Time To Learn (Believe Book 3)
Page 32
“What’s wrong?”
The tremble that courses through her small frame enhances my anxiety.
“Nothing’s wrong.” Her words are so muffled against my shirt that I can hardly hear her.
“You’re lying.”
“No, Kristian.” At last, I feel her take a shaky breath before she leans her head back to gaze lovingly into my eyes. “According to the doctor, I’ve never been better, actually.”
I frown as my heart skips a beat, hoping against hope that what her eyes are telling me is the truth and not my own wishful thinking. After everything we’ve been through over the years, I’ve stopped hoping for the miracle we seemed to need in order to have a baby. But now…now hope beats again, fluttering madly in my heart.
I frame her face in my hands and wipe away the tears on her cheeks.
“Tell me,” I huff. “Put me out of my misery.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Fuck. Me.
“Come again?” I wet my lips and bend further, staring intently into her eyes.
“It’s true,” she grins as she steps up on her toes, her lips barely meeting mine before she smiles against them and does as I ask. “I’m pregnant, baby.”
The air in my lungs contracts, but the noose around my heart loosens at the same time.
“I love you,” I murmur softly.
“I love you more.”
I shake my head and rest my forehead against hers.
“Not possible, sweetheart. You’re my soul mate. The best parts of me exist because you love me, and I’m the luckiest man in the world because of you.”
I kiss her tenderly, pouring all that I feel into our kiss, until Ailith shouts at us.
“Eew, Dad! Yuck!”
Laura laughs against my lips, and I shake my head when I open my eyes.
“Later, I’ll show you exactly how tight a hold you have on me.”
Laura shivers in my arms, and when I take in the way her eyes darken with need, I smirk.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“Good.”
Ailith
(all grown up now—or so she believes)
“Ailith, I don’t feel good about this.”
I roll my eyes as I walk downstairs. Dad follows closely behind me, his feet stomping.
“Dad, I’ll be fine,” I huff. “It’s my eighteenth birthday, and I want to celebrate it with my friends.”
“I understand that, girlie, but –”
I turn around and grin at him.
“Don’t worry, I won’t get lost in the big, bad city.”
He scowls at me, and I shake my head at his grouchiness.
“When did you grow up on me?” he mutters, and I shrug, a little embarrassed at his display of emotions. You wouldn’t believe it if you met him on the street, but the man I’ve called my father for the past decade is a bit of a softie.
But he’s not a pushover.
“Fine,” he finally grunts, and I beam at him, relieved I won’t have to argue with him about this anymore.
Soft voices reach my ears as I pick up my jacket from the peg next to the door. A warm smile stretches my lips when Mum enters the hall, my younger brother, William, in her arms. He’s almost fast asleep already, head lolling on her shoulder, even though it’s barely nine in the evening. I chuckle at the sight.
“Just wanted to see you off, Ailith,” Mum whispers.
Dad aims a scowl her way, making me giggle.
“Aren’t you the least bit worried?” Dad mutters.
“Don’t be silly, Kristian,” she laughs softly as she pulls me into a warm embrace. “Our daughter is a smart girl. She’ll be fine.”
I grin down at her and bend to give William a quick kiss on the cheek. I’m excited to be going dancing tonight, but a bit nervous as well.
“Thank you.”
Mum hefts William in her arms and nods at me.
“Text me when you get there, though. Is Gavin still picking you up tonight?”
I nod and can’t help but tremble when I hear a low knock on the door.
“Wait, who’s Gavin?” Dad butts in.
“I’ve got to go.” I give them both a small wave and watch Mum grab ahold of Dad’s wrist, preventing him from coming outside with me. The way his eyes soften when he looks down at her doesn’t make me want to roll my eyes anymore. Instead, it makes me long for the day a man will look at me that way.
As if I’m his whole world.
When I push down on the doorknob, Mum jerks her chin at me, laughter dancing in her eyes.
“Best get going before your dad here decides to tag along with you. Have fun, sweetie.”
A cacophony of butterflies sets off in my tummy when I open the door and find my crush waiting for me on the other side. I tuck my wild hair behind my ears when Gavin smiles at me, his blue eyes lighting up when they meet mine.
I give him a shy smile, fidgeting on the spot.
“Hey.”
“Hi,” he answers and takes a step back to let me out.
The butterflies break out in full force when he pulls away his hands from behind him and hands me a big bouquet of pink tulips, and I feel a flush spread on my cheeks.
“Happy birthday, Ailith.”
With trembling fingers, I take the flowers from his outstretched hand and beam at him. I’ve never had a boy bring me flowers before.
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
He grins at me and takes my other hand in his, intertwining our fingers. I look down as we walk to his old car. A part of me is wondering what us holding hands means now, but another part of me wants to stop thinking too much about it and just enjoy myself for the night.
“Is this okay?”
My head jerks up, and my brain feels like it’s short-circuiting a fuse when I stare back at him. The fluttering in my tummy eases up, though, when I notice the shy smile on his lips, and I realise that he’s probably as nervous as I am.
“It’s like you read my mind,” I reply softly. “I think it’s okay, but don’t expect me to kiss you at the end of the night just yet.”
When his eyes twinkle with mirth, I relax even more.
“Okay, I won’t if you don’t want me to. I can be a gentleman, Ailith. I promise.”
We stop next to his car and Gavin takes a deep breath as he turns his head and looks at the horses grazing in the paddock next to where he’s parked.
“I’ve heard a lot about this place.”
His eyes turn thoughtful as he rests the hand not holding mine on the top of his car.
“Only good things, I hope?”
He nods and jerks his head at the horses.
“Yup.” He shrugs lightly. “Your mum has a great reputation. I don’t know anything about horses, but it feels very peaceful here. A good place…quiet, but not lonely.”
His words fill me with happiness, and I squeeze his hand, grateful that he feels like that even though it’s his first visit.
“Thank you. I’ve always felt that way, too.”
Movement out of the corner of my eye catches my attention, and I watch fondly as Thunder stops grazing and meanders closer towards us. He’s old, and long since retired, but he’s still got that proud air about him like when he was young. His brown, intelligent eyes meet mine, and I feel soothed by his presence like I always have.
“That one’s special, isn’t he?”
Gavin’s low voice makes me blink in wonder at how perceptive he is, and I raise my eyes at him.
“All horses are special,” I reply, just as quietly, “but you’re right. Thunder is kind of extraordinary.”
For a moment, I wonder if Gavin will start laughing at me, but he surprises me when he seems to be taking my words seriously.
“Yeah.” He breaks the moment between us when he shakes his head lightly and releases my hand to open the door for me. “We best get going, or Cat will wonder where we are.”
I wet my lips and look back at Thunder, eager but anxious to find out w
hat the night will bring. When I notice the old man standing next to him, smiling kindly at me, warmth fills my insides when I recognise Papa.
He doesn’t show himself as often as when I was younger, but even now, I remember the words he whispered in my ear the day Kristian married my mum. The day he became my dad.
True love will never lead you astray, mó craidhe.
For a brief moment, the old memories—the old pain—lances through my heart, blinding me, but as soon as I feel a warm hand on my cheek, I blink, and I’m back in the present.
The boy I’ve been crushing hard on for almost a year is standing in front of me, holding me.
It’s my eighteenth birthday.
My future is filled with possibilities.
And life…
Life is beautiful.
“Ailith? Is everything okay?” Gavin asks. The small line of worry is back between his eyes, and I try my best to reassure him.
“I’m sorry. Tumbled into a wee spell there, I think,” I lie.
The frown on his forehead recedes a little.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.” Relief bursts through me when he takes a step away at last. His hands fall from my face, and I smile in thanks when he opens the door for me.
Quickly, I get inside, and when I sit back in my seat, I turn my face to Thunder again. This time, he’s alone, and I smile lovingly at the spot where Papa was standing mere minutes ago.
Then I tuck away my secrets deep in my heart.
Until the next time.
For tonight, though, I’m simply Ailith—a young woman who’s about to celebrate her birthday with her friends.
A girl who, despite her young age, understands how lucky she is to have grown up in a house filled with love and laughter—exactly as it should be.
And next to me is a young man who I can’t help but feel is going to be a big part of my future.
I’ve never questioned the whispers the wind has uttered in my ears from time to time, or how I’ve been able to see Papa when, rationally speaking, it shouldn’t be possible. The bond I have with my horses is one I cherish, and I’m not about to start doubting my own sanity.
I know there’s more to the land in which I was born than anywhere else in the world. I take after my Gan-Gan in that regard, and that’s not such a bad thing in my book.
The End
Acknowledgments
Laura & Morgan—you already know how much I love you. Thank you so much for always having my back, and for being my sounding board.
Thank you to all the members in my readers’ group—your support, your humour, and your love for not only my work but for my characters is simply wonderful. I am truly grateful for each and every one of you.
Thank you to my wonderful beta team, Trish, Dina, and Zetti—ladies, your amazing feedback, your insight, and your suggestions have made this book so much better than it was.
Thank you to all the authors, bloggers, and readers who continue to show me how strong and incredible our indie community is. I am so thankful for your support.
Thank you to my editor, Karen, and my proofreader, Amanda, for working with me on this book. Ladies, you have truly made it shine.
Thank you to my parents, and my in-laws, for believing in my hopes and dreams for the future.
Thank you to my dear husband, Lars, for being there for me everyday. Thank you for loving me no matter what. I adore you. Forever and always.
Last, but not least, thank you, dear readers, for enjoying my stories. You are the reason I write. You are the reason I get to fulfill my dreams. For that, I am eternally grateful.
If you enjoyed this book—and even if you did not—please leave a review.
Thank you!
Playlist
Painkillers – Patrick Dorgan
Wait – Nicole Millar
Longest Night – Howie Day
Lost Stars – Adam Levine
Yours – Russell Dickerson
Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
the words – Christina Perri
Bonfire Heart – James Blunt
Without You – Ingrid Michaelson
Home – Phillip Phillips
human – Christina Perri
Sweet As Whole – Sara Bareilles
The Only Exception – Paramore
Can’t Help Falling In Love – Haley Reinhart
distance – Christina Perri feat. Jason Mraz
Unsteady – X Ambassadors
Running – James Bay
I Feel It Coming - The Weeknd
Into The Fire Thirteen Senses
Belong – Cary Brothers
I’ll Be – Edwin McCain
Road To You – Five For Fighting
Roar – Katy Perry
Fall Back – Dúné
Sing In The Dark – In Lonely Majesty
Crack The Shutters – Snow Patrol
About the Author
Karen Ferry is a thirty-something writer, wife to a quiet, laidback man, and mother to a gorgeous, stubborn, redheaded girl who keeps her parents on their toes.
Karen tends to have a short fuse if she does not get a proper caffeine fix first thing in the mornings, but she is, in fact, a gentle person deep down.
Karen loves Italian food and wine, travelling, and spending time with her family. When she is not writing, she reads—her favourite genres are New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, and Romantic Suspense. She can never get enough of romance. Or of too many book boyfriends, either.
https://authorkarenferry.wordpress.com/