by Natalie Ann
“I get it. I told you before that I’ve had dreams too. We all do. It’s normal. And though I don’t believe that my dreams come true, I can appreciate and value your sensitive and intuitive nature. I really can. I shouldn’t have jumped down your throat either. That I will apologize for. Your dreams are a part of you. The part that cares about people and I’ve come to accept that too. I’m guessing others haven’t in the past when you told them?” he asked. “I don’t want to be like those other people.”
“No. That’s the funny part. Most times people say it makes them uncomfortable or they laugh it off. They make me feel silly, but I never get mad or upset like I did with you.”
“Why did you with me?” he asked.
“Because I love you! More than I’ve ever loved another person that wasn’t family before. I love Livi too and it scared me so much. I have these dreams and half the time I brush them off myself. But when I dream of you and Livi it hurts. It’s like it’s so true and I want you to know so maybe it won’t come true,” she said.
“So it’s a control thing?” he asked. “That if you tell me you dream of me cheating on you you think it won’t come true? That if I was going to do it I wouldn’t now because you might know? I hate to break it to you, but if I was the type of person to cheat, getting caught wouldn’t really stop it from happening.”
“I know that. I know that when I feel the way I do about dreams it’s more that I know they might happen but it doesn’t mean I ever could control it or stop it. It’s more like my subconscious preparing me for things in my life. My grandmother pointed out that when I was a kid I used to say that if someone had warned my mother what was going to happen she might still be alive.”
So this did go back to when she was a kid. Damn, he was proud of himself for figuring that out.
“You don’t know that,” he said. “And all you do is beat yourself up over those things.”
“I do know that. I don’t need someone to tell me either. So I guess I’m here to say I’m sorry. That I acted like a child. I told you something and you didn’t listen to me and then I got mad. My father and Pops always told me the best relationships have clear lines of communication and I clearly muddied them up.”
“You did. But I also understand you did what you did because of your love for Livi. You think of her as yours, don’t you?”
Didn’t he want that out of a woman someday? That if he ever remarried again the woman would take Livi as her own daughter. He had that with Blair, he knew he did.
“I do. I love her so much. I keep saying that I want a traditional family because I never had one, but then I asked myself why? The one I have is pretty great and what does it matter if it’s traditional or not if everyone loves each other?”
“That’s right. It doesn’t mean a thing if the love isn’t there. And I love you, Blair.”
She ran over and jumped in his arms, wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him on the lips. “I love you too. I’ve missed you so much.”
“It’s only been a few days.”
“A few is more than I ever want it to be again. I promise to never be that foolish. I promise if I tell you my dreams you can laugh at me if you want and I won’t care. And if it comes true, I won’t say I told you so.”
“And I promise to listen to you and keep my skepticism to myself. Unless of course you see the winning lottery numbers. Then I’m all over it.”
“Who needs lottery numbers? I already hit it big with you!”
Epilogue
The following summer, Philip was grilling chicken while Blair and Livi were cleaning the vegetables they’d just picked out of her garden. This living between two houses had its benefits and drawbacks, but after tonight he was hoping they’d just have one home soon.
“I’ve got the vegetables ready to roast,” Blair said, carrying out a tray.
“Can we do it now, Daddy? I don’t want to wait any longer.”
“What’s going on?” Blair asked, looking back and forth between him and Livi.
“Sure, Livi. I don’t think I can wait any longer either.”
Livi ran into the house and then came back out a minute later with a little plant in her hand.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a baby rose bush,” he said.
“I know that,” she said, reaching for it.
“I thought maybe we could plant it together in your yard. The start of a plant together. When you first came to my house you brought me a plant.” He used that aloe plant all the time with the way Livi ran and tripped in the yard.
“I think that’s a lovely idea.”
“Dig in the rose bush’s dirt, Blair,” Livi said.
Blair frowned. “What?”
“There’s something in the soil for you.”
“Oh.” Blair used her finger to push the soil around, then pulled out a small foil-wrapped package.
“I was hoping you’d find it when we went to plant it later, but Livi kind of gave it away. That’s fine. This is better.” He took it out of her hand and removed the foil to show her the diamond ring in his hand.
“Oh dear,” Blair said, her hand going to her mouth.
“Daddy wants you to marry him,” Livi said before he could get the words out. “He asked me and I said yes. And that I want to live in your house, not here. I like your house better because there is more to do.”
He rolled his eyes at the words his daughter just rambled out, ruining everything he’d had planned. “Well, she is good at spoiling everything, but she said it well. What do you think? Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Blair said, hugging him tight.
“Now I know I hit the lottery!”
The End!
Other Books by Natalie Ann
The Road Series
Lucas and Brooke’s Story- Road to Recovery
Jack and Cori’s Story – Road to Redemption
Mac and Beth’s Story- Road to Reality
Ryan and Kaitlin’s Story- Road to Reason
The All Series
William and Isabel’s Story — All for Love
Ben and Presley’s Story – All or Nothing
Phil and Sophia’s Story – All of Me
Alec and Brynn’s Story – All the Way
Sean and Carly’s Story — All I Want
Drew and Jordyn’s Story— All My Love
Finn and Olivia’s Story— All About You
Landon Barber and Kristen Reid- All Of Us
The Lake Placid Series
Nick Buchanan and Mallory Denning – Second Chance
Max Hamilton and Quinn Baker – Give Me A Chance
Caleb Ryder and Celeste McGuire – Our Chance
Cole McGuire and Rene Buchanan – Take A Chance
Zach Monroe and Amber Deacon- Deserve A Chance
Trevor Miles and Riley Hamilton – Last Chance
Matt Winters and Dena Hall- Another Chance
Logan Taylor and Kennedy Miles- It’s My Chance
The Fierce Five Series
Gavin Fierce and Jolene O’Malley- How Gavin Stole Christmas
Brody Fierce and Aimee Reed - Brody
Aiden Fierce and Nic Moretti- Aiden
Mason Fierce and Jessica Corning- Mason
Cade Fierce and Alex Marshall - Cade
Ella Fierce and Travis McKinley- Ella
Fierce Family
Sam Fierce and Dani Rhodes- Sam
Bryce Fierce and Payton Davies - Bryce
Drake Fierce and Kara Winslow – Drake
Noah Fierce and Paige Parker - Noah
Love Collection
Vin Steele and Piper Fielding – Secret Love
Jared Hawk and Shelby McDonald – True Love
Erik McMann and Sheldon Case – Finding Love
Connor Landers and Melissa Mahoney- Beach Love
Ian Price and Cam Mason- Intense Love
Liam Sullivan and Ali Rogers - Autumn Love
Owen Taylor and Jill Duncan - Holiday Love<
br />
Chase Martin and Noelle Bennett - Christmas Love
Zeke Collins and Kendall Hendricks - Winter Love
Troy Walker and Meena Dawson – Chasing Love
Jace Stratton and Lauren Towne - First Love
Gabe Richards and Leah Morrison - Forever Love
Blake Wilson and Gemma Anderson – Simply Love
Brendan St. Nicholas and Holly Lane – Gifts of Love
Paradise Place
Josh Turner and Ruby Gentile – Cupid’s Quest
Harris Walker and Kaelyn Butler- Change Up
Philip Aire and Blair McKay- Starting Over
About the Author
NATALIE ANN is a USA Today bestselling author that lives in Upstate NY with her husband, son, and French bulldog. She has always had a love for books, especially happily ever after. She writes contemporary romance with a dash of humor focusing on real life (but fictional) situations and storylines. She’s inspired by the crazy, ridiculous, touching and emotional family dynamics that most people go through. Her series are based right in her home state or cities she has visited.
Contact
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UNEXPECTED ARRIVALS
Unexpected Arrivals
The Unexpected Series, Book 2
Stacy Eaton
USA Today Bestselling Author
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 Stacy Eaton
Book Description
Trevor Vaughn loves his job, his women, and his bachelor lifestyle. Sadly, for him, all of that might change when Davina Daniels walks into his office pushing a stroller.
The problem is that Trevor doesn’t have any idea who Davina is. After she explains that he is the father to the infant boy, Devon, in front of him, he finds himself clueless as to what to do next.
After reaching out and begging for her help, Davina and Trevor begin to form a friendship that will bring them together in time for their friend’s wedding and a single night of steamy romance.
It’s after their moments of bliss when words are misspoken, strangers show up, and Devon is raced to the hospital that their newfound romance is put to the test. Will Trevor and Davina find a way back to each other, or will the storms continue to crash down over them?
Praise
USA Today Bestselling Author
“Ms Eaton’s gift of writing shines through every book she writes no matter the genre. Once I start one of her books, I don’t want to put the book down. Then once I finish, I can’t wait for the next one. I am able to live so many different lives and have so many friends I have never met!”~ Reader Rebecca
“When reading Stacy Eaton's books it make me forget about every day life and gives me enjoyment, the happy ever after feeling or if it's a mystery/thriller (my favorite) I get to be a detective and try to figure it out. She has a wonderful ability to write different genre of books so there's something for everyone. She truly is a remarkable author.” ~ Reader Barbara
Chapter 1 – Trevor
“Welcome back,” Alex said to me as I paused at his office door. “How did it go?”
I leaned against the doorframe, laughing. “It was a major clusterfuck, but that’s nothing new.”
Alex chuckled. “Yeah, so I gathered by the reports that I read. When did you get back?”
“Just after midnight last night.”
He grinned at me. “No wonder you look like hell. You should have taken today off.”
“Nah,” I stepped further into his office, “I got a few hours of sleep, sitting around my place is not going to help me unwind, you know that. Although the weather sucks today, I could do without all the rain.”
“Yeah, I hear ya.”
“Do you miss not going over?”
“Fuck, no!” He laughed. “I’m rather happy to be stateside for good. I’m getting too damn old to play that game. Besides, Lexi is beyond happy that I’m here.”
I grinned at him, thinking he was pretty damn lucky to have someone like Lexi in his life. She was a good match for him, and as much as it sucked not having him with me overseas when I traveled to watch my back, I understood his need to be home, especially now that he had a new baby on the way.
“Everything all set for the wedding next weekend?”
“Yep. I’m glad you made it back when you did. I didn’t want to have to ask Screamer to fill your spot as my best man.”
“No way. I wasn’t going to miss it. I’m happy for you, Alex.” Maybe it was my tone of voice, or perhaps it was because he knew me so damn well, but he studied me carefully for a moment.
“Someday, you’ll find what I have.”
“Yeah, whatever.” I gave him a lopsided grin as thunder rattled overhead, and then turned for the door, not wanting to talk about my lack of a love life. Although it was my choice, it wasn’t like I hadn’t had a lot of opportunities to be in relationships. I did; I chose not to be. Maybe I was holding out for that special someone who rocked my world—did that person even exist?
“Hey, Trev,” I paused and glanced over my shoulder as he continued to speak. “You deserve to have a good woman. She’s out there, be patient.”
“Shit, man—I’m thirty-nine years old, if I haven’t found her by now, I doubt I ever will, but maybe.” I shrugged and then told him I’d talk to him later before I headed to my small cubical near the back of the floor we occupied.
I didn’t need an office like Alex had now. After telling our boss, Jake, AKA the Screamer, that he refused to travel overseas anymore, he’d been upgraded from a small cubical to a four-wall floor-to-ceiling office. Now instead of working from home most of the time like he used to, he punched the clock—fuck that. I never was one for working office hours. Nope. I much preferred to be fluid and work as needed, grabbing a few hours of shut-eye before moving on to the next adventure.
Alex used to be like that, but his world had changed, and while Jake hadn’t been happy to lose one of his best operatives and safety coordinators, he would rather have him in some capacity than not at all. He knew if he didn’t grant Alex his wish, Alex wouldn’t have let the door hit his ass on the way out. That’s how much his future wife Lexi, his daughter Veronica and the new baby meant to him.
A baby. I couldn’t even imagine what having a child would be like with my lifestyle. Another round of thunder vibrated the building, and I dropped my backpack to the floor next to my desk as I pulled out my chair and let my gaze slide over my desk. Personally, I’d never been one of those men to say, yeah, I want a wife, house, kids, picket fence, and a dog. Okay, so maybe a house and a dog. A dog would be cool, but that might even be hard with how much I traveled.
I sighed as I got situated. While I did like my bachelor-style life, I guess I did want more. I would enjoy having a woman to share my life—my bed—maybe. Why the hell was I even thinking about this? Maybe it was because Alex was getting married soon and I saw how happy he was. Perhaps a small part of me was jealous.
My cellphone rang, and I glanced at the screen to see an unknown number. Thunder rumbled so loudly around me that I glanced at the ceiling. Damn. I slipped my thumb over the screen and sent it to voicemail. In the last ten days, I had received several phone calls from that same number, but I hadn’t answered any of them, and no messages were ever left. Sooner or later, the caller would either stop or leave a message as to why they were calling. If they didn’t, then it wasn’t important enough for them to call me in the first place.
“Hey, welcome back,” Jake said from behind me. “You available to do a debrief in a little while?”
“Yeah, give me fifteen, and I can do that.”
“Let’s say thirty. I’m going to have breakfast sandwiches brought in, and we’ll meet in the conference room once they arrive.”
With a plan in place, I listened to my messages on my office phone and checked through a few pieces of mail that were left for m
e. Mostly advertisements for tactical equipment and a few offers to try specific gear out. It was one of the best things about my job. A lot of tech and tactical companies reached out to us to test products. Many of them wanted to know if they would be beneficial enough for military use before they tried to jump through hoops to get it in front of someone who might purchase it in quantity.
Some items were awesome, and others sucked. Alex and I enjoyed trying things out and putting them to the extreme to see just how much they could handle. Once we’d finished, we’d write up our thoughts and suggestions to make them better and send them to the companies, along with any mishaps to their products. Because we did such a great job with that, they continued to send us things to play with and test. Now that was my kind of relationship.
When breakfast arrived, six of us filled the conference room, and Jake introduced me to Harvey Melton and Gregory Blaire, two new guys who just started working with us. We gathered around the table, talking bullshit for a few minutes while we ate, and Alice, our receptionist slash secretary, popped her head into the room.
“Trevor, I’m glad you’re back in one piece.”
“Thanks, Alice.”
“Did you scorn a woman before you left?” she asked with a hiked brown brow.
I laughed. “No, why?”
She rolled her eyes like she didn’t believe a word I said. “Because a woman has called here every day for the last week asking for you.”
“Who?”
