I Will Wait for You: Eternal Bliss

I WILL WAIT FOR YOU

Eternal Blis

A Novel

Linda Masemore Pirrung

iUniverse, Inc.

New York Lincoln Shanghai

I Will Wait for You Eternal Bliss

Copyright © 2006 by Linda M. Pirrung

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse 2021 Pine Lake Road, Suite 100 Lincoln, NE 68512 www.iuniverse.com 1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-41958-6 (pbk)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-67954-6 (cloth)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-86298-6 (ebk)

ISBN-10: 0-595-41958-5 (pbk)

ISBN-10: 0-595-67954-4 (cloth)

ISBN-10: 0-595-86298-5 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

About The Author

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the dear ones in my life.

To my dear husband, Nib for always being the strong one and keeping me challenged.

To my precious children, Nibby, Dave and Shannon, I once took care of are now taking care of me.

To my treasured Grandangels, Lauren and Jake, who have opened my eyes to a whole new joy; I feel that they’ve come from my own body.

To my dear mother, Ruth, my on-the-spot confidante, is always ready with a quick answer to keep me focused.

To my brother, Terry, I’m still praying for, has always inspired me to be the best I can be.

To my beloved Dad, Charles, Uncle Marshall and AuntTreva in spirit, their valuable words and hearts are still with me.

To my dear sisters-in-law, Molly and Gin, whose endless support, encouragement in all my endeavors for thirty-five years, sweet inspiration and kind, gentle nudging show me the way.

To my whirlwind cousin Paula whose enthusiastic urging, endless support and impeccable instincts are exceeded only by the size of her heart, has always been my inspiration.

To my dear Mother Hen Aunt Pauline, who’s always right there with love, advice and support.

To my dear friends who accept me for the person I am and love me anyway, make me feel significant, valued and special, Linda, John and Julie, and John, Mary, Grace, Sandy, Nena, Jackie, Louise, Nancy, Pam, Pam, Rita, Button and Barb, George and Judy, Monique, Steve and Jeannie, John and Sue, Nephew Chris, Niece Tara, and my multitude of nieces and nephews, Bill, Harry, Dorothy, Charlie, Molly, Kathy, Ginny, Jake, Beth, Annie and Mike.

CHAPTER 1

My name is Alexandra Deveaux and this is the love of my life and beyond, Sidney Scofield, Alex and Sid to our friends. The term soul mate couldn’t be more appropriate considering that we had to actually cross over before we could be together.

Our story begins in 1997, place, Telluride, Colorado, where Sid and I met. My cousin, Misha was marrying his best friend, Matt. I was engaged to Hudson Burke and Sid had been dating Niki Stafford for six years.

Matt and Misha chose Telluride to be married because that’s where they’d met and had fallen in love. Most of Matt’s relatives lived in Colorado so it seemed the logical choice.

Sid and Matt were best pals since college and Misha was my favorite cousin so neither of us minded flying there from Maryland to share in their bliss, much to our companions’ grumbling dismay.

Hudson and I were seated with Sid and Niki at the reception, not entirely by accident. Matt and Misha thought we’d make an interesting foursome.

We introduced ourselves to each other, made all of the obvious observations and sang through the formalities of new acquaintances.

Did you know that Butch Cassidy lived in Telluride for a while and actually robbed his first bank here? Hudson announced. Hud was a straight forward kind of a guy, very solid, and wordlessly understanding. His strong, square jaw gave his handsome face a compelling look but his sandy colored hair and discerning hazel eyes fringed with long lashes brought out a softening balance.

Yes, a good part of his robbing banks and trains was that he thought that the rich were too rich and the vast majority of the Western immigrants were too poor, Sid added with a confident voice, compelled to come to his defense in a way. Sid was strikingly handsome with perfectly cut black hair, exquisite icicle blue eyes and chiseled features.

I had a sudden attack of uneasiness that was most unsettling. My heart lurched. That’s the only way to describe it. I found myself blushing from the nap of my neck to the top of my forehead as I looked into his eyes so bright that seemed to transmit such depth of compassion and sharp intelligence. Who was this amazing looking man sitting across the table from me that was taking my breath away?

Did you have a chance to visit Hole N’ the Rock in Utah, Niki asked, her eyes a little anxious. Niki was sleek and slender and impeccably dressed. She had luminous blue eyes, a sensuous full mouth and her nose arrogantly tipped upward just slightly. Her short, stylish wispy black hair framed her angelic looking face.

Yes we did. We loved it! A man seated next to us on the plane suggested we see it, so we made sure we did. Imagine a whole house built in an enormous rock mountain. Albert Christensen had a dream and almost finished it before he died. His wife, Gladys was a pretty amazing woman herself to have completed his dream after his death. How often does one actually have the opportunity to accomplish one’s dream? I added.

It’s my turn to add to our story from my point of view. I need to describe what it was like sitting across the table from you. Reflecting back I recall listening to your sweet voice describing the house in the rock, your huge brown eyes bright with enthusiasm. Your chestnut hair with blonde highlights pulled back with a few loose strands around your face; your flawless skin looking like a perfect porcelain doll, kept my eyes straying back to you. Frequently I found myself staring at your full voluptuous mouth, wondering what it would be like to feel those lips on mine. I felt an unexplainable lump in my throat and my heart was pounding. I sized the situation up right away. You’re aesthetically perfect. You’re heart-break material and you’re unattainable. Too perfect on the outside means, can’t be perfect on the inside too.

Alright, Sid, let me get back to our story.

I loved the coziness even though they claimed it was five thousand square feet. I felt like we were on the Flintstone set in the cartoon, Niki said.

That concrete tub made me shiver, though, with the thought of sitting in it, I offered.

I hate to interrupt again, Alexandra, but I need to add how my eyebrows raised at the visual I had of you sitting in the tub, naked.

Oh, Sid! I also remember favoring you with a smile when I saw your eyebrows go up. I remember biting my lip to keep it from trembling. Nevertheless, we left our first meeting feeling a faint whisper of caution.

Hudson and I decided to get a little exercise in the next morning. Even though Telluride rests at 8,750 feet above sea level which means 40 percent less oxygen, we thought we’d try our luck hiking even higher.

Oh these mountains are so beautiful; look at this view, Hud, I said.

We haven’t really discussed where we wanted to live for the rest of our lives. Would you consider building on top of one of these mountains? Hud asked.

I remember giving this some thought for a moment. I had a hard time concentrating. When Hud said, where we wanted to live for the rest of our lives, I could have sworn that my heart had actually skipped a beat.

Well, I can’t imagine any place could be more beautiful, but what kind of business could Panache generate out here? And I have a hard time picturing an engineering firm out in the middle of nowhere, I said quite honestly.

I had just started my Design Business, Panache which of course I was so excited about.

Hey, you two! I heard your deep, sexy voice. I remember a little shiver went through me, and wondered what the matter with me was! I was engaged to Hudson!

Hi! We both said in unison.

We see you guys had the same idea that we had, Sid said.

I usually work out at the hospital every day so I didn’t want to miss too many days, Niki announced. Being a nurse has its advantages.

We continued our adventure, up and up to close to 10,000 feet above sea level, where we decided to take a good long rest before turning around. We all had to reach deep into the bottom of our lungs for oxygen and Niki advised us on a professional level that we’d better drink a lot more water and rest before we attempted the descent.

The woods were humming with songs of millions of creatures; the sound of the rhythm of a woodpecker busy on a nearby tree; the caw of a crow; the harmony of sweet birds; the timbers creaked and the trees swayed in a gentle tone of the unrelenting music of nature.

The quaking aspens with their white trunks were so beautiful with their tiny leaves flickering with the wind and the pungent fragrance of the pines so straight and tall permeated the air.

We gathered around a burned out campfire and made good use of the surrounding rocks, our only available source of a place to rest our behinds on. We sat down with a gasp of relief.

Ah, just smell that good clean air, Sid said as he took an exaggerated deep breath to fill his lungs. His wide beguiling smile comforted us as we hurriedly pulled our water bottles from our backpacks. The coolness was delicious after the long hike up the mountain.

Fatigue and defeat were among us suddenly. My jaw ached with a suppressed yawn. A silence fell between us.

When you find yourself in the doldrums, hop on your bike, either a bike with peddles or a motor cycle or a horse, whichever is your pleasure. It’s a magic cure for depression. You feel free and you have a right to live and enjoy life like a spider reweaving his web, a new challenge. At least, that’s what makes me feel better, Sid spoke up with his intoxicatingly, infectious positive attitude.

You know, I’m so charged all the time with my Design Business. I have so many ideas bursting to get out and I’m that way whether I’m writing or what ever project I’m working on! I announced with great enthusiasm.

You didn’t have to sell me on your artistic merit. I could tell without knowing you that well, Sid said displaying his charismatic smile. I just have an idea you make the world come alive.

I’m much too busy to indulge in sports or any other extra curricular hobbies. I put in so many extra hours at work that I’m just too bushed by the time I get home, Hud said feeling compelled to confess.

My dear Hudson wanted my existence to be stable and orderly, routine a must. His incredible intelligence seemed to hold him captive sometimes. He was very much his own man and very into social awareness.

Niki found a nice soft place to stretch out. She felt drowsy, hot and tired as she whirled to a standstill. Her big blue eyes fought the peaceful sleep she was sure she deserved.

That’s the ticket, Niki! I’m with you, Hud said as he dropped to the ground right beside her.

Well, it looks like it’s you and me, Babe, Sid whispered in my ear.

Delighted to oblige, I sat beside him on his rock so our voices wouldn’t keep Hud and Niki awake.

So, Miss Deveaux, what’s your philosophy of life?

I had to take a moment to think but I didn’t want him to lose interest.

Life is living, hoping and dreaming; the process of building your own reality. Grab that hope of tomorrow and lock it in today.

Very intuitive, he said in a whisper.

I remember looking into your face, Alexandra; there was innocence and delight glowing from within.

Ah, the solitude of the wilderness; Contemplating, questioning; only tomorrow can come; yesterday’s gone," Sid said softly,