by K. J. Dahlen
“When Mike turned me away from the hospital that night, I didn’t think I would survive. I didn’t know if I wanted to try. I was so alone. Then I found Melora. She was just like me, with no other person in the world looking out for her. I think we bonded because we had so much in common. She taught me so much about living on the streets and surviving with less than nothing. Being with her gave me purpose again. She taught me that I mattered to someone. I mattered to her.” She turned in his arms and looked at him for a moment. “I don’t know if you can understand what I’m trying to say but it’s kind of like the difference between a house and a home.”
Mountain frowned. “The difference between a house and a home?”
Izzy shrugged then explained, “Both are four walls and a roof, but that’s all a house will ever be, just four walls and a roof. Growing up with Sonny and Roxi that’s all I ever had, just those four walls and a roof. But when I lived with Melora we had those same four walls and a roof, well we did most of the time anyway, but the point is we had more than just the walls and a roof. We filled those walls with something more precious than I ever knew I needed. We filled those walls with laughter and love, hugs and joy. We filled those walls right up to the roof. Does that make any sense?”
Mountain smiled. “Yeah, I get it now.”
“Yeah…That’s what we have here, not a house but a home. Since I met you, you have filled my world with laughter and love, hugs and kisses and joy. You have given me so much joy, my walls are overflowing. You have accepted me for who I am, warts and all. You even brought my brother back to me. You have completed me.”
“What about your father?” Mountain asked.
Izzy shrugged. “I prayed that one day I would find my real parents. What kid doesn’t want to know where they come from? But when I found him I dared to hope I would be complete. All I ever wanted was to belong to someone. He spoke of my mother and I found myself hoping that she was really mine. The more I got to know Dominic, the more I fell in love with him. He filled a part of me I didn’t know was missing, with him I was finally whole again.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Mountain asked.
She gazed up at him with tears in her eyes. “What if the test proves I’m not his daughter?” she whispered. “What if I’m not the girl he’s searched for all these years? I don’t want to find out, because if I’m not that would rip a hole in my heart and soul that no one can heal.” She shook her head. “I can’t go back to being a nobody. I have to matter to him.”
Author of the Bestselling Series: Spawn & Spitfire and the Bratva Blood Brothers
I live in a small town (population495) in Wisconsin. From my deck, I can see the Mississippi River on one side and the bluffs, where eagles live and nest on the other side. I live with my husband Dave and dog Buddy. My two children are grown and I have two grandchildren. I love to watch people and that has helped me with my writing. I often use people I watch as characters in my books and I always try to give my characters some of my own values and habits.
I love to create characters and put them in a troubling situation then sit back and let them do all the work. My characters surprise even me at times. At some point in the book, they take on a life of their own and the twists and turns they create becomes the story. Of all the stories, I could write I found I like mystery-suspense-thrillers the best. I like to keep my readers guessing until the very end of the book.
KJ DAHLEN’S READER GROUP
BESTSELLING NUMBER ONE REALEASES AT AMAZON
THE BRATVA BLOOD BROTHERS
NUMBER ONE NEW BESTSELLER
IN ORGANIZED CRIME ROMANCE
JAXSON
By K.J. Dahlen & J.R. Ryder
BLACK DEVILS MC SERIES
Also by Butterfly Publishing
CITY OF SIN
Ellie Gerrard
Vegas Random
The Midnight Series by NJ Cole
Midnight Caller
Midnight Eternal
Also By NJ Cole
Yes, Mistress
Yes, Master
Second Chances
Breaking China
Island Captives
Catching Fire Series by T.N King
Book One: Educating Ellie
Book Two: New Rules
Book Three: Perfect Places
Player by T.N King & Roxie Odell
NEW BESTSELLER TORN