do what he could to hold up that end of his responsibility. Who was he to stop what history had started thousands of years ago? Besides, “hunting” was what he did best and he wasn’t too bad at the “kill” either. There was such satisfaction in the release. It was like a lion hunting an antelope; it was a dance and after so long of playing with your food, you finally got to enjoy the feast! Yet after dining a few times on the same woman, it was time to move on to the next…to find a new food source that would meet his needs to diversify the menu. There were never any strings attached, until he met Jillian. Then it was like his foot was caught in the door…just like Professor Howard Hill with the librarian. Until there was Jillian, all the relationships were meaningless. There was no one to talk to on the level he could with her. There was no one he felt comfortable laughing with; and going out to movies and concerts and business functions together brought him great satisfaction in knowing the woman he was with was probably the smartest in the room. He felt in his very soul that she brought a purpose into his life; but he’d be damned if he was going to change the very core of who he was just for her. She would either have to put up with his hunting and being with others or be miserable. But, the only bad thing about that was when Jillian was miserable everyone around her shared that joy. Jillian sighed and shook her head in disbelief at what she had just heard. This afternoon was supposed to be like most of the others. She thought she would be nice and bring Jake coffee and a treat for an afternoon break. And truthfully she needed to see him and needed the physical contact with him. No one hugged her like Jake did and after dealing with wholesalers and customers and orders that went wrong, she really did need the comfort and solace that she felt when his arms surrounded her. Man was she wrong! Her face reflected the shock of the words that had come from his mouth. How dare he assume that she would be okay with all of this! How dare he say “I love you” in one breath and in the next say “but I need variety”! This just made her blood boil! Why couldn’t he understand that she wanted to have it be like it was in the beginning? Why couldn’t he just see how much she loved him and how much she longed to just be the only one he had eyes for? Why was it so difficult for him to admit that what they had was special and better than anything he had ever been a part of? Truthfully, in light of this conversation, she felt Jake was probably doing other women for the entire duration of their relationship. She had given him the benefit of the doubt, but just the thought that there were more her made her even angrier. It was too bad she wasn’t a witch, because she wouldn’t think twice about turning Jake into the blasted belly crawling snake he was being at that moment! She laughed to herself and she felt a smile cross her face and an eyebrow raise. Maybe becoming a witch and learning how to cast spells wasn’t such a bad idea after all. She made a mental note to research spells and creating reptiles from humans. Jake Evans was THE most handsome, influential man she had ever met. Their courtship was such a whirlwind that she still reeled from the passion when she thought of all the emotions he evoked. At this point, though, she didn’t know whether to cry, get angry or just simply ignore him and leave. One thing was certain, Jillian Halloran was a survivor. She WOULD get through this somehow. She just had to. Jillian pushed Jake’s hand away from her cheek. She looked up at him, her liquid amber eyes shooting daggers at the man just inches away from her face. She stood directly in front of him and with every word she spoke her finger repeatedly came in contact with the hardened muscles of his chest. “Somehow, Jake, I thought I could be enough for you; that was only a part of my mistake.” With each word, the poking got more painful because she began using her fingernails instead of the tips of her fingers. She continued, “The other part was falling in love with you so completely that I forgot where I begin.” She took a moment to think about what to say next and then chuckled cynically. “You know, there was a time when I was so addicted to you, so in love with you, so enveloped by your charm,” she shook her head, trying to keep from crying. “I honestly don’t think you know what love is, Jake! And, you don’t seem willing to change or learn either! All I can do now is pity you! “Damn you, Jake! Damn your need for ‘variety’ as you put it! What a joke! Jake, how can you not see what you have in front of you? I mean, I know I am not the most beautiful crayon in the box, but I will guarantee you that you will never have anyone else who will love you to the degree I have loved you and cared for you. “You have been my rock in some very trying times and I have so appreciated that, but that isn’t enough to compensate for your latest words and antics. I want to know that I’m important, exceptional; that I mean something to you, that you see me as special. I want to be your only love and I need you and want you to be monogamous. And that word seems to escape your vocabulary, too. “Frankly, Jake, this what’s-in-this-for-me-I-am-number-one-and-I-can-do- whatever-the-hell-I-want attitude just sucks! Well, you know what, go for it! Do whatever you want, and whoever you want when you want. I’m tired of taking the back seat to all these other women you find on your travels. I’m tired of trying to love you and give to you all the good parts of who I am only for you to toss them aside for the sake of a different piece of ass whenever you think you need it. “I don’t just want to be normal, Jake. I want to be YOUR normal. But, after what you just said, normal isn’t enough and I will never BE enough for you. I have never denied you anything. I gave you all of who I am and it still isn’t enough.” “But, Baby Doll, you know I love you,” Jake interjected as he walked back behind his desk, putting even more space between them. Jillian wasn’t having any of it. She stood up and followed him. She began barking at him again, just inches away from his face. “I cannot and will not stand by while you charm your way into the beds of other women. You knew how I felt about all this when we agreed you could stay in my home. Now I know what it is all about I’m not just going to sit idly in the same space with you, not saying anything when you get phone calls and text messages that put this stinking, slimy smile on your face!” She seldom ever raised her voice, but it was at a decibel right now where those in the outer office could hear every word. She was so angry! A fire-breathing dragon had nothing on her right now. She fingered the Polish crystal paper weight on Jake’s desk wondering if she threw it at the window behind Jake just how many shards of glass there would be surrounding them. She turned around from facing Jake and began walking toward his office door and stopped and turned around to speak again. “I know what your motives are with these bimbettes, Jake, even though THEY don’t. Knowing that you want all of them sexually is more than I can handle. It’s like my mind is blowing up with all this crap and you tell me to ‘fix my pretty little head?’ ” Jillian’s voice began trembling. “I’m done, Jake. Do you hear me? I am done!” She emphasized each word. “Come by tonight and get your things. Maybe Dorian or one of your other ‘exceptional’ women can give you a place to stay until your condo’s ready.” She turned and walked towards the door again, then immediately whipped back around. “It has been 3 years now, Jake. Remind me again why your condo isn’t ready?” She quizzed him and continued. “I can’t and won’t put up with this any longer. And truthfully you shouldn’t expect me to. Any man who is a REAL man would see the fallacy in your choices. The trust between us has been broken repeatedly. “So, Jake, tell me, how many other women have you had in the three years we have been together? Was there ever a time where I truly was special to you? Was there ever a time when you said the words ‘I love you’ to me that you truly meant them? Hell, Jake, trust isn’t even in the equation now and I don’t deserve this. I’m not putting up with this bullshit any longer. “You’re worse than a politician, Jake, with the double talk. You just tell whoever you’re talking to what you think they want to hear. No more smokescreens for me…suddenly the air is amazingly clear and I see you for the slime ball rat bastard you truly are!” Jillian walked back to the leather wing-backed chair where she had been sitting, grabbed her clutch purse and continued walking toward the door. She threw open the door with such force that it hit the expensive door stop and broke the Italian tile molding that surrounded it. When she slammed the door shut behind her, two of the pictures just inside the door fell to the floor and she heard the shattering glass, but she continued walking out of Jake’s office suite and into the hallway. Joni, Jake’s secretary, stood at her desk looking from Jillian’s back to Jake’s office door wondering what the hell he had done this time.