by Anne Conley
Jason dropped the 2.6 million dollar baseball card on the ground and slowly brought his hands to her face, afraid she would flinch or bolt, and he wiped her tears away with his thumbs. “I’m so happy to hear that. I love you, Renae, and I want to spend the rest of my life wiping your tears.”
She smiled and sobbed at the same time, resting her cheek on his hand. “I was so busy listening for you to say those words. I never paid attention to the way you acted.” She hiccupped a breath, and Jason wanted to smother her with kisses. “You were showing me the whole time, and I was too busy trying to convince myself I wasn’t worthy, that I couldn’t trust you, there was something wrong with us.” Her eyes fell, but her face stayed cupped in his hand. A tremble ran through him as she caressed his chest through his shirt. “Nothing with you feels real. It’s like magic. And I’ve finally accepted that. It’s not that way because something’s wrong, it’s because something’s right.” She pulled his head so their foreheads rested against each other, and Jason searched her eyes. But the doubt was gone. Finally. “I-I love you, Jason.”
Her words rendered him speechless. When he finally found his voice, it was almost unrecognizable. “Before I met you, my life was filled with darkness. You brought me light. These last few weeks have been hell, Renae. I’m sorry.”
Tears tracked down her cheeks, but she was smiling. “I’m sorry too, Jason,” she croaked out.
Slowly, as he would with a caged wild animal, Jason brought his lips closer to Renae’s. As they touched, he felt the familiar melding together of two souls meeting. The comforting crush of her hands wrapping around his waist to pull him closer melted something inside him, and when she opened her mouth to his, he had to force himself to remain gentle. He didn’t want to scare her off with his sudden desire to claim her. He had all the time in the world.
When they finally pulled apart, he was leery about asking the next question. “So, what’s next? Where do we go from here?”
She shrugged. “Let’s go home and figure it out.”
Epilogue:
Five months later
“I don’t want to live there. I grew up there.” Yeah, she sounded whiney, even to herself, but Renae couldn’t help it. She didn’t want to move in with Jason. As selfish as it sounded, she’d spent eighteen years of her life there, and every time her mother would come to visit them, she’d raise her eyebrows at the slightest change made. She knew it.
“Well, your house is too small. Admit it. It was perfect when you and Cody were young, but it’s time to upgrade, Renae.” Jason’s voice was soothing as if he were placating a toddler. She wondered if he was practicing for the baby. Except he had a smirk on his face that was anything but placating. If anything, it was riling her up. She took a deep breath, reminding herself not to take the bait.
She rubbed her belly, deep in thought. They were at an impasse. This had become a frequent problem since they’d decided to move in together. Which house to move into?
“Besides, I like having all the land around. If Dalton weren’t leasing it, I’d want to use it for something.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Like what?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never really been exposed to property like that before. I’ve lived most of my life in the city. It would just be nice to have some just in case I come up with something to do with it.” He leaned over and caressed her distended belly tenderly.
Renae looked up at the trees above them. It was Sunday, and since the weather had gotten nice, Jason and Renae had spent Sunday afternoons at their willow tree on the lake. It was like their ‘date night,’ only it wasn’t night time. Today, he’d made them a fruit basket with some cheese to eat while there. It was delicious, but she hadn’t been able to eat much.
He started packing up. “I’ve got a surprise for you.” The smirk was still on his face, and Renae was tempted to kiss it off. Especially now that it was warmer and the man had started wearing shorts. Good God, he had nice legs. Her lady bits tingled. That was one thing she’d miss when the pregnancy was over: all the tingly stuff down there. Jason himself was fascinated with the uterus contractions after her orgasms. He considered it definitive proof he was a master in the bedroom. He would take her to unseen heights, and then feel her stomach afterwards for the tell-tale tightening to make sure her moaning, gasping shrieks weren’t faked. As if she could pretend something like that.
The canoe ride back to the van was made in compatible silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Renae could tell Jason was nervous about whatever surprise he had planned, and Renae was just happy she’d finally let go of all her fears. She’d realized, almost too late, that her fears were keeping her from living. She was scared to live her life, and as soon as she’d realized that, she’d been able to let go. Her fear of being alone, especially when she didn’t have to be, and her fear of being with Jason, the uncertainty of the future, all of it had nearly frozen her into paralysis, and she was glad she’d broken free of it.
Of course, Les hadn’t spoken to her in months, and that hurt. But she knew he’d eventually get over it and find someone for himself.
Jason held her hand while they walked to the new minivan he’d insisted on buying her for the baby. He considered the old one a death trap. Whatever.
“I’m driving.”
She shrugged. “Okay.” Learning to pick her battles, and give up control was another thing she was getting. Jason was here to help, not dictate, and she was figuring out that it was okay. In fact, she sort of enjoyed the passenger seat every now and then.
But she had no idea where in the hell he was taking her.
“Where are we going?”
The smirk was back, but she could see his hands were tight on the wheel. “I know we haven’t been able to decide about housing. We want to raise the baby together in the same house while we explore our own relationship, right?” He turned the wheel onto a crushed limestone driveway, lined with trees. It curved up and around, leading to a big, beautiful old farmhouse. “I bought this house with the rest of the money from that card. It comes with three hundred sixty-three acres. I think that might be enough for whatever I decide to do. You didn’t grow up in it, and it’s certainly not too small.”
Renae gaped.
Jason got out of the van while Renae continued staring at the house. It was gorgeous with fresh paint and a new pebbled walkway up to the porch, a wrap-around porch with matching rocking chairs on it. A pain clenched her belly, but she tried to ignore it.
The house was huge, a big old rambling Victorian with shutters on the windows and gables. She tried vainly to remember what he’d said about it, opening her mouth to ask, but shock sucked the words back inside.
Jason opened her door and stood in front of her, blocking her view briefly before lowering himself to one knee.
Her eyes fell to him, as her uterus clenched again. Of all the times to go into labor, her body had to pick now? He’d just bought them a house to live in, and by the look of total adoration mingling with fear on his face, that wasn’t his only surprise.
“I know we’ve done everything backwards, but I love you. I want to be with you with this baby, and I need you by my side while we raise it. We’re moving in together, hopefully into this house that you’ll love as much as I do. I probably should have asked sooner, asked about the house, but I wanted it to be a surprise…”
Another pain gripped her. “Jason, hurry. You’re babbling.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box. Opening it, he asked the question, “Will you marry me, Renae?” His face was fearful, and she couldn’t blame him with their history. She wanted to kiss the worry off his face, but she couldn’t. Not right now.
She clutched her stomach. “Yes.”
He stood, grabbing her hands and pulling her into a hug. “Thank you.” She nearly laughed at the gratitude in his voice. He was thanking her for accepting his proposal. Unorthodox to say the least, but what part of their relationship had gone accord
ing to plan?
“You’re welcome. Now get back in the van.”
He pulled away, question and hurt in his eyes. “Why?”
“Because that was our last alone moment for a while.” Another contraction hit her. “It’s time to be a family.”
About The Author
Anne Conley is a former high school teacher, who took some time off to raise goats and children. Living in a rural Texas town has taught her that life won't come to her, she's got to grab what she can get. So, she started writing for public consumption. She lives in a rural East Texas town with her husband, two children, and currently 44 goats. She is writing two series: the Stories of Serendipity, about life and love in a small town, and the Four Winds, about God's archangels "falling" in love. Check out her blog, www.anneconley.com for updates, book blurbs, and more.
Contact Anne
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She loves comments and thoughts. You can email her at [email protected]
Anne's Serendipity Books
(in order)
Neighborly Complications
Claire is a jilted bride, jumping at the opportunity to hunt for treasure in the house her uncle left her in his will. Her goal? To start fresh in this tiny town called Serendipity, fix up the old house and start a bed and breakfast. The hunky widower next door is not in her plans. And when he seems to show up all the time, butting into her business, she can’t seem to dampen her frustration. Or control her urges.
Max has the same problem. Something about the woman next door has made him forget all about the comfortable memory of his wife. He feels an unexplainable need to explore the tumultuous emotions that Claire evokes in him, but it seems like all he can ever do is make her mad.
But damn, she’s sexy when she’s mad…
Dream On
Allysa has a hard time keeping up with her responsibilities, and she's has a lot: her elderly mother, both kids, her high school students, and of course, herself. When she starts dreaming of a handsome bad boy living a kinky lifestyle, she wonders what in the world her subconscious is telling her. She barely has time for her own life, much less one involving a guy with those kinds of appetites.
Dalton has been living life on the edge for too long. When his he begins dreaming of a woman from his hometown, Serendipity, he initially thinks it's something inside him, letting him know it's time to settle down. When his dad gets sick, and Dalton has to move back home to take care of the family ranch, he realizes his dream girl is a reality.
Sparks fly in this sizzling novel that explores love and lust in a small town setting, complete with ex-husbands, high school football, and nosy school boards.
Warning: Some content not suitable for under 18 years of age
Chef's Delight
Welcome to Serendipity, Texas, a town where real people deal with real problems. Meet characters in their thirties and forties struggling with day-to-day issues and managing to find love in the process. Visit Serendipity, where the days are hot, and the nights are steamy!
Connor is trying to open a restaurant in Serendipity, Texas, where Jessie is trying to keep alive a struggling goat cheese business. When his cheese suppler flakes out on him, he needs a new cheese maker, but she is a little trigger happy since her ex-boyfriend has started stalking her. Add to the mix a ghost that has a crush on Connor, and you have a steamy romance that will send chills to your toes.
Hot Mess
Welcome to Serendipity, Texas, a town where real people deal with real problems. Meet characters in their thirties and forties struggling with day-to-day issues and managing to find love in the process. Visit Serendipity, where the days are hot, and the nights are steamy!
According to the latest research, people who are HIV positive can live long, healthy lives with proper treatment and healthy lifestyles. So, why can’t Rachel seem to let go and be up front with Sam? Because he’s the first person to show interest in her in, well, a long time. She’s spent her adult life dealing with her illness and caring for her daughter alone, the only way she really knows how.
Sam is dealing with his own issues: a single dad, a new town, transfer to a new position in a different firehouse, where he’s got to go through all the initiation rookie stuff all over again. But why won’t the hot neighbor let down her walls to let him in?
When she does, will he react the way she needs him to? Or will it all just be a Hot Mess?
Sparks fly as the heat level rises in this new novel of Serendipity.
Falling for Him
Welcome to Serendipity, Texas, a town where real people deal with real problems. Meet characters in their thirties and forties struggling with day-to-day issues and managing to find love in the process. Visit Serendipity, where the days are hot, and the nights are steamy!
After eighteen years of marriage, Amy has finally found a man to talk to, and it's not her husband. She's tried everything she can think of to put the umph back into her marriage, but when she meets Cool_Hand_Luke in a movie chat room, he validates her thoughts and opinions in ways her husband seems incapable of. With the holidays fast approaching, Amy tries to hold herself together for her family, while simultaneously exploring her new online relationship. Will she meet him in real life? Or will she figure out how to save her own marriage? Find out in this Holiday novella from Serendipity, Texas.
Gambling on Love
Wanted: someone to donate sperm the old fashioned way to create my child without emotional attachments. Must pass a health check. Must pass interview. Interested parties please meet at the McDonal Hotel at 11:00 am on March 1. If chosen, will need to pass a STD screen. Chosen applicant will be monetarily compensated upon positive pregnancy test.
Kathy is thirty-four years old, and her biological clock is tick-tick-ticking away. When she breaks off her long distance relationship with Luke because of his reticence to take the relationship to the next level, she decides to take matters into her own hands.Luke didn’t mean to drive her away. He just made a mistake. He had a plan. And apparently his grand Valentine’s Day proposal wasn’t going to cut it. Luke is desperate to stop Kathy before she makes the biggest mistake of her life, but will he get to Vegas in time?
Secondary characters from Chef’s Delight, Kathy and Luke continue their story in this new installment of Serendipity, a novella around 23 thousand words.
My Mistake
12 years ago, Brent walked away from his one big love, and has regretted it ever since. He’s done nothing but make mistake after mistake with his life. Now, he’s finally getting his act together, starting up a sanctuary for abused and neglected horses, and staying clean.
Casey had put Brent out of her mind the best way she knew how, by going on with her own life: getting married and trying to have kids. When her marriage ends up being a mistake, she moves back in with her mother in Serendipity to lick her wounds. What she doesn’t expect is Brent, waltzing back into her life.
Can they put their own and each other’s mistakes behind them to move forward together? When Casey’s life is put in danger, Brent steps up, but will it be enough?
For The Reader
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