Written by Erica Rose Jackson A new book is on the way! I'd like to share chapter one with you, here. This is going to be my first book that's available in hardcover as well as eBook and paperback. Please enjoy the beginning of Stranded. Chapter 1 Party “I’m tired and I wanna go to bed,” Raelynn whined as her husband parked in front of their beach house in Cape Cod.
Henry smirked as he turned to face her, “I know, sweetheart,” he replied as he placed his hand on her knee, “but, I thought you might like spending your thirty-fifth birthday at the beach. It is your favorite place,” he added, earning a smile from her. His sweet tone softened her cranky exterior, “You’re right, thank you,” she conceded as she opened her door to walk into their home with her husband. Henry raced around the car to offer his arm to her. “I’m still not sure why you insisted I wear this dress just to come to our beach house,” she added as he guided her to the front door. The couple walked through the foyer in complete darkness. Henry flipped on the light switch as they entered the dining/living area. To Raelynn’s shock, their entire friend group appeared from every angle on the main floor yelling, “Surprise!” Raelynn was speechless as she took in the sight of the crowd filling every inch of their home. Once the initial shock wore off, she grabbed a drink and started mingling with the crowd. “Thank you so much for coming, Kate,” Raelynn began making her rounds, “I’m so honored you made time to be at my big night.” Raelynn found herself mimicking her first greeting throughout the crowd until she reached her best friend, Sara. “I’m so glad you and Robert came!” she exclaimed as she pulled her girlfriend into a bear hug. Sara smiled as the released each other, “Of course I’m here! It’s not every day, your very best friend in the world turns thirty-five.” The pair got caught up in conversation until Raelynn found herself being pulled onto the ‘dancefloor’ by Henry. ‘Learn to Love’ by W. Darling played overhead as Henry pulled Raelynn close into his arms, holding her tightly as they swayed to the music. He spun her out and pulled her back so he could hold her from behind and whispered, “What do you think of your party?” “I’m not the biggest fan of surprises but I am really enjoying this,” she admitted as she swayed her hips from side to side. “I can’t believe you were able to keep it a secret with this many people involved,” she added, revealing genuine shock within her tone. A slight chuckle escaped his lips, “Grand gestures have always kind of been my thing,” he shared before leaning closer to her ear to whisper, “Right now, though, I wish it was just the two of us here, tonight.” Raelynn turned herself in his arms so she could face him as the song continued, “Me too,” she revealed as she leaned up and placed her lips to his. As the night went on and the party fizzled, Raelynn and Henry remained with their two closest couple friends: Robert and Sara Carter, and Stewart and Lane Barnett. The six sat outside on the deck, enjoying each other’s company. “My darling,” Henry interrupted the conversation’s flow, “I have one more gift for you and it includes this entire group,” he shared as he passed her a card. Raelynn opened it and found tickets to cage dive with Great White Sharks. “We’re all going!” Raelynn exclaimed excitedly. Diving with Great Whites had always been one of her biggest dreams. Sara was the first to respond, “Yes!” she shrieked, “I’m not going to say I’m thrilled at this idea but I love you so I’ll do it!” “Agreed,” Robert, Lane, and Stewart said in unison. Raelynn stood and gave all of her friends hugs before ending at Henry. “This is the best birthday ever,” she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, earning pretend gag noises from their friends. Once she released him, she whispered, “Thank you.” “You’re welcome, my love,” he responded, tenderly. Stewart spoke up, ruining the moment, “You all should make sure your affairs are in order before we go on this trip, just in case,” earning him a slap on the arm from Lane. Robert shook his head, “We’ll be in a cage. There’s nothing to worry about,” he clarified for anyone who might have gotten an extra case of the nerves after Stewart’s unnecessary comment. Lane stood, pulling Stewart up with her, “We should head out,” she stated. “Nonsense,” Henry interjected as he stood, as well, “I made sure the guest rooms were ready for you guys.” The couples shrugged as they got up to head to their rooms, each giving Raelynn a hug before they departed leaving her and Henry alone. “This is too much,” Raelynn thought outloud, “What did I do to deserve such a great man?” Henry sat back down and draped his arm across her shoulders, “You’re a good woman. That’s all you needed to do. Are you ready for bed?” he asked as he finished his drink. She nodded and got up with him to head to their room. As Raelynn fell asleep, she thought back to the first night she’d met Henry. Raelynn made her way to the wine tasting she had read about in the paper. Once she reached it, she paid the cover charge and began walking the tables to find something she might like to drink. She passed by the white wines with ease as she made her way to the reds. She sipped some Merlot and skipped the tables filled with Cabernet Sauvingnon. She looked around at the signs to find her favorite Pinot Noir. Once she located it, she made her way over to it and sipped some delicious wines from the Napa Valley. Her attention was quickly taken by a table from the Adirondacks called Four Fields. She made her way over to the crowded table and picked up a sample. She didn’t notice when the older gentleman running the stand had begun to look at her. She took a sip and immediately enjoyed the fruitful flavor this wine had versus others at this tasting. The man walked over to where she was standing, “Do you like our modest Pinot?” he asked Raelynn. Raelynn smiled in return, “It’s the best I’ve ever tasted. Can I buy a bottle, please?” she asked as she pulled out her wallet. “Unfortunately, there’s no bottles for sale with me today. I am looking to distribute this in the city but wanted to see how people reacted first,” the man replied. He was an older gentleman but still very attractive. He was dressed in a simple blue button down and black trousers magnifying his eyes and his hair had a touch of grey scattered in his dark brunette hair. Raelynn sighed, “That’s too bad. I’ll have to look and see if I can order some offline. Thanks for the sample,” she finished as she began to walk away. “Miss, I happen to have one bottle that you can have if you take me out for the best coffee in the city,” he finished stopping Raelynn in her tracks. “Right now?” Raelynn asked as she walked back towards the table. “Of course,” the man answered, “Bob can run the table.” Raelynn smiled at the older gentleman’s flirting, “I agree to your terms, but I’m not going for coffee with anyone if I don’t even know their name,” she said with a smirk. “Forgive me,” he responded as he came out from behind the table to join her, “I am Henry Kimble, proprietor of Four Fields,” he finished as he took her hand and placed a gentle kiss upon the back of it. Raelynn blushed as she slowly pulled her hand back, “Nice to meet you, Henry I’m Raelynn Montgomery,” she introduced herself with a smile. “Lead me to the coffee,” Henry said as he began walking. Raelynn joined him, walking next to him as she guided him to her and Sara’s favorite coffee spot in town. “So, you had Pinot at the table but what is your favorite wine?” Raelynn asked as they made their way to the destination. “Pinot is my favorite and I also like a nice Riesling. What about you?” Henry asked in return. Raelynn shivered slightly before answering, “I love Pinot Noir, Rose, and Moscato. Don’t judge me on the last one, it was kind of my way to get adjusted with wine drinking,” she finished, slightly embarrassed. “I’ve enjoyed my fair share of cheap wine, I promise. Are you cold?” Henry asked as he noticed Raelynn shiver once more. “Not at all,” Raelynn replied, lying as her lips quivered. “No need to be so brave,” Henry said as he removed his outer jacket and placed it on Raelynn’s shoulders. “Thank you,” she replied as they came up on Abraco, “this is it,” Raelynn said as she made her way to the door. Henry rushed ahead of her and opened the door, “Ladies first,” he insisted. Raelynn gave him a smile as she made her way to a table and the two sat down waiting to be served. “What can I get you?” the waiter asked as he approached Henry and Raelynn at their table. “I’ll have an iced white chocolate mocha,” Raelynn replied with a smile. Henry gave her a questioning look before ordering, “I’ll take a black coffee, thanks,” he said as the waiter wrote down their orders and walked away to get their drinks. Henry looked across the table at Raelynn, “Did I just hear you ordering a cold drink after watching you shiver outside?” Raelynn grinned back at him, “I prefer to be cold,” she explained, “It’s kinda warm in here so I wanted to have something cool.” Henry shrugged, “Well, if this coffee is indeed the best in New York City then I will be wanting to take you out tonight,” Henry announced confidently. Raelynn sat back, a little shocked, “Where would you be taking me? And shouldn’t you be on your way back upstate?” she asked, still taken aback by his bold statement. The waiter returned before Henry could answer and placed their drinks down and quickly walked away. “I’ll answer your query after I taste this coffee,” Henry responded with a sly grin as he picked up his coffee to take a sip. Raelynn watched as Henry’s face turned to delight as he drank a second sip of his beverage. “You like it, don’t you?” she asked, wearing a smirk of her own. Henry nodded as he spoke again, “I will be in town for two weeks doing different tastings around the city and I’d like to take you to the Museum of Natural History to visit the planetarium,” he offered confidently. Raelynn smiled in return, suddenly a bit nervous when she realized the age difference between them, but she shook off those thoughts. “Why not? Here’s my address, pick me up at 7,” she said mysteriously as she handed him the paper and picked up her drink and walked out of the coffee shop, without another word.
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