A Special Kind of Love: the Gaines Wyoming Series, #1

A SPECIAL KIND OF LOVE

Table of Contents

Title Page

Tamara Hoffa

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Epilogue

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Tamara Hoffa

Erotic Romance

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Erotic Romance

A Special Kind of Love

Copyright © 2013 Tamara Hoffa

First E-book Publication: November 2013

Cover design by Dawné Dominique©

Edited by Ariana Gaynor

Proofread by Shannon Ellis

All cover art © Dawné Dominique

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER

Tamara Hoffa

Dedication

A Special Kind of Love is dedicated to my son, John Alexander (Alex) Hoffa and all of the parents in the world who know the joys, sorrows and special kind of love that comes from loving a child on the autism spectrum.

Alex was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome when he was ten years old. We had some very trying years when obsessive compulsive disorder ruled and almost destroyed his life. But, thanks to his faith in God, he overcame his OCD and now lives a normal life. At twenty-two, Alex is a sophomore at Tennessee Temple University. He is studying missionary services and will dedicate his life to spreading God’s word.

Disclaimer: A Special Kind of Love is NOT my son’s story. Alex’s father and I have been married for over thirty years and my husband, Michael has been a loving and supportive father. Aaron is a conglomeration of dozens of autistic children I have met over the years, and while he does share a few traits with my son, like the fact that he is a vegetarian, the story is purely fiction.

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A SPECIAL KIND OF LOVE

Tamara Hoffa

Copyright © 2015

Chapter One

Sharon Daily heaved a sigh of relief as the sign for Gaines, Wyoming came into view. Fifteen hours in the car with her ten-year-old son, Aaron was not an easy trip. Thank God he was sleeping now. She anxiously peered out her window at the quaint little town. The store windows burst with summer displays, bathing suits and beach balls vied for attention with patio sets and their brightly colored umbrellas. Was she making the right decision to move here? Would she and Aaron be able to fit in? It looked like a nice town. Typical of most small towns, there was one street that seemed to house most of the local businesses, and she was on it. Main Street. Really?

She spotted a sign proclaiming Blue Moon Café and pulled her SUV into a parking lot just to the left of the building. She was starving and the movers wouldn’t arrive with their possessions until tomorrow. All their basic necessities were in the SUV, even a few pots and pans, but she was too tired to cook. Plus, she’d have to shop for food. A quick meal here at the café and she and Aaron could head to their new home. New home, new job, new start on their new life.

Sharon put the car in park, turned off the ignition and slipped the key into the pocket of her purse. Aaron blinked sleepy eyes at her, the cessation of movement rousing him from sleep. Hi, baby.

Not a baby, he said. Are we there yet?

We’re in Gaines, but not at the house yet. I thought we’d get some dinner here in town and then head to the house. Are you hungry?

Aaron rubbed his stomach, she could practically see the wheels turning in his head.

Sometimes it broke her heart to see how hard he had to think to answer a simple question.

Do they have grilled cheese?

Sharon smiled, I’m not sure, baby. We’ll have to go inside to find out.

Okay.

Aaron unbuckled his seatbelt, then clicked it closed again. Three times he repeated the action and then he opened the door. Sharon exited the SUV, locked the doors and headed around the back to meet up with Aaron. She wanted to put her arm around his shoulder or hold his hand, but she held back. Aaron didn’t like to be touched, so she gestured toward the front of the little restaurant and followed as he walked to the door.

A bell jingled as they pushed through the door and Aaron looked up, drawn by the sound. She placed a gentle hand on his back, urging him forward. The interior was cool and comfortable, a counter with stools to the left, small wooden tables dotted the center of the room, and booths lay along the right wall. Thank goodness the tables had wooden chairs, Aaron wouldn’t sit on the vinyl booth seats. He would be worried that they were leather and she didn’t have it in her to argue with him tonight.

The waitress came through a set of swinging doors, arms loaded down with plates, and caught sight of them standing just inside the door. Sit anywhere you want, she said with a bright smile and a nod toward the tables, I’ll be over with some menus in a jiffy. She proceeded to one of the booths handing out the plates to the diners.

The waitress brought menus to the table. Hi, I’m Mary McGuire. I haven’t seen you folks around town before, are you just passing through?

"Hi, Mary. I’m Sharon Daily and this is my son, Aaron. We have just arrived from Chicago.

We’re moving in. I bought the Harris place east of town. I’ll be the new fourth grade teacher at Gaines Elementary, come fall."

Well that’s just great. My son, Daniel is going to be in the fourth grade this year, I wonder if you’ll be his teacher?

I don’t know, could be. Wouldn’t that be a coincidence?

I’m so happy to meet you. We could use some new blood in town. Maybe we could get together and have coffee some time?

I would love that, Sharon answered.

Mary pulled out her pen and pad. Give me your number and I’ll give you a call in a few days and we can set something up. I sure hope you’re going to like it here.

I like what I’ve seen so far. I’m really looking forward to a slower pace, and if everyone is as friendly as you, I think we’ll get along just great here.

Shoot, I’m standing here jawing and not doing my darn job, Mary said with a laugh. Can I get y’all somethin’ to drink?

Do you have Coke or Pepsi? Aaron asked, staring at the table top, not making eye contact with Mary.

We have Coke, Sprite, Dr Pepper, or sweet tea, sweetie. Coke, Aaron said.

How do you answer a question, Aaron? Sharon chided.

Coke, please, ma’am.

That’s better. Sharon smiled at Mary. What would you recommend to a newcomer?

Well, the steak is great. This is cattle country you know, it’s practically just off the hoof. Aaron visibly cringed.

Not fond of beef, huh? Mary asked.

Head and eyes down, Aaron spoke in a quiet voice. I don’t eat animal flesh.

Oh, well now, that’s mighty interesting. We have macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, omelets, I don’t know what else we have that might be vegetarian.

Eggs are chicken periods, I don’t eat those either, Aaron responded, no inflection in his voice.

Aaron, don’t be rude. I’m sorry, Mary. It’s been a long day and we’re both a little tired and out of sorts. Give us a minute to look at the menu, okay?

Mary looked slightly confused, but nodded. I’ll go and get your drinks.

Mary went behind the counter to the fountain machine, filled their glasses and returned with the drinks. Have you decided yet? she asked.

I’ll have the grilled cheese and French fries, please, ma’am, Aaron said.

And I’ll take your recommendation, Mary, and go with the steak. Medium rare, please, with fries also.

You got it. I’ll put your order in right away.

Mary headed through a swinging door into what Sharon presumed was the kitchen. "Miss

Mary seems nice, don’t you think, Aaron?"

Yeah, I guess, he replied. She said this is cattle country. I thought you said there were horses here? You promised me I could learn to ride a horse if we moved here. Are there horses or only cows?

There are lots of horses. Cowboys use horses to herd the cattle. You know that. We passed a big ranch when we were coming into town, but you were asleep. They had a sign that said they have trail rides. I’ll ask Miss Mary if she knows anything about it. That finally brought a smile to her son’s face.

Mary returned momentarily with their meals. Here you go, sweetie. One grilled cheese, with French fries, she said as she set the plate in front of Aaron. And a steak for the lady. Anything else I can get you right now? Do you need a refill on your drinks?

No, I think we are set for now. But, I did have a question for you, Mary. When we were coming into town I saw a big ranch. The sign said it was open to the public, for trail rides and things. Do you know anything about it?

Sure. That’s the RNR, Rope n Ride Ranch. Bud Lewis, he owns this diner. His family owns the RNR. But he doesn’t have much to do with the ranch these days. My friend, Tammy is Bud’s niece. She is the one that runs the trail rides and organizes events at the ranch. Why do you ask?

Aaron is really looking forward to learning to ride a horse—

I like horses, Aaron interrupted. "Horses are members of Genus Equus Caballus, they were domesticated in about three thousand