Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Forever Man
    Forever Man
    Forever Man
    Ebook109 pages2 hours

    Forever Man

    By Rita Hestand

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    A new novella, Forever Man. When Jolene Custer comes to work with black and blue marks, Luke Garza knows exactly what it's about, and he sets out to help her. Luke had been raised with a drunken abusive father, he knew all the signs. He'd taken a liking to Jolene when she first came to work there, but now he was ready to intensify the relationship. He related to her. When Luke asked her if he could come over and meet her family, Jolene was hesitant.

    Jolene knew her father wouldn't like her having a man over. But Luke insisted. It didn't take him long to like her family either. All but her father, whom he still hadn't seen.

    After gaining her brother's confidence Luke told Randy to call him if Jolene was ever in harms way. So Randy did. That night Jolene got beaten good and Randy took a kitchen knife out to keep his father at bay. Problem was, Randy wanted to use the knife. When Luke arrived, he took charge.

    But Jolene feared she'd never have a serious relationship with Luke because she had to be there to take the abuse so her siblings didn't get beaten.
    Luke was persistent, and determined to get Jolene away from her destructive father.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRita Hestand
    Release dateMar 21, 2017
    ISBN9781370073696
    Forever Man
    Author

    Rita Hestand

    Hi friendsI'd like to ask a favor, not just for me but for all writers. PLease when we offer a free book, it would be wonderful if you'd take the time to rate the book. This doesn't take much time out of your day and authors really apreciate your time to do this. I know not everyone wants to sit down and write a review, but rating the book will help as well. And a big thanks to all who do this. You never know how much an author appreciates you taking the time to do this.I finally finished The Car Stalker. Hope you'll check it out. This is the second book in the stalker series. Like I said mystery is much different from romance all though there are elements in romance in my stalker books too. Today I finished an another book in my series of Vets coming home, Better Every Day. This book takes the angle of when family interrupts your plans. When a one-night stand is much more. I love this story as it hits home. So two new books out now and more coming.I'm taking the time to write while confined at home. But lack of seeing people outside, and living alone all the time is not new to me. I've got lots of stories to tell so be on the lookout for my newest releases. You might check out my Searchin g for You Indian romance on Amazon too.There are several new free books for you enjoyment, since your stuck at home. Home you enjoy them.As for a bio, suffice it to say, I'm a Texan tried and true. I have grown children and grandchildren and already some great-grandchildren. I've done multi jobs in my lifetime giving me a variety of experiences to write and talk about. I've done many different kinds of work from Texas Instruments, to City of Garland, to working for the Wylie Independent School District. I've worked for a hat factory, filing insurance claims, secretarial work, to waitress work. My writing reflects my varied background. Another note I've had a in home day care for twenty years too. So when I write about something I have a general knowledge of it too, which is a real bonus for me. Just like my public work, my writing varies too from contemporary to historical, I write romance, thrillers, children's. A lot of people might say gee, that's a lot of different jobs, and it is, but, I've learned from them all, and I use that experience in my writing.I want to thank all the readers over a length of time that have tried some of my books. I hope I've enlightened and entertained you. I hope I've shared some love in this world. Sharing love can't be bad, it's God given.God bless.Other places to see my bookshttps://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/rita-hestand/https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/rita-hestand/id365799219?mt=11www.scriptsforschools.com/rita-hestandhttps://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/search?query=rita%20hestand&fcsearchfield=author

    Read more from Rita Hestand

    Related to Forever Man

    Related ebooks

    Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Justanother Day

      May 31, 2022

      Justanother Day
      6 min read

    • Article

      Last-minute SHOPPING

      Nov 29, 2023

      As soon as Joe walked into the department store, he felt unsettled. Where to start, that was the question. He’d put off buying Laura’s Christmas present, hoping inspiration might strike. Today might be his last chance. A voice snapped him out of his

      3 min read

    • Article

      After “The End”

      Oct 10, 2022

      I walked down the road with a hunched back and a wet cigarette in my mouth—the fire had died a while back. My hands were tucked into the pockets of my jacket, and my hair fell over my face, limiting my sight. But I wasn’t really seeing where I was go

      10 min read

    • Article

      The Stonemason’s Wife

      Sep 1, 2020

      JOLINA HAS been hearing voices of men she’s never met. Voices like water, clear and cold, eddying at the back of her mind. They’re not real. She knows this. As in, she’s not crazy. They’re only the voices she’s heard on the phone, voices of men who b

      6 min read

    • Article

      Those that Remain

      Mar 2, 2023

      Those that Remain
      6 min read

    • Article

      Just good FRIENDS

      Nov 9, 2022

      Just good FRIENDS
      8 min read

    • Article

      BABY Steps

      Apr 8, 2020

      BABY Steps
      9 min read

    • Article

      Just The Way YOU ARE

      Feb 7, 2023

      Just The Way YOU ARE
      9 min read

    • Article

      Lies I Tell My Father

      Feb 10, 2024

      “How’s your job at the newspaper?” my father asks me. He is sitting on a couch, a plush throw blanket spread across his legs. “The newspaper’s fine,” I lie. I lie because it is simple. I lie because it is quick. I lie because it is easier than trying

      10 min read

    • Article

      Proverbs Of A Faceless Time

      Dec 1, 2023

      Proverbs Of A Faceless Time
      9 min read

    • Article

      The Other WOMAN

      Aug 9, 2022

      The Other WOMAN
      6 min read

    • Article

      Every CLOUD

      Aug 31, 2022

      Every CLOUD
      6 min read

    • Article

      The GRANDFATHER CLOCK

      Feb 10, 2021

      The GRANDFATHER CLOCK
      6 min read

    • Article

      Two Poems

      Mar 1, 2019

      It’s 1 AM on the east coast and midnight in Iowawhen the Russian lawyer with a house in Newarkand an office in the city sends me an e-mail:“Your writing is so emotional yet so detached.It’s wonderful.” I respond without delay:“Dear Oleg, I don’t know

      3 min read

    • Article

      An unexpected GIFT

      Apr 12, 2023

      An unexpected GIFT
      6 min read

    • Article

      Me & Davey Waters

      Jan 15, 2023

      Me & Davey Waters
      4 min read

    • Article

      The DREAM

      Mar 25, 2020

      The DREAM
      9 min read

    • Article

      The Joy Of BOOKS

      Jan 19, 2021

      The Joy Of BOOKS
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Joy of BOOKS

      Apr 8, 2020

      The Joy of BOOKS
      7 min read

    • Article

      Mount The Sky To

      Jan 1, 2019

      Mount The Sky To
      18 min read

    • Article

      Fireworks

      Oct 27, 2020

      Fireworks
      6 min read

    • Article

      Seas of CHANGE

      Jun 28, 2023

      Seas of CHANGE
      9 min read

    • Article

      A Chipped Tooth

      Sep 7, 2021

      A Chipped Tooth
      6 min read

    • Article

      Under Covers

      Mar 1, 2023

      Alejandro Puyana is a Venezuelan writer living in Austin, Texas. His work has appeared in Best American Short Stories 2020, New England Review, American Short Fiction, Tin House, The Idaho Review, and other publications. He is at work on a novel. My

      18 min read

    • Article

      Freedom

      Aug 6, 2020

      Freedom
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Inheritance

      Nov 4, 2021

      The Inheritance
      6 min read

    • Article

      Chuckles

      Oct 1, 2021

      A recently divorced woman moves back to her hometown, hoping to start over. A few weeks later, while making a dentist appointment, she’s surprised to recognise the dentist’s name as that of a good-looking boy from her high school 20 years ago. Howeve

      4 min read

    • Article

      Animals And Origami

      Oct 10, 2021

      I miss the sea breeze mussing my hair and the feel of cold sand worming between my toes. Even now, in autumn, the shoreline has its charms, like the squeals of the oystercatchers and the rhythmic ebb and flow of the tide. My dreams are of swimming in

      11 min read

    • Article

      My Husband Went On A Stag Do And Never Came Home

      Oct 17, 2023

      Giving my husband Glen, 34, a kiss goodbye, I wasn’t looking forward to him leaving. It was February 2008 and he was heading off to Oxford for a friend’s stag do. I was five months pregnant and also had our son Ryley, then two, to run around after,

      4 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Forever Man

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Forever Man - Rita Hestand

      Forever Man

      Rita Hestand

      Forever Man

      by

      Rita Hestand

      Smashwords Edition

      Cover by Rita Hestand

      Courtesy of Big Stock Photos

      Copyright 2017 Rita Hestand

      ISBN# 9781370073696

      Smashwords Edition

      License Note

      This novella Forever Man is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. Please purchase an additional copy for each person you share with. If your reading this book and did not purchase it or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

      Table of Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      About the Author

      Rita's Novellas

      Chapter One

      Jolene, is everything alright? Luke Garza asked as she came running into the factory that foggy morning. It was early in the morning as the day shift hadn't started yet. Jolene Custer looked flustered and Luke was worried about her.

      Sure, I'm fine. Just got up late, had to nearly run here, that's all. She said still trying to catch her breath.

      I could give you a lift so you wouldn't have to walk every day. He suggested, his eyes going over her with appreciation.

      She was a pretty girl. He liked her, but Jolene had problems that she hadn't confided in him yet as to what they were.

      That's okay, it's a way of getting some exercise. She told him and went to her station.

      He watched her with a keen eye.

      Luke knew about problems at home. He had an old man that used beat on him when he got drunk, and a mother who never took up for him. But Luke sensed that Jolene's problems were worse somehow, and he wanted to help her.

      Jolene often had that looking over the shoulder kind of glance, that alerted him that something wasn't quite right about her life. At work, she seemed almost happy, and yet her smile didn't quite reach her lips. Something about her pulled him to her, something besides just her good looks.

      He wanted to help her but he knew she had a lot of pride.

      Luke sighed and started up the forklift, casting her a glance as he rode by. He winked at her. She smiled.

      Luke had worked here for seven years and he knew almost everyone in the plant. He was well liked, because he knew his job, and he was ruggedly handsome with this thick brown hair and eyes. All the girls eyed him, and it was no wonder. He wore his hair a little long on the collar, he had five o'clock shadow on his chin, and a smile that could curl any girl's toes.

      He stopped for a second and sent her a sexy grin, You sure everything's alright?

      "Yeah, everything's swell!" Jolene pouted and went to work.

      Catch you later, on break, okay? He winked.

      Sure, she shot him a quick shy smile.

      ***

      Jolene did her best to ignore Luke, but he seemed persistent, and she wondered why.

      Lucky, you, Marla Humphreys smiled as Luke winked at her and walked off.

      What do you mean? Jolene was preoccupied with her own problems.

      You been here a little over six months and you still don't know that you got the most handsome guys' attention in the place. What are you blind? You got Luke wrapped around your finger. And he's the hottest guy in the factory, and that's saying something. Marla chuckled.

      Jolene cast Luke a glance, he was looking at her from across the building. She shot him a quick smile. He's a nice guy. She admitted.

      You know you got every girl in this place wishing they were you.

      I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Jolene's expression changed. "They wouldn't want to be me. None of them."

      Marla shot her a puzzled frown.

      The two girls worked together on an assembly line where they inspected the labels that went on the cans for the tuna and salmon that went inside them.

      Everyone here has problems Jolene. Marla told her flatly.

      Not like mine, I don't think. Jolene hung her head.

      Oh, Marla studied her a minute and then asked. Want to talk about it?

      Jolene shot her friend a glance. Marla was a pretty, black girl, a year older and knew the business here like no one else she knew. She was also very cute, as she wore her hair many ways and colorful clothes too. Jolene liked her. She was also sassy and dated one of the bosses in the other building. Marla was sharp and she showed Jolene the ropes the first day of her job. It wasn't a hard job, just tedious.

      I got three brothers and two sisters at home, one of which helps me look after them all every day of our lives. I got a dead mother and a father who drinks every night, comes home drunk and aside from managing to pay the rent and expenses, isn't worth talking about. I so wish I could leave this town and go somewhere else, but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen for a few years. Maybe never!

      Most everyone here has problems like that Jolene, you are in good company.

      Jolene sighed, she doubted if they had problems quite like hers.

      What happened to your Momma?

      She had cancer.

      Oh man, that's rough.

      Yeah, Tammy that's my oldest sister and I took care of her too before she died. My dad just got drunk all the time, he couldn't handle it.

      Sounds like you got a little bit of a grudge against him. Marla noted.

      It's more than a little. Jolene affirmed her voice ending on a sour note.

      It was the way she said that, that had Marla taking notes.

      Well, I feel for you hon. But I guess I'm lucky, I got good parents and we are all happy most of the time. Haven't got much money, but we're happy.

      Happiness is a luxury. Jolene wailed. I don't have it, and neither do my siblings. I'm working on changing that, but it's gonna take some time.

      I sense there is a more to the story than you are telling. Marla narrowed her brown eyed gaze on her.

      Want to tell me? Marla asked.

      No, I just want to forget for a while. Just forgetting for a while helps a lot. Jolene told her. Part of why I wanted to go to work so bad. To get away from it.

      Marla nodded, Okay then, when you are ready to talk, I'll listen.

      Thanks, Jolene turned to her. I took this job to get away. To forget about all my troubles. And to help as much as I can with my siblings. But I sure don't need to unload on you.

      Well, I'll try to help you forget then. Marla told her.

      Thanks Marla, you’re a good friend. Jolene sent her a slight smile. Your good nature goes a long way in that.

      They worked alongside each other quietly for a while, but when Jolene bent over to get some supplies from under the cabinet, her t-shirt rode up with her, and Marla gasped.

      There on Jolene's upper backside was a huge bruise. It was black and purple and every color in the rainbow. And it was big, like she'd been shoved up against something. But instead of saying anything, Marla kept quiet. Jolene hadn't exaggerated, she did have troubles.

      Marla made sure Jolene didn't see her staring though and turned away as she came up with a

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1