Home Again

by Shawna Lynn Brooks

  “She’s hurting, and it’s because of you.” Sam’s eyes shot daggers at him. “How can you turn your back on her?”

  “I’m not.” A woman in the parking lot glanced in his direction, and Jack lowered his voice. “I’m going after her.”

  Sam stilled. His face cleared, but distrust still lingered in his eyes. “What are you going to do?”

  “That depends on her.”

  After a long moment Sam nodded. “Okay, then. Go.”

  Jack hurried to his truck. Maren had said she would be here for the meeting, but how much longer would she stay? What if she was already gone?

  Then he would find her. He would make her listen to him. If he’d been right a few days ago, if she’d planned to leave Shepherdsville a second time because she still didn’t want a life here, he would let her go.

  But if she’d changed her mind….

  He slid behind the steering wheel and started the engine. If she wanted to stay, if she wanted him, he’d move heaven and earth to win her back.

  He’d lost her once. He refused to let it happen again.

  # # #

  Maren gripped the wheel tight as she came over the hill and within sight of the farmhouse. Just as it had done for half a century, the house sat alone and quiet; no road blocks, no flashing blue lights, no men in black jackets. Nothing but sunshine and trees swaying in the gentle breeze.

  She released a long, jagged breath. What’s going on?

  Francie still hadn’t called her back, and Maren had tired of waiting. How could the woman ring her eight times, then refuse to return her call? She plucked her phone from its spot on her console and tilted it. Francie’s text flashed on the lock screen.

  Oh, jeez. In her panic, she’d forgotten all about the text message.

  She pressed the link Francie had included at the bottom and waited. The blue progress bar at the top crawled across the screen at a snail’s pace, and Maren tapped her fingers on the steering wheel.

  “C’mon, c’mon.”

  The seconds ticked away before the page finally loaded and a news article popped up on the screen. Maren scanned the print. Her jaw dropped.

  You’ve got to be kidding me.

  She read it again, slower this time, absorbing every detail, then plopped back in her seat and stared out the window.

  I don’t believe this.

  She turned around when the rumble of an engine drifted to her ears. Jack’s truck crested the hill, then turned into the driveway and pulled to a stop behind her. For the first time since she’d stopped her car, Maren noticed that the temperature inside had climbed to sweltering, and she popped open the door and stepped out onto the sand. Jack dropped down from the driver’s seat and lifted his hand in a greeting, then stopped and studied her carefully.

  “You all right?”

  She blinked. Why had he come? He practically owned the house already. He didn’t need her anymore.

  “Yeah. I guess.”

  “You sure?”

  “I…” She looked down at the phone in her hand. “It’s Bill.”

  His eyes darkened. “What about him?”

  “They found him.”

  His shoulders relaxed, and his lips formed a slow, humorless smile. “Good.”

  “Yeah.” She ought to be ecstatic. Bill had been captured. He might still insist she’d been involved, but the article said he’d been caught red-handed. Her chances of remaining free had just improved dramatically.

  Instead of joy, a curious numbness trickled through her. She’d given up the farm. She didn’t need it anymore, since her law firm would let her return now that the culprit had been caught. She wanted it, though. She wanted her home, Laura May, Sam, Hank and Alva.

  And Jack.

  She blew out a long breath. “My lawyer’s had someone looking for him since before I left. She told me they were following some leads, but I didn’t think she would find him. They arrested him this morning in Montana.”

  “That’s good for you, right?”

  “It looks like it.” She scanned the article again. “I haven’t heard from my lawyer yet, but this doesn’t say anything about me. I hope that means my name has been cleared.”

  “What are you going to do now?”

  Maren studied the picture that dominated the article, a grainy shot of Bill being led away in handcuffs. His face, his brown hair, his dark eyes, so familiar a few weeks ago, were those of a stranger. He might as well have been from another planet. “I don’t know. I was all set to leave. All I had to do was grab my luggage.”

  He didn’t reply. She dragged her gaze away from the screen. Jack watched her with intense green eyes that made her heart skip a beat. Maren turned away, towards the house, and the ache of giving it up hit her again. “I can’t stay here. At least not for long.”

  “I know,” he answered. The gentle timber of his voice spread warmth through her. “But you don’t have to go back. You have a choice.”

  “I do. I could get my job back.” She almost shuddered. Her life in Seattle seemed almost sterile to her now. She’d achieved the success she’d always thought she wanted. But what had it gotten her? Bill? A firm who’d abandoned her at the first sign of trouble?

  She fixed her gaze on Jack. He’d been the main reason she’d wanted to stay away from Shepherdsville. Ten years ago, he’d walked away from her because he hadn’t understood her need to be something more than her mother had been.

  What about now, though? He was still attracted to her. Could she turn that into something more? He’d worn an expression of complete indifference at the town hall.

  But he’d come after her. Surely that meant something. Was it enough?

  For once in your life, take a chance. Stand and fight.

  She took a deep breath and stepped off the cliff. “But I don’t want it.”

  “No?” Something flickered in his eyes.

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “Then what do you want?”

  She lifted her chin and forced herself to hold his gaze without flinching. “I’ve been trying to answer that question for weeks. I couldn’t answer it because I couldn’t have what I wanted. I wouldn’t even let myself think about it.”

  He stood completely still, watching her and waiting. “And now?”

  “Now, that I get to decide what to do with my life, I think…” She dropped her eyes and bit her lip. “I think the only thing I really want is you.”

  I can’t believe I just said that.

  The corners of his mouth lifted. “Is that right?”

  “Yes.”

  His shoulders shook with laughter. “You look surprised.”

  “I kind of…am.” She frowned. He’s laughing at me. He hadn’t left, though. At least not yet. Was that a good sign?

  “Well, say something, will you? I don’t know if women throw themselves at you every day, but you should know you’re supposed to answer me.”

  “I don’t remember you asking for my input,” he chuckled.

  “Oh.”

  He stepped forward, took her hands and pulled her into his arms. “But since you asked, I think I’ll let you have me.”

  She smiled up at him, but before she could say anything, he covered her lips with his, drawing her into a slow, warm kiss that took her breath away.

  Several minutes later, he pulled away, his eyes sparkling. “Does this mean you’ve decided to stay?”

  She glanced at the house again, and a trickle of regret dulled her happiness. “Yes. I’ll have to find somewhere else to live.”

  He tucked his finger under her chin and coaxed her gaze back to him. “But this house would be a perfect place for us to raise children.”

  Her brows snapped together. Raise children? At the farm? How do I even respond to that?

  By ignoring the part about children. She couldn’t believe he’d brought that up. “I can’t live here, Jack. You’re tearing it down, remember?”

  “I told you to keep an open mind.”

&
nbsp; “Fine. My mind is wide open.” She shifted back and studied his dancing green eyes. “But how do you build an industrial plant here and keep the house here at the same time?”

  “I don’t.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Did you read your article in the Times?”

  Her frown deepened. Of course she’d read it. She’d been mortified by what Ron had said. She’d poured over every word, looking for a way to convince Jack that she hadn’t accused him of corruption. “Yes.”

  “So did I.” He smiled down at her. “After I got over being upset with you, it got me thinking.”

  She shuddered. “I’m just glad you got over it.”

  “I intend to let you make it up to me.” He dropped a kiss on her lips.

  She laughed against his lips and pressed herself tighter against him. “Deal.”

  “Do you want to hear the rest of this or not?” he murmured, his arms tightening around her.

  “Yes.” Maren pulled back from him while she could still think. “Go ahead.”

  “Disappointing,” he sighed. “You said in the article your grandparents had moved this house from their property over on Farrell Creek.”

  “Right. After they had my mom.”

  He nodded. “I figured if it had been moved once, it could be moved again. That’s what I came to tell you the other day.”

  Her eyes widened. “You can do that? Really?”

  “I think so.” He nodded. “We’ll have to do a little rehab on the other end, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

  “That would be perfect! I’d love that.” She flung her arms around him again and squeezed tight.

  He sobered. “And you think you could be content to raise our children in the house, even if it’s not on the same land?”

  She gulped. “Raise children?”

  “Of course.” He hesitated. “I mean, you do want children, don’t you?”

  She blinked again. “Jack?”

  He gazed down at her, deep green eyes catching and holding hers. “I never stopped loving you. You do realize that, don’t you?”

  Warmth coursed through her. “No. I didn’t.”

  “Well, now you know,” he said, his voice husky. “I was angry, although I was more hurt than anything. But I never stopped.”

  A sting of bitter remorse pierced her heart. She’d never wanted to cause him pain. If only she could have made him understand before…

  No. No regrets. They’d lost enough time already. She refused to waste another minute. He still loved her. He wanted her to have his children. In this house.

  “Say something, will you?” he said with a gentle smile. “I don’t know if you have men declaring their undying love for you every day, but you should know you’re supposed to answer me.”

  “Me, too.” She raised a hand to his cheek. “I was angry and hurt, too. When I came home, I stayed away from any place I thought I might run into you. I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing you with someone else. Brenda taught me that.”

  He smoothed his hands up her back and laid his cheek on top of her head. “I’m so sorry,” he murmured into her hair. “I didn’t set out to hurt you. After I lost you, I thought moving on would be the best way to get over you. Turned out, I was wrong.”

  She breathed in the scent of him. “I guess we both have some mistakes to make up for.”

  “I’m glad we get the chance.” His arms tightened around her, and he slid his finger under her chin. Just before his lips touched hers, he paused. “Maren?”

  “Yes?”

  “Welcome home.”

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  FINDING THE AUTHOR

  Shawna Lynn Brooks is an author of clean, contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She lives online at shawnalynnbrooks.com. You can also connect with her at facebook.com/shawnalynnbrooksauthor, at pinterest.com/shawnalynnbrooksauthor, or by email at shawnalynn@shawnalynnbrooks.com.

  ALSO BY SHAWNA LYNN BROOKS

  Stormsurge

  With a hurricane speeding towards her and her car on the blink, how will Lacey Underwood get herself to safety? Her best friend from high school, the nerdy but sweet Eugene Blackwell, of course. But after four years apart, Lacey discovers Gene isn't quite the nerd she remembers.

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  Double or Nothing

  Ellie has spent her whole life covering for her irresponsible twin sister, Eve. This time Eve has really done it. After breaking up with yet another boyfriend, Eve talks Ellie into taking over her job while Eve “finds herself” at a yoga camp. How will Ellie keep Eve’s boss from finding out what they’ve done?

  Grant Russell’s flighty and irresponsible assistant has pushed him too far, and she has to go. He’s inherited a failing business from his uncle, and he has his hands full trying to pull it back from the brink. He can’t afford to let Eve mess things up even worse. Except when the time comes, Grant can’t bring himself to fire her. Eve has inexplicably gotten herself together, and despite all of his misgivings, Grant finds himself drawn to the new and improved Eve. Grant must save the business before the bank takes it back, but can he trust Eve to help him?

  Coming July 2018. Click here for pre-orders.

  Copyright 2018 by Shawna Lynn Brooks

  Cover design by Angela Haddon

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the author. All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.