by Sm Donaldson
When he walks out with the stick in his hands, I look up and start to sing.
I’m having his baby.
I’m having his baby.
I don’t even get to finish the lyrics I made up when he picks me up over his shoulder, slinging me around.
“You just gave me the best song on Earth.” He sits me down on my feet. “So, you really are gonna have my baby?”
I nod with tears in my eyes. “Yeah, I really am.”
“I can’t wait to hear our lyrics that come out of this experience.”
I smile and kiss him. “Me, either.”
Acknowledgements
First I want to say Thank You to my readers. Without you I would not be having this awesome adventure. You have helped make my dreams come true and for that I’m truly blessed and grateful.
To my husband thank you for standing behind me for all of years and always pushing me in your own way.
To my Mom and sisters thank you for always supporting me. You guys always have my back.
Daddy I miss you every day and I know you’re watching over me.
To my BETA readers Ashley and Jessika thank you. You are awesome.
Thanks to my Blog Tour Queens Casey D. Peeler and Chelly Peeler @ Hardcover Therapy.
Thank you Chelly for your awesome editing skills.
Thanks to all of the book bloggers out there who spend so much time helping us promote books and everyone who leaves a review you are all awesome.
To my Author friends thank you for being supportive and inspirational all at the same time.
About the Author
Photo by Shelly Sale
S.M. Donaldson is a wife and mother based on the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle. She’s funny, sarcastic and has been known to have a potty mouth. She’s worked in many different fields in her life but, she has always dreamed of writing short stories and books. One day she finally decided to type out some of the crazy stories running around in her head and found out she had a knack for it. Even better people wanted to read them.
To learn more about S.M. Donaldson visit her at:
www.smdonaldson.com
www.facebook.com/S.M.Donaldson.Author
Twitter: @ SMDonaldson1
Keep Reading for a Sneak Peek
At The 3rd book in the
Secrets of Savannah Series
Secrets in Battle
(Judd and Annabelle’s Story)
Other titles by S.M. Donaldson
The Sam Series
Sam’s Choice
Sam’s Fight for Freedom
The Temptation Series
Lying with Temptation
Acting on Temptation
Fighting Temptation
The Secrets of Savannah Series
Secrets Behind Those Eyes
Secrets in The Lyrics
Novellas
Just the Other Sister Series
(E-book only)
Here’s a Sneak Peek at the next book in this series:
Secrets in Battle
This is unedited and is subject to change before publishing.
Copyright © 2014, SM Donaldson
Secrets in Battle
A Year Ago…
JUDD
Going out with Ryder tonight was what I’d been looking forward to this week. I have an upcoming deployment and it’s my first one at my new job, with my new squad. Going into Special Forces has always been my goal, but it’s still nerve racking to actually be doing this.
Ryder has been going on and on about the chick he’s doing community service with. So when he sees her car in the parking lot he practically jumps out of his jeep.
We make our way inside and he scans the room. We grab a beer from the bartender and he looks at me. “Judd, I may need you to keep that little raven haired beauty on the dance floor busy tonight.” He says pointing to the blonde girl’s friend.
Fuck me she is a Raven haired beauty. Holy shit she’s hot. I will definitely take one for the team on this. “Damn, bro, I don’t think that’ll be a problem for me.”
She’s sexy, and way too classy for the shithole we are in. I see her walk over to the bar to grab another drink and George Strait’s The Chair pipes through the speakers. The ultimate get a hot chick in a bar song.
I walk up to her. “Hey beautiful would you join me on the dance floor?”
She looks up at me with her big green eyes. “Wow, a gentleman. I sure will.” Sitting her drink down with her friend, she takes my hand.
We make our way on to the dance floor. “I’m Judd. What’s your name?”
She grins. “Annabelle.”
“So, what do you do beautiful?”
“I’m in nursing school and I’m a princess.” She says with a cute drunken smirk.
I burst out laughing. “Well what kingdom are you the princess over?”
“I’m the princess in my family. My parents are loaded, my mom is Queen Bitch and I have four older brothers who are the court jesters. So, I’m the princess, I’ve been in training since I was in princess panties.” She shrugs being a smartass. “What do you do, besides being completely mouthwatering hot?”
Damn. I grin. “I’m in the Army, right now I’m stationed just over at Ft. Stewart. I grew up around here though. My best friend is Ryder Abbott, we grew up together. My dad has always worked for his family and we have been friends since we were both in diapers.”
She points her cute little finger into my chest. “Oh so you are using me as a distraction. I know Ryder. He’s been sniffing around my girl Scarlet.”
“Well I hate to tell your friend but if Ryder wants a girl he normally gets her. For the night at least.”
She smirks. “Ha well I hate to tell Sir Douche Bag, but Scarlet’s not easy.”
“Oh I’m sure that will wound him. He seems a little caught up on this one. Can’t say I’ve ever seen him this way.”
She smiles drunkenly at me. “Well, the last guy that pissed her off ended up with an ax handle taken to his car. So best of luck to Ryder.” She lays her head on my chest, rubbing over it making my dick strain in my pants.
Normally, I would say drunk girls are off limits, but with her, I can’t. I want her and I need this distraction before I go. I nibble her ear. “So Princess, you wanna get out of here and show me those panties.”
She looks up at me with those beautiful green eyes and whispers. “Yes.”
~*~*~
ANNABELLE
I knew what I was doing tonight was stupid so stupid, but for a little while I just wanted to not feel. I shouldn’t have went to that bar alone. Ever since I met Judd a little over a week ago I can’t get him out of my freaking head. I know he’s leaving and we agreed to be friends after our wild night/morning of passion, but there is something about him. Something about how I screamed his damn name so loud the hotel called and asked us to quieten down.
When I think about all of the times he made me scream out like that my panties are flooded. I figured maybe if I went out tonight and met someone it would get my mind off of things. Scarlet’s at work, I don’t have anyone else I wanted to go out with me, so my stupid ass went alone.
Now I’ve escaped a possible rape situation and I can’t fucking drive. That little preppy college prick seemed so nice. I knew I should’ve stuck to buying my own drinks.
A loud knock at my window scares me. “OH SHIT!”
“Princess open the fucking door.”
I open the door and Judd pulls me out. I start crying into his chest. After a few minutes he pulls back from me. “Are you okay let me see you?”
He looks down at my torn dress, the bruise forming on my face and my split lip. “Do you know the guys who did this to you? Because, I’m going to kill them.”
I shake my head. “No, they just bought me drinks in the bar. I know I was stupid taking them. I’m sorry I had to call you, but Scar is at work and I can’t hardly see much less drive.”
He brushes the hair from my face. “Hey, i
t’s not a problem. But promise me you’ll never go out by yourself again. I’m about to leave and I need you here when I get back.”
I nod my head. “I know this scared the shit out of me. I’m just glad that I never finished the drink. When I started feeling woozy I left they tried to stop me, that’s where the tear in the dress came from and I fell into a door. Then, I ran to my car and hauled ass until the road started getting fuzzy, I pulled over and called you.” I wipe my eyes. “I was scared they would come after me.”
He pulls me back into his massive chest and strokes my hair. “Shh. Shh. It’s okay, I will never let anything happen to you.”
I look up and get lost in his blue eyes. “Take me to your place.”
“Princess, normally I would never turn you down and yes I’ll take you to my place to get you sober and cleaned up. But, we can’t have sex tonight.”
I start kissing at his chest. “Why?”
“Because you are doped up and I’m not that kinda guy. Now tomorrow when you are sober, I’m gonna fuck you so that you remember me until I come home.”
He puts me in the passenger side of my car and drives to his house on post. I can feel him carrying me inside and putting me to bed. Hmm he’ll fuck me so I can remember him until he comes home. I look up as he lies down beside me. “Please come back home.”
“I promise Princess.”
Check out this Sneak Peek to
Casey Peelers upcoming release.
Southern Perfection
By Casey Peeler
Release Date 8/23/14
Prologue
Raegan
Standing at the front of the old wooden church in a black dress and patent leather shoes, I am surprised by all the people. Every time I think the line is coming to an end, another set of people enters. I guess that’s what happens when your family owns the largest farm in town. At the age of five, I’ve lost everyone that is important to me except for one person, my grandaddy.
As my kindergarten teacher approaches, my grandaddy takes my hand and gives it a little squeeze.
Mrs. Talent bends down to my level, places her hands on my arms, and begins to speak with her sweet and tender voice.
“Raegan, I’m so sorry about your mama, daddy, and grandma. The class misses you, but you take your time. Thumper, the bunny, really misses you.”
I begin to smile. I just love Thumper, and he loves me, especially when I bring him an extra treat from the farm.
She stands and looks at my grandaddy. He’s not a man of many words, but he does wear his emotions on his sleeves. He’s lost not only the love of his life, but also his only son and daughter-in-law.
“Mr. Lowery, we are truly sorry for your loss. Please let the school know if there is any way we can help you or Raegan.”
“Mrs. Talent, thank you for everything y’all have done thus far. Raegan and I will be okay. Might take some gettin’ used to, but we’ll be a’ight.”
Finally, the end of the line is near. I’m tired and just want my mama to tuck me into bed and read me a story. Oh, wait. She can’t. Thinking about her makes me sad. I miss her so much already, and it’s only been a few days.
As the church clears, the men in suits approach Grandaddy, telling him we can leave. We do. Grandaddy puts me in the front of the truck, and we head to the farm. The ride to the farm is quiet, except for Johnny Cash coming softly through the speakers.
As we turn onto the dirt road, the two-story plantation style house is well lit from the full moon above. Every time I used to visit this farm, I’d get excited. Tonight, I’m not excited; I’m terrified of what life will be like now. I’m thankful I still have Grandaddy, but I want my mama and daddy. The Lowery farm is now my new home, not just Grandaddy and Grandma’s house.
Chapter One
Twelve Years Later
Raegan
Hurrying back into the house from my morning routine on the Lowery farm, I check the clock. Crap. Thirty minutes to get to school. I run to my room, throw on my cheerleading uniform, slap on my makeup that people swear takes me hours, and pull my long, chocolate colored hair into a high ponytail and attach a bow the size of Texas. I double check my Vera Bradley backpack and hustle downstairs to eat breakfast with Grandaddy.
Sitting at the table are fresh scrambled farm eggs, sausage, and toast with homemade pear preserves.
“Raegan, do you want coffee or tea this mornin’?” Grandaddy asks as he pours his coffee that is black as tar.
“Coffee would be great!” I say, already eating.
He makes his way to the table in his pointer overalls, paired with a short-sleeved t-shirt. He sets down my cup and takes his seat. This has been our morning routine since I can remember, well, minus the coffee.
“How were the chickens this mornin’?”
“Same as usual. They pecked the crap outta me!”
“Ah, they’re just showin’ their love to ya. Was Cole already down by the barn?” Cole is my grandaddy’s great-nephew.
“Yeah, he was.”
“I’ve got a lot to get done around here today, but I plan on going to the game tonight. You think you’ll be home after school?”
“Of course, aren’t I always? Do you care if I spend the night with Jordyn tonight?”
“I don’t see why not. You deserve a night off from the farm, and don’t worry about this afternoon. Jake and I will take care of it. It’s a big game tonight. Now, you better take that toast to go, or you’re gonna be late. I can’t have that!”
“Yes, sir.” Standing, I straighten my cheer skirt, and Grandaddy gives me the look.
“Hey, I didn’t pick the length.”
“Well, make sure you walk close to the wall when you come down those stairs in the cross hall.”
I laugh. “I can’t believe we still call it that, too. Some things never change around Pleasant Hill.”
Dropping my plate into the sink, I turn off the stovetop, kiss him on the forehead, pick up my backpack, and walk to the truck. It’s sticky hot in mid-September, so I crank up the air conditioner and the local country station. Crap! Ten minutes!
Putting the pedal to the metal, I make it to school with a few minutes to spare. Everyone is still in the parking lot, taking their time getting to class. I glance in the rearview mirror for any spare sausage floating around, walk toward the building, and straight for my locker.
Staring into my locker, I try to pull myself together for another day at Cleveland High. Thank goodness it’s Friday. I’m exhausted. I just need to make it through the game tonight, and maybe I can catch a break.
As I grab my physics textbook, my train of thought is put to a halt.
“Hey, Rae! Are you ready for the game tonight?” Jordyn says bubbly.
“Yeah, Jordyn, I am.”
“Are you all right? You seem a little spacey.”
“Yeah, I’m just tired. You know I had to get up with the cows this mornin’.”
“Gah, I’m so glad I don’t live on a farm.”
“Oh, and what do you call yourself, a ‘city slicker’?” I ask with a laugh.
Pleasant Hill is exactly what it says. The size of a hill, okay, maybe I’m exaggerating just a little, but there are five thousand people in this town, tops. Most people live outside the city limits, produce their own means of food, and live like good old country folk.
When the bell rings for the end of first block, I make my way into the hall and notice that Jace is waiting on me. Great! He can’t take the hint. I have no time for him and his cocky-jock-self.
“Hey, Raegan, I heard there’s a party at the Phillips’ farm tonight after the game. Are you goin’?” he asks.
“I’m not sure. I’m stayin’ at Jordyn’s tonight, so it’s whatever she wants to do.”
“Oh, y’all will be there,” he says too confidently.
“What makes you so sure?”
He smirks and glances down the hallway to find Jordyn getting a little close to Ridge Parker in the hallway.
&nbs
p; I start to laugh and shake Jace off before heading to my next class. I’m so ready for a break, a weekend with my best friend, and just acting like a teenager instead of Miss Perfect all the time.
Glancing at the clock, I know lunch is next on the agenda. I’ve got to see what the plans are for this weekend. Jordyn knows how I feel about Jace. If she’s gonna be shacked up with Ridge, then I need a new game plan. I will not look like Jace’s arm candy all night. With the buzz of the bell, I make my way to my locker, exchange books, and wait for Jordyn. When I see her walking down the hall, I join her.
“Hey, girl! Are you ready for tonight? Ridge wants me to go to the Phillips’ farm tonight. You game?” Taking a cleansing breath, I look at her, and she already knows what I’m thinking. “I swear, Rae. I won’t leave you with him all night. I pinky promise!” She’s practically begging.
“Fine, but I swear, if you disappear for more than thirty seconds, I’m out!”
“Yes, Mama.” She giggles.
We make our way to the cafeteria and get in line. This is the best meal all week— school pizza! As Jordyn talks about her attire for tonight, I’m thinking that I really need to help Grandaddy this afternoon, even if he told me I didn’t have to.
“I think I’m going to help Grandaddy and Cole this afternoon. I know they both wanna go to the game, and it will be faster if I help, too.”
“Seriously? Why are you so damn responsible? I mean, you make it hard for girls like me to function in this town.”
I twist my head toward her in confusion. “Huh?”
“Rae, you don’t realize how much people look at you. You are the All-American Southern Belle, minus the blonde hair. You are smart, great looking, and a hard worker, no matter if it’s on the farm, school, field, or whatever. The fact that you almost seem out of reach by guys doesn’t help either. I swear, why won’t you go out with Jace? He’s hot, and he’s been begging for, what, like three years now?”
