Serendipity
Casie L. Williams
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Copyright © 2021 Casie L. Williams
Cover Design by Rob with C5 Designs
First Edition: Casie L. Williams 2021
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance is coincidental.
All rights reserved. This publication is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this publication may be resold, reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission or the publisher or author, except In the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews or certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I cannot express my thanks to everyone who has helped me along this journey. Michael, Robin, Devon, Katelyn, and so many more who have believed in me even when I did not believe in myself. Thank you all so much.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Prologue
“Alexa, play soft ballads from the 80s,” I stated as I sat on the floor in the middle of my master closet. I was surrounded by the daunting task of spring cleaning. I hated spring cleaning. It never seemed to end. I always have way more crap to get rid of than I expect. Talk about anxiety; I have to psyche myself up for like a week before I even get started. You would think by now I wouldn’t have an issue, but I do.
Alexa began playing Guns ‘n Roses as I continued to sit and stare blankly at the junk piled up. Pulling my knees up and resting my head on them, I just listened as Axl Rose belted out the words to “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”
Taking a deep breath, I hear the words, “Sweet child,
Sweet child of mine,” finishing the song.
“Well, this crap won’t clear itself out. Might as well as get to it.”
I stood up and started with the top shelf. I pulled down an old shoe box full to the brim with pictures and trinkets. The lid was just sitting on top, not even properly on because it was so full. Just as I was lifting the top, Jon Bon Jovi’s voice began low and slow, and I saw a picture of me laughing and instantly I was transported back to The Screaming Eagle bar.
Chapter 1
“Boy Dale, you sure can tell when it’s between paydays,” I sighed, wiping down the top of the nearly empty bar for the umpteenth time.
“Yup, it’s slower than a herd of turtles. Enjoy it, ‘cuz next weekend you’ll be runnin’ all over hell’s half acre.” Dale sat at the end of the bar smoking his cigarette while watching some sports commentary.
Just then, a small party of soldiers came bustling in. They were talking to a new guy.
“Yeah, this is the best waterin’ hole around. Can’t beat the prices,” someone stated.
I was watching to see how many as I started popping water glasses on the bartop and filling them and that’s when I really saw the new guy.
Damn…. Hold it girl, he’s a soldier, chillax.
“Hey guys, here’s some water to get ya started. Know what ya want?” I asked, placing the water glasses along with a pitcher in the center of the table.
I looked up as a few local college girls came barging in while Pat Benatar’s voice bellowed over the speakers. They started smiling when they saw the high and tight haircuts and I knew what they were thinking—soldiers!
The new guy had a great smile and was being friendly, talking to the coeds who were basically throwing themselves at the guys.
Really, don’t you know you sell yourself short by givin’ up the goods without getting to know the person properly?! Oh well, your life.
Watching the scene unfold, I began to roll my eyes. Typical soldier, willing to go after anything in a skirt.
I watched the two parties to see if they needed refills, my impression of the new guy quickly eroding as I watched the interaction. Except that he kept trying to steal glances at me.
Finally, the new guy came up to the bar. I figured it was to order another round. I gave my bartender smile,
“What can I get ya, darlin’?” I call almost everyone darlin’.
New guy smiled and almost seemed to blush a bit. His smile widened and he gave his name, Colin. I noticed how great his smile was, but checked myself, remembering the unabashed flirting going on between him and the coed who was eyeing me with daggers.
“What is your name, miss?”
“Jo.”
Smiling all the bigger, a hint of dimple surfaced. “Another round please? Also, more water,” he said, and headed back to his party, but not before doing a bit of a sideways glance back showing his crooked smile and his steel-grey captivating eyes.
Cool it girl! He’s just another soldier with a great smile and amazing eyes, with a great butt… No! Stop it now! Get his order and be done, girl!
I got the water and beer and brought them to the table. Colin made a point to stop paying attention to his coed friend and asked, “Where are you from?”
Coed bitterly huffed.
“Born and raised right here,” I answered quickly and left.
The nerve of that guy. Shamelessly flirting with one girl and then flirting with me right in front of her. Hope that girl doesn’t invite him back to
