Chapter One

Carolyn Stemp was an average person. Or so she kept thinking. She had long, wavy, red hair. A not-to-narrow nose and freckles covering her nose and cheeks with gorgeous emerald eyes.. Her body was full. She overheard people in school call her fat but she didn't think one hundred thirty-five pounds was fat. At least people at her job didn't care, as long as she did her work.

Carolyn worked hard in the mayor's office of Arcadia, Florida. It's a respectable job and got her what she needed every paycheck. As a junior assistant, she got to run around town dropping files off and be present at the meetings to take notes. It wasn't her dream job but it was a job and she didn't complain. She didn't need to complain because there wasn't much else in such a small town.

Arcadia, Florida was roughly the size of a nice town, yet it was called a city. It was the only stop between US 27 and Myakka City running down SR 70. I blip on the radar driving north from Punta Gorda on SR 17. There were plenty of fast food restaurants and grocery stores. The only main store in town was the Wal-Mart. It has two elementary schools in city limits, one middle school and one high school.

Yep, small town feel with all the city-like perks.

The only thing keeping Carolyn in DeSoto County was her kid sister, Bethany. This was her last year in school and neither sister couldn't be happier. Bethany was accepted into University of South Florida. Carolyn was to follow her to Tampa once her contract was up. But that wasn't for another year and school was just about finished. So the sisters were just at a stand still.

Carolyn continued working on her newest assignment until the mayor entered with a man following behind.

"And this is Carolyn Stemp. She's a junior assistant but she does really good work." Mayor Teddy Hampton introduced as I stood.


"Nice to meet you, Mister? I stretched out my hand.

"Eric. Eric Gooden." He reached out for my hand and shook it.

For some reason Carolyn didn't want to lose the contact but she snapped out of it and straightened her sweater.

"Miss Stemp, since you did so well with Mr Alore I figured you show Mr. Gooden around and give him a little bit of history of the town."

"Not a problem. Mr. Gooden if you'll please follow me?"

She lead the way out of the office and figured she'd start with the main floor.

"We have our normal offices of the water department and and place where people in town come to pay their light bill with Florida Power and Lights. Also someone from social security comes twice a month to help people with whatever needs they have. From filing for services to legally change their names."

"How old is this building?" Gooden ask.

"To be honest I'm not sure. I know Arcadia was founded in 1886. We have a time capsule that's to be opened in 2086."

"Nice. What can you tell me about this building?"

"It's very old." Carolyn said with a chuckle. "This is one of the first buildings build when the town was created. It was in the center of town at some point." She sighed. "Perhaps the next floor."

They went up the stairwell and can to the second floor flat.

"Up here we have the meeting hall and the mayor's office." Meetings are held weekly depending on what's on the docit. Otherwise, there are meeting bi-weekly."

"Interesting view."

Carolyn looked at Mr Gooden and noticed he was looking out a window looking down at McSwann Park.

"The Chamber of Commerce is down in that building and the park was just redone to have a safer playground and a splash pad for the children to cool down."

"Can I ask you questions?"

With surprise, Carolyn replied, "I thought you already were?"

Eric Gooden smiled. Flashing a row of white teeth. "No. I meant can I ask you questions about yourself?"

"Sure."

"How long have you lived in this city?"

"All my life. That would be twenty-four years."

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" He inquired.

"One sister, younger. I don't remember my father and her's abandoned us many years ago. We lost our mother two years ago due to a brain tumer." She added.

"I'm sorry. Must have been rough having to be mother and sister at twenty-two."

"You leave to adjust." Carolyn looked around to see what else she could tell about the old building but nothing was coming off the top of her head. "So, Mr Gooden, any more questions?"

"Eric, please. And I'd like to know more about you. I know you must have a lot on your plate but perhaps one day you can show me the whole town?"

"As in a tour guide? I don't see why not."

"Good," Eric handed her a card. "Here's my number. Call me when you feel you have the time. Or come find me up here on the second floor." He smiled that bright smile again.

Carolyn smiled back. "I'll do that."

They walked back to her office. The whole time Carolyn wondered how much she missed smiling for no reason. She hasn't smiled much since her mother had passed. In fact, now that she thought of it, smiling has become foreign to her since that day. She's always been so worried to make sure Bethany got her school work done and was fed every day. She even had a hard time smiling when the USF came in.

Now, out of the blue, she was smiling at this tall, dark haired, dark skinned man with piercing blue eyes. She just met the man and something was telling her that it would be fun to see him again.