A Chance Event

A Chance Event

A Chain of Love Novella

by

Sandra S. Kerns

Published by Sandra S. Kerns, LLC

Editor: Joy Clintsman, Big Sister Edits

Copyright 2017 Sandra S. Kerns

All rights reserved

Smashwords Edition

Cover design by: The Book Khaleesi

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

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DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to

‘Curvy’ women everywhere.

Love yourself and love will find you.

CHAPTER ONE

Charlene tapped her pen leaving little dents on the blotter of her desk as she listened to her sister chatter away. When Deirdre took a breath, Charlene jumped in.

There is absolutely no way I will plan your wedding for you for this Valentine’s Day, Deirdre. Besides the fact you know I hate that holiday, today is January 28th. That means there would be only sixteen days to plan it. Having listened to your idea of a dream wedding since I was three, I know I can’t possibly pull it together in such a short amount of time. I do have real paying clients, you know.

As usual, her sister ignored her arguments. Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a miracle worker. I know you can do it and I wouldn’t dream of having anyone else take care of my big day.

You don’t understand. I do not have time. I’ve got two weddings, a fiftieth anniversary, a bachelorette party, four engagement parties, and a sorority Valentine’s Day party, already booked between now and then.

I’m not worried. You’ll think of something. Toodles.

You have got to be kidding me, Charlene yelled when her sister hung up. She stood so fast her chair slammed into the wall behind her. Her dog jumped up from his bed beside the desk and started barking.

Oh, hush, Cameron. There’s no one here but me and you. She scooped him up and carried him with her as she tried to pace off her frustration. He licked at her chin and his wagging tail kept hitting her hip. If only a male of the human persuasion would find her as appealing. Irritation for even thinking such a self-pitying thought, made every muscle in her body tense. When the dog squirmed, she realized that she had been squishing him.

I’m sorry, Cam. Let’s go home, turn on the fireplace, and get wasted on spiked cocoa.

Cameron’s tail stopped wagging and he pulled his head back as if questioning her sanity.

Right, I’ll get wasted on spiked cocoa. I’ll let you have a couple extra treats. How’s that sound? She laughed as the chin licking recommenced.

She loaded her bag with catalogs, folders, and binders. Eventually, her plans went into the computer, but first she preferred writing things down and sketching them out. Binders meant she never had to worry if there wasn’t Wi-Fi at an event location. With her work tote packed, she put on her coat and got Cameron in his. At only eight pounds he would freeze in the low temperatures blowing around northern Colorado tonight. After Cameron climbed in the oversized bag she used to carry him and her purse in, she slipped it over one shoulder. Grabbing her keys, she picked up her other bag.

It’s a good thing I’m not a twig like Deirdre or you would have to walk, she said pushing the door open. The dog ducked down hiding from the wind as it pulled at the bag on her shoulder. Snow was blowing in every direction.

I don’t blame you, buddy, she said while she locked the door. If I didn’t have to get us to the car, I’d climb in there next to you.

Turning to the right, she squinted against the wind and started the two block walk to her car. She grumbled as she walked past the now empty parking spaces. Where were they when she arrived at seven this morning? Hugging the bag with her dog in it closer, she shrugged her shoulders to keep the wind off the back of her neck. There were only two more cars before hers when she glanced up and saw a woman pointing toward her. Charlene could tell the woman was saying something, but she couldn’t hear her because the wind was whistling in her ears.

What? I’m sorry, I can’t hear you, Charlene yelled hoping it reached the woman who was now running. Then the woman’s eyes widened in fear as she kept pointing. As Charlene turned to look over her shoulder, something hit her from behind.

Martin glanced at his wrist again as he pulled into an empty parking space in front of the coffee shop. He still hadn’t set it to the correct time zone. It didn’t matter. He knew what hour it was and the minutes were the same no matter what zone he was in. That meant he was fifteen minutes late. His sister was going to kill him. Millie’s middle name was punctuality. This was not a good way to start a long overdue reunion. There were a couple of other cars parked along the sidewalk. He recognized the old Camry Millie drove. If she hadn’t gotten ticked off enough to leave, that was good, right?

He pulled the keys from the ignition and opened the door. His foot landed in a puddle of slush. Great, one more wonderful welcome home, he thought as he shook the mess off his shoe and stepped out of the old SUV. The wind was like a slap in the face. Geez, why had he decided to come home at this time of year? He almost longed for the hot, dry, winds of Africa. As the thought popped into his mind, so did bad memories. With the memories the cold didn’t seem quite so bad. He hunkered down in his coat and flipped up the collar.

Seeing no customers in the café, he looked to where he’d seen Millie’s car. He saw her blonde head walking in the opposite direction.

Really, Millie? he yelled against the wind.

She didn’t even glance over her shoulder. A moment later, she dropped her coffee and started running. When she stopped, she fell to her knees. Martin’s heart went to his throat thinking she was hurt. He started to run. As he got closer he saw that his sister was kneeling beside someone on the ground.

Millie? he yelled against the wind as he slid to a stop behind her.

She glanced over her shoulder and stood. Thank, God, Martin. Take care of her. I’ll be back. Call 9-1-1.

What hap… he didn’t bother finishing the question as she took off down an alley. Turning his attention to the woman lying on the sidewalk, he started to pull his phone from his pocket then thought better of it. Before dialing he should see if she was even alive. There would be no sense in having an ambulance chance getting in an accident in this bad weather if there was no hope. He knelt beside her and reached toward her neck to check for a pulse, but froze as what he’d thought was a hat, started growling.

He pulled his hand back. Whoa, pup, it’s okay. I just want to help.

The dog didn’t seem impressed. He barked once before moving closer to the woman’s face and licking her chin. In between licks, he whined. Martin felt sorry for the little guy.

While he kept an eye on the dog, he surreptitiously reached for the woman’s wrist. Adrenaline rushed through his system at the strong push against his fingertips. The past five years he had often arrived too late to feel that life force. He hadn’t realized how desperately he didn’t want that to be the case this time. The dog whined some more cutting through the haze of relief clouding Martin’s mind.

You worried about her, buddy? Will you let me help? I promise, I won’t hurt her, he said, reaching his hand toward the dog with his fingers curled under. He’d been bitten before. It had only taken once for him to learn the right way to let a dog smell his hand.

The dog stretched his neck so he could sniff at it. A moment later, he turned back to licking the woman’s face and whining. When he stopped licking her and just lay down whimpering, Martin knew he had to act. Taking off his coat, he spread it over her and the dog to try and warm her up. Lying on the cold wet sidewalk wasn’t helping, but there was nothing he could do about that at the moment. Almost a minute had passed since Millie ran off, which meant the woman had been unconscious for at least that long. He needed to get her conscious he thought as he patted the dog’s head sticking out from under the coat.

She’s going to be okay, buddy, he said though he had no idea if that were true. Being a doctor, he dealt with emergencies every day. His training kicked in and he started examining her more closely.

He tried to brush her hair behind her ear but the wind made it a lost cause. She had a pretty face. Not the time to notice, DelaHardt, he grumbled to himself as he continued his exam.

I don’t see any signs of a struggle, he said aloud, although the dog was the only one there to hear him. He always talked while he examined someone, so he kept doing it. I assume whoever Millie is chasing hit you on the head.

His fingers slipped into her hair behind her ear as he felt the side and back of her skull looking for signs of injury. Yep, there’s a lump on the back right side of your head.

He pulled his hand back and glanced down. Though the light around them wasn’t bright he could see and feel there was no blood. That was a relief, although it didn’t mean she wasn’t bleeding internally. Glancing at his watch again, he nearly lost it.

Blood or no blood, if she stayed unconscious much longer it could mean a serious brain injury. Before he could think of what else to do, he noticed movement under his coat. He thought he heard a small groan, though he wasn’t sure because of the wind. When the dog stood, moving closer, and started licking her chin again, Martin was certain she was coming around. He pressed a hand to her shoulder.

Take it easy. You were knocked unconscious, he said as the dog’s tail kicked into hyperwag.

Cam? Oh, ouch, she said as her hand slipped from under his coat and reached toward the back of her head.

You’ve been injured. Stay still, Martin said, pressing gently on her shoulder to restrain her.

He felt pressure against his restraining hand as she tried to sit up.

What? Who are … Oh dang that hurts, she groaned, giving up and resting back down before trying harder. Cameron?

Is that your dog’s name? He’s right here, Martin said as the dog that had fallen back when she tried to sit up, inched up to her face and started licking her chin again. The woman’s hand stroked the dog’s head.

You’re safe, good. That’s okay, baby. I’m okay.

Martin smiled at the connection between the two. He’d never had time to have a pet or any relationship that required attention. That didn’t mean he couldn’t appreciate others enjoying them. He never left you. In fact, he’s been sitting or lying on you the entire time.

She opened her eyes