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  A Reason for Everything© 2017 Nita Johnson

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication maybe be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or any means including photocopying, recording, or other mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, business, places, events and incidents are the product of the author's imagination.

  Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Cover Design Probook Premade Covers

  Editing by Virginia Tesi Carey

  For those of us that love to believe in love.

  The day I, Willow Paige Dawson, known as Will or Wills for short, walked in on my husband having sex with my next door neighbor was the day that our marriage came to an end.

  I refused to be with a man who had stuck his dick inside another woman.

  I valued myself too much to even try to put this right.

  We were over.

  No going back.

  Done.

  The end.

  After dropping the kids off at school, I was supposed to go over to see my nan as it’s her birthday. In my rush to leave the house, I’d left her present on my dining room table. Cursing to myself, I turned the car back around and headed for home. The home I shared with my husband, my childhood sweetheart and the love of my life.

  When I pulled into the driveway the first clue that something was not right was that Rob’s car was still in the driveway. He normally left for the office the same time I left to take the kids to school, but this morning he had been stuck on the phone. We called out our goodbyes to him as I shuffled the kids out the front door.

  When I saw his car still in the driveway I assumed he must still be caught up with his phone call, so I let myself into our modest four bedroom house and made my way down the hallway toward the kitchen. I didn't bother to call out to my husband, not wanting to disturb him just in case he was still on the phone.

  As I got closer to the kitchen I could hear the sounds of low moans and the scraping of furniture. My heart plummeted into my toes. The dread of what was going to face me already settled deep inside.

  There was only one reason why people made those kinds of noises.

  I sped up my steps and pushed the door to the kitchen-dining room open slightly and my worst fears were confirmed. My loving, loyal husband was currently fucking someone else, someone who wasn't me, on our table. The table we sat down to eat dinner at every night with our children.

  The image of his body bent over whomever he was pounding into from behind will forever be burned into my mind. Her low moaning getting louder as he shoved into her harder and harder making the table move with the force of his thrusts will be something I always hear.

  “That's it, baby. Fuck me harder. I’m almost there,” the woman moaned out loudly.

  My breath caught in my throat, I recognized that voice. It belonged to Heather, the next door neighbor who had moved in not too long ago. The recently divorced, pretty blonde next door that I had befriended so she wasn't lonely. The next door neighbor that had sat at that very fucking table with my family and me many a time, sharing a meal with us that I’d fucking cooked.

  Anger quickly replaced the hurt as it dawned on me how blind I had been to what was going on right under my nose this whole time. I pushed the door open further but this time with so much force it smacked back on its frame. It startled the two of them, causing Rob to look over toward the sudden noise. His eyes widened in shock when he realized who was the cause of interrupting his fuckfest.

  “Shit, Willow. It's not what it looks like….” Rob started to explain as he pulled his cock out of my friend who was now pulling herself up off the table. The bitch even had the nerve to have tears in her eyes when she realized who’d walked in on them.

  Not wanting to listen to any of his bullshit and excuses, I’d held my hand up. “Save it, Rob. I know exactly what it looks like. I might have been stupid enough to think that you loved me but there's definitely nothing wrong with my eyesight. So save any shit you were going to come out with please. I am just going to get my nan’s gift and then I am leaving. When I get home later, you and that slut better not be here.” I stalked toward the pair of them meeting them both in the eye, hoping they could see just how angry I was.

  I snatched up the birthday gift that lay right next to where they had been fucking. As I turned to walk away from them something crossed my mind.

  “Oh, and before you go, bleach the fucking table.” Leaving them both speechless, I slammed my way out of the house.

  “Happy birthday, Nan.” I handed her my gift as I placed a kiss on her cheek. I plonked myself down on the sofa. My heart was breaking. Inside I was an utter mess but for her I’d have to pretend that I was happy, that I hadn’t just walked in on Rob and Heather, that my life as I knew it wasn't going to change. I fucking hated him for doing this to me, to our kids, hell even my nan is going to be so hurt when it all comes out, which it will. I would have to tell her eventually but just not today.

  “Thank you, Willow. What have you got me this year?” She laughed as she shook the gift warily, trying to guess what's inside. I couldn't help but laugh at her expression as she started to unwrap the present.

  Last year I had gotten her a year's membership to a dating site that catered to older people. To say she wasn't pleased was an understatement but I was only trying to be helpful. I hated knowing that she was in this house on her own, day after day, but she assured me that loving my grandad was enough for her. She had had the love of her life and she wasn't interested in finding anyone else. Needless to say, she never used the dating site and I never brought it up again.

  “Oh, Willow. How did you know I wanted one of these?” She pulled the Kindle out of the box, her face lit up with happiness and in that moment, I’d felt happy along with her, my feelings about other matters forgotten for now.

  “Well, I know you love to read and your eyesight isn't what it once was….” I trailed off as I ducked away from the Kindle box that came sailing right by my head.

  I loved to tease my nan, had done for as long as I could remember. It kept her on her toes. She loved our relationship and she wouldn't have it any other way. Being her only grandchild, we’d always had a close and loving relationship which was made stronger when my parents died when I was younger and I came to live with her and grandad. Without her, I don't know where I'd be now.

  “Watch your mouth, lady,” she scolded me before returning her attention to the e-reader in her lap.

  “I’ve loaded it with books that I think you'll like.” Her head whipped up, questions in her eyes to what books I'd downloaded for her. “Relax, they're age appropriate books. Totally up your alley.”

  Even though I was breaking on the inside, being here with my nan kept me from letting myself submit to the emotions that were going to show their ugly head at some point.

  After showing her how to access her books, we caught up on the latest gossip. Living on her own she had nothing better to do than be nosy. I mean that in the nicest of ways, she has befriended everyone who lives in this street.

  “So I met the new neighbor.” Her voice broke me out of my musings.

  “New neighbor?” I asked her puzzled, not aware that any of the old neighbors had left.

  “The Bakers from over the road have packed up and gone traveling, decided to see the world. At their age, honestly.” She shook her head at the thought that people in their sixties might want to do something other than gardening and knitting.

  “They have as
ked their nephew to keep an eye on the house in their absence. I saw him moving his things in last night. I would have phoned and told you but it was pretty late.”

  “Too busy being nosy to pick up the phone more like,” I muttered under my breath.

  “You know I can hear you, right?” she scolded me again like a child then carried on with her tale, giving me a glare to not dare interrupt her again. “So, in between trips to and from the house I went outside to ask him if he wanted a drink.”

  I dropped my head into my hands letting out a groan in frustration, “Really, Nan? You just opened up your front door late at night and asked a complete stranger if he wanted a drink?” I can't even with this woman. I often wonder who is the adult out of the two of us.

  “Willow, I know the Bakers very well. They've never mentioned any mass murderers or members of their family being in prison.”

  “Did you know they had a nephew?” I quizzed her.

  “Well...no... Obviously I took your Grandad’s old baseball bat to the door with me. Give me some credit, child. Can we please stop getting off topic now? By the time I’ve finished this story my next birthday will have rolled around.”

  I lifted my head out of my hands and made a zipping motion across my lips. I gestured with my hands for her to continue with the story.

  “He didn't want a drink but he spent a few minutes talking to me. He was moving in late as he had been held up at work. He owns his own company, construction I think he said. Very tall, very handsome, very polite. End of story.”

  “Really!” I exclaimed and promptly burst into laughter. “All that build up and that's all you have to tell me? Did you at least get his name?”

  “Jesse. Pretty name to go with a pretty man.” Her eyes took on a dreamy faraway look. Yeah, I am so not going there.

  “Nan, I got to shoot.” I decided to make my getaway now before the topic of conversation turned toward things I didn't want to discuss, namely my cheating douche of a husband. “There's a few things I've got to do before I get the kids from school.”

  My talking snapped her out of whatever she was daydreaming about, her blue eyes met mine. I gave her the brightest fake smile I could manage, too scared that she would see straight through me.

  “Nate and Kaylee behaving themselves?” she asked me as I got up off her worn but comfortable sofa.

  “The kids are behaving just fine,” I replied honestly, it's their dad whose behavior was questionable. Thinking about Rob brought over a fresh wave of hurt, something I had managed to push down during my visit with Nan. Knowing that I’ve got to face it all once I leave the safety of her house almost had me sitting back down and spilling everything out to her.

  “I will get them to phone you later once we are back home.” Bending down, I brushed a kiss goodbye on her forehead and left her to read her Kindle in peace.

  I pulled the front door closed behind me and leant back on it taking in deep breaths, readying myself for the shit storm that's about to hit my life. I was lost in thought about what was going to happen now that my marriage had ended. The whole situation has shaken me to my core. I have never been me without Rob. The thought of being on my own really had me doubting my decision to kick him out of the house. Ultimately though, I knew I’d done the right thing. Once a cheater always a cheater. The trust had been demolished between us, there was no coming back from that now, ever.

  I had been in between homes when my aunt asked me to house sit for them while they went traveling. Having just sold my home, I jumped at the chance. It gave me more time to look around for another home.

  That's what I did. I jumped from home to home. I bought houses that needed a little tender loving care and I restored them to their beauty before selling them on to people who were searching for their forever home. It gave me great pleasure to know that my homes were playing front and center parts in peoples’ lives. After all, a happy home meant a happy heart, right?

  I liked to keep busy between running the company and restoring homes. I worked almost around the clock, just leaving time to sleep and eat. It's not like I had anything or anyone to rush home to. My last relationship hadn't ended well and I wasn't in a rush to meet anyone else. Tanya had put me off wanting to settle down. Maybe one day I'd be ready, but until then, I was happy with my life and the direction it was going in.

  I didn't know how long I was going to be living here, my aunt hadn't given me a time frame. But what she did do was warn me about her neighbor, Betty, giving me clear instructions to avoid her at all costs.

  Yeah, that didn't happen. I'd had the pleasure of meeting her last night and I must admit I found her to be a riot. Much more down to earth than my own family and I warmed to her instantly.

  I'd moved my things in while she followed me around throwing me questions that I had to answer. Something told me she would have just stood there all night until I gave her all the information she wanted.

  As well as asking me a shitload of questions, she also gave me her life story including telling me about her granddaughter, Willow, and her family. I'd smiled and nodded politely in all the right places as she recalled something funny that one of the children had done.

  I made my excuses after a while. Being at work all day then coming over here, plus meeting Betty tired me out. I was ready for a shower and bed. I waved goodbye as I watched her walk home making sure she got there safely before going up to bed.

  A few hours sleep and a good breakfast had put me in a good mood to start the day. Remembering I’d left a few things in my truck, I decided to bring them in before I could get cornered by Betty again.

  My arms were loaded full when I noticed someone coming out of Betty’s house. From my viewpoint I could see that she was upset and for some reason I wanted to make sure she was ok.

  “Hey, there.” A deep voice startled the shit out of me, making me jump and bash my head on the door.

  “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.” The voice belonged to a man who was now making his way up the driveway toward me.

  Rubbing the sore spot on my head, I tried my best to plaster a smile on my face as I greeted him, suddenly realizing that this must be the Baker’s nephew.

  “That's ok, I was lost in thought.”

  “You must be Willow, right? he asked me, giving me a dazzling smile.

  “You must be, Jesse.” I countered back without really answering his question. His grey eyes lit up with a genuine smile and I couldn't help but smile back. Running a hand through his dark brown hair, he nodded his head once and held out his hand.

  “Yup, that’s me. Betty has obviously told you about me.”

  Taking his warm but calloused hand in mine, I shook it firmly but gently as I took him in. His height towered over my five foot frame so I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. He had dark brown hair that was long enough to curl around his ears. A muscled body filled out the dark green Henley he was wearing. Dark blue jeans and black work boots completed his look. I really couldn't help but agree with my nan, he was very handsome. I am also very married, technically, for the time being at least.

  Pulling my hand out of his firm grip I nodded my head. “She certainly has. You gotta watch out for that one.” I hooked a thumb over my shoulder. “She is far too nosy for her own good. She lives for gossip, so watch yourself.”

  “I kinda gathered that last night when she basically demanded to know my life story as I was unpacking my truck,” he replied with laughter in his voice. “I was just grabbing the last few bits that I didn't manage to get last night when I saw you come out of the house. I just wanted to introduce myself seeing as I will be around here for awhile.”

  Needing to get on, I moved away from the front door and walked over to my car. Pulling open the door, I lifted my head and met his eyes before I got in. “I hope you settle in well but fair warning. My nan thinks you're handsome, watch your back!”

  His booming laughter was all I heard as I pulled out of the driveway driving toward the unknown that was aw
aiting me.

  I’d lied to Nan. I didn't have anything to do before I got the kids from school. I just couldn't sit there any longer and pretend to be happy when deep down I was dying. I knew if I had opened up and told her, she would have been on my side, but I just couldn't do that to her, not on her birthday.

  Nursing the biggest cup of coffee known to man I settled down in the local coffee shop, ready to wait out the rest of the day. Wrapping my hands around the cup, I tried unsuccessfully to gain some warmth into my body. I was cold, numb, unfeeling. That was also a lie. I felt so much but I just couldn't process it all so internally I had decided to shut it all down.

  The one thing going around and around in my mind was, Why? That one word caused me so much pain because I just couldn't answer it. Only Rob had the ability to answer that question and so far he had been radio silent. Not one phone call, not even so much as a God damn text message.

  When the waitress came over, I asked her to fill up my cup, not quite ready to leave the sanctuary of the coffee shop yet. She gave me a friendly smile as she poured the strong brew, a concerned look crossed her face. “You look glum, honey. Pretty thing like you shouldn't look like that.”

  Taking a sip of the fresh coffee, I hoped that she would take the hint that I didn't want to talk. Unfortunately for me that wasn't going to be the case as she waited for me to put my cup back down.

  “I caught my husband having sex with my neighbor this morning, on our dining table,” I blurted out. “I’m hiding out here while I wait for him to clear his things out of the house.”

  Pulling out a chair, the waitress sat down next to me and took my hand in her own. The other patrons of the coffee shop were forgotten about as she saw to my emotional needs. In that moment I was so grateful for her act of kindness, her holding my hand letting me know that I'm not on my own. I suddenly realized I didn't even know her name, the thought making me feel like shit for not even taking notice of her name on her badge. I flicked my eyes up and over to her, spying her name. “What am I going to do, Rose?” I asked as I squeezed her hand back. “I have two young children. What he did doesn't just affect me, it affects them too. I can't believe he would be so selfish. That he would throw us all away for some quick fuck.”