Of course, Kelly told her that it wasn’t healthy, but Emma figured there was nothing she could do to change it, so she accepted it. It wasn’t easy at first—the nightmares of watching Kyle die still haunted her—but it was the knowledge that he was no longer around that brought her the closure she needed. The boys were also a big help, though she wouldn’t tell them that. It was the way they gave her space and comfort that allowed her to move past everything, and now she felt relaxed, happy with herself and where she was in her life.
She was sitting on the front porch holding an envelope in her hands when Tucker and Tate rode up. She loved watching her men ride. They were all like something out of an old Western movie, strong and powerful, as they rode to defend what was theirs, but her concentration was on the envelope. She had known eventually it would come, and then all their fears would be put to rest. She just hadn’t had the courage to open it and look.
“Hey, purty lady, I must say you look scrumptious today,” Tucker said, smiling.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“What ya doin’ out here?” Tate asked, tying his horse to the porch rail.
“Thinking,” she whispered. Emma looked up just as Tate sat next to her and Tucker bent down in front, rubbing her legs. “Mail came today. I went and got it. Just a bunch of junk, except this,” she said, grasping the envelope tightly.
“What is it?” Tate asked.
“It’s from a lab in Denver. It’s the paternity test for Tabitha,” she advised them both.
“Ah, I see. Have you opened it yet?” Tate asked, putting his arm around her shoulders. Emma shook her head no, and leaned into Tate, wanting the reassurance. “Tuck, better call Travis in. We should all be here to hear the news,” Tate said and watched as his brother grabbed his phone out of his jeans.
“It doesn’t fucking matter. Tabby is ours,” Tucker shouted, but did what Tate told him and made the call as he told Travis the news.
The wait seemed like forever as she watched Tucker pace back and forth. Tate stayed next to her, just holding her. About five minutes later, she looked up when she heard the beat of hooves on the ground. She never got tired of seeing her strong man coming toward her. Travis was a sight, and today he looked stronger than ever. Always in control, he never let her down, and, true to form, he took charge. Dismounting, he walked over to her. “Open it, Emma. No sense in beating around the bush.”
Emma looked to Tucker, who took position next to his brother. She then felt Tate remove his arm, and watched him stand on the opposite side of Travis. There they were, the three loves of her life, and in her hands, the envelope that held the hopes of her future. She knew either way none of the boys would ever leave her, and she would never leave them.
They had told her several times, they didn’t care who fathered Tabitha. Tabitha was theirs, but Emma had to know, needed to know, to finally close the book on that horrible chapter.
The brothers watched as Emma slowly opened the white envelope. They watched as she removed three sheets of paper and began to read quietly to herself. When she was finished, she folded the papers and placed them back into the envelope, reached into her pocket, and produced a lighter. They began to get nervous when her thumb flicked the lighter and she set the envelope on fire. She dropped the envelope at their feet, stood up and smiled. “I haven’t started dinner yet. What do ya’ll say we go get Tabitha early from school and go out to dinner tonight? I feel like celebrating.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rebecca Joyce is your typical housewife and mother. The daughter of a retired military service member, Rebecca tries to incorporate the sights, smells, and adventures of her travels, but mainly she writes of the buff, gorgeous men she drooled after in her teen years! There is just somethin’ about a man in uniform…WOW!
Growing up in the military, Rebecca Joyce, along with her family, moved from state to state, enjoying the never-ending game of “Where are we moving to next?”…which happened every two to three years! After high school, Rebecca met and married her own military service member and now devotes her time to her husband and children.
Her ‘spawns,’ as she lovingly calls them, demand and expect a lot of her attention. When she is not catering to the whims of her family, Rebecca spends her quiet time reading or writing.
As an avid reader from an early age, Rebecca decided to try her hand at writing while her husband was away on a deployment to pass the time. Since then, she finds time in her hectic day to scribble her hopes, wishes, and dreams.
Though her real life sometimes interferes with her imaginative life, Rebecca tries to balance each with wit, sarcasm, and humor… “Screwing up takes practice…I think I’m well rehearsed!”
Rebecca Joyce currently lives in the United States with her husband of eighteen years and their three children.
For all titles by Rebecca Joyce, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/rebecca-joyce
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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