Summer Love

Chapter 1

Taking a step back

Elizabeth found her mind wondering and going back to that place again. She didn't want to enter back into the world of what ifs and why nots. Shaking her head, she proceeded with putting her new apartment together. Everything was just about the way that she wanted it, her bedroom was set up with her new bedroom set from her grandparents, the kitchen was all set and the living room was just about done.

"There we go, nice and cozy." She put 3 pillows on the couch and fluffed them up the way that she wanted them. Holding the last one close, gripping it tight, her mind went back to that night.

Elizabeth was putting the final touches on her hair and makeup, looking in the mirror, she felt proud of herself to have come this far. The day was finally here at last.

"Hey are you ready to go?" We have degrees to accept and our families to make proud. You have your speech to make too." Her best friend and roomate, Rosemary interrupted her and her thoughts. She was all dressed in her gown and cap already, ready to finally get her degree in journalism that she had worked so hard for. Giving her friend a grin, she grabbed her purse, keys, grabbed Rosie's hand and ran to the car.

"Are you sure that you don't want to come out to dinner with me and my family after graduation? You know that my parents would love to see you again." Whenever Rosemary's parents would come to see her in college, Elizabeth would always be invited to tag along with then.

"I'm sure but thank you:) Charles is taking me out dinner to celebrate after we are done." She did love hanging out with them but wanted to spend some time with her boyfriend tonight. She wasn't sure why but she thought tonight would be the perfect opportunity for him to ask her a very special question. Trying to concentrate on the events of what was about to happen, she ignored the thoughts of excitement that was trying to over whelm the importance of the day.

" Come on, we'll be late!" Jumping out of the car, Rosemary grabbed her hand and they both ran toward the audiotorium doors. Running like 2 grade school girls, suddenly Rosie stopped so suddenly that Elizabeth almost smacked into her.

"What's wrong?" Her friend was staring at the group of apple trees that were right in front of the auditorium. There were 2 benches beneath the trees and 2 people occupied the one on the right. Elizabeth followed her gaze and nothing could've prepared her for what she saw.

Instead of hearing the question, " will you marry me?" the question that every girl has waited her entire life to hear, she saw her boyfriend Charles with his arms around a girl. It was Francine, the head cheerleader that she had seen at many football games this year.

"What is the world is going on?" Rosemary's voice started out low but seemed to grow louder with every passing second. She looked like she might tear him apart.

"Now just wait a second...hold on." Elizabeth grabbed her hand and held her in place. Of course, she was hurt beyond anything that she could imagine but she wanted to see how far this would go. She watched as her leaned in close and kissed her. Unable to believe her eyes or to take them off of what she just witnessed, she just stood there.

"This is nuts!" Rosie marched over to him and proceeded to smack him hard on his face. "How could you possibly cheat on her? and on her graduation day?" He knew exactly who she was talking about because he looked right past Rosemary until her found Elizabeth's eyes watching him. Her eyes filled with tears and she ran toward the auditorium. Rosemary just sneered at him and ran after her best friend.

She found her in the bathroom fixing her makeup.

"Hey sweetie, don't be upset. That snake doesn't deserve you. If he wants to be with Miss Rah Rah, then he's not worth the tears. Come on, we have a stage to walk across and people to impress." Elizabeth couldn't help but smile, her friend always could see a silver lining in a problem, and she never missed an opportunity to show off for people. Rosemary put her arm around Elizabeth and they quickly found their assigned seats. Student's started to flood the room and the professors found their seats on the stage first and then the program began. First was the teachers and professors speeches and then it was finally time for the students to line up to get their degrees.

While waiting her turn, due to her assigned place in line, she recalled the events of the past hour. Her valedictorian speech went pretty well but not without it's hurdle. As soon as she got to the podium, she found her eyes searching the room, looking for something or rather a someone. Her eyes finally met the staring gaze of her former love, it was a pleading look that he gave her. She didn't even know why she was looking for him, she didn't want anything to do with him. If he could so easily cheat on her, Rosie is right, he didn't deserve all the love that she had given him the past 3 years. Who knows how long he had cheated on her and how many people he had been with other than her? Turning her focus on her speech, she spoke of the many people that had influenced her throughout her years at the university. She encouraged her classmates to reach for nothing less than the stars when it came to choosing their live path. Her words came easily for her much to her surprise. It was over before she knew it and now she was about to accept her degree from the president of Stanford University. Shaking his hand, she felt so many emotions overwhem her all at once. Happiness that her college journey was coming to a close... Proud that she was able to accomplish all that she started to do... Sadness because her parent weren't able to make it to her graduation and Confusion most of all. She didn't know whey he would cheat on her, she always thought that he was happy being with her. They always got along and she never suspected some thing like this would happen.

With her degree in hand, she know had no plans so she just decided to go back to their apartment and be alone.

"Elizabeth, Elizabeth wait" She had just made it to the parking lot when she heard her name being called. She turned to see Charles running towards her.

"Stop right there!" She had emotions like every other girl but she wasn't going to take this. She wasn't listening to his excuses, she knew what she saw. She wasn't going to give into his pleas.

"But I need to talk to you. What you saw meant nothing and Francine means nothing to me. She is the one that kissed me not the other way around, you have to belive me peaches." He gave her the most pleading look ever, like a little puppy begging for food.

" Don't call me that" refering to his nickname that he had called her for the past 3 years. " I know what I saw Charles. You are not going to do this to me, of all days! The sooner you accept that I'm not going to accept this behavior and let you walk all over me, the better. It is over between us and you can't do anything to change it." She started to walk away, " and NO I dont's believe you!" Rosemary had caught up to her by this time so she was there to stop him when he tried to follow her.

"Just let her be! Don't you see? You've hurt her enough." Her best friend had no problem confronting him and letting her know her thoughts. She watched Elizabeth walk away knowing that it was going to be a long while before she let any man into her heart again.

That was almost 2 months ago. Ever since Elizabeth had graduated from college in California, she felt the need to get away to be by herself. She loved her family and Rosie beyond words but she needed to find herself and to find what purpose God had for her. Her family was still in Oklahoma where she grew up all her life. Rosemary had decided to stay in California to pursue her dreams of becoming an editor in a newspaper. Elizabeth had done some research because she wanted to make the right choice when it came to choosing where she wanted to live. She loved all 4 seasons, the sun and the snow, so she knew that to be truly happy she needed a place that could deliver all of that. Finally she decided on Nebraska, it wasn't too far away from her famly but far enough that she would be able to fulfill the need to be able to live and to take care of herself. So she had packed all of her belongings, with the blessings of her parents, she moved to her new home.

Now, she was in her new apartment, with her degree in culinary arts with no idea of where her life was headed. She knew she was where she was supposed to be though, somewhere where no one knew her and that she would have to learn to make a life for out her laptop, she decided that it was time to fiquire out what she wanted to do with her life. Well for the time being anyway ha ha. She did love to cook but she didn't want to work in a 5 star restaurant, she felt like she wanted to do something else.

After about an hour of searching, she found an ad for a state park. A place called Hope Valley state park needed someone to run their snack bar and gift shop facility. The pay was reasonable,plus they were offering room and board with meals included. Elizabeth didn't need to think about this opportunity for long. She grabbed her phone out of her purse and punched in the contact number.

"Hope Valley state park, can I help you?"

"Hi there,I hope so. My name is Elizabeth Thatcher and I'm calling about the job running your snack facility, the position sounds wonderfull, just want i'm looking for."

"Oh great! The only thing is that we're only taking interviews over the phone because we are so busy getting ready for the summer season to start. Is that something that would interest you?"

"Oh yes! That would be great. Whatever time works for you."

"I have some time right now if you are available. Please tell me all about yourself."

"Well my name is Elizabeth Thatcher, and I just recently grauduated from Stanford university with a degree in culinary arts and I minored in child develpment. I just recently moved to Nebraska from California, I felt that I needed a fresh start in my life." They talked for about half and hour, with a promise of a call back in a day or two, Elizabeth felt confident about the interview. Charlotte, the owner, needed to talk things over with her staff before she made any decisions. She thought that she had a good chance at getting this job.

Couple days later, she was just getting ready to call Rosemary for their weekly chat when the park's number appeared on the id.

"Elizabeth? This is Charlotte from the park. I talked to my staff and we would love to have you come to work with us!" She was so happy that she almost jumped up and down. This was something that she she thought could really make her happy and make a difference in people's lives. She got all of the information that she needed, the directions to the park which wasn't to far away. They decided that she should get ready and come as soon as she was able because they needed the help as soon as possible.

Elizabeth was just about ready to go. She had told her landlord that she was going to be gone for the summer but she would be back. Aside from her furniture, she had basically everything else that she owned packed and it was all going with her.

The park was about a 3 hour drive away, so she had plenty of time to see all of the sights. The lakes...the mountains and all of the hunters cabins that they owned that were only used in the hunting season. The sun was shining bright but there was also a cool breeze blowing so it was a beautiful day. Before she knew it, she was seeing signs for the park. She followed them for a few miles and pulled into a beautiful park and campsite. The office was off to the right as soon as she entered the park.

"Hello, can I help you?" A sweet lady behind the desk smiling sweetly.

"Hi there, my name is Elizabeth and I'm here for my first day of work!"The lady nearly jumped out of her chair as she came to shake her hand.

"I'm so glad that you're here with us. I'm Charlotte Thornton, are you ready for a tour of the most gorgeous park you will ever see?" Elizabeth smiled and nodded. Charlotte smiled as well and Elizabeth knew why she spoke with such pride of her park. It was a beautifull place and she couldn't wait to see more. They walked out of the office and got into a 4 wheel drive vehicle that they used to drive around the park. Charlotte showed her the cabins, the campsites and the beach.

"There is so much more to see but you will see more and more everyday. Oh... there's my son, he can be the first one that you meet." She saw several park employees around the different areas of the park . She slowed down and stopped by the side of the road.

"Hi Mom! Who's this? She could immediately feel the gaze of this stranger staring at her.

"This is Elizabeth, she's here to help us out with the summer season, Elizabeth, this is my son Jack." She looked up into the screaming blue eyes of the most handsome man that she had ever seen. She knew that this summer was going to be a summer that she was never going to forget.