by Lacey Black
“Do you get to be my daddy?” My heart literally stops beating. I blink several times trying to get the tears out of my eyes, but it’s no use. A few slide down my face.
“Yes, that means I get to be your daddy. If you want me to be.”
“I want you to be my daddy!” she exclaims as she throws her arms around my neck. “Dis is my bestest Cwismis ever!”
“Mine, too, sweetie. Mine too.” I kiss her forehead and look over at Avery. She’s standing there sobbing, hands clutching together at her heart.
“I have a present for you, baby girl.” I open up the second little velvet box and remove the necklace inside. “This is a chocolate diamond, just like the one in your mommy’s ring. I want you to have the same thing since I’m not just marrying your mommy. I’m marrying you too.” I use my shaky fingers to fumble the hook on the little clasp and slide it around her neck.
“It’s pwetty. Tank you, Daddy,” she says with another big hug. I savor this moment for a few more moments before she’s ready to get down and go play with her new stuff. “Oh, can I have a brudder, too?” she asks, face full of excitement. I don’t even get a reply out. “Ohhh, wait! Maybe a puppy instead!”
Avery and I both are laughing as she slides back into my embrace. “A brother or a puppy,” she says quietly with a smile.
“Oh, I like the idea of both. Maybe a puppy this spring after we’re all settled. And until the wedding, lots and lots of brother making practice.”
She giggles and lays her cheek against my chest. “Oh, there will be lots and lots of practice.”
I fucking love this woman.
Avery and I have both grown over the course of the past three months. I guess we just had to fall apart so that we could come back together even better than we were before. Hell, I never planned for any of this. And maybe that’s just it. Life doesn’t always go as we plan. Sometimes, it’s better. Sometimes, it’s perfect. Trust me, I know.
~ THE END ~
Want More Rivers Edge?
Coming Winter 2014
Prologue
Erin - 20 Years ago
I stand in front of my mirror, getting ready for my first day at yet another new school. My dad is in the military and it seems like every time I start to adjust to a new school, a new town, it’s time for us to move on.
I try to tame my frizzy red hair by pulling it back in a neon blue and green scrunchie. I push my large plastic glasses back up my freckled nose and give myself one last look over. Well, seventh grade…here goes nothing.
My mom pulls up in front of Rivers Edge Junior High while kids run around and talk with all of their friends. “Do you want me to go in with you, sweetie?”
“No thank you, Mom. I can manage.” I’ve been managing for a couple of years now. I’m lucky to make it through an entire grade at the same school before we’re packing up and shuffling along to another town, another military base. Fortunately, my family doesn’t have to live on base, but we have to be close enough for my dad to drive every day.
“Ok, well, have a great first day, sweetie.” Mom leans in and plants a kiss on my cheek. I pull away quickly as I throw open the passenger door on the family station wagon and pray that no one saw that embarrassing display of affection. I step out and square my shoulders. Ready or not, Rivers Edge? Here I come.
I step into the busy halls of my new junior high school and look around for the office, and fortunately, it doesn’t take me very long to locate it. Inside, there’s a plump older secretary lecturing kids on running in the halls. She finishes her lecture and sends them on their way, noticing me as I patiently wait in the back of the room for the first time.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m Erin Anderson. Today is my first day.”
“Oh yes! Your mother enrolled you yesterday. I’m Mrs. Deany and we’re so happy to have you with us at Rivers Edge Junior High, Erin. Here is your class schedule and your locker assignment. Lunch is at eleven-thirty in the cafeteria and…” Mrs. Deany’s voice trails off as she focuses her attention behind me. I turn around and get my first glimpse of the boy who just walked in the office. He’s super tall with blond hair and pretty blue eyes. I can’t help but stare at his striking features. He notices me staring at him and gives me the cockiest smile. I look away quickly and redirect my attention back to Mrs. Deany.
“Jake Stevens, what did you do this time?”
“Mrs. D, I didn’t do anything. How could you possibly think I would do anything to warrant a trip to the office?” The boy, obviously named Jake, gives the secretary a big, charming grin as he strolls up to the counter next to where I’m standing.
“Oh, I don’t know, Jake. Maybe because you are in this office at least twice a week?”
“Mr. Thomas was going to drop his books. I thought I’d be a stellar example to my fellow classmates and help him before he could drop them. It’s not my fault he was caught off guard and tripped, spilling his coffee all over the books he was carrying and his starch white dress shirt.” Another big smile from this boy who apparently has more charm and charisma than any boy should be allowed to have.
“I’m sure it was a complete accident on your part that he spilled his coffee everywhere,” she says, voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Completely not my fault. He was a little upset so he sent me down here to say hello to you.”
“Jacob Stevens, what are we going to do with you?” Mrs. Deany sighs and rubs her forehead. She then turns her attention back to me. “I know what you’re going to do. This is our new student, Erin. You are going to give her a quick tour of the school and show her where all of her classes are.”
Jake gives me the once over before his big smile returns to his face. “You got it, Mrs. D! Come on, darlin’. Let’s go.”
“Ten minutes and then you better be back in class with Mr. Thomas, Jake!” she yells as we head out the office doors into the now barren hallways.
I follow closely behind Jake. He’s super tall compared to me and lanky, but not in that awkward way that so many other junior high boys are. I’m lucky to hit five foot, but he seems to stand almost six foot tall already. I bet he plays basketball. He shows me the gym, the cafeteria, and the library. As we’re heading back down the seventh grade hallway, he takes my schedule from me and starts to point out all my classes.
“Here’s your English class. You’re in my class. We have Miss Davenport. She’s super fun when you get her all flustered.” We continue walking the halls. “And over here is Math with Mr. Christianson. If you follow-up everything he says with another question, you will make him cry. I’ve made that my life’s mission in his class.” We stop in front of a long row of lockers. “Here’s your locker. Do you know how to open a combination lock?”
“Yes. This isn’t my first school with lockers.”
“How many schools have you been to?” he quips with a raise of his eyebrows.
“Eight.”
“Eight? Dang. That probably sucks. Here let me throw your stuff in your locker for you.” Jake takes my books and bag from my hands and does just that; throws it all in my locker. He pulls a pencil and a notebook from the mess he created and hands it back to me. “Here, time to go to class.”
“Don’t you need anything?”
He laughs at me. He actually laughs at my logical question. “Nope. I don’t need anything. I have friends who take care of writing my notes for me.”
“Friends?”
“Yep. Mostly girls. I could always use another friend to help me with my homework if you’re interested.” He gives me another of those award-winning smiles and throws his arm over my shoulder.
“No thank you,” I mumble, unable to keep the disgust out of my voice as I forcefully remove his arm from my shoulder.
“What’s the matter? You don’t like me? Everybody likes me. Everybody wants to be my friend.”
“Well, not me. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get to my first class.” I try to walk around him, but he steps to the side b
locking my effort. His eyes are so blue and full of mischief. I can almost see the wheels turning inside that cute little head of his.
“I think you do like me. That’s your problem.”
I feel the blush creeping up my neck and burning my cheeks. “Whatever. I need to go.” Jake bends down and gets right in my face, the corner of his lip turned up in a partial smile. It’s a beautiful smile.
“Welcome to Rivers Edge, Erin. I’ll be seeing you very soon, darlin’,” he says before he turns and walks away, assumingly towards his class. I stand there staring after him as he walks away. He turns around suddenly, catching me watching him, and gives me a full-watt smile that makes my breath catch in my throat.
Oh, this boy is going to be trouble.
Holly, like Avery in this book, I won the Best Friends Lottery the day I met you. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, and we’ve shared. Thank you for your enthusiasm and for sticking by my side.
My new author friend, Amanda Lanclos, who I met along this journey. You are my writing sister, and I’m honored to call you my friend. Thank you for your direction, your encouragement, and your friendship.
My beta readers, Jennifer Watkins and Taryn Clatterback. I value your input and passion for reading. Thank you for your help.
Amazing authors like Lauren Blakely and Ruth Cardello who answer all of my questions, big or small. You ladies are an inspiration and the reason I love to read.
Ginny Gallagher of Gin’s Book Notes & Designs, for my amazing cover. My heart stopped the moment I saw this design. Thank you for sharing your talent with me.
My dear friend, Emily Getty, for your support and hard work at editing this piece. I’m so thankful to have you in my corner and along for the ride.
My blogger friends Kelley, Jaime, and Gretchen for answering my questions and offering me insight into the wonderful world of book blogs. Your direction is appreciated more than you’ll know.
And finally to my husband, Jason, and our two beautiful kids. You three are the reason I get up every morning.
Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and a chocolate lab. Lacey loves watching NASCAR races and should only consume one mixed drink because she’s a lightweight.
Lacey welcomes the opportunity to connect with her readers.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaceyblack
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Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Epilogue
Excerpt from Fight Me, Rivers Edge Book 2
Acknowledgements
About the Author