This is Book 2 in the Seaside Boulevard Series!
It is the grand opening of The Perfect Pitch. All the pieces fall into
place until Francine's diagnosis of breast cancer, throwing their lives
upside down. While Amy and Jason deal with the reaction from her family
to their interracial relationship, Toni finds herself in another
overbearing relationship with Pelicans third baseman Gary Thompson.
In the mist of taking care of Francine and working at The Perfect Pitch, Richie gets a call from the owner of the Pelicans. He is offered a job as pitching coach for the team. Richie accepts the job, putting a huge strain on his marriage which affects all of them.
In the mist of taking care of Francine and working at The Perfect Pitch, Richie gets a call from the owner of the Pelicans. He is offered a job as pitching coach for the team. Richie accepts the job, putting a huge strain on his marriage which affects all of them.
EXCERPT
The sound of machines beeped above her head. Francine tried to open her eyes but couldn’t. Her body felt paralyzed. Why couldn’t she move? What if something went wrong and she was paralyzed for life? She wondered what happened during the surgery. Did they find something else? Did she have one breast or none? Right before she counted backwards from ten, Doctor Taylor handed her a clipboard with paperwork that needed to be signed. She remembered asking him why he waited until the last minute to sign the paper. His answer, “Procedure.”
Over the sound of the machine, she heard Richie talking. She had no idea what she was going to face when she totally woke up. “...I need you to open your eyes. I’m not leaving this room until I see your big brown eyes. From the moment I laid eyes on you, my heart skipped a beat and you stopped me in my tracks. You were always smiling even in your darkest moments. You’re my love, my best friend. Your hugs are precious especially when you hug me for no reason at all. Your kisses make me melt. I can kiss you all day long. You are one of the most unselfish women I have ever known. You listen to me, share in all my glory at the ballpark every time I pitch. Funny, I can always hear your cheering and chanting through the crowd. My favorite part of the day is at night when I’m wrapped in your arms because I know in the morning I’m going to wake up beside you, sharing another precious day with you. Please sweetheart, open your eyes, let me know you are okay so we can plan our future together. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit...”
Richie was praying. She couldn’t make out which prayer, because his words were mumbled. With all her strength, she was able to move her pointer finger. She lifted it up and down hoping Richie saw the movement. But he didn’t or else he would be yelling with excitement. She needed to get his attention, let him know she heard him. All at once she felt her eyes water. The love in his heart couldn’t be any more evident. Hearing his voice soothed her. She knew she was alive and would soon be wrapped in Richie’s arms.
“Nurse,” Richie yelled. “She’s waking up. She moved. There are tears in her eyes.”
Over the sound of the machine, she heard Richie talking. She had no idea what she was going to face when she totally woke up. “...I need you to open your eyes. I’m not leaving this room until I see your big brown eyes. From the moment I laid eyes on you, my heart skipped a beat and you stopped me in my tracks. You were always smiling even in your darkest moments. You’re my love, my best friend. Your hugs are precious especially when you hug me for no reason at all. Your kisses make me melt. I can kiss you all day long. You are one of the most unselfish women I have ever known. You listen to me, share in all my glory at the ballpark every time I pitch. Funny, I can always hear your cheering and chanting through the crowd. My favorite part of the day is at night when I’m wrapped in your arms because I know in the morning I’m going to wake up beside you, sharing another precious day with you. Please sweetheart, open your eyes, let me know you are okay so we can plan our future together. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit...”
Richie was praying. She couldn’t make out which prayer, because his words were mumbled. With all her strength, she was able to move her pointer finger. She lifted it up and down hoping Richie saw the movement. But he didn’t or else he would be yelling with excitement. She needed to get his attention, let him know she heard him. All at once she felt her eyes water. The love in his heart couldn’t be any more evident. Hearing his voice soothed her. She knew she was alive and would soon be wrapped in Richie’s arms.
“Nurse,” Richie yelled. “She’s waking up. She moved. There are tears in her eyes.”
KAREN'S SOCIAL MEDIA
This passage should be frightening to anyone who's ever had surgery.
ReplyDeleteYes you are right. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteDefinitely dramatic, Karen.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your cover is very evocative.
Thank you. I create my own covers. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI have tears in my eyes too... great excerpt and great story!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Viviana. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteVery good excerpt. The recovery from surgery is well portrayed
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's truly a compliment!
DeleteWow - great - dramatic snippet - with joy at the end.
ReplyDeleteTweeted.
Thank you! So glad you stopped by!
DeleteI'm curious what the outcome will be.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
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