by Laura Pavlov
A damn good start to the rest of my life.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ford
Harley and I had been living together for six months, and I fucking loved it. I wanted more. Hell, I wanted everything. It was her twenty-fourth birthday, and when Molly told me Harley had never had a birthday party, I knew I needed to rectify that.
“That was nice of your mom to have us out for lunch today,” Harley said when we stepped off the helicopter and made our way to the car.
“Baby, it’s your birthday. She wants to celebrate you. But I’d prefer to keep you all to myself,” I said, pulling her closer once we were in the car. I wanted her to think it was just lunch with my mother. But I’d been working on a surprise for her for several weeks.
“Oh, we’re going to the winery. Not the house?” she asked as I held her hand and led her up the walkway.
“Yep. She wanted to have lunch outside.”
“Nice. Well, it’s a perfect day to eat outside,” Harley said. She wore a long flowy skirt and a white T-shirt. She had on her light-blue Chucks, as I’d stocked the girl’s closet with every color tennis shoes I could find. And yes. They all had trackers in the soles. I wouldn’t even try to deny it. I was a wealthy man, and there were evil people in this world who would go after the ones I loved to get to me. And I loved Harley more than anyone in the world. So, keeping her safe would always be my priority.
We entered the lobby and the hostess greeted us there. “Ford, Harley, nice to see you. Your mother is at the table waiting for you.” She led us through the door and then moved to the side.
“Surprise.” The room erupted with cheers and laughter.
Harley nearly jumped in my arms when she startled. I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her middle as her back rested against my chest and she took in the scene before us. She tipped her head back and looked up at me. Her cheeks flushed pink and her dark browns were wet with emotion, and my chest squeezed.
I wanted to give her new memories. Happy memories.
Hell, I wanted to give her everything.
“Happy Birthday, sweetheart.” My mother pulled my girlfriend into her embrace.
“I can’t believe you did this,” Harley said, her hands covering her mouth as her eyes scanned the room.
“Guess who helped Molly make your birthday cake,” Jack said, scooping my girl off the ground and spinning her around. “Happy Birthday, Harls.”
“Thanks, Jack. You’re quite the baker extraordinaire these days.” She laughed before glancing over her shoulder at me as Harrison reached for her. My gaze locked with hers and I saw it there. The joy. The peace. The love. Everything she deserved.
After Harrison set her back down, Molly charged forward and hugged her best friend. She’d helped me with the guest list, and we’d invited a few of her friends from college, as well as a few of her favorite customers from the bakery. Her grandfather waited patiently to give her a hug. When Harley realized he was there, tears streamed down her beautiful face.
“Gramps. I can’t believe you’re here,” she said, swiping at her cheeks.
“I had my first helicopter ride this morning. I don’t think I mind traveling in style one bit. Happy Birthday, darlin’.” He hugged his granddaughter tight.
After a lot of negotiation, Harley had helped him pack up his home and we’d moved him into a one-bedroom apartment I’d used as a rental in my building. Having him near gave my girl peace. She wanted to look after him. She’d stop by to see him every day after work, often taking him baked goods and dinner.
We moved through the room, greeting friends and family as they wished her well. She stopped when she saw Chanel. Harley, Chanel, and Baron had been going to lunch once a month. But she and Chanel spent a lot of time together outside of their lunches. They’d grown very close. Like sisters should be. Chanel would come over and help Harley choose outfits when we had events to attend, and she and I had gotten our friendship back on track. Baron and Harley were still getting to know one another, and he’d just invited her to go to dinner this week, just the two of them. She was happy to be forming relationships with her siblings. They were making up for lost time, and there was no rule book on how to go about it, but they all really liked one another, so that was a start.
“Happy Birthday, Harley. I hope this is the first of many birthdays that we celebrate together,” Chanel said, wrapping her arms around her.
“Quit hogging her.” Baron shoved Chanel out of the way and reached for Harley. “Happy Birthday, Sis.”
My girlfriend bit down on her bottom lip and I knew she was fighting back all the emotion that was building.
“Thanks for coming. It means so much to me.” She hugged him, and they held the embrace for longer than usual. So much spoken without needing to say a word.
Marie squeezed Harley’s hand. She’d joined them at their lunch this last month, and of course my girl had won her over. It was impossible not to love Harley. She’d just been given parents who weren’t capable of giving her what she deserved.
“Happy Birthday, dear,” Marie said with a genuine smile.
Marie and Hanky had separated. In the end, it wasn’t that he’d made a stupid mistake and put himself in a situation that allowed him to be taken advantage of. She said she thought she would have forgiven him for the indiscretion, if he’d told her what happened. Her issue was that he’d found out he had a daughter all those years ago and didn’t step up and protect her. Marie didn’t feel like she knew who he was anymore. The lies ran too deep. She and my mother remained close and they both cried and grieved over the details surrounding my father’s death many times since the whole story had come to light. All at the hands of Hanky. He would wallow in his own misery, and that was justice enough for us. Bits and pieces of the story had gone public as someone at the fundraiser had filmed me punching Hanky. He’d been hounded by the press and people were making all sorts of assumptions about it. Of course, Valentina found a way to let the world know that he was her daughter’s father from prison. She’d found her two minutes of fame, even if it was from behind bars. But Harley took it all in stride. She never made a public statement, and she stayed away from the gossip.
I didn’t know where Chanel and Baron stood with their father at this point, but I knew my girlfriend had encouraged them to forgive him. Harley’s heart was large, and even though she didn’t want a relationship with him, she didn’t want him to lose everyone and everything.
My girl had seen the dark side of life, and she’d found her way out. She didn’t want anyone to live that way—including the man who’d abandoned her. She hadn’t forgiven her mother or her father for what they’d done to her, but she’d made peace with it. She didn’t wish them any ill will.
Me, on the other hand. That’s not how I operate. I wanted Valentina DeLuca to rot in her cell for what she’d done to her daughter. And Hanky, he’d turned his back on the woman I love most in the world. He’d allowed her to suffer all those years. It was unforgivable. He’d also lied about my father’s death, and I didn’t see myself ever moving past it.
But a weight had lifted from my shoulders after the truth had surfaced. And for that I was grateful. All of these injustices, all of the lies—they’d brought Harley and me together in a roundabout way. She’d been what was missing in my life. There was a peace in knowing that my father had met her. Even under the oddest of circumstances, he had died fighting for a girl he barely knew. A girl who would become the love of my life.
She’d found her tribe. Her people. And this is exactly where she belonged. With me. Forever.
We stayed much later than I anticipated, but it was nice to see my girl enjoying herself. We’d made it back to the apartment by dinner and we stopped to pick up her favorite ramen. We dropped Gramps at his place on our way home.
Harley went to change her clothes, and I grabbed a few plates and told her t
o meet me in the library. I’d had Helena set some things up for me while we were gone, and I wanted to give her birthday present to her there.
“What’s this?” she gasped as she took in the candles lining all the bookshelves. “It looks like a fairy garden.”
I laughed. “What the hell is a fairy garden?”
She walked over to me and reached for my hand. “I don’t know, but if fairies had gardens, I think it would be all twinkly like this.”
“Good to know. So, I wanted to add to your book collection for your birthday. I had the engraved plates made for your shelves, and bought you a few, um, dozen new books to fill up some of the space.”
She turned to read the plates. “Historical romance, contemporary romance, new adult romance. Look at you, Montgomery. You even know my genres.”
I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, her back rested against my chest, and we stood in front of the shelves. “I added your classics to mine, but I wanted to make sure your books had their own special place.”
“I love that. Very thoughtful.” She stepped forward, running her fingers over some of the spines, taking in the new titles. She walked over to our merged section of classics.
She paused and turned to look at me. “What’s this?”
A black velvet box sat on the shelf there. “I don’t know. Why don’t you open it and see?”
She reached for the box as I dropped down on one knee. When she swiveled back around and saw me, tears streamed down her gorgeous face. “Montgomery, what did you do?”
“I love you, Harley DeLuca. I love you and your silly tennis shoes. I especially love your flowy, easy-access skirts. I love you with icing on your face. And I even love all the white flour and sugar you’ve brought into my life.” I chuckled, and she dropped down on her knees to face me. Clutching the ring box in one hand and grasping my fingers with the other. “I love the way you fit into my family. The way you fill up all the space in my heart. I love your strength and your honesty. I promise to love you until I take my last breath. Marry me, baby.”
Her whole body shook, and she flung herself at me as she broke out in sobs.
“You know patience isn’t my strength,” I reminded her.
She laughed, her body vibrating against mine. “Of course, I’ll marry you. I love you, Montgomery.”
I reached for the box and pulled out the round, brilliant diamond ring. I slipped it on her finger, and she stared down at it. Two tears landed on her hand and she looked up at me.
Dark browns overflowing with emotion.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“You’re beautiful,” I said, pressing my lips to the back of her hand.
“Thank you for today. For the party. The proposal. It doesn’t even seem real.”
“This is just the start. I plan on loving you every single day for the rest of our lives,” I said, pushing to stand and pulling her to her feet and into my arms.
She jumped up and wrapped her legs around my waist. “I love you, Ford Montgomery. And I’m going to hold you to it.”
“I would expect nothing less. Are you hungry?” I turned her to see the blanket with the noodles set up as a picnic in the corner of the library.
She shook her head. “Only for you.” She tangled her fingers in my hair. “Always for you.”
I dropped her down on the leather couch and settled above her. “Love you, baby.”
My mouth covered hers.
She was all I’d ever need.
My everything.
Acknowledgements
Greg, Chase & Hannah, thank you for being my biggest supporters and always believing in me.
Willow, honestly, I don’t think this book would have been written without you. The daily sprints, the endless encouragement, the patience, the friendship, the support, the laughter, the snapchats, the kindness…you are one in a million. I am so thankful for you!
Pathi, Natalie, Annette, Abi, and Doo, thank you for being the BEST beta readers EVER! Your feedback means the world to me. I would be lost without you!
Thank you, Sarah Hansen (Okay Creations) for working your magic once again!
Sue Grimshaw (Edits by Sue), Thank you for your encouragement, your guidance and your support. It means the world to me. I am endlessly thankful for your feedback!! xo
Ellie McLove (My Brother’s Editor), thank you for being YOU!! I appreciate you more than you know!
Rosa Sharon (My Brother’s Editor) thank you for making my words shine!!
Tamara Cribley (The Deliberate Page), so thankful to get to work with you again. Thank you for your patience and for always remaining calm when I’m having a panic attack!! I love all the little details and special touches that you add to each series!
Jo and Kylie (Give Me Books Promotions), you know how much I adore you, and cannot wait to finally meet you at the Four Brits Book Fest!! You keep me calm, and handle every hurdle with absolute grace! So thankful for you!!
Ashlee (Ashes & Vellichor), what would I do without you? Thank you for bringing my characters to life with your amazing trailers and teasers!! You amaze me each and every time you send me something!! So grateful that I found you, and now you’re stuck with me for life!
Shauna (Wildfire Marketing Solutions), I am so happy to have found you!! Thank you for all of your encouragement and support with this release!!
Mom, thank you for your love and support. Love you!
Dad, you really are the reason that I keep chasing my dreams!! Thank you for teaching me to never give up. Love you!
Sandy, thank you for reading and supporting me throughout this journey. Love you!
Eric, there is no one that listens and supports me more than you!! Love you, E$!
Sissy, thank you for making me laugh when I need it most. Do you have to let it linger??? Love you!
Pathi, having you in my corner makes all the difference. I love when you call with feedback…your positivity keeps me going most days! Thank you for your endless support!
Natalie (Head in the Clouds, Nose in a Book), from the newsletters to the book meetings…you complete me! I’d be lost without you!
Krista Thompson, seeing as this book releases on your special day…HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOOTS!
Steph, you are the best book event coordinator around! Thank you for always supporting me! Peas & Carrots!
Nicole, the daily snaps keep me going!! Even if I constantly lose our streak!! So thankful for YOU!
To all the bloggers and bookstagrammers who have posted, shared and supported me—I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me. I love seeing the graphics that you make, and the gorgeous posts that you share. I am forever grateful for your support!
Lisa, Julie, Eric, Jen and Jim, I am very thankful to have such supportive and encouraging siblings in my life. Thank you for sharing my posts and helping me get my books out there! Love you!
To the Badass Author Babes IG group, thank you so much for making me laugh daily and for all of the support and guidance! I am so thankful for you!
Nicole, Sue, Thompson, Pathi, Bell, Natalie, Annette, Carol, Margy, Steph, Mindy, Kristin, Laura, Anne, Jess, Danielle, Brooke, Claudia, Abi, Kelly, Maggie, Leigh Anne, Julie, Nancy, Bev, Leslie, Florence, Tina, Renae, Cindy, Kelly & Kate, Darleen, Althea, Jess, Ariel, Heather, Shannon, Brandon, Logan, Brock, Caroline, Liva, Kennedy, all the amazing ladies at d’annata boutique and Bloom boutique, and all of my friends who have supported me along this journey…thank you so much!!
Thank you for reading LEGACY, book 1 in the Montgomery Brothers Series. I hope you enjoyed it! Please consider leaving a review on Amazon/Goodreads!! They help authors SO MUCH!!
Other Books by Laura Pavlov
A Love You More Rock Star Romance:
More Jade (Book 1)
More Of You (Book 2)
More Of Us (Book 3)
Shine Design
Beautifully Damaged (Book 1)
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