by Olivia Hayle
“You built a sauna?”
“Yes.”
“In one weekend?”
“I had a bit of help.”
Lucy stares at me, and for a long moment, I lose myself in her gaze. See me, I think. This is how much I need you in my life.
Her eyes fill with tears, and the panic in my chest explodes. This can’t be happening. I reach out and pull her closer. She doesn’t protest, leaning in to rest her cheek against my chest. It’s time to fight.
“Don’t give up on us, Lucy. The rumors are idle talk. I’ll fight them all if I have to.” I run a hand down her back. “This isn’t Dallas. This isn’t the same.”
I tip her head back gently. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. "You're afraid," I murmur. "I understand. The things that some people might be implying… it's beneath this town, and it's beneath us."
“It doesn’t scare you away?”
It hurts me that she would think such a thing—that what happened at her old job continues to haunt her. I run my thumb over her cheek and wish I was good with words. That I knew the right thing to say.
All I have is the truth.
“They don’t know us, Lucy. They don’t know us at all.”
She presses her lips to mine. The touch is achingly sweet, our bodies barely touching. I can’t tell if she’s kissing me goodbye or not, but if she is, I’ll be damned if I let her.
I slide my hands down her shoulders and deepen the kiss. Her soft lips open and lets me in, and I’m rewarded by her soft sigh of pleasure. She feels like heaven in my arms and I never want to let her go.
“Stay,” I tell her. “Stay in Claremont. We’ll face the rumors together. They’ll pass, Lucy. They always do.”
“Oh, Oliver. We’re so silly.”
“We are?”
“Yes.” She grabs the front of my shirt, her smile widening. “Do you know why I came up here today? To tell you that I don’t care what people say about us. That I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I came to apologize.”
“What do you have to be sorry about?”
“For getting spooked.”
I bend to kiss her again, relief and happiness sweeping through my body. We’re both breathless when we finally break apart. I grin and reach down, grabbing her thighs to lift her up.
Lucy smiles and wraps her arms around my neck. “Oliver?”
I carry her out to the picnic table. "Baby, if we have to apologize every time one of us gets spooked, that's all we'll be doing."
Her giggle is sweet in my ear. “Did you really prepare all this for us? For today?”
“Yes.” I sit down on the bench and fit her on my lap. I never want to let her go, not today, not ever. “About what Gavin said…” I shake my head. “It wasn’t true. None of it.”
Her eyes are warm. “I know that.”
“I’m truly sorry about the reason why you had to come to Claremont, but Luce, I’ll never be sorry that you ended up here.”
Her smile is wide. “You know what, funnily enough, I’m not either.”
I see a sudden flash of grey and white in my peripheral view, followed by two paws on the edge of the table. Dark eyes are glued to the picnic basket and a pink nose twitches.
“Down, buddy.”
Austin drops to the ground and trots over to us. He lies down with a sigh, looking very innocent, but I can see that his eyes keep flicking to the basket and the goods inside.
Lucy reaches over to open it. “What’s in here?”
“Oh, you know… A bit of everything.”
“No way. Is this the Morris special from Ricky’s?”
“Yes. He almost had a heart attack when I ordered it, I think. I wanted to remind you of how we met.”
“And toffee cookies? They can’t be from the bakery?”
“They sure are. I might have had some help."
"Mhm… but the ice tea?"
"That's all me." I put my hand on her hip and smooth my thumb over her waist. It's impossible to have her this close and not want to touch her. When she looks over at me, her smile fades, struck by my sudden seriousness.
“Thank you, Lucy.”
“For what?”
“For believing in me.”
She kisses me softly, her lips just barely brushing across mine. “No, Oliver,” she murmurs. “Thank you.”
Epilogue
Oliver
Several years later
My father liked to say that ‘life is tough, and then you die.’ It was his motto for most things—for enduring hardship, for carrying on in the face of trouble. For accepting that things are rarely perfect.
I’d said that a lot, too. I’d believed it. But I’ve learned something new. Between the tough times and death, you give it everything you have. You take the bad, but you make damn sure you search for the good, too. And when you find it, you don’t let it go without a fight.
Because life is all of the above. It’s about facing terrible odds and surviving in spite of them, but it’s also about taking risks. About being brave enough to love, despite the potential for pain. It’s about being true to who you are regardless of what people say. I think that Lucy taught me that, but whenever I mention it to her, she insists on correcting me. ‘We learned it together,” she likes to say. The years have been good for us.
They’ve been good to the ranch, too. We’re busier than ever, currently undergoing our second expansion. It’s an expansion I’ve been working towards for half of my life.
Sarah frowns at the bouquet she's arranging. "Do you think this needs more hydrangeas?"
“Sarah, they're not going to notice."
"But I want it to be perfect."
I squeeze her shoulders. "They're not coming in search of perfection. They're coming to heal."
The swing doors to the kitchen open and Sophia marches in. She's carrying an electronic tablet and wearing the scowl she's recently adopted, reminding us all that she's rapidly approaching her teenage years.
"What’s Aunt Lucy doing?
"She's out by the wellness center," I say. "You could go and see if she needs any help."
Sophia jumps up on one of the stools. “In that case, Nora's already with her, I suppose."
"Then where’s Theo?"
Sophia shrugs and bends over her tablet, lost to the world of electronics. Well then.
Sarah sends me a fond smile. “He’s probably with his mother.”
“Yes, but—“
Austin comes sprinting in through the backdoor. My son is running at full speed after him, arms outstretched. "Doggy!”
I scoop down and catch him around the waist. He squirms a bit at first but settles as soon as he realizes he's not going anywhere. Baleful green eyes turn on me.
"Doggy?”
I look down at Austin. He's panting on the floor next to me. He’s not as quick as he used to be and grey peppers the fur around his nose.
"Doggy’s tired," I tell Theo. "He needs to rest for a bit."
I scratch Austin behind the ear and his tail wags slowly against the floor. My first and truest companion. There was a time, right when I got back stateside, when he was all that got me out of bed in the morning. I plan on draining an entire bottle of whiskey the day he has to be put down.
Sophia puts away her tablet. "I'll keep him company. Can I give him his treats?"
"Sure. You know where they are?"
Sarah smiles at us. “I’ll show her. Go find your wife."
“Are you giving me orders now?”
She tsks. “I can tell you’re nervous, and she’ll calm you down. Come here, baby.” She stretches her arms out for Theo, but I shake my head.
"I'll bring him with me, I think."
She musses up his golden hair, and he laughs, the high and innocent laughter of a small child. I smile at the sound. It's a good thing he's cute, because he can be a little devil, too.
We head out towards the wellness center. Theo is calm in my arms for approximately four seconds before he
begins to squirm again.
"Horsey?"
“No, not right now."
He frowns, but his disappointment is short-lived. "Tractors?"
I grin at him. "I know your game, buddy. No, we're not going to the horses, or the tractors, or the cars. We're going to see your mother."
His squeal is energetic, his little legs pedaling in the air. "Go, go!"
"We're going, buddy." I hoist him up in a tighter grip. "Patience is a virtue."
He pushes back his blond tresses in frustration, clearly unfamiliar with the concept of virtues. We better get on that, I suppose. He’s falling behind his toddler education. "We need to cut your hair, too. Maybe Mom can do it."
Theo sighs and goes limp in my arms, in the way only a three-year old can. A few months ago, I would have asked him if he was tired. But I’m an experienced man now. I know that asking that question inevitably leads to determined denials of the very fact.
I pull him closer, my left hand gripping his thigh. A ray of sunshine hits the wedding band on my finger. Lucy accepted my proposal four months before she graduated and received her physical therapy license.
I give Theo a little bounce in my arms. “And just in the nick of time, too, buddy?"
He doesn't respond, the rascal, the child I never knew I needed in my life. Now I can't imagine our lives without him. Lucy has helped me with that, of course, like she helped me with everything. She’d taken to motherhood like a pro—not that I’d been surprised. Then, somehow, she’d managed to handle my fears too.
Theo gives a great sigh and I press a kiss to his forehead. “Did you have fun with your cousin Nora earlier?”
He nods, but he looks thoughtful. I recognize the pout.
“Did she say no to letting you ride again?”
“Yes. It’s not fair.”
“You’ll get to ride when you’re older, buddy. I’ll teach you.” It’s an answer he’s heard before, and it clearly doesn’t impress him, because he sighs again.
“We’re almost there,” I tell him. The spa has grown considerably in the past few months. It’s been a long renovation process, but it’s all been worth it. We added another yoga studio and two more treatment rooms. It has all the space and equipment necessary for a functioning wellness center. Lucy doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve put in an order for a chiropractic table. I know she’s hoping to hire someone.
But the crowning achievement… well, that’s the meeting room and the recreational area outside that Logan and I had a hand in designing. Mandy, now his wife, had helped us photograph it all for the website and our brochures.
It’s all about to be put to the test.
Loud, cheery music greets us from the double-doors. A faint voice is singing along, slightly off-key.
Theo squeals and I put him down on the path. He races ahead on chubby little legs, climbing the stairs with practiced ease.
Lucy’s preparing welcome bags, a scarf tying her long hair back. There's a permanent tan on her features now from the long weeks in the sun. Faint freckles paint a pattern down her nose and shoulders, disappearing underneath her shirt. I know they continue much further than that, though, because I regularly use them as a roadmap.
Lucy’s face shines up when she sees Theo. “Hi, sweetie. Have you come to help Mommy?”
She swings him up onto her hip, smiling at his laughter. Her smile grows warmer when she sees me. “Hey.”
“Hi, baby.” I lean across our son and press a kiss to her lips. “How are you feeling?”
“Nervous. Excited. When will Logan be here?”
“He should be here within the hour. He’s driving Dr. Green, actually.”
She nods again. “Perfect. I’m so looking forward to meeting him.”
I know I’ll get a share of the credit, but the whole thing was actually her idea, whispered to me one night in bed nearly two years ago.
What if we open this place up to veterans?
It had taken time.
Time to get the network in place, time to register with the Texas Veteran’s Association. I’d spent a lot of time getting involved in the existing networks and re-establishing contact with my old team. Logan had been a huge help.
It had taken a lot of sessions with the therapist and a lot of work to get where I am now. Nightmares are infrequent, and when they happen, I know how to handle them. My mood is more stable. I still don’t like small talk, but at least I don’t scare people away anymore.
If I can help others get to where I am, it’ll all have been worth it.
“It’s going to go great,” she murmurs. “Are you nervous?”
Truth be told, I am. It’s the good kind, though. The kind of nervous you are before you’re about to take the plunge, to embark on a new journey.
The kind of nervous you are when you know that what you’re doing matters.
I smooth a thumb over her cheek. “I am. But I have you, and I have my family. I’m not lost anymore.”
Her eyes soften. “You never were.”
“Yes, I was.” I kiss Theo’s forehead. “And that’s okay. But I’m not anymore. And maybe, just maybe, we can help these guys find their way too.”
Theo starts to squirm and Lucy sets him down. He immediately ambles towards the perfectly stacked yoga mats, colorful and pretty.
“He’s going to destroy that,” I warn.
“I know. That’s okay.” She wraps her arms around my neck, the way she does sometimes when she’s about to tell me that she loves me. It’s one of my favorite things.
“Hi,” I murmur.
“I’m so proud of you.”
“Hmm?”
Her eyes twinkle. "The only way to stop the past from haunting you is to deal with it. You helped teach me that. I know you'll help others learn the very same lesson."
“Have I ever told you I love you?”
“Once or twice,” she says, smiling. “I’m not really sure.”
“No? Well, let me remind you, then.” I kiss her soundly, murmuring it against her lips. “I love you.”
Lucy’s hands slide into my hair as she deepens the kiss. I’m a goner. I always was, around her, and there’s nothing that could tear me away from her. The world around us might as well not even exist. There’s nothing at all—
There’s a crash.
Lucy and I break apart and turn in unison towards our son.
Theo has played domino with the yoga mats, sending them out in a tumble across the floor. He blinks up at us, an uncertain smile on his face. “Whoops?”
“That’s okay, buddy. We’ll stack them up again,” I say. “Here, let me help you.”
Thank you so much for reading Broken Hero!
I hope you enjoyed Oliver and Lucy’s story.
Read on for a special sneak peek of Arrogant Boss, an office romance between a strong-willed heroine and her persistent, billionaire boss…
Julian Hunt might be my favorite hero to date!
Author’s Note
This is a work of fiction, but post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is unfortunately very real. It is common amongst veterans and its effects can be devastating. If you or a loved one suffers from PTSD, please seek professional help.
ARROGANT BOSS
He’s a billionaire CEO who gets what he wants.
She’s the strong-willed new employee.
Emily Giordano
Julian Hunt is a legend. A tech billionaire and a playboy philanthropist.
He’s not someone you meet, not without a six-month wait. Except I did—and not in that sweet, meet-cute kind of way. I wish.
No, I manage to run headfirst into Julian Hunt in a nightclub. It’s the spill-my-drink-over-his-suit kind of headfirst, the break-my-heel kind.
But the arrogant bastard doesn’t leave. No, he carries me to my car. He implies that I fell on purpose to catch his attention—how dare he!—and after I’ve chewed him out, he asks for my number.
I don’t expect to see him again. After all, lightning doesn’
t strike twice. But when I walk into a business negotiation the next day, who’s sitting on the other side?
Julian Hunt.
He’s wearing a smirk and a perfectly tailored suit, and he’s not there to play. He dominates. I walk out of the negotiation having somehow been offered my dream job.
It’s an offer far too sweet to refuse.
But if there’s one thing more intimidating than Julian Hunt at a nightclub, it’s Julian Hunt as a boss. A persistent, dominant, sexy-as-hell boss.
He might have decided that we’d be perfect together, but I won’t be tempted by his broad shoulders and wicked tongue.
Julian might be a hunter.
But I refuse to become his prey.
(A contemporary romance novel with a guaranteed happily-ever-after!)
Chapter 1
Emily
“Relax.”
“I am relaxed!”
Denise raised an eyebrow. “As if. I can practically feel the tension radiating from you across the table. Tomorrow’s going to go great. Both you and Turner have prepared for this for weeks.”
“I know. But—“
“No, stop thinking about it. A night of fun will do you good.”
I took another sip of my fruity, wildly over-priced mocktail. “Okay, okay, I won’t think about it. You’re right.”
“I always am. It’ll go great, Em.”
“I don’t even know what you’re referring to.”
Denise grinned. "That's the spirit. The only thing you should be concerned about tonight are drinks, dancing, and dudes."
“Dudes? Since when do we refer to men as dudes?”
“It was an alliteration. I know how you like slogans and catchy titles. Oh! My co-workers are here.”
Denise waved at a group of women making their way from the bar. They were dressed to the nines, in sky-high heels and matching clutches, and looked far more used to this scene than Denise and me.