He turned and took several steps until he was in my space. “I never hated the fact that you were gay, I hated the fact that you continued to lie to me. You acted as if it was something to be ashamed of, so I followed your lead.”
I hadn’t expected that. “What changed?”
“Your mom. I was arguing with her about why you came out to her and not me. She asked if I had ever thought about changing tactics. She said that instead of listening to whatever you said, she acted like the parent and treated you like the real you.” His voice was gruff with emotion. “She reminded me of the time you knew with your whole soul that you were Superman—”
“I remember that, I wore a red cape everywhere.”
“You tucked it into your shirt and would pull it out when there was trouble. She let you say whatever you wanted about being Superman, but she treated you like who you really were and didn’t let you do daredevil stunts.” He stepped even closer, then embraced me in his bear-like hold. “You’re my son. I’ve known who you were since you were young. And, today, I’m proud to now have two sons.”
I raised one brow. “You’ve met Alex, right?”
My dad chuckled. “Okay, two sons on some days, two daughters on the others.”
“I love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, Coop.”
One year later . . .
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are excited to announce that we have a special guest on board our flight today. Her name is Suki, and she is one year old.”
I stood and then took Suki so Alex could get out of his seat, placing all of Suki’s things at our feet. We waved and then Alex lifted Suki’s tiny arm and waved it for her. Everyone clapped, jarring her awake. I quickly sat and began cooing soft words, hoping to settle her before she went into one of her epic crying fits.
“Miss Suki is making the long trip from Togo, West Africa. Now, we have a tradition that we like to do on board here when we discover first-time parents bringing their new daughter or son home. The other flight attendants are passing out pieces of paper and pens. If you wouldn’t mind, write down a good wish or a wise word for these two new daddies. Then we will be back around to collect them and read a few aloud.”
“I can’t believe this, can you?” Alex asked.
“No. I can’t believe these seats. I’ve never ridden first class. Wait till Suki is old enough to understand that her first plane ride was in sheer elegance.”
Alex swatted my arm. “Don’t tell her that, she’ll expect it every time.”
“And she’ll deserve it. We can sit with cargo so there’s enough money for her to ride in first class.” This little girl had already grabbed hold of my heart, and I would do anything for her.
“Well, we have Yia Yia and Papa Christakos to thank for these seats. Don’t we, Suki?” Alex tickled her nose, and she smiled. Her bright white teeth were shining against her pink lips.
“Okay, new daddies, we hope that you are ready for some of these words of wisdom and well wishes.” She grabbed the first piece of paper. “Always keep an extra set of everything in both cars, always. It is signed Marcia Morgan from Owensboro, Kentucky.” The attendant grabbed another slip. “Repeat after me: fast food freezes. It’s never too late to run and grab McDonalds while you’re there grab two and freeze one. Who knows when you will eat next. They’re needy buggers.” The attendant had to stop for a moment and compose herself because she was laughing. “This one wasn’t signed, but it is hysterical.”
“And true!” someone yelled.
The flight attendant read a few more. “Always have black towels on hand. You never know when you need an extra hour of sleep, you can throw them over the windows and pretend it is still dark. Don’t do blackout curtains because then you train them to look. You want blind faith.” She grabbed another note. “Yes, the answer is yes, they will put it in their mouth. Yes, you will look at your child and gag. And yes, in the end, it is all worth it.”
She nodded her agreement and smiled as she handed us the entire bag of notes. “Enjoy, we hope this is your first celebration memory.”
“Thank you so much. This has been the best experience.”
“Not quite,” Alex whispered once she was out of hearing range. “The best celebration experience happened right after we got the call.” He wiggled his brows.
But he was right, oh, so right.
____________
We’ve traveled the road with members of the Iron Orchids, now take a turn into three different stories from characters you’ve met along the way. Get your Preorder—Roads Traveled, releases October 6, 2020. Tap on the title to purchase.
Continue flipping the pages in this book for a sneak peek of Roads Traveled and to find a list of all of my books including those included in Kindle Unlimited.
Coming Soon
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Roads Traveled - 10/6/2020
We’ve traveled the road with members of the Iron Orchids, now take a turn into three different stories from characters you’ve met along the way. Get your Preorder now.
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Harley, Locked and Loaded - 1/5 /2021
Throughout the series, their chemistry has been wild. Now it’s time to discover who is locked and who is loaded and will they survive for their happily ever-after. Get your Preorder now.
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Suggested Reading Order
Original Iron Orchids, Books 1 through 7
Tap the links to find each title
Ariel, Always Enough - Book 1
Sophie, Almost Mine - Book 2
Katy, My Impact - Book 3
Leo, Kiss Often - Book 4
Stella, Until You - Book 5
Vivian, Midnight Call Girl - Book 6
Ringo, Slippery Banana - Book 7
Iron Orchids—Badges Series, Books 8 through 11
You met some of them in the Iron Orchids. Now these women motorcycle officers will ride into your heart.
Sadie, Doctor Accident - Book 8
Bridget, Federal Protection - Book 9
Piper, Unlikely Outlaw - Book 10
Kat, Knight Watch - Book 11
Harley, Locked and Loaded - Book 12 Preorder
Roads Traveled - Book 13 Preorder
Iron Ladies, Books 1 and 2
A whisper network of women. Women who help the wives of controlling men. You don’t want to cross these ladies.
Adeline, Getting Even - Book 1
Sunday, Sweet Vengeance - Book 2
Iron Horse, Books 1 through 3
The love stories of three sisters who struggle to run a cattle ranch and to prove the strongest cowboys can be a girl.
London, Is Falling - Book 1
Paris, In Love - Book 2
Holland, At War - Book 3
Box Set Madness
Read for FREE with Your Kindle Unlimited Membership
Iron Orchids Collection
Tap the links to find each title
Iron Orchids, Box Set 1 - Ariel, Always Enough and Sophie, Almost Mine
Iron Orchids, Box Set 2 - Katy, My Impact and Leo, Kiss Often
Iron Orchids, Box Set 3 - Stella, Until You and Vivian, Midnight Call Girl
Iron Horse Collection
Iron Horse Box Set - London, Is Falling, Paris, In Love and Holland, At War
Sneak Peek—Roads Traveled
Under the Stars
Chapter 1 - George
We’d all had them, those mini heart attacks that happened when your foot slipped on a stair, when the teacher intercepted a note being passed to you, or when you’d been dropped off at your house after having snuck out and all the lights were on.
“What is up with your digs, man, is it some holiday in your country?”
I turned to look at Skeeter. Yes, his name really was Skeeter, as in, that was what was on his driver’s license. “My country? I was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida. You mean because we’re Greek?”
; “Yeah, you know what I mean, your family is just so . . . I don’t know . . . not like mine.”
“So . . .” Rebecca, Skeeter’s latest girlfriend, popped her head up from the back seat and asked, “Man, does a lot of your family live in that house? Like one family per room?”
“No. My mother was expecting her sisters from Greece, they must have arrived sooner than we thought.” I quickly worked through all my escape and reentry routes in my head, trying to figure out which one would work best and have the least risk of exposure. “You can let me out here. Thanks, man. Bye.” I got out of the car and took one last drag off my cigarette before tossing it out and making my way around the house. When I got to the bay window, I crouched behind the shrubs, watching the shadows that moved just inside the room beyond.
When the coast was clear, I headed to the right side of the house, keeping my momentum going as I lunged to grab hold of the trellis that had gardenias woven through the latticework. I’d done this a million times, let alone it was my third time this week.
You know that cartoon with Wile E. Coyote where he chased the Roadrunner through the canyons? He always almost got him and then missed. He usually ended up dangling off a high cliff, looking down just before the rocks broke and he fell. Yeah, well, I knew at that precise moment how he felt. I heard the creak, the groan, and then the pop. Not like the pop of a balloon, either. No, this was the pop of a trellis being pulled from the side of a damn house.
I looked behind me to calculate my fall and try to see if there was anything that I could do so I didn’t kill myself, because everything else was out of my control.
The wood snapped and fell to the pavement.
The top part of the arch caved in, and I jumped, trying to land on my feet, but had to roll instead.
Bright lights broke the night sky and all the voices in the house went from normal talking level to screaming as people came running out.
“George, George, are you okay?” My aunt Calliope threw one hand over her chest.
“What are you doing down there, boy?” my uncle asked.
Family members knelt beside me, examining me and making sure that I was all right. When my eyes landed on my parents—who were the only ones still standing—and their scowls, I knew that tonight was not going to be good.
“Are you hurt?” Mama asked.
“Just my pride.”
“Come, Dionysia.” Mama took my younger sister by the hand and headed back inside, my aunts and their husbands following.
I rolled over and got on all fours, aching as I pulled myself up. Turning around, I met the angry gaze of my father. “Get up to your room. Do not leave, I mean it, George, do not try me on this. I’ve had it with your behavior recently.”
I walked off, god, I needed a smoke. Patting my back pocket, I realized that I must have dropped them in the fall. Looking back, I saw Pops picking up my almost brand-new pack and shaking his head. Yeah, I wasn’t going to ask for those back. I had more upstairs anyway.
Keep reading Roads Traveled
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Meet Danielle
Danielle began her career as a children’s author where her books earned acclaim on several lists for bestselling author. Not to mention Library Guild awards and STEM award author of the year.
But her beliefs have always been that vodka, high heels, and a well-spoken F-word could solve almost any problem. Unfortunately those things aren’t the foundation for kids books. So, she switched her name (Danielle is her middle name, Norman is her husband) to protect the innocent and started writing romance, nothing like strong women, hot men, and steamy action.
Special Thanks
Ashley-My realist, the one who wrangles me in and says, I call bullshit.
Gel- The magic maker, creator of beauty
Autumn- The person in charge of handling all things Danielle
Abbie- The person who gets blamed for all things Danielle (you know, I value you, right?)
Peggy- The first opinion on my stories
Julie- My first round of proofreading eyes
Theresa- My semicolon aficionado
And of course Eric, my real life Ringo, the Jack to my Karen. You’ve always been too fabulous for the closet. And a glass slipper will never do when we have glass ceilings to break through.
Ringo, Slippery Banana: A Beautiful Love Story (Iron Orchids Book 7) Page 11