* * * *
His family had welcomed him back with open arms. Rebecca had tried to tell him they would, but he hadn’t been so sure. His parents had refused to let him offer an explanation until his nephew—Max!—had gone to bed.
When the little tyrant had finally promised all nonhuman animals and insects both alive and dead were outside, he’d been sent to bed.
Max’s parents sat on the sofa with Shelly between them, watching him and waiting. Rebecca sat in a recliner and Max paced the floor. He had to stick to the story. It sucked, but he didn’t have a choice.
Max took a deep breath and began. “I was captured behind enemy lines and held for a long time. When I was finally released, I left without telling anyone. I’ve been in Hawaii since then. I ran a fitness and self-defense center there. I moved to Virginia Beach a few months ago and opened a new mixed-martial-arts training center.”
“You’re lying,” Shelly stated matter-of-factly.
“Dammit, Shelly!” Max looked at his parents and muttered, “Sorry.”
“You always bite your lip after you lie. Just for a second.”
Max blinked at her. Eleven fucking years undercover, and I find out now that I have a tell? He sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face.
“Just tell them,” Rebecca said softly. “If you can’t trust your family, who can you trust?”
Max closed his eyes and tilted his head back. Finally, he opened his eyes and stared at them for nearly a full minute before speaking quietly, slowly. “For the past eleven-and-a-half years I’ve worked undercover for the government. I can’t tell you any more than that. But I’m done now. I’m out.”
“You were a spy? Like James Bond?” Shelly gaped at him.
“No, I was not a spy. I was…something else.” Max blew out a frustrated breath. Why did everyone automatically think of James Bond? Double-oh-seven didn’t have shit on him. That pussy drove sporty cars and stayed in five-star hotels.
“And Rebecca?” his Mom asked hesitantly. “Was she undercover also?”
“No, ma’am,” Rebecca answered. “I’m a teacher. That’s all.”
Max smiled and watched Rebecca. She was so beautiful, so warm and loving. And that temper…God, he loved it. Loved her. “She’s the reason I quit. The reason I came back,” he murmured.
His dad stood then and shuffled over to Rebecca. He had had a stroke a few years ago and didn’t move as well as he used to. I should have been here.
“If you’re the reason my son is back, then I owe you everything.” His dad bent down and kissed Rebecca’s cheek with tears in his eyes.
Max felt like shit.
Rebecca accepted the kiss gracefully, then gave him a cheeky grin. “I’d settle for some of those tomatoes.”
“Darlin’, I’ll plant you a field full.”
* * * *
It was late, well after midnight, and Max sat on his parents’ front porch swing with Rebecca. She was tucked into his side, her head resting on his shoulder. She hummed softly under her breath, a song Max didn’t recognize.
“Dance with me?” He whispered.
“Max, there’s no music.” She smiled up at him and his heart clenched.
“You can hum.” He stood and tugged her to her feet. She moved easily into his arms and Max hugged her close to him.
“I love dancing with you.”
“Hmmm,” he responded, too content to say more.
Rebecca hummed softly, the tune familiar now, though Max still didn’t know what it was. He swallowed and tried to force the words out of his mouth, words he wanted to say so badly.
“Just say it.” Rebecca’s voice was muffled against his chest, and she resumed the song.
Max chuckled. She had such an endearing way of getting straight to the point. “Fine.” He breathed deeply, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair and murmured, “Marry me?”
Rebecca lurched out of his arms and looked up at him in shock. “Max, I…” She looked around and his heart dropped.
Rebecca swallowed and said, “Max, I can’t have children.”
Ah. So that’s what it was. He shrugged. “Neither can I. I told you, I had a vasectomy years ago.”
Rebecca frowned at him. “That can be reversed. I…I can’t be fixed.”
Max rolled his eyes and yanked her back into his arms. “So we’ll foster. Or adopt. Or hell, both. We’ll take the kids no one else wants, the ones that have been abandoned by the system.”
“Max, I…I can’t ask that of you.” He heard the tears in her voice and pulled her closer.
“You’re not asking it of me. I don’t want to deal with babies anyway. Shitty diapers and puke everywhere…we’ll just take the older kids that know how to piss in a toilet.” Max tilted her head back and kissed her lightly. “Marry me,” he whispered again.
Rebecca buried her head against his chest again and nodded.
Good enough for him.
The End
Publisher’s Note
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Author’s Note
Friends, I have covered two serious issues in these pages that I simply must address. The first is child abuse. In the United States alone, nearly six million children are reported as abused or neglected each year. That means that every hour of every single day a child suffers. As many as seven children are lost each day as a result of abuse and/or neglect. These numbers are horrifying and completely unacceptable. It is our responsibility, as adults and human beings, to report these things when we see them. If you suspect or know of a child who is being abused, please don’t wait. Another second and it could be too late. Call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). This number has someone available 24/7. You can make a huge difference simply by making a phone call.
The second issue is the lack of foster homes for children in need. Between 500,000 and 600,000 children are estimated to be in foster homes. Consider the previous fact that nearly six million children per year are abused or neglected. There is a serious lack of safe havens available for children in need. Many children live in group homes instead of a warm, nurturing home. If you are able, please consider opening your home to a child. A simple gesture of love and kindness can change a child’s life and attitude forever. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, contact your local or state Child Welfare office or the Department of Family Services. As the departments and phone numbers vary by state, I am unable to give you any specific information. A simple Internet search will give you all the information you need.
As always, it’s been a pleasure. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Until next time…
All my love,
Kristin
About Kristin Leigh
Kristin lives in Georgia with her husband, children, and their two dogs. When she’s not writing or reading, she can usually be found in a canoe or tent enjoying the outdoors. A proud military veteran and wife of a veteran, Kristin offers her support to the men and women of the armed forces and the spouses that are waiting for their loved ones to return home. You can contact Kristin at www.facebook.com/kleighauthor
Table of Contents
Dance With Me
Blurb
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Author’s Note
About Kristin Leigh
From.Net
Dance With Me Page 17
