Unlocking Darkness (Keys to Love Series, Book Five)
Page 20
“And smaller,” Jace exclaimed, holding up his saw in victory. He even called out a battle cry that sounded more like a wounded animal than a warrior. “Are we all in agreement?”
“Wait a second,” Allie called out, causing everyone to turn around at the sound of that sweet voice he’d been missing for over a week. Phone calls didn’t count. “Don’t I get a say in the matter?”
“Son of a gun,” Mitch muttered, walking quickly toward her to scoop her up in his arms. Her light laugh echoed throughout the trees. “Damn, I’ve missed you.”
Mitch buried his face in her scarf, wishing more than anything it was her bare neck and that they were back home in front of the fireplace where he could take his time loving her.
“I’ve missed you, Ken,” Allie whispered, knowing that would make him want to get her home even faster. She waited until he’d set her down on the soft blanket of snow before tilting her heart-shaped face for a kiss. “You can put in a request to change the population sign. As of today, I’m officially a resident.”
The others had heard her declaration. Hoots and hollers made their way through the family, but Mitch quickly managed to divert their attention back to the task at hand. He didn’t want to take any longer than necessary, and he made a mental note to tag the perfect tree for their living room. He and Allie could come back tomorrow to create their own tradition.
“You might be a federal agent, but there is no way in hell you could have tracked us out in the middle of a Christmas tree farm without the aid of technology.” Mitch raised an eyebrow with suspicion. “Did you trace my cell phone?”
“Why would I need to do that when I have your dad?” Allie lifted up on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Didn’t you know? He’s one of my confidential informants. I called dibs, so you can’t have him.”
Allie laughed as she walked away to join the others around the seven-foot-tall Christmas tree that would go into the newly-built Kendall family home. Granted, it wasn’t the same house that Mary Kendall had raised her children in, but it was a smaller version that their father could maintain on his own.
The home had a second bedroom for a guest and an office for his personal business, but the largest room in the house was the kitchen with an adjoining dining room. The Kendall Sunday dinners would need plenty of room in the very near future. Gus used the rest of the insurance money to put an upgrade on the workshop, much to Lance’s delight.
“Thanks, Dad.” Mitch crossed his arms and settled in to watch his family as they got to enjoy another Christmas. Times like these shouldn’t be taken for granted. “It just wasn’t the same without her.”
Gus nodded his acknowledgement and refilled the lid to the thermos. He quietly handed it over, and Mitch was relatively sure that the weather had nothing to do with the sheen in the father’s eyes. It wasn’t hard to come to the conclusion that Mitch’s sentiment had been given a different meaning in his father’s reflection.
No, these special moments weren’t the same without Mary Kendall.
“This was all your mother ever wanted,” Gus said after clearing his throat. He smiled with fatherly love, nodding his approval as laughter and conversation ensued from his children and their significant others. “Mary dreamed of having you kids raise your families here. I miss her more every day, but I’ll be here to enjoy every second of this and report back to her when my time comes. That woman will always be my heart and soul.”
And after all…home is where the heart is.
~ The End ~
It’s always bittersweet to say goodbye to a series, but each of the Kendall siblings received their HEA (Happily Ever After). I adored these heroes and heroines, this town, and the secondary characters…so thank you for following their journeys.
I’ve recently switched creative gears and released a cozy paranormal mystery series! I would love for you to give this magical world a try. Trust me, you’ll be wishing these unique and comical characters could spring to life with a twitch of your nose!
Click HERE for more information about the Paramour Bay Mysteries!
Magical Blend
An inherited tea shop, a quaint little Connecticut town, and its quirky residents have Raven Marigold believing her luck is about to change for the better. Of course, that was before she and her best friend found a dead body in the back of the charming store. Things go from bad to worse when Raven begins to hear a talking cat spouting on and on about magic and mayhem.
Once Raven accepts that she’s not losing her mind, she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation while discovering her family’s unusual lineage—the Marigolds are bona fide witches!
’Tis the season to be scared and delighted…this wickedly charming tale includes magical tea blends, an enchanting spell book, and an eerie cottage on the edge of town that contains a special surprise you won’t want to miss!
Books by Kennedy Layne
Paramour Bay Mysteries
Magical Blend
Bewitching Blend
Enchanting Blend
Office Roulette Series
Means (Office Roulette, Book One)
Motive (Office Roulette, Book Two)
Opportunity (Office Roulette, Book Three)
Keys to Love Series
Unlocking Fear (Keys to Love, Book One)
Unlocking Secrets (Keys to Love, Book Two)
Unlocking Lies (Keys to Love, Book Three)
Unlocking Shadows (Keys to Love, Book Four)
Unlocking Darkness (Keys to Love, Book Five)
Surviving Ashes Series
Essential Beginnings (Surviving Ashes, Book One)
Hidden Ashes (Surviving Ashes, Book Two)
Buried Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Three)
Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four)
Rising Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Five)
CSA Case Files Series
Captured Innocence (CSA Case Files 1)
Sinful Resurrection (CSA Case Files 2)
Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3)
Campaign of Desire (CSA Case Files 4)
Internal Temptation (CSA Case Files 5)
Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files 6)
Redeem My Heart (CSA Case Files 7)
A Mission of Love (CSA Case Files 8)
Red Starr Series
Starr’s Awakening(Red Starr, Book One)
Hearths of Fire (Red Starr, Book Two)
Targets Entangled (Red Starr, Book Three)
Igniting Passion (Red Starr, Book Four)
Untold Devotion (Red Starr, Book Five)
Fulfilling Promises (Red Starr, Book Six)
Fated Identity (Red Starr, Book Seven)
Red’s Salvation (Red Starr, Book Eight)
The Safeguard Series
Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One)
Faithful Addiction (The Safeguard Series, Book Two)
Distant Illusions (The Safeguard Series, Book Three)
Casual Impressions (The Safeguard Series, Book Four)
Honest Intentions (The Safeguard Series, Book Five)
Deadly Premonitions (The Safeguard Series, Book Six)
About the Author
First and foremost, I love life. I love that I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister… and a writer.
I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.
Thank you for having joined me on their journeys…
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