Give Me the Simple Life
by
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At 12:30 in the afternoon, Veronica Winters walked to her car with an armful of balloons and presents. This was her last day of employment. Two weeks earlier she had handed in her resignation, with lots of reservations. Now the day had come, and the reservations she had felt were replaced with fear of the unknown. Very emotional from the day’s event, she still managed a smile as she fantasized moving back to Michigan and surrounding herself with the people she loved, her family. Shaking off that euphoric feeling, she placed all the items in the car, and walked toward the front of the building. This had been her second home over the last three years. Standing in front of the building brought back the memory of the first day she had reported to work here. It had been a gorgeous but hot day, and she was sweating bullets, due to the combination of heat and nerves. So this is "hot lanta," she had said to herself, while shaking her blouse loose from the wetness of her skin. Walking towards the building with the sun beaming on her neck made her look up into the sky and thank God for having made it that far without passing out from heat exhaustion or a nervous breakdown. With the move, and getting settled in Atlanta, the stress had been almost unbearable, but she had persevered. Returning back to the here and now, Veronica turned and walked to her car with a smile on her face. Thinking back on all the friends she had made, and the southern hospitality, she realized her stay here had been well worth it. It was time to take that last drive back to her apartment. Driving through the gates of the apartment complex, Veronica felt a loss. She really was going to miss Atlanta. She shook the feeling off, parked, and went into the apartment for one last look. After taking a look around, she realized this was not home anymore. There was nothing but emptiness. All of her belongings were on their way to Michigan. Soon she would be, too. Walking around the apartment brought back so many wonderful memories. Visits from her son Lamarr were always a joy. They had such a good relationship, the kind that all parents should have with their children. And Preston. There were no words to describe the memories that would be left behind. Memories that would never fade away, even when new ones were made. The romantic evenings that are every woman’s dream, sitting by the fireplace and dancing by the moonlight, were straight out of a movie. Finding him in her bed on one of his surprise visits would have won any woman’s heart. Jolted by a knock on the door, Veronica called out, "Who is it?" "Maintenance, ma’am" a man’s muffled voice said. "I’m sorry," she replied, "but I didn’t call maintenance. I’m moving out today." Thinking the man was gone, Veronica started looking around to make sure she hadn’t left anything behind. A second knock was heard. She looked out the door’s peephole. With no one in view, she called out again, "Who is it?" "Maintenance, ma’am. A repair call was made, I’m here to check it out." "As I told you before, I’m moving out. There’s been a mistake. You have the wrong apartment." She was still looking out the peephole. Then a man came into view. With a hand over her mouth and widened eyes, she flung open the door and looked into the face of a handsome man with the most beautiful smile she’d ever seen. After regaining her composure she said, pointing towards the empty room, "As you can see, I’m moving. I don’t need maintenance. So why are you here?" In a sexy baritone voice, he responded, "You may not need maintenance, but you do need me, just like I need you, desperately. I’m here to take you back home with me, where you belong."
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About the Book
Veronica Winters leaves a good job in Georgia to move back to Michigan, to be with her family and her lover. All she wants is a simple life, close to those she loves. Ronnie has no idea what she’s getting into. Once home, she’s plunged into a whirlwind of intrigue and complex relationships. Ronnie’s sister Leslie desperately wants to start her own business, but her husband Steve is dead against it. He also has a secret. Ronnie’s sister Paris is back with her husband Neil, after his fling with another woman. But the woman has returned, this time with menacing intentions. Ronnie’s sister Alex is married to the rich lawyer Michael, but he’s away a lot, and Alex discovers a connection between him and the woman Neil slept with. Only it’s more sinister than just sex. Then Ronnie discovers that her lover Preston, a Private Investigator, is also involved. While trying to help, Ronnie gets caught in a web of complicity that becomes increasingly dangerous. Finally her life is at stake. Give Me the Simple Life blends the touching, often-humorous relationships of four lively sisters in a plot full of surprising turns, increasing danger, and an explosive ending.
About the Author
Belinda Walker-Graham was born and raised in River Rouge, Michigan. Even as a child she had a vivid imagination, and learned how to place thoughts on paper. At age 12 she and two other students wrote a play. Her school was so impressed, they closed classes for two hours so Belinda and the students could act the play out. Two other schools were invited. Graham attended Detroit College of Business and took Management classes, then attended Marygrove College for Management. She has worked for 20 years in the communication field. Graham also writes poetry, inspired by her experience, and from the heart. Her love of writing inspired her to become a published author. She succeeded with the debut of her first novel. Graham currently lives in Michigan with her husband, where she is working on her second novel.