by Lyz Kelley
“I don’t need a lawyer. I’ll sign the damn thing and put the custody question to rest. Your family doesn’t trust me. I get it.”
“That’s not true.” But it was true. They didn’t trust anyone, and for good reason.
Now she wished she hadn’t ordered steak, or any dinner for that matter. She adjusted the napkin in her lap, shifting in her chair, and then rearranged the silverware. All day she’d looked forward to dinner, but now the feeling of defeat weighed her down, like a bag of marbles had been dumped on her head, slowing her movement, locking her into an uncomfortable situation.
“It looks like the baby is making you tired. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,” he said, the concern in his voice making her feel guilty for being selfish.
The necklace felt cold against her skin. Tears stung her eyes. He looked confused. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. How could she make such a mess? “Your gift is thoughtful, wonderful—really.”
“Then help me understand. I sit down, and you’re happy, I give you a present, and I get tears. I thought signing the custody papers would make you happy.”
“I can’t…I…a…”
“Did I hear that right? A Carver uttering the words, I can’t? Unbelievable!”
He flapped his hands in the air and widened his eyes, trying to make her laugh, but she couldn’t laugh about her love for him. She wanted him as much as she wanted the baby she carried. Maybe fate wanted to teach her a lesson about needing and wanting too much.
“You didn’t let me finish. I can’t wait to show the baby my necklace,” she fibbed again. Those little white lies were stacking up.
He loosened his tie and slumped in his chair, tapping his agitated fingers on the table. Her hopes toppled. She picked up her napkin and placed it on the table, preparing to leave.
Before uttering a word he muttered, “Please tell me what’s wrong.” His eyes connected with hers, confusion and frustration visible on his face.
“I need to tell you something. The truth,” he said, the deep baritone indicating importance.
She clasped her trembling hands in her lap and lifted her eyes to his, giving him permission to continue.
“I don’t care about the custody papers. I’ll sign whatever you want me to sign. I’ll love and support you and this child, our child. Do whatever it takes. I made mistakes in the past, but I promise to be the best father I can. I just wanted you to trust me.”
“I do trust you.”
He didn’t believe her. His solemn eyes left no doubts in her mind. “I never thought I’d be a father. And I tried hard to make sure it didn’t happen. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for this gift. Since a boy, I tried to convince myself what mattered was school, work, helping people—making amends for my shortcomings. I drove myself hard, and those around me, until you came along and made me aware of the unintended impact I had on other people. I may not deserve you or this child, but I will spend the rest of my life making sure you both are safe and loved.”
Waving Jimmy off, she reached for him, her hands catching the only thing available—his tie. She yanked the silk and his body forward. His eyes bulged and his tie tightened, but he did nothing to stop her.
“Dr. Garrett Branston. I’ll say this once—so listen carefully. The Carver family expects the best from its family members—not perfection—and that each person does their best for the whole. Since your sperm decided to join this family, you’d better put your past behind you and live up to the potential my family saw on your resume. As for fatherhood, you’re more prepared than I am, so I’ll take you up on your offer to support our child. I’d be a fool not to. And, I do trust you.”
“Mac—”
“I’m not finished, Branston.” She took a deep breath for courage. “I kept my promise. It might still kill me, but I promised I’d let you go when the hospital Board cleared you, no strings attached. I know you’re a great man. You’ll be a great dad. I hope you know…I hope….”
He handed her his napkin. She let go of his tie and took the napkin to stop the flow of tears rolling down her face. “If I hear any more self-doubt, I’ll have George kick your ass.”
His shoulders began shaking with laughter as he loosened his tie knot. She breathed a sigh of relief. Humor had saved dinner.
“Are you finished?” He reached for her trembling hand.
She slid a finger under an eye, hoping to catch the remaining tears. “Until the next lecture. You can expect the next one soon.”
“See, that’s the sticking point. Since I’ve met you, you’ve lectured me about the staff, how I interact with my peers, my leadership skills. You promised no strings but I’ve become so used to you tugging and pulling and making sure I behave. Mac, you’ve run over me so many times, I feel like I’m a new man with a new beginning. If you’re not always around to keep me in line, how am I supposed to reach my potential?”
“You don’t need anyone to get you to the top but you. You merely have to believe.”
“That’s not true. I need you. In your arms I feel loved and with that knowledge, I can move semi-trailers. I need you, Mac. I want you in my life, but I’ll not pressure you. We may be opposite sides of a coin, but we fit. I asked you once to marry me, and you turned me down flat. You can have any guy you want in this town. If there’s any hope—any chance at all—I’ll wait—for as long as it takes.”
She grabbed the napkin as another stream of tears trickled down her face. “You want me?”
“What do you mean, do I want you? I love you, Mac. Please don’t cry. I hate it when my family cries.”
Her brows crumpled together. “Family? I’m a part of your family?”
“Don’t be upset. I don’t want the baby thinking I’m the bad guy.”
“You really want me, even though I’m broken, and a mess some days?”
“I do. With all my heart.” He reached to catch a tear on his finger and then placed it on his lips. “George and I had a man-to-man talk. He said it’s cool if we get married if I promised not to stuff him into a tux for the wedding.”
A thread of joy yanked at her heart. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“I’d get down on my knees and beg if I thought I’d get a yes, or even a maybe.”
Jimmy appeared with the check when she raised her hand, but she beckoned him closer. She placed her request in whispered silence.
Confusion spread across Garrett’s face. “What was that all about?”
“I placed a particular order.”
When Jimmy returned with a cushion, she tossed it on the floor. “Now’s your chance. You’d better hurry up—time’s a-wasting. ”
His chair crashed against the back wall. He took a knee and her hand at the same time. “Guys plan for months to make their marriage proposals memorable, you know, and in typical Carver fashion you gave me less than three seconds.”
“Garrett, I don’t need fancy.”
A beet-red blush widened across his cheeks as he gazed around the room. All eyes were on them, but when he put his other hand on top, folding her hand in the middle, she only saw him, the man who completed her world.
“McKenzie Carver, I ask you for your patience as I learn and grow into the man I know I can be—want to be. I ask your patience when I’m called away to heal and help others. I ask your patience for all the times I falter on our journey. In return, I promise to be the best man and father I can be, to provide a safe home for you and all who live under our roof. I will give you all I have if you will please reconsider and become my wife.” He wiggled his index finger.
She gasped.
On the front of his first knuckle rested the most stunning diamond ring ever created.
“I purchased this ring weeks ago, hoping I could convince you to marry me. I will carry it in my pocket forever if that’s what you want—there’s no one else for me but you, Mac. My heart is yours. Will you marry me?”
She threw her arms around his shoulders. Cheers and applause erupt
ed from the surrounding diners and servers. Pressure on her waist made her arch back to see the face she looked forward to waking up next to for the rest of her life.
“Is that a ‘yes?’”
“Branston, I thought you had more confidence than—”
Whatever thoughts she’d been about to express evaporated when his lips descended.
Given that she craved a simple life, she wondered if she’d made it more complicated. Garrett’s complications she could handle. The morning’s headlines might be another matter.
Epilogue
Tidewaters rolled in and out on the white, sandy beach. Leaning back in a beach chair, McKenzie folded her toes into the hem of her robe because the sun hadn’t yet warmed the sand. The breeze whipped hair into her face. She should get ready for her wedding, but she wanted to take a minute and be grateful for all the beautiful things that had happened to her in the past few months. In the hurricane of activity since her engagement hit the press, she hadn’t had time to think.
She rested her hands on her stomach. Her growing little girl was healthy. Abby and Beth had taken over wedding preparations. Weston had requested his pilot retrieve the entire Branston family, and Liam had instructed the captain of his yacht to meet them in Turks and Caicos after the wedding as his wedding gift. The wedding seemed to arrange itself without her help. A good thing, since she had pledged to keep her life simple.
No plans. No schedules. She loved the freedom. Her artwork had benefitted from her willingness to explore. She sold every piece almost before it was finished, and had commissions for two more. The fact that she was sublimely happy might have had something to do with it. She couldn’t wait for her life to begin with Garrett.
Well, really, it already had. They’d spent hours in each other’s arms, reliving the past, chaining monsters and demons into the deepest and darkest cellars, never to be heard from again. The only monsters they would combat now would be the imaginary type under a child’s bed—then again, maybe not. She breathed in the salty air, letting the happiness stream through her, staying in the moment.
“There you are.” Her handsome husband-to-be took her breath away.
“Isn’t there some omen about seeing the bride on the wedding day?”
His smile broadened. “It’s good luck, especially if he’s bearing gifts.”
The weight of his warm hand smoothed her hair. He tilted her head forward for a kiss, before scooping her into his arms to sit in her beach chair.
She wrapped her arms around her belly. “I’ve missed you,” she said.
He kissed her nose. “Your parents made the stupid rule that we couldn’t stay in the same room to annoy me.”
“It’s tradition.”
“Did they forget you’re pregnant? I’d say they’re too late to worry about cohabitation before marriage.”
“Just keep in mind, in less than three hours, I’m all yours.”
Nuzzling her neck, he planted small kisses. “Let’s go find the minister and make it official. I can’t wait.”
The little piece of doubt she had diligently tried to ignore while it circled in her mind all morning dissolved. He wanted this marriage, and he wanted her.
Threading her hands through his, she rested her cheek on his chest. “Not happening. Too many people would hunt us down.”
He dropped his forehead to hers. “I love you.”
Her chest muscles tightened. “Is something wrong?”
“I’m scared. Everything I’ve always wanted will happen in about three hours. I can’t help but worry something will go wrong.”
“I can relate to that feeling. You’re on the highway cruising along, and then wham, a car comes out of nowhere and broadsides you.” She shrugged. “It happens. But nothing—and I mean nothing—short of death will keep me from making it to that altar today. I love you, Garrett, with every cell in my body.” She leaned back to see his face. “Is that why you’re here?”
“I told you I wanted to give you a gift. It’s nothing like the painting of my family you gave me, but I thought you might like it.”
“I’m glad you like your painting. Your sisters helped by providing pictures of them and the kids. This way you get to see an image of them every day.”
“It’s special. You’re special.” He retrieved a little box wrapped in white tissue and a blue bow from his pocket and placed it in her open hand.
She pulled at the bow and ripped away the paper, and then threw back her head and laughed. “I love it.” She held up the gold bracelet with a miniature bright red Mack truck charm attached. “And I love you.”
He kissed her nose before she cuddled into his arms.
“All right, you two.” Weston’s authoritarian voice had them both sitting up straighter. “You need to separate, right now…before Mom finds you.”
Keeping her cheek on Garrett’s chest, she said, “Just a few more minutes.”
“Nope, now. Abby’s dealing with the florist, who seems to be running late, Beth is harassing the caterer, Liam has Dad convinced Garrett’s in the shower, and your sisters-in-law-to-be have created a diversion for Mom. Time is running out.”
Garrett grumbled something about sisters while she muttered about brothers. They looked at each other and giggled.
“I guess we should be careful what we wish for.” She curled into his arms.
“What’s that?”
“A large family.”
Tugging at the collar of her robe to bring her closer, he arched her backward with a searing kiss.
“Eeeewwww, you two are sickening sweet. Break it up and save all that stuff for later when I’m not around,” Weston said.
Garrett lifted his head and peered over her shoulder. “Seems like Weston’s jealous.”
“Tough, he can go kiss his own wife, then he’ll remember.”
“Remember what?”
“That although you may think your life is shattered into tiny pieces, you can heal. Especially when the one you love is by your side, reminding you that everything will be okay. I love you, Garrett.”
“Love you back.”
I’m so glad you could join McKenzie and Garrett on their journey to their happily ever after.
Those of you who have read my books or been part of my newsletter have heard my explanation for why Authors never see their Star Ratings requested by Amazon, so thank you for allowing me to share the information once again.
When Amazon asks a reader to “Rate this book" on their Kindle, Amazon is the only one to see these ratings.
I’m left clueless about how you feel about this book. Your input matters.
Book reviews help me decide what kind of books I write. Plus, the more people who leave a review, the more likely Amazon is to move a book up in the rankings? Written reviews help other readers find and love a series.
Please continue to rate the book on your Kindle or reader as this helps Amazon, but take an extra moment to pop over to the review section and leave a few words!
Seriously, a few words like, “great story,” is enough.
If you have not read my books, and have no idea why authors keep asking you as a reader to take a few minutes to leave even a couple of word reviews, here’s the break down of how reviews work in this crazy business.
Reviews (not ratings) help authors qualify for advertising opportunities. Without triple digit reviews, an author may miss out on these valuable opportunities. And with only a “star rating” the author has little chance of participating in specific promotions, which means authors continue to struggle, and many talented writers give up writing altogether.
Readers aren’t the only ones who use reviews to help make purchasing decisions. Producers and directors use your reviews when looking for new projects.
This is why I’m asking for your help.
A few kind words make such a massive difference to me. Your words give me the encouragement I need to continue writing because honestly, I write my books for you, and I’d like to keep deliver
ing the types of stories you want to read.
And, yes, every book in a series needs reviews, not just the first book. Even if a book has been out for awhile, a fresh review can breathe new life into a book.
So, please take a few minutes to leave a short review. Even a couple of words will brighten my day.
Lastly. Thank you for reading this book. I hope to see you again soon. Cheers!
Dedication
To all those who read—thank you!
Each time you turn the page, you afford the creative an opportunity to pursue their passions.
* * *
And to my VIP Kelley’s Heroes ARC team who help me catch all those pesky mistakes…here is a special thanks to you.
Kathy Azzolina
Rachael Bromley
Donise Cinnamon
Linda Dunn
Lena Claesson
Rebecca Hoch
Evonne Hutton
Anne Kasaba
Kristen Lewendon
Meg Nyburg
Michelle Rios-Velasco
Tracy Sylvester
Cindy Zavodny
And thank you to all those readers I missed, because I’m sure I forgot someone.
Author Notes
Dear Readers,
What started out as a goal to write one book has turned into more than a dozen—thanks to you—my reader.
I’ve never considered myself a writer.
No, I’m more of a story-teller who loves to explore themes impacting humanity.
I’ve always been curious and fascinated by cultures other than mine. As an introvert, I mostly watch people, how they express themselves, how they react to the world around them, how they express their ideas.
So again, thank you, for allowing me to observe and daydream about a happy, safe, place where we all find community and love.
And thank you for embracing my work. I have enjoyed connecting with so many beautiful souls from all over the world.
