by Talty, Jen
“Most likely she’ll face a short jail term followed by community service for obstruction of justice.”
“What about Jack?”
“Technically, he didn’t do anything wrong.” He stared into her beautiful blue eyes and searched, looking for any hint of what could be.
“I spoke with Agent Thompson again. He’ll meet us here tomorrow at four.”
“When do you want to take care of your father’s ashes and visit Deslin?”
“I’ve asked Hadley to come with us when I put Dad’s ashes in the lake.” She dropped her head to his chest. “Rutherford will always be my dad, but if Hadley really is my biological father, I want him to be a part of my life.”
“He’s always been a part of your life. So has Rachael.”
He felt her chest rise high and a slow sigh followed. “I suppose we’ve always had a bizarre connection. I just hope she can accept Hadley.”
“What about me?”
She squeezed him tight and then lifted her head. Her eyes glistened with tears.
“I can’t expect you to wait for me, but I want to come back here and turn this place into a bed and breakfast. Start a new life here.”
He fanned his thumb across her tear stricken face. He was humbled by her resolve and determination to do the right thing and start her life over, but part of him wondered if she’d still feel the same way after a month or two, or longer.
“Would you watch over my house?”
“Sure,” he said, not knowing what else to say.
“I’ve jotted down some ideas for remodeling so I can turn it into a bed and breakfast. Would you be interested in doing some of the work?”
“I’d love to.”
“You could live here, if you wanted to.”
He’d like nothing more, as long as it meant she’d be living here with him. “That would make it easier for me to do what you wanted.”
“I’m sorry, Blaine, so sorry.” She buried her face in his chest and her body rocked up and down.
“Shhh, baby, don’t cry.” He lifted her into his arms and kicked opened the door.
“Take me upstairs and make love to me. Please, Blaine.”
“That was the plan.” He planted a tender kiss on her forehead. “We’ll take care of everything else tomorrow. Tonight is for us.”
She cupped his face and looked deep into his eyes. “Just us. No talk of the past and no promises for the future. Just right now.”
Tears fought to break free from behind his eyes, but he kept them from forming. He’d have time to cry when she was gone. Now wasn’t the time. He needed to cherish the moment. No one knew what the future would bring, and there were no promises to be made. Their lives belonged to fate.
The smoldering heat that had been on the backburner during their years of separation had rekindled the flame now burning in his heart. He’d wait for her, or at least for her to decide if she could come back here, come back to him.
Chapter Seventeen
Three months later…
“Damn it,” Blaine blinked and tried to tie the damn bow tie to his tux once again.
“Here, let me.” Toby laughed, yanking the tie from Blaine’s hands.
“Isn’t that my line?”
“You’re freaking useless as a best man,” Toby said, then got the tie done on the first try.
“I threw you a great party,” Blaine scowled at himself in the mirror. He raked his hand across his ear-length hair, pissed as hell that he’d let Dave talk him into cutting it, even though Dave hadn’t officially handed in his resignation yet.
“Shit,” Dave mused, when he entered the room. “I can’t believe I’m reduced to this.” He blew his nose in a tissue and then wiped his eyes.
“Sap,” Toby said, but tears formed in his eyes, too.
Blaine tried to smile, but couldn’t. Last month his mother and Dave had eloped, and now Toby and Emma were actually having a church wedding. He was happy for both couples, but his heart ached. He’d only spoken to Kaylee twice since she’d left. The FBI kept her whereabouts a huge secret for her own protection, but he thought he might get to talk to her more.
Especially now that the trial was over and Nino and his goons had been sent up the river for a very long time. Kaylee had called him last week, but it was a quick call. The feds wanted to keep her in the safe house for a little while longer while they made sure all the paperwork was in order and no threats were being made on her life.
She couldn’t even make it for the wedding. He wondered if she’d be coming back at all.
“Buck up, buddy. Just got word your date arrived.” Toby slapped him on the back.
“Great. The maid of honor who didn’t even show up for the rehearsal. Who is this chick anyway?”
“Emma says she’s her best friend.” Toby shrugged.
“I hear she’s hot, too,” Dave teased.
“You’re a married man,” Blaine said.
“Oh, don’t I know it. You two better get out there. Time to get this wedding on a roll before the drugs wear off of Toby.”
“Ha, Ha, Dad.”
Blaine pushed back the door that went from a small room known as the groom-holding tank into the church. Jack Hicks had retired from the church and moved away. The young Reverend Bruster had taken over two months ago.
Blaine glanced at the preacher, who still had teenaged pimples across his forehead, and all of a sudden felt old. He focused on the back of the church, where Dave escorted his mother down the aisle; grateful his new stepbrother had accepted his mother. Not that he’d had any doubts.
Emma’s mom came next, and then a bunch of bridesmaids he didn’t know too well.
Toby elbowed him. “Here comes your date.”
“Great,” Blaine muttered, rolling his eyes, determined not to look.
“Wow, check her out,” Toby mused.
“You’re getting married,” Blaine whispered.
“But I’m not dead.” Toby lifted his eyes. “Come on, just look.”
Well, he’d have to look at some point. He rolled his neck, turned his head and choked on his own breath. Kaylee was walking down the aisle in a pink, strapless satin dress.
A hearty slap on the back helped ease his coughing fit. “Told you she was a looker.”
Kaylee smiled, with a single tear rolling down her cheek. She did nothing to stop the tear, but no more followed. She kept her eyes locked with his as she took her place across the aisle.
In the background, the music changed and Blaine barely noticed Emma begin her waltz. All he could see was his angel. He wanted to scoop her up in his arms and run her home, lock her in the bedroom, and never let her go.
“My present to you,” Emma whispered.
“Huh?” Blaine blinked, unaware that Emma was standing next to him. “Oh, thanks,” he managed, feeling his cheeks flood red. His gaze followed Emma for about a second, then he moved his eyes back to Kaylee, who stared back.
Things were happening around him. He heard voices and music, but saw only the woman of his dreams.
“Yo, the ring.” Toby snapped his fingers in Blaine’s face.
Kaylee giggled, along with half the congregation.
“Oh, sorry.” Blaine dug into his pocket and handed Toby the ring.
“Like I said, useless.”
Blaine smiled. “Can you finish this up? I’ve got some business to take care of.”
Toby just shook his head and turned his attention to Emma. Blaine forced himself to watch the rest of the ceremony as his best friend said his ‘I do’ and kissed his bride. Toby and Emma turned as the young preacher announced them man and wife.
As Toby and Emma glided past him with smiles plastered across their faces, it hit Blaine. He’d be the one escorting Kaylee down the aisle. His brow broke out in a cold sweat and his heart damn near pounded out of his chest.
He’d get to touch her.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi,” he croaked, giving her his arm. He forced his f
ocus down the aisle and away from everyone in the pews.
“Surprised?” she asked.
“Not the right adjective.” He followed Toby and Emma around to another room where they’d have to wait for the church to empty before they’d have to go back in for pictures. Cruel and unusual punishment took on a whole new meaning. “When did you get here?”
“Last night.”
Blaine glanced at Emma and Toby, who just shrugged and went back to their own little world. “Did you know when you called the other day?”
She nodded. “Are you mad?”
“Are you here to stay?”
“Okay, time for pictures!” Emma’s mother came in and started dictating this and that. For the next hour, he set aside his feelings for the woman who stirred them up like a mixer and focused on Emma and Toby. It was their day.
“There’s a second limo in the parking lot, and you’ve got two hours before the reception starts,” Emma leaned over and whispered to Blaine.
“Thought there was some pre-reception party or something at the farm.”
“There is, but you don’t have to go. Just don’t be late for the reception,” Toby said.
Blaine glanced from the happy couple to Kaylee, who was backing up toward the door with a major mischievous grin across her face. “I’ll deal with you two later.” He stood and sauntered toward Kaylee.
He followed her out to the parking lot and into the waiting limo. “I’m glad you could come,” Blaine said, all of a sudden gun-shy.
“So am I.” She gave him a suspicious look. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“You did.” He let his eyes roam her luscious body. “I followed the trial; I’m very proud of you.”
“Thanks. There were times I wanted to climb through a bathroom window and run.”
“I can understand that.”
“But if I ran, I would’ve never been able to come home.”
His heart skipped at hearing the word “home” escape from her lips. “Is this your home?”
She nodded. “They let me take some computer classes in hotel management on-line under another name while I was waiting around. I really think I can turn my family home into a great bed and breakfast.”
Her smile was contagious. He felt the corners of his mouth turn upward. “I’m sure you can.”
She tilted her head. “You seem distant. Aren’t you glad to see me, Blaine?”
He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. Her skin felt soft under his mouth and she tasted just as sweet. “I’m very happy to see you.”
“But...” She tried to yank her hand away.
“But, do you want me in your life?”
“What?” Her mouth opened wide. “Are you crazy? Why the hell do you think I went to all this trouble to surprise you? Why do you think I even came back here?”
“To get to know your biological father better?”
She let out a dry laugh. “I’ve know Hadley for years, same goes for Rachael,” she paused, rubbing her hands on her dress. “I love you, Blaine. I never stopped, and I thought you loved me, too.”
“I do,” he whispered, pulling her to his lap.
“You have a strange way of showing it.” She nuzzled her face in his neck.
“I got scared.”
“Why?” Her lips brushed hotly against his skin. “I came back.”
“I know, but when I only got to talk to you twice, and the last time was after the trial…I wasn’t sure you wanted me.”
“Blaine Walker, are you trying to tell me you were insecure?”
“Very. Still am. I think you might have to show me how much you love me before I fully believe it.”
“That can be arranged,” she said, just before her lips landed with his in a spark that ignited their passion.
The limo jerked to a stop and he cupped her face, prying their mouths apart. “We’re at the house. Close your eyes.”
“Why?” She asked, covering her eyes with her hand as he lifted her in his arms.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh, I love surprises!” She giggled. “But hurry, we only have about an hour before we have to head back, and I want you naked.”
He chuckled. “Naked is good.” He kicked open the back door, then set her on her feet. The kitchen was still in pretty bad shape, but he hoped she could see where he was going. “Okay, open your eyes.” He set her on her feet.
“Oh, Blaine!” She jumped, throwing herself into his arms. “You believed!”
“Believed what?”
“That I loved you and would come home to you.” She cupped his face. Tears were flowing freely down her cheeks, but her smile was wide and her eyes were bright.
“I did.” He kissed her nose. “I have one more thing for you.” He tugged at her hand and then guided her up the stairs and to the master bedroom.
Once in the room, she smiled wickedly, reaching behind her back and fumbling with the zipper to her dress.
“Wait.”
“For God’s sake, why?” She dropped her hands.
“Just give me a minute.” He turned and opened the dresser to the nightstand with a trembling hand. He fumbled as he pushed aside the junk until he found the box. “I don’t know why I saved this, but I did.” He held out the box and then dropped to one knee. “Our love never died, it just needed to be rekindled. I love you, Kaylee Mead, and I want to marry you.”
“Legally, my name is Kaylee Walker, and yes, I’ll marry you.” She dropped down on her knees and took the box with shaking hands. “I can’t believe you kept my ring.” She took the diamond from the box and placed it on her finger.
“I can get you a bigger one if you want.”
She shook her head vigorously. “No way. I want this one.”
“I love you.” He cupped her chin. “Let’s get naked.”
“Wait!”
“Oh, good God, why?” Blaine asked.
“I want babies, lots of babies!”
“How many babies?” He tried to form a frown.
“I don’t know, but more than one.”
“I don’t want a big wedding. We did that once; can we elope?” Blaine asked as he slipped the zipper to her dress down, feeling her soft skin against his hands.
“How about next weekend?”
He scowled. “Got the night shift. It will have to be the following weekend. Crap.”
“What?” She fumbled with his tie and pushed his coat back over his shoulders.
“I don’t have any condoms.” She laughed.
“I don’t see the humor in this.”
“I don’t want condoms. I want you…and babies. We’re getting married in two weeks. I’m not getting any younger, ya know.”
“Then strip, woman.”
She reached behind her back, paused, and stared at him. “I love you,” she whispered, before letting her dress pool at her feet.
He pulled her body close against his. “I never stopped loving you.” Gliding his fingers across her cheek, he added, “You are the air that I breathe.”
“You are the water I drink,” she said. “Forever and always you will belong to me.”
He smiled. “I think that’s my line.”
“Not anymore.” She laughed, molding her lips against his.
At that moment, Blaine knew the fire in his heart would always burn.
THE END
Other books by Jen Talty
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About the Author
Jen Talty co-created Cool Gus Publishing with NY Times Best-Selling Author Bob Mayer, and runs the technical side of the company. She is a published romance author, and teaches Creative Writing at various writing conferences across the country.
Jen grew up in Rochester, NY, a city with the highest murder rate per capita in the e
ntire state. With notorious cases such as The Alphabet Murders, The Genesee River Killer (Arthur Shawcross), The Murder of Kali Ann Poulton by Mark Christi, and the case of funeral homes stealing body parts from corpses awaiting cremation, Jen became fascinated by the darker side of human nature. She brings this fascination to her romances, creating dark villains who wreak havoc on the hero and heroine, and producing page-turning suspense.
Jen received a BS degree in Business Education with a concentration in Marketing and Sales from Nazareth College of Rochester. She taught Business Applications at both the high school level and in Continuing Education. She was a co-leader of Distributed Education Clubs of America and worked with students in developing marketing, sales and public speaking skills. After leaving the teaching profession, she worked as a product and sales trainer for various hardware and software companies such as 3Comm, HP and McAfee, and was the regional merchandising representative for Buena Vista Entertainment.
Cool Gus Publishing was formed as a vehicle to launch Bob Mayer's backlist into digital publication. It was built on the notion that writers produce the product, readers consume the product and everything else is in between. The 21st century has brought the rise of the digital author. It is time to take control.
Write It Forward, a division of Cool Gus Publishing was formed because both Bob Mayer and Jen Talty believe the two most important people in the publishing business are the writer and the reader. The key to being successful in a business where 99% of what is submitted or self-published is rejected or fails is education and understanding. Write It Forward is dedicated to giving writers the tools and information they need to increase their chances of success. It truly is a great time to be an author.
Praise for Jen Talty
“From the first word, Jen Talty grabs you and doesn't let go. On the edge of your seat 7 sizzling romance, she is an author not to be missed. With Rekindled, she pulled me in and held me there, breathless and anticipating the next surprising twist, until the last page was turned.”
