by Anna Brooks
“It’s okay, sweetheart, I’ll get her.”
“Have I ever told you how much I love you?”
I kiss Char on her bare stomach before I throw on a pair of sweats and walk down the hall to Caroline’s room.
“How’s my angel?” I stare down at my perfect six-month-old daughter in her crib. Her hair is dark like mine, but she has blue eyes like Char. We argue about who Caroline got them from since both of us have blue eyes, but they look like Char’s. Pink onesie and matching socks, she smiles a toothless grin at me and kicks her legs. I lose a piece of my heart every time I look at her.
Caroline Elizabeth Parker is an angel, and aside from Charlotte, the absolute best thing in my life. Char didn’t know she was pregnant until she was almost four months along. We were already married and had moved into a house on the lake. She was so stressed about everything else going on, she forgot to get her birth control shot. She didn’t realize she was late until it was really late.
“Are you hungry?” I gently pick her up and cradle her tiny body against me, resting her head under my chin. She coos, and her warm, wet slobber dribbles down my chest. I kiss her cheeks as I lay her on the changing table, tickling her tummy.
“Let’s get you changed, baby girl. Mommy’s waiting for you.” With a quickness I didn’t know I possessed, I change her diaper before she realizes she hasn’t had breakfast yet.
She blows spit bubbles at me, and I hold her in one arm, gently swaying her back to my bedroom. It’s amazing how the two loves of my life fit in my arms so different, yet so perfect.
When I walk in, Char is on her side, ratty old t-shirt back on, and her eyes are closed. I watch her for a minute, her breaths slow and steady, and realize she fell back asleep.
I still question every day how I got so lucky to marry the most beautiful, kind, loving woman in the world.
I’m not sure how long I stand there, but Caroline starts squirming around and flailing her arms. Her tiny fist hits me in the face, and I look at her with an unnaturally large expression of shock— mouth and eyes wide open.
She laughs at my silly face and hits me again. This time, I grab her fingers and kiss them. Her laughter turns into a cry, and I try to calm her, walking toward the kitchen. Laugher escapes me when I realize I’m bouncing with every step.
“It’s okay, angel. You’re hungry aren’t you?” Caroline slept for almost six hours straight last night. But I woke Char up early this morning, so really, she lost a couple of hours sleep she normally would have gotten.
“Let’s get you a bottle.”
I warm the water and add formula, testing the temperature on my wrist. Caroline starts whining louder, and I lay her in my arm, and hold the bottle in my opposite hand. I walk back to her room and hold her close in the rocking chair. Her eyes start to close, and I take the opportunity to rest mine.
Once she falls asleep, the bottle falls from her mouth and drops to the floor. I wipe the formula from her chin before carefully laying her back in her crib. Leaning down, I kiss her cheek.
“Be a good girl for Mommy. Love you, baby,” I whisper.
I tiptoe out of her room and stand outside the door for a minute making sure she’s really asleep. I quietly slip into the master bathroom and take a shower. After I get dressed, I look at the clock and curse under my breath.
Hating to wake Char again, but knowing I can't leave without saying goodbye, I sit on the edge of the bed next to her and brush some hair off her face.
“Sweetheart, I’ve gotta go.” She stirs and without opening her eyes, leans up and gives me a crappy kiss, before plopping her head down and rolling over.
I laugh and roll her back over.
“Not how this works, Char.”
She squints an eye and gives me a saucy smile. “I like making you beg.”
Her voice is so damn sexy in the morning, and even though I just had her about an hour ago, my dick starts to get hard again.
“You know I’ll beg any time, but I’m running late. I really have to go.”
“Oh. Shit, sorry.” She sits up and leans over, wrapping her arms around my neck. We share a passionate kiss that’s supposed to get me through a few days. Finally pulling back, I kiss her nose.
“You work tonight, right?” I ask.
“Yeah. Just until about ten. Your mom’s coming up to watch Caroline and spend the night. We’re going out to lunch before she goes back tomorrow.”
Since having the baby, Char still works at The Pub, but very little. She more or less fills in at the bar but has also been doing some paperwork in the office lately. She says she’s happy there, loves working with her family.
“Have fun.” I kiss her again and rest my forehead on hers. “I’ll miss you.”
“You, too.”
“Bye, sweetheart.”
“Bye, Travis.”
She lies back down, and I pull the covers up. As I reach the door, she calls for me. I turn around, and while still lying in bed, she says, “I’m pregnant.”
Charlotte
“What did he say?” Mary is practically hopping up and down on the couch.
“He stood there for a minute, shocked. Then he smiled and ran to me.”
“Yeah? Then what?”
“Then we celebrated, and he was late for work,” I blush.
“Um, hmm. I bet you did.” She swallows the last of her wine, and I offer more. “Nah. I’m good.Thanks, though.”
Her phone rings, and she briefly looks at it before hitting silent.
“Who was that?”
“Guess.”
“Why don’t you talk to him?”
“Because he’s an asshole.”
My eyebrows naturally furrow. Brandon Parker is not an asshole. And I know for a fact he cares about Mary. As close as we’ve gotten over the past year, she still won’t tell me what is up between them.
“He’s not. And you know it.”
“I know.” She unlocks her phone and opens a text. Her lips curl into a smile, and her eyes brighten for a brief second, before she masks her features and looks back at me. “But it just won’t work out.”
“One of these days, you’re going to have to tell me what happened between you two.”
“I know.” She looks at her watch. “Listen, I’ve gotta go.”
After giving each other a hug and a promise to call soon, I pick up my phone to call Travis.
“Hey,” he answers on the first ring.
“Hey. Whatcha doing?” I grab the glass and my water bottle from the coffee table and walk to the kitchen.
“Just got done eating? Mary still there?”
“No, she just left.”
“I miss you.”
Sighing, I sit on a kitchen chair. “You, too.”
“How’s my baby?”
“I’m great, thanks for asking.”
“Ha. Ha. You’re a comedian. My other baby?”
“Perfect. Sleeping. Between your mom spending the night last night and Mary bringing us supper, she was exhausted.”
“Maybe you can get a good night’s sleep tonight.”
“Maybe you can, too.”
“I hope so. I’m fucking exhaust —”
The shrill of an alarm echoes through my receiver, and I have to pull the phone from my ear.
“Fuck,” Travis mutters. “Gotta go. Love you, sweetheart.”
I don’t get a chance to tell him I love him, too, because he already hung up.
I shut all the lights off and head upstairs. When I go to check on Caroline, her head turns, and her little lip is quivering. She doesn’t make a peep, but tears roll out of her eyes. I don’t care what Travis says, they look just like his.
“What’s the matter, Caroline?”
I pick her up and check her diaper. She can’t be hungry. Maybe she’s teething. I walk around the room and rock her in my arms, trying to get the tears to stop. She suddenly smiles, and I stay right where I am. You learn very quickly as a mother that when you find something th
at works, you stick with it.
I follow her line of sight to a picture of her and Travis. It was our first day home, and he was standing, looking through the window that overlooks the lake. He was holding her on his chest, one hand supporting her little padded bottom, while the other was on her back and neck. Kissing her sleeping head, his eyes were closed, but the love coming from his face is something too unbelievable for words.
“Is that Daddy?”
Her lip stops shaking and her mouth opens, unintelligible words coming out.
“Yeah? Really? What happened then?” I grab the picture off the dresser and move it to the stand next to her rocking chair. I set it down and sit, rocking her so she can see the picture. She laughs and kicks her feet, eyes never leaving the photo.
A silent tear rolls down my face at the love she has for her father. When he’s not here, I feel just as sad as she does.
As her eyes become heavy, I can’t take mine away from the framed picture. I didn’t think it was possible to love him any more than I already did, but seeing him as a father, his sincerity, his protectiveness, his love, adds a whole other dimension.
Now we’re having another baby. I never knew what I wanted to do with my life, and I still don’t. Maybe I was meant to be a mom. If I never accomplish anything else, I’ll be happy knowing I have the love of my children and a wonderful man who makes me forget there was a time in my life I thought I didn’t have a future.
Setting her back in the crib, I shut her door and wipe my eyes again. As I’m about to turn the corner for my room, a shadow comes up the stairs, and I stand still. I always thought I’d know how to react if someone broke into my house, but in this moment, I’m frozen. Shaking.
When the figure reaches the top of the stairs, I take a step back toward Caroline's room. I turn my back and run, I want to get to her and call the police. They’ll have to kill me before I let anyone hurt her.
“Sweetheart, it’s just me,” Travis whispers. “I didn’t know if you were sleeping. I didn’t want to wake you.”
I sag against the door and let out a sigh of relief. Then I turn with the intention of punching him in his rock hard stomach for scaring me, but he’s still wearing his turnouts and boots, with a navy blue t-shirt stretched against his chest. I stop mid stride and gawk at him.
He smirks and quirks a finger for me to come to him. I quickly walk over and hop into his arms. He leans down and puts his face in my neck.
“You always smell so fucking good.” He kisses my neck and trails his mouth up until it connects with mine, kissing me like he’ll never see me again. He growls and pulls back, setting me on the ground. I take a moment to gain my bearings again. He gets me so worked up.
“What are you doing here?”
“False alarm. We made a detour on the way back. I wanted to kiss you goodnight and sneak a peek at Caroline.” He walks to her room, somehow quiet even in his gear, and comes out a minute later.
He gives me a sweet but innocent kiss, smacks my butt, and heads back down the stairs.
“Night, sweetheart.”
“Night. Love you.” I stand at the top of the stairs watching him walk down.
He stops and looks up. “I love you, too, Charlotte. So much.”
Before he walks away, he winks at me, and I take off my sock and throw it at him, missing.
“You look creepy, don’t do that!” I yell as he laughs.
“Get some sleep. And be ready for me when I get home tomorrow morning.” His voice fades as he walks away, but that doesn’t stop me from yelling back.
“I’ve been ready for you since I was seventeen years old.”
I hear him laugh before the door shuts. I run to the window and pull the curtain open, peeking at him getting back in the fire truck. The guys all look up at me and wave, making kissy faces. Travis shakes his head and waves as they pull away. I watch until I can’t see the taillights anymore, smiling.
Travis has given me the happily ever after I always wanted, but never knew I needed.
Acknowledgements
I can’t believe I’m to this point, I have so many people to thank, and I’m terrified I’m going to forget somebody. I don’t even know where to start. I guess from the beginning. I wanted to keep it a secret I was writing a book. But since I was so excited about it, I had to blab to somebody. Cally, thank you for being the first person to listen to my idea, and for being so supportive. My sister, Abby, you were the first one to read anything and encouraged me to keep going. Thank you for always being there for me. Mom, when I finally told you, the pride in your voice made the countless hours of frustration worth it. So thanks, for believing in me, like always.
Jeremiah, for answering all of my questions about paramedics and firefighters.
Then came Scribophile. There are a countless number of people that helped me with this book, from critiquing, giving ideas, to answering questions about publishing, and so much more. To each and every one of you, I thank you.
Beta Readers. Seriously, you all rock, and I appreciate you for taking the time to read and your feedback, input, and encouragement. It meant so much to me that you liked it, and I can’t say thanks enough. So, to Becky D, Kelly H, Shenae, Sue S, Taylor D, Cayenne, Kathryn J, Polly B, Stacie G, Taylor S, Lizzie W — THANK YOU!
I’d also like to thank my editor, Jenny, from Editing 4 Indies. You are incredible. I can’t tell you how appreciative I am for you squeezing me in, answering all of my questions, and the superior work you did. This indie world is crazy, and you helped make it understandable.
My cover designer, Kari, from Cover to Cover Designs. I consider myself very lucky to have such a talented artist working on my book. You have been so helpful, and I appreciate you more than you know. Your work is stunning, and I am just blown away.
Of course the cover wouldn’t be the beauty that it is without that picture. Just wow! Mandy, from Mandy Hollis Photography, your talent astounds me. You took my vision and captured it perfectly. And to the models, Julio Elving and Rainey Wilson - perfection. You guys are amazing, and I’m so grateful to have you on my first cover.
Special thanks to Bree at Vivid Words Editing for your sharp eye and Stacey at Champagne Formats for fixing my lame attempt at formatting myself!
To Erin at Southern Belle Promotions. I had so many questions. And you answered each and every one (and there were a lot!). I’m so lucky to have you working with me and look forward to many more blasts and tours with you!
Authors J.D. Hollyfield and Skye Turner. Just want to say thank you for being so open to a new author, and answering my questions and encouragement. I appreciate your kindness.
I would also like to thank the band Like A Storm. Little do they know, not only has their music inspired me, but their hard work and dedication to their craft is something that I admire, and keeps me motivated to continue striving toward my dream.
My All Over Ink girls, Kelly, Megan, and Marianne. I can’t even… You have been my rocks during this entire process. You’ve listened to me bitch, laughed with me, and told me not to cry. Don’t know how I got so lucky, but you’re stuck with me now! Words cannot express how much your friendship means to me. Thank you isn’t an adequate enough word. #TheAwesome
Of course none of this would have happened without the support of my husband and two boys. I love you guys so much and don’t know how I could have done it without you. For the past year you’ve had to put up with my subpar housecleaning abilities, crappy meals, wrinkled laundry, and crazy mood swings. I’m blessed to have your love.
And last, but not least, the readers. Without you, this would not be possible. Please know that when I say thank you for reading, I do it from the bottom of my heart.
One choice can ruin everything…
When a stop at a shady motel puts Brandon Parker face to face with his best friend, Mary, for the first time in over a decade, he almost didn’t believe it.
He’d never stopped searching for her, but even a career in law enforcement
couldn’t help him find a woman who wanted to stay invisible.
When Mary Benson ran away at eighteen, she did it with good reason. A man was in the hospital because of her, and the people she loved were in danger. She had to leave to keep them safe.
Mary’s guilt was her consolation. She’d lived with her decisions and accepted the hand dealt to her. But Brandon was about to shuffle the deck in a way she never expected.
One thing was for sure, he thought she’d be happy to see him… and he’d never been more wrong about anything in his life.
Show Me How
Copyright © 2015 Anna Brooks
Published by Anna Brooks
Cover design by Cover to Cover Designs
Editing by Editing4Indies
Formatting by Champagne Formats
Proofreading by Vivid Words Editing
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form without written permission except for the use of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.
Dedication
To my mom.
For being the strongest woman I know.
Thank you for always being there for me.
Chapter 1
Seventeen years old
Mary
I TAKE IN THE faces surrounding me at the kitchen island as they sing to me. I smile, though not nearly as big on the outside as I do on the inside. They’re not my real family, but I love them more than my own blood. Hell, they love me more than my real parents do, which is why I consider Steve and Elizabeth Parker just that.
