She reached up and fingered a longish lock of Jonas’s silky hair. He needed to have it cut again. If it wasn’t for her reminding him every few months, she was sure he’d probably let it grow until he tripped on it. She smiled gently. That was okay with her, she loved him just the way he was.
The gentle wind tugged at the veil she had pinned to her hair and she absently raised her hand to steady it.
“A white veil,” she muttered. She looked down at her pretty, flowered maternity dress. Jonas had wanted her to wear a white gown when they repeated their vows in front of Reverend Walsh, but she’d stood firm and had only relented by wearing the snowy and billowing headpiece he’d picked out. She chuckled at the memory of how he’d argued with her.
“There’s nothing virginal about a pregnant bride,” she said to him now.
“Remember,” he told her, a twinkle of humor in his eye, “the state already considers you an honest woman. Our quickie wedding was completely legal. We’re only going to repeat our vows to the minister.”
“Yeah, but these people out here on the street don’t know that,” she muttered. “They’re looking at me like I’m a crazy woman.”
“I know,” he said. “Isn’t it great?”
She refrained from growling at him.
The roar of a jet engine high overhead drew Tony’s rapt attention.
“How ‘bout a plane?” Tony suddenly blurted. “I could have a plane.”
She and Jonas laughed together. He held open the heavy wooden door of the church and she waddled inside with her loving family close behind her.
The End
A note from the author
I often ‘borrow’ real life experiences when I’m writing, and one such incident occurred that I’ve included in this book. The very first time I babysat my nephew Michael (he’s now married with two children of his own), he was nearly inconsolable over the fact that his mother had left him. I was a young teen at the time, and try as I might, I couldn’t make him understand that mommy would soon return. Thinking that some cookies might help the situation (sweets are always the answer, no?), I went to the kitchen and when I returned to the play room, Michael was nowhere to be found. I followed his cries and found him wedged between his mother’s bed and nightstand, his head cradled by her pillow as he sobbed. My heart shredded at the sight. I pulled him up onto the bed where we both cried ourselves to sleep. The experience left an indelible mark on me.
If you enjoyed AN ACCIDENTAL FAMLY, please consider taking a look at the other stand-alone books in my A Family Forever Series:
A Beautiful Stranger (only 99¢)
Made in Paradise
A Reason to Believe
Nanny and the Professor
Please consider connecting with me via these social media outlets:
Website: http://www.DonnaFasano.com
Twitter: http://www.Twitter/DonnaFaz
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I want to thank you for reading my book. I do hope you found it entertaining. Posting a review or telling a friend about good books is the best way a reader can support an author. Please leave a review (it only takes a minute!) or tell a friend about AN ACCIDENTAL FAMILY.
Happy Reading,
~Donna Fasano~
Other Books By Donna Fasano
Sweet Romance
His Wife For A While
Taking Love in Stride
Take Me, I’m Yours
Mountain Laurel
Return of the Runaway Bride
Her Fake Romance
And others
Contemporary Romance
Ocean City Boardwalk Series:
Following His Heart, Bk 1 (only $1.99)
Two Hearts in Winter, Bk 2
Wild Hearts of Summer, Bk 3
Series 3-Book Bundle
For the best experience, read this series in order.
Women’s Fiction
Finding Fiona
The Merry-Go-Round
For a full list of the authors back titles,
visit her website.
About the author
DONNA FASANO an Award-Winning, USA Today Bestselling Author. She wrote for Harlequin for over 20 years. Her books have been published in nearly two dozen languages and have sold over 4 million copies worldwide. Never miss a new release or a reduced-price sale! Sign up for Donna’s Newsletter here.
Learn more about the author by visiting her website, following her on Twitter, or friend her on FaceBook.
TIDAL FALLS
Tidal Falls
Wounded Hearts #1
Jacquie Biggar
USA Today Bestselling Author
Copyrights
Copyright © 2014 by Jacquie Biggar
Book Description
Nick Kelley spent years working as a dog handler in the U.S. Marine Corps. His sole focus, to keep his team alive in the midst of chaos. When he fails to notice an IED in time and loses most of his teammates, Nick shuts down.
It takes meeting and falling in love with a woman in danger to make him realize life’s worth living.
Dedication
I have so many people I’d like to thank in the making of this, my first novel. First, and foremost my husband, Robert John. Without you I wouldn’t have had the courage to pursue my dreams. Thank you, baby.
My mom, who always told me I could be whatever I wanted to be, I just had to try. You were right, as always.
To my critique buddies, you know who you are. Without you pushing me to better myself, this book might not have ever happened.
And to Kim Killion and Jennifer Jakes, for the beautiful cover I’m so proud of, and the services you provided to save this newbie from pulling her hair out. Thank you.
Praise for Jacquie Biggar
“The highlight of the book is without a doubt the characterization. The characters shine and make the book worthwhile.” ~ InD'Tale Magazine-Feb/15
“Jacquie Biggar has a wonderful gift for writing hot and extremely likable military men! I couldn't decide who was my favorite: Nick, Frank, Jared or Adam. Luckily this novel is the start of a series so the good news is that I'll be seeing a lot of these men again in future books by Ms. Biggar. Hooyah!” ~ J. Reed
Prologue
Sara Sheridan tapped her toes with nervous anticipation, and when her husband turned away to network with the senator and his wife, she made her move. Excusing herself from her half-hearted discussion on the state of the economy with old Judge Perkins, she edged out of the dining room and hurried down the dimly lit hallway, ignoring the condescending stares from Tom’s ancestors lining the walls in their expensive frames.
Knees quaking now she’d in fact committed to her plan, Sara slid the key borrowed from his nightstand into the lock, entered his office and pulled the heavy oak door closed. She Flipped on the lights and froze as his mahogany desk loomed out of the darkness. The pungent scent of his tobacco violated her nostrils, but she forced her stiff limbs to move across the room. She wanted nothing more than to run, fast and far. But couldn’t, not yet. Rolling his heavy leather chair out of the way, she slid her fingers across the keypad to wake his computer. Password protected, she’d expected that. Pulling a list from her pocket, she started at the top, working her way down.
Nothing. Please, please, plea…
The screen changed, signaling success.
Yes.
Her eyes slid shut in a moment of gratitude. Then, knowing she had to hurry, Sara grasped the thumb drive Fiona had smuggled to her and plugged it in. A quick search brought no results.
Now what?
Frustrated, she entered random words from the password list.
Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
Crap.
Covert stuff wasn’t her forte. Her hand sweaty on the mouse, and her ragged breathing loud in the otherwise silent room, she keyed in one last word.
Phoenix.
The screen switched and a list of names, dates and times appeared. She’d done it.
Excitement skittered up her spine. The download took the longest minute of her life. When it was done, she shut everything down, replaced his chair and turned to leave.
A muffled thud out in the hall just about stopped her heart. She wasted precious seconds staring at the closed door wishing herself invisible, before frantically searching for a place to hide. There were heavy velvet drapes covering the windows, they’d have to do.
Praying her dust allergies wouldn’t give her away, she hid between the folds, clenching the edges of the fabric in her hands and kicking herself seven ways to Sunday for leaving the key in the outer lock.
Sara held her breath when the door opened, praying it wasn’t Tom.
It wasn’t.
Belinda, Jessica’s nanny, entered and sauntered across to the leather sofa along the opposite wall.
What was she doing?
After an extensive search among the pillows the nanny smiled in triumph, pulling a pink bit of nothing from between the plump cushions. She was just pushing the material into the cleavage of her skin-tight dress when Sara’s worst nightmare come true.
Tom snarled from the open doorway. “What are you doing in here? I told you to go upstairs and find my wife. Our guests are preparing to leave.”
He strode across the room and snatched Belinda up by the arm, jerking her against his chest. “What are you hiding?” Pushing her hand away he shoved his fingers down the front of her dress and withdrew the scrap of cloth still peeking from between her breasts.
“Tom, please. I only wanted to find those before the staff or your wife found them. Let me go. You need to get back to the party. Everyone will be looking for you.” Though her voice betrayed her nervousness, she still flirted with him through her lashes.
He crushed the silk, giving a sneering laugh as he bunched his hand into her blonde hair. “Do you really think I give a shit if anyone finds some thong? I’ve told you before not to come in here without me. I won’t tell you again.” His voice was a dark omen in the twilit room.
He dropped his head to hers in a punishing kiss that swiftly changed to passion when Belinda’s arms and legs wrapped around him as though she were riding a stripper pole.
After long minutes that seemed to last forever to Sara, she broke away with a sultry laugh and backed through the open door, her finger crooking a follow-me message.
Tom hesitated, his gaze scouring the room before he slowly followed, closing the door behind him.
Sara remained hidden; her heart pounding. Even though her husband’s actions had long ago managed to erase any of the tender feelings they’d ever shared, it hadn’t made this scene any less repugnant.
Finally deeming it safe she inched her way back to the door, pressing her ear against the smooth wood.
Silence.
She turned the brass knob, grateful it slid open and hurried to her room, her mind already filled with the next step of her crazy plan.
Escape.
Chapter One
Tom Sheridan rubbed his aching temple, lifted the cup to his lips and grimaced at the disgusting taste of cold coffee. He glanced at the Cartier on his wrist and frowned. Eleven. He’d been working his way through the backlog of cases on his desk for hours.
His hand jerked at a sharp rap on the door, causing coffee to spill on the papers. He sighed, and barked an order to enter, swiping ineffectively at the stain.
Sam Willets, his head of security, stepped into the room.
“Well, do you have some news?”
“No, sir. We almost had ’em in Chicago, but they slipped away. Since then she’s gotten smarter, must be using cash. No worries though, she’ll turn up.”
“Close the fucking door.”
Tom surged to his feet, his heavy chair toppling backward with a crash in the quiet room. “That bitch is going to cost me everything.”
Sam’s eyes flickered. He shifted back a step. “We'll get her. It’s only been a couple of months, Boss. How do you want me to handle it when we do?”
“You just worry about finding them. I'll take care my wife.”
He stalked past the idiot and moved to his liquor cabinet, pouring a healthy glass of Glenlivet scotch. It slid down the back of his throat in a single hot shot. He hissed and sucked in a searing breath before pouring himself another.
“Go now, and make sure you keep me updated. Take a couple more men with you. The more eyes looking, the better.”
Nodding, Sam left the room while Tom cradled his drink and brooded over the large painting filling the wall behind his desk. His wife's work. It depicted an old grey rustic cabin set against a backdrop of Glacier Mountains. A brook flowed through waving green grass. The colors were so vibrant he felt as if he were looking through a window at the water bubbling past. Could almost smell the wildflowers climbing the cabin walls.
How dare she think she could walk away from him?
Nobody walked away from him.
Ever.
* * *
Her covers a twisted mess, Sara awoke and gazed through the partially open window of her small bedroom. The dreams always left her unsettled—a kaleidoscope of love, laughter, screaming, blood and death.
The sun cresting from the bosom of the Cascade Mountains caught her attention. She couldn’t believe almost a year had already passed since their arrival in Tidal Falls.
The pinks and oranges lighting the distant sky highlighted the yard's lone fifteen-foot cherry tree. Filled with shiny red new leaves and delicate pink blossoms, it soothed her tired mind. Fresh cut lawns blended with the tang of lemony-scented roses, and the heady sweetness of night stock and lavender. An already warm breeze blowing through the screen stroked her cool skin and made the white eyelet curtains flutter.
Her eyes slid closed and she was just relaxing back to sleep when a sudden hammering at her front door startled her out of bed.
Her pulse pounding, she hurried to throw on her chenille bathrobe, and make her way through the still dim house. Grateful for the steel door, she peered through the little viewer. Tess Garrett, their next-door neighbor, landlady, and good friend, stood on the other side.
“Tess, is there something wrong?” she called, releasing the deadbolt lock.
Concern for her friend had her hurrying to open the door, and that’s when she noticed the stranger crouched behind Tess rubbing the broad back of a Shepherd. The man came to his feet, and she saw he towered several inches over her own head. She took a quick step back, a hand going to her uncombed hair and the other into the lapels of her robe, drawing them together.
“Sorry to worry you, Sara dear. This is Nick, one of my tenants. He seems to believe his dog might have been in your new flower garden. I’ve already told him I didn’t think so, but he insisted on talking to you himself.” Tess’s acerbic tone relayed what she thought of him not taking her word on the subject.
“I’m sorry to bother you, ma’am. Jake here came home pretty mucked up this morning. I followed the tracks and they led me here.” His voice rumbled through her chest, causing goose bumps Sara put down to being chilled.
“Mommy, who’s here?” Jess stumbled out of her room, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
“Everything’s fine, honey,” she soothed. The hound, hearing Jessica’s voice, whined.
Turning her attention back to the door, she tried not to stare, but holy cow, the man could have graced a magazine cover. The eyes looking down at her were the deepest cobalt blue she’d ever seen; with long dark lashes any woman would envy. His face was all angles and planes of perfection, except for an angry looking scar she could see peeking out from under the coffee brown hair at his temple.
She started, realizing he was waiting for an answer. “No, I don’t think that could be possible. Our yard is fenced.”
“You might want to take a look around. I can’t have him roaming the neighborhood destroying people’s property,” he said. His penetrating gaze made her nervous, causing her to shift her bare feet, which he immediately picked up on, one eyebrow li
fting in humor.
A long dark nose poked through the gap.
“Oh Mom, look at him.” Jessica moved to pet the animal before Sara could reach out to stop her.
“Jessica Anne Marie! That dog could be dangerous, get back.”
“He’s not mean Mom, look,” she giggled. “Please, can I pet him?”
“Jake loves attention.” That raspy voice again.
The big brute wedged his face further into the opening, trying his level best to lick Jessica’s shining face as she gazed up at her Mom, and like an under-done cake, Sara caved. Catching Tess’s smiling nod, she opened the door a little wider. Grimacing a little at the wet dog smell, she let the animal into the house.
“I wanted to apologize for any destruction Jake’s done, and offer to pay for damages.” He held his hand out. “Nick Kelley. I’ve just moved in across the road.”
Self-conscious, she lowered the hand trying to tame her bedhead hair, but ignored his outstretched one in favor of tightening the belt on her robe.
“Look at young Jessica.” Startled out of her preoccupation with the disconcerting man, Sara turned at Tess’s words to see her daughter’s arms wound tight around the dog, face buried in his damp fur. “You need one, Sara. It’d be good for both of you.”
As she considered Jess’s pleading eyes, she knew her friend was probably right. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Kelley, but I’m sure our garden is just fine. And if it isn’t, we’ll fix it. No worries.”
“Well, if you change your mind, I’m more than happy to pay for the repairs. Jake sometimes thinks he’s still out in the field. We’re working on that though, aren’t we, buddy?” At the loving inflection in his master’s tone, Jake’s ears perked up and he peeled himself away from Jessica, returning to Nick’s side for a pat.
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