Here To Stay

By Jenyfer Matthews

All Julia Sullivan wanted was a fresh start in a new place. But cutting ties with the past and starting over can be a difficult thing to do.

After leaving her husband and quitting her job, Julia was emotionally spent. She needed a quiet place to recharge and to think about what she wanted from life. She thought she had found just that when she inherited her aunt's oceanfront Victorian house in Haven, New Jersey. It wasn't going to be that simple, however. In addition to her new house being a complete shambles, her charming soon-to-be ex-husband Patrick, whom she discovers she still loves, arrives with the intention of winning her back. To complicate matters further, it seems as if her aunt's death wasn't an accident after all. Add to that, there's just something about her new house that seems to interest all sorts of people...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jenyfer Matthews
• Release date: Feb 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458156860

Jenyfer Matthews

Nature or nurture – one way or another Jenyfer was born with a touch of wanderlust, having moved states twice and houses four times before the age of five. The second child of two displaced Midwesterners, Jenyfer grew up in southern Louisiana and spent most of her childhood summers in northern Minnesota, further contributing to her regional identity crisis. She escaped back to the milder climes of the Midwest at the first opportunity by accepting a graduate assistantship at Kent State University, renting an apartment over the phone, and moving to Ohio sight unseen. She cemented her reputation as a daring individualist (or an impulsive flake, depending on your perspective) by eloping with her ex-husband after only ten months – and introducing her family later.The move to Ohio was only the first of several long distance moves for Jenyfer. After a few years in Ohio, she and her husband moved to North Carolina for a job – and then on to the United Arab Emirates where they resided for six years and started a family. Traveling has become something of a passion for Jenyfer who has since visited Greece, Turkey, Germany, Italy, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Oman, and Qatar. Jenyfer and her family lived in Cairo, Egypt for six years before moving back to the US. Jenyfer currently lives in Michigan.Over the years Jenyfer has been a retail clerk, a department store model, a receptionist, a teacher, a freelance newspaper columnist, a librarian, a quilter, and a full-time mother and sports mom / taxi. She’s a Capricorn, a wine lover (but not a snob), and loves to people-watch.Praise for Jenyfer MatthewsJenyfer Matthews is a skillful writer. She has crafted a tale of romantic affection within a superb suspense story. Recommended.”The Romance Studio, on Here To StayMs. Matthews has delivered a laugh out loud novel full of twists and turns and enough sexual heat to balance the tale perfectly. One Crazy Summer is a sweet sexy read that will have you wanting to read it again and again.”Romance Junkies, on One Crazy SummerMs. Jenyfer Matthews’ novel All the Way Home is a touching and poignant tale of healing and rediscovery. {...} Well written and riddled with emotions, sisterly bonds and a deeply moving romance, All the Way Home has secured a permanent place in my heart and on my keeper shelf.Romance Junkies, on All the Way HomeSeparation Anxiety is a beautiful story, beautifully told. Jenyfer Matthews crafts a perfect blend of humor and heart that will leave you longing for more.Gemma Halliday, author of the High Heel Mystery series

Book preview

Praise for Jenyfer Matthews

Jenyfer Matthews is a skillful writer. She has crafted a tale of romantic affection within a superb suspense story. Recommended."

The Romance Studio, on Here To Stay

Ms. Matthews has delivered a laugh out loud novel full of twists and turns and enough sexual heat to balance the tale perfectly. One Crazy Summer is a sweet sexy read that will have you wanting to read it again and again."

Romance Junkies, on One Crazy Summer

Ms. Jenyfer Matthews’ novel All the Way Home is a touching and poignant tale of healing and rediscovery. {…} Well written and riddled with emotions, sisterly bonds and a deeply moving romance, All the Way Home has secured a permanent place in my heart and on my keeper shelf.

Romance Junkies, on All the Way Home

Separation Anxiety is a beautiful story, beautifully told. Jenyfer Matthews crafts a perfect blend of humor and heart that will leave you longing for more.

Gemma Halliday, author of the High Heel Mystery series

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Here To Stay

Jenyfer Matthews

Copyright 2011 Jenyfer Matthews

Smashwords Edition

Cover Art by Croco Designs

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Dedication

In memory of Gramma, without whom I would never have visited and fallen in love with the New Jersey shore.

And for all my friends and family who encouraged me to keep writing, even when it felt like I was getting nowhere.

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Chapter One

Julia stuffed a handful of moldy carpet into a plastic garbage bag. And I thought inheriting a house on the Jersey shore sounded like a good thing! she said to the room at large. The answer to my prayers, huh?

Her Aunt Miriam, who had willed the house to her even though Julia hadn’t seen her in years, had been quite a packrat. She kept everything. Old magazines and newspapers, parts of bicycles, mounds of clothes. Julia had done nothing in the two days since she’d arrived but clean up the mess it had taken decades to accumulate.

She was standing knee deep in a pile of old magazines when someone knocked at the front door. She looked up in surprise. Who could it be? She didn’t know anyone here.

Coming! she called as she stepped around the piles of junk. She smoothed a stray lock of hair from her face as she opened the door.

Her smile died. Of all the people in all the world who might have been at her door, she never expected this.

What are you doing here? she asked.

Is that any way to greet your husband? Patrick asked from where he leaned against the railing on the front porch.

Julia stood staring at him, speechless. She hadn’t seen him in months, but if it were possible, Patrick looked even more handsome than usual, his chestnut brown hair blowing in the breeze. He’d left his usual starched white shirts, conservative ties, and pinstriped suits behind today. She’d always loved the way he looked in jeans.

At the same time, Julia was conscious of her own grubby appearance. Her t-shirt was covered with dust and grime and dark wisps of hair that had escaped her ponytail fell in her face. She tried to smooth them back and then dropped her hand. What was she doing?

His showing up at her sanctuary completely unannounced made her angry. Still being attracted to him was enough to make her positively furious.

Ex-husband, Julia returned, crossing her arms. She attempted to squelch her attraction by focusing on her anger.

Not yet, he answered, coming forward. And not if I have anything to say about it.

Julia closed her eyes and sighed. Is that the only reason you came here? To go another round?

Actually, I brought you some mail that was delivered to the apartment, he said, reaching into his back pocket and producing a few envelopes. I thought you might want it.

She shuffled through the envelopes quickly. A sweepstakes notice, a credit card offer, and a catalog. Nothing to warrant a trip from Chicago. She raised an eyebrow. You could have mailed it. Heck, you could have trashed it. Why are you really here?

He smiled at her and held up his hands in surrender. I confess—I came to see you, Julia. Since I did come all the way here, the least you could do is invite me in.

Julia stood her ground in the doorway for a moment before stepping back. It’s not really presentable right now, but okay.

Patrick followed her inside and let loose a low whistle. Not presentable is an understatement, Blue. How about a total wreck?

I’m still working on it, she replied.

He touched a streak of dust on her cheek and said, So I see.

Blue. It was what he always used to call her because he said the first thing he had noticed about her was her eyes. She hadn’t realized how long it had been since she’d heard him use the pet name. Hearing it again dug a small hole in her already weakened armor.

His touch still felt so good. The warmth of his palm against her cheek and the quickened beat of her own heart brought her back to her senses. She got her emotions in check and took a step away from him. His hand dropped back to his side.

How did you find me anyway?

He shrugged. The lawyer handling your aunt’s estate called me, looking for you. A few keystrokes in some expensive databases did the rest.

Spare me the details, she returned. With a few pertinent facts and enough time, his law firm had the resources to find anyone. What do you want, Patrick? Other than to criticize my house, that is?

I want the same thing I’ve always wanted. You, he said. I can’t believe we can’t work this out. He reached for her.

She shook her head and took another step back. It won’t work and you know it. All the same old reasons would still be there. Nothing’s changed.

He started to take a step forward until he saw her preparing to move away. He stood still. Everything’s changed since you left. I’ve changed. Can’t we just talk about it?

She shook her head. Don’t you think I tried? I thought about us from every angle I could think of and I could never figure out a way to make things right between us.

Is it your job? Quit, I don’t care. I make enough for both of us, he said. We can work it out.

It’s more than my job. It’s me. It’s you. It’s—everything, she replied, gesturing helplessly in the air. You’re not the same person you were when we met and neither am I. I don’t even know what I want right now. I never wanted to hurt you, but believe me, this is for the best.

This is for the best? he repeated. You think running away from your job—from your life—and moving into a Victorian wreck on the ocean like some heroine from a gothic novel is for the best? Have you looked around this place lately?

I know it looks bad now, but I’m working on it and I know it will come together, she said.

Then what? How are you going to support yourself out here? Are you going to commute into New York every day?

No, she answered, crossing her arms. Well, maybe. I haven’t really decided yet. I thought maybe I could turn this into a bed and breakfast or—

A bed and breakfast? You don’t even like balancing your own checkbook and you’re going to keep up with the accounts on a business? he asked. You’d have to do some major renovations to turn this into an inn and by the way, what sort of clients would you be able to attract? Have you looked around the neighborhood lately? Or are you planning to rent rooms by the hour?

She didn’t like the crack about the neighborhood. I told you I haven’t decided yet.

What did your aunt do to support herself? Besides act as the local landfill agent, that is, he asked.

If you must know, my aunt was an artist, she replied. She made pottery and did watercolors. She had a fully equipped studio on the top floor and I’m thinking about doing some work of my own. Pottery. Maybe I could sell it to the tourists.

Patrick looked around. Yeah, it looks like it was a really lucrative way to make a living.

The expression on her face had him backing down. Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t come here to fight with you. I’m sure you’re going to turn this into a show place. Whatever you do, you’ll be a success.

He paused. Is there someone else, Blue? Are you in love with someone else?

Julia looked up at Patrick in surprise. That he could think that she was in love with someone else startled her. There had never been anyone else in her heart, but he had changed so much over the years it was almost as if the person she’d fallen in love with was someone else.

It had been the hardest thing in the world to give up on their relationship and walk away from him. It could never work for them, but she wasn’t sure she had the strength to resist him again. So she said the only thing that she knew would make him walk away forever.

Yes, there is someone else.

Julia almost flinched to see the way his eyes hardened when he looked at her. She could see a muscle in his jaw twitch as he ground his teeth. It was for the best though, she assured herself. It was too late for them and this was the only way to make him give up.

I see. His voice was cold. He took the divorce papers from his back pocket and held them up, then paused, as if straining to maintain control. So where is he now? Why isn’t he helping you clean up this mess?

I don’t really think that it’s any of your business, Julia replied.

Tell me to get out of your life and I’ll sign these papers right now.

Julia forced herself to look him in the eye and said, Please go, Patrick. Her voice was quiet. She didn’t want him to hear the waver in it.

He nodded as if he hadn’t expected anything different. He took out a pen, signed the papers, and tossed them to her as he turned to go. They landed on a pile of newspaper. He paused as he opened the door and looked back at her. I still love you, Blue. I always will.

After she was sure he had shut the door behind him, she reached up and wiped away the tears that now coursed freely down her face.

Chapter Two

Patrick slammed the door of his rental car and turned it back the way he’d come, back to his hotel.

He fumed as he drove. Why had he come? What was the use? She’d made it very clear in Chicago that she didn’t want him anymore and coming here and picking a fight with her hadn’t helped matters. He couldn’t force her to love him again.

Not if she was in love with someone else.

He replayed her words in his mind. Julia had never lied to him before, but he still couldn’t believe it was true. What he and Julia had shared was a stronger and more enduring love than anything she could have found with another man. He felt it and he had to believe that she still felt it too.

He could feel his blood pressure rising at the thought of Julia with another man, his hands touching her body, whispering endearments in her ear after they made love.

Stop! he ordered himself. Just stop before you drive yourself insane and end up doing something crazy.

Patrick rolled down his window and let the breeze cool his temper. With his anger dissipating, his heartache came to the fore. He had made himself vulnerable to her and her rejection wounded him to his very soul. He still loved her so damned much.

The same, Patrick thought, she looked the same.

Well, not exactly the same. She was thinner than he remembered. That was hardly surprising—she never did take proper care with her eating. And her nearly black hair was longer by several inches.

Whatever else was different about her, her eyes were the same. Penetratingly blue, the color of a summer sky, he fell under their spell all over again.

He shook his head. He still couldn’t pinpoint when things had gone wrong for them. Things had seemed to be going so well. She had her career on track and he had been offered a partnership in one of the largest law firms in Chicago.

With his promotion came bigger, more prestigious cases and longer hours at the firm. He hadn’t minded though, at least not much. Wasn’t that what all the hard work had been for? Wasn’t he finally realizing his dreams? He would be able to give Julia everything she’d ever wanted in life.

Why wasn’t that enough?

He noticed that she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring anymore. Had she stopped wearing it when she met this other man?

He hit his fist on the steering wheel. He didn’t care if she was in love with someone else. He would fight for her. He would show her that they were meant to be together, that they could start over again. He had to. Everything he had worked so hard for was nothing if he didn’t have the one woman with whom he wanted to share it all.

I won’t give up on you, Blue, he sent up his silent prayer. I can’t give up on us.

* * * * *

Julia growled to herself in frustration when she heard the knock on her door. Didn’t Patrick ever give up?

What is it now? She stopped short when she saw Anthony Passantino, the lawyer handling her aunt’s estate, standing on her doorstep. Oh sorry, I thought you were someone else. She stepped back to let him in. Come in, please.

He followed her inside and looked at her puffy red eyes. Are you okay? Has there been any trouble? Has someone been bothering you? he asked.

She waved her hand and sniffled. It’s nothing. Just got some dust in my eyes.

He followed her into the kitchen and looked around in surprise. You’ve been busy.

She smiled at the implied compliment. Yes, it’s been a lot of work but well worth the effort, I think.

You know, if you decide that the house is too big for you, I could help you sell it. Most buyers don’t have much imagination, but with all the work you’ve done, you could probably get a good offer for this place, he said as he took a seat at the kitchen table.

She thought of her recent encounter with Patrick and her smile faded. I’m not interested in selling.

Anthony shrugged. He took an envelope of papers from his breast pocket. Up to you. I just assumed you’d be wanting to get back to Chicago soon. You must have a job, a husband waiting for you?

She looked up at him. My husband and I are divorced. I’m making Haven my home now.

Oh, well then, welcome. He handed her the envelope. You are now the legal owner of the house and your aunt’s bank account.

She took the papers from him. Her freedom. She could almost feel the tension Patrick’s visit had caused drain away.

Thank you for bringing this by, she said. It wasn’t necessary for you to do it personally.

No trouble. I was wondering, would you like to have dinner with me sometime?

Before Julia could answer, his cell phone rang. He reached into his pocket. Hold that thought, he said as he stood up and answered the call. Hello?

He walked away from the table, toward the doorway. He listened for a few moments and then said, Okay, good. Keep me informed.

Julia glanced over the paperwork as he talked. She looked up when he spoke, his body language had stiffened and his voice seemed strained. She shrugged. Problem with a client, no doubt. She knew all about lawyers and their clients.

He ended his call abruptly and Julia could see his thoughts were already elsewhere. She stood. Thanks again for bringing the paperwork by.

He looked at her and smiled. Not a problem, he answered. I have another appointment to get to now but I wanted to make sure everything was all right here. You’re new in town, just wanted to help you get settled.

Thank you for your concern, Julia answered as they made their way back to the door. As you can see, I’ve been quite busy.

He paused by the door. Call me if you need anything at all. Or if you have any trouble.

She frowned. Why should I have any trouble?

He shrugged. Oh you know—mice, bats, other assorted vermin. That’s all I meant. The house was badly neglected for a long time.

Oh, she answered with a faint laugh. I’ve been lucky so far, haven’t seen a thing. By the way, did you know my Aunt Miriam well?

Not exactly. She dealt primarily with my father until his death three years ago. I took over her concerns at that time but rarely saw her. I never saw the inside of the house until after she died. Why?

Oh I was just wondering if you could shed any light on all of this, Julia said, gesturing to the messy rooms. I was only a child the last time I saw her.

Just an eccentric old lady I guess, he replied. Anyway, you have my number. Let me know about dinner. See you. He strolled back to his car.

Julia shut the door behind him and leaned against it. She was relieved he had taken that phone call so she didn’t have to reply to his invitation to dinner. There was nothing she wanted less right now than another relationship.

Especially with a lawyer.

* * * * *

Julia was lugging some trash bags out of the back door to the industrial-sized waste bin she’d rented when she looked up and noticed a hand waving to her from the window of the apartment above the garage. Julia started. Why hadn’t Anthony told her someone lived above the garage? She couldn’t see the lawyer forgetting such an important fact. The obvious answer that leapt to mind was that he didn’t know.

Before Julia could so much as take a step forward, she saw the resident coming out and making her way down a rickety outdoor staircase.

Hello! the old woman greeted Julia as she made her way across the yard. She was still waving, her arm held high as she picked her way to where Julia stood. She wore a purple and green flowered blouse with a red skirt and a yellow cardigan. She clutched a white vinyl handbag close to her body. I wanted to come and say hello when I saw you before, but I didn’t want to intrude!

A munchkin of a woman stopped in front of Julia and held out her hand. You must be Julia, my dear. I am so pleased to finally meet you.

Julia took her hand. How did you know my name? was all she could think to say.

The old lady cackled merrily as she batted at the wisps of white hair that blew around her face. Mimi told me all about you and of course I was witness to her will. Once poor Mimi died, I knew you’d be along eventually!

Julia took all this in. Her aunt had kept up with her life somehow. Why hadn’t she ever tried to get in touch?

The old woman patted her hand. I know what you’re thinking, dear, and don’t worry yourself about it. Mimi was an independent person, almost a recluse you might say, and didn’t hold much with big family reunions.

I’m sorry, Julia said, you have the advantage, I’m afraid. I don’t know your name.

The old woman laughed again. Oh! Silly me, of course you don’t. I’m Millie Henry, your closest neighbor. I live back there, she said, gesturing toward the garage.

I didn’t know anyone lived back there, Julia said. My aunt’s lawyer didn’t tell me.

Millie winked. He didn’t know. It was a private arrangement, just between us girls.

Julia didn’t know what to think. She hadn’t counted on having a tenant to deal with. Would you like to come in? I don’t have much to offer you, but we could get out of the damp wind.

Millie beamed up at her. "Love to. I saw you working this morning and I’ve been dying to see what you’ve done