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    Love Takes Hold: The Helena's Grove Series, #3
    Love Takes Hold: The Helena's Grove Series, #3
    Love Takes Hold: The Helena's Grove Series, #3
    Ebook139 pages2 hours

    Love Takes Hold: The Helena's Grove Series, #3

    By Ivy Alexander

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    About this ebook

    Jennifer Berkley and Zack LaFaye have been leading busy, on-the-go lives. With work and school filling their time, their relationship ends up taking a back seat. Zack finally decides to take matters into his own hands when he asks Jen a question she doesn't know how to answer.

     

    Tensions flare and personalities collide as each person tries to discover their true feelings in the situation. What they find is they both have very different viewpoints and it isn't clear whether they can bridge that massive gap.

     

    When Jen once again finds herself living with her father in New York, she is struck with the realization that the scene that was once her life is no longer right for her, nor is what she wants. Soon, Jen is confronted by her past and she has two choices: take what's in front of her and move on, or leave and never look back…

    Will Jen and Zack's relationship stand the test of time?

     

    Love Takes Hold is filled with drama, laughs, intrigue, and some sweet country romance. This story will have you believing in the power of love!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherIvy Alexander
    Release dateAug 14, 2014
    ISBN9781502235190
    Love Takes Hold: The Helena's Grove Series, #3

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      Book preview

      Love Takes Hold - Ivy Alexander

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      About the Author

      Chapter 1

      The sun shone brightly and the temperature was perfect in Boston on a beautiful morning in May; Jen’s favorite time of year. She walked briskly down the street, a coffee in each hand, heading toward her apartment where Zack was still sleeping. He’d worked so many hours in the last week she’d decided not to wake him to go out for coffee. Their lives had been hectic since he’d started his internship at the hospital and Jen hadn’t realized how much it would require of him. He was told the interns worked forty hours per week but that had proven to be a give and take type of thing, with most weeks ending up closer to fifty hours worked, with schooling on top of that. When he was home, he was either sleeping or studying. Jen was proud of him for doing so well and being committed, even though it was hard not seeing him as much as she would like.

      She climbed the two flights of stairs to their apartment and pulled out her keys. Putting one coffee in the crook of her arm she fumbled to unlock the door without spilling the hot liquid down the front of her blouse. The lock clicked and she carefully made her way inside without spilling a drop. She set the coffee in the kitchen and then peeked into the bedroom; Zack was still sound asleep. Smiling, she removed her sandals and silently crept into the bed to lay close to him, willing him to wake so she could look into his beautiful brown eyes. She gently stroked his chin; his stubbly face needed a shave and he was in desperate need of a haircut.

      Good morning, she whispered in his ear. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake. She kissed his cheek softly. I brought coffee, she tempted him.

      Mmmmm. His eyes fluttered open a couple times then closed again as his arms reached above his head in a stretch. What time is it? he asked groggily.

      Almost ten. I wanted to let you rest but I’m afraid you’ll sleep your entire day away.

      Would that be a bad thing? he asked, his eyes still closed.

      No, but then I wouldn’t be able to talk to you.

      He opened one eye and chuckled when he saw the pout on her face. Reaching his arm around her he pulled her close. She lay with her ear pressed against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

      Did I hear something about coffee? he said softly into her hair.

      Jen looked up at him. Yes, you did. And I was hoping maybe we could walk down to the new café and try it out for lunch today?

      You buyin’? He stretched again and Jen giggled. Then he turned to her. Wait, why are we going to lunch? I need some breakfast!

      Jen sat up and laughed. Because by the time you get up and showered it’ll be lunch time.

      He nodded. Okay, I’m up.

      Jen kissed him again before heading to the kitchen to retrieve his coffee. Zack jumped out of bed, his back popping and cracking as Jen came back in. She handed him his coffee and he took a sip before declaring dramatically, Ahhh, nectar of life!

      Jen smiled. I’m glad you were able to get some sleep. You looked so tired last night; you didn’t even make it ten minutes into the movie.

      Zack looked at her puzzled. Did we start a movie last night?

      Jen just shook her head. You’re working too hard; you’re like a zombie most of the time.

      It’ll be worth it. Everyone that goes into the medical field has to go through this; it’s just the way it works. People’s lives are in our hands – there’s a lot to learn. Zack set his coffee on the nightstand and walked into the bathroom.

      I know, Jen said as she leaned against the bathroom door frame. I just hate to see you so exhausted all the time.

      Zack turned to her and kissed her nose. I’m fine babe. I have you to take care of me.

      Jen sighed unconsciously.

      While Zack showered Jen picked up her coffee and made her way to their living room window that overlooked the city. She smiled instinctively when she heard Zack’s melodic voice come from the shower – a country song of course. She leaned her head against the windowpane and listened lovingly to the low, smooth tone that floated through the apartment. She hoped he was right – that it would be worth it.

      A couple hours later they were seated at the café. This is nice, Jen observed.

      It is. Zack barely looked up at her from his book.

      Are you planning on studying all day? she asked, a little annoyed.

      I’m sorry babe; it’s just that I have to know this stuff. There’s nothing worse than when an attending asks you a question and you’re not able to answer it.

      Jen nodded but was still irritated he couldn’t take just one hour to sit and visit with her. The waiter brought their food and Jen tried to keep up a decent conversation but, in the end, the textbook succeeded in getting Zack’s full attention.

      Jen knew she was beat. Well, I have some things I need to do for work today. So, we should probably get back.

      Are you going into the office? Zack asked, glancing up from the book.

      No, I can do it on my laptop.

      He nodded and they got the check.

      An hour later Jen was sitting on her bed, laptop in hand, trying to get something done. However, the sound from the living room was proving to be very distracting. Honey, will you please turn that down? Jen called.

      It’s a saxophone, not a radio. I can’t just turn it down, Zack yelled from the living room.

      Jen rolled her eyes, put her laptop down and walked into the living room. She stood with her arms crossed as Zack blasted the song he was playing. It’s really hard for me to concentrate on my work with all the noise, she said, the frustration evident in her voice. She was still mad about the textbook incident at lunch.

      Zack stopped playing. So this is noise to you?

      Babe, Jen whined, I’m working. Can’t you play another time?

      I’m at the hospital, literally six days a week for who knows how many hours a day. So, when I get some time, I like to play my saxophone to relax, in my apartment if that’s okay with you. His sarcasm irritated Jen.

      Isn’t there somewhere else you can play?

      "It would be a whole lot easier for you to take your laptop and work somewhere else, than for me to haul my noisy saxophone out into the streets of Boston," he stated firmly.

      Jen was angry now. I’m working on that big case I was telling you about. It’s going to be a big payday for us; the least you could do is try and help out a little! She went back into their bedroom and slammed the door, breathing heavy. How could he be so insensitive?

      Zack opened the bedroom door and leaned against the frame; his tan arms folded across his chest. What is going on with you?

      With me? Jen asked, incredulous. I’m just trying to work. All I was asking for was a little bit of courtesy.

      Why can’t you work at the office?

      I can, but it’s your day off so I thought I’d stay here so I could spend some time with you.

      You aren’t spending time with me, you’re working. I’d rather you leave your work at the office instead of bringing it home.

      Oh, like you don’t bring your work home.

      Do you see me bringing patients into our living room? Zack snapped.

      You are constantly talking about them! Jen’s anger was overtaking her. All I hear, day in and day out is this patient this and that patient that. For once I’d like to not talk about infectious diseases at dinner. Not to mention today at lunch, when I had to fight a textbook about the human body for your attention.

      I’m trying to share my life with you. And you said you found my stories interesting. Besides, you know how important it is for me to be at the top of my game. Zack’s eyebrows were raised, and he was getting louder.

      I found the first twenty stories interesting, but after a while they get really old. Jen was through being nice. He couldn’t just waltz in and tell her how to live her life. After all, she worked just as hard and had just as much responsibility as he did.

      So why don’t you just tell me instead of freaking out about it?  Zack all but yelled.

      I’m not freaking out, and I am telling you, right now. Jen wasn’t going to back down.

      Okay, I get it. Don’t talk about my job as a doctor anymore, because you don’t care. Great, thanks for clearing that up. Zack left the room abruptly.

      Jen jumped from the bed and headed after him. I’m not the bad guy in this. We need my job to stay afloat. Until you finish your internship and become an actual doctor, my income is the one we count on. Unless you call Aunt Gabby and ask if we can borrow more money...

      Don’t bring up the money issue again, Zack moaned. Life isn’t all about money! And you know we aren’t borrowing any more from Aunt Gabby.

      I know life isn’t all about money – just because I don’t think we can live on love... I know what it takes to live in the real world!

      Jen turned to walk away but Zack caught her arm and turned her to face him. I get that you’re an attorney and you’re smart and I’m so proud of you for that. But I’m smart too. I work too. I may not be bringing in a whole lot but, that’s part of the deal. He took a breath and softened his voice. My internship comes with the package. It’s going to take a lot of effort to get the things we want out of life – and I’m prepared to work hard for those things.

      I know you work hard, she said, letting out an exasperated sigh. "I just feel like sometimes we get caught up in our jobs and that’s all we

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