“I owe you a drink. You wanna go to the Run Down?”
I shake my head.
I don’t want a drink. No bourbon, no whiskey, no beer can change the way I feel. Since meeting Elle my world has been off kilter. I knew she was special the moment I laid eyes on her. Having just a taste of her in my life leaves me empty and wanting.
She is simply everything.
Fourteen
Elle
Three Months Later
She is simply everything. Asli Elaine Frazier is a magical being. The little girl I met in a hospital bed is now thriving. She still has a road to recovery, but my bone marrow was a match. The additional DNA confirmed she is indeed my full sister and Roark is my half brother.
True to his word, the family attorney paid off my loans, even paid my car repair and had it shipped here to North Carolina. While I still refuse to use the credit card or the money in my bank account, I was happy to know they paid for the entire year lease on the trailer for Melanie. I work for my family company using my MBA. I even have an executive office with my own secretary and there is a mail clerk.
I miss Kentucky.
That’s why we’re here. Roark, Asli, and their mom, Kennedy are all with me. When my grandparents died, I was left with this hideaway cabin. It’s far from glamorous, but it’s filled with family love and memories. Since I live in a company apartment, I have used my salary the last two months (I had to use a month on incidental expenses) to actually bring in a modular home cabin to replace the old one. Everything is updated, clean, and safe. This is Asli’s first real trip since getting her okay from the doctors to leave the hospital.
“Sissy,” she calls to me as we sit on the front porch. “Why do cows wear bells?”
“I don’t know, munchkin, why do cows wear bells?”
She laughs to herself before finally answering me. “Because their horns are broken.”
I find myself laughing along with her.
A truck pulls up and I find my breathing stops. I know that truck. I can’t forget it. Even with months passing by and no communication between us, I still ache for him.
Before I can move, Roark comes rushing from the cabin and down the front steps.
“You made it! Mom’s gonna be so happy to see you, Sully.”
Asli stands and grabs me by the hand, “come on, you have to meet Sully.”
She drags me and I don’t have the heart to tell her no so I go along with her. His gaze moves from my brother and locks to mine.
“Elle?” He says my name and immediately my body comes alive.
“Sully meet Elle, this is my sister, Danyella.” Roark introduces as Asli lets go of my hand and moves closer to Van.
“Sully, we missed you. See we found our sister. She’s adopted, but she still wants to be our family too so we lost Papa but we got Sissy so I think it’s great. She doesn’t snore like him.”
Before I can say a word, Hooch jumps from the open window of the truck and rushes to me. Immediately, I drop to my knees and pet him.
“Hooch, you’re the sweetest bestest hound I know.”
“Sissy doesn’t have a dog,” Asli explains. “She says when she buys a house on a farm then we can get a dog and I can visit it since mom won’t let me have one with my allergies. Sissy wants a dog, though, she looks at pictures of them all the time. Well, it’s just one dog, she said it was her friend’s dog and she missed him.” She presses her little finger to her chin. “Come to think of it, the dog in the picture looks a lot like this one.”
Clever kid.
Roark looks between us like he’s figuring things out. “Come on Asli, I think we should let Elle and Sully have a minute.”
Taking her by the hand, he guides her away giving me a sad look. I don’t want my brother to be sad. How could he know that the most amazing weekend of my life was spent with the man standing in front of me?
“Sully?”
“Sullivan Tobias Marks, that’s my full name.”
Holy shit! He is a third generation master distiller for Marks Bourbon. He’s a damn billionaire living in a tiny house on a farm.
“I’m sorry for abruptly things ended, Van.”
“Sully, my friends and family call me Sully. I should have told you that before.”
“Danyella Montford. I don’t have a middle name. I’ve been Elle my whole life and that isn’t changing. I’m the daughter of Courtney Montford and Roan Frazier it would seem.”
I continue to pet Hooch while I gaze up at Sully. He extends a hand and I take it, standing up. At that contact, electricity zips through me like that first night. Hooch gives a whine that I’m not on his level and Sully gives him a look.
“Roark says Frazier Textiles is moving to Kentucky.”
I smile proudly. “Yes, Asli wants a change. Kennedy wants a fresh start with all of us together. So we came to stay here until we can find the retail space for the offices and make the transition.”
“I can’t say I’m disappointed that you will be returning.”
Before I can reply, Roark rejoins us. “Okay I was going to stay away, but you’re my best friend, and buddy, she’s my sister.”
Sully smiles. “I didn’t know that when I met her.”
“I’m gathering as much. But, she’s my sister.”
“Okay, I get it, you have to be protective. Except I want you to know. I want Elle to know, I want the world to know. She is fierce. She is loyal. She is sarcastic. She lives. She breathes. She breaks. She hurts. She smiles. She’s the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Yes, she’s my best friend’s sister. She’s also everything I never thought I wanted, but the reality of it is, she’s everything I need. Except, she left and she wants nothing to do with me or the life I want to give her. I had one small taste of heaven and it was a weekend with her. I want so much more. Your sister,” he eyes lock to mine, “she is stronger than any man I know. She is independent. She is finding her way. She may not believe me when I say it, but I know she is love. My love.”
My knees feel weak. I don’t even know what to say.
Roark looks between us. “You have my blessing, but if you make her shed a single tear, I’ll kill you, Sully. Friend or not, Elle is my sister and she saved our sister, she’s everything to our family and to you.”
I’ve spent so many years alone. In this moment, I realize the future is right in front of me and it is bright and full.
Family is everything.
Fifteen
Sullivan
One Year Later
I despise a board meeting. Today is my very last one. After the truth came out concerning the funds and Willoughby, Donovan and I came to the board. We laid out the truth in all it’s ugliness. It’s taken time and patience, but they see my brother is capable.
It helps that he has stopped being so public with his wild ways. Our father, well he didn’t take the news well of our mother’s betrayal. They are still in the midst of a nasty divorce. I can only be thankful Donovan and I are grown.
Frazier Textiles relocated and since the permanent transition, I have spent every night with Elle. And since she’s the boss lady, Hooch is loving going to work with her instead of being at home. Asli is in remission and thriving. Kennedy has her enrolled in school here and seeing the bond she has with Elle is heart warming. Elle rose up from her broken childhood to have this thriving family.
There isn’t a moment that goes by that I’m not grateful to have her by my side. She is everything and more. I sit through the meeting but don’t listen. Donovan has it completely under control. My mind is on the woman with hair the color of wheat and eyes the color of whiskey.
When the meeting is called to close, I jump up and ignore everyone has they give me their farewells. Climbing in my truck, I rush home to make sure everything is in order. Going out to the barn, I grab the box and carry it into our tiny house. Elle moved in with me not long after the company transitioned here. It made sense after she realized I wasn’t going to spend a night away from he
r. I know what it is to be without her and that won’t happen again.
I hear her truck pull up, it’s a Chevy Silverado. We still have the Eagle parked in the barn. I plan to have it restored for her soon. Lifting the box, I wait as Hooch rushes to the door for his mom to come inside.
She immediately opens the door and bends to him. Sometimes I have to admit I get jealous of my own dog. I fight to keep the box in my hands still as the little creature inside gives away it’s presence.
Her eyes meet mine and dance with curiosity. I hand it to her.
She opens it to find a blue tick hound puppy. She pulls her out immediately snuggling her to face. She pauses when she feels it. Holding the puppy out, she sees the sparkling gem attached to the collar. I drop to one knee.
“Elle, you came into my life at a time I couldn’t think to a future. The moment I saw you in the bar, I knew you were meant to be mine. We’ve had this time together and we’ve begun building this life together. Family is everything to you, to me, and I want it to be for us. Elle, you are everything and so much more. Would you do this Kentucky farmer the honor of being my wife?”
Tears fill her eyes as she nods and sets the puppy down before I can wrap her in my arms and press my lips to hers.
This moment is forever ours.
She is everything.
She is Elle.
And soon she will be my wife.
The End
You made it to the end!
I hope you enjoyed She is…! I would love to hear what you thought about this book. If you have a few moments to leave a review, I’d be very grateful.
Don’t want to miss a single release or update to my schedule? Sign up for my newsletter here! I promise I won’t spam you. I send out a monthly update on my release schedule and a quarterly Steals and Deals email full of bargain books waiting to fill your library.
Thank you for giving my book the honor of your time and a place on your shelf. I truly love writing and sharing every story with you.
* * *
Looking for more I Ain’t Your Mama Collaboration Books?
Check out:
She is… by Chelsea Camaron
Tougher Embrace by E.M. Shue
Blue Rogue by Kiera Jayne
A Girl Worth Fighting For by KL Donn
Manhattan by Kristen Hope Mazzola
Mamacita Needs a Margarita by Mayra Statham
More Than Enough by ML Rodriguez
Belladonna’s Heart by Teresa Crumpton
Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool by Winter Travers
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Chelsea Camaron is a small town Carolina girl with a big imagination. She’s a wife and mom, chasing her dreams. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and romance thrillers. She loves to write about blue-collar men who have real problems with a fictional twist. From mechanics, bikers, oil riggers, smokejumpers, bar owners, and beyond she loves a strong hero who works hard and plays harder.
* * *
Chelsea can be found on social media at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorchelseacamaron
Twitter: @chelseacamaron
Instagram: @chelseacamaron
Website: www.authorchelseacamaron.com
Email [email protected]
Join Chelsea’s reader group here: http://bit.ly/2BzvTa4
Also by Chelsea Camaron
Also by Chelsea Camaron
Hellions Ride On Series:
Hellions Ride On (Prequel)
Born to It
Bastard in It
Bleed for It
Bold from It
Broken by It
Brazen being It
Better as It
Breathe for It
Also by Chelsea Camaron
Roughnecks Series
Maverick
Heath
Lance
Wendol
Reese
Box Set Available
* * *
Devil’s Due MC Series:
Serving My Soldier
Crossover
In The Red
Below The Line
Close The Tab
Day of Reckoning
Paid in Full
Bottom Line
Also by Chelsea Camaron
Almanza Crime Family Duet
Cartel Bitch
Cartel Queen
* * *
Romantic Thriller Series:
Stay
Seeking Solace: Angelina’s Restoration
Reclaiming Me: Fallyn’s Revenge
Also by Chelsea Camaron
Mother Trucker
Panty Snatcher
Beer Goggles Anthology - Shenanigans
Santa, Bring Me a Biker!
* * *
The following series are co-written
Also by Chelsea Camaron
Regulators MC Series:
(co-written by Jessie Lane)
Ice
Hammer
Coal
* * *
Summer of Sin Series:
(co-written with Ripp Baker, Daryl Banner, Angelica Chase, MJ Fields, MX King)
Original Sin
Also by Chelsea Camaron
Caldwell Brothers Series:
(co-written with USA Today Bestselling Author MJ Fields)
Hendrix
Morrison
Jagger
* * *
Stand Alone Romance:
(co-written with USA Today Bestselling Author MJ Fields)
Visibly Broken
Use Me
Also by Chelsea Camaron
Ruthless Rebels MC Series:
(co-written with Ryan Michele)
Shamed
Scorned
Scarred
Schooled
Box Set Available
* * *
Power Chain Series:
(co-written with Ryan Michele)
Power Chain FREE eBook
PowerHouse
Power Player
Powerless
OverPowered
Excerpt from Hellions Ride On Prequel
Life is the road before me, some parts aren’t yet paved out. One thing is for sure, I ride with the Hellions Motorcycle Club. It’s in my blood and they’re at my back.
The ride for life is love, loyalty, and respect. This is how I ride because I am part of the legacy. Ride until I motherfucking die.
* * *
“What gives?” I ask, drizzling the syrup over the pancakes in front of me.
Shooter settles in the seat across from me, while my dad, Rex, turns the other dining room chair around to straddle it, settling in behind his plate. My mother’s dining room table used to be this small four person circle my mom found at a second hand store. Now, though, Shooter gave her seven babies and this bitch is twelve feet long and seats ten with elbow room.
My mom wants everyone to have their own space at the table. Bedrooms, she makes the younger kids share but as each kid gets into the teen years, they get their own room. The house has grown over the years, Mom makes Shooter add on and he does. Thankfully, I was seven – almost eight – before they starting having the brood. I always had my own room and at eighteen, Shooter built me an apartment over the garage. Shooter is my step-dad and a man to look up to. He’s always had my back and we have a close relationship.
My biological dad, Rex, takes a bite of his pancakes. “Damn Shooter, you cook, and you keep that wife knocked up so you obviously got shit going on in bed. If I was a broad, I might wanna marry you too.” Dad jokes with my step-dad, Shooter.
The two men are brothers in the Hellions Motorcycle Club and thick as thieves. During my teen years, I couldn’t get anything past either one of them. It’s funny how things work out in life. Knowing the history between them and how Shooter protected my mom well, it is amazing to think they overcame everything to be so close.
“Shut the hell up about my mom being knocked up,”
I tell them both as my pancakes don’t seem as appealing when my dad is talking about my stepdad fucking my mom. “Shooter, you made pancakes, who’s dying?” I put the real question on the table while continuing to eat.
Everyone knows no one makes better pancakes than Andy “Shooter” Jenkins, so I won’t let them go to waste. I also know if Shooter is making pancakes for me specifically there is something going on. This has been our thing for as long as Shooter has been in my life.
“Not a boy anymore,” Shooter says, his blond hair still spikey; the man hasn’t aged a bit even as he pushes close to sixty.
He is fit as if he was still a Green Beret in the Army. He has eyes that grow dark when he’s worried or pissed. Shooter is typically even keel about everything, but if there is the slightest danger to my mom or any of his kids, including me, well, he becomes one scary motherfucker. Having him in my life for so long I can see the seriousness in his eyes.
“Don’t fuckin’ do this shit, Shooter,” I mutter dropping my fork as the anxiety rises in my belly and tightens in my chest. “Do not make me some damn pancakes and tell me something’s wrong with someone I love.”
She is ...: I Ain’t Ya Mama Collab Page 9
