Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

Love is Patient
Love is Patient
Love is Patient
Ebook305 pages3 hours

Love is Patient

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars

()

Read preview

About this ebook

Fran Kadylak is recovering from surgery that has stripped her of any hope she had of ever bearing the children she and her husband Ken have been praying for. She is going to leave her darling husband because she loves him too much to deprive him of the children he longs for. Fran's mother and Ken’s aunt are scheming together to get the young couple back together again. Aunt Alicia came up with the perfect solution to their broken hearts. She volunteers to be a surrogate mother for Fran and Ken. Alicia’s family is dumbfounded that she would be willing to go through a risky pregnancy when her own two sons are already teens. Her husband, Jonathan, is demanding guarantees that his own wife’s health won’t be sacrificed in the bargain.
Fran and Ken can’t believe their good fortune when Aunt Alicia’s invitro fertilization goes so well she is pregnant with not one, but twin infants. Now Fran and Ken have gotten their lives back on track. Aunt Alicia’s pregnancy is well underway at home in Mars, PA. Fran and Ken are taking off to New York City for a job interview that could mean a big promotion for Ken. They will be meeting with a financial advisor at the famous World Trade Center to discuss how to invest some money Fran inherited from her grandmother. Fran and Ken are rejoicing; life is perfect.
The date is September 10, 2001.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherD P Memory
Release dateJul 11, 2013
ISBN9781301897407
Love is Patient

Related to Love is Patient

Related ebooks

Suspense Romance For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for Love is Patient

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings

0 ratings0 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

    Book preview

    Love is Patient - D P Memory

    September 10, 2001 8:00 AM

    The Fasten seat belt sign was lit on flight 307 from Pittsburgh to New York City. Flight attendants were checking seat belts and overhead luggage compartments while two late stragglers found their seats.

    Fran and Ken Kadylak were oblivious to their surroundings. Sitting near the rear of the aircraft on the left hand side, it was a little quieter in their corner. Fran was bubbling over with excitement. She was squeezing Ken’s hand as the plane taxied out onto the runway. What day can we see the Statue of Liberty? And how about shopping? I found the location of all of the major department stores on the internet. Do you think we’ll have time to see a Broadway show?

    Whoa. Slow down there little girl, you’re making my head spin. Ken put his arm around Fran’s shoulders, pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. When she glanced up at him and smiled, his heart burst with joy. Get out your pocket calendar and we’ll take a look.

    Fran happily complied. Let’s see. We’re scheduled to see our financial advisor, Ray Kendall, tomorrow at the World Trade Center. Wednesday, you’ll be with the CEO most of the day.

    Mr. Rothman is taking both of us to lunch on Wednesday, but I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time to do some shopping that day.

    Casey Rothman, owner and CEO of Rothman Associates, Architects, had been trying to persuade Ken to transfer to the firm’s New York office. Even though he was only 30, Ken’s innovative designs and amicable personality had already made him a favorite in the Pittsburgh office. Ken knew this trip could put him in the big league now and make a dramatic difference in his & Fran’s life.

    Fran was filling in the days on her calendar as they talked and planned. What about the rest of today? What are we going to do after we check into the hotel?

    Writing in earnest, Fran looked up to see why Ken hadn’t answered her question. He was smiling from ear to ear and gave her a quick wink. Fran blushed and glanced around nervously to see if anyone was watching them. Gaining her composure, she elbowed him in the ribs then smiled, too. Momentarily, she gave up on their itinerary and rested her head on Ken’s shoulder, closed her eyes and sighed contentedly.

    To pass the time, Ken usually tried to take a nap when he flew, but not on your life on this trip. He just wanted to look at Fran and mull over their current good fortune. Last year, at twenty seven, when Fran had surgery, then left him, his life was over as far as he was concerned. Now they were back together and possibly moving to New York City, with a big promotion for Ken. It was like basking in warm sunlight just hearing Fran’s contented sigh and gazing at her lovely face. As the plane descended to Newark Airport, all Ken could think was Thank you Lord, my life is perfect.

    CHAPTER 1

    SIX YEARS EARLIER 1995

    Fran Kelly was in her room crying again.

    Her mother, Cherie, couldn’t understand what she saw in that miserable boyfriend of hers. Hank Delveccio didn’t deserve her daughter as far as Cherie was concerned. He stood her up again tonight just like he’s done countless times before. Yet Fran always forgave him and went back for more abuse from him.

    Fran could have had just about any guy she wanted. She had always been oblivious to the attention she constantly attracted from the opposite sex. With her flawless creamy complexion, naturally wavy blonde hair falling to the middle of her back, and shapely legs men just couldn’t get a long enough look at her.

    At just 5’-2" Fran was self-conscious about her height because of all the ribbing she took about it in high school. Every girl in the class had been taller than her. So, to this day she still felt less than perfect, not quite good enough to measure up. She had no idea that men found her diminutive stature alluring.

    With her tiny waist, just ample enough bosom and compact athletic build she was actually perfectly proportioned for her short stature. A man took one look at Fran and instantly wanted to hold her in a possessive hug so no one could wound this delicate creature. Her infectious grin brought instant smiles to the faces of even the gloomiest strangers.

    Yet here she was infatuated with ‘Hank the Devil’. It drove Cherie crazy to see her daughter so dejected. Cherie paused outside or Fran’s room. She knew from past experience that Fran would be quick to defend Hank if she tried to criticize him. The last thing she wanted to do was drive Fran back into the arms of Hank.

    She tapped on Fran’s door. Fran, can I come in?

    A long moment of silence followed, then Sure.

    When Cherie saw her daughter’s tear streaked face her stomach lurched. She sat beside Fran on the bed and put her arm around her shoulders. When Fran rested her head on her mother’s shoulder, Cherie stroked her silky hair. Cherie was satisfied that Fran’s heartbreaking sobs had subsided.

    Mom? Fran’s voice was husky with emotion. I’m going to break up with Hank.

    Cherie was afraid to breathe so she wouldn’t break this spell.

    I know I loved him and that’s what makes this so hard. But he has totally destroyed my trust in him. Big tears were threatening to spill over again.

    Oh, Honey. You deserve someone who loves you just as deeply as you love him. She held Fran again and offered up a silent prayer of thanks for this joyous news.

    ******

    Cherie was busy cooking dinner when her husband Gordon came home. She was antsy with anticipation to share the news about Fran finally breaking up with Hank. Gordon headed straight to the bar and poured his usual scotch straight up. Cherie gave him a quick peck on the cheek then followed him to the kitchen table.

    Gordon, guess what? Fran told me she was going to break up with that devil, Hank that she’s been dating. I’m so relieved I want to laugh and cry at the same time.

    Hank? You mean the investment broker? He’s got to be making mega bucks. Why on earth would she want to break up with him?

    Cherie was dumbfounded. Gordon was at work and out of town so often, Cherie felt like she had raised Fran all by herself, but this really took the cake. How could Gordon possibly not see how dejected his only daughter has been lately?

    Gordon, you have got to be kidding. Fran has been home crying her eyes out because of the way he treats her. She deserves a decent man who will treat her with respect.

    Gordon slammed his drink on the table. Respect, he boomed. If Hank can provide Fran with a good home and plenty of babies, what else could she possibly want?

    Cherie’s insides were contracting at Gordon’s lack of compassion for their only child. It felt as if her stomach had turned to jelly. She started to shake and felt like screaming. She turned away from Gordon and went silently back to preparing dinner.

    You idiot. You never did care about mine or Fran’s feelings. Why on earth do I put up with you?

    Cherie knew why she put up with Gordon. She didn’t have the courage to leave him and start a new life of her own. She always thought she was doing the best for Fran by staying with Gordon, but lately she wasn’t so sure. She suspected Gordon of cheating on her as well as treating her so shabbily. Since she couldn’t find the nerve to put Gordon in his place, she was always looking for someone else to fill the void in her life that he left. Her affairs over the last couple of years did not have the desired effect she was looking for. Cherie still felt somehow lost and discontented.

    Gordon’s booming voice cut through her reverie. Cherie, I said I have a golf tournament on Saturday so I won’t be home for dinner.

    Fine.

    She was done talking to the bastard.

    CHAPTER 2

    Ken Kadylak was sweating from the heat and the pressure he was under. His partner in the golf tournament, Dr. Carl O’Brian, was having a great game, but Ken was just not on the money today. Ken hated to be the reason his team lost a match. Their opponents, Gordon Kelly and Casey Rothman, could do no wrong today. At least Ken would be losing to his own boss. Mr. Rothman would be in a fantastic mood come Monday morning if he won the tournament today. Ken rallied really well on the last three holes, but he just couldn’t make up for his dismal start. Carl and Ken lost the match by two strokes.

    At just twenty four, Ken was the youngest member of the foursome. He was 6’-3" and he filled out his golf shirt in all the right places. He had a boyishly handsome face with wavy sandy brown hair and compassionate dark brown eyes. Ken worked out at the gym at the country club whenever possible. He couldn’t understand how these three middle-aged players could out play him when they didn’t even look like they were in good shape. It must be all the experience.

    Gordon Kelly was ribbing Ken on the way back to the club house. Gordon was being so irksome, even his own partner was becoming annoyed.

    Better luck next time, Sonny. Gordon called over his shoulder as he left the group for the showers.

    Carl just rolled his eyes. Gordon would have a fit if someone badgered him like that when he had one of his bad days. He’s a superb golfer, but a bad sport.

    Ken didn’t let little things bother him. Let him have his day. He really did have a super round.

    Carl handed Ken an embossed envelope. I’m having a party at my place next Saturday if you’d like to come. Bring a date and come out for a good time. You’ll know some of the other guests from here at the club.

    Thanks, Carl. I’d enjoy that.

    CHAPTER 3

    The cocktail party was in full swing when Ken showed up with Beth Anne Reynolds at Dr. Carl O’Brien’s country home. He knew Carl’s friends, Gordon & Cherie Kelly, from the golf tournaments at the country club. What he didn’t know was that they had such a charming daughter. He kept trying to figure out who Fran Kelly was attending the party with, but every time Ken caught a glimpse of her she was talking to someone different. He was so exasperated at his failed attempts that he finally just walked up to Fran and introduced himself. If Beth Anne didn’t like it, that was too damn bad.

    Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met, Ken began. My name is Ken Kadylak.

    I’m Fran Kelly, pleased to meet you. Have you known Carl and Mary Jo very long? Just as Fran finished asking her question, Beth Anne came up from behind Ken, forced herself under his arm and squeezed him possessively around his waist.

    This is Beth Anne. Beth Anne, meet Fran Kelly. Ken tried to keep the annoyance out of his voice. This wasn’t going at all like he hoped it would. Are you Gordon’s daughter?

    Yes, so you know my father? Fran inquired.

    We played the same golf tournaments at the country club several times. He’s great on the golf course. Beat the pants off of me every time.

    Fran laughed at the remark. Golf is definitely his obsession. Ken thought he could listen to that musical laugh all night long.

    I’m getting awfully thirsty Ken, Beth Anne spoke up. Can you get me a drink? It was nice meeting you, Fran, she added with finality. The last thing Ken wanted to do was walk away from Fran to get Beth Anne a drink, but he didn’t want to appear impolite either. As they walked away, Ken was plotting how he was going to get Fran’s phone number without cluing in Beth Anne.

    By the end of the evening Ken still didn’t know who Fran was dating, he didn’t have her phone number and his patience with Beth Anne’s self-centered behavior was wearing thin. He finally said his farewells to Carl and Mary Jo and proceeded to take Beth Anne straight home.

    You were awfully moody tonight, Beth Anne accused while Ken raced down Route 28 toward her townhouse.

    Well, you weren’t exactly Miss Congeniality yourself.

    He could see the instant change in Beth Anne. When we get to my place I’ll make you forget all about that boring party, she replied.

    Looking at her now, Ken was trying to remember what had ever attracted him to Beth Anne in the first place. She was drop dead gorgeous, but he realized that so far that was her only captivating trait. She was whiney, in need of constant attention, and a champion complainer if she didn’t get her own way. She was perfect… if all you needed was an attractive ornament to hang onto in public. Ken glanced over at Beth Anne and decided that he definitely needed more out of a relationship than he was ever going to get from her.

    I think I need someone like Fran Kelly…. now where did that thought come from? I just met Fran a few hours ago, so for all I know she could be just like Beth Anne. Maybe that gorgeous smile of hers was fabricated. Maybe that spontaneous laugh of hers was manufactured on demand. Maybe I would like to spend the next couple of months with her on a tropical island so I have time to find out just what it is about her …

    Beth Anne’s whining invaded his thoughts. Ken. You didn’t answer me yet. So, why don’t you spend the night at my place and we can go out for a cozy breakfast tomorrow morning. What do you say?

    I say that I’m very tired and I have a lot of work to get done tomorrow. He pulled into Beth Anne’s driveway, turned to her and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. Good night, he said with finality.

    The next couple of weeks were torture for Ken. Carl O’Brien didn’t have Fran’s phone number because she was away at school for her final semester at Penn State. Ken didn’t feel like he knew Gordon Kelly well enough to call him and ask for his daughter’s phone number. He started hanging around the bar at the country club hoping to run into Gordon so he could bring up the subject of Fran, but he never ran into him there. He’d have to wait until the rainy spring weather improved and golf was in full swing again.

    Ken was antsy at work and uncharacteristically short with the secretary and draftsmen. When Beth Anne called him at home or work, he politely but firmly told her he wasn’t interested in a relationship right now. When she became argumentative or whiney, he said he was busy and had to go, then hung up even though Beth Anne was still raging on the other end. He was relieved when the phone calls stopped and he saw Beth Anne on the arm of Mark Devon at the country club The poor bastard didn’t know what he was getting himself into and Ken felt kind of guilty about not warning him about Beth Anne. Ken was so relieved to be free of Beth Anne that he decided to just stay out of the way and mind his own business. He greeted them both warmly, told Beth Anne she looked lovely and then walked away.

    On Memorial Day weekend the outdoor swimming pool opened at the country club. Ken decided to spend Saturday afternoon at the pool to get some exercise and enjoy the warm balmy day. After twenty vigorous laps across the pool Ken gave up and climbed out to avoid the overzealous kids who kept increasing in number while he was swimming laps. He plopped down in a chaise lounge and closed his eyes. He started thinking about how well he could remember Fran’s musical laugh from those few brief minutes he spent talking to her at Carl’s party. He was getting drowsy and was dreaming that he could actually hear her lilting laugh but couldn’t actually see her.

    Ken bolted upright and looked around. He thought he did hear Fran’s voice coming from somewhere behind him. He quickly got up and started wading through the crowd of sunbathers.

    Wow. Look at that hunk, and he’s headed this way, Patti announced. Fran, Jen and Patti had been best friends since they were in junior high. They were feeling absolutely free since graduating from college earlier this month. Today was a welcome respite from their hectic move back home from school, the endless parties to celebrate their freedom, and the obsessive advice from relatives on how to get the perfect job. Fran and Jen turned at Patti’s announcement, but they didn’t really expect to see much. Practically every male was a hunk to Patti. Considering her constant infatuation with men, it’s a wonder she graduated from Slippery Rock University at all. Men were all she ever wanted to talk about.

    You really did find a hunk this time, Jen was saying. But Fran didn’t hear another word once her eyes met Ken’s. She slowly got up and walked toward Ken while neither one of them broke eye contact.

    What’s gotten into her? Patti whispered to Jen. She’s not going to walk right up to him, is she? But Fran was no longer aware of Jen and Patti’s concerned glances and whispered wonder. She only had eyes for Ken.

    ******

    Fran, how nice to see you again. I’m Ken Kadylak; we met at Carl O’Brien’s party a few weeks ago.

    I remember, Fran replied and Ken’s heart soared at those two little words. "Come over here and meet my friends or they’ll die of curiosity and bug me to no end.

    Ken was amused when Patti kept shaking his hand vigorously up and down. I’m so-o-o pleased to meet you.

    How do you do? Jen asked. Where do you go to school? Did you just graduate, too? Where do you live? I don’t remember seeing you at the club before.

    Whoa, one at a time. Ken smiled and answered. I graduated from Pitt in 1994, and I work for Burke and Armstrong, Architects.

    Oh, wow, you’re an architect. Patti turned to Jen. He’s an architect.

    I still have to pass my state exam before I’m a real architect, but I’ve been lucky enough to be working on real projects and have two good architects take me under their wing. It has been very exciting. Before Patti and Jen could ask any more questions, Ken turned quickly to Fran and inquired, Can I speak to you alone for a minute?

    Of course. If you don’t stop them, Patti and Jen will keep drilling you the rest of the day. They walked off toward the far end of the deck and leaned companionably against the railing there. Don’t mind Patti and Jen. They are bubbling with enthusiasm all the time, but that’s one of the things I love about them. They don’t have a shy bone in their body.

    I believe you. Ken was suddenly feeling a little shy himself just then. He wanted desperately to make a good impression on Fran and he didn’t want to scare her away. "I was wondering if you were free at all this weekend, if I could take you out to dinner today or tomorrow. If you’re busy, I’ll understand

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1