by Mary Smith
It’s hard for me to wrap my head around this, but it’s true. I’m scared, but overall excited for this new chapter in my life.
Remington pulls into the driveway, and Arabella is sitting on the porch with Vance and Dacey. I’m thankful for Dacey helping us so much. Their wedding is less than four weeks away and she doesn’t seem the least bit stressed. Then again, Harlow had told me their parents are handling everything, including all the details.
Arabella comes running over to us and hugs me gently. She’s coming around to the fact there’s going to be a baby. Rickie had really brainwashed the poor girl. Remington and I have plans…well, tentatively…to take her traveling a bit before school starts to places she wants to go. And of course, a few book stores.
“Dacey and Vance took me to get chicken nuggets,” Arabella announces happily.
“Did you say thank you?” Remington asks, and she nods.
“She had fun,” Vance says with a smile.
They’re going to have pretty babies.
“Let’s go in,” I suggest, unlocking the door and shutting off the alarm.
I take Dacey and Vance up to the office and get right to work. Vance signed an entry- level contract when he first came to New Hampshire. However, this summer he signed a much larger three-year contract, and he needs some guidance. I find it strange he came to me though. His father is some huge millionaire or billionaire, I think Harlow said, and I figured he would go to him for advice. But I don’t question their actions.
Vance and Dacey want everything in order before the marriage. Vance has been given a dowry for marrying Dacey and I want to ask a thousand question about this. Instead, I give them their options. Dacey is coming in with much fewer assets and money than Vance, but he waits for her to weigh in on each option we discuss. After about an hour or so, we have laid out a plan for them. To be in their early twenties, they both seem very mature, and I can see they’ll have a great future together.
Once they leave, I join Arabella and Remington in the TV room. Finding Nemo is on the screen as I curl up next to Remington. I’m almost asleep on his shoulder when the doorbell rings.
Instantly, my heart stops, but I don’t know why. I had a feeling deep down and I can’t explain what it is. When Remington looks at me, he’s feeling the same way. We tell Arabella to stay put and we go answer the door. There’s no reason to be apprehensive when answering the door, but I can feel Remington’s as he reaches for the handle.
Our gut reactions were right.
“Mr. Nance.” Remington’s voice shakes. “I didn’t know you made house calls.”
“Normally, I don’t. It’s too damn hot for me to be outside.” He growls slightly, talking about the extremely humid day.
“Please, come in.” I invite him into the house. “Would you like some water?”
He shakes his head. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m only here for a moment or two.” He takes a seat on our couch.
It’s then I notice he has a large white envelope in his hands. This is going to be bad. I hope Arabella stays in the TV room. I don’t want her learning her fate from Mr. Nance. It’s not fair.
“I received these about an hour ago, and since I had another appointment later, I knew I couldn’t get these to you unless I did it now.” He hands the packet to Remington.
“What is it?” I ask, since Remington is staring at them, instead of opening them.
“It’s your final paperwork. Arabella is one hundred percent yours.” He grins.
“What?” Remington and I say in unison.
“Yep. She’s yours.” He stands and we follow him toward the door, shaking his hand.
When Remington closes the door, I’m not sure what to think or do. He’s the same way. Suddenly, he rips open the envelope. I look over his shoulder as he flips through the pages. It’s all there in black and white.
Arabella is here to stay.
Remington wraps his arms around me, and I can feel his body shake as he cries on my shoulder, sending me into tears. I rub my hands up and down his back, trying to soothe him.
“What’s wrong?” Arabella asks.
We release each other, and I see her face pale.
“Am I going back to Maine?” Her voice cracks.
I take the papers over to her, kneeling down. “This was just delivered. It’s from a judge in Maine and it says you’re staying here with us.” Remington kneels next to me.
“Really?” Arabella looks at Remington.
“Yes.” He’s able to answer her
“Then why are you crying?” She wipes a tears from his cheek.
“Because I’m so happy.” He kisses her forehead. “Are you happy?” He pulls back.
“I have had chicken nuggets, and I get to live with you and Mom, I’m very happy.” She wraps her arms around our necks.
Remington and I laugh since she’s comparing us with chicken nuggets, but we’re family. A true family.
I carefully slide into bed because I think Remington is asleep.
“I’m awake.” His dark brown eyes pop open and connect with mine.
“You okay?” I lay on my side, mirroring his pose.
“I’m beyond okay. For the first time in a very long time, I’m extremely happy. Actually, I’m over the moon happy.” He smiles. “Six months ago, my life was completely different, but this is exactly where I want to be.”
“You’re my hero.” I smile.
“You’re the love of my life.” He leans over and kisses me.
Here.
Right here.
This is where I want to be.
Remington took away all the pain and self-doubt I’ve been so used to and replaced it with love.
The hero saved his beautiful woman.
About the Author
Best Selling Author, Mary Smith, has been coming up with stories her whole life. She has written A HOCKEY TUTOR and THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BEARS SERIES along with numerous other titles, as well as co-authored THE PENALTY KILL TRILOGY, OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN SERIES, and THE NINTH INNINGS SERIES with Lindsay Paige. When not busy writing or rooting for the Chicago Blackhawks you can find her with her nose stuck in her Kindle.
You can visit her website at: www.authormarysmith.blogspot.com
Follow her on Twitter: @maryms1980
Or Faceook: www.facebook.com/authormarysmith
Books By Author:
The Ice Series (Adult Sports Romance trilogy):
Melting Away the Ice
Breaking the Ice
Shattering the Ice
Thawing the Ice (A Novella)
A Hockey Tutor (New Adult Sports Romance)
Dart and Dash (New Adult Sports Romance)
Always Forever (New Adult Rocker Romance)
DREAM (Adult Romance Suspense)
The Matched Trilogy (Paranormal Romance Trilogy):
A Royal’s Love
A Protector’s Second Chance
A Controller’s Destiny
New Hampshire Bears Series (Adult Sports Romance)
The Muse and the Fairy Tale
The Workaholic and the Realist
The Hero and the Fat Girl
The Arrangement (coming summer 2016)
The Coach and the Secret (coming fall 2016)
Books with author Lindsay Paige:
A Penalty Kill Trilogy (New Adult Sports Romance):
Breakaway
Off the Ice
Game Over
Our First Christmas (A Novella)
Oh Captain, My Captain Series (Adult Sports Romance)
Looking for You
A Hockey Player’s Proposal
Finding Carson Lee
Let’s Be Crazy
Their New Beginning
You and Me, Forever
Tainted
The Ninth Inning Series (Adult Sports Romance)
Felix
Blake
Hector
Trent
Jordan
Colby
Roman
(coming in the Fall of 2016)
Spencer (coming in the Fall of 2016
Tanner (coming in the Fall of 2016)
What’s Next?
Look for Vance and Dacey’s story: THE ARRANGEMENT in August 2016.
Look for Coach Taden Long’s story: THE COACH AND THE SECRET this October 2016.
