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    Small Sacrifices
    Small Sacrifices
    Small Sacrifices
    Ebook233 pages3 hours

    Small Sacrifices

    By Bridgitte Lesley

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Grant was only a few days old when Carmen stepped in as his guardian. She vowed she would be his mother in every way possible. Even if it meant that she would have to sacrifice everything. Her priorities had suddenly changed. The only obstacle was that she worked shifts. The very first day that she dropped him off at the day care she slammed in to Paul’s chest. Overcome with emotions she ran as the tears engulfed her. She hadn’t meant to fall in love with Paul but it was instant. Even though she had made a decision that she would not fall in love. It just happened! After hearing her dilemma about her shifts, Paul was there to help. He knew what it was like to have to look after a baby on your own. He had been through it all. Paul fell in love with little Grant. But he also fell in love with Carmen. Meshing their lives together was easy. The more Paul babysat for Carmen the closer they became.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBridgitte Lesley
    Release dateAug 10, 2013
    ISBN9781301212972
    Small Sacrifices
    Author

    Bridgitte Lesley

    Hello from Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa!Having survived an attempt at being murdered, I have plunged myself in to my writing. After my gruesome ordeal, I live life from day to day. Appreciating every minute and moment. Yes, I have the scars from an axe being driven in to my head repeatedly. I suffer from PTSD and OCD. But, I am here to tell the tale. And I have a lot to tell!I am currently revamping my older titles and will be adding a few. In a nutshell, you will find a mix of romance, adventure, lots of witty banter and a happy ever after. All round, expect a feel-good read.Thank you for reading and for your support!Bridgitte

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      Book preview

      Small Sacrifices - Bridgitte Lesley

      Small Sacrifices

      By

      Bridgitte Lesley

      Version 1

      Published by

      Bridgitte Lesley on Smashwords

      Small Sacrifices

      Copyright © 2013 Bridgitte Lesley

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

      This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a production of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

      * * * * *

      Small Sacrifices

      * * * * *

      CHAPTER 1

      Carmen held Grant in her arms. She handed over the tiny little bundle. He was snugly wrapped up in his blanket. She looked at Mrs. Warrington.

      He feeds every four hours. If there is anything you need. Anything. Please call me on my cell phone. Mrs. Warrington took Grant in to her arms and smiled as she looked down.

      Gosh he is tiny. She looked down at Carmen. Carmen smiled.

      Miss Ferguson he is going to be fine. Carmen nodded and looked at Grant. She looked up at Mrs. Warrington with huge big eyes.

      I will pop him in the pram and someone will be with him the whole time. I will make sure of that. Now go. Before the tears engulf you. Carmen nodded and turned. She bumped straight into Paul’s rock hard chest and looked up in to his eyes. He put his arms out to steady her.

      Steady.

      Sorry. Sorry. She almost ran as she wiped her tears which had threatened but now started flowing.

      Mrs. Warrington smiled as she looked down at Grant.

      We will look after you young man. No need for anyone to fuss or worry. Going to be just fine with us.

      Paul looked over and smiled.

      Gosh he can’t be very old.

      Days.

      Days? And his mother is leaving him with you? That I do not agree with!

      And who are you to judge Mister Andrews? He looked down at Claire. She looked up at him with her huge eyes.

      Daddy he is only a baby. He smiled and nodded.

      Yes he is poppet. He lifted her up and she sighed.

      And he has a blue hat on. I like his Mummy. She is so pretty. Is he going to stay all day? Mrs. Warrington smiled and nodded.

      Yes he is.

      Has he got a bottle? She nodded and smiled and looked at Paul.

      Lots. And clean clothes and lots of nappies. He whispered.

      Sorry. She smiled and nodded. He stared down at Grant and smiled.

      He smiled and looked at Claire.

      Look after him. She nodded and smiled. He kissed her goodbye and she gave him a big hug.

      See you later. Love you Daddy.

      See you later poppet. Love you. He put her down and she smiled and waved and walked in to her little classroom. He looked at Grant.

      May I? Mrs. Warrington smiled as she handed Grant to Paul. He looked down.

      I know it was difficult for her. Mrs. Warrington nodded. Paul smiled and quietly spoke to Grant.

      It must be very difficult for your Mummy. Leaving you like this. But we all have our reasons. And different circumstances. You have a gorgeous Mummy. I bet your Daddy is very proud. He smiled and looked down at Grant.

      Don’t go falling in love and getting all broody. He chuckled and held on to Grant.

      So little. She smiled as she watched.

      He has a bruise. He moved the little hat and gasped.

      What on earth! Mrs. Warrington took Grant from Paul.

      They were in a very serious car accident. He was flung meters from the car. But he survived. They found him in his little chair. Fast asleep. Those are little scrapes from the accident. But there is nothing wrong with him.

      Whilst his mother hasn’t even got a mark on her. She looked at Paul.

      And his father? Mrs. Warrington looked at Paul and swallowed the lump in her throat. Paul noticed the action.

      I can’t talk about it right now Paul. He nodded.

      There is no father. You called her Miss Ferguson. She looked at Paul and he put his hands up.

      Sorry. She smiled and nodded.

      See you later. She smiled as he walked out.

      Paul walked straight to his car. He could not get Carmen out of his head. He kept on seeing her enormous eyes that were so close to tears. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. When she looked at him and their eyes had met he had felt something strange. It was as if she was looking deep in to his soul. He wondered why she had to leave her tiny baby at the day care. He was such a tiny little baby only a couple of days old. He wondered about the father. He got in to his van and sat for a while. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. He hoped he would bump in to her again. He had so many questions.

      Carmen walked in to the hospital. She walked through to her locker and put her jacket on. She put her stethoscope around her neck and locked the locker. She stood and stared into space. Whoever he was had made a huge impression. All she could remember was slamming into his wide chest. Looking up into his gorgeous eyes and smelling his fresh aftershave. Carmen closed her eyes.

      Right. Lessons to be learnt. She spoke to herself as she walked to the busiest area of the hospital. It was the hub of the hospital and it was constantly busy.

      We do not fall in love. Because why? Because then we have to explain. And there will be no explaining. Grant will be loved and cherished. Megan and David left him in my care. And care for him I will. Come hell or high water. There will be no dating. There will be no relationships. It will be Grant and I. Just the two of us. She nodded as if to make a statement. She held back the tears and swallowed the lump in her throat. She spoke quietly.

      Megan I have to put him in day care. I can’t be at home. I don’t have any leave left. Sorry. But he will be fine. Mrs. Warrington will look after him. She knows the story. I explained. But she won’t say anything. Because there will be no pity. I can’t ask Mom to look after him. You know why. She just isn’t that way inclined. She walked in to the huge area and got busy.

      Doctor Ferguson. Flowers for you. She stood and closed her eyes and shook her head.

      Belinda. Please pop them into water. Take them home.

      But they are for you. She nodded.

      I know. Belinda smiled. Carmen spoke quietly.

      Just keep the cards to one side so that I can thank them. Belinda nodded and looked at the huge arrangement of flowers.

      I. I.

      No sweetheart. Don’t say it. It was instant. But Grant is alive and kicking. Belinda nodded and smiled. She kissed her on the cheek.

      I will put the card to one side. Carmen smiled and nodded.

      Thank you.

      Carmen took a deep breath. She smiled and looked at her patient. He looked at her with concern in his eyes.

      It looks as if you need to talk to someone. She scrunched up her nose.

      Work is the best therapy there is. Dodge nodded.

      Family? She nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. She looked down at her hands and smiled. She took a deep breath. The tears formed in her eyes and she smiled.

      Goodness! Where was I! Dodge smiled and looked at her.

      Right Mister Greene. My diagnosis. Keep off that foot. I am going to give you a set of really zooty crutches. Stay off of your foot for at least a week. And come in. Let’s say in about a week.

      And will you be here?

      I will be here. I am on day shift this week. Next week I am on night shift. She closed her eyes and held her head and whispered.

      Nights. She opened her eyes.

      Right. Next week on nights. But the week after that I am on day shift.

      I will phone first and make sure you are here. She smiled and nodded.

      Pity we can’t make appointments.

      Not when it is a casualty. He smiled and nodded.

      And I need to give you a script. She smiled and wrote out the prescription. She wrote out a sick note for the entire week.

      A week? He chuckled and nodded. He got off the bed and she handed him a set of crutches.

      I thought you said they are zooty.

      Well there is one bolt missing. A sticker that says Lizzard. Gosh that is as zooty as can be. He roared with laughter and shook his head. He hobbled out of the cubicle and Dawn his wife smiled.

      Thank you Doctor Ferguson. She smiled and nodded.

      Keep him off that foot Mrs. Greene.

      Oh I will. She chuckled as they walked off. Dodge trying to get the hang of his crutches.

      It was a busy day. The flowers kept on being delivered. She took all the cards from Belinda.

      Thank you.

      Doctor Ferguson. You need to take them home. Carmen shook her head.

      Hand them out. They are too beautiful not to share. Belinda nodded and smiled and hugged Carmen.

      Reminders? Carmen nodded and tried to smile.

      Heading home. Belinda smiled and nodded. Carmen walked over to her locker and took off her jacket. She took her bag and locked her locker and walked out. Doctor Walters smiled as she walked by.

      Fancy a drink Doctor Ferguson? She smiled and shook her head.

      Keep asking Wayne. Don’t stop. Just don’t stop.

      Gwen suggested.

      Love that Gwen. He chuckled.

      So do I. Love that wife of mine. She chuckled as she waved and walked off. Wayne smiled. He knew she was hurting. He watched as she walked off.

      Carmen pulled up to the day care. She rubbed her eyes and looked in the mirror. She quickly brushed her hair and wiped beneath her eyes. She climbed out of the van. She walked to the day care and walked through the door. She smiled as she looked at Mrs. Warrington sitting on a chair with all the little ones looking at Grant.

      Not too close. We don’t want to give him our germs. Paul had just walked in before Carmen. He smiled as he walked over to Mrs. Warrington and took Grant in his arms. He looked down and all the tots looked up and smiled.

      Goodness Grant are they all staring. And how was your day? He chuckled.

      Someone is waking up. He smiled and handed Grant to Carmen.

      Hi.

      She smiled as he passed Grant to her. She smiled and looked at Grant.

      Happy to see you honey buns. She looked up at Mrs. Warrington.

      Thank you.

      He was as good as gold.

      Know anyone who can do nights?

      I will find out for you. Paul looked from Carmen to Mrs. Warrington.

      Nights? Carmen nodded.

      I work shifts.

      Oh hell! She nodded.

      I know. Oh I will take him with me. They should not mind. Just the whole environment won’t be right. Not really appropriate. Mrs. Warrington smiled.

      I will see what I come up with. Carmen smiled and nodded.

      Night everyone. Claire smiled.

      Can he come tomorrow?

      You sure you want him here? Claire giggled and nodded.

      Then I will bring him over. But next week he is working night shift.

      But he can still come. Mrs. Warrington nodded.

      Get him in to a routine. Definitely days. Carmen smiled and nodded.

      Yes. I think I will.

      Paul smiled. He respected someone who made a snap decision there and then. It showed a lot of strength in that person. He hated people who hummed and hawed and had to think about something. He looked at her and smiled. You could see the love radiating from her eyes as she looked at Grant.

      Home I think. And then we can catch a movie. I think maybe pasta tonight. And then an early night. What do you think honey buns? Paul listened and totally agreed with her sentiments. Claire smiled. She tugged at his arm.

      Can we do that?

      What? Have an early night? She gurgled with laughter.

      No Dad. Pasta!

      I am sure we could. Carmen chuckled.

      Such a nice meal. Do the pasta. Add anything that is left over in the fridge. Bits of chicken. Mushrooms. Add extra cheese. And a teeny weeny bit of chili. Claire nodded.

      We will. Paul grinned.

      Will we now? Claire nodded.

      So do you make a cheese sauce? Carmen nodded.

      I do. She smiled.

      Right. Wave goodbye to all the good folk. Thank you Mrs. Warrington. See you tomorrow. The tots all grinned. Grant was fast asleep. She smiled as she walked out. Mrs. Warrington smiled as she watched Carmen go. She looked down and smiled.

      Isn’t he a good boy! They all nodded.

      CHAPTER 2

      Paul smiled as the women all breezed in and fetched their children. They didn’t even stop to chat.

      Stop hovering. I know you want to ask questions. Paul smiled. He whispered.

      Is she a single parent? Mrs. Warrington shook her head.

      No. Yes. No. I will explain. Now off with you. Be off. Make that pasta. He smiled as he walked out. He scooped Claire up and she gurgled with laughter.

      He put her in to her car seat and hopped in to the van.

      Daddy. He waited for the questions. He knew she was about to either say something important or ask a question.

      Mustn’t tell.

      What mustn’t I tell?

      Grant was in a very big accident. But he is fine. He has some little scratches on his head. And a teeny weeny little bruise.

      I saw sweetheart.

      But he was very brave. He didn’t wake up and he didn’t cry. The angels were looking after him. Paul smiled and nodded.

      But his Mummy is looking after him real good.

      Yes she is. She smiled as they drove off.

      Can you make pasta?

      I sure as heck am going to try. She chuckled and nodded.

      Paul drove home and they both walked inside. He got the macaroni on the go and looked through the fridge. Claire stood at the fridge door.

      Chicken?

      No but we have a little ham from that tin we opened. And we have mushrooms. And lots of cheese. She smiled as he took the ingredients out of the fridge. He chopped everything up and started cooking the mushrooms. He made the cheese sauce. He put everything into a big casserole dish and stirred it up. He dished up and put the two bowls on the table. He took the bread and buttered two slices. He had made such a big dish it would last for two nights. Claire sighed and smiled as she looked. She took a mouthful and grinned. He smiled and started to laugh.

      Why have we never thought of this before! Claire gurgled with laughter.

      Because we didn’t have Grant’s Mummy!

      So right. He smiled and thought about Carmen.

      What is her name?

      Aunty Carmen. He smiled to himself. He didn’t know her name. But now he did.

      Miss Ferguson? She nodded and smiled.

      Because he is Grant Ferguson. He nodded and smiled. He could see in his mind what she would be doing. Giving him his bath and then his feed. Cooking her supper. And then going straight to bed. Feeding him four hours later.

      I wonder where Grant’s Mummy works.

      I will ask tomorrow Daddy. He smiled and nodded.

      You don’t have to. She

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