Finding Me (Love's Not Easy Series Book 1) (6 page)

Chapter Six

The fourth week of November had arrived quickly. Piper and James were now officially a couple. LJ was at flat 707 more than his own. Josiah was gone more than he was at flat 707. Aiden and Ava were still an item. Colin, just as Lexi had predicted, was with a different girl every week. And Lexi and Aimee are still single.

Aimee was still trying to find out more about her mom. Today was Sunday evening and Aimee was working on an online assignment for her Business Accounting class. All her roommates happened to be out and she was looking forward to a quiet afternoon. She had to finish this assignment and study for a Professional Development test on Monday. She was just completing her online assignment when her phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Aimee, it’s dad, I haven’t heard from you in a few days.”

“Sorry, dad. I have been studying a lot. Midterms are next week and I have a lot of assignments do.”

“How are your grades?”

“All A’s."

“Great, sweetie.”

“Thanks. How is everyone at home?”

“Everyone’s great. Deandre sends her love.”

“I’m sure she does.”

“The twins are walking and talking.”

“Wow. They are growing up fast.”

“Maddie misses you.”

“I miss her too.”

“So, are you coming home for Thanksgiving?”

“No, I have class all week. American Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday here in Neahovia.”

“I forgot. I will tell Deandre, so she can inform the catering service.”

“You are seriously catering Thanksgiving Dinner?”

“Yes, honey. She just doesn’t have time to fix a dinner like that.”

“I see.”

“I have a meeting to go to. Let me know about Christmas so I can order your plane tickets.”

“Ok, I’ll text my schedule to you. Love you, dad.”

“Love you too.”

So much for studying. Aimee called her little sister, Maddie, and let her tell her all about her life as a five year old. She learned about her life in kindergarten, her cheer team, and her new hip hop dance routine. It was one Aimee did as a child. Deandre promised to video it and send it to Aimee. Just before they hung up, Aimee promised to take her shopping when she came home for Christmas.

Missing Maddie was the hard part of studying in Neahovia. She became close to her last year when her dad had insisted she attend her senior year of high school in the same private school as her cousins. Aimee wiped a tear from her cheek.

“So, we were not eavesdropping, but are you ok?” Aiden sat beside her while Lexi, Piper, and Sophia sat on the floor in front of her.

“Yeah, just a couple of calls from home...America.”

“Honey, America is your home.” Lexi forced a smile.

“I know, it’s just hard to call Virginia my home; especially, since I was rarely there. I have spent most of my time either in boarding school or on the plantation.”

“So, what is an American Thanksgiving like?” Sophia brilliantly changed the subject.

Aimee was so thankful. “You overheard both conversations?”

“Sorry.” Piper smiled.

“It’s ok. It is a day we set aside to give thanks. It was a tradition started by the Pilgrims in 1621. It was a three day feast they had to celebrate a good harvest with their new friends, the Indians or Native Americans, for helping them.”

Aimee told the story of the first Thanksgiving. Colin entered the room at the end.

“What do people today fix?” Sophia seemed eager.

“The traditional Thanksgiving I grew up on consisted of roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls, and my favorite dish was a homemade cranberry stuffing my mom made.  It was a recipe she brought with her from Neahovia. Then dessert was pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie, and pumpkin rolls.”

“Wow.” Aiden and Colin patted their stomachs. “No wonder Deandre wants to cater.” Aiden added.

“That was tradition, when mom and Gran were living. Since Gran died, we spend Thanksgiving at a different family member’s home. Some fix turkey, some ham, and once we even had roast beef. God only knows what Deandre is having served. My favorite Thanksgiving memories are the ones spent with my mom; and, Gran; and, someday, I want to restart that tradition with my own family.”

“So, when is Thanksgiving?” Sophia asked.

“The fourth Thursday of November.”

“Sorry you have to miss it.”

“I chose to study here. What I am really going to miss is Maddie and Black Friday.”

“What is Black Friday?” Lexi asked.

“It is the busiest shopping day of the year.”

Lexi nearly fainted as Aimee shared the wondrous stories of the joy of shopping on Black Friday.

Aimee had been thinking of her mom the past few weeks but today was the worse. She was having a hard time focusing in class. Aiden took excellent notes and tried to help keep her as focused as he could. She had a power point presentation due in her Marketing Class. With the aide of Aiden, she was able to put it together.

She got an A on the project; that did boost her spirits. Only she and Aiden were eating lunch on campus today. He insisted on a light lunch and then they could go to the campus library to work on a research paper.

After the last class was over, Aiden carried Aimee’s book bag as they walked back to the flat. The wind was very chilly. Aimee wrapped her faux fur cream coat around her arms. The peach and white sweater was not providing her the warmth she needed. She wrapped the scarf around her neck.

Aiden stopped in front of a Steaming Joes. “You want to get a hot cup for the walk home?”

Aimee grinned. “Your psychic abilities are back.”

“What can I say?”

Aiden ordered the coffee and paid for it. Aimee took a seat near the front window while they waited for their order. Aiden’s phone rang and he excused himself. When he returned, Aimee had already finished her cup. He ordered a refill for her and sat to drink his while they waited.

“Sorry it took so long. The call took longer than I thought. Are you still thinking about your mom?”

“Psychic mind reader.”

“Nah. You’re just predictable.”

“Holidays are always tough. It is weird. Some days I still think about her all day long. There are still days when something happens and I pick up the phone to call her or Gran. Then, just as I go to dial, I remember they are gone.”

“I don’t think that’s crazy, Aimee. I think a lot of people do that when they lose someone close to them.”

“I also feel guilty at times. When I am having fun, I feel like I am letting them down or being disrespectful to their memory.”

“Aimee, that’s not true. You were ten when your mom died and twelve when your Gran died. Neither of them would want you not to live life to its fullest. They would want you to enjoy every day.”

“I know that in my heart. I just wish my brain would get the message.”

“It will.”

“I want to learn more about them. What their lives here were like? Why they left? Because I think then, maybe I could find some peace.”

“Aimee, I don’t want to make you more upset, but I have been thinking. You know how we can’t find their names in any of the archives we are searching?”

“Yeah.”

“When did they move to America?”

“In 1990 I think.”

“Aimee, do you remember when we told you Josiah’s story? We had a history lesson.”

“Yeah. Aiden I’m not liking where this is going.”

“I know. But they, more than likely, left because of the war. And if they did, the names you know them by may not be their real names.”

“Aiden, that would be saying that my whole life, the people I love the most, have been lying to me; and, everything I thought about myself is not true.”

“I wouldn’t look at it as being lied too. More like protecting you. Look at Josiah. Maybe if his grandmother had not told him of the violent way he was conceived, he would not be so miserable.”

“I have actually thought about that same thing.”

“How did your dad meet your mom?”

“I have asked him numerous times. He always tells me they met here, during an assignment; and, that they fell in love and she came to America. When I try to ask more questions, he says he can’t to talk about it.”

“What was your dad's’ job when he was here?”

“He says it is confidential. You don’t think he was part of the special team sent here by America?”

“I don’t know, the mission was top secret. My dad doesn’t go into much detail on how it worked.”

“I wish I could remember more about when we came and visited the beach. But, I was so young.”

“Hey, we will figure this out. Together, all of us. We will help you.”

“Thanks.”

The flat smelled oddly like Aimee’s Gran’s on Thanksgiving Day. Aiden took her coat and laid it with her bag. When they walked into the living area, Colin was standing with a sign reading:
Happy Thanksgiving, Aimee!

Aimee nearly cried. “What is this?”

“Your Thanksgiving Day surprise.” Aiden grinned and directed her toward the kitchen.

Inside the kitchen was Lexi, Piper, James, Tessa, Cameron, and Piper’s mom. Sophia was at the stove helping Mark with removing the turkey from the oven.

“You guys are the best.”

“Happy Thanksgiving.” Everyone said in unison.

“You didn’t have to do this.” She was crying now.

Piper and Lexi came and hugged her. “We wanted to.”

“Yeah, you made it sound so delicious.” Colin hugged her from behind.

Aimee laughed.  As Aiden pulled out her a chair, Sophia had the guys help fix the drinks, and then Mark asked for the blessing over the food.

Sophia came to Aimee. “We tried to stick to your mom’s Thanksgiving meal. I had Piper snoop through your memory book, to get me the recipes. We put them back.”

Aimee hugged her. “You are so sweet, Sophia. I want to say something before we eat. Part of the first American Thanksgiving day was the pilgrims and the Indians being thankful for their new found friendship. I think that fits a description for this Thanksgiving dinner; we can be thankful for the new friendships we have formed the past few months.”

Mark stood once more. “Aimee you are so right.  Today we celebrate being thankful for the friendship and love in this room. God has seen fit to bring us together and for that, we all need to be thankful.”

The dinner was great.   The turkey was juicy and the dressing was just right. Aimee complemented them all through the meal. Just before Sophia served dessert, Aimee explained another of her favorite traditions.

“We all hold hands and take turns telling what we are thankful for. Once everyone is done, we have a prayer of Thanks.”

Lexi smiled and took Aimee’s hand. “I like that.” Everyone held hands as Lexi started.

“I am thankful that God has placed Aimee in our lives. She has been such a positive influence on all of us.” Aimee gave her a hug and wiped a tear.

“No crying.” Aiden looked at her. “I am thankful for my family, my friends old, and new, and our great country.”

Everyone at the table took turns telling what they were thankful for. Colin was thankful for his friends and family, Piper was thankful for Aimee being in Neahovia and for God leading her to James. James said much of the same. Sophia was thankful for hearing from the culinary school; she goes for an interview during winter break.

Aimee cleared her throat when it came to her. “I am thankful for so much. My family, my friends, and, most important, my salvation. Right now, I am thankful for the memories I have of my mom and Gran. I am also thankful for the family he gave me in Neahovia; and, that they love me enough to fix me an American Thanksgiving. I love you guys.”

C
hapter Seven

Christmas break went by fast. Aimee flew to the states and stayed until December 28
th
with her family. She flew back to Neahovia early so she would be back in time to be rested before January 2
nd
, when classes started back and the reviews for finals began.

Her dad gave her a new cell phone, laptop, and a gift card for the ski resort, where she would spend Winter Break with her friends. Everyone else bought accessories for her phone and laptop.

Aimee had finished packing her bags. The next ten days she was spending at Normark Ski Resort. It was located in Normark Village in the Loopy Mountains. Planning this trip took weeks. Now, all security checks where done and it was safe for Aiden on the mountain. Everything was in place.

Aimee and Lexi sat the last of their bags in the foyer. Colin and LJ was loading LJ’s SUV, while the girls double checked the flat. Everything in the flat was turned off and locked. Lexi was going over her checklist, make-up, shoes, gift cards, and lots of lotion. Aimee was having fun teasing her over her checklist when Piper came running down the stairs singing a glamorous love song. “I can’t believe that James is going to meet my dad today.”

“Yes, we know, Piper, and we are so happy for you.” Lexi replied in a monotone voice.’’

“Lexi, be nice. Piper, this is so awesome. Your dad is going to love James.” Aimee loved playing the good, positive friend around Lexi.

There was a gentle tap at the door; then, James entered, followed by Colin, who was explaining to James, in a way that only Colin could, that the dude don’t have to knock.

James kissed Piper, then took her hand. She grabbed her coat from the chair. “Ok, we will meet you guys at the lodge around 7:00 p.m.”

“Wait!” Lexi yelled. “What about your clothes?”

“James packed them in his truck last night.” Piper turned and kissed James on the cheek as they left.

“Young love.” Lexi rolled her eyes.

“Don’t be jealous, Lexi, someday, sooner or later, we will be in love. And we too shall float through the air without a care in the world.” Aimee fanned her face.

Lexi laughed so hard she was holding her stomach. “If I start floating girl, you better pull me back down.”

“Me too.” Colin grinned as he put his arms in the air and act like he was floating.

“Ok, we have everything.” LJ stopped dead to his feet. “Colin, what are you doing?”

Lexi and Aimee held their sides from laughing so hard at Colin’s expression; finally, he stumbled to the door. “Let’s go.”

“Ok, lover boy.” Lexi laughed.

“Can you clue me in on lover boy and whatever that was he was just doing?” LJ was so confused.

Aimee sat in the chair so she could pull her grey
UGGS
over her jeans as she told LJ all about lover boy.

When they made it to the SUV, Lexi and Colin had claimed the back seat so Aimee sat up front with LJ. He opened her door for her. A roar of laughter came from Lexi in the back seat just as Aimee clipped her seatbelt on.

“What?" Aimee turned her head and ask.

“I just got a text from Aiden. It seems poor Ava’s plane has been delayed. It will be late tonight or early morning before they make it to the lodge.”

Colin did a pretend gasp. “Her dad made her fly commercial. I bet she is so mad. I got a text from Josiah; he says he is staying in Ancaster, his band has booked some gigs.”

“Well, that just leaves Sophia, I guess her and her man will be there tomorrow as well, unless...” Lexi said.

“Actually.” Aimee bit her lower lip. “Her interview went awesome. When she arrived at the school, she discovered they are holding several free workshops. The woman who interviewed her told her about them. So, she is spending the next ten days at the Neahovia Culinary School.”

“That really sounds like an awesome opportunity for her.” LJ added.

“It is.” Her phone beeped signaling at text. She read it and typed a short response.

“More bad news?” Colin asked in a concerned voice.

“No. It was from my dad, wanting to let me know he hopes we have fun and to let him know when we make it to the lodge.” Aimee sighed as she put her phone down.

LJ was entering the road that lead out of town. “It must be hard to be so far away from your family.”

“At times. But, except for last year, I have always went to boarding school since my mom…” Aimee looked at her hands. In all the conversations she had with LJ over the past four months, she had not told him about her mom.

“Are you ok?” He looked genuinely concerned.

Aimee nodded as she fought the tears.   Not now, she was not going to cry on vacation.  “My mom was killed in a car accident when I was ten.”

LJ took her hand. “I’m so sorry; I had no idea.”

“It’s ok. A lot of people don’t know. It’s kind of poor conversation starter.”

LJ put his hand back on the wheel. “So, are you an only child?”

“Not now. My dad remarried when I was twelve. He and Deandre have three kids. Maddie is five and the twins, Grant and Carter, just turned one.”

“Wow! Your dad like started all over.”

Aimee laughed. “Yeah, he did. Lucky for him, I was born when he was twenty three. Your turn, tell me about your family.”

“Ok, we are a close family. My mom and dad are high school sweethearts. You met my sister; but, I have four more siblings. You met my dad; but, he really isn’t as bad as he made himself look at the dinner. My mom works in design; she actually designs all of our businesses.”

“Wow. I don’t think your dad liked me much.”

“Are you crazy? He loved your spunk; he went on about it for days, my mom said.”

“My spunk. Ok. Hey, Lexi, I am spunky.”

“We know, Spunky, keep it down.”

“Seriously, he was impressed with you. Honestly, other than my mom, I have never known him to be so impressed with someone.”

“Hey. Stop trying to turn on the charm and turn the heat up, I am cold.” Colin yelled.

“Pipe down, lover boy.” LJ laughed as he adjusted the heat for the back.

“Uh, Dude, that sounds horrible coming from you.”

“Yeah, I realized that as soon as I spoke the words.”

Aimee turned and looked at Colin. “Next time, try using the controls above your head.”

Colin looked up. “Ok. But then I can’t interrupt LJ.”

Aimee turned to LJ. “So, is your family from Normark?”

“My parents live in Concord, about forty-five minutes outside of Ancaster. My grandfather owns the Normark resorts.”

“So, you must see your family a lot?”

“Every Sunday.”

“I bet that’s nice. So, will we see your grandparents?”

“Yeah. Not the first few days because they are on vacation. But, Sunday they are having us over for dinner.”

“Cool.”

“Dude, I am starving; how much longer before we get to Lake Savannah?” Colin asked in a fake, whiny tone.

“About another half hour.”

Aimee turned to Lexi. “You ok?”

“Yeah, I am trying to watch a movie on my tablet; but, somebody back here is being a total whine bag.”

Colin took out his earphones. “If that is how you are going to be, I am taking a nap.”

Aimee laughed and turned back around. “How long does it take to get to Normark from Lake Savannah?”

“About two or three hours. It depends on traffic and how many times we have to stop and let Colin eat.”

“If we don’t limit him, the others may beat us.” Lexi sarcastically commented.

“Not funny.” Colin grinned.

♥
♥

LJ pulled the SUV into the parking lot of a huge log cabin style steakhouse. The view was of the Savannah Lake, with the Loopy Mountains in the distance. Aimee looked out the window and gazed at the view.  “This is gorgeous.” The very instant she stepped out of the vehicle a blast of cold air hit her face.

“Wow, it’s chilly.” Aimee reached for her coat.

“Just wait until we get started up Loopy Mountain.” Lexi pulled on her coat.

“Well, I guess it is a good thing I wore a thermal Henley under my shirt.” Aimee pulled at her burgundy, plaid top.

The restaurant was decorated in a Neahovian version of Americana style decor. They waited at the front, while LJ went to find the hostess. When they returned, she escorted them to a private room in the back of the restaurant. The room was so cozy. On the back wall, was a huge fireplace and the two other outside walls was made from glass like in a sunroom. There was no need for a lot of decorations back here. The beauty God created outside was decoration enough.

In the center of the room was a table setup for the four of them. Aimee took the seat LJ pulled out for her. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Welcome to Lakeside Steakhouse. This was the first business my family started.”

“It is very beautiful. I can’t wait until I see the lodge.”

Colin took the liberty of ordering drinks for everyone.
Sami’s Sweet Teas
.  LJ informed the girls it was his grandmother’s secret recipe.

When the waitress returned with the sweet teas, LJ recommended the T-Bone steaks, house salad with house dressing, and a baked sweet potato. He informed them that the sweet potatoes had a delicious brown sugar topping.

Lexi and Colin saw some old school friends when they walked in; and, they excused themselves to go back and talk to them for a few minutes. LJ wanted to take Aimee to show her the balcony view. The air was cool; but, the view was so worth it. The water from the lake was sky blue. The snow on the trees glistened in the water below them.

“The view is simply breathtaking.”

“The view is why my grandparents chose this spot for their business.”

“I can totally tell why. Do you bring a lot of girls here?”

“No, just my favorite ones.” LJ laughed as he placed a hand on Aimee’s mid back.

Aimee nervously coughed. “You barely know me.”

“I know, but I would like to change that.”

Aimee suddenly felt hot. “I am a rather boring person.”

“Let me be the judge of that.”

Aimee’s stomach had butterflies going crazy. “Ok.”

LJ moved in closer, Aimee’s heart rate speeding. She wasn’t ready for this. Thank God Lexi came out and saved her.

“Oh, sorry.” Lexi went to back away, but could tell Aimee wanted her to stay.

“Our food’s here.”

Aimee walked toward the door. “Thanks, Lexi.”

LJ followed. “We have two weeks to get to know one another.”

Aimee felt so out of place right now. She knew Colin would fight her; but, she was riding in the back, with Lexi, on the way to the lodge. Colin excused himself from the table early and, as if he knew what Aimee was up to, he was already in the backseat.