Welcome to Forever

by Annie Rains

  She liked the sound of those words on his lips. Wanted to hear them over and over, again and again. “I love you, too, Micah.” She never thought she’d love anyone else, but here she was head over heels for another man in uniform. She wasn’t scared about the future anymore, though. Love was always a risk, and she was willing to take it if it meant being with this man who’d brought her heart back to life.

  “I know that you’ll come home to me and then we’ll have our happy ending,” she said, smiling up at him.

  “Nuh-uh. Not an ending. We are just getting started, Principal Chandler. This is our happy beginning.”

  She liked the sound of that, too. And the feel of his mouth on hers as he kissed her, long and deep. Then he swept her off her feet, into his arms, and carried her home to relish every second they had together until it was time for him to leave. He wouldn’t be gone forever. She believed that with all her heart. One day he’d come home to her and they’d continue what they’d started. Their happy beginning was just that, a beginning to a relationship that she hoped would be long and wonderful.

  Epilogue

  Ben rolled into the living room for what seemed to be the hundredth time that day and stared at the clock once again.

  “Almost time.” Kat offered a smile, feeling just as nervous, and excited, about Micah’s return as he was.

  “Do you think he’ll recognize me?” Ben asked, swiping at the lock of hair that usually fell between his eyes.

  She wanted to laugh, but held a serious face. “Well, you’ve definitely gotten taller. It’ll be time for a new chair soon, I suspect. And you look older, too, with that new haircut.”

  At this, Ben smiled proudly.

  “But I definitely think he’ll recognize you. You are the spitting image of him.”

  Ben bounced lightly in his seat. “Can we go early? Just in case he arrives sooner?” he asked.

  She’d been thinking the same thing. “Sure. I’ll just go tell Aunt Clara and Uncle Rick that we’ll meet them back here for a family celebration afterward.”

  Fifteen minutes later—Kat had gotten quite efficient at loading a wheelchair in a vehicle over the last few months—she and Ben were heading through the gates of Camp Leon. They parked and Kat helped Ben back into his wheelchair. “Here, let me.” She reached out for his tightly coiled left arm and gave it a slow, gentle stretch. “Don’t be nervous. It’s going to be wonderful,” she told him, catching the uncertainty in his eyes.

  “I know. It’s going to be the best,” Ben said.

  “That’s right.” She started to push his chair ahead of her, but he laid a hand on his wheel, stopping her.

  “I want to show Dad just how much I’ve grown. I can do this all by myself.”

  “Of course.” She followed a short distance, and then they stopped outside of a gate that sectioned off a large field.

  “Your father told me he has a special surprise for you,” Kat said.

  “He always brings me home something when he’s away. I wonder if he brought you something, too.”

  “Oh, honey. Your dad being home is all the present I need.” Although Micah had hinted in his last letter to her that he was coming home with a question. He said he needed to ask her something that would change their lives forever.

  Excitement swelled in her chest. He was probably going to ask her to move in with them, which would be pretty life-changing.

  She sucked in a breath, continuing to watch the field beyond the gate. The minutes were long as she held on to the fact that the man she loved would step off that bus that was scheduled to show up in the next few minutes. She wouldn’t be left waiting this time. No one had come to her door, although she’d had several nightmares about that happening. There’d been no news reports of accidents involving his squadron. And she’d spoken to Micah just last night. Everything was fine and he was coming home to her and Ben. Then they could begin the life they’d dreamt up during their many phone calls and letters to each other since his deployment.

  A bus came into sight in the distance, accompanied by the cheers of the crowd gathered outside. What seemed like an eternity later, the bus stopped and its door opened. She watched each man in uniform step off. Each one that wasn’t Micah felt like a pinprick to her heart.

  Where is he? Where is he?

  She tried not to let her fear settle in on this glorious day. Closing her eyes just for a moment, she sucked in a long breath, releasing it slowly along with a prayer that Micah would return to her, just as he’d promised. Then she opened her eyes again and relief hit her with such an overwhelming magnitude that it was all she could do not to dissolve into a puddle of tears. That, or run as fast as her feet would allow, past the gate and into his arms. She couldn’t leave Ben, though.

  Micah stood tall as his eyes traveled across the crowd, no doubt asking himself the same question she just had. Where are they?

  “Dad! Over here!” Ben yelled, waving his right arm. “Dad!”

  Micah’s gaze connected with Ben’s, and then lifted to meet hers.

  No way am I ever letting this man go again.

  He walked briskly toward them, his stride eating up the pavement. Then he bent low and hugged Ben first. “Ah, buddy. I missed you so much. You’re bigger. It’s only been six months. What’s Aunt Clara been feeding you?”

  Ben grinned widely. “And I got a haircut, too.”

  Kat laughed, working hard to resist her tears.

  A minute later, Micah straightened and leveled his gaze with hers. And if she wasn’t mistaken, his eyes were glassy, too. “I’ve missed you so much,” he said, lowering his voice.

  She couldn’t help it. One tear slipped down her cheek, and then another. Then she melted as Micah drew her into his arms, lifting her off her feet just slightly. “I love you,” he whispered in her ear. “I love you so much, Kat.”

  After a long moment, he released her, glancing between her and Ben. He reached into his duffel bag and pulled out a large brown rock, handing it to Ben. “Being the scientist you are, I thought you’d like this. It’s straight from the desert, buddy. I crossed the world to bring it home to you. We can put it in our garden.”

  Ben’s face lit up. “I love it!” he cheered, hugging it to his body with his right arm.

  Then Micah turned to Kat. Her breath stopped. So did her heart. “Remember my last letter?” His voice dropped and his lips curled as he looked up at her.

  She swallowed, suddenly terrified in the best way. “Yes. I believe you said you had a question you needed to ask me.”

  He nodded. “I do. And I’m really hoping your answer is yes, Kat.”

  “Yes,” she said, laughing. She was willing to say yes to anything he asked her right about now.

  His brow pinched softly. “I haven’t asked you anything yet.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I will always say yes to you, Sergeant Peterson.”

  He grinned. “Oh, it matters. I want to do this right. But first I need to check in with my little man here. This affects him, too.”

  Ben looked at Micah as he crouched down and pretended to whisper. Kat could hear his every word, though. “What do you think about me asking Principal Chandler to be part of our family?”

  Her breath hitched.

  Ben’s eyes widened. “That’s even better than a rock from the desert. Will she live with us?” he asked.

  “Only if she says yes.” His gaze slid toward Kat’s.

  Her eyes were burning with a million tears, but she resisted saying anything. He’d told her to wait.

  “And I really hope she says yes to me,” Micah continued, talking to Ben, but his every word was meant for her. He was giving her time to gather her thoughts, which she appreciated. She didn’t need time to think, though. She’d had enough time away from him to last a lifetime.

  “You should ask her,” Ben said.

  Micah nodded. “I had a feeling you’d agree.” Then he shifted from his crouched position in front of Ben to one knee in front of her. Ev
en though she knew this was coming, her hands flew to her mouth. “Now don’t say anything until I’ve had a chance to ask you properly,” he teased.

  She nodded.

  Growing serious again, he held her gaze. “Kat, you have changed my life, just by being in it. You make each day brighter, easier. I used to wake up and just plow through the day. I grew flowers, but I never stopped to smell them, to really look at them. Now I do. I see and do everything differently because of you. The last six months away from you made me realize that I never want to be away from you again. Not for a minute. I love you too much.” He arched a brow. “I have a rock for you, too, Kat.”

  This made her laugh even as tears were streaming down her cheeks. “Oh, yeah?” She sniffed.

  “Not as big as Ben’s, but I don’t think you’ll mind.” He stared up at her. “All you have to do is agree to be my wife.”

  “Oh, is that all?” she asked as her entire body shook uncontrollably.

  “That and promise to love me and my son for the rest of our lives.”

  She dropped to her knees in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think I can handle that.”

  “Yeah?” Micah’s eyes were flooded with tears now, too. Who said a big alpha male couldn’t cry? Then he glanced over his shoulder. “Hear that, son? Sounds like a yes to me.”

  “Yes!” Ben cheered. “Yes, yes, yes!”

  The crowd that had gathered around to watch the building scene cheered also. Kat held on to Micah tighter, unwilling to ever let go again. “Yes,” she whispered in his ear. “My answer is yes.”

  He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a box. Where he’d gotten it while on deployment, she didn’t know. It didn’t matter. Lifting the lid, he revealed a simple solitaire—the most beautiful rock she’d ever seen. She held out a shaky hand, allowing him to slip the ring on her finger, sealing the promise between them. A promise that wouldn’t be broken.

  After a long embrace, they stood.

  “Shall we?” Micah started to push Ben’s chair through the crowd.

  “I got this, Dad,” Ben said, controlling his own chair.

  Micah laughed, lagging behind and holding on to Kat’s hand as they followed.

  Despite her tears, she couldn’t help but smile, knowing that if John could see her now, he’d be glad to know she’d found love again. That she was loved. And that she was happy—truly happy.

  “Everything okay?” Micah asked, concern growing in his eyes as he studied her and the tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “Yes. Everything’s fine,” she said, leaning in to him as they walked. “Perfect, actually.”

  He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it softly. The diamond he’d placed there reflected brilliantly in the sun. “It’ll be perfect when you become my wife.”

  A warmness spread through her just thinking about it. She wanted nothing more than to become Mrs. Micah Peterson. “I can’t wait,” she said, keeping her gaze forward on the clear blue sky, and on the bright future in front of them.

  To Sonny. Our love story will always be my favorite.

  Acknowledgments

  Publishing my first book was a journey I started many moons ago. There have been times when this dream of mine seemed impossible, and it would’ve been without the help of so many wonderful people who offered their support, time, advice, and encouragement. My heart is full of gratitude for so many.

  My first thanks goes to my family, who have supported me through the years. Thank you, Sonny, for believing in me, encouraging me, and listening to me ramble about the fictional characters in my head. Thanks to my two sweet boys and little girl who know that Mommy needs “writing time,” and who are willing to play nice and give it to me most days. Thanks to my parents, who encouraged me to dream big, and to my mother-in-law, Annette, who is always willing to help, whether it be watching the kids or doing research for one of my books.

  I would like to thank my wonderful agent, Sarah Younger at Nancy Yost Literary Agency. Finding you was another dream come true. Thank you for giving me a literary home and welcoming me into Team Sarah. This book would not have been possible without you!

  Thank you to Junessa Viloria, my editor at Loveswept/Random House Publishing Group. You helped me polish this manuscript into something I am truly proud to call mine. Working with you on this book has been nothing short of amazing. I also want to thank Gina Wachtel for reading my manuscript while my future editor was on maternity leave and for giving me that first yes. Many thanks to everyone at Loveswept/Random House Publishing Group who had a part in making this book happen, especially Erica Seyfried, Ashleigh Heaton, Lynn Andreozzi, Madeline Hopkins, and Penny Haynes.

  A very special thank-you goes out to Lady Lioness. As a Pitch Wars mentor, you pulled me out of the slush pile and advanced me light-years in this writing journey. Your mentorship has meant so much to me. Thanks to the ladies of “The Pride,” Marie Meyer and Sarah Blair, for all your kind words and support. I look forward to watching all of your successes in publishing.

  A huge thanks goes to my critique partner, Rachel Lacey. Your input and friendship are invaluable to me. Thank you for your critique of this book, all your advice on the process, and for our many daily emails, which always make me smile. Thanks to my #girlsnightwrite crew: Rachel Lacey, Sidney Halston, Tif Johnson, and April Hunt. You motivate and inspire me every day. Love you, ladies!

  To all my friends, near and far, old and new, writers and readers, thank you!

  And most important, I am ever thankful to God for giving me this passion and for putting all of these amazing people in my life to help me succeed.

  BY ANNIE RAINS

  Welcome to Forever

  PHOTO: © SARAH SAVAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

  ANNIE RAINS is a contemporary romance author who writes small-town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their country while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and three children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

  annierains.com

  The Editor’s Corner

  Happy Holidays from our hearth to yours! This month we’re sending you some hot Loveswept romances to keep the fire burning:

  USA Today bestselling author Bronwen Evans’s new Disgraced Lords novel is about a marriage of convenience and its delightful pleasures—and mortal danger in A Whisper of Desire. K. J. Charles turns up the heat in her new Society of Gentlemen novel, A Seditious Affair, as two lovers face off in a sensual duel that challenges their deepest beliefs. Samantha Kane’s Birmingham Rebels series proves that three’s never a crowd…at least not for the hard-bodied football all-stars who give teamwork a sexy twist in Calling the Play. Welcome to Forever, new from author Annie Rains, introduces a small coastal town where America’s best and brightest risk everything for love. Jackie Ashenden ups the ante in the seductive Deacons of Bourbon Street series, co-written with Megan Crane, Rachael Johns, and Maisey Yates, with Hold Me Down, a story about what happens when the biker who broke Alice’s heart rides into town, and she must choose between passion and duty. Another story for MC fans is Violetta Rand’s irresistible novel about a sexy-as-sin biker who tempts a good girl to go bad, Persuasion.

  In USA Today bestselling author Tina Wainscott’s gritty, emotional small-town romance Falling Hard, passions run high as a reformed bad boy reconnects with an old enemy…and gets her engine revving. In Laura Marie Altom’s tale of forbidden love, Stepping Over the Line, meet two tortured souls with an unbreakable bond. Then comes a tender military romance from Serena Bell, USA Today bestselling author of Hold On Tight, in which a war-shattered veteran gets a second chance at love with the one that got away in Can’t Hold Back.

  Writing duo MJ Fields and Chelsea Camaron release another sizzling-hot Caldwell Brothers story—Morrison, which hits the V
egas strip as a bad-boy gambler from Detroit Rock City shows a single mom what it means to play for keeps. Then it’s off to Los Angeles, where Hollywood’s hottest young actor hits the road to chase his big break—and discovers a leading lady where he least expects to in Cassie Mae’s No Interest in Love.

  I can’t believe 2016 is upon us, can you? Thank you for spending your reading time with Loveswept, and we hope to entertain you all over again in the new year.

  Happy Romance!

  Gina Wachtel

  Associate Publisher

  Read on for a sneak peek of the next book in Annie Rains’s Hero’s Welcome series

  Welcome Home, Cowboy

  Available from Loveswept

  Chapter 1

  Rain pelted the old Honda Civic’s windows as Julie Chandler sucked in a breath and held it. Whoever said you can’t go home again was wrong. Unless they meant you couldn’t go home and expect to find a job. Since returning to the small town of Seaside, North Carolina, she’d applied for nearly every exercise-related job posted, and no one had so much as called her back.

  Releasing the breath, she glanced at the folder sitting on the passenger seat beside her. It was a long shot, but she’d poured her soul into writing this proposal. If there wasn’t a job for her here, she’d simply have to make one. At least that’s what she’d decided after several glasses of cheap red muscatel last night, right around the time she should’ve been going to bed.

  She parked in front of the Veterans’ Center and checked her reflection in the rearview mirror. She’d covered up her dark circles and splashed some color on her face before driving over. She flashed the mirror what she hoped was a confident smile. The feeling of confidence evaded her these days, however, thanks to a relationship that had gone on far too long.

  Every muscle in her body tightened at the thought of her ex. Damn it. She took another breath, forced another smile.