by Jen Talty
He stepped into the room, and his lungs deflated as he stared at her black and blue swollen face.
She shifted in her bed, adjusting the bed covers.
“Let me help you with that.” He strolled to her side and fluffed her pillow before bending over and kissing her forehead, careful not to touch any of her bruises. “The doctor says everything went well with the surgery.”
“Where’s Wyoming?” she asked.
“With Sage.” He sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand. “Josh isn’t just being arrested for what he did today. Candice has given the Feds some information that will not only take down the Hookers, but will put Josh and his father away for many years. It’s a done deal. Trust me on this.”
She covered her mouth and gasped. “Are you sure? Leslie thought it was all in the bag.”
“The FBI had an undercover agent working inside Josh’s organization. That person helped your nurse get you out, and during this last year, he gathered enough information to put that asshole away for good. I’m just sorry it didn’t happen before he did this.” He reached out and gently ran his index finger across her cheek. “I’m so sorry I didn’t get there sooner.”
“I’m just glad he didn’t hurt the kids.”
“You made sure of that,” he said. “You protected my girls. Thank you.”
She laughed, clutching her stomach. “I brought trouble to your doorstep.”
“The only thing you brought to my house was love.” He jerked his head back. “Why did you pick the last name Love? It’s an unusual name for someone on the run.”
“Where’s my necklace?” she asked.
He dug through her belongings until he found it.
“Open it. Behind the picture of me and Wyoming is a picture of me and my parents when I was a kid.”
“You’re not supposed to keep anything from your past.” He clicked open the clasp and pulled out the small picture. In the background of the image was a sign that read: Alabama Love, best biscuits and grits in town.
“When I was a little girl, my parents used to take me to Maryland to visit my grandparents. They lived in this cute little town and their favorite restaurant was Alabama Love. We stopped going when I was like ten, and I had honestly forgotten about it for years until about a month before I left Josh.”
“You forgot?” he asked with an arched brow.
“I just didn’t think about it, and thankfully, I never talked to Josh about it. I was going through some things I had taken from my parents’ house that were in storage because Josh wanted me to toss it all, and I came across that picture. It reminded me of what life should be like for a kid. When I got the chance to leave, that name just seemed perfect.”
“It is perfect,” he said, lifting her hand to his lips. “You’re perfect and wonderful, and I have a confession to make that might make you want to run away.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?” she asked.
“I’m falling madly in love with you.”
A single tear rolled down her cheek. “You really are Mr. Wonderful.”
“Does that mean the feeling is mutual?”
She smiled. “You might need to ask me that again when I’m not all doped up on medication, but yes. I’m falling head over heels in love with you.”
Epilogue
Six months later…
Alabama flicked the oven light off and checked the time. Ten minutes. Her heart fluttered. “This meal better come out right,” she mumbled. She’d gotten a lot better at cooking, but this was one of Dakota’s favorites, and she wanted to do it right.
Or at least good enough that he didn’t toss it down the garbage disposal and order a pizza.
Both Buster and Apollo started barking and running in circles the second Dakota’s headlights cut through the dark night.
“Daddy’s home,” River exclaimed as she skipped through the kitchen wearing cowboy boots and a tutu.
“Da Da.” Wyoming followed a few steps behind, bumping into the walls and falling twice. They’d stopped correcting him from calling Dakota dad, but neither one of them had ever addressed the topic. Of course, she still slept in the apartment and he upstairs. Well, they each pretended to wake up in their own rooms, making sure they snuck out before the girls woke.
Only, Sky saw Alabama sneaking out of Dakota’s room this morning.
Which was why Alabama needed to have a deep conversation with Dakota about the way things were so they could answer the kids questions the same way, especially with the big news she had to share.
Butterflies filled her stomach. The first few months after Josh had shown up had been difficult. A lot of her old fears resurfaced, and of course, the Feds needed her statement. After that, she and Dakota were taking their time getting to know one another. Loving each other wasn’t a question. Their love came easy and naturally. But they both had baggage and children and a past. She also wanted to make sure she was never disrespecting River and Sky’s mother. Lunar always needed to be a part of their lives.
Even if they started a family of their own.
Another thing they mentioned in passing, but it was going to be a discussion for a later date.
Well, that later date was today.
Sky came barreling down the stairs. “Did I hear Dad pull in?”
“You sure did.” Dakota strolled into the kitchen with Wyoming on his back and River doing a dance between his legs. “How was school?”
“I hate the fifth grade,” Sky said, slumping down at the kitchen table. “And I hate math.”
“I suck at it, or I would have helped her.” Alabama leaned in and stole a brief kiss, but Dakota had other plans as he pulled her closer and turned up the heat.
Wyoming covered his eyes and made a funny noise, mimicking River.
“Get a room,” Sky said. “Oh, wait. You have two; you just can’t pick one.”
“Excuse me?” Dakota said.
The oven dinged.
“You, young lady, are saved by the bell. Everyone go clean up for dinner.” Dakota set Wyoming on the floor. “Sky, take him and help him.”
“Daddy, do I have to?”
“Sky. Remember what we talked about earlier today?”
“Oh. Yeah. Okay.”
Alabama pulled the shepherd’s pie out of the oven. It smelled good. But that didn’t mean it tasted good. “I told you she saw me this morning.”
“I know.” Dakota leaned against the counter. “I had a chat with her on the way to school this morning. She knows way too much about sex and stuff.”
“She made me blush, but I want us to be on the same page when we answer these questions, because River is starting with the questions.”
He ran a hand over his scruffy face. “I know. She’s been sending me interesting text messages for days now. I’m not sure what to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, she’s been sending pictures of these and asking me when I’m going to get you one.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box.
“Oh, my God.” Her eyes stung. She clutched the pendant dangling from her neck.
He flipped open the top and inside rested a silver ring with a diamond in the middle. It wasn’t huge or flashy, but it wasn’t tiny either. “I love you. We’re already a family, but I want to make it official.” He dug into his pocket. “And I want to officially adopt Wyoming, if you’ll let me.”
She covered her mouth and swallowed a guttural sob. She glanced between the ring and him.
“Will you marry me?”
“Before I answer that, I need to tell you something,” she managed to croak out. “You might want to sit down for this.”
“Oh, I don’t like the way this is going,” he said. “And I’m good standing.”
“Okay.” She cleared her throat. No reason to beat around the bush. Might as well just say it. “I’m pregnant.”
He dropped the ring. It bounced on the floor.
Sky, River, and Wyoming all came racing in
to the kitchen.
“A baby!” Sky screamed.
“I’m going to be a big sister?” River asked. “Wyoming is going to be a big brother?”
“I think Daddy needs to sit down,” Dakota said as he made his way to the kitchen table. He pulled back the chair and slowly lowered himself. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“Me neither,” she admitted. “I haven’t been to the doctor, but I took the test this morning.”
“Those things are pretty accurate.”
“That they are,” she said.
“Alabama,” River said, holding out the ring. “You didn’t answer Daddy. Are you going to marry him and be our mom?”
Oh, that statement knocked her to her knees. She knelt in front of River. “I can never take the place of your mama. She’s always going to be a big part of your life, and I want that.”
“But you’re going to marry Daddy, right?” Sky asked.
“Yeah. I’d like to know the answer to that question.” Dakota pulled her to his lap. He took the ring and slipped it on her finger. “So, are we going to make this official?”
“Yes. I love you.” She cupped his face and planted a wet kiss on his lips.
“Wonderful,” Sky said. “Now they don’t have to sneak around anymore, and they can just sleep in the same bed.”
“I’m not ready for her to be a teenager,” Dakota whispered.
“Get ready for it times four.”
Also By Jen Talty
BRAND NEW SERIES!
It’s all in the Whiskey
JOHNNIE WALKER
GEORGIA MOON
JACK DANIEL’S
Search and Rescue
PROTECTING AINSLEY
PROTECTING CLOVER
NY State Trooper Series
IN TWO WEEKS
DARK WATER
DEADLY SECRETS
MURDER IN PARADISE BAY
TO PROTECT HIS OWN
DEADLY SEDUCTION
WHEN A STRANGER CALLS
NY State Trooper Novella
HIS DEADLY PAST
Brand New Novella for the First Responders series
A spin off from the NY State Troopers series
PLAYING WITH FIRE
PRIVATE CONVERSATION
The Men of Thief Lake
REKINDLED
DESTINY’S DREAM
Other novels
JANE DOE’S RETURN
THE BUTTERFLY MURDERS
The Aegis Network
THE LIGHTHOUSE
HER LAST HOPE
THE LAST FLIGHT
THE RETURN HOME
Coming soon!
THE MATRIARCH
The Collective Order
THE LOST SISTER
THE LOST SOLDIER
THE LOST SOUL
Coming soon!
THE LOST CONNECTION
Special Forces Operation Alpha
BURNING DESIRE
BURNING KISS
BURNING SKIES
BURNING LIES
BURNING HEART
BURNING BED
REMEMBER ME ALWAYS
The Brotherhood Protectors
ROUGH JUSTICE
ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES
ROUGH RIDE
ROUGH EDGE
ROUGH BEAUTY
A Family Affair
Nightshade
A Christmas Getaway
Taking A Risk
Tee Time
The Twilight Crossing Series
THE BLIND DATE
SPRING FLING
SUMMER’S GONE
WINTER WEDDING
Witches and Werewolves
LADY SASS
ALL THAT SASS
Coming soon!
NEON SASS
PAINTING SASS
Boxsets
LOVE CHRISTMAS, MOVIES
UNFORGETABLE PASSION
UNFORGETABLE CHARMERS
A NIGHT SHE’LL REMEMBER
SWEET AND SASSY IN THE SNOW
SWEET AND SASSY PRINCE CHARMING
PROTECT AND DESIRE
SWEET AND SASSY BABY LOVE
CHRISTMAS AT MISTLETOE LODGE
THE PLAYERS: OVERCOMING THE ODDS
CHRISTMAS SHORTS
CHRISTMAS DREAMS
All That Glitters
INVINCIBLE SECRETS
UNFORGETABLE SUSPENSE
Novellas
NIGHTSHADE
A CHRISTMAS GETAWAY
TAKING A RISK
WHISPERS
About Jen Talty
Welcome to my World! I'm a USA Today Bestseller of Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, and Paranormal Romance.
I first started writing while carting my kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. My first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 I helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where I ran the technical side of the business through 2016.
I'm currently enjoying the next phase of my life...the empty NESTER! My husband and I spend our winters in Jupiter, Florida and our summers in Rochester, NY. We have three amazing children who have all gone off to carve out their places in the world, while I continue to craft stories that I hope will make you readers feel good and put a smile on your face.
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Brotherhood Protectors
Original Series by Elle James
Brotherhood Protectors Series
Montana SEAL (#1)
Bride Protector SEAL (#2)
Montana D-Force (#3)
Cowboy D-Force (#4)
Montana Ranger (#5)
Montana Dog Soldier (#6)
Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)
Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)
Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)
Cape Cod SEAL Rescue (#10)
Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)
Montana SEAL’s Mail-Order Bride (#12)
SEAL Justice (#13)
Ranger Creed (#14)
Delta Force Strong (#15)
Montana Rescue (Sleeper SEAL)
Hot SEAL Salty Dog (SEALs in Paradise)
Hot SEAL Hawaiian Nights (SEALs in Paradise)
About Elle James
ELLE JAMES also writing as MYLA JACKSON is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of books including cowboys, intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edges of their seats. With over eighty works in a variety of sub-genres and lengths she has published with Harlequin, Samhain, Ellora’s Cave, Kensington, Cleis Press, and Avon. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, snow skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories. Learn more about Elle James at www.ellejames.com
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