Really, I have no idea what I am doing here. I do own a mirror. And although I know I ‘still got it’ I also know I am past my prime. I’m up against twenty-nine other young and handsome men. What shot do I have at winning this contest? But Bea insisted I enter, and when Bea makes up her mind about something there is no changing it. I figured it was best I just make the old girl happy, so here I am – WALTER….

I joke around a lot about Bea, but the truth of the matter is she is the best thing that ever happened to me. People always assume it’s the other way around. After all, before I entered her life she was pretty much a cold, distant, self-absorbed shell of a woman. While I don’t agree with her actions, I understand why she behaved the way she did. After all, my poor love experienced so much heartache in her life. Who would think our relationship, our second chance love story, would help her repair her relationship with her daughter and grandchildren?

I was “married” twice before. My marriage to my high school sweetheart lasted about seven years, ending soon after my daughter passed away from spinal meningitis. My marriage to my career in law lasted over forty years and was all consuming. People don’t see it, but I am so much like Beatrice. I threw myself into my work because it stopped me from feeling the pain and loss.

But then a colleague of mine was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Like me, the law was his only companion. Watching him deteriorate alone was life changing for me. I vowed I wouldn’t waste another year of my life. His death prompted me to retire. And I finally took my first vacation, a cruise, where I met Bea.

Bea and I will never get the years we wasted back. But we do have a lot of living left to do, and we are making the most of each day. I’m no longer alone. Now I have a daughter and a son. Anna and her husband, Cole, welcomed me right into their hearts. Their children are now my grandchildren. Finally, I am able to share the magic tricks my father taught me when I was a little boy. Seeing the wonder and joy on Violet and Harley’s faces gives me such pleasure, as does seeing my Beatrice finally smile after so many years.

Thank you for humoring an old man and considering me for this contest. To vote, please email Tracie traciebanister@gmail.com To learn more about me check out Plan Bea and Plan Cee.

Walter

Hop to all the stops, collect the candidate’s name at each stop, then submit all 30 names to that same address in order to be entered in our Grand Prize giveaway. This giveaway includes a Kindle Paperwhite + 30 e-books, one from each of the authors participating in the hop. You can mention here which book you will be gifting. Entries for the hop will be accepted until Sunday, May 21st at midnight E.D.T. A winner will be chosen on Monday, May 22nd. This Grand Prize giveaway is open internationally.