Saving Sara (Redemption #1)

by Nicola Marsh

  She scowled. “You can never ‘get it’ because you have no freaking idea how painful it is to lose a child and I hope to God you never will.”

  He faltered. Maybe their relationship had been about Olly all along.

  “Tell me this. Were you only interested in me because you were using Olly as some kind of surrogate kid and I was just part of the package?”

  Her mouth dropped open a little before her eyes narrowed and she shot him a venomous glare that should’ve scorched him on the spot. “You really think I’m capable of doing something like that?”

  “No, but you haven’t answered my question.”

  “You’re an idiot,” she said, shoving him away and moving to the other side of the sofa. “What you and I had was nothing to do with Olly. No child could ever be a substitute for Lucy and I’d never use anyone the way you just suggested.” Her chest heaved with indignation. “I can’t believe you think I’d use you like that, not after what we shared.”

  Hope flickered to life. “So it was real? You and me? All of it?”

  After several long, tension-fraught moments, she nodded. “Of course.”

  “Then did you run because you think I’ll run too, once Olly’s back with Rose?” He glanced down at the paper in his hand, surprised to see he’d clutched it so tight it had wrinkled. “Because I won’t. I’m staying. In Redemption.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “Why?”

  Jake inhaled a deep breath. Here went nothing.

  “Because I’m in love with you and I want to have a real relationship for the first time in my life.” He thrust the document at her. “And I’m hoping you’ll see how serious I am once you take a look at that.”

  Sara appeared shell-shocked as she took the papers and unfolded them.

  He waited, his fingers curling into fists. He shook them out, willing the nervous tingling away. If this failed, he had no idea what he’d do. He’d be stuck in a town with the woman he loved, who didn’t want anything to do with him.

  Sure, he’d be near Rose and Olly and Cilla for a while, but being so close to Sara and not being able to have her—it would drive him insane.

  Her gaze flew across the document and when she finally looked up, he let out his breath.

  There were tears in her eyes. Whether of joy or sadness, he had no idea.

  “You bought the Redemption airfield?” She glanced at the papers again and shook her head. “Why? When you couldn’t even go near the place last time?”

  “To prove I’m in this for the long haul.” He thrust his hands in his pockets to stop from reaching for her. “I faced my fear for you, Sara. I’m going to open up a charter school. Have a small fleet of planes. Hire instructors. Get back in the game. Because I want to stay in Redemption and make a life with you.”

  “You did this for me?”

  To his horror, she burst into tears. The documents slipped from her fingers and fluttered to the floor.

  “There’s not much I wouldn’t do for you,” he said, finally allowing himself the luxury of hauling her into his arms.

  It reminded him of the first day they’d met, when she’d cried unashamedly. Now, like then, he wanted to hold this woman forever.

  When her crying stopped, he eased back and captured her face with his hands. “So what do you think? Can we make a go of this?”

  Her tear-stained face looked so forlorn he wanted to hug her again. “You’re right, I’m petrified of us getting in too deep because you’d end up wanting kids and I’m not sure if I can go through that again.”

  “How about we take it one day at a time? Save the kids until we see if we can survive living together?”

  Her eyebrows rose. “You want to move in?”

  “If you’ll have me.” He mock frowned. “Otherwise, with Rose and Olly at Cilla’s, I’ll be bunking down in the hut at the end of the runway.”

  Her tremulous smile had him wanting to punch the air in victory.

  “Okay, you can move in, on one condition.”

  He grinned. “Anything.”

  “That you let me love you back.” Her arms snaked around his neck. “You’re the best man I’ve ever known, Jake. And if I have to face my fears, I’m glad it’s with you by my side.”

  Jake didn’t cry but at that moment he came pretty damn close.

  “Deal,” he said, a second before their lips met in a fusion of understanding and hope and love.

  Best deal of his life.

  41.

  Could this get any better?” Bryce lay sprawled on his side in the long grass, propped on his elbow, as he watched Cilla gather herbs. He looked like a model, lying there shirtless, his chest dappled with sunlight.

  A chest she’d explored in intimate detail, with her tongue and her lips and her hands. Heat scorched her cheeks at the memories they’d created over the last three weeks. Memories she could hardly believe were real, they were that spectacular. Memories to base a future on, which is what they were fast moving toward.

  “It could get better,” she deadpanned. “If you were naked.”

  His slow, sexy grin made her heart pound. “I love the sex maniac you’ve become.”

  “Your fault,” she said. “Never knew I had it in me.”

  “Oh, you’ve got it, sweetheart, and then some.” He sat up and patted the spot on the blanket next to him. “Why don’t you come sit and I’ll prove it to you?”

  “Rose and Olly will be back from Sara’s any minute,” she said, but sat next to him anyway. “And Jake’s due back from the airfield to pack the last of his stuff.”

  “Damn. I’ll have to wait.” He nuzzled her neck. “Not too long, I hope.”

  “You’re insatiable.” She bumped him away playfully, loving the way her body reacted to him now she’d let go all her reservations.

  “Only for you.” He kissed her lips, slow and lingering. “I’ve waited too long so I’m making up for lost time.”

  “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

  Cilla knew she was crazy for even contemplating what she was about to ask him.

  But circumstances had changed.

  She’d changed.

  And this marvelous man was such a huge part of that she couldn’t let him go.

  “You know how you keep bugging me to spend more time together?” Heck, was she really about to say this?

  His face lit up. “You’re moving in with me? Fantastic, because we can—”

  “Actually, I was thinking perhaps you could move in here? I know Rose and Olly will be around, and that may cramp our style a bit, but my place is big enough for all of us and—”

  “Yes. Hell yes.” He cupped her face and kissed her until she saw stars. “You have no idea what this means.”

  Actually, she did. Because she’d come to learn over the last few weeks that Bryce was as much of a loner as she was. He hadn’t been in a serious relationship and he’d never lived with anyone. So wanting to live together was akin to making a full-blown declaration of their insanity in falling for each other, despite the age difference.

  When he finally let her come up for air, she added. “I know you said you don’t want children. But having Olly around for a while will give you an idea of whether you do. Then maybe we can foster, make a real difference in some poor kid’s life, if that’s what you want to do?”

  He stared at her, his ebony eyes wide with shock. “You’d do that for me?”

  She nodded. “If that’s what you wanted.”

  She mentally searched for the right words to tell him how much he meant to her, then settled for the truth. “Bryce, I had no idea I could be this happy. No clue that being in a relationship with a man could be filled with joy and laughter, not pain and devastation. You’ve opened my eyes in a way I’d never thought possible and I’d like to thank you for that.”

  He blinked rapidly but she saw the sheen of tears. “You don’t have to thank me. I’ll be here for you. Always.”

  That surprised her. His locum
stint would be ending shortly, hence her magnanimous invitation for him to move in. She knew it would only be short term, and she wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.

  “You don’t have to make any promises you can’t keep—”

  “Ssh . . .” He placed a finger against her lips. “I’ve applied for a permanent residency at the hospital. No idea if I’ll get it, but the fact they’ve liked having me around the last few months should hold me in good stead.”

  Incredulous, she opened her mouth, closed it again, before finally getting her brain and mouth to work in sync. “You’re staying?”

  He smiled. “Already regretting that offer for me to move in?”

  Bryce. Living with her. Permanently.

  It should scare the bejeesus out of her, but it didn’t.

  Since she’d opened her heart to him, she knew he was exactly where she wanted him to be: by her side.

  “Not at all, roomie.”

  “So that’s how you see me, huh?” He eased her down onto the blanket and rolled his strong body on top of hers. “As a roommate?”

  “A roommate with benefits,” Cilla said, a second before his lips covered hers, silencing her fears and doubts, and giving her hope for an amazing future.

  EPILOGUE

  Sara had been back in Redemption a month when the bomb detonated.

  Not an actual bomb, but one that would have far-reaching consequences and the potential to cause emotional devastation and fallout.

  Just when everything had been going so well.

  Jake’s sister Rose had moved into Cilla’s place next door and Jake had stuck around for a while, just to make sure she was doing okay. But because he spent most of his time at Sara’s place, especially the nights, she’d taken the colossal step of asking him to move in with her.

  Living with a man again was huge for her. Monumental. Then again, as she stared at the plastic stick with the blue cross on it for the hundredth time, nothing could be as monumental as this.

  Pregnant.

  The worst scenario she’d contemplated as a result of her relationship with Jake. It had freaked her out enough to think about it possibly happening sometime in the future. But now?

  A baby.

  She turned the stick around again and again. It didn’t change the result.

  Positive.

  She was going to have a baby.

  She waited for the panic to set in. For her chest to tighten and restrict her breathing. For her hands to shake. For a cold sweat to break out over her body.

  It didn’t come.

  The longer she stared at the stick, the calmer she felt.

  Gran had always said things happened for a reason. Sara had never believed it. She didn’t believe in fate. But this town had healed her. Healed her enough to take a chance on an amazing man like Jake.

  Maybe she’d been meant to have this baby?

  It wasn’t like they’d been trying. She’d been absolutely sure about not trying, ever. But latex wasn’t foolproof and it looked like what had once been her biggest nightmare could prove to be a godsend.

  “Hey, you done in the bathroom yet?” Jake stuck his head around the door. “We have to go or we’ll be late and you know how Bryce frets over his barbecues . . .” His gaze landed on the plastic stick as she tried to hide it behind her back. “What’s that?”

  “Uh . . . well . . .” She couldn’t think of one rational thing to say so she settled for waving it at him. “We’re going to have a baby. Surprise!”

  Jake’s jaw dropped and he flung open the door and barged into the bathroom. “What?”

  “I’m pregnant, and before you ask how, condoms aren’t one hundred percent effective,” she said, almost defiantly, as if this was somehow his fault. Which was totally untrue, but now that Jake knew the truth, she was suddenly nervous.

  “What the . . .” he shook his head as his lips eased into a grin. “We’re having a baby?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  His grin faded as his concerned gaze flew to hers. “How do you feel about it? Are you okay?”

  “Never been better.” She took hold of his hand and placed it on her flat stomach. “This special child is going to have two parents who love and adore it as much as they do each other.”

  Jake’s doting gaze radiated delight and she choked up. “I love you.”

  “Right back at you.” Tears of joy trickled down her cheeks and he pulled her close, enveloping her in his strong arms.

  He didn’t say anything as she blubbered against his shirt. He didn’t have to. She had never felt so cherished, so protected, as she did in his arms.

  When she stopped sniffling, he eased away and stared down at her, the sheen in his beautiful blue eyes alerting her to the fact she wasn’t the only one overwhelmed by elation.

  “I never thought I could be this happy,” he said, brushing her lips in a feather-light kiss. “Never thought I was worthy, ’til I met you.”

  “Stop.” She pressed her lips to his. “You’ll start me blubbering again.”

  He traced a tear track with a fingertip. “And I’ll kiss them away.”

  She smiled. “Olly’s going to have a cousin. Hopefully that means Rose will stick around for a while.”

  Jake’s glance turned sly. “I know another way to make her stick around.”

  “How?”

  “A wedding.” Jake picked her up, spun her around, before coming to a stop so she could slowly slide down his body. “Gorgeous Sara, will you marry me?”

  Her heart expanded with love for this incredible man but she shook her hand. “I don’t need a wedding ring to have a baby. We can live together, see how it works out—”

  “The ring isn’t for the baby. It’s for me,” he said, so solemn her breath caught. “I love you, Sara. I’ll never stop loving you and I want us to be a family. So what do you say?”

  There was only one thing Sara could say.

  “Yes,” she said, and he let out a whoop of delight. “I love you and I’d love to be your wife.”

  “I’m sure glad I came to Redemption.” Jake kissed her. “Best move I ever made.”

  Sara felt the same way.

  In this town she’d found healing and compassion and love. So much love.

  A new start.

  A new beginning.

  A new life.

  She couldn’t wait to live it.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  After being published for eleven years, I still pinch myself that my job involves taking a smidgeon of an idea from my subconscious, brainstorming it and getting the words down on paper to form a complete story. It’s exciting when my characters come to life on the page and that was especially true for this story, which I couldn’t write fast enough.

  But writing is a solitary occupation and once the story magic leaves my fingertips, other people become involved to make the publishing dream a reality.

  So my heartfelt gratitude to the following people for making this particular dream come true:

  Sammia Hamer, editor extraordinaire, I’m so thrilled you love this story as much as I do. It has been a fast, exciting ride from receiving “The Call” from you to publication, and I look forward to a bright future with the fantastic team at Amazon Publishing.

  Katie Green, fab editor, whose insights during the revision process really made this shine.

  Jennifer McIntyre, for her tight copy edits and for making me giggle in parts.

  Soraya Lane, who made this all happen after reading the first three chapters and outline of this story. You’re a star, Soraya. Your generosity and kindness mean so much to me. I can’t thank you enough. And I value our daily chats so much, even when kids demand most of our time!

  Natalie Anderson, you’re a great motivator and your pep talk when you were last in Melbourne really kicked me into gear. Writing this story in six weeks was the result. Thank you!

  My street team, Nic’s Super Novas, for always being there to brainstorm a title or character name or give encou
ragement.

  My amazing boys, you are the loves of my life. Every single book I write is for you (even if you can’t read them yet!). You make every single day brighter with your smiles and hugs. Love you, infinity.

  My hubby, for being my number one cheerleader.

  My parents, for their unswerving support.

  And last but not least, my readers. Thanks for your loyalty, your fan mail and for buying my books. I hope you have as much fun reading my first women’s fiction novel as I did writing it.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Nicola Marsh is a bestselling, multiaward-winning author, who has sold more than six million copies worldwide. Her first mainstream romance, Busted in Bollywood, was nominated for Romantic Book of the Year 2012. Her first indie romance, Crazy Love, was a 2012 ARRA finalist. Her debut young adult novel, the supernatural thriller Banish, was released in 2013, and her YA urban fantasy Scion of the Sun won the 2014 National Readers’ Choice Award for Best Young Adult Novel. Marsh is a USA Today, Bookscan, and Barnes & Noble bestseller, and a 2013 RBY (Romantic Book of the Year) and National Readers’ Choice Award winner. She has also won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards, and been a finalist for a number of awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. A former physiotherapist, she now writes full-time. Her other loves are raising her two little heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, and her favorite: curling up with a good book!