by Freya Barker
I let out a shaky breath as I look at the familiar faces around me. All wear encouraging smiles, except perhaps Luke, who somehow got his hands back on his water gun and is aiming it at me. On impulse I stick out my tongue, which earns me a chuckle from the crowd. Aunt Jane is on the chase again, but I try to focus on the woman I mean to celebrate today. Dad has joined her and has her safely tucked to his side.
"It's hard to believe that it's been only five years since Dad and I came here, with only each other as family. Five years ago, my dad brought me here in hopes that the change of pace from living in the big city might help me find myself. Five years ago I was lost, I was scared, I was sad, and I was hurting myself. My dad gave up everything for me." I take a deep breath when I see Dad swallow hard. "Five years ago Mom found us, although I called her Freddy at the time. I think she may have yelled at Dad the first time they met." A collective chuckle goes up and I glance at Mom, whose head is wedged under Dad's chin, but her eyes intensely focused on me. "I'm not sure what she sensed in me the first few times we met, but she instinctively knew that I would respond well to her animals. I did. I adored them instantly, and still do. She is the reason I'll be heading off to Guelph to become a veterinarian. She's also the reason why the scars on my legs have almost completely faded, and why we now have a house full of friends and family. She's the reason my dad wears a constant smile on his face, and why he now has everything again. She's the reason I'm standing here today, because she may not have given birth to me, but she has given me a wonderful life." I can barely see Mom anymore for the tears filling my eyes, but I'm guessing hers are not much better. "But we have something else to celebrate. I'm blessed I had two wonderful moms. Cancer took my first mother, but wasn't able to take Mom. She's officially cancer free today!"
Loud cheering and clapping bursts out as I feel myself being lifted from the chair and enveloped in Uncle Alex's arms.
"Love you, kid," he says, sniffling a little, before he steps out of the way and I'm swept up in a sandwich hug. Mom pressed against my front, and my dad has my back.
"You've got it wrong," Mom whispers in my hair. "The blessing's been all mine. You have filled my life to the brim, and I couldn't be prouder of you."
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am blessed with a contingent of awesome and loyal people who help me bring a book to the point of publication.
These are names you will find in most every single book I’ve released thus far, simply because they share a common love of the written word, and they are as loyal to me as I am to them.
Thank you to my editor Karen Hrdlicka, my proofreader Joanne Thompson and my fantastic Betas: Deb, Debbie, Catherine, Nancy, Lena, Chris, Sam and Pam. These fabulous women are always ready at the drop of a hat to scrutinize my words and share their opinions. I adore each and every one of them.
Thank you to some very wonderful author friends I’ve been fortunate enough to make in this industry. Without their encouragement and support I’d be nowhere.
I have to thank Dana Hook, who is always and will ever be, my highlight. She is imperative to my mental health and looks after me like no other can.
To Ena Burnette and her team at Enticing Journey, as well as the countless amazing bloggers, thank you for sharing my books with the world. I am forever indebted to you.
My readers. I continue to be humbled by your love for my characters and your passion for my stories. You have no idea how important your encouragement is to my ability to write!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Freya Barker inspires with her stories about 'real’ people, perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.
Recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None,” Freya has hit the ground running. She loves nothing more than to meet and mingle with her readers, whether it be online or in person at one of the signings she attends.
Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
Freya
https://www.freyabarker.com
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or mailto:[email protected]
ALSO BY FREYA BARKER
NORTHERN LIGHTS COLLECTION:
A CHANGE OF TIDE
A CHANGE OF VIEW
ROCK POINT SERIES:
KEEPING 6
CABIN 12
(Coming soon!)
SNAPSHOT SERIES:
SHUTTER SPEED
FREEZE FRAME
IDEAL IMAGE
PICTURE PERFECT
(coming soon!)
PORTLAND, ME, NOVELS:
FROM DUST
CRUEL WATER
THROUGH FIRE
STILL AIR
CEDAR TREE SERIES:
SLIM TO NONE
HUNDRED TO ONE
AGAINST ME
CLEAN LINES
UPPER HAND
LIKE ARROWS
HEAD START
