Wait for Me

by Louise, Tia

  Fast forward two months, and we were busting our asses, sweating it out in the harvest. My injury held me back some, but I was able to get in there and do everything but haul palettes. We had another successful season, and the new trees put out shoots and sent deep roots.

  Just like our family.

  Noel planned the grand opening for her store to coincide with the start of the Peach Festival. She was terrified, first that no one would show up and then that everyone would show up and she would sell out of everything and have to close the store and everyone who came later would be mad at her.

  I think my beautiful new wife can be a little nutty at times, and I love her for it.

  “Baby, you’re just going to have to close your eyes and jump.” I slid my fingers through her beautiful hair as she laid her cheek against my bare chest.

  “I’ve dreamed of this for so long…” Her voice was terrified, and I just kissed her and held her, doing my best to comfort her.

  She didn’t sleep the whole night.

  She let me know—she was awake for my snoring, for Dove’s nightly arrival around 2 a.m.… Our baby is having a tough time staying in her own bed, even with Akela there. I wake up every morning with a little girl’s foot in my face and our daughter sleeping upside down between me and her mamma.

  Sometimes Akela is also at the foot of the bed. I’m not sure how the four of us fit in Noel’s queen-sized bed, but we manage.

  We still get our “alone time” every night until we fall asleep. As for spontaneity, we figured that out before we got married.

  Do I have to tell you Noel’s store was a massive success? She did sell out of her most popular items, but most people were excited for the new business in town. They were excited to sign up for her mailing list, and she even recruited some of the local craftsmen, cooks, beekeepers, and peach condiment makers to stock her shelves.

  “It’s what I always dreamed of doing!” Her arms were around my neck, and I got the benefit of her excitement in hugs and kisses and some really hot sex.

  Which brings us to tonight…

  The Princess Peach pageant.

  I didn’t believe my wife when she described this experience to me before. I always thought of pageants as kind of silly, women’s shit.

  Now I’m wishing I’d never encouraged Dove to follow her dream of being Princess Peach. I wish I’d encouraged her to focus on her math skills, which apparently count for nothing in this realm.

  We’re halfway through.

  The lights rise, and it’s time for the talent portion to begin. I’m standing in the back of the room with the other dads, but my chest is painfully tight as I wait for Dove to take the stage.

  “I can’t believe we’re doing this.” Noel paces at my side with her hands clasped in front of her lips.

  I’ve also learned this about my wife: when she’s nervous or scared or worried, she can’t be still.

  “She’s going to be great.” I cross my arms over my chest like the other dads, and I realize it’s a defensive move.

  This is scary as shit.

  “And now we have Miss Dove LaGrange-Rhodes singing ‘Over the Rainbow.’” The jackass MC from Shreveport introduces her in his gameshow voice. You’d think she was about to be the next contestant on Wheel of Fortune.

  Dove walks out in a blue and white checked dress, a bright red wig on her head styled in two ponytails, a little basket, and Akela by her side. The room chuckles at the dog-switch, and she launches into her song with a confidence that impresses me.

  She’s more like a sixteen-year-old than a six, and I’m not just being her dad when I say she has a really good voice. It’s sweet and clear, and she can carry a tune. It’s not Broadway caliber, but it’s good.

  She walks slowly, singing about birds and wishing on a star and longing, all while wistfully looking overhead with Akela at her side. My eyes go to the five “celebrity” guest judges, and they don’t smile. They look down at their desk, some making notes. All I know is those assholes had better decide she’s the best singer they’ve ever heard.

  “I get it now.” I lean over to whisper to my wife.

  Noel looks up at me. “What?”

  “Pageants suck.”

  Dove finishes, and the room erupts into applause, looking around, I see a few women wiping their eyes, and I clap louder, doing a Taxi whistle with my fingers. Noel shakes her head, but I don’t care. My baby killed it.

  Making my way to the dressing room area, I pass a woman in a sable coat, and I pause.

  “Head up!” she whispers, watching the girl out on the stage now. “Smile.”

  I lean to the side, peeking around the wings, and I see Darcy is on the stage singing “Good Morning, Baltimore.”

  My brow furrows as I look from the girl onstage to the woman in the wings frowning and moving her arms as if the little girl isn’t doing a good job. I mean, okay, Darcy is a piece of work, but she’s doing a decent job speak-singing the song.

  I feel a tugging at my waist, and I see my little Dorothy-Dove in front of me. Smiling, I sweep her onto my hip and give her a hug. “You were amazing.”

  She pushes back, giving me a worried look and nodding at the stage mom losing her shit behind me.

  “No!” The woman hisses. “Smile, Darcy! Chin up!”

  Dove looks out toward the stage, and her brow is still furrowed. I follow her gaze to where Darcy is waving her hands, performing hard in her little bouffant wig and fifties outfit.

  She finishes and the room bursts into applause, Digger on the front row standing and clapping his hands high. Darcy returns to the backstage, and the woman jerks on her collar.

  “That was terrible. You might as well have sleep-walked through the whole thing.”

  Darcy’s chin is tucked, and I’m about to say something to the woman.

  “Sorry, Mamma.”

  She takes the little girl’s hand and drags her farther backstage, and I look at Dove.

  My daughter doesn’t say a word, but her blue eyes are big and thoughtful.

  She leans forward and kisses my cheek. “I gotta go back there, Daddy.”

  I put her down and she goes to wait with the other little girls while the judges confer and make their decision. I return to where Noel is pacing the back of the civic center chewing her nails.

  “How does she seem?” She looks up at me, her amber eyes as big as her daughter’s.

  “Good. She’s pretty cool about the whole thing.”

  Mr. MC calls out the names, bringing the final five little girls up to the stage just like a real Miss America contest.

  He goes down them one by one. Boo made it to fourth runner-up, and we clap loudly, giving Tamara a hug.

  “At least she did that well,” she laughs. We all got a kick out of Boo playing the crystal glasses as her talent.

  “It’s all Bill knew to teach her,” Tamara explained. “My talent is sewing, and you can’t sew a dress for a pageant.”

  We’re down to the top two, and Darcy and Dove are the only little girls on the stage. My heart is beating so hard, it can’t be healthy. Noel buries her head into my chest, and I hold the back of her head. Dove’s eyes are so big and excited. I can’t bear the thought of her being disappointed.

  Yet, in the wings, I catch sight of Darcy’s mom scowling, and my eyes go to Digger’s little niece. For the first time, I see her glancing at my daughter and standing a little straighter, lifting her chin a little higher.

  Sickness is in the pit of my stomach. The MC takes a glitter-trimmed envelope and steps to the center of the stage smiling.

  “And our judges have decided. This year’s Princess Peach, who will assume all the duties of Princess Peach and receive a scholarship in the amount of five-thousand dollars is…”

  Noel’s fingers tighten on my shirt, and my eyes lock on my daughter’s.

  It feels like time pauses for a breath.

  “First runner-up is Dove LaGrange-Rhodes, which means Miss Darcy Hayes is Princess Pea
ch…”

  His voice fades out as my gaze tunnels on Dove. She blinks and a true smile splits her cheeks. She’s given the first runner-up ribbon and a small tiara, but she also gives Darcy a genuine hug.

  Noel is just the opposite beside me. “What?” Her voice goes high. “What a bunch of horse sh—”

  “Shh.” I put my hand over her mouth and pull her close to my chest. “Hang on a minute. Let’s see what Dove has to say.”

  “She doesn’t need a fu-freaking pageant to tell her she’s a superstar. That’s why I hate these fu… dumb things.”

  Darcy prances the length of the runway with a crown almost bigger than her head and a bunch of roses bigger than her body. She bows, and her mother stands in the wings preening.

  Dove nods a bow and moves to the opposite wing, and we’re right there to catch her hands and pull her in for hugs.

  “You did so good, baby!” Noel hugs her tight, kissing her cheeks. “I couldn’t be prouder of you if you were Princess Peach. I thought you were amazing.”

  “I know, Mamma.” She hugs her mother, but she seems preoccupied.

  “What’s on your mind, sweet pea?” I squat beside her, putting my hands on her little waist.

  She doesn’t answer me right away. She leaves me, and I watch as she goes to where Darcy is entering the backstage area.

  “Congratulations, Darcy!” She reaches out and hugs her. “I really liked your song. I thought you were funny to watch doing it. You did a great job.”

  The woman in the sable lights a cigarette and scowls down at the two girls hugging.

  Darcy seems surprised. “Thanks, Dove. I liked what you did with your dog.”

  “Maybe you can come over and play with me and Boo sometime at the house.”

  Digger’s niece blinks, and her face seems to brighten. “Okay!” She seems really excited, and I’ll be damned.

  I’m so proud of my baby right now. Dove and Darcy clasp hands and hug each other one more time before my daughter walks back to where Noel and I are standing. I’m sure Noel’s face is as surprised as mine must be.

  “I’m really tired.” Dove catches both our hands, pulling us to the exit. “Let’s go home now.”

  We celebrate Leon’s birthday with a brisket Sawyer made, and we all toast Dove as first runner-up Princess Peach. To her credit, she really seems okay with not winning.

  She never says it, but I think seeing Darcy’s mother in the wings has a lot to do with it. She’s curled up on the couch beside Sawyer when we say goodnight before the Peach Ball.

  It’s been eight years since my last Peach Ball, and not much has changed. The men from the grower’s association line the back, nodding and waving to us as we enter.

  Noel is more of a celebrity this year because of her successful store opening, and some of her new partners walk over to greet her and set up times to meet and discuss shelf space.

  We’re out on the floor dancing, and I smile down at her pretty face. I’m in dark jeans, a khaki shirt and blue blazer. Noel is a show-stopper in a short green dress with tiny polka dots all over it. It wraps around her narrow shoulders, and her dark hair sweeps down her back. Her lips are glossy pink, and she is so fucking sexy.

  “I won’t lie, wife.” I lean down to speak right in her ear. “I can’t wait to get you out of this dress.”

  Her brown eyes glow when she looks up at me. “I can’t wait for you to take it off me, husband.”

  Shit. We never stay to the end of these dances. “Let’s go.” I turn and start to lead her to the door, but she pulls back.

  Laughing, she shakes her head. “I need to at least speak to Mrs. Jenny and make an appearance. I’m a business owner now.”

  “Make it quick.”

  We actually stay another hour at the ball before I’m able to steal her away. The whole drive back, my hand is between her knees and she leans into my ear, kissing and biting my earlobe, telling me the dirty things she’d like to do to me.

  “You’re going to make me wreck.” It’s important for her to know.

  I park the Tahoe, and we’re out, kissing as we make our way to the door. She laughs when I sweep her off her feet and carry her inside the foreman’s cottage. We keep it ready just in case we need it.

  We’re both sweaty and breathing hard by the time it’s over. I’ve had my face between her thighs, she’s ridden me like a pony at the fair, and we lie beside each other satisfied, threading our fingers together and watching the moonlight stream through the windows.

  “I was so proud of Dove today.” She watches our hands as our fingers cross and turn in the air between us. The light glistens off her moonstone engagement ring and the white-gold band that sits on top of it. “She’s getting to be such a young lady.”

  “She’s a good girl.” I’m starting to doze, but Noel pulls my hand.

  “I’ve been waiting for a good time to tell you this, but we get so busy…”

  My brow furrows, and I shift onto my side. “What’s on your mind?”

  “Well…” She turns so her cheek is on the pillow and she blinks up at me.

  My chest tightens, and I can’t help a smile. Everything about her has always been so beautiful to me.

  “As you know, we haven’t really been paying much attention to birth control…”

  The minute the words are out of her mouth, my throat goes dry. “What are you saying?”

  “I talked to Dr. Fieldstone last week. It seems we’re going to have a new little family member when springtime rolls around.”

  She lets out a squeal when I flip her onto her back. Whipping the sheet aside, I spread my palm over her flat stomach.

  “In here?” I press my lips against her skin, right above her navel.

  She laughs and nods her head. “It’s too soon to know if it’s a girl or a boy…”

  Closing my eyes, I lower my forehead to her stomach. She threads her fingers into the sides of my hair.

  “Are you happy?” Her voice sounds slightly concerned.

  “Noel… I am so happy.” My voice breaks, and I hug her closer. “So happy.”

  She leans back, finding my eyes. “We haven’t been married a year. We haven’t even had a honeymoon—”

  “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, my love.” Leaning forward, I capture her lips with mine. “Say the word, and we’re there. We’ve got all the time in the world.”

  “Oh, Taron.” She hugs me, burying her face against my shoulder. “I can’t tell you how happy you make me.”

  Those words are all I ever want to hear. She’s given me everything I’ve ever wanted. She loved me, she waited for me…

  Only a few days later, my sweet daughter has a party with her best friend Boo and her new friend Darcy. When Digger drops off his niece, I can’t even find it in me to be annoyed by him.

  “I guess I have to put up with you.” His lip curls as he drops off Darcy.

  “I bet you figure it out.” Holding out my hand, I’m a little surprised when he shakes it. Then again, I’m used to much bigger assholes than Digger Hayes.

  Standing in the kitchen, holding Noel in my arms, my hands are on her stomach as we watch the girls playing.

  “You just think your daddy’s a prince.” Darcy’s tone hasn’t changed, but my Dove’s has.

  “My daddy’s not a prince,” she answers sweetly. “He’s a hero. He saved me and Mamma.”

  My heart rises in my chest, and I slide my palm over Noel’s stomach, whispering in her ear, “And you saved me right back.”

  “I said I’d wait for you.”

  “Thank God, you did.”

  * * *

  Thank you for reading WAIT FOR ME!

  I hope you loved Taron and Noel and Dove and all the gang as much as I did.

  Stay tuned for the audiobook, coming Jan. 2020.

  Sawyer’s book is coming Spring 2020!

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  In the meantime…

  Read Patton’s sexy enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance BOSS OF ME (link) now!

  Keep clicking for a short sneak peek… Or get it FREE in Kindle Unlimited Now!

  Also available on audiobook (link).

  OR…

  Want MORE brother’s best friend, second-chance military romance?

  Read my stand-alone romance MAKE YOU MINE (link) today!

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  Boss of Me

  Patton Fletcher is

  ✔Demanding,

  ✔Driven,

  ✔Sexy AF, and

  ✔My New Boss.

  My sister says don’t fall for him. I say don’t worry

  I’m not about to let some arrogant, young CEO derail my dreams.

  Or insult my wardrobe.

  I don’t care about his deep brown eyes or the way the muscle moves in his square jaw when he’s pissed.

  I won’t fall for his power or how sexy he fills out that suit.

  I said I could resist him.

  I was wrong…

  Raquel Morgan is Trouble.

  She’s stubborn, independent, and a fighter.

  She has long, dark hair, crystal blue eyes, and freckles…

  Freckles.

  And long, sexy legs.

  And a smart mouth.

  I’ve spent seven years building one of the top companies in Nashville, and I’m not about to let some ambitious, cardigan-wearing new kid distract me from my goals.

  Raquel Morgan won’t tempt me.

  I’m The Boss, and I never lose control…

  (BOSS OF ME is an enemies-to-lovers, military romance with a badass alpha boss and the feisty woman who steals his heart. No cheating. No cliffhangers.)