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    The Bond
    The Bond
    The Bond
    Ebook223 pages3 hours

    The Bond

    By Bridgitte Lesley

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Douglas had a goal in life. Money. To make the largest sum of money in a very short space of time. He had a dream and he would achieve it. There was a small problem though. Samantha. He had to break off his relationship with her. Even though he loved her. Until then he never realized how strong their bond was. Only when he left town did he realize. Without knowing, everything changed when he left home. Samantha took her inheritance and left town. She bought a ranch and set up her agency. His parents left their home and followed Samantha. Douglas had no idea. Once he had achieved his goal he made his way home. Only then would he find out about the changes. The changes that included Samantha and his entire family. And, well, literally every single thing! But would he be accepted by Samantha. Would she take him back after what she had been through. Or were the changes far too big? How strong was their bond?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBridgitte Lesley
    Release dateJan 24, 2014
    ISBN9781311016508
    The Bond
    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

      The Bond - Bridgitte Lesley

      The Bond

      By

      Bridgitte Lesley

      Version 1

      Published by

      Bridgitte Lesley on Smashwords

      The Bond

      Copyright © 2012 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.

      * * * * *

      The Bond

      * * * * *

      CHAPTER 1

      Douglas pulled up to the house and hopped out of his four by four. The house hadn’t changed. Even the garden looked as it always did. Never a weed in sight and always a riot of colour. He could see someone had just neatened it up. He walked down the pathway to the front door. He saw what he thought was a young boy bending over sitting in his dungarees weeding the garden. He had his back to Douglas and his hands were deep in the soil pulling out weeds. He wore a peak cap with the peak covering his neck. Douglas smiled to himself. Probably a teenager making some extra money weeding.

      Mrs. Marsh opened the door.

      Douglas! Samantha closed her eyes. She whispered.

      No! She knew she was the last person on earth that Douglas would want to see. Let alone speak to. She whispered to herself.

      Almost done. Her hands started to shake. Her insides started to quiver. She had to finish what she was doing and get away from the house. She could not afford to go through the pain again. If he didn’t see her he would not even realise that she was there.

      She got up and walked down the side of the house so that she was out of eyesight. She stood against the wall and closed her eyes.

      Please don’t say anything. Please, please, please. She shook her head. She had to get away. She had suffered enough over the past few months and she would not allow herself to go through the same pain again. She was so in love with Douglas. That would never change. But he had broken off their relationship and it would be better for the both of them if he didn’t get to see her.

      Douglas smiled as he walked in.

      I hope you don’t mind me renting a room.

      Good heavens no! Why on earth would I mind? This is my business. And if there is a room you are most welcome to it. Douglas smiled.

      I just thought. Mrs. Marsh looked at him.

      Douglas. I don’t know what went on before. But it has nothing to do with me. I don’t meddle in anyone’s business. Besides. The kids don’t live here anymore. And I don’t listen to gossip. Douglas nodded and Mrs. Marsh hugged her to him.

      The kids might breeze through but they have their own homes and families now. Douglas nodded.

      It was on the tip of his tongue to ask what she meant about them all having their own families. But he kept the questions to himself. He would find out soon enough. That was why he was there. To find out about Samantha. He looked at Mrs. Marsh.

      Gossip? Hardly. I got a promotion and moved on. It was all about the money. Mrs. Marsh nodded.

      Well that is what I heard. But I wasn’t sure. Douglas nodded

      Mrs. Marsh looked down at the tiny little baby in the pram as they walked through. Douglas walked over and held his little hand.

      William Marsh. Douglas smiled and looked at the tiny baby.

      Who does he belong to? One of the boys? They both looked up as Saul walked through.

      Douglas! He shook his hand.

      Well, well. This is a nice surprise. How long are you here for?

      Samantha stood at the window and listened.

      A few months. Until I can get a few things straightened out. Then I need to get settled. And then we will see. I haven’t planned anything as yet. Saul nodded.

      Glad you are going to be staying here. Let’s go through to the sun room. Time for our sun downers. They all moved through to the sun room. Samantha waited a little while and walked through the front door and picked William up. She spoke so quietly.

      Hey sweetheart. Ready for your feed. Come on then. She walked up the stairs to her bedroom. Douglas craned his neck to see who was talking to the little boy. It sounded so much like Samantha. He looked down at his drink in his hands. Saul always had a sun downer. It was something that he always did. It was almost a ritual.

      Douglas sat and listened to the chatting. He heard as someone walked out and started a car. He looked at Mrs. Marsh.

      They come and go as they please. This place is never quiet. Douglas nodded.

      And their meals? She nodded.

      We all sit down together at breakfast, lunch and supper. But if someone isn’t here then they eat afterwards. Or if they choose to eat in their rooms then they do. Douglas nodded.

      I will try and make it on time. Mrs. Marsh nodded and smiled.

      Saul grinned.

      At the moment we are having the garden sorted out. Almost every weed is gone. The veggie patch is almost done. Well. I reckon it is done. And then we will have another vacancy. Douglas smiled and nodded.

      Landscaper? Saul roared with laughter.

      You could say that. Hands on though. And we aren’t even paying for her services. She needed to do a little business in town I believe. We feed her and give her a bed. Other than that. Well. We are getting the better deal of it all. She needs the break I guess and she likes to keep her hands busy. She sticks to herself most of the time. Mrs. Marsh and Saul were quiet for a while. Mrs. Marsh got up and shook her head. Douglas smiled.

      So that is who I saw in the garden then. They both nodded.

      Mrs. Marsh walked up and down.

      I totally disagree. But then I guess all the kids should live their own lives without our interference. Saul nodded.

      That is who she is Sylvia. She has always been a loner and that will never change. Mrs. Marsh shook her head.

      A farmer? She should be in that suit of hers with her hose and heels. Kicking some little butts. She qualified. Now she is farming. I have never heard of anything so ridiculous in my life. And this is the first time we are seeing her in. How many months? Eight! Saul nodded.

      And very successful. Don’t forget that.

      But still, Saul. That is not a life for her. Stuck out on some stupid little farm with all those hands. With a tiny little baby. It is so wrong. Saul cocked his head and looked at Mrs. Marsh.

      We agreed. We agreed not to discuss this Sylvia. She nodded and smiled as she realised they still had company.

      Sorry Douglas. I tend to get carried away sometimes. Time to get supper on the go. I hope you are going to be joining us tonight. Mrs. Marsh slowly walked out of the sun room. Douglas nodded.

      Yes. Thanks.

      Douglas looked at Saul.

      Who are you talking about Saul? Saul looked at Douglas and they both looked up. Raymond walked through and roared with laughter. Douglas got up and Raymond gave him a bear hug.

      What on earth are you doing out here?

      Came home. I hate the city life. Hate it with a passion. So now I am going to settle here.

      And not staying with the folks?

      Too much like going back home. Raymond roared with laughter. Jenny walked through and smiled. Raymond pulled her into his arms.

      Hello Douglas. Douglas smiled.

      Hello Jenny. Is that your little one in the lounge? Jenny looked at Douglas with huge eyes.

      William? Heavens no. We are still working on that department. Raymond grinned.

      They all turned around. Simon walked through to the sun room and roared with laughter and pulled Douglas in for a hug. Shelly grinned as she followed.

      Hey Douglas! Douglas chuckled.

      Hello you two. How are you? Simon grinned.

      Pregnant! Shelly roared with laughter and looked at her huge stomach.

      I am sure Douglas guessed by now. Douglas grinned.

      So who is. Saul chuckled.

      Supper is ready. Let’s move through to the dining room. They all walked through to the dining room. Douglas noticed that William was no longer in his little pram. Mrs. Marsh was quiet for a little while as she sat down to supper with everyone. Saul looked at her.

      You okay Sylvia? Mrs. Marsh nodded. Douglas looked at her.

      Probably stepped out for something. Mrs. Marsh nodded.

      She left a note. Had to get a supply of nappies. And some sort of pesticide. Which she will be putting on at about four tomorrow morning. And hitting the road at five. She asked that I pack her some sandwiches and coffee for the drive home. Saul nodded.

      But why? She was going to be here till the weekend. Mrs. Marsh smiled.

      I don’t know. Maybe they need her on the farm. She has finished with the garden. I think she probably wrapped up her business in town as well. She doesn’t say much.

      Shelly looked at Mrs. Marsh and then at Saul. She looked at Simon. He smiled. Douglas felt a strange feeling around the table. He looked at everyone.

      So how is Samantha getting on then? Shelly immediately looked at her plate. Mrs. Marsh looked at Douglas.

      Douglas she doesn’t talk. She nods and grunts. I think the longest sentence I have heard is ‘thank you’. Douglas nodded.

      But where is she? Doesn’t she live here anymore? Saul shook his head.

      She moved on. They all heard the door closing and the feet running up the stairs. Mrs. Marsh smiled to herself. She looked at her cell phone which lay on the table. The SMS went off. She picked it up and read.

      I am back. Will be leaving at five. Got everything we need. Sam. She smiled and nodded.

      Douglas looked up.

      I don’t understand. What do you mean she doesn’t talk? Where is she? Saul nodded.

      She communicates via SMS. With that new contraption of hers. Or she leaves little notes. But you will not get her to speak. Only when she isn’t here and you get her on the phone. Then she speaks. But she has become somewhat of an introvert. You don’t get to see her. You don’t hear her. And she is scarce. This is the first time we have seen her in quite a few months. Douglas nodded.

      We are talking about Samantha? Everyone nodded.

      But when did she leave? Saul nodded.

      About eight months ago. She took her Grandaddy’s inheritance money, bought a farm, and left town. Shelly smiled.

      She has her hands full with Bill. Everyone nodded. Douglas felt the blood draining from his body. He had fallen in love with Samantha so many years ago and the feelings were still there. She was the main reason for him coming home. The only reason. There had never been anyone other than Samantha in his life. And when he had been offered his promotion he had to leave town. He had to break off his relationship with her. He had never looked at another woman. Not before Samantha and not after. They all watched as Douglas looked at his plate. He looked up at Shelly.

      Bill? They all nodded. He heard the little cry and he looked up. Mrs. Marsh smiled.

      Bath time. He hates getting into that water. But then she just can’t get him out. So the next little cry you hear will be when she lifts him out of the water. Saul chuckled at the next little cry. Douglas smiled.

      How old is he?

      Three weeks. He looked at Mrs. Marsh.

      Three weeks. Isn’t the mother supposed to be relaxing and recuperating? She shook her head.

      Not her. She had little William and then the next day she was up and about. Doing what needed doing. So I am told. Douglas nodded.

      She? Shelly smiled.

      Oh why is everyone tap dancing around the issue. Will someone just tell Douglas and get it over and done with. Douglas looked at everyone. Saul looked at Douglas.

      Samantha. Douglas shot out of his chair.

      Samantha is here? They all nodded.

      William. Is he Bill’s? Where is Samantha? Mrs. Marsh looked at Douglas.

      Sit down Douglas. He sat down slowly.

      Saul looked at Douglas.

      No. William is not Bill’s. Bill is William. Short for. His nickname. We don’t ask the questions. We don’t expect the answers. Samantha left here to live her life. We didn’t know she was expecting. Douglas nodded.

      What are you saying? Are you saying that tiny little boy is Sam’s? Everyone nodded. Douglas got up.

      And Sam lives her life on a farm. On her own? They all nodded. He backtracked out of the dining room and sprinted up the stairs. He knocked on the only door that was closed and stepped inside. He looked at the tiny little baby that lay happily on the bed. William kicked his little feet in the air lying on the bed in his nappy. Samantha was in the bathroom fetching the little baby bag.

      I know. I am coming. Mummy needs the powder.

      Douglas leaned over and smiled.

      Hello you beauty! William gurgled and kicked his feet as he listened. Samantha walked through and stood as if frozen in place and stared. Douglas looked up.

      Hi. She nodded. She looked from William to Douglas.

      I came home. Samantha nodded and smiled as she lifted William and started dressing him in his little suit.

      I came to apologise. What I did was wrong. I should never have left you the way I did. I didn’t want to. I didn’t mean to break it off. I wanted what was the best for us. Sam I love you. Samantha smiled and looked at Douglas. She looked at William and smiled.

      Sam I resigned. It was about making as much money as I could in a short space of time. Then to come home and marry you. Samantha closed her eyes and shook her head. Douglas looked at her.

      Sam I love you. I had to break it off with you. So that you could get on with your life. I didn’t want you wasting away. Waiting for me. That wouldn’t be fair on you. When I left I realised how much I really love you. I couldn’t live without you. I resigned and came home. Sam I want what we had. Samantha nodded. He looked at Samantha.

      Why don’t you talk Sam? They say you don’t talk any more. Why? She nodded.

      Done talking. He nodded.

      Is there a chance that I might. You know. Get to know you again. Samantha smiled as she lifted William.

      Sure.

      She looked down at William. He listened as she spoke.

      Bed time sweetheart. And tomorrow you are in your own bed. I know you will prefer that. She lifted him and put him in to

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