“Why do you think I let him put it up?” Noni took a sip of tea. A gentle breeze blew a few strands of her silver hair free from her bun. She’d taken care of Celine before her kidnapping, when she’d been working with Aaron to help at the wedding.
“I see so much of my Johnny in him. Both men were strong, hard-working, and loved something fierce.” Noni lifted the corner of her flower printed apron and wiped a lone tear away. “I still miss him sometimes, just like the day I lost him.”
Celine’s heart lurched and she covered Noni’s hand with her own. What must it be like to have a love like that? Someone who loved you beyond death. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, the good Lord saw fit to give us fifty years together. Besides, I know he’s up there watching over me and our family.”
“He sounds like a special man.”
“He is and you’ve got your own special one right out there.” She stretched a bony finger in Aaron’s direction.
Celine’s throat closed off, leaving her to nod weakly. Aaron was special to her, more special than any man. He’d made her see that she wasn’t second-best to him. He put her above everything and everyone else.
He’d somehow gotten his commander, Colonel Grey, to issue orders for him to stay stateside for a while, guarding Celine until they were sure all the threats to her life were gone. She’d expected a little push back from Aaron, but no, he’d seemed perfectly content to stay by her side.
“Girlie, what are you doing sitting up here with an old woman?”
“What do you mean? I love spending time with you.” Noni was so different from her own family and Celine had already halfway adopted Aaron’s grandmother in her heart. She’d never gotten the chance to know her own grandparents, but if she had, she’d like to imagine them just like Noni.
“I have a feeling we’ll get to spend plenty of time together,” Noni said.
“I hope so.”
Noni stood and stretched and then went to the front door. “Time for my afternoon nap. You go on and take him some tea and fudge.” Noni winked at her. “Men like that.”
She went inside, leaving Celine to either sit on the porch by herself or do what the woman said. Go take care of her man.
She poured a glass of iced tea from the pitcher on the tray, grabbed a handful of fudge and crossed the yard. Aaron dropped his tools and leaned an elbow on the gate, giving her a smile that melted her heart. She was going to take care of him alright, for the rest of her life…
The End:
What happened to Merc? What about Caroline and Mr. J? Sign up for my newsletter to receive exclusive excerpts, monthly $50 gift card drawings and get notifications about the release of Merc’s Story this fall.
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Want to see where it all started?
Get your FREE copy of the first Men of Mercy book, Redemption River here.
Hunter James didn’t want or need redemption.
Until one mission turns his world upside down.
He left Mercy to fight for his country and escape a broken heart. Years later, he is hard. Cold. A man without mercy. Part of an elite Task Force, he tracks a brutal terrorist to his home town. And runs into the woman who betrayed him…
Evangeline Videl was destroyed when Hunter left. Determined to move on, she finds another man, but discovers too late the monster hidden beneath his smooth smile. Struggling to find the conviction to live, Evie finds her life spinning out of control.
Then Hunter returns…
Forced to band together to find the terrorist before it’s too late, Hunter and Evie must learn to forgive or risk losing the promise of redemption and their lives…
ALSO BY LINDSAY CROSS:
Redemption River: Men of Mercy Book 1
Resurrection River: Men of Mercy Book 2
Reckless River: Men of Mercy Book 3
David: Men of Mercy Novella, Book 4
Raylan: Men of Mercy Novella, Book 5
Ravaged River: Men of Mercy Book 6
Ethan’s Promise: Men of Mercy Novella 9
Aaron’s Promise: Men of Mercy Novella 8
Merc’s story-Men of Mercy
Sheriff Bo Lawson’s story - Men of Mercy
Before you go…
From the author: I hope you enjoyed the Men of Mercy and thank you so much for joining the adventure. If you loved the story and want to help me out, I’d love for you to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.
–Lindsay Cross
To connect with Lindsay Cross
https://twitter.com/lindsaycross101
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www.lindasycross.com
[email protected]
Finally, I want to give a huge shout out and mucho THANK YOU to all the wonderful people who made Aaron’s Honor shine:
The Picky Editor herself, Kristi Yanta, for helping make Aaron and Celine’s story as beautiful as it could be.
To Lynn Mullan for all her fabulous proofreading skills.
To Dawn Tice, Lauren Faulkner, Christine Miller and Linda Lee – my amazing BETA readers to catch all the little things…
And to my readers, thank you for investing your time in the Men of Mercy.
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Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Aaron's Honor (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Men of Mercy Book 8) Page 13