Read Online My Last Love by Shirley Mendonca - Free Book Online Page B

going skiing and spending the day with Doug.
    “I’ll call you in the morning and let you know. Okay?”
    The next morning Lorraine was up early excited about the day and waiting for Doug to call. As the morning past ed Lorraine was beginning to wonder why Doug had not call yet. She decided to call the lodge and talk to him.
    “Good morning, Pine Valley Lodge.” The voice on the other end of the phone responded.
    “Good morning. Could you please ring Doug Ro dgers suite . ” Lorraine replied.
    “Mr. Rogers checked out this morning.” The clerk responded.
     
    “Did he leave a message for Lorraine Williams?” (She had taken back her maiden name after the divorce).
    “Let me check for you.” It seemed like forever before she heard the clerk’s voice again. There is a message for you.
    “Would you please read it to me? ” Lorraine felt as if her heart was going to stop.
    “The message reads, thanks for the wonderful time. I had to get back to Los Angeles on business. I will call. Love and kisses. Doug. Is that all Miss Williams? “ The clerk asked.
    “Yes, that will be all, thank you.” Lorraine hung up the phone knowing th a t Doug would never call. He didn’t get what he came for so he left.
    The next week was a living hell. Every time the phone would ring Lorraine would pray that it would be Doug. She knew he had made a fool of her again. She had really messed up her life again . I will n ever let that happen to me again!
    The next several months Lorraine threw herself into her work. The shop was very busy and Lorraine was grateful. The time had helped her to forget somewhat about Doug. Sue had become a very close friend to Lorraine during this time. The long talks were a great help for Lorraine.
    “Are you doing all right? I know the last several months have been hell for you. I worry about you.” Sue asked Lorraine.
    “I’m going to be fine. It’s just going to take some time to forget.” Lorraine smile d and gave Sue a hug. “Sue, I have decided to move back to the Los Angeles area and start all over again Of course I would have to sell the shop.
    “Lorraine, I would hate to see you leave . You just moved to Pine Valley , and the shop is doing so well. If you are determined to move, I would be interested in buying the shop from you.”
    “Oh that would be wonderful. I know how much you love the shop.” Lorraine was surprised that Sue offered.
    “Of course I couldn’t pay you all of the money up front, but I could give you enough for you to start over again in Los Angeles , and then maybe make payments to you until I pay the shop off.” Sue was praying Lorrai ne would agree to these terms. That would be a dream come true . “Lorraine, what ’ s the real reason you want to move back to Los Angeles? Is it to see if you and Doug can get back together?”
    “Oh my g o o d ness , no!” Lorraine said in a stern voice. ”The truth is, I’m falling in love with Jim, and I know there woul d never be a future here for me.” Tears came to Lorraine’s eyes.
    “Oh, Lorraine, I’m sorry to hear that. I have noticed when he’s around the two of you do have feelings for each other, but with Jim being engaged to Barbara I can see why you feel the way you do.”
    Jim phoned Barbara and told her he was coming by on the way home. Barbara was reading in the den when he arrived.” You’re working late tonight. Is everything okay?” She turned as Jim walked into the room. She noticed he didn’t seem to be himself.
    “I’m fine. I just had some extra work at the paper to finish. Barbara, I need to talk to you about a phone call I received last week from the Editor of the Los Angeles Globe. He wants to meet with me in three weeks about a position with his paper.” Jim poured himself a drink and sat down in a leather chair next to Barbara.
     
     
    “Are you crazy? What in the world makes you think I would ever move t o Los Angeles? Our lives are here in Pine Valley. I know that since your Mother