“I don’t remember her,” he looks down at his shoes. “My dad tells me about her, though. And I have this picture, so I always know what she looked like.”
“I’m sure she loved you very much, and she’s watching over you.” I bend down so we’re at eye level and squeeze his hands.
River nods, smiling sadly before turning around and showing me a drawing of Blaze. His head cranes to look behind me, and I turn around to find Sawyer leaning against the doorjamb.
“Dinner’s ready,” he announces.
River races in front of us, but before I can walk out of the room, Sawyer stops me.
“Thank you,” he swallows thickly, his voice hoarse.
“For what?” I look up into his eyes.
“I heard what you told River about Tessa.” His hand cradles my face. “Thank you for that. He doesn’t remember much about her, almost nothing actually, and it’s scary to bring another woman into our lives. I never thought I’d fall truly in love with someone after Tessa passed, but you’re proving me wrong.” He brushes my lips, and I blink away tears.
Tilting my head, I hold his face and smile. “I can’t imagine what you went through, but I want this.” My hand slides down over his heart. “I want you and River, and all the possibilities of a happy life together.”
I smirk then, holding in my laughter. “After all, who could turn down a chance with Justin Bieber?”
Sawyer lets out a deep laugh. “I could say the same about Amanda Bynes.” He winks, and I know that this is exactly where I’m meant to be. Despite the fear of right or wrong, breaking moral codes at work, I’m so glad I took a risk on Sawyer.
Not only do I get to live out a happy life with the man of my dreams, but I get to watch a smart and beautiful boy grow, be a part of that as well. And maybe, one day, expand our own family.
After dinner and River introducing me to his horse, Blaze, I sit out on their patio, waiting for Sawyer to put River to bed. I never expected my life to take this turn, and I can’t imagine it going down any other path.
I smile as I watch Sawyer come outside with two wine glasses. He’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of. I know Sawyer has a past, but I’m grateful I get to have a future with him.
“Thank you,” I smile when I grab the glass he hands. He sits across from me, bringing my feet to his lap. I watch him as he drinks his wine, his free hand running up and down my leg. Shivering, I place the glass on the table and sigh. My head falls back, looking up at the stars. Out here further away from town, the stars shine brighter. The twinkling lights compete for my attention with the man before me.
“Come ‘ere.” Sawyer tugs my leg and prompts me to stand. I do, walking toward him. His hands on my hips tighten before I sit on his lap, one arm around the back of his neck, playing with the strands of hair there, and the other on his chest. His heart is beating steadily beneath my palm, and I look up into those green orbs.
“I meant what I said before dinner. You’re everything I never dreamed I’d have again. I wasn’t sure what was in the cards for me, but I didn’t expect to fall in love. Not like this, not with someone like you.” My breath catches as I stare into his eyes.
“Me either. You were the best surprise, Sawyer. You and River.” I hold his face with my hands. “I love you,” I say the words with confidence.
He smirks, bringing his hand up my back until he’s holding the back of my head. “I love you, too, Ada. More than I thought my heart would be capable of. We’re gonna build a good life together.”
He pulls me toward him, but I shake my head right before his lips touch mine. “No, Sawyer. We’re going to build an amazing life together.” Then, I smash my lips to his, getting lost in a kiss that promises a happy life full of love and second chances.
epilogue
Sawyer
A year later
I walk into my house after a long day at work. George Strait is playing through the house. I furrow my eyebrows and make my way into the kitchen where I’m frozen. Ada and River are singing and dancing. The counter is full of ingredients.
“Hey,” I say, lifting my eyebrows.
“Oh, hi.” Ada smiles.
“Hi, Dad!” River calls out while he dances. My son did not get good dancing genes, but I’m sure he’ll get better as he gets older.
“What’s going on?” I tilt my head as Ada chops onions.
“We’re making enchiladas.” River smiles over at Ada and then at me.
“Really?” My voice rings with surprise.
“Yeah,” Ada nods. “River was missing his mom, so we decided to make her favorite meal and listen to George Strait.”
Fuck. Just when I didn’t think I could love this woman more, she does this. I scrub a hand down my face as my eyes mist over.
Ada drops the knife and walks over to me, wrapping her arms around my body. Her gentle smile and warmth are exactly what I need. I’ve learned to balance my past and my present this past year. It’s been a year of growth and love. Ada has never interfered in Tessa’s memory nor her place in our lives. I don’t know many women who would respect the ghost of a widower’s wife.
“Are you okay? Is this okay?” She whispers, looking up at me.
“More than okay. Thank you for doing this.” I peck her lips. She nods and steps back, squeezing my hand before getting back to preparing dinner.
“Dad, wanna help us?” River looks over at me.
“Yup. I’m gonna get changed. Then, you can put me to work.”
“We can make him chop the jalapeños,”
“Good idea.” Ada nods. “That way we won’t have to.” She winks at River.
“And they’re conspiring against me.” I shake my head playfully.
A trail of giggles follows me as I walk into my bedroom. I see Tessa’s photograph on my dresser and pick it up. She was gorgeous.
“Thank you for bringing Ada into my life, for making me promise you that I’ll live a happy life. I’m always going to love you.” I kiss the frame and set it back down.
My throat burns with emotions. I know this is what she’d want, but I can’t deny that there are days I feel guilty. Then, I look at Ada, her bright smile and huge heart, and I know that she’s exactly who I want to spend the rest of my days with.
After changing, I help River and Ada with dinner, and we eat like we have done so many times before. Ada often has dinner with us. The nights she doesn’t, River questions where she is and why she’s not with us.
We’ve taken things at our own pace, but it’s time to move forward. When I asked River if he’d want Ada to live with us, his responding smile was answer enough. He still said yes repeatedly while jumping around. He loves her, and the feeling is reciprocated.
Once River is in bed, Ada and I sit on the couch. She leans against me in a way that’s become so familiar. My fingers trail up and down her arm.
“Babe.” I bump her with my shoulder.
“Yeah?” She glances up at me, not moving.
“River and I wanted to ask you something. Maybe I should wait until tomorrow when he’s awake, but I can’t wait.” This grabs her attention. She sits up and turns to me, eyebrows pulling together.
“What’s going on?”
I clasp her hands and smile. “I love you. River loves you. I never thought we’d find someone to fit in our space so seamlessly. You’re meant for me, and the bond you have with River is so special.”
Ada blinks back tears. “I love you, too. And you know how much I love River.”
I nod, squeezing her fingers. “It’s why we want you to move in here with us. Make this your home, too.”
“What?” She gasps. Her eyes round. “I mean, I figured we’d get there eventually, but wow…” She covers her mouth, tears building in her eyes.
I pull her in a tight hug and kiss the side of her head.
“Live with us. Cook dinner with us every night. We want to build memories. We already have, and you’re already a part of our family. I want you in my bed, in
my arms, in my shower.” She shivers at my final words.
Ada pulls back and cups my cheek. “Okay.” She touches her lips with mine. “I think we’re ready for this.”
“I don’t think so; I know we are. I’m certain about this. One day, I’ll watch you walk down the aisle toward me,” I promise.
“Sawyer,” she whispers. Tears roll down her cheeks. I wipe them with my thumb before kissing her face and then her lips.
“I want this life with you. You opened me up again, showed me that I’m capable of loving again.”
“I feel the same way, even if you are a Vols fan,” she smirks.
“How about this? My love for you is greater than my love for the Vols.”
“Does this mean you’ll wear a Bama shirt?” Her eyes sparkle.
I laugh deeply. “Not a chance. I said my love for you was greater than Vols, not for Bama.”
“It was worth a shot,” she sighs dramatically, but she can’t hide her smile. Her head turns toward me. “I love you, Sawyer.”
“I love you, too, babe.” I pull her to me, pressing my lips to hers.
She sighs, giving me the perfect opportunity to deepen the kiss. My tongue stroking hers, but when we hear a sound, we both freeze in case River comes looking for us. Ada giggles, hiding her face against my chest.
“We’ll have plenty of time for this and more when you’re in my bed every night.” She trembles, her eyes darkening.
“That’s a promise I intend to keep.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Justin Bieber.” She winks with a sultry smile.
“Cross my heart, Amanda Bynes.”
I know without a doubt that my life will be full of joy and love so long as she’s by my side.
…
Thank you so much for reading my story! I hope you enjoyed Sawyer and Ada’s journey to love. If you’re inclined to, I’d love if you left a review on Amazon and Goodreads.
…
You can return to Springville in Hunter and Mackenzie’s story, Memories of Us, a second chance romance full of heart, slow-burn goodness, and a dash of angst.
Hunter’s biggest regret is losing Mackenzie. He’s spent years trying to contact her while writing songs about her. When they finally reunite, will she be able to forgive him, or has their love come to an end?
Read Memories of Us today!
…
Welcome to Everton—a small town hidden in the Wyoming mountains where cowboys rule, rumors run, and love wins. If you like small town romance novels with sexy heroes, sassy women, and heartwarming stories, then you’ll love my Love in Everton series. I guarantee your trip to Everton will be full of feel-good romance, lots of swoon, and small-town charm.
sneak peek
Memories of Us
Mackenzie
“I need to start by saying that I don’t need you to free me from guilt. I don’t need some kind of permission to move on.” My head turns to the left to look at him. “The guilt I live with is put on myself for being an idiot. No apology is enough, Kenzie.” He shakes his head, now keeping his gaze in front of him as well. He’s in his own world as he speaks to me.
“I live with the self-hatred day in and day out, just trying to survive. I write songs about you, about us, trying to preserve what we had. As if doing so would freeze time and I’d wake up one morning to your tapping on my bedroom window. Remember when you used to do that?” He shakes his head to clear the memory. I remember it as if it were this morning I did it. I’ve always been a morning person, so I’d go to his house and wake him up by tapping his window. Then I’d spend hours helping him in around the ranch.
Hunter’s chest rises as he clears his throat. “We had so much going for us. I loved you so damn much. I still do, and whether we ever get a second chance or not, I’ll never stop. It’s impossible to.” His eyes seek mine and on cue I turn my head to meet him. I take a sharp inhale as I see the red rim around his eyes.
“I hope you understand that. I’ll never stop. It’s you or no one. I fucked up. I’m not perfect, even if you thought I was. I’ve been going crazy not knowing where you were. I tried finding you everywhere, but no one knew or would spill your location. If you think I’ve moved on, you’re wrong. Because this,” he grips his chest, “left with you.”
“You broke my heart… in a way I never expected.”
“Trust me, I broke my own as well.”
I swallow back the tears that want to escape. I just need to wait and cry when I’m locked in my apartment.
“Maybe we were always meant to follow this destiny. We’re different people. Realistically, how many young people stay with the same person, especially through so many changes? Maybe we were never meant to last.” I shrug, focusing again on the patches of grass.
“You don’t mean that.”
I nod silently.
“Damn it, Mackenzie. Look at me. Look at me.” His body shakes next to mine. “We were always meant to beat the odds. You know it. We would talk about it for hours.”
“It’s different now. Maybe we saved ourselves from greater heartache.” I finally turn to look at him, water blurring my vision, but I refuse to let the tears fall. Not yet. “It would hurt more if we started to live the life we planned and realized it was wrong.”
“Bullshit. There’s no greater heartache than this and I know you feel it, too. You don’t believe this.”
I suck in air and release it just a fast. Nodding, I stand. “I’m sorry, Hunter. I gotta get goin’.”
Read Memories of Us today!
books by
fabiola francisco
Standalones
Because of You
Perfect Mess
The Right Kind of Wrong
Perfectly Imperfect
Red Lights, Black Hearts
Twisted in You
All My Truths & One Lie
Love in Everton Series
Write You a Love Song
Roping Your Heart
Pretend You’re Mine
Make You Mine
You Make It Easy
Then I Met You
My Way to You
Rebel Desire Series
Lovin’ on You
Love You Through It
All of You
Memories of Us
Promise You
Rebel Desire Box Set
Restoring Series
Restoring Us
Resisting You (Aiden and Stacy Novella)
Sweet on You Series
Sweet on Wilde
Whiskey Nights
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about the author
Fabiola Francisco loves the simplicity—and kick—of scotch on the rocks. She follows Hemingway’s philosophy—write drunk, edit sober. She writes women’s fiction and contemporary romance full of heart. Her moods guide her writing, taking her anywhere from sassy and sexy romances to dark and emotion-filled love stories.
Writing has always been a part of her life, penning her own life struggles as a form of therapy through poetry. She still stays true to her first love, poems, while weaving longer stories with strong heroines and honest heroes. She aims to get readers thinking about life and love while experiencing her characters’ journeys.
She is continuously creating stories as she daydreams. Her other loves are country music, exploring the outdoors, and reading.
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Because of You : A single dad romance Page 10
