“It’s okay if you hate me a little,” Joshua said once they were heading east on the parkway.
“Why would I hate you?”
“If it hadn’t been for me, you wouldn’t be hurting so much right now.”
“If it hadn’t been for you, I would have died back in June when Dorian Rudolph shot me,” she said. Through some efforts of the Alpha Pack that Ada didn’t even want to know about, Dorian was now serving a lengthy prison sentence for a variety of crimes, including drug possession, trafficking, and possession of a stolen firearm. “You gave me a chance to say goodbye. How could I hate you for that?”
Joshua reached over with one hand and ran his knuckles across her cheek. “I just feel so guilty,” he said. “You make me happy. I’m looking forward to the future for the first time in a long, long time, but the price seems a little high right now.”
He was right. The price was high. Ada had a feeling she would miss her family for the rest of eternity, but she had to believe it was worth it. She was given a second chance at life. This time, she wouldn’t be the weak, frail girl who sat on the sidelines. She didn’t believe in God, but she did believe in good, and she planned on being a warrior for the good in the world. She would make a difference with her infinite days.
“We’ve got lots of time ahead of us,” she said, feeling the words out as she went. “They’re not all going to be easy. Hopefully not many of them will be this hard, but if they are, we’ll keep going, knowing every day things will get a little bit easier, until one day, we’re back to good.”
The sunlight reflected off the review mirror, spotlighting Joshua’s face.
Ada didn’t care what he said, he was still an angel.
“As long as we’re together, I’m willing to endure the bad days.”
Joshua shot her a crooked smile. “Even the ones without chocolate?”
A smile of her own managed to break through the heartache. “No chocolate? I did not sign up for days like that.”
“You don’t know what the future will bring,” Joshua said, sagely. “What if we exhaust the world’s supply of cocoa? Then what are you going to do?”
“What am I going to do? What are you going to do, Mr. I-Eat-A-Whole-Box-Of-Ding-Dongs-For-Breakfast?”
“What about you, Ms.—“
The music in the car suddenly went silent. It was only a split second, but in that time all the joy in the car died a quick death and was replaced by a sense of dread.
“Incoming call. Jase Donovan.”
It was just a phone call. It could have been about anything. But Ada’s heart stayed constricted, and Joshua’s face was taut as he jabbed the pick-up button on the steering wheel.
“What is wrong?”
“It’s SHP,” Jase said. “They’ve made their move.”
Joshua’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Angel?”
“Angel’s safe, but Lizzie and Layne—”
Even though he was driving and it was horribly dangerous for him to do so, Joshua closed his eyes and took in a deep but shaky breath. “Are they alive?”
There was an unbearable pause, and then, “We don’t know.”
Acknowledgements
First drafts are ugly. Second drafts are ugly. Third, fourth, and fifth drafts? Ugly. Without my lovely beta fish - Emily, Tory, Claire, Samantha, Amy, Tessa, Alecia, Kathryn, and Tori - and my editors, Gwen and Leslie, this book would still be ugly. Thanks for making me look good, ladies.
Victoria Faye Alday has been making my covers since she sent me the most fabulous image I ever saw as fan art for Destiny Binds. Not only is she insanely talented, she’s a wonderful person and great friend. I honestly have no idea where I would be without her.
My Alpha Pack is the friendliest, most awesome group of supporters in the world. I am grateful for each and every one of you.
Thanks to all of my author friends who continue to inspire and encourage. A double-dose of thanks to Samantha. You rock.
While Ada is imaginary, cystic fibrosis is not. Thank you to Jodie Lawrence, Crystal Hargrove, and Lexie McCarty for sharing your journeys with me.
To the family I was born with and the family that I’ve chosen, thank you for your unwavering support and keeping me sane-ish. I love you all.
The Timber Wolves Trilogy:
Destiny Binds
Time Mends
Fate Succumbs
Timber Wolves Companions:
At First Sight
All We See and Seem
Shifters & Seers:
Fragile Brilliance
Infinite Harmony
About the Author
Tammy Blackwell is a Young Adult Services Coordinator for a public library system in Kentucky. When she’s not reading, writing, cataloging, or talking about books, she’s sleeping. You can follow her on Twitter (@Miss_Tammy), write to her at [email protected] or visit her at www.misstammywrites.com.
Infinite Harmony Page 24