Donna Straight and her little daughter, Lisa, finally escape Donna’s violent husband. They are on the run for 3 years before Sam Straight finds them. He sends his daughter a package for her third birthday. Donna, heart in her throat pulls the string on the package and the whole apartment explodes in flames.We go back to when the very young Donna is fleeing from home to start her freshman year at college. For the first time, Donna has real friends that love her. Her teacher, Sam Straight, saw the naive Donna and sets out to make her his conquest.. Donna, not used to the special attention, fell for Sam, the tender and doting lover that he pretended to be. After the wedding vows are taken, Sam sweeps Donna away to an undisclosed location for their honeymoon before she could even say good-bye to anyone. Little did Donna know what horrors and loneliness awaited her...

Someone to Love

By Nancy Hendry-Riggs

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Nancy Hendry-Riggs
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4520-9645-2

Chapter One

It was a warm autumn day. The sun was shining and the leftover heat from the summer was still hanging around. Donna found herself standing at the edge of her new campus. She was now a college student. She was independent for the first time in her life. The air smelled like freedom to her. She held her used worn books in her arms as she headed down the pathway to the building of her very first class. She loved this college. It was far enough away from home to keep her "parents" away. They probably wouldn't drive the three hours it would take to visit her, anyway. Her father had died when she was still a small child and her mother couldn't wait to remarry again.

"You have to have someone to love you," she would always preach to Donna. "Life is nothing unless you have someone to love."

Gretchen, Donna's mom, didn't let any grass grown under her feet. Within a month after her father's death, Gretchen found herself a man. He wasn't a handsome man, nor was he even a very kind man. But he had a job and lots of money so Gretchen thought she was in love again. That marriage lasted almost 4 years and by the time Donna was 7 her mother had moved on to another "love of her life." That marriage lasted just over 2 years before she pushed him out the door. This time her mother vowed to wait until the true love of her life would come knocking. That took almost a half a year before Donna found herself in yet another wedding. This one was shaky but at least it had lasted longer than any of her other LOVES. They were just about to celebrate their 9th wedding anniversary. Her mother would probably be loaded, either uppers or beer or maybe a little of both. Her "daddy" would be at the local bar celebrating with the Love of his life—whiskey with several of his drunken friends. No, there would be no visits to her this far away.

Donna was able to go to college on a full scholarship and she worked hard last summer to get enough money saved for these used books and other expenses of being a college student. Life was never easy for Donna but the hard work made Donna strong. She was personable, smart and had strong features that made her extremely attractive to most people. But even with all this going for her, Donna never had any close friends. She didn't date and never invited anyone to her house. Her routine all these years was to get up early before anyone else stirred. Very quietly she would make herself breakfast, pack a sandwich for lunch, then leave for school. She was usually early so she would stop at the nearby park and sit and think. Sometimes she would get on one of the swings. She would shoot for the trees, climbing as high as she dared. The cool air blowing through her hair would excite her senses and she would be off in a daydream. This daydream usually consisted of her being in a loving family. A family that would hug her when she was sad, kiss her on the nose and say "I love you." That sounded like heaven to Donna.

When time came for her to go to school, she would collect her books and with her head looking down, she would head in the direction of school. After she arrived in school, she would attend her classes and immediately leave as soon as the bell rang. She barely talked with anyone and NEVER looked anyone in the eye. She felt they would be able to read the fear in her eyes if they looked closely enough. She would take her school book with her at lunch and, if weather permitted, go outside and sit on a bench under a tree and study. If weather was bad, she would find a seat off in a corner, stick her nose in a book and hoped no one would bothered her.

The building loomed in the distance. Wow, it looked so big. not like her small local high school. As her eyes gazed the building, it reminded her of pictures she had seen in magazines; the old brick and stone building with ivy gracefully trailing it way to the heavens. A couple of students trying to pass, bumped her as her mind was miles away. One of them stopped to ask her if she was okay.

"Oh, I'm fine," she stated as she immediately lowered her head. "I just never saw a building as beautiful as that one."

"I'm Jason," he said as he held his hand in her direction.

"I'm Donna," she replied as she briefly shook his hand without looking up. "I'm going to be late," she murmured as she started walking a fast pace toward the building.

The doors were big and massive and a little heavy. Donna fumbled with her books and one fell to the ground as she tried to open the door. Jason, who had caught up to her, stooped and picked up the fallen book.

Standing again, he read the title of the book and queried, "So you're taking Geometry. It looks like we're in the same class. Are you smart? I may be needing help with some of this math stuff. We might have to study together."

For the first time, Donna lifted her head and looked into the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen. "Math is one of my favorite classes. Maybe, I could help you, sometime."

She saw his ample lips turn up in a giant smile and his cheeks were bright red, she lowered her head once more. He helped her open the door and pointed to where the room for Geometry was being held. He found a seat at the front of the class and she went quickly to the back corner. Her heart was fluttering and she could hardly think for a few minutes. She was jolted back into reality with a loud voice booming.

"Hello class. This is Geometry 101 and I am your teacher." He finished his sentence writing and drawing out his name, "Mr. S T R A I G H T." When he finish he turned to face his new class.

The class suddenly fell into a complete silence. Everyone was staring ahead at the new teacher. He was extremely handsome with his sandy color hair slightly ruffled and one strand drooping towards his incredibly bright green eyes. He looked down to get his lesson plan and heard a few twitters of laughter in the back of the room.

He looked up and announced to the class. "This is NOT going to be an easy class. If you signed up for this class to get an easy A, you had better get reassigned. I'm tough but I'm fair. I want to start now with chapters 1-3."

This was Donna's favorite class by far. She excelled in math. She did love to go to her literature class. She was interested in learning to write. She had no idea what she wanted her major to be. She would have to make a decision pretty soon but for now she just wanted to learn as much as she could. The other students didn't really know Donna but they heard rumors that she was very smart. They started grouping off into study groups and several of them wanted Donna to join their group. Donna declined them all but secretly inside she was dying to make some new friends.

Jason caught up with Donna a few weeks after their first meeting. "Hey, Donna. Wait up," Jason called after her. Donna turned to see who was calling and saw Jason running down the path waving his hand.

"You never stay around long enough for me to talk to you. I have been trying to catch you all week. A group of us are forming a study group and I would really like it if you would join us. I know you have been approached by others but their just using you for your brains. I, on the other hand, want you in our group just so I can look at you. You are very pretty you know," Jason threw in.

Donna, with color running up her cheeks, looked at Jason and laughed. "You just want to look at me, huh?"

"Well, it doesn't hurt any that you are really smart."

Donna really looked at Jason for the first time. She had noticed his eyes the first meeting but now she gazed at the light toned kid with the strawberry blonde hair and freckles everywhere. He looked like a young child of 14 or 15 but she knew he had to be around her age of 18.

"Let me think on it, okay?" she inquired.

"Sure but don't take too long. We're going to have our first test in Geometry next Friday and I could really use some guidance from such a smart, beautiful girl."

Donna blushed a little deeper shade of pink and told him she would consider working with him. She headed down the path to her favorite spot by a group of trees near a running creek. It was always private there and the soothing noise of the water calmed her and she would study there for hours. This time, however, she couldn't keep her mind on the subject. Her mind kept going back to the meeting she had just had with Jason. He was really cute and he seemed to like her. She wanted to join the group but would they all accept her as a friend? Since she never really had any friends, Donna wasn't sure just what to do to be a friend. As she sat there by the soft gentle flow of the water, her eyes started closing and before she knew it sleep over took her.

Someone touched her shoulder. The touch was not pleasant but had a feel of terror in it. She tried to pretend she was asleep but the hand moved to her face and then down her neck. A husky voice was whispering in her ear. "oh, Donna, you're so beautiful. I need you. I have to have you." The hand then moved down her neck to her soft young breasts. She could feel the heat in his fingers and he squeezed and probed her nipples. She wanted to scream; she wanted to move but she could do neither. There was a weight on her and a hand over her mouth. "Don't scream, Donna. I won't hurt you. I need you." She felt the hand reach down to her legs and fumble with her panties she had on under the nightgown. She shook her head back and forth. "no, no this can't be happening again," Donna cried to herself. Someone has to help me. Before she could pry his hand away from her mouth, she felt the warm manhood of him penetrate her. The pain racked her body with the hard thrust that was violating her. She finally tore his hand off her mouth but still couldn't speak because his hand was now replaced by his lips. His breath was vile with the smell of whiskey and stale cigarette smoke. His tongue was pushing through her teeth and was exploring her tongue. The tears ran down her cheeks and she choked back a horrified sob."

The hand was back on her shoulder. It was shaking her. Someone was calling her name. She screamed and jumped. Jason had found her and was shaking her awake. He noticed she had tears running down her cheeks and gently reached down and wiped them away.

"It's okay Donna. It was only a dream. It must have been a really bad one but it was only a dream."

She looked bewildered staring at his face. Finally she recognize who he was and where she was.

"How ... how did you find me?" Donna asked shakily.

"I was taking a walk and heard you moaning and crying in your sleep. I came over to find out what was happening." Jason confessed. "Are you okay? Want to talk about your dream? Sometimes it helps if you talk to someone."

"No, I'm fine. I can't ... um ... I can't even remember what the dream was about." Donna lied. She had this dream all the time, anymore. Sometimes she was afraid just to close her eyes.

"Well, if you want to talk about anything, I can be a good listener," Jason said as he smiled down at Donna.

He made himself comfortable beside her and stared at the stream. "This is really a beautiful place. How did you find it?" "I always search out a quiet place so I can go and study," Donna said.

"You always seem to be hiding. You sit in corners, study by yourself away from everyone and seem to be uncomfortable making eye contact. What are you hiding from?" Jason asked.

Donna made no reply, just sat staring at the stream.

"I can tell that you are very sad and shy. I would really like to be your friend, if you'll let me." Then on a light note, "oh, did you decide about the study group?" Jason laughed.

"Yes, I would like to be in your study group, but I don't know what to do. I have never been in a study group before."

"Well?" Jason chuckled, "I guess we just all sit together and study. If someone has a question, they ask. Then if someone knows the answer they tell them. That sometimes gets into a debate when there is more than one opinion. It's really quite fun and we all learn from each other. What do you think?"

"Okay, when and where do we do this?" Donna asked trying not to look into those deep blue eyes. His eyes were hypnotic and it was hard for her not to just stare into them. She looked immediately at the colored leaves lying on the ground.

"We meet at the library on Tuesday nights, at the table in the rear of the building."

"Tuesdays are good for me," Donna said thoughtfully. Then realizing the sun was lower in the sky, she fumbled around for her books. "What time is it?"

Jason glanced at his watch, "It's ten til three."

"Oh my goodness, my next class is at three and its halfway across the campus," Donna groaned. "Goodbye Jason, I'll see you Tuesday," she yelled as she raced off to her class.

Chapter Two

It had been almost two months since that first day she had looked at the tall ivy covered building. The warmth of the summer has now been long forgotten. The sky today was getting darker and turning ominous. The weather forecast had predicted the first winter storm. Halloween was tomorrow and everyone was talking about the big Halloween party to be held in the gym. The gym itself had been transformed into a gigantic haunted house and would end up with a band, food and games. Donna had never been to a Halloween party. In fact, she had never been to a party at all. Jason was still in her life and they were "kind of dating." The studied together, went for sandwiches afterward and an occasional movie at the cinema just off the campus on a Saturday afternoon. Jason finally was able to get Donna to hold his hand in the movie and hug her at night before they separated ways. One day when Jason tried to kiss her, Donna had freaked. She started crying and pushing him away saying, "Don't, oh please don't." Jason didn't understand why Donna was acting that way and couldn't get her to talk to him about it. Jason was a patient boy and was willing to wait.

Jason spied Donna walking toward him. He waved and joined her.

"What are you wearing for a costume tomorrow," Jason teased.

"You know I'm not going to tell you. You'll have to find me at the party," Donna replied.

"Well, I'll be wearing ..."

"No, no don't tell me," Donna cried holding her hands over her ears so she wouldn't be able to hear.

"How will we know each other?" Jason expressed his concern.

"Don't worry, we'll know," teased Donna.

"I can't wait," announced Jason. "It should be so much fun."

"Me neither. It will be my first real party," Donna told him, "But for right now, I have to study. There's that big geometry test tomorrow, remember?"

"Okay, I'll see you in class tomorrow."

Donna hurried down the path still trying to decide what to wear for a costume.

Jenny, a newly acquired friend told Donna she would help her tonight. She had a closet full of old clothes and would help Donna put on make up. They would figure out something.

Donna sailed through the test and finished before the rest of her class. She turned her test over and was sitting in her seat staring out the window when she realized someone was standing beside her. She looked up to see Mr. Straight watching her.

"Are you done with the test already," he inquired.

"Yes sir."

"Let me look at it," he said as he picked up the piece of paper and examined it. "It looks pretty good Donna. You do excellent work."

"Thank you."

He started her by asking her, "Are you going to the party tonight?"

"Ye ... yes"

"Well maybe I'll see you there," her teacher responded as he turned around and walked back to his desk.

"That was really strange," she thought "He normally never even talks to me. I guess he was just being nice."

Geometry was the last of her classes today. Fridays were her light days, just Geometry and then she had the rest of the day off. It was good that she did. She had a lot of things to do before the party tomorrow.

When she arrived at the dorm, Jenny was waiting for her.

"Let's get busy. Come with me and check out all the stuff I have," Jenny said as she started off toward her room.

Donna followed Jenny down the hall to her room. Jenny had clothes laid out all over her bed. There were long dresses, sequined blouses, baggy pants and ripped up jeans. Donna fingered though all the clothes trying to decide what kind of costume she wanted to wear.

"I want to look like a princess or some great lady," Donna announced after she looked through all the clothes. "I want to look really pretty."

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Someone to Loveby Nancy Hendry-Riggs Copyright © 2011 by Nancy Hendry-Riggs. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.