by Elsie James
“Ainsley, I spent my childhood here. That’s how I met your father. I never wanted his money. But I can admit I always wanted to find ways to be around him. He was the man I hoped to be one day. I never should have lied to you. And you shouldn’t have followed me…to my house…like a stalker.” I have to laugh at the last part. The thought of Ainsley building a case against me and following me through town is ridiculous.
“I most definitely should not have followed you,” she chuckles in agreement.
I pull her close to me and hug her. Not wanting to ever let go. We hear a happy sound and look toward the building. The kids greet us in the doorway. I kiss the top of her head and release her. Taking her hand, I lead her to the fire pit.
“Can we make you a s’more?” I ask her.
The kids help me roast a perfectly toasted marshmallow. We sandwich it in chocolate and wrap our creation in a flakey crescent roll cooked over the open flame. The kids cover it with rainbow sprinkles and present it to her on a blue paper plate.
“Try it! Try it!” The kids chant. “Shane always makes the best s’mores, and we gave you extra sprinkles!”
Ainsley takes a bite and turns to the kids, giving them a thumbs up as she chews. “This is excellent! I can’t believe I’ve lived for so long without s’mores.”
I take a seat next to Ainsley around the bonfire. The moon illuminates the star-filled sky. I wrap us together in a blanket and pull her close. She leans into me as the kids take turns sharing stories and singing to the music. Ainsley, even with her lavish life, fits here somehow. I don’t know how she does it, but she blends seamlessly into my world. Laughing, asking questions, and making sure each family has the chance to tell their story. She is incredible.
As the families make their way to the exit, we stand to hug them goodbye. I volunteer Ainsley and me to stay and tend the fire. “I have something for you.” I tell her.
“What? Shane, no. You shouldn’t have gotten me anything. I should be apologizing to you and buying you a present.”
“No. I don’t want you to buy me anything, ever. I thought we covered this.” I smirk at her.
I take off my necklace and hand it to her. “Here. This necklace belongs to my mother. She’s not perfect, but she’s always done her best. Before I went into foster care for the first time, she gave it to me. She told me that it was the nicest thing she owned and that she only wanted me to think of the nicest parts of her. I’ve worn it everyday since.”
She clasps her hand around the pendant. “Shane, you don’t have to…”
“No, Ainsley. I do. I never should’ve lied to you. I was worried that if you found out who I really was, you’d judge me for my past. But I never should’ve doubted you because you are your father’s daughter.
“I was on the edge when I met him, one step away from slipping through the cracks. Leo showed me what it looks like to be a man. To love fiercely and protect selflessly. He saved my life. Spent time with me and took a chance on me when I had nothing to give him in return.
“You are just like him. I’ve watched you here with the kids. They felt heard, valued. You let them know that their stories matter. You created an initiative that honors employees by literally giving them a seat at your table. You lead your team with integrity, and you make me want to do the same thing. You are every bit the daughter he deserves.”
The light of the fire flickers on Ainsley’s face. Her eyes well with tears. “So, this is you? This is the real Shane? A fresh start, with no lies?”
“Ainsley, I love you even though you wear ridiculous shoes. I might even grow to love Duchy overtime. You bring out the best parts of me and I want to stand by you through every event in your life. You won’t walk all over me, in fact I promise I will challenge you everyday. But I will never stop loving you.”
She smiles at me and I hold out my hand.
“Hi, I’m Shane. I grew up here at Mary’s Daisy and your dad saved my life. Nice to meet you.”
Ainsley smiles at me, tears streaming down her face. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ainsley. I’m ridiculously rich and just learning about the real world. I just found out there is this amazing center for kids in my own town.”
Ainsley reaches for me, and I envelop her in my arms. We sway with the rhythm of the song underneath the canopy of stars.
“You know, the real Shane is pretty sweet.”
I chuckle. She has me there. “Let’s keep that a secret.”
Epilogue: Ainsley Two Years Later
Shane holds my hand as I lay in my hospital bed in the maternity ward. I can’t believe that in just a few hours I’ll be holding our daughter.
Shane and I got married only six months into our relationship. Neither of us has ever been good at waiting. Shane wore a suit and asked Daddy for his permission to marry me. Daddy told him that being married to me would be a full-time job. Shane promised that he would not be outworked and he has kept his word. He makes me smile every day.
We invited the families from Mary’s Daisy to our wedding. Daddy walked me down the aisle outside at the vineyard while Shane’s mother watched from the front row.
Shane and I volunteer at the center weekly. I teach a group for teenage girls about self-esteem. We talk about the small things, hair and outfits. But they know they can ask me about the real stuff too. The girls are changing me as much as I am changing them.
When we found out I was pregnant, I knew immediately it would be a girl. She and I will no doubt become best friends. I have amassed over fifty dresses for little Isabella when she arrives. Shane has been spending his time at the gym. He says he’s amassing more muscle to fight off the boys.
After the longest fourteen hours of my life, I hear the newborn screams of our baby. My body is exhausted yet filled with an indescribable energy. Tears flow down my face. I did it. We did it. Shane and I made a perfect, healthy baby and she’s finally here. The doctor hands the tiny pink baby to Shane. He glows with pride. He was made to be a dad.
“My son.” Shane’s eyes well with tears. “‘l’ll teach you what it means to be a man.”
“Wait, son?” I stare at Shane in disbelief. “Isabella is a boy?”
Shane nodds his head. Tears stream down his face. “A boy. He looks like me.”
“Well, someone has got to get him a dapper outfit! I can’t have my son doing his first photo shoot in a dress.”
Shane chuckles at me. “I think we have a few other things to worry about right now.”
I look at the precious bundle in his arms. Two of the most important people in my world. I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
“Ainsley, you’ll always be surrounded by handsome men.”
I smile at Shane. He’s right. I’m in love with the little face that stares back at me. I glance at the handmade pink receiving blanket in the corner with the name Isabella embroidered down the front.
“I guess we will need a new blanket. What should we name him?” I ask Shane. “We can’t call him Isabella.”
Shane answers without hesitation. “Welcome to the world, Leonardo.”
THANK YOU
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Shane and Ainsley’s story. We have so many demands on our time and I am honored you spent the last few hours in Peony Pointe. I fall in love with the characters, even Ainsley who can be a little hard to love at times :) and love giving them their happily ever afters.
If you have enjoyed reading Ainsley please consider leaving a review. Just a few words makes a world of difference for me!
Ainsley is the second of four books in the Peony Pointe series. Keep reading for a sneak peak at Book 3, Juni.
Hugs,
Elsie
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ALSO BY ELSIE JAMES
Peony Pointe
Jessa Ainsley Juni Rachel
Candlelight Cove (Coming Soon to Kindle Unlimited)
Don’t miss Juni’s story in Peony Pointe Book 3
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Turn the page for the first chapter.
Chapter 1: Hunter
“Thanks, man.” Ben has been at my townhouse all afternoon making last minute alterations on my tux for tonight’s big event. Ben has been fitting me for years. I’d guess that we are around the same age. But, he is always uncomfortably formal around me. I understand why. Hell, the monotony of my life makes me uncomfortable too.
“Sit dude. Have a beer with me.” Opening the fridge, I hold a beer in Ben’s direction.
He hesitates before taking the beer. “Thanks.” He places it directly onto the end table next to his seam ripper and scissors. “Are you ready for tonight? It’s finally happening.” Ben talks through pursed lips that hold straight pins.
“Yeah,” I say casually. “It’s just another party to impress the right people if you ask me. But, I’m a company man. I’ll put on the tux and get through it.” I inhale my entire beer in one long drink and grab myself another.
“Hey, it's not everyday your old man retires from such an impressive career.” Ben rigidly takes a sip of his beer. If we had met in a normal way, on a baseball field or at a bar, he and I probably would have been friends. But, we didn’t. Ben works for my family just like half the population of Peony Pointe. Our would be friendship is just another casualty of being a Romano.
I continue. “You’re right. I’m happy for him. He deserves an epic send off. But this party seems like alot, even for us. 2000 People? Ice sculptures? A firework’s display? It’s unnecessary. But, that’s family for you. We aren’t known for passing up any opportunity to remind people of our status.”
Ben makes a barely audible chuckle at my last sentence. I wonder if he’s afraid to acknowledge that it’s true or if he’s surprised that I know it’s true. A professional, just trying to get through his workday, Ben’s fingers fly across the fabric of my suit jacket as he talks. I can’t hold that against him. Afterall, he’s not being paid to hang out with me.
“Will you just show up then? Aren’t you giving the toast?”
“Yeah, my sisters made sure of that. I’ll say the right things, impress the right people. But, that doesn’t mean I am looking forward to it.”
The thought of addressing the crowd tonight makes me want to drink another beer. A daunting realization crosses my mind. This is the rest of my life. No more making music. No more spontaneity. Just putting on a tux and saying the right thing.
“You’re a pro.” Ben holds his still full bottle up, angling the neck of his beer towards mine. “To your dad, one hell of man.”
I clink my bottle with Ben’s. “To one hell of a man.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elsie James is proud to be a lifelong curvy girl. She writes stories about beautiful, strong, women who always find their happily ever afters.
Her books are romantic, sweet, and steamy with a whole lot of heart.
Connect with Elsie
Facebook: @authorelsiejames
Instagram: @authorelsiejames
Amazon: amazon.com/author/elsiejames
Email: [email protected]
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