Without Regret (Broken Roads Book 1)

by Cat Mason

  Walking into the kitchen, Ray sits the pizza boxes on the counter. “Keys are turned in,” he says, proudly. “The condo is officially no longer mine.”

  “Oh yeah?” I ask, smiling from ear to ear. “How did that go?”

  “I am relieved to have everything done and over with,” he replies as his arms wrap around my waist. He chuckles, the warm sound causing me to lean back against him and sigh. “Zack may have been a little emotional at the finality.”

  “Anthony Hagy’s office called,” I inform him, knowing that we have been impatiently waiting all week for news that Tim had kept his word and signed the papers. “Court date for Alyssa is the thirteenth.”

  “Good,” he replies, pressing his lips to mine quickly. “Mmm,” he purrs, kissing me again. “Just a couple more weeks and she’ll be Alyssa Mitchell.”

  “And you’re sure this is what you want?” I ask, still waiting for him to suddenly bolt.

  “No,” he replies, squeezing me tightly against him. “You’re everything I need.” Our eyes meet. “Do you love me?” he asks, searching my eyes.

  “Yes, of course I do,” I reply, shaking my head.

  “Do you trust me?”

  “Absolutely,” I say without hesitation.

  “Good.” Pulling back, Ray pulls an envelope from his pocket and hands it to me. “That only leaves one more question.” Looking down in confusion, my eyes widen when I flip it over and see my name written across it in my father’s handwriting. Tears pool in my eyes. Tipping up my chin, Ray searches my eyes. “He labeled dozens of notes, cards, and letters. It’s time for this one. I’m going to go say hello to Alyssa and give you a minute with your dad.” Kissing my cheek, he turns and leaves me alone.

  Walking over, I drop down into the kitchen chair and run my fingertips over the black ink. After a few breaths and I open it and blink away the tears before I read.

  Rachel,

  A father never wants to accept that there is a man good enough for his daughter. I never expected you to find a perfect man, but always knew that the perfect man for you would come along. Nothing made me happier in my last days than to see that happen. As much as I wish I could be there with you, I find peace in knowing you have Ray. That man’s love for you is as fierce as any I’ve ever seen.

  I strived every day of my life to make your mother smile. I can only hope she is smiling now.

  Smiling as the tears freely stream down my cheeks, I can’t help nodding in response. “If she’s with you, Dad, I know that she is.” Continuing to read, my eyes widen.

  Before you answer the question that I know he is dying to ask, remember that I am always there with you. I will walk beside you on the day you become Mrs. Rachel Mitchell. I’ll smile down on you with every child you bring into the world, and love as I have loved you.

  Now, dry your tears, my precious baby girl, and go put that poor guy out of his misery.

  Love,

  Dad.

  “Rach?”

  Looking up, I meet the concerned filled eyes of my sister. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I choke out, standing to my feet. “Absolutely nothing.” Extending my hand, I show her the letter.

  Her eyes widen. Snatching it out of my hand, she reads, a tear slipping down her cheek. “Even now that stubborn ass man has to have the last word in everything. God, I miss them so much it hurts” she sobs, hugging me to her.

  “I do too, Honey,” I reply, wrapping my arms around her. “I do too.”

  “God.” Pushing me away, she shoves the letter into my hand and swats my ass. “What the hell are you waiting for? Go!”

  Stepping into the den, I spot Ray sliding Alyssa into the free standing jumper Lila and Bob bought her last weekend. “Hi,” I breathe, holding up the letter.

  Meeting my eyes, he gives me a small smile. “Hi.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a small black box as he closes the distance between us. “Rachel, the moment you fell into my life,” he breathes, his voice sounding shaky. Covering my mouth, I giggle at his choice of words. His smile widens, clearly having planned it that way. “All that I thought I wanted, that I needed, changed. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Or Alyssa. I can’t take away your past, baby, but it made you who you are. Without that part of your life, Alyssa wouldn’t be here, and I wouldn’t trade her for anything.” Dropping to one knee, his blue eyes fill with emotion. “I promise that I will be here for you in every way until my final breath. I will love you with every beat of my heart. I don’t know what the future holds for us. What I do know is that I don’t want a life without you girls in it. I want to be your husband, your best friend. I want to be a father to Alyssa. You already have my heart. All that is left for you to wear my ring and take my name.” Opening the box, he removes the ring and holds it out to me. “Marry me?”

  Choking on a sob, I nod my head. “Yeah?” he asks, slipping the ring onto my finger.

  “Yes!” I reply, dropping to my knees. Taking his face in my hands, I kiss him. “Yes. Yes. Yes,” I murmur against his lips.

  “For fuck’s sake,” Zack shouts. “Not in front of the kid.”

  Ray pulls back, glaring at Zack, he flips him off. “You’re ruining the moment here, asshole.” Grabbing my hand, Ray flashes the new shiny addition to my ring finger.

  “Ah!” Zack screams, shielding his eyes. “Domestication. It must be stopped. I’m allergic to pussy whip!”

  “Oh yeah?” Kate asks, slapping him in the back of the head. “And I’m allergic to dumbasses.”

  “Hey,” he yelps, rubbing his head. “I told you if you’re gonna abuse me, you gotta be naked first.”

  Facing Ray, I slide my arms around his neck. “I love you,” I whisper.

  “So much,” he finishes for me before taking my mouth with his.

  The road to find my happiness was rough and badly damaged in most places. My heart has been battered and broken, but Ray managed to get through all the caution signs and start sifting through the wreckage that was left behind. Day by day, his love has seeped into the cracks and the healing began. I can still hear Tim’s voice in my head at times, but Ray’s is quick to silence it. The love we have is deep and it grows stronger every day. The length of our forever isn’t guaranteed, though I choose not to dwell on the what ifs. For the rest of my days on this earth, I will love Ray with everything I have. Without regret.

  The end is only the beginning.

  Acknowledgments

  This book was one of the first I had published when I started out in the author community. I went in blind and had no idea what I was doing. It was not, edited, I had no beta readers, and it needed tons and tons of work. Due to circumstances, the Broken Roads series was pulled from all retailers in 2013. A little bitter, and a lot discouraged, I sat it on the shelf in my office and began writing Shaft on Tour. I moved forward and had no intention of looking back. Honestly, because looking back meant reliving things I wanted to forget.

  After years of listening to Chelsea Camaron, Jenn Rivera, and Tina Morgan work at convincing me to dust it off and make it shine, I finally opened Changing Fate back up. But, I knew if I was going to do this, it was getting an overhaul. I changed the title, changed the cover idea entirely, and a lot of scenes, but the original story line is still there in all its emotionally fabulous glory. Without Regret began to make me fall helpless in love with the characters and Ray has officially stolen my heart once again. There are several of the old scenes that are not in the book, but that does not mean they won’t be put in the second book, or bonus scenes at a later date. Yes, if you’re a Zack Mitchell fan, he (has) will have a book as well in 2017. It is in the process of being overhauled as well for rerelease.

  I loved the story four years ago. It holds some very precious parts of me, but now, it is at an entirely different level. I dug deep, really ripped myself open to expose those parts of me that I am not comfortable talking about or letting people see. It was the best and worst therapy all at the same time. I la
id myself bare on these pages, while mixing in a nice helping of fiction, because that is what this story deserved. I needed to go back and relive that again. In saying that, I have to officially admit, that they were right.

  Yes, CC, Jenn, and Tina. YOU WERE RIGHT! This needed to be done. Enjoy that because I don't like being wrong. HA HA.

  These three ladies are some of the few who read the original books. They knew what I was working with while re-writing. They know the story behind the book. Without them, I have no doubt it would still be sitting on my shelf collecting dust. Or steadying a wobbly table leg. Whatever.

  This book is for them, as well as all the love in my ass, because it's way bigger than my heart.

  My Superhero Betas-Tina, Cybill, Mary-Lou, Amy, Jackie and her hammy Sammy (Love that sweet boy!), Mandi, and Dana. You ladies keep me focused. Especially with the threats (Tina and Jackie LOL) Thank you for kicking ass and taking names. I love you to pieces.

  Asli- I mean seriously. Thank you for everything you do. Whether it is checking my teasers, editing my fuck ups like a total boss, or just making me laugh in messenger, you rock! You have no idea how happy it made me to know that I made you feel all the feels and had you forgetting to edit pages because you got sucked into the story! Ray goes into the record books for that in my opinion!

  Drue- I'm secretly betting that you’re actually a superhero. Like maybe Batman. Just not Robin, because bird boy’s kind of a little bitch. Thank you for everything you do for me. You are always there to help me figure shit out and get things done. I am so more organized with you kicking my ass. And, woman, did you knock it out of the fucking park with this cover. TA-motherfuckin'-DA!

  A huge thank you to everyone who has bought, read, reviewed, and loved my books. I wouldn't be where I am without the love and support from each of you. Get ready! 2017 is going to be one for the record books!

  Without Regret Playlist:

  Brown-eyed Girl - Van Morrison

  Skyscraper - Demi Lovato

  Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts

  One More Day - Diamond Rio

  I’ll Never Break Your Heart - Backstreet Boys

  Not a Bad Thing - Justin Timberlake

  Wanted - Hunter Hayes

  Good Morning Beautiful - Steve Holy

  Treat You Better - Shawn Mendes

  When You Look Me in The Eyes - Jonas Brothers

  Between Now and Forever - Bryan White

  This I Swear - Nick Lachey

  Face Down - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

  Stupid Boy - Keith Urban

  Take My Breath Away - Berlin

  Crash My Party - Luke Bryan

  Please Forgive Me - Bryan Adams

  I’ll Be There For You - Bon Jovi

  About the Author

  Cat Mason is a thirty year old, married mother of three. When she isn't writing; she is spending time with her kiddos or reading. She was born and raised outside of St. Louis, Missouri, just over the Mississippi River in Granite City, Illinois. Cat writes romance of all kinds with twists of humor.

  For more information visit me at:

  @Cat_Mason_2014

  CatMasonAuthor

  catmasonbooks.wixsite.com/home

  Cat.Mason.Author@gmail.com

  Also Available By Cat Mason:

  Shaft On Tour:

  Escaping Me

  Facing Me

  Chasing Me

  Shafting the Halls

  Fighting Me

  Punishing Me

  Also available in Shafted Box Sets One and Two.

  Artistic Pricks Ink:

  Gravity

  Significance

  Solitude

  Grindstone Harbor:

  Closer to You

  Kittery Serials:

  Unhinged

  Co-Author Projects:

  Homewrecker: a collaboration with Katheryn Kiden