“It’s perfect. I don’t want another ring,” she breathed aloud, her eyes locked with his. He slid it onto her finger and it fit perfectly, like it was meant to be there.
“I love you,” he whispered softly, kissing where the ring sat on her finger.
“Sir, if you’ll step forward through the scanner? Congratulations and all, but we need to keep the line moving,” the officer prompted. Both walked through and then picked up their items.
“No regrets?” he asked, hopping around as he put on his shoes.
“Only that we didn’t do this sooner,” she teased lightly. “I love you too.”
The overhead speakers crackled announcing their flight was boarding. Jason grabbed her hand and raced to the gate doors, his belt in hand from where he’d removed it for security. Everything was happening so fast, she didn’t have a moment to think about repercussions or reasons to wait. She was with Jason and loved him dearly.
The flight was completely uneventful as Melanie was exhausted and slept the entire time. His arm was her pillow and to her? It was the best pillow in the world.
As they landed, they took a taxi to the nearest chapel that would marry them. The city was awash with glitter and pizazz. The afternoon sun was glaring off the reflective glass windows of the casinos as they drove down Las Vegas Boulevard. The heat was overwhelming, and it was all so perfect. She would never forget it. Elvis even greeted them at the door to the chapel. Jason quickly selected a package that would supply them with flowers, photos and a marriage license.
“You ready?” he asked softly. She thought it was sweet that he was giving her the chance to back out of this fiasco they were diving headfirst into. Eloping was something she’d never imagined, but then again? It was hard to believe she’d found love when she’d least expected it.
“I’m waiting on you,” Melanie retorted with a smile. “But then again, I’d wait for you forever.”
“Good thing I’m the patient one,” Jason admitted softly, causing them both to giggle with happiness. They both knew he was lying since it was his idea to elope out here.
They smiled from ear to ear the entire time that the minister performed the ceremony, because the fake Elvis would join in every once in a while, with an ‘uh huh’ and swing his air guitar. Jason’s hands shook as she laced her fingers with his. She would always remember how nervous he was and how excited.
She discovered over the years that if her Jason felt overwhelmed with emotion, his hands shook. He trembled when he made her his wife that night. And he cried unabashedly when he held their first child, their beautiful boy. She loved her Wildman more than she’d ever thought possible and thanked God every night in her prayers for that abandoned diaper bag and her parasite, Stan.
Acknowledgments
Thank you for taking the time to read Lawfully Wild. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Doesn’t have to be much, just a simple rating and a few kind words work wonders <3 Your thoughts, opinions and feedback are much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ginny
Also by Ginny Sterling
Lawfully Betrothed
Once upon a time…
That was how fairy tales were supposed to begin, except in the case of young Faye Miller. When a dark-haired boy sneaks into her favorite hiding spot, she isn’t sure if this was the beginning of a fairy tale, a blessing, or an evil curse. Captivated by the sincerity and earnestness in his kind eyes, she’s convinced that this boy was an angel sent from the heavens to show her life would be okay someday. When he pledges to marry her and gives her a ring made of grass… how could she ever say no?
Now, two decades later…Faye is still waiting for her grey-eyed angel to return to her.
Gabriel Reardon remembered that long-ago day fondly. That memory of an innocent pledge between children got him through the last twenty years of upheaval. He’d been coldly abandoned by his father, struggling for a chance at life and love. Now, he’s returned home as a Ranger and a widower. He is intent on subduing the cattle rustlers in the area and hoping to rekindle a childhood dream.
Could it be that the two of them have missed their opportunity at happiness? Is the fairy tale over… or is this the very beginning of something beautiful?
Lawfully Mine
Emily and Elias Jessup left their home in southern Texas, tired of living a life of poverty. They soon find out that life is no better alone on their own. With not a penny to their name and no job prospects, the siblings turn to stealing from the rich to survive. Constantly on the run from the law, the two know that their days are numbered before the law catches up to them.
Ellen Holladay comes across a handsome 'farmer' in desperate search of his sister who has been kidnapped. But can a handsome face and winning smile hide the fact that he is obviously lying to her? When his sister, Emily, is found in the arms of bounty hunter, Cade Singleton - Eli's true identity is revealed.
Elias willingly turns himself in to Holladay, in an effort to make peace with the woman that has captured his heart. In a strange twist, he suddenly married to her and sworn in as a bounty hunter himself. Can his new wife see past his previous sins, giving him the chance to start again? Can she accept her new husband and the dangers that being a Lawkeeper can bring? Is falling in love worth the risk … and the greatest reward?
Lawfully Freed
Dr. Rebecca Tulle has decided to return home for her ten-year high school reunion with the intent to show off how much she has changed since graduation. After years of bullying, she feels stronger than ever before and ready to take on the world. She’d once run away, disappearing off the map, from everyone and everything she’d ever known… until now.
Gabriel James, the once gangly awkward boy who’d had a crush on Rebecca all those years ago has certainly changed! Charming, caring and devastatingly handsome… the gorgeous S.W.A. T. officer sweeps her off her feet. He claims that he wants to make up for lost time with a series of firsts… a first dance, a first date, a first kiss.
Could returning to her hometown reveal that some people could have changed for the better? Or could it be that the monsters from high school were worse than she’d ever imagined?
Jacobs went to assemble the team to head back and Marguerite found herself waiting at the van. The FBI Agent who’d brought them into his case strolled over to her. “Marguerite Kinicki, right?”
“How do you know that, Agent Campos?”
“Call me Diego. And everyone in Arizona knows who the female is that made DPS Swat. When does the media tour start?”
“It doesn’t. What’s going to happen to them now?”
“The ladies? They’ll be treated medically. We’ll find out where they came from and try to reunite them with their families.”
“Do you do that?”
“No. I’ll interview them, of course. We need to find out exactly what was happening down there. Some of the story is obvious, but they’ll have more details to share once they overcome their fear.”
“Does that happen?”
“Not really. There is no recovering from what they went through.”
“I didn’t think so. What about the young girls?”
“They may be more resilient than you think.”
“Looks like we’re loading up.”
He took a card from his wallet. “If you want to check up on them I can make it happen.”
His hand brushed hers as she took the proffered card. The brief touch sent a jolt up her spine. Probably left over adrenaline from the shooting, at least that’s what she told herself. “Thank you.”
The team started loading into the van and she took her place between Bob and José. The three newbies in a row.
Back in the van, she listened as Seth Jacobs got the rundown from the rest of the team. When they’d given him the basics, he leaned forward. “Okay, listen up.” The team all focused on him. He inclined his head toward Marguerite. “Newbie here killed a suspect. He approached me
from behind. Armed. It was a good clean shooting. She is not to be bullied by the press or by the DPS Investigators who will be investigating. Am I clear?”
“Clear as mud.”
“Excuse me, Masters?”
“Joking. Forgot to save it for the office, sir.”
Marguerite fiddled with her watch. She knew Masters joked around when feeling pressure. His kidding didn’t bother her, but she wondered if she was in for a difficult stretch. Her hands shook from taking the shot and she wondered when it would subside. Would the investigators think she’d been trigger happy because she’d shot several rounds? She’d reacted instinctively, but had followed protocol. Her gut churned at the thought of those women and girls huddled up in that cellar. She wasn’t sorry she’d shot the man who’d kept them there. The only witness for her would be Seth Jacobs. Alejandro would surely claim she’d used unnecessary force to subdue his brother. Would she be treated fairly or would she be railroaded? She was fairly certain her shooting would be deemed good eventually, but what would she have to endure in the meantime?
The silence in the van was finally broken when one of her new teammates slapped her on the back “good job,” he said. Grunts of approval from the rest of the team followed.
Lawfully His
Melissa Campbell was losing everything. She risked everything when she packed up and moved to Longview, Texas to Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She was a newbie K-9 Officer with her German Shepard Jimmy, and her colleagues made sure she knew it. Melissa's confidence was battered, even though she was still recovering from leaving an abusive ex. Some wounds just did not heal.
Erik Flynn was a bestselling author. Not him, actually, his pen name, Pat Harrington was. After churning out dozens of mysteries that won acclaim, Erik stared at blank pages every day. To escape his frustration (and his publisher), he moved to a small town he randomly found on the map. He was belligerent, frustrated, and a recluse. But when he sees a brave police officer standing up to a drug addict, something changes for him. Her defeated eyes spoke to him, and even though he tried, he just couldn't let go.
When Erik overhears some police officers giving Melissa trouble, all he wants to do is protect her. When a shaky friendship ensues, Erik finds peace he has not known before. Writing seems to flow faster, and Erik is in awe of the woman he is slowly falling in love with. Even Jimmy, the German Shepard seems to approve. Their "friendship" seems to steady Melissa as her performance at work improves. But when her abusive ex visits town, every strand of sanity that Melissa has threatens to collapse.
Erik may have considered their relationship as being friends, but for Melissa, his support means so much more. She starts to fall for the man with a rough exterior, only to find a gentle and considerate man behind the mask. But when her past collides with her present, it takes all her strength to hold on. When possibly the biggest case of her career lands in her lap, she needs to find a strength she does not have to lead Jimmy.
Can Melissa finally find her peace among her challenges? With Erik's help, can she truly set her past free? Can Erik let go of his hesitations and be with the woman he loves?
About the Author
Ginny Sterling is a Texas transplant living in Kentucky. She spends her free time (Ha!) writing, quilting, and spending time with her husband and two children. Ginny can be reached on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or via email at [email protected]
Lawfully Wild, Copyright © 2018 by Ginny Sterling
These books are works of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of these books may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without express written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Thank you for supporting the author’s rights.
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