“She’s fine. But her mother was killed.”
Deanna gasped. “That’s horrible. Does she have family to care for her?” Rafe shook his head. “See? This is why I need to return.”
“You’re never going back there,” Rafe snapped. When he saw her eyes widen in shock, he knew he needed to explain quickly. “What I mean is you don’t need to. She’s not there.”
“Where is she?”
“With Josh, and soon she’ll be here.”
“Oh, Rafe, she must be so scared.”
He nodded. “And feeling alone. That’s where I thought you’d come in.”
“Me?”
“Deanna, you wanted to make a difference in the world. You can do that right here and change the life of one child. One who needs exactly what you have to give.”
“What is that?” Deanna asked.
“The most loving, gentle heart a person can ask for. She needs love, Deanna. You can give that to her.”
“You want me to raise her?”
Rafe reached down and took her hand in his. “No. I want us to.”
Deanna looked shocked. “Rafe, what are you saying?”
He was shocked at his own words, but never had anything felt so right. They’d both lost someone, and that loss had somehow brought them together. Maybe, as a family, they could heal. But if she wasn’t part of it, Rafe knew he never would. She could make him whole.
“Deanna, you asked me to tell you how I felt, and I couldn’t. When I learned Enwright had set a trap for you, all I could think about was how much you meant to me. I should’ve told you how I felt. The words were there, but they . . . I couldn’t speak them.”
“And now?” Deanna asked softly.
He looked into her sweet brown eyes. Rafe could get lost in them. It was as though her gentle soul reached out and touched him with each glance. “I could stare into your eyes for eternity and never grow tired. I hope you give me the opportunity to.”
“To what?”
“Wake each morning with you by my side. Make love to you each night before we sleep. And show you . . . tell you . . . that I love you.”
“You . . . you love me?” Deanna repeated.
Rafe reached up and touched her face. “More than I’ll ever be able to put in words. Hell, Deanna, I’m not a poet or a romantic man. I’m not even an easy man to get along with. I’m stubborn and ornery and—”
“A horrible salesman.”
“What?” Rafe asked, arching a brow.
“If you’re trying to convince me not to love you back, well sorry, you’re too late. I love you so much, Rafe, that it hurts. All I could think of when Milton held me captive was I would never see you again. That was my greatest regret. But I knew I had to fight, not just for me, but for us.”
Us. We. He liked the sound of that. “If anything had happened to you I’d—”
“But it didn’t, Rafe. You kept your promise.”
“Deanna, I spent my life doing what I do for honor. You have shown me I’m capable of something I never thought possible. Love. I guess I can do it for both now, because I love you.”
He watched a tear rolled down her cheek. “I love you too.”
Rafe gently lifted her onto his lap. He didn’t forget about her injury, but he knew there were things he could do with her leg elevated. “Any objection to me carrying you to the bedroom and showing you how much I love you?”
She shook her head. “As long as you promise to tell me too.”
Rafe smiled down at her. “Deanna, I promise to tell you every day of our lives. I love you, honey.”
“I love you too.”
Epilogue
‡
Deanna held the kite string as it blew high it the air. Bending down, she said, “Hold on tight. Don’t let go.”
Shadoa grinned from ear to ear then took the string from her and ran up the beach. Deanna knew it was only a matter of time before her little hands got tired and the string slipped through her fingers. With the wind blowing so strong, she was sure the force would send the kite even higher.
She had prepared Shadoa for what might happen. It was part of being a mom. Teach your child that not everything is perfect or lasts forever, but to find the joy in each moment. Shadoa was living proof of what joy life could bring.
When Rafe suggested they adopt Shadoa, it seemed like an impossibility. But in less than a year, they’d pulled off a small wedding and an adoption. Her life had gone from feeling hopeless and alone to having so much to live for.
She still had moments when the tragedy of what happened in Moreira crept in, and she broke down crying. But now she had someone to hold her, someone who truly understood. Rafe was such a blessing in her life. The entire Turchetta family was.
Deanna looked at the house and saw them all on the deck watching Shadoa and her play on the beach. Even her parents had come to their clambake. She wasn’t sure how they’d all get along, but from where Deanna stood they looked like one big happy family.
She’d never explained to her parents what had happened, and the Turchettas seemed to live the lifestyle of saying only what you have to. No one needed to know what was in the past. All it would do was prevent all the wonders that lay ahead of them.
Deanna stopped as she felt a flutter in her stomach. Placing a hand on her small belly, she waited, and it happened again.
“Mommy are you okay?” Shadoa asked.
Deanna grabbed her little girl’s hand and said, “Yes. Everything is perfect.”
“Good. Can I let it go now?”
Deanna looked up and saw the butterfly kite her parents had brought Shadoa struggling for its freedom. There was no way either of them was going to reel that thing down.
Kneeling down, she said, “Of course you can.”
“Can Daddy come and watch too?”
Deanna waved to Rafe who’d been eagerly waiting for his invite. He hopped the fence and jogged down to the beach.
“Are you all done?” Rafe asked.
Shadoa nodded then raised her hand up in the air and opened her fingers, letting the string go. All three of them stayed there on the beach watching until it was out of sight. Then Shadoa said, “That butterfly is now with my other mommy, right?”
Deanna choked back a tear and pulled Shadoa into her arms. “Yes, sweetheart, it is.”
Shadoa smiled and said, “Maybe tomorrow we can send her a picture of all of us in a balloon. I think she’d like that.”
Rafe and Deanna exchanged looks. “A balloon it is,” Rafe answered. “Now let’s get back to the others before they eat all the food.”
Shadoa reached out her hands, one to Rafe and one to Deanna, as they made their way home. Rafe leaned over and kissed Deanna lightly. He mouthed the words, I love you. She smiled and did the same. The little one inside Deanna didn’t want to miss out on the fun and gave her another kick. Soon sweetheart. Don’t worry. Mommy and Daddy have plenty of love to go around.
The End
Don’t miss book 2, For Hope!
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Other Books By Jeannette Winters
The Billionaire’s Secret
Billionaire Jon Vinchi is a man with one passion: work. His friends decide to shake him up by entering him as a prize at a charity event.
Accountant Lizette Burke is dressed to the nines and covering for her boss at a charity event. She’s hoping to land a donor for the struggling non-profit agency that employs her.
She never expected to win a date with a billionaire.
He never thought one night could turn his life upside down.
One lie stands between them and their happily ever after. Too bad it’s a big one!
Betting on You Series:
Book 1: The Billionaire’s Secret (FREE!)
Book 2: The Billionaire’s Masquerade
Book 3: The Billionaire’s Longshot
Book 4: The Billionaire’s Jackpot
Book 5: All Be
ts Off
Book 6: A Rose For The Billionaire
Book 7: The Billionaire’s Treat Novella
One White Lie
Brice Henderson traded everything for power and success. His company was closing a deal that would cement his spot at the top. The last thing he needed was a distraction from the past.
Lena Razzi had spent years trying to forget Brice Henderson. When offered the opportunity of a lifetime, would she take the risk even if the price would be another broken heart?
Do you love reading from this world? Continue with Always Mine from my sister, Ruth Cardello, Her series will mirror my time line. It isn’t necessary to read hers to enjoy mine, but it sure will enhance the fun!
Barrington Billionaires Series:
Book 1: One White Lie (FREE!)
Book 2: Table for Two
Book 3: You and Me Make Three
Book 4: Virgin for the Fourth Time
Book 5: His for Five Nights
Book 5.5: New Beginning Holiday Novella
Book 6: After Six
Southern Spice
Derrick Nash knows the pain of loss. But is he seeking justice or revenge? He doesn’t care as long as someone pays the price.
It is Casey Collin’s duty at FEMA to help those in need when a natural disaster strikes. After a tornado hits Honeywell, she finds there are more problems than just storm damage. Will she follow company procedures or her heart?
Can Derrick move forward without the answers he’s been searching for? Can Casey teach him how to trust again? Or will she need to face the fact that not every story has a happy ending?
Southern Desires Series:
Book 1: Southern Spice (FREE!)
Book 2: Southern Exposure
Book 3: Southern Delight
Book 4: Southern Regions
Book 5: Southern Charm
Book 6: Southern Sass
Novella: Southern Hearts
For Honor
Looking for a new Romantic Intrigue? Then you will love the Turchetta’s. You met them in both the Betting On You Series as well as Barrington Billionaires Series. Now it is time for an up close look into their lives.
Rafe Turchetta may have retired from the Air Force, but his life was still dedicated to fighting the injustice of the world. There was one offense that went so wrong, and it will haunt him, as it continues to destroy him on the inside.
Deanna Glenn was being tortured by a tragedy, one that she couldn’t share with anyone. Time was running out and she needed the lies to cease before she started to believe them herself.
Healing meant returning to where it all went horribly wrong years ago. For Deanna she needed to take on a new identity. For Rafe, that meant doing whatever he needed to in order to get her to speak the truth.
When danger rears its ugly head will Rafe follow his heart and protect Deanna even if it means never learning the truth? Or will Deanna sacrifice her happiness and expose it all?
Turchetta’s Promise Series:
Book 1: For Honor (Coming 3/17/18)
Book 2: For Hope (Coming 5/4/18)
Book 3: For Justice (Coming July 2018)
Book 4: For Truth (Coming Aug 2018)
Book 5: For Passion (Coming Oct 2018)
Book 6: For Love (Coming Nov 2018)
Books by Ruth Cardello
ruthcardello.com
Books by Danielle Stewart
authordaniellestewart.com
Do you like sweet romance? You might enjoy Lena Lane
www.lenalanenovels.com
For Honor Page 20
