by Ciana Stone
"Most importantly," Amber looked at Russell. "She lost you, and I don't know if she'll ever recover from that. I thought you should know."
"Goddamn, Amber," Russell said coldly and looked at Richard. "Why don’t you have anything to say Mr. President?"
Richard pressed a button on his desk and a moment later the outer door opened. John walked in. "Mr. President?"
"I wanted you here for what I'm about to say. We'll speak of this once and then never again. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Mr. President."
Richard looked at Russell. "Russ?"
"Fine but get on with it."
"I will. Amber? I'm not asking. I'm telling. You'll keep your mouth shut. Are we clear on that?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. Russ, as much as you'll hate to hear this, John came to me and told me the truth months ago. He and Amber had an ongoing relationship and he knew she was involved in the activities attributed to the Hood. He did not know Naomie was involved until the day she was arrested.
"My daughter and my wife, conspired to convince him to keep his mouth closed about that truth, for the sake of my presidency. He agreed, but the dishonesty ate at him and he came to me and told me the truth."
"And you let Naomie rot in jail?" Russell didn't try to keep his tone low or calm. "How the hell could you do that, Rich?"
"I didn't. I mean, she was already in custody, but when I went to her with the truth, I asked if she had uncovered anything else, and she said she had. She worked from that moment on to secure all evidence of all wrong doings. She was in a secure location but she wasn't a prisoner. Just a very unhappy woman who lost everything out of loyalty to her country," Richard then looked at Amber. "And to a friend who didn't deserve it."
Russell looked at Amber. "What the hell is wrong with you and your mother that you'd use someone like that? Do you have any idea how disgusting that is?"
"I don't think you have any right-"
"But I do," Richard interrupted. "And I agree so it'd be in your best interest to get out of my sight."
She didn't say a word. She just turned and left. Richard then looked at John. "Thank you, John, that will be all.
"Yes, sir," he turned to leave but stopped as Russell called his name.
"Agent Rushing, wait. Did you see Naomie when she left this office?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you know where she's going?"
"Home. To her folks, I guess. She said to where people love her."
"Thank you."
He and Richard watched John leave, then Richard turned to him. "Dear God, Russ, I am sorry. I had no idea what Amber had done and when I found out there was nothing I could do until I was sworn in."
"I know. It's not your fault. And in a way Sharon was right. I should have gone after her."
"Why didn't you?"
"Pride, I guess. I really fucked up, Rich."
"So, go unfuck up, brother."
"You think there's any chance in hell of me making this right?"
"I think it's damn sure worth the risk to try."
Russell nodded and offered his hand. "As proud as I am to call you Mr. President, I'm prouder to call you brother."
"Amen to that." Richard clasped his hand. "Now, go and win the girl."
"Yes, sir, Mr. President." Russell smiled.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Taylor Farms, Kentucky
Naomie ambled through the pasture. As she passed beneath the shade of an ancient Ingleside Oak, she remembered being a child and her father teaching her about the environment of her home. He was something of a history buff and read everything he could get his hands on about the state where they lived.
The first European explorers of the Bluegrass found tremendous woodland pastures of open-grown trees that covered many square miles. The trees shaded grasses and giant cane, mixed with denser forest and stands of pure cane along the creeks. They were amazed by the landscape because it was unlike the dense forest they were accustomed to exploring.
Naomie stopped and looked across the vast woodland pasture owned by her family. It was but one of many, yet she knew every inch of it by heart, because this was the soil that had nurtured her as she grew, dreaming of what she might become one day, and of the man who would appear to claim her heart and make her as happy and filled with joy as her mother.
For as long as she could remember, her mother had looked at her father with such devotion and love, that even as a child, it brought tears to her eyes because of the sheer beauty of it. She'd always wished she could know what that kind of love felt like.
She sat, picked a blade of grass and raised it to her face, to smell the rich scent. Could she relearn how to be innocent and filled with hope for the future, or had losing Russell stripped her of that ability? She feared so. Naomie wasn't ashamed of what she'd done. She'd acted first out of love, and later out of a need to escape the pain of losing Russell.
It quickly became clear you can't run or hide from losing your heart. That's why she came home to Kentucky. She hoped that just maybe being free, seeing the sky above her, smelling the sweet grass and feeling the wind on her face would make her feel alive again.
No such luck. She felt as empty as when she was a prisoner. Maybe this was going to be the shape of her life from now on. She looked out over the rolling hills and indulged in a prayer. Please, give me a sign. Tell me what to do to earn back what I've lost, and I'll do it. Please.
Suddenly she realized there was a shadow beside her own. Naomie looked up and time came to a sudden stop. She bounded to her feet. "What are you doing here?"
Russell smiled at her. "You said you wanted me to meet your folks."
Naomie blinked, opened her mouth and closed it, then opened it again. "But…you said…Mrs. Walker said–"
"She lied."
"She lied?"
"She lied."
"But you said–" Naomie was completely confused. She knew she hadn't dreamed what he said to her and despite his claim that Sharon Walker had lied, he'd made no attempt to even communicate with her.
"I was a fool."
"I don't understand."
"I spoke with Amber and John after Richard pardoned you, and was told everything. Once again, you were willing to risk it all for someone else. In this case, once again, my family and then this country. I'm ashamed to have treated you badly."
"You didn't know. I couldn't tell you so how could you–"
"Believe in you? Honey that's what I should have done from the get-go." Russell wrapped his hands around her upper arms. "I know who you are and damn well should have known you weren't walking out on me. I let my pride get in the way. I'm sorry, Naomie."
"Is that why you're here. To say you're sorry?"
"Yes. No."
"Then why?"
"To ask your forgiveness."
"Oh, Russ, you haven't done anything to be forgiven for. I'm the one who kept secrets and wouldn't tell you what was really going on."
"To protect me. Richard made that clear. As did Amber."
Naomie recognized the truth in his words and also knew how hard it must have been for him to come looking for her, to admit he was wrong. But she had truths of her own that she needed to speak, despite her fears.
"Riggs begged me to go back and when I called you – the night the attempt was made on Richard's life, I was ready to beg you to take me back. Then it all went to hell and Sharon–"
"I know what she did and I'm sorry, Naomie. It wasn't true."
"But it felt true at the time and–and…" She paused and stood there for a minute, looking for the right words. "I was wrong, too. I was scared."
"Of me?"
"Of looking into your eyes and seeing that you didn't love me anymore."
"Naomie I–"
"No, hear me out. Please. We've been honest with one another. We knew that neither of us had been very successful with relationships. My problem wasn’t that I didn't care, it was just that I'd never fallen in love. Then I met y
ou and damn it all to hell, Russ, being in love is scary stuff because it can jerk the rug right out from under you.
"I guess that’s what happened – I got unbalanced and then I was scared. It hurt so bad, but I was afraid it would hurt worse to see it in your eyes and have to face that you didn't love me. I didn't know how to come back from that. I'm sorry. Sorry I didn't trust you as well."
"Maybe we both made mistakes. Naomie, listen to me. I know I'm not perfect but until I met you, I didn't know what it felt to be in love either and now that I do know, I don't want to lose it. Please give us another chance."
Naomie looked down, afraid to trust what he was saying. Hope made her weak, and she wasn't at all sure she could take being cast aside again. After a few moments, he spoke again "Remember when we first met, and you mentioned an article you read about me and the person writing it called me the man who had it all?"
"Yes."
"Well, I don't. I realized that when you left. Without you, I'm the poorest man alive. I love you, Naomie. Every minute I've been away from you has been a living hell, and I don't think I can take much more. So, if there's a chance–"
There it is, girl, your sign. What are you waiting for? Robert's voice in her mind galvanized her into action.
"Yes!" She was in his arms, locked in a kiss before he could finish the sentence. When they finally parted, tears streamed down her face. "I love you, Russ."
"Enough to forgive me? I need to hear you say that."
"Yes."
"Just that easy? After all the hell you've been through, you can just smile and say yes?"
"That's in the past. This is now and my mama, God love her, taught me to live in the now and right now, just like in the past. I love you. I've never loved any man but you, Russ. Don't you get it? You're my one and only."
"And you are mine, Naomie. So, could you introduce me to your folks?"
"Sure," she smiled through her tears. "What do I call you? My boss or boyfriend?"
"How about your soon to be husband?"
"My… are you kidding?"
"Look, I know you've never said anything about it and we've never discussed it and if you're against marriage that's fine, just be my forever and call it what you want, but be mine, Naomie. For as long as I draw breath, I swear to be yours."
"You had me at hello, Mr. Walker." She smiled up at him.
"Hmmm, Mr. Walker. Back to that are we? You're just begging for that spanking."
"Ain't that the truth?" She took his hand. "Come on. Let's go meet my mama and dad. You're just going to love them. You know they're the original romantics."
Russell smiled and took her hand as they headed back to the house. "All my life I watched them hug and kiss and look at one another with an expression I just didn't quite understand. I asked her one time what it was, and she said, "Why Naomie girl, it's the one and only thing you need to have a truly happy and fulfilled life."
"And? Did she tell you what that one thing was?"
Naomie smiled up at him. "Yes. Love. All you need is love."
Russell grabbed her in a hug and swung her off her feet. Her arms went around his neck, and their lips met, and at that moment, he realized she, and her mother were right. All you need is love, and his was right here in his arms.
He really was the man who had it all.
A Note for Readers:
I've been a reader my entire life, finding solace, excitement, happiness, fear and love in the pages of books. If anything has been a constant in my life, it's reading.
I also remember all the times in my life when being able to buy a book was a luxury, a treat that I didn't get every week. I've never forgotten those times or how much those books meant to me.
That's why I am so grateful to you, the readers. Regardless of your level of income or profession, I understand how precious your reading dollars are and I feel humbled that you've used some of those dollars to purchase my books.
I hope my stories prove worthy of your investment and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Many blessings.
Ciana
About the Author
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Books by Ciana Stone in reading order:
(Connected Books)
Honky Tonk Angels Series
Southern Comfort – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 1
Finding Justice – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 2
Baby I’m In. Honky Tonk Angels, Book 3
Ask me to Stay – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 4
Playing for Keeps – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 5
Lookin’ for Trouble – Honky Tonk Angels Book 6
Honky Tonk Angels Box Set
Legacy Series
Longing
Craving
Yearning
Untamed Series
Feels Like the First Time
When You Least Expect It
Colton’s Memory
Untamed: A Three Book Box Set
Rangers or The Whisperers
(Can be read in either order)
Rangers
The Whisperers
Heartbreakers & Heroes
Book 1 - Grady Judd
Book 2 - Mason James
Book 3 - Jasper Jacks
Book 4 - Deacon Johns
Book 5 - Brody Judge
Book 6 - Wiley Johns
Book 7 - Gray Horse
Book 8 – Lincoln Shaw
Book 9 – Game On
Heritage Series
A Death in Texas
Shattered Series
Reckless
The Seven Box Set
Hot in the Saddle Box Set
Stand Alone Titles
Renegades
Let the Game Begin
Wrath: Voodoo's Angel
That Which Survives
A Matter of Trust