by Jill Sanders
“Right.” He focused as Emma showed him her favorites again. In the end, he agreed with her choices so the photographer could be on her way. They stayed at the bookstore for another hour. Trace picked out a stack of books to take home and read with Christopher. Books that would help the kid learn to read on his own, he hoped.
The rain started just as they pulled into the ranch. Seeing the taxi parked in front of the main house had Trace’s teeth grinding. Emma pulled the truck beside her father’s and looked over at him.
“She can’t have him,” he said softly, since the kid was fast asleep in the car seat between them.
“No, she can’t.” Emma reached across and touched his arm.
“Take him home. I’ll deal with this.” Before she could answer him, he jumped out of the truck. He was thankful when she started driving towards the ranch house.
He’d learned over the past two months that you didn’t need to knock on the front door of her parents’ house. Hell, they never locked it anyway. When he walked in, Lauren glanced up and gave him a weak smile.
His mother was sitting on their sofa, sipping a glass of water as if she belonged there. The woman looked a hundred years older than she had the last time he’d seen her.
She could have been a poster child for those before and after pictures of people on meth. Except he doubted there was ever a picture of her before she’d turned into what she was now.
She was even missing a few teeth near the back of her mouth and when she talked, the gaps were obvious.
The woman didn’t belong anywhere near the Grahams. The couple sitting calmly across from her were from a whole different universe. Emma’s parents could have graced the cover of any good-living magazine. They were both healthy and fit, looking too young to have adult children. Ranch life kept them in shape and happy, which showed by just a glance at them.
“Mother,” he said between clenched teeth, “what are you doing here?”
His mother’s eyes narrowed at him, like they always did. As if she was trying to figure out why he was still breathing and bothering her. The same way she’d looked at Christopher.
“I’m here”—she paused to set the glass of water down, acting as if it was the most important task of her life—“to discuss our arrangement.”
“Arrangement?” He stood frozen in place, unable to accept that she was going to do this in front of Emma’s parents.
“Yes, for my dear darling baby boy.” Her eyes darted around as if searching for the kid.
“Christopher,” he supplied for her dryly.
“Yes,” she gasped. “I know my own boy’s name.”
“Right,” he said. “What arrangements?” He shifted, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Why, for you to have full custody of him, of course,” she answered.
His heart skipped a beat. Was she saying she was going to sign over guardianship?
“I’m listening,” he said softly.
“I was just talking to your in-laws…” she started, waving towards Emma’s parents. His eyes moved over to Lauren, who smiled weakly. “I’d been contacted by their lawyer. And after dealing with my… legal problems, I’m willing to sign whatever papers you want…”
“Fine,” he broke in. “I’ll call…”
“On one condition,” his mother broke in.
“What?” He held his breath.
“Money,” Lauren broke in with a sigh. “She wants money.”
His eyes moved back to his mother. “Whatever you want,” he ground out.
“Hold on,” Chase stepped in finally.
“No.” Trace shook his head. “She can have whatever she wants, except for Christopher.”
He felt his temper grow when his mother’s smile grew.
“Wonderful.” His mother stood up and moved towards the doorway. “I’ll have my people send my demands.”
“What people?” He almost laughed, causing his mother’s eyes to narrow at him. “Just know this, whatever you get from me, it’s a one-time deal,” he warned, stepping closer to her. “Once you receive a check, there will be no others. Ever. Nor will you have any contact with Christopher, me, or the Grahams in any way.”
For a moment, something close to pain crossed his mother’s eyes, but then it was gone, replaced by greed.
“Fine,” she said, raising her chin slightly before turning and leaving.
“You let her win,” Chase said softly once they were alone.
“No.” He turned towards them with a smile. “I got exactly what I wanted.”
“What if she makes a demand you can’t fulfill?” Lauren asked.
“Then I’ll deal with it. I’ve dealt with worse before.”
“Son.” Chase walked over and slapped him lightly on the shoulder. “I’ve never met someone as strong as you before.” Then, to Trace’s surprise, the man wrapped his arms around him and held on. “Welcome to the family.”
Those words rang in his ears as he made his way back to the ranch house. When he stepped up on the front porch, he was soaking wet from the rain.
Chase had tried to convince him to let him drive him home, but Trace had needed the time and the rain to cool off.
Pulling off his soaked boots and shirt, he stepped into the quiet house. Emma sat on the sofa, a book in her hands. Just seeing her there made his heart swell.
Her soft brown hair was flowing over her shoulders, and she’d pulled on one of his new flannel shirts for warmth against the cool evening breeze brought on by the rain.
“My mom called and filled me in,” she said, setting the book down and moving towards him. “Are you okay?”
Without answering, he wrapped his arms around her and held on. Kissing her hair, he felt himself start shaking.
How had it come to this? How had he grown to need her so much? To need her and Christopher.
“Christopher?” he asked softly.
“Sleeping,” she said into his bare chest. “You’re soaking wet.”
He laughed. “I know.” He pulled back. “I’m finally free of her. We both are.” He glanced towards the back. Then his eyes moved to hers. “I don’t come from love like you.”
She shook her head. “No, but you found it.”
“You saved me,” he said, taking her face into his hands. “You saved me from her, from the darkness that had surrounded me, consumed me.” He leaned down and kissed her softly. “I don’t think I could go another day without knowing you’re going to be here”—he motioned to the house—“with me.” He shook his head. “No, scratch that. With us.” He smiled.
“I’m right here.” She smiled up at him. “Always.”
His smile dropped. “Promise?” She swallowed and nodded slowly. “I love you.” He kissed her. “You know that right?”
She smiled and nodded again. “I love you too.”
“I just promised my mother… hell, I don’t even know how much for Christopher, which means, it may be a while before I can afford a ring…”
She laughed. “I don’t need a ring.”
“Yes.” He stopped her. “You do. You deserve a castle, silk, diamonds, everything.”
“I have everything I want right here,” she replied.
“So, is that a yes?” he asked with a smile.
“I don’t know, Trace Butler, exactly what are you asking me?” she replied with a chuckle.
He laughed and, stepping back, bent down on one knee. “I’m soaking wet, shoeless, shirtless, jobless, and ringless, but I can at least do this right.” He took her hand in his, lifted it to his mouth and placed a soft ring of kisses around her ring finger. “Emma Graham, will you finish saving me by marrying me? A warning—you’ll be taking on not just me, but my brother.”
Emma’s smile grew when he mentioned Christopher.
“Trace, I’d love to take you and Christopher on. To be a family.” She pulled him up and kissed him. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Yippee!” The excited shout came from the hallway, causing
them both to turn. “Does this mean Emma can move into my room?” Christopher rushed across the room and wrapped his arms around them both.
Also by Jill Sanders
The Pride Series
Finding Pride
Discovering Pride
Returning Pride
Lasting Pride
Serving Pride
Red Hot Christmas
My Sweet Valentine
Return To Me
Rescue Me
A Pride Christmas
* * *
The Secret Series
Secret Seduction
Secret Pleasure
Secret Guardian
Secret Passions
Secret Identity
Secret Sauce
* * *
The West Series
Loving Lauren
Taming Alex
Holding Haley
Missy’s Moment
Breaking Travis
Roping Ryan
Wild Bride
Corey’s Catch
Tessa’s Turn
Saving Trace
* * *
The Grayton Series
Last Resort
Someday Beach
Rip Current
In Too Deep
Swept Away
High Tide
* * *
Lucky Series
Unlucky In Love
Sweet Resolve
Best of Luck
A Little Luck
* * *
Silver Cove Series
Silver Lining
French Kiss
Happy Accident
Hidden Charm
A Silver Cove Christmas
Sweet Surrender
* * *
Entangled Series – Paranormal Romance
The Awakening
The Beckoning
The Ascension
The Presence
* * *
Haven, Montana Series
Closer to You
Never Let Go
Holding On
Coming Home
* * *
Pride Oregon Series
A Dash of Love
My Kind of Love
Season of Love
Tis the Season
Dare to Love
Where I Belong
* * *
Wildflowers Series
Summer Nights
Summer Heat
Summer Secrets
Summer Fling
Summer’s End
* * *
Distracted Series
Wake Me
Tame Me
* * *
Stand Alone Books
Twisted Rock
* * *
For a complete list of books:
http://JillSanders.com
About the Author
Jill Sanders is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of Sweet Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Western Romance, and Paranormal Romance novels. With over 55 books in eleven series, translations into several different languages, and audiobooks there’s plenty to choose from. Look for Jill’s bestselling stories wherever romance books are sold or visit her at jillsanders.com
* * *
Jill comes from a large family with six siblings, including an identical twin. She was raised in the Pacific Northwest and later relocated to Colorado for college and a successful IT career before discovering her talent for writing sweet and sexy page-turners. After Colorado, she decided to move south, living in Texas and now making her home along the Emerald Coast of Florida. You will find that the settings of several of her series are inspired by her time spent living in these areas. She has two sons and off-set the testosterone in her house by adopting three furry little ladies that provide her company while she’s locked in her writing cave. She enjoys heading to the beach, hiking, swimming, wine-tasting, and pickleball with her husband, and of course writing. If you have read any of her books, you may also notice that there is a love of food, especially sweets! She has been blamed for a few added pounds by her assistant, editor, and fans… donuts or pie anyone?
