by T. K. Leigh
“Morning, Brooklyn,” Dad says in a chipper voice. Wiping my cheeks, I whirl around, forcing a smile.
“Hey, Dad.” I walk into the small kitchen as he pours two cups of coffee. “How ya doing?”
He places the pot back on the burner, contemplating my question for a moment. “Surprisingly okay. It may be a different story once this stuff is out of the house and all I see are the walls full of memories, but this is the right thing. Ana’s already said goodbye to her house and her memories. It’s time I do the same.”
He pours some milk into my mug, then adds a packet of sweetener before handing me my coffee, bringing his to his mouth. He takes his black. I wonder if it’s a firefighter thing. Every single one of the guys at the station seems to take it that way.
“Well, what can I do to help?” I ask after we’ve both had a few sips, the silence thick.
“My bedroom’s still a disaster. Let’s start there.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He heads down the corridor and I follow, stealing a glance at my old bedroom that’s now completely empty. I slow my steps, staring at the barren walls. This space is full of so many memories, some bad, most good. The more I think about it, even the memories I considered bad aren’t, now that I’ve found my happiness, now that Drew and I found our way back to each other.
“Brook?” Dad’s voice catches my attention.
“Sorry. Coming.”
I continue into the master bedroom, where my dad puts me to work boxing up his bookshelves while he works in the bathroom.
As I’m wrapping up a few of the awards my father’s received during his career, the doorbell rings.
“Brooklyn, sweetie,” he calls out. “Do you mind getting that? I’m in the middle of something.”
“Sure thing,” I answer, raising myself to my feet and padding down the hallway.
Without looking through the peephole, I open the door, then inhale a sharp breath when I see Drew standing on the front stoop. But that’s not what takes me by surprise. It’s the fact that he’s clean-shaven, dressed in a suit, his hair groomed. His girls stand on either side of him, smiling a toothy grin, wearing identical sundresses.
“Drew?” I narrow my eyes at him. “What’s going on?”
“Remember how I promised months ago that I’d do everything to make you think I’m deserving of your love?”
“Yes…,” I answer in a drawn-out voice, my gaze nervously darting around.
“Well, that’s what this is. I’m here to fulfill the first promise I made to you.” He brings his wrist up, studying his watch. “Although I’m seventeen years late.”
I shoot my eyes to my own watch. 7:01 a.m. I spy the date, August 26th. My hand flies to my mouth, my breath catching. When he drops to one knee, I lose the little composure I have left, tears spilling over.
“My beautiful Brooklyn Rose, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my lifetime. And I’d like to say I regret them. I suppose I do to some extent, but every single horrible choice I made led me here, to this moment…to you.” His eyes remain locked on mine. It’s the only thing keeping me upright, my knees weak, my heart hammering in my chest. “Truthfully, I never thought this moment would come, that I’d ever have this chance. I’ve imagined this more times than I care to admit, but now that I’m here, now that we’re here, I’m afraid what I planned to say is woefully inadequate.”
It doesn’t matter it’s just after seven in the morning. The neighborhood is full of activity, and many of the neighbors have stopped their morning routine, congregating at the foot of the hill to watch this moment. A moment that’s been seventeen years in the making. Regardless, I don’t care that they’re witnessing this. I want them here, want to give people hope that they can find the happiness they’re looking for, just like we did.
“When I kissed you all those years ago, I was convinced you were my once in a lifetime. Now, as I kneel before you, I am absolutely certain I was right. I don’t want to go another minute of my life without you being mine in every sense of the word. I don’t want to fall asleep another night without you in my arms. And I don’t want to wake up another day without feeling your love radiating for me and me alone.”
He reaches into his pocket and brings out a velvet box, flipping it open to reveal a stunning round cut solitaire. The sun hits it, making it reflect in my eyes. He looks to his girls, nodding at them. They also open a velvet box each, a pair of tanzanite earrings from Alyssa, amethyst from Charlotte. The girls’ birthstones.
“Brooklyn Rose Tanner, will you marry us? Be part of our family? Build a new life with us? Complete us?”
Tears obscure my vision as I look from Drew to his girls. Charlotte and Alyssa grin wide, their eyes filled with excitement as they bounce on their feet. In the past half-year, I’ve now been proposed to three times. But this one is filled with so much more meaning, so much more emotion, so much more heart. I sense a presence approach and glance behind me to see my father standing there, smiling in approval.
“Say yes,” Charlotte whispers. “Daddy says we can go to Disney World again if we get you to say yes.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. My eyes returning to Drew’s, which are warm with affection, I nod enthusiastically. “Yes, Drew. And Alyssa and Charlotte. I’ll marry you. All of you.”
Drew blows out a relieved breath as the girls squeal. In an instant, he’s on his feet, pulling me into his arms as he slides the ring onto my finger. Unlike when Wes did the same thing, this no longer feels like a chain shackling me to a life I’m unsure I want. When Drew’s ring locks into place, it’s like the piece I’ve been searching for all my life has been found.
He brings his lips toward mine, kissing me sweetly, reverently, thoughtfully. It’s fitting he proposed on the date and time he broke the promise that seemed to impact our relationship for years. Drew was my first love, my first kiss. And he’ll be my last.
“Now do you believe me?” he murmurs against my mouth.
“What’s that?”
“You were never just my sister’s best friend.”
I run my hands through his hair, arching into him. “I do now.”
Thank you so much for reading REDEMPTION! I hope you’ve enjoyed Brooklyn and Drew’s story!
Want to know if Wes finds his happily ever after? Stay tuned! POSSESSION is coming soon!
A wealthy member of Southern society finds himself falling for a woman he fears will never be accepted in his social circles. Can he convince them to put aside their centuries-old prejudices? Or will they only ever see the color of her skin?
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If you enjoyed these characters and want to know more about Molly, check out WRITING MR. RIGHT, a fun, sexy, poignant tale about a romance author who doesn't believe real love is real life.
If you’re looking for something a little more gritty, check out INFERNO. NOW FREE!
A runaway bride who escapes to Rome. A handsome, mysterious Italian man. A proposition for one night of passion. Will one night be enough? Find out today!
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Playlist
Little Do You Know - Alex & Sierra
Naked - James Arthur
Dancing on my Own - Callum Scott
Jealous - Labrinth
The Hollow in Retrospect - Corey Kilgannon
A Little Fire - Parker Millsap
Can’t You See - Matthew and the Atlas
In Love Again - Colbie Caillat
Waves and the Both of Us - Charlotte Sometimes
Hole in my Heart - Gavin James
Can I Stay - Ray L
aMontagne
Mess I Made - Parachute
Sorry - Aquilo
Broken - Lifehouse
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
Say Something - A Great Big World
Bring on the Rain - Keri Noble
Breathe Again - Sara Bareilles
Colour Me In - Damien Rice
Move Together - James Bay
The Shape of Us - Ian Britt
Perfect Duet - Ed Sheeran & Beyonce
Acknowledgments
I published my very first book in August of 2013, the book that people still know me best for… A Beautiful Mess. Back then, I thought that story would be the only one I’d ever write. I didn’t think I’d have another story in me. Hell, crafting a book is hard work. I thought I’d be a “one and done” kind of author.
Apparently not.
I just celebrated my five year “publiversary” and can’t believe the people I’ve given life to. You often hear authors discuss our “book babies”, and there’s certainly some underlying truth to those words. We spend months nurturing these stories and characters, then set them free, hoping people love them as much as we do. It’s hard work, and often stressful at times, but it’s honestly the best job I’ve ever had. I still can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be doing this, even five years later.
Of course, I have my husband to thank for that. Since he learned I’d written a book, he’s done nothing but offer me all of his support. I hear stories about how some authors’ spouses look at writing as a hobby. He knows this is a career for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for him.
On that same note, thanks to my fantastic nannies who treat Miss Harper Leigh with all the love she deserves so I can work on my books. Sharon and Brooke, I wouldn’t be able to do this without you!
There’s only one woman I ever trust with my manuscripts — Kim Young. Thanks for an amazing five years. Here’s to five more!
Thanks to my wonderful admin team who help me manage my social media presence — Melissa, Joelle, Vicky, Lea. And to my fabulous beta readers - Stacy, Lin, Melissa, Joelle, Vicky, Sylvia.
Thanks to Emily from Social Butterfly PR for dealing with the insanity that is my brain. When I told her what was a stand-alone had turned into a duet, then said I was writing a prequel novella, she went with the flow, nothing fazing her at all! You make my job so much easier.
A special shout out to my street team. Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to help promote me! And to my lovely reader group! Thanks for giving me a place to be myself, horrible jokes and tasteless memes and all!
Last but not least, thanks to YOU! Without readers, I’d have no one to write for, so thanks for taking a chance on my books! Whether you’ve just found me or have been with me since the beginning, I’m forever grateful!
Peace & Love,
~ T.K.
Also by T.K. Leigh
The Beautiful Mess Series
A Beautiful Mess
A Tragic Wreck
Gorgeous Chaos
The Deception Duet
Chasing The Dragon
Slaying The Dragon
The Vault
Inferno
The Redemption Series
Promise
Commitment
Redemption
Stand Alone Titles
Heart Of Light
Heart Of Marley
The Other Side Of Someday
Vanished
Writing Mr. Right
For more information on any of these titles and upcoming releases, please visit T.K.’s website:
www.tkleighauthor.com
About the Author
T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Beautiful Mess series, in addition to several other works ranging from sexy and sinful to fun and flirty. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, beautiful daughter, and three cats. When she’s not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found training for her next marathon (of which she has run over twenty fulls and far too many halfs to recall) or chasing her daughter around the house.
T.K. Leigh is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management. All publishing inquiries, including audio, foreign, and film rights, should be directed to her.
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