Men of Endurance Limited Edition Collection

by Siera London

“I love you, Owen Tate. With all my heart.”

  “I promise, Ivy. I won’t hurt you again.” Owen had never spoken truer words.

  Epilogue

  Upon Ivy’s return to No Limit last night, Cai had refused to sleep in his bed. Though Owen had promised to love her all night long, he settled for holding her as Cai snuggled against her chest, thumb in his mouth, fast asleep. She had to admit the reality of having a family of her own was heady. So this was what happiness felt like.

  Saturday started with more activity than usual. Endurance buzzed with the news of Delaney being in cahoos with Poe. Ivy chose to focus on her family and their day on Abel’s course. Balloons hung from the clubhouse balcony. The staff had strung the banner she made with the words, Happy Birthday, Cai, spelled out in tie-dye. Her little baby had jumped about three feet off the ground because the colors matched his and Owen’s t-shirts.

  “You’re incredible,” Owen had whispered in her ear.

  Ivy purchased that floral print dress from Trina’s especially for Cai’s birthday party. She wanted to look pretty for her two men. The Sierra Nevada mountains look majestic in the background, the warm summer air held the faint scent of ripening vineyards, and the man she loved felt solid around her.

  Owen cuddled her backside, his head resting on her shoulder. “What do you think about us getting married?”

  She smiled, delighting in the flutter of her heart.

  “I think I need a real proposal, you on one knee, and a ring.”

  “That’s right, Ivy. Make him do it right,” Hank said from one of the picnic tables Abel had added outside the pro shop. The whole town had turned out for the party. She guessed Owen knew the party would be huge. There was no guest list; this was Endurance after all. Luke and his daughter Shiloh were competing in a sack race against Hank’s boy, Elliott and Jose’s eight year-old, Lupita. Amelie and Cherron arrived together, with Doctor Chadwick Winters, the town’s pediatrician and single dad to a two-year-old named James. Rui Conners had shown up late with Simone. Oddly enough, Autumn was nowhere to be found.

  Owen groaned. “I swear, he has a bionic ear and maybe one eye.”

  Ivy chuckled. “What’s your answer, Owen Tate?” She turned and embraced him. “You going to do it right?”

  “I thought I was,” he said, with a wink.

  She blushed at the hidden innuendo. “I’ll tell you my answer later,” she said, kissing his lips.

  “I want an answer now,” he said, frowning.

  Before she could respond, Cai came running up.

  “Did I miss it, Daddy?” Owen pulled Ivy to one of the benches under a giant oak. “No, buddy. I buttered her up for you.”

  Ivy looked between the two of them, not sure what was going on.

  Owen dropped to one knee at her feet, and then Cai joined him.

  Tears swelled in her eyes.

  “Daddy, she’s crying already. Did we do it wrong?”

  “No,” Owen whispered, never taking his eyes off her. “We’re doing it just right, son. Go ahead.”

  Cai pulled a small round sphere, like the kind you see in gumball machines, from his pocket.

  He thrust it at Ivy. “Open it,” he insisted. “It cost Daddy a lot of money. He said I better not lose it or—,”

  Owen clamped a hand over his mouth. “Remember, that’s man talk, buddy.”

  Cai nodded, and Owen uncovered his lips. Cai smiled up at her. “Sorry, I can’t tell you what men folk say while Daddy’s around,” he chirped.

  “Of course, baby,” Ivy reassured

  She couldn’t take her eyes off the one-carat princess-cut diamond ring staring back at her.

  “Ivy?” Owen whispered. “Sweetheart.”

  She knew he wanted an answer, but she had a hard time believing he loved her enough to offer forever. Ivy Summers, the little girl who lost everything, the woman who had nothing, now was on the cusp of having it all.

  “Ivy, are you going to marry us?” Cai whispered.

  The trembling started with her lips. Covering her mouth to hold back the sob threatening to ruin the party, she nodded. Secure that she could give father and son the answer they wanted, she smiled, broad and wide.

  “Yes.”

  Owen jumped to his feet, sweeping her up in a bear hug. “Yes,” he repeated. “You said, yes.”

  “I did,” she choked out. Looking up into Owen’s blue eyes Ivy knew she’d taken her mother’s life, her love for granted. This time Ivy would hang up her walking boots. She’d appreciate this chance to give love and be loved. She’d stay the course to enduring love. “You make me so happy, Owen Tate, she breathed, hugging his close.

  Cai yelled and started jumping up and down. “Everybody,” he screamed. “I got an angel mommy for my birthday.”

  Ivy’s mom had been right, there was a time to endure, a time to stand, a time to strike out on your own, and a time to change directions, and a time to stay the course.

  The END

  GOING THE DISTANCE

  BY

  SIERA LONDON

  The Men of Endurance

  GOING THE DISTANCE

  The Men of Endurance

  Copyright © 2018 K. PRINGLE

  Cover art by Fantasia Frog Designs

  Edited by Gayla Leath, Dark Dreams Editing

  First Edition, July 2018

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Certain real locations are mentioned, however all names, characters, events and incidents described in this book are fictitious or a product of the author's imagination. Any similarity to real persons, living or deceased, is entirely coincidental and is not intended by the author.

  All trademarks, service marks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

  All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under the current U.S. Copyright Act, with the exception of quotes used in reviews, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form in whole or in part by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without written permission from the author, Siera London.

  Created with Vellum

  Thank you to my friend and fellow author Olivia Gaines for dreaming up this serial romance about single fathers. Olivia gave me free rein to create this beautiful town called Endurance and fill it with all the charm of small town life and rich friendships. The town of Endurance is based on the city of Auburn, California, the endurance sports capital of the United States. Throughout each book in the Men of Endurance series, you'll discover fun facts about Auburn and the rich history of Placer County. If you're new to this story world, be sure to read A Walk Through Endurance, where Abel Burney and Julie Kratzner will introduce you to this town called Endurance.

  To all my faithful readers, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing Siera London Books. You make this journey worthwhile. This love story is dedicated to Simone Choi, of Black Women Swirl Literature, LaSheera Lee of Read You Later, and Mrs. Toni Bonita. Each of you spread joy at every opportunity and I appreciate your acts of service and dedication to our booklover community.

  Blessings Romancelandia, Siera

  Untitled

  Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

  Hebrews 12:1

  ABOUT THIS BOOK

  The "risk it all" student. The "play it safe" professor. An improbable pair, but there's no textbook for love.

  Music major Autumn Raine is used to taking care of herself. So, when an eight-year-old's prank brings her face-to-face with her secret crush, she's grateful for the rescue but this close encounter has Autumn wishing for private lessons.

  After a failed marriage, single father and college professor Rui Conners was committed to raising his daughter alone. But, Autumn is bandaging his wounded heart one smile at a time.

  What's the problem? She has no idea he's interested and Rui's relationship with his ex-wife is far from ancient history.
How will these two people, used to flying solo, find the perfect note to make their duet go the distance?

  Chapter 1

  For Autumn Raine, early mornings in Endurance were the perfect time to think and put ten extra miles on the pavement. With sweat dripping down her face, she turned onto University Boulevard, giving her muscles free rein. Breathing in, she pulled the cool September mountain air deep into her lungs, using the adrenaline high to pump her arms and push the Reebok Floatrides hugging her feet harder. Now she needed her brain to use the added oxygen to conjure up a solution for earning the last five hundred dollars of her rent payment. She had nothing left to sell.

  Eight months ago, at the age of twenty-six, she'd packed up her hopes, fears, and dreams to relocate from San Diego to this northern California town, in the sprawling foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Though not as temperate as the southern border of the state, the rugged peaks, majestic grape vineyards, and four-seasons Mediterranean climate held a certain magic for Autumn. Home to the University of California, Endurance, this was her second chance at the future she’d written about in all those girly journals tucked away in her hope chest. Here in Endurance, where city hall held the town's only post office and the public library shared the same space as the art museum, life was beautifully simple. If she could figure out how to keep food on the table, a roof over her head, the car running, and finish her bachelor’s degree, then life would be simply perfect.

  That’s where the daily runs entered the equation. Each year, more than 900,000 extreme sports enthusiasts flocked to the State Recreational Park to participate in the man vs. nature races of all kinds. Six months of sweat, pain, and determination, but Autumn’s sacrifice would be worth the journey in the end. In three weeks, she'd face the ultimate challenge, a one-hundred-mile foot race through the California hill country. The prize-seventy-five thousand dollars towards a college degree with her name embossed in gold script. In some ways, Autumn was in the race of her life. She had a future to secure.

  Autumn’s first attempt at completing her four-year degree had been derailed by her cult-like worship of a man. According to her aunt, love was a coin toss. A few women got a head start with a good guy, but most ended up with an unlimited supply of tails. Autumn didn’t put much credence in anything her aunt believed, but love sat low on her list of priorities. Though a certain professor had caught her eye and she still envisioned a future husband and a few kids, Autumn heeded the voice of experience and trampled the longing under foot.

  Ignoring the burn in her glutes and gut, she tuned in to the music flowing through her earbuds. Music had a relaxing effect, so she let the soulful voice of Aria Arie loosen her muscles, fill her thoughts, and fuel her body to move. In her mind, she saw her stride lengthening and the cells firing in every part of her body. Power hummed through her limbs. She was in her zone. This was her year to succeed where she’d failed in the past.

  As she approached town, people started to appear on the street. Julie, the Sport Complicated reporter, attempted to pedal her bike up the hill on Miller Road, probably leaving the Farmers Market. With her sunny smile and inquisitive eyes, the full-figured beauty had made progress in her physical fitness.

  “Hi, Julie,” Autumn said, with a wave of her hand. It wasn’t so long ago, Doctor Chadwick Winter, the only pediatrician for miles, had found the woman sprawled on her front porch after a short walk to Ma Hildie’s Grocers.

  “Looking good,” Julie called back, her breath a little short. “One day that will be me.”

  Lifting her hand, Autumn gave a thumbs up gesture in support. Picking up speed, she scanned the area for Abel Burney. Abel owned the local golf course on the outskirts of town and she suspected Julie owned his heart.

  Rounding the corner onto Hood Lane, Autumn crossed the parking lot surrounding Tommy’s Park and then stumbled to a halt. She tried to process the scene unfolding before her. A girl, somewhere between eight or ten, sat behind the wheel of a 2001 VW Beetle, Autumn’s not so gently used dark blue beetle. The little cutie, with twin braids hanging down her back and brown eyes narrowed in concentration, was turning the key. In a small town like Endurance it was pretty common to find back doors unlocked and car keys tucked in the sun visor. The grind of the ignition was a stark contrast to the quiet of morning. When the engine caught, the soft hum of the motor spurred Autumn into action. She shot forward, quickly yanking the car door open. Dressed in a red and blue striped shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers, she looked like a girl scout. With a sure, but gentle grip Autumn dropped a hand on the kid’s shoulder. The would-be car jacker startled.

  "Hey," she yelled, cringing away from Autumn. "What are you doing?"

  The nerve of this kid. Keeping a hand in place, Autumn slid her hand over the steering wheel, turned the key, and disengaged the ignition. The clattering engine dropped back into slumber. Where was this girl's parents? Either way, she needed to assume control of the situation.

  Autumn shook the girl’s shoulder. "Where's your mom?"

  "In Europe,” she said, snatching her arm away. "Where's yours?"

  Autumn's entire nervous system lit up at the insolent tone. Breathe out she told herself. This little girl needed some serious supervision and a major timeout.

  Using as stern a voice as she could muster, Autumn said, "Get out of the car. Now."

  The little hellion pursed her lips, then rolled her little head on an even smaller neck.

  Oh no she didn’t.

  Hitting Autumn with a narrow-eyed gaze, she asked, "Are you even an adult?"

  Mouth open, Autumn couldn't believe the audacity of this kid. "Of course, I'm an adult," she stammered.

  The kid gave her a smirk. "You look kind of little to me."

  At five feet two, Autumn accepted her petite frame may appear juvenile, but her curves did not.

  Sputtering, Autumn felt inclined to defend herself. "Well, I'm not."

  Not the best come back, but she wasn't used to verbal sparring with a pre-pubescent child.

  "How do I know you're not trying to take the car for yourself?" she charged.

  What in the sugar plum fairy? Why would she have to steal her own car? Autumn was about to lose her religion. Considering the closest Baptist church congregation gathered twenty-five miles north of Endurance, in Pine Valley, it might take her a year or two to find it again. The distance suited Autumn just fine. She and God had an understanding. He stayed out of her way, and she returned the favor in kind.

  "Who are your parents, young lady?" Autumn insisted, adding a touch more authority to her voice in hopes that the child would come clean. Not that she would call the cops, but still the girl needed a stern talking to.

  "Noneya?"

  Autumn couldn't recall an Endurance resident named Noneya, but she wasn’t good with names or faces.

  "Noneya who? What's your last name?"

  "Business," she supplied, brown eyes sparkling in defiance.

  Autumn lifted her hand, finger leveled at the school-aged comedian. The sheer fact that she was an adult should have motivated the child to cower. Autumn leveled a cautionary gaze on the kid.

  "Maybe a visit to the sheriff will locate Mrs. Noneya Business."

  Long, dark brown lashes dipped low before a furrow formed between her brows. Good. Time to end this charade. Autumn needed to drive back to her studio apartment, get cleaned up, and then get to the university before her music history class.

  "Wait. My dad is in the park. He asked me to warm up the engine. Yeah…yeah, that’s it."

  Autumn could tell the girl was warming to her lie. "He's teaching me to drive because he's in a wheelchair. He lost his leg when a coyote attacked him on one of the valley trails."

  Could this be the truth? Not the car part, but about her father. Visitors and locals injured themselves hiking or running on the original 1850’s mining trails from California gold rush days.

  "But, you're too young to drive."

  With a roll of her eyes, the kid dismissed Autumn's com
ment like she had time and wisdom on her side.

  "I'm eight," she said, her tone communicating her disappointment that Autumn failed to recognize maturity when it graced her presence. "And, my father needs help," she sniffled.

  Call it women’s intuition, but a ring of truth lay hidden in this child’s epic fantasy. For a split second, Autumn wondered if the father truly needed help. Quickly, she glanced over her shoulder, peering through the large oaks guarding the park. Several people, some dressed in bright-colored zippered windbreakers, walked in groups along the dirt track surrounding the park. What she didn’t see was a post-coyote bite, wheelchair-bound extreme athlete pushing himself around the happy trail. She chastised herself, of course, this was make-believe.

  Not wanting to entertain this tale any longer, Autumn replied, "Your dad sounds like he’s in terrible shape. A lot of pain."

  The miscreant had the audacity to bat her lashes in hopes of drawing sympathy. "Yeah, it's been hard on me."

  "When did it happen?"

  The double blink came in sets of three. Autumn had to give the kid her props. She was creative. How long would it take the little thespian to spin the second act?

  "When?" she croaked.

  Ignoring the guilt that swamped her at egging the child on, Autumn fought to keep a smile from gracing her face.

  "Yes. I mean an injury like that takes a long time to heal."

  "Huh...yeah. He's been home all week."

  Not bad for an eight-year-old’s imagination.

  Autumn gestured for the kid to get out of the car.

  "Come on."

  There was no movement from the vehicle. Man, this kid was ballsy. When she was this age, she jumped if she thought her aunt wanted her to do something.