by Elaine Meece
“That I need to pack.” Something occurred to her. “What about the company policy?”
“I ran it by Cynthia. We have her blessing.” He grinned. “I reminded her that I could take Kayla’s offer if she tried to enforce that lame policy.” He embraced Annie and lowered his lips to hers, then kissed her long and slow. “Just promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?” Annie asked.
“Don’t ever serve me coffee in bed.”
“Oh, you. You’ll never let me forget that. Just don’t forget your sippy cup.” She rose on her tiptoes and kissed him.
Perhaps, Cynthia’s wedding bouquet had brought her luck after all.
She had the man of her dreams.
Epilogue
Standing in the shower of the state prison, Dan froze when Ironman Larry walked in with his gang following. The man stood six’ five and probably weighted over two-fifty.
Dan was as naked as the day he’d been born. He turned off the shower, grabbed the towel and wrapped it around him, then headed to the door.
Larry caught him by his arm. “Oh, no, you don’t. Get those hands on that wall and spread ‘em. You’re one of my bitches, now.”
Dan’s heart surged. “Guard! Guard!”
But no guard came.
♦♦♦
The last week of April, Brice sat in the courtroom with Cynthia and Tristen Conners. Not only had Bizer been charged for tampering with the formula that could’ve killed hundreds, he was accused of Garner’s death and the attempt on their lives.
Kayla Miller sat across from them, standing with her father. She glanced their way, looking sorrowful and embarrassed.
Brice actually felt sorry for her.
The verdict was read. Kayla grimaced and lowered her head as her father was sentenced to life without parole. She hugged him before he was escorted away.
As they left, Kayla came face to face with Cynthia. “I’m sorry. I had no idea what he was doing.”
Brice wasn’t sure Cynthia believed her, but he did.
“You realize I’m bringing a civil suit against your father’s estate for all the damages to my company.”
“Yes, I don’t blame you. I would do the same. I have power of attorney over all his businesses and accounts. Can we settle out of court?”
“I don’t see why not. My attorneys will contact yours.” Cynthia held out a DVD. “Here. Take this and watch it.”
“Why should I?” Kayla asked.
“It’s a video Randall made on his last trip to Brazil. You need to see it.”
“I might watch it.” Kayla shifted her attention to Brice. “Congratulations. I heard you’re a daddy now.”
“Annie and I have a little girl.”
“He stole my flight attendant,” Cynthia said, not looking pleased.
“Just until she’s ready to come back.”
Kayla expression grew solemn. “Whatever is on the disc won’t change how I feel about you.”
Cynthia smiled. “You’re right, but it will change how you feel about Randall.”
Kayla slipped the DVD in her purse and walked away with her father’s attorneys.
Tristen sighed. “I feel sorry for her.”
Cynthia laughed. “She got away with murder.”
“I don’t think so,” Tristen said. “You know she reminds me a lot of you.”
“God, I hope not. She’s a maniac. And we certainly don’t look alike. I’m a brunette, and she’s a ginger.”
“It’s her eyes,” Tristen said.
Cynthia shrugged. “Mine are green and hers are blue.”
Tristen grew solemn. “It’s the size and the shape of your eyes and the positioning of them on your faces.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Cynthia said. “I have my daddy’s eyes.”
Tristen turned to Brice. “Do you see it?”
Being wise, Brice sided with the boss. “Not really.”
Tristen shook his head. “Oh, man. You’re whimping out. I know what you’re doing.”
Brice grinned. “I’m out of here. My wife and daughter are waiting for me.”
♦♦♦
Megan smiled as Aiden inched his way down the sofa to Glen. Her toddler could take small steps. He had become attached to the man she’d met while doing some of her student nursing at the hospital. After their first date, she’d had a background check done before going on a second one. The attractive doctor checked out. His wife had been killed in a tractor/trailer accident two years earlier, and he had no children.
“Dadada,” Aiden said, then offered Glen a toothless grin.
“Come here, peewee,” Glen lifted him up. “How’s my boy?”
“He’s been very good today.”
Libby walked in. “Hi, Glen. I made an A on my science project. Thanks for helping me.”
“Anytime,” he said. After she left the room, he glanced at Megan. “Have you told her?”
“I haven’t told anyone but Annie. I don’t want to spoil what we have with all their advice. Besides, when you meet Renee and my parents you might back out. Annie and Libby are the only normal ones.”
Glen laughed. “I want to marry you, not your family. I love you.”
“I love you. I promise I’ll tell them today.”
“Maybe, we can get married over Labor Day weekend if your family will keep Aiden and Libby. After we’re married, I’d like to adopt Aiden. I’d like for him to believe he’s my son. If Libbey wants, I’d be willing to adopt her as well.”
“I’d be honored for you to be their father. I don’t want him to know about his biological father. Libby loves you too.” Megan scooted over to Glen and Aiden. “I’ll tell Mom and Dad tonight.”
“After you tell them, move in with me.”
“My sister could have her house back, but Libby wouldn’t want to switch schools.”
“Just remind her I own five horses. She can ride any time she wants.”
“Oh she’ll choose riding a horse over her new school.”
Glen kissed Megan. “I love you and our kids.”
Aiden giggled and clapped his hands.
♦♦♦
As Brice walked in the bedroom, Annie held Kara out for him to see. “Daddy’s here.”
He smiled. “She’s perfect.” He lifted Kara in his arms. “How’s Daddy’s girl doing?”
“She’s a good baby. That thrills me. Renee cried from the time she was born until she started kindergarten.”
Brice chuckled. “To be honest, I have worried some of Renee’s genes would show up in Kara.”
Annie observed the love in Brice’s eyes as he stared down on their daughter. She liked seeing his face relaxed like this rather than stressed over Zurtel.
He finally glanced at her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m not sore anymore. Now I understand how hard it was for Megan to have a baby in a haystack in the heat of summer.”
“Speaking of Megan, how’s she doing?”
“She called today.”
“Everything all right?”
“More than all right. She’s marrying the doctor she’s been dating, and he wants to adopt the kids. She’s decided to go ahead and move in with him. I get the house back.”
Brice grinned. “That’s awesome. I can sell the condo. Kara needs her own room.”
Annie placed Kara in her cradle. A corner of their master suite looked like a nursery with baby furniture and toys. But now that she was getting her house back, she’d be able to have a nursery and the boys could still have a room.
“I’m glad things are working out for Megan.” Brice stood over the cradle admiring his daughter. “The boys can’t wait to see Kara on Friday.”
“I’m glad they like being her big brothers.” She placed the pacifier in Kara’s mouth. “Tell me about the trials.”
He gave her a brief recap. “Lonny Chambers will be locked away for a while. All that money he has can’t buy him a get-out-of-jail-free-card. Bizer got life. He’ll end
up dying in prison.”
“And Ed Sawyer?”
“I fired him.” He hesitated a moment. “Remember when we first met, and you said the guy always blames the wife?”
“I do, but in your case, Shea was to blame.”
“Partially. I didn’t spend enough time at home. Everything was about the job. I’ll never make that mistake with you. Cynthia has agreed to let me hire an assistant CEO, so I can have more time with you and the kids.”
Annie joined him on the sofa, then leaned against him. He placed his arm around her and kissed her. She’d never been so content. Now that she was getting her house back, everything was coming together.
“Knock knock,” Brice said.
“Who’s there?”
“Baby.”
“Baby who?” Annie asked.
“Baby, you look hot.” While he kissed her, his hand moved over her breast. His other hand rubbed up her thigh pushing the gown up.
She pulled back. “We’d better stop before we regret it.”
“I can’t wait for the six weeks to be up.”
“You have three more weeks.” She smiled. “It’ll give you time to brush up on your jokes. I hate to break it to you but that was cornier than any of Shawn’s.”
“That was a top of the line knock knock joke.” He grinned. “I love you, Annie.”
She offered him a smile. “I’m glad because I love you. Besides, I like making the boss happy. It has its perks.”
Annie kissed Brice deeply. If they kept this up, they’d never last the three weeks.
The end.
Thank you for reading.
If you enjoyed Grounded, please leave a review with Amazon. It really helps Indie published authors like myself to reach new readers and helps me obtain advertising on promotional book sites. It also affects the way my books are ranked.
COMING NEXT
Flight for Life Series
Book 3
STALLED
A deep family secret will be revealed.
About the Author
Elaine Meece writes romantic suspense novels. She is an active member of Romance Writers of America, River City Romance Writers, Music City Romance Writers, and Malice of Memphis. She has been a finalist and won many RWA chapter contests for best romantic suspense.
She resides in Bartlett, Tennessee with her husband, Geoffrey. She is a former elementary school teacher. Besides writing, she loves hiking, kayaking, inner tubing, and whitewater rafting.
She is vice-president of the Memphis Scottish Society and Bartlett United Methodist Church.
Join her Facebook page: author Elaine Meece or follow her on Twitter or visit www.elainemeece.com