Matt, where was… awe she should have known. He had his wife over in a relatively quiet corner nibbling on her neck while Bryn tried to push him away. Judging by Bryn’s wide grin, she wasn’t protesting too much.
She felt someone brush up to her side and turned to see Finn. He wrapped an arm around her. Flanked by her two favorite men she couldn’t have been happier.
Before she could voice her emotions to Patrick, her dad took a position on the small corner stage the little generals had set for the Celtic band to use. The dance music would be starting soon, and so would the traditional dance with her dad. She swiped the tear from her eye, as she tried to focus on her dad. He tapped his glass with a fork or spoon, she couldn’t tell. He would have been loud enough without the microphone he’d held the glass to. It was a wonder the neighborhood dogs didn’t howl in protest at the sound.
He set the glass on a little table knowing he had everyone’s attention. He adjusted the mic on the stand.
“You know when I held Glenna in my arms for the first time, while her mother held her sister, I didn’t picture her in white as I walked her to her future. No, all I could think of was ‘What were we thinking? Six children how am I ever going to afford food, clothes, and college?’”
As anticipated his words drew a chuckle. He gazed out at the packed back yard for a moment until he spotted his wife.
“Martha we did good! Here we are blessed with the best family ever. I couldn’t have picked better life-long partners for our children than they found on their own. And now we are doubly blessed to have grandchildren.”
“I have a toast, fair warning it’s a long one.” Again everyone chuckled on cue.
He raised his glass and this time found Glenna’s gaze. She felt the warmth of her father’s love to her toes. He was right, the Beckett’s were blessed. Sure they had their problems like everyone else, but they always had each other’s backs.
“Congratulations to my beautiful daughter and her new family.”
He took a sip along with everyone else. Glenna knew what was coming he’d made a tradition of giving a toast one sentence and sip at a time. She was just grateful everyone was sipping fine bubbly that Finn had procured for the wedding from his summer employer, and not Jameson.
“Welcome to my new son-in-law and new grandson.”
Sip.
“May you have a long and happy life together.”
Sip.
“And bring us many more grandbabies.”
Sip. Glenna raised her brow and glanced up at Patrick. His grin told her, he was all for the making of grandbabies.
“To the next generation.”
As everyone took a sip, her dad relinquished the stage so the band could begin. Everyone cleared off the small dance floor that had been set up. And the first strains of music trailed over the yard.
A moment later her dad was at her elbow.
“I believe this is our dance, Glenna girl.”
She almost broke down at that, he hadn’t called her that since she was in high school. So many memories came floating back as they waltzed around the dance floor. Why had she moved so far away? She again made herself a promise to visit more often.
“He’s a good man.” His words broke into her thoughts.
“Yes he is. And he is raising a good young man.”
“Finn’s a good boy. I am so happy for you. Please know you can still come to your dad if you ever need to.”
This time she had to choke the words around the emotion. “A girl always needs her daddy.”
She hadn’t noticed the song had ended and she was still swaying with her dad. Her new husband was there, she hadn’t even noticed him dancing with her mother. But Martha was standing beside him. Glenna held out her arms and gave her mom a tight hug, then turned and stepped into Patrick’s arms.
“Well wife, you’re stuck with me now.”
“And I couldn’t be happier.” He looked a little wavery as she gazed up at him, must be the tears blocking her view. “We’re going to have a good life you, me and Finn.”
“And the many more grandbabies for your father.”
His chuckle warmed her from the tip of her toes to the tingling top of her head. He leaned in and his lips warm and solid caught hers. The music, the chatter, and laughter faded into the background, until only the two of them existed.
Glenna held on and enjoyed. Life with Patrick would always be an adventure.
The End!
The Beckett Series
By Mary Martinez
The Beckett’s have a strong sense of family and honor.
When one of their own is threatened, their bond is as strong as a badge of steel.
Disappear Book I
After two years undercover as an FBI agent to infiltrate a crime organization and discover the identity of a hit man, Tyler Beckett’s cover is blown. Tyler’s new assignment is to protect the only witness who can identify the mysterious killer. If only he didn’t find her so attractive. Each day it becomes harder to keep his objective, especially since he knows the interest is mutual.
Keira Cavanaugh is the only witness to a hit ordered by a crime boss. The safe house is compromised and the same hit man shoots Tyler. Fearing Tyler is dead, Keira plans revenge on the crime organization. She must fake her own suicide in order to survive.
When Tyler discovers what Keira plans, he realizes he must stop her before he loses her for good.
Innocent Book II
All Jessica wants is a home and a family. So how did she suddenly find herself falsely accused of a felony and then kidnapped by a hit man?
Jessica Beckett loves her job teaching high school algebra. That is until Coach Brinley makes her life miserable because she actually has the audacity to fail his three staring football jocks. Maybe if they’d done their homework they would have passed. She refuses to be intimidated. He on the other hand refuses to admit defeat and manipulates the boys into accusing her of sex in exchange for passing grades.
Gabriel Despain loves his job as FBI agent. But falling for his partner’s sister has complicated a great partnership. It would be a lot easier to ignore his feelings if Jessica hadn't found herself in trouble. Now he must keep her safe. And if he can't remain objective, they both might get killed.
Quiet Book III
Christine Beckett’s dream of partnership in a prestigious New York City law firm has finally come to fruition. She has financial security, a loving family, and owns her home, why does she need a man?
Detective Solomon has worked with Tyler Beckett on several cases, he almost feels he is part of the Beckett clan. He considers them his good friends, except for Christine who seems to look down her professional nose at him.
Christine receives a threatening note and her townhouse echoes with mysterious cries in the night. That is when the handsome and irritating detective insists he temporarily move in to protect her. To add insult, it is with her family’s blessing.
Illusion Book IV Utopian the Beginning
Special Agent Reagan Beckett left Brooklyn for San Francisco ten years ago—and on bad terms with her family. When the World Banking Association (WBA), one of the biggest worldwide financial institutions, is targeted by domestic terrorists, Reagan is called to join the team with two others in New York City. Now she would be home for an extended visit.
Special Agent Paco Luis Perez has heard of the legendary Tyler Beckett and looks forward to working with the man on the assignment in New York. However, when he reads Beckett’s dossier on his flight from D.C., he discovers the Beckett he expected to meet isn’t Tyler.
NYPD Detective Spencer Alexander Williams III, a member of the gang terrorist task force, reluctantly agrees to consult on the domestic terrorist case as the local liaison. He has never liked working with a team; he learns more on his own. But they need his uncanny knack to anticipate the gang’s movements.
As soon as Reagan receives information on the assignment, she researches her new partners. But does she know enou
gh to literally trust these men with her life?
Profit Book V Utopian the Conclusion
Matt Beckett is the Chief Financial officer for World Banking Association (WBA). Over a year ago an agency known as the HEAD group tried to take over the WBA. Matt's sister, Reagan Beckett, a member of a Federal Special Task Force took out one of the key players, a serial killer known as The Headman. Now the founder of HEAD, Andrew Phillips, is back and ready to finish what he'd started with a new and dastardly key player from the Dark web.
Matt doesn’t have any desire to be involved in any cloak and dagger stuff. He’d rather leave that to the other law enforcement Beckett’s. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like he'll have a choice.
Bryn Connelly is the Chief Audit Executive also for the WBA. She had been one of The Headman's targets and thought her days of danger were over. However, she finds herself working with laid back Matt Beckett, much to her dismay.
Matt couldn’t be more delighted when Reagan informs him he'll be working the lovely Bryn. He’s been trying to catch her eye for five years, now. However, their sleuthing quickly lands them in a precarious position.
It’s up to Matt and Bryn to finish what Reagan and her team started, but can he win the lovely Bryn and save the day? Or will he lose her forever if the WBA falls into the wrong hands?
Abandoned Book VI
Glenna Beckett loves her family dearly, but being the youngest of six can be overwhelming. Moving across country helped her learn who she was outside the family. She’s built a successful business in the form of a quaint shop on Main Street of Calistoga, that sells a bit of everything vintage, the new age term for antique. What more does she need?
Then he walked into her shop. International playboy, Lance Gordon. After a whirlwind courtship he asks her to marry him. Burying a niggle of doubt in the pit of her tummy, she says yes. He’s even agreed to have the wedding in Brooklyn so her family can attend. But he never arrives.
Glenna refused to believe she’d been abandoned at the altar and asks her brother, Tyler, to contact an agent friend on the West Coast to search for Lance.
Patrick McGinnis can’t believe he’s walking into a prissy shop in the high end of the Napa Valley searching for a missing groom. The bride, Glenna Beckett, is everything he feared, drop dead gorgeous, and a spoiled brat. Not that he’d ever tell her brother that. He hates wild goose chases, and this mission is exactly that. Patrick’s certain the playboy fiancé is off wooing some other delectable creature.
Unfortunately, once Patrick started to dig, he finds there’s more to the tale and it will take all his skills as an agent to keep Glenna safe. Especially when the case takes a turn and threatens the safety of his son, Finn.
Stay tuned for the Next Generation
Thank you for reading!
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed the sixth book of my Beckett Series, Abandoned. The Beckett’s are like family to me. I know where they live, I’ve walked their neighborhoods, hung out at some of their favorite spots!
I really hope you enjoyed getting to know Glenna, Patrick and Finn. I love feedback and would love to hear from you. Tell me what you liked, didn’t like, or would to like to have read. You can write me at [email protected] or you can visit me on my web site MaryMartinez.com.
I have a favor to ask you, as I said I love feedback. If you’re reading this letter, I can only assume you’re at the end of my book. Here’s the favor, if you’re so inclined, I’d love a review of Abandoned, letting me know if you liked it or hated it, either way I’d love your honest opinion.
Reviews are very hard to come by these days. Most readers are off to the next book almost before they’ve finished reading ‘the end’. You, the reader, have the power now to make or break a book. If you have the time, here is a link to my author page on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B006MWJ1T6, where you can find all of my books.
Thank you so much for spending time with the characters from Abandoned. Hope to see you again soon.
In appreciation,
Mary Martinez
About the Author
Mary lives in Magna, a little town west of Salt Lake City, Utah. Together with her husband, she has six grown children, and six wonderful grandsons and five beautiful granddaughters. She loves to spend time with family and friends--she includes good books as friends!
Mary and her husband love to travel, especially to the Caribbean for relaxing, and Italy for the wine. And most recently she discovered she was Irish and Scottish, of course they had to visit Ireland and Scotland. Mary fell in love with both, but the green hills of Ireland felt like home. With the experience from the exotic places she has visited, she is able to fill her books with colorful descriptions of cities, painting a colorful backdrop for her characters. One of her favorite US destinations is New York/Brooklyn, where her beloved Beckett's live. When she visits, she can wander their neighborhoods, favorite parks, and visit their favorite pub, Putnum's.
They are avid concert ‘Ho’s’! Yes, they pretty much want to do them all. They love outdoor amphitheaters the best and attend as many during the warmer months as possible.
Mary writes mostly romantic suspense, romance, women's fiction, and she has just begun to dabble in young adult mystery. She is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA). During her writing career she has been a conference coordinator, workshop presenter, and chapter president for the Utah Chapter of RWA. In 2007 she was presented with the Utah RWA service award in acknowledgment and appreciation for outstanding service. Mary has also participated in numerous library panels on writing and co-presented a workshop on writing a series at the League of Utah Writers conference.
Mary and her husband are also enthusiastic college football fans. They have season tickets to the UTES, University of Utah Football and they tailgate every game. They love tailgating so much, that they were married at a tailgating in 1999.
GO UTES!
Video Bio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISsOcM0kyzY
Visit her website for more information: www.marymartinez.com
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