RUINING ANGEL

by S. Pratt

  ‘Daddy?’

  ‘Don’t say that, it’s obvious that little girl is long gone,’ he says harshly.

  ‘Dad!’ she sobs. It’s taking all of my strength not to comfort her right now. That will only make things worse. Instead I root myself to the ground and watch my brave Bailey. Finally, he looks into her eyes.

  ‘I’m still the same person, Emmett is still the same person. We both are still the same people that you’ve loved all these years. This doesn’t change anything. Just because we see each other differently doesn’t mean that you have to. Nothing’s changed,’ she pleads.

  He looks at Bailey with finality.

  ‘I’ve changed. In this instant, I’ve changed. I don’t think I can ever look at you two the same way again. I feel like I have no children, or at least, I never really knew them.’ He turns on his heel and walks out the door, leaving mom standing alone on our doorstep. Behind me a cry catches in the back of Bailey’s throat and I turn to comfort her, wrapping my big arms around her frame. While Bailey sobs into my chest, mom stares me down.

  ‘You know, Emmett, I’ve kept this secret for as long as I could. Pretending that I didn’t know about what was happening right under my nose. In my house. I won’t judge either of you, but I’m not about to say it’s right – what you’ve both done I mean. I know as much as I have loved you like my own flesh and blood, I have always seen that yours and Bailey’s relationship was very different. It’s not up to me to make things right with your dad. But give it time dear, I’m sure there’s hope for the future.’ There is no anger or malice in her voice, just recognition of facts. She starts to leave, joining my dad in making a hasty retreat from their unexpected visit.

  ‘Mom!’ I call after her. She stops and turns before the door closes on us.

  ‘Thank you.’ I mean it. It’s heartfelt. I know there’s nothing that can make this okay – especially right now. But I will always keep hoping that my family will get back to a point where we can trust each other again.

  She nods, closing the door gently behind her.

  I can hear the engine start up, tires spinning wildly on the gravel as dad navigates a speedy departure. There is part of me that feels like a little bit of my heart just went out the door with them when they left. It’s painful. The agony over losing a parent hasn’t been fresh in my mind for a long time. I want so badly to believe that they’ll come around, but I’m going to have to accept the fact that I may very well have lost them for good.

  Rubbing Bailey’s back and shushing her while she cries her tears of sadness I wonder, if we were to go back to the beginning, if I would do it all over again.

  Bailey looks up from where she’s been crying against my chest and that’s all the confirmation I need. This woman was definitely worth all of it. Every single bit of heartache, pain, tears, despair, and sorrow, because the good parts far out-weigh the bad.

  I realize right now, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN – Happy Ever After?

  It’s spring. All the wild flowers are in full bloom and, even to my eyes, it looks beautiful. I pick my way through the dense woods carefully, the path unused for such a long time. The more I fight through the overgrown brush, the more my jeans cling to my legs. I roll my shirt sleeves up so that I can get a bit of air to my skin, allowing the sweat to cool.

  Even after all this time my leg still plays up but, for the most part, it works as well as can be expected. I can’t bend it like I used to, but I’m alive. I’m here. Funny thing about life, sometimes when you’re living in hell, heaven’s just around the corner waiting to open up its doors and welcome you.

  I’ve learned a lot. Never give up, always have hope. When you feel in your gut that you need to do something, fucking do it. Even if it doesn’t make sense, do it. There are so many times I’ve regretted the years when I pushed Bailey away. I wish I’d have listened to her, to my gut, and taken her away with me. But I put those thoughts aside. I have what I want. I have what I desired. She’s right here with me – for life.

  Turning around, I spy her trailing a ways off behind me. She has a pretty blue sundress on that makes her eyes stand out. It flows down her body, all the way to her ankles where her sandals cover her feet. My heart flutters just a little, eager for her to catch up to me.

  ‘You coming?’ I yell. She looks up, showing a big grin, as she picks some more flowers before she runs up to join me.

  ‘Always,’ she says taking my hand.

  ‘Not much further now,’ I say.

  We walk on in silence, occasionally glancing in each other’s direction, smiling like we have our own private secret. We do.

  The little stream comes into view through the thick of the trees.

  ‘We’re here.’

  ‘Good, my feet are killing me,’ she says.

  ‘Come and sit down, I’ll spread the blanket out.’ She smiles gratefully. Placing the picnic basket down, I lay the blanket on some soft heather. She looks hot, so I take a washcloth and soak it in the cool water from the stream so she can put in on her forehead.

  While Bailey relaxes, I make us some sandwiches. I watch her carefully, even though I’m busy with the food. Her hair catches in the sun light and she looks stunning. I’m still surprised that I find myself even more in love with her each new day I wake up. It’s like I’ve won the lotto but they keep sending the checks every day.

  She catches me watching her and grins at me, her freckles spreading a little wider on her face.

  ‘I love you, you know?’ I never get sick of telling her this. After the accident I decided I’m going to tell her every chance I get.

  ‘A lot, or just a little?’

  ‘Definitely a lot. Maybe too much.’ If it’s possible, her smiles grows.

  I continue to eye her as I hand over her sandwich. She accepts it, taking a huge bite.

  ‘You know, you seem really happy today,’ I say. Her mouth is full, so I wait patiently while she finishes chewing.

  ‘Aren’t I always happy?’

  ‘Today, more so,’ I insist.

  ‘Mom called this morning while you were chopping wood.’

  ‘Oh?’ My heart rate picks up. It’s the first time we’ve heard from them since they left our house four months ago. She takes another bite, clearly intent on keeping me guessing. Little tease. She smiles smugly through her mouthful.

  ‘And?’

  ‘They’re coming to visit.’ The breath I didn’t know I was holding exhales through my lips.

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Really.’

  ‘Did she say when they were coming?’

  ‘A week on Saturday.’ She goes back to eating her sandwich and I start in on mine. The silence is only disrupted by the chatter of small insects and the trickle of water as it runs across the rocky bed of the stream. My eyes find Bailey’s again. She still bewitches me.

  ‘There’s something else …’ I query.

  ‘You’re very perceptive today Mr. Michaels.’

  ‘It’s my job, Mrs. Michaels. Now spill, before I come tickle it out of you.’ She grins, looking radiant and glowing. Fuck. It hits me. I know. She sees the recognition in my eyes and smiles.

  ‘You’re pregnant?’ I ask, barely believing I just let those words slip from my lips. She nods.

  ‘How far along?’

  ‘Twelve weeks.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me sooner?’

  ‘Well, I didn’t know how you’d react. I wanted to be sure before I told you.’

  ‘You didn’t know how I’d react? You mean, you didn’t think I’d be happy?’

  ‘Are you?’

  ‘Happy? I’m fucking ecstatic!’ I ditch the sandwich and rush to her, cupping her face in my hands and planting the biggest kiss I can muster on her lips. ‘So fucking happy, don’t ever doubt that, okay?’ She nods, tears shining through the joy that shows in her eyes.

  I take her sandwich from her, placing it carefully on the hamper. Gently, I lay he
r down on the blanket and watch, mesmerized as her hair fans out behind her. My lips find their way to her belly, softly kissing her through the fabric. Her long slender fingers find my head, stroking my hair while I talk to the baby that’s growing inside of her. My baby.

  ‘Hey sweetheart, it’s your dada here. I love you already. I’m gonna take care of you and your momma, I promise. Forever. I’ll never let anyone hurt you.’ As I talk to the little life growing inside of the woman I love, I pray with all my soul that I can be everything my birth mother wasn’t. I pray I’m strong enough to say no when it’s needed, strong enough to encourage my baby to be everything that they can be, strong enough to fight for them if they need it. Most of all, I want to give this little life all the love I possibly can. There isn’t a single moment in their life that I want them to ever feel unloved or uncared for. I’m going to protect this baby’s life with everything I have.

  As though she can read my thoughts and insecurities, Bailey knows just what to say.

  ‘You’re going to make a wonderful father.’ Her eyes shine brightly and I know that we’ve got this. I was born to be a father and I know the minute this baby comes wailing and screaming into the world, they’re going to have me wrapped around their little finger.

  I’m going to become the yes man.

  ‘I’m going to be everything Lucy needs,’ I promise.

  ‘Lucy? You’re naming the baby already – you don’t even know what we’re having,’ she laughs.

  ‘I can feel it in my gut. Sometimes you’ve just got to go with it.’

  She pulls my head up towards hers and kisses me so sweetly I just about die from sugar overdose. This woman has been my best friend, my co-conspirator, my confidante, my lover and my wife. Now I can add mother of my child to the list. Fuck. Life really doesn’t get any more perfect than this.

  BONUS CHAPTER - Carron

  From the author:

  I’m so pleased there has been so much positive feedback about Ruined and the characters that made the story come alive. I completely understood why so many of you either wanted to know more about Angel, or didn’t feel like you got to know him well enough in the first book. This was purely because I tried to shield his character from being revealed too early. But, like most of you, I feel in love with him! Did you know before I even started writing Ruined it was my intention to kill him off? Oh my god, I think I would have copped some flak for that one. So due to popular demand, this is why I wrote Ruining Angel.

  Despite the popularity of Angel, though, some of you really wanted to know if Carron got his happy ever after. I love that Carron is the embodiment of a pure gentleman, and I too wanted a happy ending for him. So because it has been requested, I have included a little snippet of his life after Bailey leaves Astoria.

  I hope you enjoy it!

  Shelly Pratt.

  A LITTLE BIT OF CARRON

  The day Bailey finally boarded up her house and left with Emmett I knew I had to let go of the pipe dream I had that things could actually be fixed between the two of us. I loved her, so, so much. But it was never enough. There was always something holding her back. Now I know what it was I realize there was no way I was ever going to compete with that.

  I tried to convince myself she wasn’t as broken as what I thought she was. Perhaps I even deluded myself into thinking that I was special enough to make a difference. There were many times I thought I could change her, make her love me just as much as I did her. What a fool!

  And her brother! Honestly, I don’t even know what to think of that. I try not to dwell on that because I can’t see someone as beautiful as Bailey involved in something so ugly. I’m trying to come to terms with the fact that it wasn’t just another man, but a family member, for Christ’s sake. She tries to justify her actions, but as much as I’ve listened to her reasoning, I still can’t connect the dots.

  She promised to write. Or call. I forget. So far, no word. Not that I was really expecting it – but I wanted it. But that’s not reality. The princess who just rode off into the sunset with her white knight never comes rushing back into town to say she’s made a mistake now, does she?

  I’ve buried myself in work. I like to think it helps with forgetting about the girl I wanted to be my bride, but really I’m just that dog tired that I’ve become too numb to think about it. Her mom called not long ago to see how I was. That was awkward, to say the least.

  Work today is going to be busy. I can tell already. I’ve only been on shift for five minutes and already we’ve had three casualties, a man suffering a heart attack and a laborer who put a nine inch nail through the bone of his index finger. I’m supposed to have a new nurse today, but so far I’ve seen neither hide nor hair of him.

  The ER is filling up, patients are getting cranky and I haven’t even had a coffee yet. I need another set of hands, so I go off in search of Sean Trilby, the new nurse that has been assigned to work in the emergency department.

  One of the regular triage nurses is sitting at her work station, typing away at the computer terminal in front of her.

  ‘Betty, have you seen the new guy yet?’ She looks up from her keyboard, amused.

  ‘New guy?’ she asks.

  ‘Yes. I’m supposed to have a new nurse start today. His name is Sean Trilby.’ I’m finding it hard not to seem a little exasperated with the merry-go-round conversation. She smirks at me.

  ‘Room five, honey. Sean’s getting some more gloves for the ER.’

  ‘Thanks,’ I yell over my shoulder as I head off in the direction of room five. It’s where we keep all our supplies for emergency.

  I’m walking fast. I’m just about in the doorway of room five when a woman comes barreling out and runs smack into my chest. She drops the boxes she was carrying and my folder tumbles from my hands.

  ‘Sorry,’ we both say at once and duck down at the same time to retrieve our goods. We smack foreheads with each other, causing her to groan.

  ‘God, I’m so sorry, let me help you,’ I apologize, looking up to find myself staring into the sexiest pair of green eyes I’ve ever seen. She’s got straight, jet-black hair down to her ass and she wears it in a French braid. I’m suddenly seeing stars and it’s not from the bump to the head. This is the kind of woman any man would give a second glance to and I’m no exception. She’s beautiful.

  She smiles kindly at me. ‘That’s okay. I’m in a hurry. It’s my first day on the job and I’m already running late. The Chief Of Staff is going to have my ass on a plate if I don’t hurry up.’

  ‘What did you say your name was?’ Suddenly I feel like I want to know every little thing about this woman.

  ‘I didn’t. It’s Sean, Sean Trilby.’

  ‘You’re Sean?’ My voice squeaks, a high pitched gurgling sound like when you go through puberty. How embarrassing!

  ‘Yes … I’m sorry, do I know you?’ She looks at me quizzically, as though she’s missed something.

  ‘Ah, no. I’m Carron – the Chief Of Staff,’ I say, offering my hand to her. ‘I was just expecting Sean to be a man is all.’

  ‘Oh … well, my parents wanted a boy, I guess the name just stuck when I was born,’ she smiles, then suddenly puts her hand to her mouth in horror.

  ‘Oh my god, you’re my boss! I’m so sorry I’m running late – and now I’m keeping you from patients too,’ she apologizes.

  ‘Don’t worry about it. It was a pleasure to meet you.’ Reluctantly I tear myself away from her stare, knowing full well I have patients to get back to. As I’m walking off, she calls out to me.

  ‘Carron?’ I stop and turn.

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘I’m sorry I was late, will you let me make it up to you?’ Now that’s an offer I just can’t refuse.

  ‘Sure,’ I grin, ‘What’d you have in mind?’

  ‘How about dinner tonight, my treat?’

  ‘Sounds lovely, count me in.’ She grins back at me and I find myself getting carried away by her cheerfulness. Walking with her by m
y side as we make our way back to the ER, I find myself thinking, ‘Bailey who?’

  THE END

  MORE NOVELS WRITTEN BY S. PRATT

  Ruined (Contemporary Romance)

  The Complete Tiers Chronicles (Erotica)

  Switch (Suspense thriller)

  Burning Obsession (Psychological Thriller)

  Raven (New Adult Paranormal Romance)

  Beloved Soul (YA Paranormal Romance) – Publication through Eternal Press

  Read on for sample chapters of Ruined and Burning Obsession.

  A SAMPLE OF RUINED

  **Ruined is edited by Emily Dawson

  Preface

  We all have secrets. Some are just buried deeper than others. But they’re there – hidden deep within. Mine I bury in that little red box people call a heart. Sometimes I wonder if I have a heart at all, for if I did I surely wouldn’t do the things I’ve done. Some people have that line they just don’t cross, while others have never had to draw it in the sand in the first place. They already know what is right from wrong. They know the consequence of stepping over it and they are just not willing. Others go barreling clean over it. No care for boundaries at all. Me, I know what ramifications my actions would have. Well, if anyone ever found out about them. But they won’t. I will never tell a soul my secret. It will just be mine.

  There are times I am on my own and I let my mind dwell on it. It rolls around my head consuming my thoughts and I have to admit I like it. Does this make me a bad person? Perhaps. I am willing to feel guilt over my deception because my actions cause me so much pleasure. These moments are only brief. I can’t risk being found out. Too many people would be hurt.