Home Is Where the Heart Is Read online

  Home Is Where the Heart Is

  By Abigail Hart

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons – living or dead – is entirely coincidental.

  Home Is Where the Heart Is © November 2015, Abigail Hart

  Cover Image © Can Stock Photo Inc. / EpicStockMedia

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations used in articles or reviews.

  CHAPTER ONE

  The day Kyra Michaels sped away from her hometown of Sizzle, Texas, she vowed to never return. As far as she was concerned, Sizzle couldn’t offer her a damned thing anymore. It had managed to take the only thing that she ever wanted – Dylan Chambers.

  But she couldn’t blame the town exactly for her lost chances. She’d waited too darn long to work up the courage to tell Dylan how she felt about him. And now she had lost him forever. She’d paid the ultimate price for being the shy girl. He belonged to another now. Over the years, there had been plenty of opportunities to approach him, but all she had had the nerve to do was watch him from a distance and daydream about what could have been. The daydreams had given her hope when her courage failed her, which was… always. Sadly, the daydreams weren’t enough to force the debilitating shyness away long enough to approach him and let him know how she felt.

  Her last summer in Sizzle, she saw Dylan at the lake with his friends, the sun radiating off of his tanned, muscular physique, the water glistening off his toned, chiseled abs as he moved about in the water. Oh, how she had wanted to rub her hands up and down those amazing abs – the feel of his warm flesh beneath her smooth fingertips – but instead, she had sat on her beach towel and watched just as she always did, her eyes trained on him like a predator watching its prey.

  It was a sultry hot summer afternoon, which was quite fitting for that time of year. The sun was baking their skin as they frolicked about in its warmth. Her skin was taut from the dry heat of the day so she had decided to go for a dip and cool her burning skin.

  Kyra waded into the cool water before leaping headfirst into the murky oblivion. As she broke free from the surface, back into the heat of the sun, she felt the cool breeze sweep across her chest, her nipples tightening. She didn’t need to look down. She knew something was terribly wrong. Her tiny little top had fallen free of her body. At that moment, the world stood still; she couldn’t move, couldn’t think. And it was just her luck that something awful would happen to her in front of him. It had always been like this.

  She stood frozen, bearing her nakedness to everyone, wishing she had the nerve to appear unaffected by the mishap… but no, she just couldn’t do that. All eyes, including Dylan’s, were staring at her bare skin.

  Her feelings were two-fold: Embarrassment that everyone was seeing her topless, and euphoria as Dylan’s eyes caressed her naked breasts. She was elated by the brief moment they shared under everyone’s watchful gaze. He had noticed her in that moment, of that she was more than certain. She had watched his tongue sweep across his bottom lip, his eyes never leaving her heaving chest. If only they had been alone she might have found the elusive courage she had dreamed to have in his presence. Wishful thinking. Warmth washed over her, filling every fiber of her being… until everyone began to laugh. Everyone except Dylan.

  The memory of that day had plagued Kyra’s thoughts like a disease, but there was still a memory worse than that – the one that had sent her running away from everything she had ever known, leaving her entire world behind in a cloud of dust – but no matter how horrible she felt when everyone had laughed, she continued to hold that moment near her heart. For she knew they had shared a private moment, one she would remember forever. She had prayed more would come from it, but it didn’t.

  Leaving Sizzle in a cloud of dust seemed like the perfect way to get as far away from the heartache as she could. Leaving the pain and embarrassment in that small town where it couldn’t touch her anymore was for the best. More than anything, she needed a fresh start, preferably in a town that didn’t constantly remind her of the hole in her heart, the life she might have had if only she would have declared her love for Dylan. She just knew there was no way in hell she could heal her broken heart if she had stayed.

  Her heartbreak had begun when Dylan started dating Harley Daniels. When she had learned that news, she cried until she had no more tears to shed. With depression looming, she knew the pain she felt was too great! The wound in her heart was too raw and too fresh. Seeing Harley and Dylan together only poured salt in it, and Kyra knew it would never heal.

  The horror that a wonderful guy like Dylan would choose to be with such a despicable girl as Harley floored her. The devious little minx was known to not only attract men with her gorgeous body, but also for tossing her skirt over her head for all of them. She was Sizzle’s star-studded slut. Basically, Harley was her opposite in every sense. If that was the kind of woman he was interested in – the kind of woman that brought him pleasure – then all was lost for Kyra. She had endured their kisses, hugs, and countless displays of affection as they frolicked around town for months. It was painful to watch. Heartbreaking.

  When the engagement photo appeared in the Sunday edition of the Sizzle Gazette, Kyra’s breath hitched as her eyes blurred with tears. She tried desperately to swallow her pride and the jealousy boiling savagely inside her to be happy for Dylan, keeping her feelings suppressed and hidden from all, but it was too hard.

  As the wedding day drew closer, she succumbed to the anger and jealousy that had built up inside of her. She had heard all of the rumors, too. Many thought they were marrying so quickly to cover a pregnancy, and Kyra could see Harley pulling one over on a kind soul like Dylan. Watching Harley Daniels scoop up the man of her dreams and waltz around town on his arm as his wife was just entirely too much for her to handle.

  The wedding bells were ringing at the church in the center of town as she sped past the city limit sign, wondering what could have been. She thought about waltzing into that church and shouting for all to hear that she loved him, begging him to reconsider making such a huge monumental mistake that he’d regret. Would he even care?

  Tears had streamed down her rosy cheeks that day like a waterfall. Leaving had felt like the only option at the time. Her good memories of Dylan would have to last her a lifetime. If Harley the harlot could find love, then all was not lost for her. She had to believe that there was someone out there for her; someone that could love her just as she was, shyness and all. Leaving everything behind, Kyra fled with the plan of starting a new life.

  CHAPTER TWO

  It had been five years since that torturous day, and Kyra had been living life as if there was no tomorrow. The past was the past and there was no reason to let the good times pass her by. Not anymore! She found solace in the big city of Houston, a tiny speck amongst the throngs of people. Nobody knew about her past. Knowing that comforted her, allowing her to be whoever she wanted to be.

  She had found a nice little condo downtown – near the museum district – and made it her home. It was a pricey little place, but she fell in love with the floor-to-ceiling windows and the view of the city.

  She was a creative young woman that wanted to reinvent herself, wanted to learn to try anything once… or maybe even twice. She wanted to find the strength she had lacked while living in Sizzle. She loved the fact that Houston never really slept and there was always somewhere to go; something to do.

  After l
easing her condo and buying all of the necessary pieces of furniture, Kyra began to feel more at home. All she needed now was a job. Her savings account wouldn’t hold out for too long – maybe a few more months – so she had to start looking for employment right away. She had always prided herself on not running to her parents for financial help. She preferred to work hard like her dad and earn her keep, learning at a young age that hard work paid off. She hoped to instill that same view in her children one day.

  She didn’t know what kind of job she wanted and didn’t really care. Her new life was a clean slate and she was free to discover herself for the first time. She needed to make friends and find peace in her new life, braving the ups and downs that were sure to come. As she peered out her living room windows, she took in the expanse of Houston and thought about the endless possibilities ahead of her. Be brave, she thought to herself. You can do this.

  Kyra gave a little laugh at the idea of being on her, on braving the big bad city. It was time to get out into this wild world. She grabbed her cup of creamy hazelnut coffee as she reached for her bulky copy of the Houston Chronicle. The classified section was huge! Sizzle’s meager column was dinky compared to this one.

  She circled several listings that piqued her interest, but the last one she found seemed especially interesting. It was for a bookstore needing a salesperson. It read:

  “In need of a salesperson that is willing to step into any world and make it come to life. Sales experience preferred but not necessary. Will train the right person. Apply in person at The Treasure Trove Bookshop.”

  Kyra chuckled. “I could sale books. It couldn’t be that difficult.”

  She wasn’t an avid reader by any means, but she wasn’t a stranger to it either. The ad didn’t give any details about the bookshop so she decided to do a little online research before applying for the job. Knowing something about the shop – and maybe its owner – in advance may give her a better shot at getting the job.

  The Treasure Trove Bookshop was a quaint little shop that reminded her of her favorite movie, ‘You’ve Got Mail.’ The pictures on the website showed a sweet little shop that beckoned you to come in and stay a while. It had charming little displays that would make anyone want what they had to offer. She noticed the multitude of author events and smiled.

  The next morning, Kyra dressed and took one final look at her reflection in the mirror before leaving for the bookshop. It was a beautiful sunny day, with birds chirping their happy tunes as they flew among the trees lining the apartment garden. She stopped in the lobby, taking a moment to check her mail before she began walking the few blocks to the bookstore, and hopefully an interview.

  Standing in front of The Treasure Trove, she let out a sigh before grasping the door handle and taking a step inside, leaving her nervousness at the door. It was a thriving little shop with customers peppering the aisles, searching for the books that called to them. She made her way to the register, where a young woman stood assisting a customer. She waited patiently, trying not to fidget.

  “May I help you?” asked the woman at the counter.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m here about the ad in the paper for a salesperson,” Kyra replied with a smile.

  “Wonderful!” she exclaimed. “I’m Paula White, the owner of the shop.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. White. I’m Kyra Michaels.” Kyra extended her hand, shaking hands with the woman she hoped would be her future employer.

  The two women retreated to a quiet little nook in the rear of the store. Paula talked about the store’s beginning and what she expected from her staff. Kyra listened carefully, nodding on occasion. Paula’s passion for her work was contagious. It was easy to see the two of them becoming friends.

  “The job is Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I hold special events from time to time and may require you to work extra hours… and the occasional weekend. How does that sound, Kyra?”

  “That sounds fantastic,” Kyra beamed.

  “Can you start first thing in the morning?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Well, let’s get your employee packet filled out and you’ll be all set.”

  Kyra was ecstatic. She couldn’t believe she had landed a job on her first interview. After filling out all of the documents, she returned them to Paula.

  “Welcome to The Treasure Trove, Kyra,” Paula said as she shook Kyra’s hand. “I think you’re going to love it here.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. White,” Kyra replied with a smile.

  Five Years Later...

  Working at The Treasure Trove Bookshop was fantastic. It was hard to believe she had been working at the shop for five years now. It was a fun and very rewarding job, and the author signings were a blast. She enjoyed meeting all of the bestselling authors and hearing all about their experiences, writing styles, cover designs, and more. Like anyone else, she had her favorites. It was an experience that never got old. Just when you thought you had heard everything about the world of bookish things, something new popped up.

  In just a few short years, her duties at the bookstore had doubled, then tripled, as Paula realized the untapped potential Kyra had. Together, they could put TTB on the map. The book signings and various author events had more than doubled, bringing in tons of new customers. It was nothing to have a couple of hundred people packed into the building for a book signings. Events like that were exciting and great for business, but tiring nonetheless. It was all worth it to see the smiles on the reader’s faces when they met their favorite authors. A truly rewarding experience, no doubt, for all involved.

  Kyra’s alarm buzzed loudly, startling her, pressing her into the start of another exciting day at the bookshop. Her mother, Liz, still couldn’t believe that she had become so passionate about books of all things. Her mom hadn’t pressured her to read as a child since she had shown no interest, and she was happy that Kyra had found something to be passionate about.

  Rising out of her fluffy, cloud-like bed, Kyra shuffled into the kitchen to start the coffee pot. She admired the beautiful sunrise peeking through her living room windows as she poured her first cup of hazelnut-flavored coffee. She lifted the steaming cup to her lips, enjoying the nutty flavor; savoring her first sip.

  The phone rang like an insistent bird’s chirping, breaking the silence of her peaceful morning. She mumbled as she made her way across the room. Glancing quickly at the caller id on the cordless phone, she smiled as her parents’ number appeared on the screen.

  “Good morning, Mom,” she said.

  For a brief moment, the world stood still as Liz Michaels broke into uncontrollable sobs. Her mother rarely cried so she knew immediately that this wasn’t a call to check in on her. Something was seriously wrong. She could feel it deep in her bones.

  “Kyra, darling, you must come home,” said Liz, sobbing uncontrollably.

  “Mom, please calm down. Take a deep breath. What is going on?”

  “Something horrible has happened. Your father... he’s been shot. You must come home! They don’t know if he’ll... if he’ll make it.”

  “Oh my god!” Kyra cried. “What happened?” The calmness she had moments ago tried to instill in her mother fled. Her hands trembled as fear racked her small frame, her mind going places so dark she could barely hold back the tears.

  “He’s in surgery now. He’s… it’s… bad! Please come home!” Liz once again begged.

  Without hesitation, Kyra stated, “I’m on my way. I love you, Mom. Tell Dad I love him too! I’ll be there soon!”

  As Kyra placed the cordless phone back on the charger, she wept until she couldn’t catch her breath. She hoped her father would be okay, wondering what had happened. He’d been shot? How was that even possible? Everyone loved her father. Who would shoot him?

  It just didn’t make a damn bit of sense to her at all. She wanted so desperately for her mother to tell her more but she knew her mother needed her there now. Answers could come later. She stood up quickly, her he
art aching, the burn in her throat growing with each breath she took in as her eyes roamed over her cozy living room, suddenly realizing that her whole world - her perfect little world - had fallen apart in that moment, shattering into a million tiny pieces of razor-sharp glass.

  Memories of her childhood in Sizzle raced into her mind, each memory close to her heart, flashing before her in vivid detail, one right after another. In the past five years, she had forced herself to keep her memories of Sizzle locked away. Well, most of them, anyway. She talked to her parents at least once a week but never asked questions about Dylan. Sure, she loved her family but she just couldn’t imagine what it would be like to visit; to see Harley and Dylan together as husband and wife.

  Now that her family needed her, there was no choice. She had to return. She had to face that life head-on and deal with the part of her she left behind. Being there for her mother and father was all that mattered now!

  Kyra absent-mindedly dug her nails into the palms of her hands as she charged into her bedroom. She reached her closet door, flung it open, and grabbed her travel bags, tossing them onto her bed as she mumbled to herself. “Dad will be okay. I’ll stay until I know he’s alright. When he’s home again, with mom to care for him, I’ll come back home.”

  She tossed clothes haphazardly into her bags, giving little thought as to what items she was packing. Realizing this sudden departure wouldn’t just affect her, Kyra took a break from packing to grab her cell phone and call her boss. She quickly explained the situation and said she’d probably be gone at least a week, possibly longer if there were complications. She promised Paula that she would be back to work as soon as she could.

  Her relationship with her boss had become quite close over the past five years, with her employer soon becoming her friend. She had finally felt comfortable opening up to Paula about her reasons for leaving Sizzle, appreciating the comfort her new friend offered. Paula had taken Kyra under her wing and taught her so much about life and business. Their friendship was one Kyra hadn’t expected and she’d never take advantage of that. She could tell that Paula was worried for her. Paula gladly let her have as much time as she needed. Not having a family of her own, she had often pressed Kyra to visit her parents and face her past, but to no avail. Kyra had often told Paula that while she was stronger now than she was then, she still didn’t think she could face seeing them together. The image alone cut at her like a jagged rusty knife biting into her flesh.