by Tee Smith
In his mind there was zero doubt, but what if Bailey didn’t feel the same way? What if she rejected him? Sent him packing? It was a chance he was going to have to take.
Curling his fingers into a fist, he knocked quietly on the wooden door and waited. Nothing. Turning, he looked back down the path he had come. He recalled the first time he had walked down the same path to meet Bailey’s mum. He’d had no idea at that time he would be here now, knocking on her door, asking her to what? What was he asking her for? Love? Acceptance? Peace?
Resolutely, he turned back to the house. The paint was flaking. It was an old house, but he could make it look like new again. He would look after Bailey and Carol. If Bailey wanted him. He wasn’t sure what he would do if she didn’t. He really hadn’t thought that through.
Raising his fist, he knocked again, this time more firmly. He knew she was home, her little pink car was parked in the drive. He hoped he wasn’t dragging her away from doing something important with Carol. It didn’t matter how long it took for her to answer the door, he’d wait out there all day if that’s what it took.
It seemed like hours as the minutes ticked by, but eventually, he heard her soft footsteps as she made her way to the door. A shot of adrenaline rushed through him, twisting his stomach into a massive knot.
Surprise washed over her face as she appeared in the doorway.
“Clancy? You’re back. What are you doing here?”
“Bailey, I’m so sorry. I made a huge mistake. I should never have left here.” His words were soft and fell from his lips without much thought. “If you would have me, I want to stay. I want to stay here with you. I’m madly in love with you, Bailey Hopper.”
Reaching out, she took his hand and pulled him toward her. He let his swag fall to his feet as he pulled her into his arms and his lips found hers.
When they finally pulled apart, he found her gaze. “I lied to you, Bailey.”
His confession caused her brow to crinkle. “What about?”
“When I told you I’m not scared of anything. Turns out that isn’t true.” He studied her intently and swallowed hard. His confession was as much of a revelation to himself as it was to her, but he knew deep within his soul it was the truth. “It turns out I’m scared of living the rest of my life without you.”
A small tear slid down Bailey’s face. Tears of happiness this time, instead of tears of sorrow.
“I love you too, Clancy. I’m glad you came back. I want you to stay. Forever.”
THE END
Read More:
The PEACE website is: http://www.peacenovellaseries.com/
The PEACE Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/PeaceNovellaSeries/
Previous book: Accepting Peace by Jenn Braddock. Released on March 16th 2018
Megan Dawson never dreamed she’d be pregnant at seventeen, married at eighteen, and the mother of four by the time she was twenty-four. But when Luke Wittner, took a shine to her nothing else in the world mattered. Luke promised her the world and they didn’t have much, but they had each other, and life in Peace was good--until it wasn’t. When Luke began drinking and taking his frustrations out on Megan, he turned into a man Megan no longer loved or wanted. But, with no job, no family, and no way to support her children, Megan stayed--until Luke left.
When the fire department responds to a call one morning, firefighter Wade Vincent is drawn to Megan and her four young children. Although he could see she was struggling and wary of men, something about Megan touched Wade’s heart. Instinctively, he knew he needed Megan in his life, but more importantly, he knew she needed him. Slowly, working to gain her trust, Wade began to chip away at the wall around Megan’s heart.
Megan didn’t know if she could ever trust again, much less fall in love, but with Wade’s calming presence in her life, she found herself looking forward to their visits. Just when Megan thought she might be ready to move on, Wade stopped calling, stopped coming by, and she feared it had all been too good to be true. Life had taught Megan the hardest lessons, but one chance encounter and news of a devastating fire make her question the truth of those lessons. Now, Megan must face the fire that would either destroy her faith or ignite the ember that would sustain her for life.
Next up: Peace in the storm by S Jackson Rivera, 13th April 1018
Jay Terry heard the collective gasp from the audience when the announcer told them he’d drawn Incubus. He asked the crowd if they thought Jay would be able to ride the meanest bull on the rodeo circuit and walk away with the National Bull Riding Championship title for the third year in a row.
Based on the way Jay nearly wore a path in the boards behind the chutes, or the fact that he threw up before almost every ride—he’d witnessed friends die—people would probably guess he didn’t like what he did, but they’d be wrong. Climbing onto a huge, ill-tempered, muscle-bound beast intent on getting you off his back and grind you into hamburger would make any sane person nervous. So, yes, the pre-ride jitters got to him, but he’d rather die than give up that adrenaline rush.
Back to what the announcer asked. Win? Yes, Jay gave Incubus the most perfect eight second ride the crowd had ever seen, but then it was the bull’s turn to astonish the audience. Jay didn’t walk away.
Gilligan Baker was always the black sheep of the family, nothing like her four perfect siblings. They all wanted good grades, academic awards, and scholarships. She wanted … a good time. When everyone in town invites you to their parties, tells you how much fun, or how pretty you are, when all it takes is a certain look to have any boy, or man, falling at your feet—it would be a waste not use the assets with which she’d been born.
So, that’s what she did, until she graduated without a scholarship, anyway. She’d grown up in a house where they all knew from the get-go, once you turned eighteen, you were on your own, so with her grades, her choices were limited, college was out. She had to decide between working at the fast food joint down on the corner, or take that nanny job her sister hooked her up with.
Now, on the run, afraid for her life, she’s unsure what’ll happen to the poor baby she’s carrying, wishing she’d decided to flip burgers.
About the Author
Tee Smith is an Australian author who lives on a small farm in Western Australia. She loves the country lifestyle and has raised four kids, whilst working a day job as a nurse and writing in her spare time.
To date she has released six full-length novels and four novellas.
You can follow Tee Smith on the following links;
www.facebook.com/teesmithbooks
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Acknowledgments
I have so many people to thank in the making of this book. First and foremost, I would like to thank S H Pratt. Peace has been her brain child and I am overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity to visit and play a part in this wonderful series.
To all the other authors who have contributed, it has been a huge pleasure to have the chance to work with you. A special mention must go out to S Jackson Rivera and Krysi Foster, both of whom have been very supportive and helpful.
Thank you to the amazing authors not already mentioned; A.H Stagg, L.C. Fenton, Cassie May, Lisa Ann, Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson, Gabriella Lizette, Parnum Farmah, Jeanetta Sneed, Caroline Andrus, Mila Waters, Jenn Braddock, Rachel Walter and Sandra Hurst.
This has been an amazing journey and we have not only shared book experiences but real life events with each other along the way. Your support has been unending.
I’d like to acknowledge my cover designer Susan Garwood, who has worked on many of my previous covers.
My awesome and very patient editor Leticia Sidon.
My family, who have supported me throughout my writing career and of course my readers, without you guys to read my words they would be just ramblings of a mad
woman with imaginary friends.
