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    Design for Life
    Design for Life
    Design for Life
    Ebook100 pages1 hour

    Design for Life

    By Cate Masters

    ()

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    About this ebook

    When Becca Lyndon puts her dreams on hold, could she lose them?
    Three years earlier, art teacher Mike Hunter criticized her work. When he substitutes in Becca’s night class, she’s surprised to see him again. And even more surprised when he invites her out.
    When her trust in him wavers, she’s determined not to let the design for her life unravel again.
    She also learns that one door might close, but another can open—and lead to unexpected opportunities.
    2010 Top 10 Finisher in Preditors & Editors Poll
    Reviewers said: “Ok, So I'm a softy and I love a story that gets me a warm and mushy inside and this one totally did it. I LOVE Ms Master's ability to make me feel the ups and downs along with the characters. It makes for a really good read.” And: “If you want a story that will stick with you long after the last page, then you need to read Design For Life.”

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCate Masters
    Release dateJan 14, 2012
    ISBN9781466029866
    Design for Life
    Author

    Cate Masters

    Dog lover. Dreamer. Writer, reader, book hoarder. Multi-published in contemporary to historical, fantasy/dark fantasy to paranormal, award-winning author Cate Masters loves a good story, and sometimes mashes genres. She also writes women’s fiction, fantasy and speculative fiction as C.A. Masterson. Visit her at https://catemasters.wixsite.com/cate-masters---c-a, or her blogs at http://paintingfirewithwords.blogspot.com and http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.

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      Book preview

      Design for Life - Cate Masters

      Design for Life

      PUBLISHED BY:

      Cate Masters on Smashwords

      Design for Life

      Copyright © 2012 by Cate Masters

      Smashwords Edition License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

      This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.

      If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

      View more books by Cate Masters at

      http://catemasters.blogspot.com

      or select online book retailers.

      For my Becca: Follow your dreams to find true happiness.

      Previous reviews:

      I love a story with an artsy angle. Real people who remind me of my friends fill this story.

      Cate Masters’ novella brings in characters I felt like I knew all along

      and a sense of being in the small town with them. When I sat down to read this story,

      I found myself transported to Almendra and the Flower Basket.

      If you want a story that will stick with you long after the last page, then you need to read Design For Life. – Long and Short Reviews, 4 books

      Ok, So I'm a softy and I love a story that gets me a warm and mushy inside and this one totally did it. I LOVE Ms Master's ability to make me feel the ups and downs along with the characters. It makes for a really good read. – Sweetly Reviewed

      Special thanks to The Wild Rose Press, which first published this ebook.

      * * *

      Chapter One

      Becca Lyndon hurried down the hallway, late for class and breathless, propelled by her tightening nerves. Tonight of all nights. The night of her Advertising Design presentation. Road construction made her late getting home. Mom had looked especially tired, and took longer than usual to eat dinner. Since she’d moved back to Greensburg, all she ever did was rush. From home to work. Work to home. Home to school. Always a step behind.

      She blew out a breath and hustled faster toward the classroom. Every day my schedule gets tighter and tighter. Nothing like at the Art Institute. But she had to put her dreams on hold. Mom needed her. Night classes at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburgh would fill the gap. For now.

      The door creaked as Becca eased it open, and her stomach churned. At five foot ten, she had trouble remaining inconspicuous. Her height and auburn hair had always felt like a double whammy—the combination made her stand out in any crowd. She couldn’t risk angering Mrs. Leonard. A big percentage of her overall grade depended on the presentation. For the past month, she’d concentrated on it every spare moment, but those moments were few and far between. Tonight, she had to dazzle them.

      Her classmate Andy White stood at the podium in front, his sketches on the easel, his presentation already in progress. Only a few heads turned as she slipped into her seat with a breath of relief.

      Their teacher’s desk sat empty. Strange. Being eight months pregnant, Mrs. Leonard normally didn’t stray far.

      On the blackboard at the front of the room, a name was scrawled in chalk—Mike Hunter. A nerve pulsed in her throat. It couldn’t be. As she scrunched in her seat, she leaned her chin against her palm and peeked through her fingers.

      A few classmates partially blocked her view of the man. Perched on the windowsill, head down, he jotted notes on a pad. During her senior year of high school, another substitute teacher named Mike Hunter subbed for the art teacher who’d resigned abruptly. For five months, all her classmates talked about was Mike Hunter, in the lunch room, at the lockers, even during gym. Fresh from college, he’d accepted the position while job hunting. Every girl had a crush on the young substitute.

      Every girl except Becca.

      More than anyone else’s in her class, he’d focused on her sketches, and spent extra time critiquing her artwork. When she thought she’d mastered a concept, he pointed out the flaws. He seemed to have it in for her, always pushing her to do better after she’d slaved over her work. More than once, she’d grown so frustrated, she’d gone home in tears. Because of him, she almost decided against art school. For Becca, his intensity overwhelmed any charm he had. While other girls dreamed of being on the receiving end of his smile, she’d dreamed he would leave her alone.

      Please don’t let it be that Mike Hunter. The extra pressure might prove too much.

      With the stealth of a cat, she slid out her notepad and pen. She let her long hair fall forward and began taking notes as if she’d been there all along. Hopefully, this new teacher wouldn’t notice her tardiness. He couldn’t have memorized everyone already. To make herself less noticeable, she slumped further in her seat.

      Andy droned on about his design, but she couldn’t decipher the main element out of all the jagged edges, none of which came together in a meaningful way. She glanced at her classmates, whose furrowed brows told her they were equally confused, then at the new teacher, who held a hand to his mouth as he studied Andy’s sketch with narrowed eyes.

      Oh no. Her stomach clenched. The same intense eyes that used to assess her work so critically. The Mike Hunter who’d made her senior year a nightmare.

      I’ll have to make the best of it. Leaving halfway through the semester would set her back even further. Maybe he’s mellowed with age.

      He met her gaze and his face lit with a smile.

      Whoa. Not the polite expression reserved for casual reintroduction of two people who hadn’t seen one another in three years. His smile conveyed such warmth it zapped through her like lightning, and wiped the slate of her thoughts clean.

      Definitely not what I expected. Her cheeks warmed and she returned his smile. She forced her attention back to Andy, who was wrapping up his presentation.

      Mr. Hunter stood. Very good. Class, I’d like to hear your reactions.

      As she sat straight to respond, Becca wondered what he’d think of her reaction—to him. It’s potentially powerful, but I think the main lines could be stronger to bring the anime image to life, to make a real impact on the viewer.

      Mr. Hunter strolled toward the desk. Excellent point. I agree. Andy, if you strengthen the main element, as Becca suggested, the core design will really stand out. Anyone else?

      Her breath caught in her throat. He agreed with her. And said her name. Excitement tingled along her skin.

      Maybe she’d stuck in his memory as vividly as he had in hers because of their awful shared experience. Hopefully, he wouldn’t recall that difficult time. Every creative person labored through a growth process to improve, and she proved no exception.

      But no, the college must have

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