Kindle Edition
Amazon
Category:
Romance
Publisher: Brave Stallion Publidhing
ISBN-10: 1492813907
Type: Fiction
Pages: 435
Copyright: Oct 22, 2013
ISBN-13: 9781492813903
Price: $4.99 (eBook)
A couple's struggle to stay together after two decades of adventures.
New love is always magical when you are young . . . everything is seen with a brightness and clarity that shines like a brand new world. Colors are vibrant, food tastes magnificent, and happy wistful thoughts make for perfect dreams of a “happily ever after” life.
Lucas and Sophie’s honeymoon lingered into days spent laughing and teasing each other at the ocean at Myrtle Beach, discussing the future on the way to Washington, D. C., and exploring the deep passion they felt for each other in the mountains of Tennessee--even get caught skinny-dipping. Sharing a perfect life as newlyweds, traveling around the country while photographing little children at school made their lives seem like a fantasy that would last forever.
Bigger dreams took hold, which meant settling into more stable jobs in stable neighborhoods while raising their family. The routine of ordinary days set in; mundane, routine mind-numbing tasks took over, and the fantasy life faded as did the love of young romance when it turned into real adult responsibilities.
Lucas could see the fairy tale life slipping away. He was losing his precious Sophie and his family--he couldn’t let that happen--he wouldn’t! It was that resolve that set him on a course to change all of their lives. Breath of Life will make you believe again that love is precious and dear--something to cherish, to hold on to, something worth fighting for no matter the risk . . . no matter what it takes.
Excerpt
Chapter One
“I couldn’t help, but notice you from across the room,” he said.
“That one’s not going to work. Start over.”
“Ma’am, your drink looks a little low. Would you mind if I bought you another one?”
“I’m not old enough to be ma’am. You should check the bingo hall for that.”
He cleared his throat with his fist by his mouth and said, “Hi, my name’s Lucas. Do you mind if I sit here, next to you?”
“Sure,” she said and spun around to face the poor excuse for a dance floor. “You’re softer on the eyes than most other guys in here.”
Lucas ordered a drink and turned to check out the lounge from his barstool.
“And who in here would be better for your eyes than me?”
She said, “There’s an Italian man in the bathroom that looks nice. His abs roll from his pecks to the tantalizing edge of his thick leather belt. His tan is dark from many hours of exposure to the sun, while sailing his boat in the Mediterranean for three months.”
“Does he have his mother’s name tattooed across his shoulder blades?”
“I don’t think so. His laser hair removal treatments won’t allow for tattoos. They irritate the skin.”
Lucas laughed while placing his hand over his mouth to prevent a spray of liquid from going everywhere. He wiped his lips with his arm and casually took another sip of his soda to compose himself.
“I didn’t catch you name. Should I call you Ms. Italy?”
She laughed and said, “Sophie Maxwell.”
“Wow, your parents didn’t.”
“And Lucas Bradley is any better?”
Lucas smiled and turned back to the bartender. He raised his index finger to gain the skinny, thirty-something’s attention. He pointed at his soda and nodded. The only couple on the hardwood square in the center of the room exhibited some skill in dancing while appearing to be Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers thrown into a western movie with the country music playing from speakers overhead.
Sophie turned to Lucas, “So, do you want to get out of here?”
Lucas consumed his drink in three swallows and asked, “Your place or mine?”
“Mine’s a little cramped. How about yours?”
Lucas left a tip and led Sophie to the door. Outside, stars spangled the black sky. A salt-filled breeze washed over them and canceled out the music trying to escape the dingy lounge. Lucas opened the passenger door for Sophie and jogged around to his side. He backed out of the parking spot, drove fifty feet to the empty spot in front of the motel, and put the car in park. They both laughed.
“Number four,” he said and fished the room key out of his jeans.
“Our lucky number,” she stepped into the small room.
A queen size bed sat to the right, beside a small table with Lucas’ personal camera sitting atop it. The lamp on the nightstand, across the room, gave the area a yellow glow. A picture of a barn in a field of daisies hung above the pillows on the bed. I love Lucy played on the small television hanging from the wall, at the foot of the bed.
“Is this a nice enough place for you?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Let me check out the bathroom before I give my opinion.”
“Ah, the bathroom is always the most important feature of cheap hotels.”
She stepped into the cramped space and nearly hit her knees on the toilet.
“The shower’s big enough for one and a half,” she said with a wry smile.
“Well, only half of me wants to get in that shower with you, so we’re in good shape.”
With that they both undressed and tossed their clothes on the bed. Sophie stepped into the shower first and got the water hot enough to cook lobsters. Lucas stepped in and hunched toward the back corner.
“Too warm?”
“Warm is a day on the beach. You’ve summoned the fires of Hades in here.”
Lucas lathered his hands with a bar of soap and massaged her skin. He moved his hands down her back in small circular patterns. He washed the rest of her body, something she once told him made her feel sexy and alive. They held each other while under the spray of warm water for several minutes.
Lucas stepped from the bathroom with a towel around his waist. Sophie emerged in a towel-dress and hair piece. They both plopped on the bed and ignored the television.
“Our three-month anniversary is tomorrow,” she said.
“Has it been that long already? Before you know it we’ll be celebrating our fiftieth with grandkids and everything.”
She laughed and rolled to her side. She propped her head on one hand and caressed his face.
“I’m so glad I found you.”
Lucas closed his eyes—enjoying her touch. He smiled.
“I believe it was I who found you. Remember that day at the park?”
“How could I forget?”
“You were feeding ducks and ran out of quarters to buy more feed. I swooped in and rescued you with a loaf of bread.”
“I was there on lunch break. What was a single guy doing at the park with a loaf of bread?” she asked in a jesting tone.
“You know I enjoyed the serenity of the park. School was so hectic, and I had to get off campus. The park was close, and I won the lottery that day.”
Sophie smiled and said, “You gave me one piece of bread and dumped the rest of the bag in the water. I thought the ducks were going to choke on whole pieces.” She shook her head. “You then said—“
“Well, looks like I’m out of food for the ducks. Want to go to the store with me to get some more?”
The both laughed.
Sophie asked, “Do you ever regret dropping out of college for this job.”
Lucas rolled over and leaned on one elbow, resting his other arm over his stomach while placing his hands together.
“No. I was getting to that point where I questioned what I was doing in school. The idea of traveling photography sounded amazing to me. I’m glad you found that listing in the newspaper and put in your application.”
“And I’m glad they agreed to bring you in and let us be a team, well, after the first week of training with other photographers.”
“Me too. I can always go back to school later, if I want to. Right now this couldn’t get any better. I’m happy.”
“Do you think we rushed getting married for this job?”
“What’s with all the questions about our life?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes I think about this stuff. This seems like the perfect setting to pour out my heart to you.”
He laughed and started rubbing her arm..
“We dated for a year and fell in love. Getting married was the next step. If anything, this job pushed all the fears away and made us level-headed. We had a small, cheap wedding with both our families, an equally cheap and fun honeymoon in the mountains, and now we have a good job with a relatively cheap lifestyle. All that makes sense to me. I love taking pictures, and you’re the world’s best assistant.”
“Hey,” she said and smacked him on the arm. “Sometimes I’m the photographer too.”
“Yeah, when the kids won’t smile for me, which is,” he paused, “never.”
“Speaking of kids—”
“No and never. Being around screaming kids in day cares, bratty kids at fundraisers, and snobby kids at schools has depleted any desire I had for raising some of my own.”
Sophie thought for a moment.
“You’re right. I’m not ready for kids. They’re great to be around for five hours a day, but any longer than that would be voluntary torture.”
“Diapers and spit up?”
“Nap time and middle of the night feedings? My boobs hurt thinking about that.”
He reached over to ease her pain.
“Yeah, let’s leave these under my trust for now. I don’t know if I could make love to you with droopy boobs and stretch marks.”
Sophie slapped Lucas’ arm again and rolled on top of him. She pressed her lips against his and breathed in his musky aftershave. He rolled her over and started kissing her neck. She giggled when he reached her bellybutton and shrieked when he threw open her towel with force.
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