“It’s over with, Savannah Mae. It’s all over.”
“Can we go home?” she whispers.
Home. I’ll take her anywhere she wants to go. I wave to Sawyer Jackson and we turn to leave. Me, my wife, my son, and my daughter. This is my life and I couldn’t be happier. “C’mon, Baby, let’s go home.”
One Year Later
Savannah Mae
When Ethan confided in me that he was the one who paid some stranger to hand me a bottle of water and a monogrammed handkerchief, I couldn’t believe my ears. I sat there numb. I couldn’t believe he would have done that. He really thought that if I was mad enough at Abel Lee, I would come runnin’ back to him. That would never happen. Ever! Our relationship was over with long before I met Abel Lee.
I’m not sure what I said to him, if I said anything. I watched Abel Lee standin’ far enough away to not hear our conversation, but close enough to be there quickly if I needed him. Abel Lee had my heart the first time I saw him standin’ outside of the old schoolhouse. Even if it didn’t work out for us, I would never have given Ethan a second chance. You get only one chance to hurt this country girl.
Ethan apologized and put his two-weeks’ resignation in all in the same day. He said he got a job out of town. I’m glad. He isn’t the man he once was, and he isn’t a man I want to be around. No one knew why he quit his job. Abel Lee didn’t tell and I didn’t tell either. If he wants people to know what he’s done, then he can tell them himself. I’m sure he was just too embarrassed to face anyone. Abel Lee thinks he left because he was still in love with me. Either way, it’s for the better that he’s gone. I’m not sure he really had another job out of town, but he did leave town.
In the beginnin’ Ethan called and visited Sawyer Jackson often. I was thankful that he was still there for our son. However, the calls and visits are comin’ less and less frequently. Abel Lee has stepped up to the father role for Sawyer Jackson. He’s a good man, and he’s a great husband and father. I have no idea what I did to deserve him, but I thank God everyday for him.
Since Ethan left, Abel Lee held interviews to fill Ethan’s position in the workshop. With Ethan’s talent in woodworkin’, Abel Lee knew it would be difficult to replace him. He didn’t just hire one person, I think he hired everyone in the community who applied for the job. He even found a silversmith he’s been looking for to make the new jewelry line. It’s a good thing, too. Business has really taken off. I sold half of the furniture business to Mia and we are now co-owners. It’s a win-win situation for both of us. I get to spend more time with Sawyer Jackson and Scarlet Rose, and she gets to spend more time with Harley and their new baby, Stetson Alan. She and Levi didn’t want another baby, but God had other plans for them. If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. Stetson Alan didn’t get the extra chromosome that causes Down syndrome.
Abel Lee built stables on the property a few months back. He also brought Bluebelle and Colonel down from the Kennedy Mule Hill Farm. Bud said he’s gettin’ too old and they need to be with people who can ride them. I claimed Bluebelle, and Abel Lee had no choice but to claim Colonel. Sawyer Jackson asked for a horse for Christmas, and then for his birthday, and now he’s askin’ for a horse for his sister’s birthday. He may get a little something for Scarlet Rose’s birthday, but it won’t be a horse.
The playground Abel Lee had built was a great idea. The families in Rose Farm utilize it daily. The community meals at the church have been increased to three times a week. It was based on families’ needs in the community. Not the need for food since Rose Farm is becomin’ prosperous, but the need for companionship. Abel Lee thinks it’s because it is such a great community that the older people don’t want to leave. I hope he’s right. I’d like to think that the community is growin’ and outgrowin’ the poverty-stricken community in which we all grew up. He also jokes that it was the men in the community who wanted more of the home-style meals and their spouses who wanted more of the socializin’ and to get out of the house. It’s nice to be around friends and I can’t complain.
“Sippy, sippy,” Scarlet Rose says, walkin’ around with her empty sippy cup. Abel Lee picks her up and she squeals. “Wee,” she giggles.
“Daddy’s girl thirsty?”
“Yep.” She smiles.
“Abel Lee, don’t give her any more apple juice.”
I watch as he dilutes the apple juice and pours it into her sippy cup. I thought he was gonna cry when her pediatrician suggested we take the bottle away from her. He thought it was too soon. The truth is, he doesn’t want his baby girl to grow up. I don’t blame him, I don’t want her to grow up either. She may be our last child; she may always be the baby in the family.
“Abel Lee, you’ll soon regret givin’ that to her.”
“Why? She likes it,” he says as he hands the sippy cup to her.
“When she gets diarrhea at her birthday party and fills that diaper, it’ll be you who cleans it up.”
He quickly takes the sippy cup out of Scarlet Rose’s mouth. “Hold up, Rosie. Let Daddy get you something else.” Abel Lee started callin’ our daughter Rosie shortly after bringin’ her home from the hospital.
She cries and says, “Juice.”
I take the cup from him and fill it with water. “She wants juice,” he says.
“She’ll drink the water,” I say, and she does.
Maria and Blake are still close friends of ours. We don’t see each other often, but we do talk every few weeks. I thought they might speak of adoption, since she is unable to have her own children, but they haven’t mentioned it. Maybe it’s too soon in their marriage or maybe they don’t want children. I don’t know, and I don’t ask. If she ever wants to talk to me about it, I’ll be here for her.
We don’t talk to Josh, but with the help of Mack and Tony, he no longer harbors ill feelings towards Abel Lee. Josh and Abel Lee were never close friends before, so I’m not surprised they aren’t friends now. I’m just happy the hatred and rage are gone.
Today is Scarlet Rose’s birthday. It’s hard to believe she’s one already. She was born with dark hair like her daddy’s, but over time, it’s lightened to a light blonde like mine. Abel Lee wanted to go all out on her party, but we finally agreed to a small simple party in the playground.
While Abel Lee watches our daughter, I start loadin’ the truck up with food and gifts to take to the playground. We had planned at first on invitin’ only people in our immediate family, but soon changed that to invitin’ only people in the entire community. So, it’s not so small after all. The people in the community have watched her turn into a one-year-old. Abel Lee decided to throw a cookout at the playground, and posted a public invite on the church’s bulletin board.
Sawyer Jackson and all of the kids are excited to spend a day outside. With Autumn fast approachin’, the kids are spendin’ more and more time inside. We have a fun relaxin’ day outside as the kids play. Abel Lee and the guys all hang out by the grill and the girls gather around my sister and talk about her upcomin’ weddin’.
After we eat, Scarlet Rose sits dead center on a table to open her birthday gifts. We decided to have cake and ice cream last, since Scarlet Rose has her own mini birthday cake in the shape of a rose. That was Abel Lee’s doin’. I can’t complain. I like that she’s sittin’ in the center of a rose-decorated tablecloth and that “Rose” and “Rosie” are her middle name and her nickname, and that he surrounds her with all things Rose.
Not only did Scarlet Rose get birthday gifts, all of the kids also received a gift. Abel Lee wouldn’t stand by while his daughter was the only child openin’ up gifts on this day.
I was, however, shocked when a man pulled up in a horse trailer and unloaded two ponies from the back. A colt and an older foal. Bud, Levi, and Abel Lee went down to help him. Sawyer Jackson and Harley were the most excited, but still Sawyer Jackson was unsure why they were here. I knew right away. Each pony had a blanket draped over its back and the blankets told me right away whi
ch pony was for Sawyer Jackson, and which one was for Scarlet Rose. Sawyer Jackson had the Toy Story blanket and Scarlet Rose’s blanket had red, white, and pink rose buds all over it. I wonder if she’ll ever get tired of roses, or if she’ll grow up and it’ll be her favorite flower. She’ll probably love it because her daddy loves it. She’s already a daddy’s girl, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
It takes about an hour for all of the kids to take a ride on the two ponies. The guys all help with the kids on the ponies while the girls sit back with the younger kids admirin’ our cowboys. Abel Lee is wearin’ his Wrangler Jeans, tight gray tee-shirt, cowboy boots, and his brown cowboy hat. The only things missin’ are chaps. Does he even own a pair of chaps? I put it to memory to buy him a pair of brown suede with fringe chaps for the next gift-givin’ holiday. Is Halloween a gift-givin’ holiday? Oh, how I wish.
After the party, Abel Lee bathes Sawyer Jackson, while I bathe our daughter in the kitchen sink. It’s easier to bathe her at waist level. We do our bedtime ritual together as a family. We put Scarlet Rose in bed with her brother as we read them a story of their choosin’. The baby has no idea about books, but we still give her a choice on her nights to pick. Abel Lee places five or six books on the bed and the one she grabs first is the story for the night. It’s always a surprise which book she reaches for first. Sawyer Jackson still has his favorite; you guessed it, Toy Story. Once the story is over, we tuck in Sawyer Jackson before we take his sister to her own bed.
I lie in bed and reflect on the day. Abel Lee lies beside me readin’ a book about business adventures. I have no idea what he has planned, I just know it’ll benefit everyone in our family and in the community. Although Ethan is less and less involved in Sawyer Jackson’s life, our life is pretty near perfect. I have everything I ever wanted right here under one roof. It’s not the material things I’m talkin’ about, it’s my husband and my children that make a house a home. It’s the love that lives within the walls of our modest three-bedroom, two-bath log cabin. Closin’ my eyes, I wonder when a good time would be for me to tell him I’m pregnant again. Smilin’, I think this is my life and I couldn’t be happier.
The End
***
Books By Brenda Kennedy
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Disclaimer: People and places in this book have been used fictitiously and without malice.
Coming Soon
The Forgotten Trilogy
Book One: Forgetting the Past. Coming… Summer 2016
Book Two: Living for Today. Coming… Fall 2016
Book Three: Seeking the Future. Coming… Winter 2016
Other books written by this author include:
The Starting Over Trilogy
Book One: A New Beginning
Book Two: Saving Angel
Book Three: Destined to Love
The Freedom Trilogy
Book One: Shattered Dreams
Book Two: Broken Lives
Book Three: Mending Hearts
The Fighting to Survive Trilogy
Round One: A Life Worth Fighting
Round Two: Against the Odds
Round Three: One Last Fight
The Rose Farm Trilogy
Book One: Forever Country
Book Two: Country Life
Book Three: Country Love
Preview of The Forgotten Trilogy — Book One: Forgetting the Past by Brenda Kennedy
Prologue
Ava
“Ava, do you take Connor to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
With a shaky voice I say, “I do.” Connor stands tall and confidently in front of our many friends and family. He smiles and winks at me. I smile back as I slide the wide platinum, diamond infinity wedding band onto his finger.
“Connor, do you take Ava to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
I watch as he slides the diamond infinity platinum wedding band onto my ring finger. “I do,” he says clearly and without reservation. I blink through thick lashes and watch as the flawless diamonds reflect the light from the infinity candle. It’s stunning.
“From the powers invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” I look up at my now husband who takes a small step towards me. “You may now kiss your bride.” Connor smiles and licks his lips before he lowers himself to kiss me. I stand on tiptoes to return his soft kiss.
After the kiss I look out into the crowd at our friends and family. We had over two hundred guests on our wedding list and every single person came to witness Connor and me exchange our wedding vows. “I would like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Connor Brantley Emerson III. Our friends, family, and colleagues clap and shout with cheers.
During the reception, we listen to the speech from his best man, Chase, and my best friend, Skylar. Chase is an attorney at the same law firm Connor works at. I met Chase through Connor and we have been great friends ever since. Skylar is my best friend from high school. We are both R.N.’s at a local hospital. I’m blessed that the four of us all get along. Chase and Skylar are both single and vow to stay that way, forever. I would like nothing more than for the two of them to date each other. “Could I have one last dance with my stunning wife?”
I take Connor’s hand and stand from the white linen table. He escorts me to the dance floor where he leads me to the song “Mad” by Ne-Yo. Connor is graceful, handsome, and powerful. My father introduced us and he was thrilled when we announced our engagement two years ago. As we dance, I stare out onto the dance floor at the many people dancing with their spouse or significant other. No children are in attendance at our wedding. Connor and I argued about this. Some of our friends and family have children, and I wanted our wedding to be open to families, not just a guest plus one. He didn’t want children to be present at such an elegant gala. I thought it was odd that he would call our wedding a gala. He said that kids would be disruptive, and my father agreed, so we didn’t invite children. We didn’t even have a flower girl or a ring bearer in the wedding party.
“You look stunning this evening.”
“Thank you.”
With one arm around my waist, he holds my hand in his and says, “I was thinking that after this song, I could carry my bride to our room and help you out of your wedding dress.”
“I think your bride would like that.”
“Good, I was hoping she would.”
After the dance I walk in the direction of Chase and Skylar who are still sitting at the table. I just want to say my goodbyes while they’re sitting there together. The music is getting louder and the reception is kicking off in full gear. Several people stand and rush to the dance floor when the fast-paced song comes on. Someone grabs my arm, causing me pain. Spinning around, I’m surprised to see Connor standing there.
“Where are you going?”
He’s never touched me like this before. I jerk my arm away and say, “Ouch! You’re hurting me.”
“I’m sorry.” He tries to smile, but there’s something in his eyes that I’ve never seen before. “Where are you going?” he asks in a much softer tone.
“I’m going to say goodbye to Skylar and Chase.” I turn to leave and he grabs me again.
He leans down and whispers into my ear. “I don’t want you to talk to him again. Let’s go.”
Wait? What? Chase is his best man; he’s our friend and his business associate. Conner can’t be serious. I smile and start to walk away reaching for his hand to come with me. “C
ome on, Connor. Let’s say our goodbyes first, then we’ll leave. We can’t be rude.”
“Ava?” he says sternly. “Did you hear me? I said, let’s go!”
Chapter One:
Two Years Later
Claire Richards (Ava’s mother)
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Richards, but there was a horrible accident. Your son-in-law, Connor, is dead, and your daughter, Ava, is currently in a coma.”
I hold onto my husband’s arm for support. This can’t be happening. Slowly, I sit in a chair in the hospital emergency room. I just spoke to my daughter earlier today. It was her and Connor’s second wedding anniversary, and she was shopping for a dress to wear to dinner. How can this be? Tears stream down my face, blurring my vision. Ava is my only daughter. I can’t lose my only child. “Is she going to die?”
Acknowledgements
My husband, Rex: Thank you for supporting me and for coming with me on this ride. Thank you for understanding that although I am in my pajamas, I am indeed working. You are my partner for life, and I love you.
My children: Carey, John, Derek, Nikki, Chastidy, Rex, Brittany, Amanda, and Katie: Thank you for reminding me what is important every single day. I love you.
My grandchildren: Desmond, Samantha, Autumn, Evan, Derek, Dayquan, Darius, Draden, Alyssa, Hailey, Lucca, Tanner, Giovanni, Cain, Lelila, Kylie, DeVonte’, Adrienne, Amaya, Dominic, Damien, Caden, and Gemma: Thank you for reminding me that I am somebody; I am your grandma and nothing else matters. I love you all.
My sisters and brothers: George, Martha, Rosa, Carla, and Frank: Thank you for your endless support. I love you.
Rose Farm Trilogy Boxset Page 53
