You've Got Me Always (eBook)

Shannon Richardson (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
420 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3509-9947-1 (ISBN)

Infos

Ella James arrives at Sandstone Bay, hoping for a peaceful summer alone to heal from the recent loss of her mother. What she doesn't expect is the magnetic pull of Parker Davis, a dark-haired, blue-eyed man who is determined to show up for her in ways no one ever has. Parker, the charming and carefree owner of Sandstone Bay Condos, is used to living the bachelor life. Raised in Sandstone, he knows how to entertain the tourists and keep things light. But when he crosses paths with Ella, a petite, tattooed artist, his world starts to shift in unexpected ways. As Ella searches for joy in her art and tries to move on from her grief, Parker becomes an unexpected source of support. Despite her growing feelings, she's hesitant to open her heart to anyone after a lifetime of only relying on her mom and herself. Parker, who avoids relationships and commitment at all costs, finds himself drawn to Ella in a way he can't explain. As their paths continue to cross, he feels a powerful urge to know her, not just physically, but emotionally and intimately. For the first time, he begins to question his no-strings-attached lifestyle. Will Ella find the courage to love again after loss? And can Parker let go of his fear of commitment for a chance at something real?

Shannon Richardson, a Columbus, Ohio native, has always had a love for writing. With a background in art and design, marketing, and communications, Shannon has channeled her creativity into stories that resonate with readers. A devoted mother of four, she faced the unimaginable loss of her daughter Olivia to brain cancer (DIPG) in 2022, followed by the death of her former spouse to addiction in 2023. Shannon wrote her book to honor Olivia's memory and the deep need for love and support during life's most difficult times. Unafraid to tackle hard topics, she uses her writing not only to heal herself but also to help others navigate their own struggles. The story of Parker and Ella came to life about six months before Shannon met her current husband, and she often jokes that she manifested him through her writing, as their love story mirrors the one between her characters. Shannon's work reflects her journey of resilience, love, and the power of shared experiences, offering both hope and connection to those who need it most. Through grief and hardship, Shannon turned to writing as a source of healing, transforming pain into stories that inspire, connect, and move readers. Her work reflects the depth of love, loss, and resilience, reminding us all that even in the darkest moments, there is beauty to be found in the written word.

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forward to spending the summer alone in Sandstone Bay, but she isn't prepared for the piercing blue eyes and dark-haired man who unexpectedly shows up for her in ways no one ever has. Parker Davis, a self-proclaimed playboy and owner of Sandstone Bay Condos, plans to spend the summer enjoying the bachelor life with his friends. Born and raised in Sandstone, he knows how to run the show and entertain the tourists. But when a petite, tattooed, dark-haired woman arrives, his plans take an unexpected turn. As Ella searches for joy in life again, she struggles to find the color in her art. With the help of a certain handsome stranger, she realizes she might be able to have both. But after a lifetime of only relying on her mom and herself, she isn't sure she can open her heart to love after loss. Parker doesn't do commitment or relationships for good reason. But meeting Ella makes him question everything. He never sees the same girl twice or spends time with them outside of the bedroom. Yet, as he keeps running into Ella in Sandstone, he feels an undeniable pull to know more about her far beyond what's beneath her clothes.

Textauszug

Chapter 1

Ella

The plane touches down on the runway with a few bumps and starts slowing to a stop. I love flying. It is such a freeing feeling, but I never get used to the landing. I’m arriving in Destin, Florida, and looking forward to some time at the ocean. I just graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a bachelor of fine arts with a double major in painting and photography. Originally, after graduation, I planned on heading to a big city, but after the year I just had, I know I need a break first.

My dad was nice enough to pay for my flight and my stay in a condo for the summer. He knows I need some time to heal. Mom died last summer—the summer before my senior year of college—and life hasn’t been the same since. Dad wanted me to take some time off school when she died, but I insisted on finishing my degree. My parents divorced when I was ten, and I lived with my mom the majority of the time. Dad traveled for work most of my childhood and wasn’t around much, which is part of what led to their divorce. Over the past year since my mom died, Dad has been trying to make up for all of the time he was gone.

“Thank you so much for traveling with Skyway airlines. Please make sure you gather all of your belongings before getting off the plane,” the flight attendant announces over the speaker. I snap out of my daydream and stand up, picking up my carry-on bag and purse. I got a seat in the second row so I wouldn’t have to wait forever before getting off the plane. I am anxious to get off and get my rental car. I am grateful that Dad insisted on paying for this trip. Not only did he cover the flight and condo, but he also secured me a rental for the next three months while I’m here. I take the escalator down to the first floor and head toward baggage claim and the rental car pickup area. Thankfully, there is no line, and I am able to go right up to the desk.

“Hi, I need to pick up my rental please,” I say to the employee at the desk. Her name is Sherry according to her nametag.

“Of course, dear, what is your name?” she asks me with a smile.

“Ella James. My father, Thomas James, made the reservation for me,” I explain.

“Yes, I see it here. You will be renting a white Kia Sorento for what looks like the next three months. That is quite a long stay. Are you here for work or fun?” she questions.

“We shall see. Just need some time by the ocean,” I respond with a small smile.

“You are all set. Everything is paid for. The gas tank should be full, and here is your key,” Sherry says.

“Thank you so much,” I respond and take the key.

I head toward baggage claim and am happy to see the bags are popping up on the conveyor belt. Hopefully, I won’t have to be here much longer. I have three bags to wait for and then I can hit the road. I am looking forward to some time to myself. At first Dad had planned on coming with me, but I told him I needed some time alone. We often traveled as a family to Destin before my parents’ divorce, and Mom and I continued to come every year after. We stayed in an area called Sandstone Beach. It was about twenty minutes outside of Destin. Sandstone has everything I need: local shops, restaurants, and my favorite little art shop. When we first started going to Sandstone, we found Pearl’s Creations. Mom and Pearl became fast friends and we made a point to visit her every time we were in town. She knew my mom had passed away and even flew to Ohio for her funeral. I was looking forward to catching up with her. She inspired me to apply to art schools for college and had told me if I was ever in town, I could use her studio space at her shop to paint.

I find all three of my sage green suitcases, the biggest one coming around the belt last. I struggle to pull it off the belt, when a man with dark hair grabs it for me.

“Here you go,” he says kindly.

“Thank you,” I say softly. I look up at him and realize how tall he is. Definitely six feet at least. His dark hair is longer on top and a little wild. His eyes are a bright piercing blue and his arms are tanned and muscular. He doesn’t look much older than me, but he is definitely taller. He smiles at me, and dimples on either side of his cheeks are showing. He is beautiful. I realize that I am staring and can feel my cheeks heating up. I guarantee he can see the pink creep into my cheeks as his smile widens and he chuckles.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to stare. I have a lot on my mind. Thank you for getting my bag for me,” I say and turn to head toward the door.

“You’re welcome,” he says. He looks as if he is about to say something else when two other men join him at the baggage claim.

“Hey, man, find all our bags yet?” one of the guys asks him.

I don’t look back again, just keep moving toward the door to find my rental. Pushing three suitcases is not the easiest, but I manage. After walking for what feels like forever, I finally find my SUV. I put the bags in the trunk and get in the driver’s seat. I turn on the air conditioning, find a radio station with top hits to listen to, and then take a minute to text Dad before leaving the parking lot.

Ella: I made it safe and sound. On my way to the condo, I’ll call you later.

Dad: Sounds good. Thanks for letting me know.

I put the address to the condo in my GPS and put the car in drive. I have about a thirty-minute drive from the airport and I plan on finding coffee and something to eat. About ten minutes into my drive, I see the Mid-Bay Bridge ahead of me. This was always my favorite part of the drive when I was younger. It is slightly unnerving to have the ocean so close to the road, but at the same time it is so beautiful to drive over. The sun is shining brightly today, which creates a shimmer on the ocean water and makes it even more beautiful to look at. I drive with the windows down. Wind is blowing my hair wildly, and I have my music turned up loud. It is a perfect start to my trip, and I can’t wait to see the condo. I cross the bridge and drive another ten minutes. Soon I start to recognize the area. I am getting close to Sandstone Beach. I spot a coffee shop, Blacktop Java, on the right and put my turn signal on. I go inside and am pleasantly surprised to see they have both coffee and food.

Perfect, only one stop, I think.

“What can I get you?” a male barista asks.

“Can I have an iced caramel latte with an extra shot of espresso, a turkey avocado wrap, and a bag of BBQ chips, please?” I ask.

“Sure thing. Do you want a cookie for one dollar, too?” he questions.

“Yes, please,” I respond. I don’t even care what kind it is. I’m starving.

“That will be $15.48,” he says. I pay with my credit card and wait for my coffee and food. Once I have everything, I find a place to sit, put my headphones on, turn up my music, and enjoy my lunch.

Fifteen minutes later, I am back in my car with a full stomach and my iced latte. I am about twelve minutes away from the condo according to my GPS. I enjoy the scenery as I drive the rest of the way. I see endless beach shops, a couple more coffee shops, a grocery store, and a new bookstore. I make a mental note to check it out it later this week. I see Seashore Way, the street I was looking for, and put my turn signal on. I turn right and make my way into Sandstone Bay Condos. I go through the gated entry, get my parking pass for my SUV, and head toward the correct address. I am looking for 1172 Bayfront Way. I turn left onto the street and find my condo a few houses down on the left. I park in a parking spot and get out. The condo is on a golf course and just a short walk away from the beach. I walk up a few steps to the front door and punch in the code to get in.

I open the door and see grey-washed laminate hardwood floor, light sage-colored walls, a large sectional in the living room, and a large open kitchen. The living room couch is a dark tan with sea-colored pillows. There is a mix of light blues and greens and even a couple of seashell-shaped ones. There is a round coffee table in front of it and end tables on either side of the couch with lamps. The large TV is sitting on an entertainment center. There are ocean-inspired trinkets and paintings throughout the space: sea turtles, sea horses, and dolphins. The kitchen has a large island with four barstools, and there is an oval-shaped distressed-wood kitchen table with six chairs. The appliances are all stainless steel, and the cabinets are white, making the area bright and welcoming. Past the kitchen is what looks like a two-door closet. When I open the doors, I find a washer and dryer. There is a bedroom down the hall to the left, which is the master. It has a large, king size bed and similar ocean-themed style, grey and white washed wood, with light blues and greens. The colors make the space so peaceful and calm, just what I need. The bathroom is huge: There are two sinks and an area in between with a stool where I can get ready in the mornings. There is a large shower with a built-in bench and a huge corner Jacuzzi. This place is gorgeous. I can’t...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 9.6.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3509-9947-1 / 9798350999471