“We’d like that. All of us.”
Our gazes locked, and a silent conversation passed between us. My eyes pleaded with her to understand my need to be with her and our kids as much as possible. Her green gaze was gentle and compassionate. She gave me an imperceptible nod, letting me know she would support me no matter what I decided.
Elsie lifted her head, tapping my cheek to get my attention. “Story, Daddy.”
“Right.” I lowered her to Fee’s level. “Kiss Mommy goodnight.”
Once the kiss-fest was done, I carried Elsie across the hall to her room. Pinks, purples, and yellow reigned supreme in there. Lace, frills, and stuffed toys abounded. It was as girly as it could be. I settled into the large chair in the corner after tossing aside a dozen stuffed toys and tucked Elsie onto my lap. Her new “big girl” bed was way too small for me to be comfortable on, and I knew by experience, story time was at least thirty minutes. Elsie had inherited one other thing from me—my restlessness at night. We found keeping her to a routine helped. A warm bath, a story, and being held close helped settle her, and once she fell asleep, she rarely woke up these days. I had to admit it was my favorite time of day.
I glanced at the overflowing bookshelf. “What one, baby girl?”
“A daddy story.”
“Ah.” She liked it when I made up stories and told them to her. She also liked funny voices and lots of princesses. They were often the same basic story, but I always threw in something new. Fee assured me it was the tone of my voice and my closeness that Elsie liked the most.
I pursed my lips.
“Once upon a time, there was a princess named Fee.”
“Like Mommy!”
I kissed her head. “Yep.”
“One day, the princess went for a walk and got lost. She kept walking and looking for a friend to help her. Deep in the forest, she met a mean monster. He lived alone in a cave.”
I heard Fee’s gentle laughter drift across the hall.
“Was she scared?”
“Nope. The princess was brave, and she knew the monster wouldn’t hurt her. She was smart like that.”
Elsie furrowed her little brow, looking so much like Fee, I had to kiss her nose.
“Did he have a name, Daddy?”
“Yes. His name was Smitty.”
Fee laughed again, and I leaned back, peering across the hall. Her head rested against the back of the rocking chair, and she was watching us. She had set up the rooms so she could easily see both children from each chair, and it came in handy at night. I threw her a wink, and she shook her head.
“Why was Smitty alone?”
“He was snarly and growly.”
“How come?”
I stroked Elsie’s downy cheek. “He had a thorn in his paw nobody knew about. It hurt him all the time.”
Her eyes grew round. “Like a boo-boo?”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t have a mommy to kiss it better?”
“Nope. He was a grown-up monster.”
She frowned. “That is sad.”
I chuckled. “The princess told Smitty she was lost and needed his help. He said no, but she asked again and smiled at him. Smitty thought it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen, so he said okay. He showed the princess how to get home, but before she could thank him, he walked away. But the princess remembered his kindness. A few days later, the princess was out for a walk again and ran into the monster. She tried to talk to him, but he was rude.”
Fee’s voice floated between the rooms. “He was egotistical too.”
I never raised my voice, although I tried not to laugh. I met her gaze again, trying to look stern. “Enough from the peanut gallery.”
She lifted Brandon to her shoulder, rocking and patting his back. I loved seeing her with our children. It made me warm inside.
Little fingers pulled at my beard. “What happened, Daddy?”
“Princess Fee was a magical princess. She had long silver hair that hid her magic wand, and when Smitty walked away from her, she waved it in the air, and it showed her the thorn that was deep in his skin.”
“And?” she asked anxiously.
“Princess Fee followed Smitty home and used her wand to make the thorn disappear.”
Elsie clapped her hands. “Then he wasn’t grumpy?”
“Nope. In fact, as soon as the thorn disappeared, Smitty turned into the most handsome prince in the world. He was charming and smooth, and Princess Fee fell in love with him. She waved her magic wand again and turned his cave into a palace.”
“Yay!”
Fee’s snicker was louder this time, and I turned to see her leaning against the doorjamb.
“Charming and smooth?” she challenged.
“Very charming. The princess couldn’t resist.”
“Uh-huh.”
Elsie tapped my cheek to get my attention. “What then?”
“The prince married the princess, and they lived happily ever after.”
Elsie sighed, leaning her head against my shoulder. “Good story, Daddy.”
Fee pushed off the frame. “Well, at least you got that part right.”
I watched her walk away, holding my son.
My daughter snuggled closer, her little body growing heavy as she fell asleep. I always knew when she was out because she made the same noise Fee did when she slept, although Elsie’s was more clicking than purring. I now had two raptors in the house—and I loved every minute of it.
I looked around the room and listened to the sounds of my family settling for the night—my daughter’s little clicking, Fee’s voice gently crooning to Brandon, and his coo as he fell asleep.
Once they were settled, I could spend the rest of the evening with my beautiful wife and catch up on all the things I missed during the day. Catch up with her.
Then I would find the peaceful rest only she could give me.
My Fee.
I had everything I had ever dreamed of and was too afraid to hope for.
A real home, a family I adored—all because of the woman who proved to me that love didn’t always come with pain. Who was strong enough to show me that every day.
She created a whole new world for me, and I gave her the one she deserved.
One filled with unending love.
That was us. Our story—our forever.
Our happily ever after.
* * *
Thank you so much for reading HALTON. If you are so inclined, reviews are always welcome by me at your eretailer.
This was a surprise in the Vested Interest series. Who knew one line in VAN would inspire so many readers to ask for more.
If you love a reluctant hero, Richard and Katy VanRyan’s story begins with my series The Contract. You meet an arrogant hero in Richard, which makes his story much sweeter when he falls.
Another reluctant hero is Zachary from Beneath The Scars. It is a story of recluse who is angry at the world and wants to be left alone. That is until his new neighbor arrives.
Enjoy reading! Melanie
SANDY by Melanie Moreland
Copyright © #1169995
ISBN Ebook 978-1-988610-35-1
Paperback 978-1-988610-34-4
All rights reserved
Edited by
Lisa Hollett—Silently Correcting Your Grammar
Cover design by Melissa Ringuette
Monark Design Services
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are
products of the author's imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any
similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by
the author.
Family is often not born of blood but
rather those special people who come into our lives and
become a part of our heart.
To those people in my life, thank you.
This one is for you.
And, as always,
for Matthew
who is my heart.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Epilogue
Sandy
Thunder rolled, the intensity shaking the walls of my bedroom. Lightning followed, the room filling with vivid flashes of white, creating eerie shadows on the wall.
I shivered at the ferociousness of the storm and clutched my pillow tighter. I sighed as strong, warm arms slipped around me, and I was pulled into the loving embrace of my husband. His voice was low and comforting in the dark.
“It’s all right, my girl. I have you.”
I smiled at his endearment. I had been his girl from the day we met. Max was divorced, an established, well-respected physician, and twenty-two years my senior. His son, Aaron, was one of my best friends. Aaron and I enjoyed each other’s company, but after one date, had agreed there was nothing between us and instead pursued an amazing friendship. He was close to his dad and talked about him often.
I saw them across the room at an event the university was hosting, and I went over to say hello to Aaron and meet his dad. The instant our eyes met, Max and I bonded. It was as if there was an invisible thread pulling us together, and neither of us could control the draw.
I never made it back to the dorm that night—Max and I were never apart again. We were married a short time later in a quiet ceremony and together weathered the stares, gossip, and slurs that followed us because of our age difference. Eventually, they died down, and we remained strong, proving them all wrong. Love wasn’t about age. It was about your heart, the love it contained, and how you let that love guide you.
I relaxed into Max, allowing his strength to comfort me. “I hate storms,” I murmured.
He kissed the sensitive spot behind my ear with a low chuckle. “I know. That’s why I’m here.”
“It’s a bad one.”
“It is,” he agreed, his voice getting quieter. “But you’re going to be fine. You’re a strong, brave woman, Sandy. It’s one of the reasons I loved you so much. You were my rock.”
I frowned, a frightening grip forming in my chest. “Max, why do you sound so odd? Why are you talking in the past tense?”
“You know why. It’s time, my girl. Time to move on.”
A tremor went through me. “Max, no, please…”
I felt the light brush of his mouth on my shoulder. “You’re fine, Sandy. I knew you would be. We both knew you would be. We wouldn’t have been so solid together otherwise.”
A tear ran down my cheek. “Stay, please.”
“I can’t, Sandy.”
“Why?” I whimpered.
“Because I’m not really here. You need to find your happiness again.” His voice drifted away. “You need that. I want that for you. But I love you, Sandy. I will always love you.”
My eyes flew open. The storm was abating outside, the thunder a low boom in the distance.
I was curled in our bed, clutching Max’s pillow, the blankets drawn tightly around me.
I was alone in the room, the bed feeling colder than usual. I sat up, flicking on the light and peering around the room.
I knew it was empty. I knew Max was gone. He’d never been here—it was simply another memory of the many times he’d held me during a storm.
He had passed over a year ago. Fifteen months, to be exact.
But there were moments, like this one, I swore he was close, even though I knew I had been dreaming.
It made my reality all that much lonelier.
Grief hit me, once again capturing me in its fist and squeezing hard.
I buried my face in my hands, and I wept.
Sandy
“Does anyone have anything to add?” Aiden asked, looking around the table. I glanced up from my pad of paper, pencil poised in readiness. Staff found it amusing I still took shorthand. Bentley found it invaluable. I was fast. I never missed a line at a meeting, and he found my notes helpful.
Everyone shook their head or remained silent. As usual, it had been a quick, informative meeting, each of the partners stating their thoughts or objectives, and giving enough information, there were few questions to be asked.
Exactly the way Bentley liked it.
He stood and clapped his hands, signaling the meeting was over. “All right. Have a productive day.”
I jotted down the time and flipped the cover of my notepad closed. I began to stand, but Bentley held up his hand.
“A moment, Sandy.”
He waited until everyone filed from the room, leaving only him, Aiden, Maddox, Reid, and me. Aiden shut the door and returned to the table.
For a moment, there was silence, all of the men glancing at one another, then at me, before their gazes skittered away. I frowned at the feeling of tension in the air and smoothed my hands over my skirt under the table, my palms suddenly damp.
Something was going on, and I didn’t like it.
“Firing squad, boys?” I asked, trying to lighten the air.
Those words startled them, and they all began talking at once.
“Don’t even joke about that, Sandy,” Maddox muttered.
“Not in this lifetime,” Aiden protested.
“I hardly think so,” Bentley insisted.
Reid met my eyes, his gaze serious. A rare occurrence for Reid.
“We’re worried about you, Sandy. We want to help.”
His words stunned me into silence.
It was my job to worry about them, not the other way around.
“I’m fine,” I protested. “Nothing to worry about.”
Bentley cleared his throat. “Sandy—you forget how well we know you. You aren’t fine, and we want to help.”
“Am I not doing my job?” I retorted, not wanting to have this conversation with them. I knew it was born of concern and love, but I still wanted to avoid it.
“Of course you are. All of us, especially me, would be lost without you. You’re the glue that holds this place together.”
“Then perhaps a thank-you and not an inquisition would be more appropriate.”
Bentley’s shoulders stiffened, and his eyes narrowed.
“Give us the room,” he said, his tone brooking no argument.
A moment later, we were alone. He leaned closer, pulling my notepad from my hands. “Talk to me, Sandy.”
It was impossible to ignore the worry in his blue eyes. I sighed, the sound filled with sorrow.
“Sorry, Bentley. You hit me on a bad day.”
“We’re worried, Sandy. All of us. We want to help, but we don’t know what to do. Tell me what you need.” He wrapped his hands around mine, the stiff businessman disappearing and the warm, caring man I knew he kept hidden under his persona emerging. “We all love you, and we want to do something. Anything.”
I smiled at him, shaking my head. “It’s called grief, Bentley. There is nothing that you can do—that any of you can do. It’s been well over a year, but at times it feels like yesterday. Other times, I cope well. I just have to handle each day as it comes.” I huffed out a frustrated breath. “I didn’t realize anyone noticed. I thought I was doing my job well.”
“You are. But you forget how well we know you, Sandy. Your spark is missing. Your smile is forced. We all know how much you miss Max, and we want to do somet
hing. Anything. You just have to tell us what.”
“Bring him back.”
Bentley looked stunned at my words. “I can’t do that,” he said slowly.
I cupped his cheek. “Exactly. Bentley, no one can help. I have to get through each day the best way I can. Work helps—here, I’m busy and productive. Being part of your lives—seeing you all fall in love, start families, and be happy helps. I just need to do this in my own time. There’s no manual when it comes to grief. No magic wand.”
He dragged a hand through his hair. “That’s what Emmy said. She told me to leave it alone. To let you grieve the way you need to grieve and just be there when you asked.”
I smiled. “Emmy is a smart woman.”
“But will you, Sandy? Will you come to us if we can help?”
His earnest sincerity rang out, and it made me smile. To the world, Bentley was rigid, stern, and unflappable. Underneath, he was caring, sweet, and always looking out for those he loved.
I was one of the lucky few that fell into that category.
“Yes, Bentley, if I need help, I will ask.” I paused. “There is one thing.”
“Anything.”
“You and Emmy go out and let me have Addi for the night. I love spending time with that little one.”
A grin pulled on his lips, softening his stern expression. His wife and daughter were the biggest chinks in his armor, and he adored them both.
“I think that helps me as much as it helps you,” he stated dryly.
Vested Interest Box Set Books 4-7 Page 73
