“But more than that, we love being with you. So, you can try to fight us on this, but we know you care more than you’re saying. We plan to stay and make sure you own up to it. You’re ours whether you like it or not and we’re not letting you go. We know you’ve been left and you’ve felt loss, but so have we. We are not going to leave you no matter what you say or do, Lowen,” Tobi proclaimed seriously.
“And we brought spiked eggnog, some of your favorite Christmas movies, and a shit ton of marshmallows. So, you can’t say no to that,” Jasper said with a smile and his signature wink. He always had to throw in some humor.
I couldn’t stop staring at them. They bought the cabin for me. They brought everything with them to give me a Christmas like what I had with dad. They loved me and were fighting for me.
For the first time in my life, I wasn’t afraid of the future anymore.
And damn it, I loved them for it all so much more.
“So, what do you say? Can we come in or is this just too much?” Tobi asked with a bit of worry in his tone.
I finally couldn’t take it anymore. A genuine smile lit up my face and a single tear streaked down my cheek as I gazed at my men. By their resounding smiles, they knew with that single look, that I was prepared for it all. I would do my damndest to tell them every day I loved them if that’s what it took to convince me that I could do this. I could love these men and not be afraid of it or question it.
I would just love them and let them love me.
“The more the merrier.” I replied.
A Special Note from the Author
While the characters in this book are fiction, the issues they faced are not.
Domestic violence, child abuse, bullying, drug addiction, and alcohol abuse are very real for many. Every day, people are challenged with these struggles.
I also have had to witness my father struggle with heart issues, so Lowen’s experience is really close to my heart.
If you’d like to donate or learn more about the struggles discussed in this story, I’ve included links to organizations that are focused towards awareness and prevention. Every little bit helps if you can donate, and it never hurts to be knowledgeable.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
www.ncadv.org/
American Heart Association
www.heart.org
Stop the Bullying
www.stopbullying.gov
Above the Influence
abovetheinfluence.com
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my amazing editor Muddy Waters editing for yet again saving me from releasing crap lol you are my savior once again.
A big thank you to my amazing PA Alexandria for putting up with my crap and promoting me like a freaking champ. You’re the best!
And of course, thank you to all my readers! You guys are the reason I do this, and I couldn’t feel luckier. Being a writer is truly a dream for me and that wouldn’t happen without you.
#ThankYouReaders
About the Author
K.B. Ladnier is from a small city in Southern Mississippi. She has one daughter and three cats who she claims are stealing her soul in only tiny doses, so she won't notice. She is a cyborg and spends most of her time hiding from her tiny human, so she doesn't have to share her snacks as she reads her favorite books. She hates the beach, yet lives only ten minutes away from it and daydreams of mountains and snow. She is married to a hot nerd and loves him dearly even though he hordes cookies and occasionally hides her prosthetic leg from her, so he can get a quick escape when she’s mad. She plans to write as long as people continue loving what she does, otherwise she's going to say screw it and do her second dream of owning a coffee shop. Though, she may still do both.
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