We moved in to Ridge Towers and settled down, deciding we were ready for our family. Neither of us expected it to happen as soon as it did. Becca came off birth control, and her doctor told us it could take months to conceive. We were fine with that. Practicing making a baby was high on my list of fun things to do with Becca.
Even after three years, not much had changed between us. My Becca was still smart and funny, and her smile sweet and shy. There were moments I was still dumbstruck, unable to formulate the right words to say to her; although her kisses usually freed them up for me. I still stopped by the corner store and picked up flowers for her from Eleanor, who’d kiss my cheek and call me a good boy.
After I arrived home one such night, Becca was busy on her laptop. I kissed the top of her head, laid the flowers on the table, and sat down across from her.
“I didn’t see you all day.”
“I had a meeting outside the office. Then I worked from home.” She shut her laptop and shifted on the sofa. She picked up her flowers, inhaled the fragrance, and looked nervous. “I got you something today too.”
“Oh yeah?”
“It’s in the kitchen.”
Curious, I got up and went to investigate. On the counter was a teddy bear, holding a card on thick stock. Inscribed were the words
Can’t wait to meet you, Daddy. See you soon!
I pivoted, finding Becca behind me, tears in her eyes. I had her in my arms in seconds, kissing every inch of her beautiful face. “Becca, BB,” I whispered adoringly. “Say it.”
“I’m pregnant, Reid. We’re going to have a baby.”
Until Theo, or Teddy, as Becca called him, was born, it was the greatest moment of my life.
Now, gazing down at my son, I knew what it was to be complete. The fierce protectiveness I felt for him was all-consuming.
My son would never wonder about his parents. He would never be abandoned or struggle to find his place in the world. He would never know the pain or fear of loneliness. His well-being and happiness were paramount to me.
My alarm went off, and with a grin, I stood. “Let’s go, Theo. Your uncles are waiting.”
The new nursery took up an entire floor of the building. It was open to all the staff, and the people who ran it were capable, warm, and loving. It was busy and vibrant with bright colors, and it was filled with laughter. Bentley and Maddox were already waiting in our favorite corner, Addi playing with Brayden, the two of them fast friends. Bentley’s second daughter, Chloe, was in front of him, clutching his fingers as he encouraged her to stand. Maddox chuckled, watching his daughter, Shelby, asleep in his arms, her pudgy hands outstretched. I sat down, holding Theo close.
Bentley grinned at me. “Hey, Reid. How’s Becca?”
“Good. She’s only checked in on me four times since I left the condo with Theo.”
Maddox chuckled. “Dee texted me hourly the first time I left with Brayden. She’s gotten better with Shelby.”
“We miss Becca around here.”
“She misses everyone, but she’ll be back soon.” With the nursery on-site, Becca planned to return to work in a few months. We could both be close to our son.
Aiden came in, Ava wrapped in one massive arm. He sat down, releasing her. She immediately scrambled over to Theo, cooing and clapping her little hands. Ava loved babies, and she especially loved Theo. She sat beside me, leaning close, talking fast to him. He watched her, his face serious, as if he understood whatever gibberish she was saying to him.
Maddox looked at Aiden. “You okay?”
He groaned. “Cami is ready for this baby to be born. So am I. She can’t sleep, she can’t get comfortable, the little guy is pushing at her all the time and using her bladder as a soccer ball.” He shook his head. “Pretty sure I’m to blame for basically everything.”
“You are,” we all chimed in at once.
“How did I forget this part?”
Maddox laughed, shifting Shelby to his other arm. “Because they’re worth it. You doing okay, Reid? Need anything?”
“Aside from a little more sleep, nope. We’re good. Great, in fact.”
Bentley settled Chloe into his arms, sliding the nipple of her bottle into her mouth. “Then I think the weekly meeting should commence. Everyone has their baby and is ready?”
I peered down at Theo. His eyes had drifted shut. Safe, peaceful, and loved in my arms. He’d sleep there the whole time.
I was good with that.
I grinned. “Ready.”
Van—Vested Interest #5
Vince Morrison, known to his friends and coworkers as Van.
Good with his hands, be it crafting a piece of wood, playing his guitar, or pleasing a lover—he excels at them all.
Friendly, flirty, and talented, he’s cool under pressure . . . and hot everywhere else.
But he keeps his heart closed, even as his interest and emotions are tested.
Olivia Rourke works alongside him at BAM.
Talented, private, and intriguing, she touches something inside him he can’t deny.
He wants to know her. In every possible way.
He wants her to know him.
Her past cautions her to stay clear. Van is everything that she wants and exactly what she cannot have. She has someone else to think of who is more important.
Can either of them risk their hearts?
Multiple Sclerosis touches so many families. There is much left to do for research to help those affected by this debilitating disease.
When I wrote the scenes that touched Sandy and Max so strongly, I couldn’t have done it without the assistance of the lovely and caring Darlene Avery Ward. Thank you my friend.
Please support the Nations MS Society and the work they provide to MS patients in advocating and organizing events to raise awareness and funds for research.
www.nationalmssociety.org
AS ALWAYS, I have some people to thank. The ones behind the words that encourage and support. The people who make these books possible for so many reasons.
To my readers—thank you for taking a chance on this series.
Your love of BAM makes me so happy!
Deb, thank you for all your hard work. As usual you make my words flow. Love you, my friend.
Lisa, thank you for your expertise and help. You rock it.
Beth, Shelly, Denise, Janett, Darlene, Carrie, Suzanne, Trina, Mae, Jeanne, Eli—I love you and am honored to call you friends. You humble me.
Caroline and Peggy, thank you for your support and keen eyes.
Flavia, thank you for your efforts and belief in my work. You made my world a brighter place.
Karen, my wonderful PA and friend. You hold my hand, keep me sane (okay, as sane as possible!), and encourage. You talk me off the ledge and yell at me when needed. It’s not an easy job, but I appreciate all you do. There are not enough thanks, but there is a ton of love.
To all the bloggers, readers, and especially my review team. Thank you for everything you do. Shouting your love of books, posting, sharing—your recommendations keep my TBR list full, and the support you have shown me is so appreciated.
To my fellow authors who have shown me such kindness, thank you. I will follow your example and pay it forward.
To Christine—thank you for making my words look pretty!
Melissa—your covers make my books shine. Your teasers and banners are epic. Thank you!
My reader group, Melanie’s Minions—love you all.
And, as always, My Matthew. My everything. Love you forever.
Into the Storm
Beneath the Scars
Over the Fence
It Started with a Kiss
My Image of You
THE CONTRACT SERIES
The Contract
The Baby Clause
VESTED INTEREST SERIES
Bentley (Vested Interest #1)
Aiden (Vested Interest #2)
Maddox (Vested Interest #3)
Reid (Vested Interest #
4)
Van (Vested Interest #5) ~ Coming Soon
NEW YORK TIMES/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-nine-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and enjoys travelling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet). She's learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at [email protected]
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Reid: Vested Interest #4 Page 25