Cascade Read online

  Cascade

  Denver Cereal, Volume Three

  Claudia Hall Christian

  Copyright © Claudia Hall Christian

  Cook Street Publishing

  Denver, CO

  Also by

  Claudia Hall Christian

  THE DENVER CEREAL SERIAL FICTION:

  The Denver Cereal

  Celia’s Puppies

  Cascade

  ALEX THE FEY THRILLER SERIES:

  The Fey

  Learning to Stand

  Who I am (February, 2011)

  Originally published at DenverCereal.com :

  June 2009—February 2010;

  copyright © Claudia Hall Christian

  Licensed under the Creative Commons License:

  Attribution–NonCommercial–Share Alike 3.0

  Smashwords Edition Licensing Notes:

  Thank you for downloading this free ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form. If you enjoyed this book, please return to mashwords.com to discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

  ISBN (13 digits) : 978-0-9826417-6-7

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in Publication Data available upon request

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  First edition © August 2010

  Cook Street Publishing

  PO Box 18217

  Denver, CO 80218

  For Gayle

  Author’s note

  Like all great ideas, Denver Cereal started on a whim. Who knew these characters had so much story to tell? Who knew we’d find our audience? Who knew the Internet would blossom into a serial fiction destination? Who knew publishing would implode? Two years later, Denver Cereal continues to grow and thrive.

  Why write Denver Cereal? Because I love these characters. I love their depth, their strength, and the way they love each other no matter what happens. They have survived tremendous odds and remain some of the best people I’ve ever met.

  There are a lot of characters. So if you get confused feel free to check the character guide at the back of this book.

  Denver Cereal is a labor of love. Special thanks go to all the people who work behind the scenes – the Silent Partner for ongoing content edits, creative input and pep talks in the middle of the night; Anthony Ream for his fabulous cover and wonderful logo design; the scores of people who’ve helped proof read including La Shae Dorsey, Terry Lee and the amazing Rammi Glomp.

  Do join us online. Join the Denver Cereal Facebook page; follow @ValerieLipson or @ClaudiaC at Twitter; or hang out at DenverCereal.com. If you have questions, you can always drop a line at [email protected]

  I want to thank everyone who reads daily, weekly and in book form. Our efforts mean very little without your support.

  Thank you for reading and caring.

  September, 2010

  What’s happened so far?

  Denver Cereal begins when Jillian Roper decides to attend her abusive ex-husband’s engagement party. Dressed in thigh high leather boots, she puts on a show to remember and meets the man of her dreams, Jacob Marlowe. Jill and Jacob must over come illness and grave injury to discover that Jacob is the father of Jill’s precocious three year old daughter, Katy.

  Her ex-husband, Trevor, and his new wife don’t appreciate Jill’s disruption of their engagement party. They assault Jill, destroy her apartment and terrify Katy. This only serves to push Jill to move in with Jacob at the Castle. On the night of her debut as a fashion model, Trevor and his wife steal Katy and her best friend Paddie Hargreaves. Trevor’s wife tries to murder her sister, Honey Lipson. After the children are retrieved, Trevor is killed with a single bullet through the forehead.

  Meanwhile, soap opera actress, movie star and Jacob’s sister, Valerie Lipson returns to Denver and her life with her husband, Michael Roper. These star crossed lovers must over come their tragic past in order to begin their life and love again. As they begin to come together, Valerie’s Hollywood lifestyle clashes with Mike’s worn jeans Denver lifestyle. Step by step they make the decisions which cement their relationship.

  The Castle is owned by Delphie, the mad, earthy, loyal best friend of Jacob’s mother Celia. Delphie is a powerful psychic. Celia’s ghost appears to give advice and support. A beekeeper, master gardener, and great cook, Delphie in a relationship with Sam, Jacob and Valerie’s father.

  Trevor’s wife’s sister and Jacob’s step-sister, Honey barely recovers from her injuries. Paralyzed from the neck down, Honey rekindles her relationship with her childhood sweetheart, MJ Scully. MJ and Honey marry and move into the Castle.

  After working out with him for six years, Jill’s best friend, hair stylist Sandy, begins a relationship with Aden Norsen, the COO of Lipson Construction, the underground utility company owned by Jacob, Sam and Valerie. Aden and his two young children, Nash and Noelle, love Sandy. They want her to join their family. But Sandy struggles to make the commitment. She relies on Jill and their two other best friends Heather and Tanesha Smith. Pregnant by a Hollywood heel, Heather marries to Jacob’s gay cousin, Blane Lipson.

  The Lipson Construction Board of Directors object to Jacob’s plan to sell the company to the employees. A series of power struggles ensue. Finally, a friend of Celia’s offers to meet to help.

  When Jill learns her dead mother wanted to attend her wedding to Jacob, she calls off the wedding and plans to leave him. Through a string of events, Valerie plans a magic filled wedding for Jill and Jacob which includes everyone they’ve known. They celebrate with champagne and Captain Crunch with Crunch Berries.

  Cascade begins a few hours after their reception is over.

  Confused? Go to DenverCereal.com for a free eBook of The Denver Cereal, Volume 1 in the series. Denver Cereal, Celia’s Puppies, and Cascade are available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and your local independent bookseller.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

  All that Captain Crunch and chocolate

  Saturday afternoon – 1:05 P.M.

  “I thought they’d never crash,” Valerie whispered. “They’ve been spinning in circles for at least an hour.”

  She set two year old Paddie Hargreaves down on their bed and began changing him out of his dress clothes.

  “Too much sugar and chocolate,” Mike whispered.

  He set his three year old niece Katy down on the other side of their bed. He took off her pretty shoes.

  “What do you think about the dress?” Mike asked in his soft voice.

  “See if you can take it off,” Valerie replied in the same tone. “Katy will cry if something happens to her wedding dress. Colin gave me some extra clothes for Paddie. Do we have PJs for Katy?”

  “I didn’t think to get some,” Mike said. “She can wear one of my T-shirts.”

  Valerie slipped Paddie under the covers. He opened his eyes for a moment to say, “Katy?”

  “I’m sleeping,” Katy said. Mike helped her under the covers.

  “I’m so glad,” Paddie said. His eyes drooped.

  Mike beckoned Valerie out of the room. Before they were out the door, Katy and Paddie were sound asleep. They left the hall light on.

  “What would you like to…"Valerie started.

  Mike lifted her from her feet. His lips devoured her mouth. With her legs wrapped around his hips, he carried her into their sitting area.

  “Bath?” He asked.

  “Kiss me,” she said. “Just kiss me.”

  “What about your fancy dress?” Mike asked.

  With a
flip of her hand, Valerie unzipped her Marchesa gown. Her dress dropped to her waist. Mike continued his exploration of her mouth. When his mouth strayed from hers to kiss her neck or shoulders, she begged him to return to her mouth.

  “I don’t know what it is…” Valerie’s mouth was less than an inch from his.

  “Sugar and chocolate?” He asked.

  “Makes me very hot…”

  Mike’s fingers worked her nipples. His mouth pulled at her lips.

  “Impatient…”

  Mike moved to pull the rest of the dress from her.

  “My body aches for slow, easy… hot.”

  Mike laughed.

  “Do you think they spiced the Captain Crunch with Viagra?”

  She laughed. Holding his chin in her hand, she kissed his lips.

  “You’ve never needed…”

  And she was lost.

  ~~~~~~~~

  Saturday afternoon – 1:05 P.M.

  When Sam Lipson came in, Delphie was showering in his bathroom. He went into the bathroom to say ‘hello’ then began changing out of his tux. He was exhausted, worn out and charged up at the same time. He’d never seen a more beautiful wedding or enjoyed a reception more.

  “Can you believe they fed each other Captain Crunch instead of cake?” Delphie laughed from the bathroom. “The pictures are going to be fun.”

  “Very Jacob. Very Jill,” Sam said of his son and brand new daughter-in-law.

  “Do you think Candy was offended? She really worked her butt off making that gorgeous Crunch Berry cake.”

  “She didn’t seem to be.” Sam pulled off his tie. “You were truly wonderful.”

  Delphie came out of the bathroom wrapped in a lime green bath sheet. She had a towel turban around her hair.

  “Thanks,” Delphie said.

  “Would you…” Sam started.

  He furrowed his brow at her then went into his walk-in closet to hang his suit. Puzzled, she followed him to the closet.

  “What’s up, Sam?” Delphie asked. “A moment ago, you seemed so happy. Now…?”

  “Would you ever want to do this?”

  “Do what?”

  “Get married,” Sam said.

  Delphie laughed.

  “I’m serious.”

  “I know,” Delphie said.

  “I don’t ever want you to feel… second best or taken advantage of… when…”

  Delphie put her arms around his neck. She held him close.

  “Do you love me?” Delphie asked.

  “Yes,” Sam said. “I do.”

  “And Celia?”

  “I love her too,” Sam said. “Miss her. I…”

  “Shh,” Delphie said. “When it’s all said and done, she and I will have split your life. How do you feel about that?”

  “There are a few years when I didn’t know either of you.” Sam smiled.

  “Yeah? How many?”

  “Ten glorious years.” Sam laughed.

  “You and Celia met when you were ten years old,” Delphie said. “I met Celia when I was twelve years old. She rescued me when I was sixteen. You had Celia for…”

  “Thirty-seven years,” Sam said.

  “I’ll marry you on our thirty-seventh year,” Delphie said.

  “What if I die before that?”

  “What if I die before that?” Delphie shrugged.

  “I don’t want you to feel taken advantage of or be alone in your old age or…”

  “I have no family. At least any I’ve seen in almost fifty years,” Delphie said. “You, Celia, the kids, have always been my family.”

  “The kids think of you as family,” Sam said.

  “Isn’t that wonderful?” Delphie asked. “It’s like a dream come true for me. If you die before I do, I’ll have our family. But I’ll miss you desperately.”

  Sam held her to him.

  “Do you feel second best?” He said in her ear.

  “To Celia?”

  “Yes.”

  “I am second best to Celia,” Delphie said.

  Sam shifted away from her to look into her face.

  “Celia was…” Delphie shook her head. Tears sprung to her eyes. “The best person I’ve ever met. I owe her my life. I’m second best to Celia because everyone is.”

  Sam held her close again.

  “I miss her too, Sam,” Delphie said. “And I love you. Both things are true for me.”

  “I don’t want…”

  “What do you want, Big Sam?” Delphie asked. “Because I have everything I want – home, love, family, friends, good work, gardens, bees…”

  “Thirty-four more years?” Sam asked.

  Delphie laughed.

  “I’ll tell you what, Mr. Lipson.” Delphie helped him out of his shirt. “When I want to get married, I’ll tell you. I will ask you for what I need. Will you promise me the same?”

  Sam nodded.

  “There is something…”

  Delphie dropped her towel.

  ~~~~~~~~

  Saturday afternoon – 1:05 P.M.

  “Big day,” Jazmyne said.

  Jill and Mike’s sister, Candy Roper rolled onto her side of their bed. She stroked Jazmyne’s bare shoulder.

  “Your fabulous cake got you a real job at a bakery,” Jazmyne held up one finger.

  “Colin Hargreaves offered me the job,” Candy said. “I have to meet the other owners. He said they would set up a baking interview this week. This time next week, I could have a real paying job.”

  “Yes,” Jazmyne kissed Candy’s hand.

  “We went to our first family function.” Jazmyne held up a second finger.

  “Together,” Candy added. “And no one thought a thing about it.”

  “We even danced together,” Jazmyne said.

  “A lot,” Candy said. “Hey doesn’t that get a finger?”

  “Sure,” Jazmyne held up a third finger.

  “You spent the day with your mother.”

  “Yesterday,” Candy said. “And you met her and liked her.”

  “She’s a gorgeous, amazing person,” Jazmyne said. “Like her daughter.”

  “And I was right. She doesn’t care that I’m gay,” Candy said.

  “She wants you to be happy.”

  “Yeah,” Candy said. She moved Jazmyne’s forth finger up.

  Jazmyne’s hand popped open to five.

  “What’s the fifth?” Candy asked.

  “Mike said he would father a child,” Jazmyne said.

  “YOU ASKED HIM?” Candy blushed to the edges of her hair. “What did the beautiful wife say?”

  “She said it was a great idea. Candy, we could be pregnant by the end of the year!”

  “Wow,” Candy said.

  “You need to get over your Valerie complex,” Jazmyne said. “She’s not the person they say she is on Entertainment Tonight. She adores your brother. She’s quite friendly. So gorgeous too. Plus, she paid for your Chef school and never asked for anything in return.”

  Jazmyne turned onto her side to look at Candy. Candy seemed lost in thought.

  “Are you mad? Say something!” Jazmyne said.

  “We’re going to be Mommies!”

  ~~~~~~~~

  Saturday afternoon – 1:05 P.M.

  “Kids asleep?” Sandy asked from his Park Hill living room couch.

  “Finally,” Aden Norsen said.

  He held his hands out to her. She took them and let him pull her into his embrace.

  “It’s all that Captain Crunch,” Sandy said. “Was that their first wedding?”

  “The first one where they know the people,” Aden said. “Since he elevated me to CEO, Jake’s been such a big part of our lives. Jill is your best friend. She has special status. God, Noelle went on and on.”

  “About what?”

  “Everything.” Aden kissed her lips. He squinted at her.

  “What?”

  “I’m wondering how I can get you into bed,” he said.

  Sandy laug
hed.

  “How asleep are the kids?”

  “Nash is completely out,” Aden said. “Noelle was just dropping off. You know how she talks until she’s asleep. What did you have in mind?”

  “Hot tub. We’ve never…”

  “It’s snowing.”

  “No nosey neighbors.” Sandy kissed him.

  “I love the way you think.”

  Undressing as they went, he dragged her through the kitchen. Naked, he wrapped her in a bath sheet. He was reaching for a towel when he dropped to his knees.

  “Aden!” Sandy screamed.

  He looked up at her and took her hand.

  “Promise me, you’ll think about marrying me,” he said.

  “You really scared me!” Sandy said. She swatted at his head.

  “Promise me. Please.”

  “I will.”

  “You will what?”

  “Marry you.”

  “What?!”

  “I’ll marry you,” Sandy repeated.

  “Today? Because I bet Delphie…”

  “Soon,” Sandy said.

  “I have to work tomorrow…”

  “I’m working fourteen hour days until Christmas,” Sandy said.

  “You’ve given this a lot of thought!”

  Aden hopped to his feet. He pulled her into his arms. Sandy nodded.

  “I don’t have a ring,” Aden said. “Oh crap, Sandy, I’m sorry.”

  “No rings,” Sandy said. “Let’s play it cool.”

  “Cool. I can play it cool,” he said. “Are we telling people?”

  “Oh, do you want to?”

  “Yes, I want to tell everyone! I want to shout it to the world! I want …”

  Sandy kissed him.

  “Slowly,” she said. “For me. Ok?”

  Aden nodded. He opened the door and the blast of cold wind blew snowflakes onto them. Sandy shivered. With his arm on her shoulder, he led her to the hot tub.