by Sheila Kell
She opened her mouth to retort, but he beat her to it.
“I’ve another surprise for you.” He hoped doing this without asking would be okay. He’d hate to sleep on the floor in their room.
Her eyes brightened. Her face was aglow. He’d been an idiot to walk away from her.
Kate moved forward. “You’ll need to give the baby back and follow me.”
He followed as his sister-in-law led his future wife to a table. He pulled out a chair for Megan. She looked up at him inquisitively.
Reagan bounded forward, followed by Mrs. Kessler, the woman Jesse had hired to help take care of his daughter before he’d married Kate. The family loved her so much, they’d kept her on after the marriage. She kept his brothers in line. She’d also created this surprise.
He held his breath as the older woman placed a cake in front of Megan who gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. She looked back up at him. “Is this what I think it is?”
He nodded. “It’s up to you, but if you’d like, we can cut this cake and find out if we’re having a boy or girl.”
“Guess what, Ms. Megan?” Reagan bounced beside her.
Megan looked on the little girl with a wide smile. “What?”
“Mrs. Kessler made the cake, and she let me add the color to it. But she said I can’t tell you what color I used.” The girl huffed. “She says it a surprise.”
AJ leaned over her and spoke to his niece, “Well I guess we’d best open this surprise.”
She giggled. “Uncle AJ, you don’t open it, you cut it.”
He widened his eyes in fake astonishment. “Really? Okay. Let’s cut it.” He turned his gaze to his little dove, hoping she wanted to do this now. He’d lied when he’d told her he could wait until she gave birth. He wanted to know now.
“Reagan, where’s the knife to cut it?” Megan asked.
The girl heaved a heavy sigh. “Mom has it. No one would let me carry it even though I’m big enough.”
A round of feminine giggling and male chuckling filled the air. It was good to be home. Megan and his family were his future. They’d manage anything together. He finally knew in his heart that his brothers didn’t blame him for their foster brother leaving. It’d taken this special woman to help him open his eyes and see what was before him.
Kate moved forward and handed him the knife.
His glowing fiancée reached for his hand. “Cut it together?”
His heart expanded. He nodded, closed his eyes for a second praying the family hadn’t played a trick on them and colored it yellow. Together they held the knife over the cake with shaky hands. He wasn’t sure whose hand trembled more. The silence of the room didn’t help his nervousness.
They’d just touched the icing when Devon burst into the room. “We’ve found Jake!”
The quiet room exploded into cheers and people attempting to speak over each other. wAJ froze, his body tensed, his mind spinning. Had Devon said what he thought he’d said? Could it be true that finally things would be right? He opened his mouth to speak but nothing emerged.
He closed his eyes tight. He had a great deal of groveling to do with Jake, but he’d do whatever it took to repair their relationship, and bring him back into the family fold.
Megan pulled him close. He hadn’t noticed her stand. She whispered in his ear, “Now your life is complete. Now you can live fully.”
With her at his side, he knew he could do anything. He reached his arms around her, holding her tight. He felt something in his hand, looked at it and smiled.
Blue.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As in my previous novel, I could not have written HIS Choice without the assistance of many people. I’d be remiss if I didn’t include them in these acknowledgements. My hope is that I have not missed anyone.
I am first and foremost thankful to Author Stacy Reid for recommending AuthorsDesigns. They were my one-stop shop that assisted me in releasing a professional novel. Dusean Nelson, you are extremely creative. I love the cover you designed for this novel. I also appreciate your time formatting the novel for all platforms. Thank you, Stacy Nelson and Gina Fiserova at AuthorsDesigns for painstakingly editing HIS Choice. I look forward to working with AuthorsDesigns on future novels.
Locally, I share my appreciation with The Panolian Publisher, John H. Howell, Sr. for not tossing me out when I said, “One more question,” over and over again. Thanks to the Batesville Police Department Chief of Police Tony Jones, Detective Thomas Crutcher and Detective Lieutenant George Williford for taking time to answer my odd questions. Gentlemen, any deviance from policy and procedure is entirely my doing.
Gratitude is sent overseas to Dr. Wilson at Withybush Hospital, Dagmar Bancroft and the staff who answered my inquiries about shooting different body parts. Thank you for not sending the police to my or Dagmar’s homes concerned over what we may do with that knowledge.
There are many people who I can’t thank enough for their assistance in making this novel what it is today. I’d be lost without my critique partners and friends, Author Christine Ardigo and Kelly-Jo Resseguie, who never hesitated to tell me something was crap or provide me with incredible ideas. Author Sharon Gibbs, you are a patient and kind soul who listened to me, motivated me and helped me write the dreaded synopsis. Thank you.
And to my beta readers, Dawn Tohill, Author Kelly Hamley, Author Teri McGill, Dianne Hamilton, Debbie Attenborough, Merissa Sheppard, and Amy Zuberbier, you are top-notch ladies who had a big hand in my completing HIS Choice. I hope to have captured all of your valuable insight.
May I offer much gratitude to my PA, Lucii Grubb, for putting up with my moods and my forgetfulness without complaint. Your creativity in designing teasers and keeping me writing did not go unnoticed. You are a gem.
Indie Visible, I am still in awe of the wonderful publishing package prize you assembled. I was able to take advantage of the services of Red Coats PR, The Creatives’ Haven and Whit & Ware. I am excited about working with the other professionals to publish HIS Return. Thank you to all who donated to this amazing gift.
Kimberly Jill and Chris Van Solkema, I loved your suggestions for naming the gang and cat. I know I did not use them, but they sparked the names I decided upon. Lee Harper, again, your location insight was invaluable. I do miss Baltimore.
And, finally, to HIS Hot Heroines, my street team, I give you my most heartfelt appreciation for believing in me and for all of the work you do behind the scenes. I love and appreciate each one of you. You are family to me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sheila has been an avid reader since she was young, believing in fantasy worlds, women sleuths and happily-ever-after. Instead of writing as a career, she followed in her grandfather’s and father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Air Force. After 12 years, she left the military as a disabled veteran then spent 12 years in higher education executive leadership. After reading her first romantic suspense novel, Sheila finally knew what she wanted to write. She has since retired to fulfill that dream. When not writing, she reads or spends time with her family. She lives in north Mississippi with three rescue cats – Bob, Ralph and Smokey.
If you loved HIS Choice, be sure to catch Jesse and Kate’s story in HIS Desire available on Amazon. Learn more about it and other H.I.S. novels on Sheila’s website (www.SheilaKell.com). While you are there, sign up for her newsletter for a first look on new releases, exclusive excerpts and more.
Find Sheila on the web at:
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Sheila loves to hear from readers. You may email her at:
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAP
TER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
EPILOGUE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
