I'll Make You Mine
Page 26
Dad’s beaming when he looks into the car seat and sees his newest granddaughter fast asleep. “It’s your anniversary, Zoe. We didn’t want you stressed out and cooking.”
I turn around and Dylan’s leaning against the counter. It reminds me of all the times I stared at him in our first house. It was hard moving out of a place where we shared so many firsts, but the Kama Sutra book gave us three kids and we ran out of room. Kids have a lot of crap.
“Did you plan this, Mr. Turner?”
“I did,” he says with my favorite dimpled smile. “I’m taking my wife out to dinner. And I knew you’d never go for it without plenty of backup.”
“Dinner, really?”
“Yes, baby. One without beans and wieners or runny sweet potatoes.”
I lean my forehead against his warm chest. “Shit, there’s still food on the wall behind the high chair.”
He runs his hands up and down my back. “Let someone else get it. Mom will have this place cleaned up before we sink our forks into dessert.”
“Dessert,” I moan. “Chocolate cake. Need.”
“I’ll give you whatever you want. Go shower. We’ll get out of here before naptime’s over and the madness erupts.”
“Okay, I love you, Dylan. Thank you for tonight. I need it.”
“You deserve it, baby. I love our chaos, but I’m glad we’re escaping.”
Our house will be trashed with toys, but I don’t even care. Eleanor will love playing with everyone and the babies will have their pick of who they spit up on. It’s a win for all.
Dylan holds my hand until the last second, and when I look over my shoulder, he winks. He’s been my world for eighteen years, and life wouldn’t be the same without him.
The only thing that would make today better, is if Mom could be here. I’d do anything for my children to meet their other grandmother. She’d be so proud of them.
I still begin each day with a prayer. One for Mom and one for Letty.
I pray that Mom’s at peace, having more fun than she knows what to do with up in the clouds. If I’m half the mother she was, then I’ve succeeded.
As for Letty, I pray she finds peace. A peaceful tomorrow where hate and jealousy don’t exist. Only she knows why she hit my husband with her car that night, and that’s something she’ll have to live with for the rest of her life.
We don’t need apologies though. Wherever she is in the world, I just hope she’s changed.
Everyone deserves a second chance, even those who lead with hate. They’re the ones who need forgiveness the most. And since I no longer hate Letty, I’ve gained back strength and positive energy. Energy I need for my kids.
They deserve a mother and father full of love, a childhood as wonderful as mine, and their own happily ever after. Someday when they’re grown, they’ll find their soulmate. That’s if Dylan ever lets them date.
My soulmate was out of my control. From the second I fell over and got stuck in the volleyball netting, the universe had my future mapped out. It’s been bumpy, with lots of challenges over the years, but every struggle has strengthened our connection.
It’ll take a lot more than a speeding car to break us.
So, here’s to ten more years of candy bracelets and picking the red over the green.
Dylan found me, and he made me his.
GIA RILEY WRITES BECAUSE IF she doesn’t, she’ll go crazy. Her stories are born from everyday life and the inspirational world around her. Whether tragic or funny, she loves the reality that lurks inside fiction and the power of bend words into stories.
When she’s not writing, you can find her roaming the aisles of Kirkland’s, up to her elbows in Play-doh, or trying to hunt down spoilers for her favorite TV shows. She loves reality TV almost as much as she loves a good chick flick. She’s also hopelessly addicted to Starbucks and the revolving menu of specialty drinks.
You can connect with Gia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. She also has a website for you to follow.
If you’re on Facebook, feel free to join her reader group, Gia Riley’s Book’s. Stop by anytime, she loves hearing from readers! Sign up for her Newsletter to stay up to date on sales, new releases, and giveaways.
HERE’S WHERE YOU CAN FIND HER:
www.authorgiariley.com
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NEW ADULT ROMANCE
Lighter
Weightless
YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE
In Pieces
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Rock the Boat
Rock the City
Stay Awhile
CO-WRITTEN TITLES
Drowning
Lover
First of all, I want to thank you for taking a chance on a girl from the country with a dream to write. Without you, none of this would be possible. I’ve had a chance to meet some of you at various signings and your enthusiasm is what fuels me.
To the creative forces behind I’ll Make You Mine:
Nichole Strauss of Insight Editing, Christine Borgford of Type A Formatting, Melissa Gill of MG Book Covers & Design, and Lindee Robinson of Lindee Robinson Photography, and Judy Zweifel of Judy’s Proofreading, thank you for turning my words into a work of art. I couldn’t do this without your style, expertise, and excellence.
To every blogger who has supported me, thank you for taking the time to promote my work. A simple post or shout out makes my entire day. Always remember, no matter how big or small you are, your voice matters! Thank you for all you do.
Tina Bell, your beta help is more than I could ask for. Thank you for being my sounding board and a bright spot in my day. You get me! For that, I owe you a million times over.
Marni Mann, my writing partner, thank you for encouraging me to push through the tough moments. Whether in life or in book world, you’re my biggest cheerleader. I don’t know what I did before you came into my life. Clearly, I was walking around in circles all day long. Haha.
Shari Ryan, you my dear, keep me funny. Thank you for lugging my stuff from event to event and for looking out for me. I love being on this wild ride with you and Josh.
To my parents—thank you for always believing in me. Ever since I was little, coming up with crazy ideas, you’ve never once told me my dream was too big. Whether I was sucking it up in the outfield or succeeding on the infield, you’ve always been my support. You gave me the belief in myself.
And finally, my two favorite dudes. Our journey is different than most, but it’s ours. Thank you for supporting me and this crazy dream. I’m so lucky to do what I love every single day all while seeing the world. G, no matter where I am, I’ll always use my voice for you.