by DL Gallie
Contents
December
Blurb
Dedication
The Calendar Gals Series
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
THE END!!!!!
The Calendar Gals series
The Calendar Men series – OUT NOW!
Books By DL Gallie
Acknowledgements
Where to find DL Gallie
About the Author
A Calendar Gals series novella
By DL Gallie
When it rains, it pours for Kasey Wellson. She discovers she’s pregnant on the same day she buries her fiancé and best friend, Kody Holmes.
Kasey turns to his brother, best friend, and business partner, Branson, in her time of need. He doesn’t hesitate to offer her unwavering support at this difficult time; it’s the least he can do for his brother and the mother of his niece or nephew.
When Kasey begins to develop feelings for Branson, she puts it down to pregnancy hormones, but one final letter from Kody changes everything.
Copyright © DL Gallie 2019
December, The Calendar Gals Series
First published 2019
Email: [email protected]
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a database and retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the owner of copyright and the above publishers.
This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be stored or reproduced by any process without prior written permission. Enquiries should be made to the publisher
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the produce of the author’s imagination or used factitiously. Any resemblance to the actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ISBNS
eBook
10: 0-6482653-6-6
13: 978-0-6482653-6-8
Paperback
10: 0-6482653-9-0
13: 978-0-6482653-9-9
Edited by Karen Hrdlicka, Barren Acres Editing
Cover Designed by Dana Leah of Designs by Dana
Formatted by Abigail Davies at Pink Elephant Designs
Dedication
To my fellow Calendar Collection authors;
Jude, Scarlett, Susan, Aleisha, Cheryl, Chloe,
Sonya, Cari, Heather, RaeAnne and Margaret
Thank you for your friendship, support and laughs.
The Calendar Gals Series
12 Authors - 12 Sassy Gals - 12 Months
Can you handle them all?
January - Jude Ouvrard
February - Scarlett J Rose
March - Susan Horsnell
April - Aleisha Maree
May - Cheryl Wright
June - C. Renee
July - Sonya Jesus
August - Cari Robe
September - Heather Osbourne
October - RaeAnne Hadley
November - Margaret Tanner
December - DL Gallie
Chapter One
… May 5th, 2019
My girlfriends have surprised me with a bachelorette weekend away…to Kansas, of all places, but Stacey assures me that it’s ‘totally worth the trip.’ I’m yet to see that, or anything, because I’m currently blindfolded, sitting in the back of a stretch Hummer.
The bubbly is flowing. The laughs are a plenty and the atmosphere is electric, and everyone is having fun; blindfolded me included.
The car stops and a few moments later the driver opens the door. “Ladies, you have arrived,” he says, as he takes my hand and helps me out. It's really disorientating being blindfolded but at the same time it's exhilarating and exciting. It reminds me of my birthday last year...
...February 27th, 2018
“Branson, where are you taking me and WHY the friggin’ hell am I blindfolded?”
“Because!” he playfully replies.
“Because? Really? That’s all I get?”
“Yep. Now get in, and watch your head. If you turn up injured, Kody will kick my ass.”
“I’ll kick your ass for not telling me where we are going.”
“I’d like to see you try.” He pauses and I can tell he’s grinning right now. “Now get in.”
“You’re a bossy boots,” I huff.
“Says the queen of bossy.”
“I’m not bossy,” I scoff, whacking the air—hoping to get Branson—but instead my knuckles hit the car door. “Shit!” I shout, shaking my hand to ease the pain.
Suddenly, my hand is enveloped in warmth and I feel soft lips pressed against my knuckles. “There all better,” Branson huskily whispers.
“My hero,” I singsong.
“If it wasn’t your birthday, I’d totally smack your ass for being cheeky.”
“Maybe I want to be smacked,” I mischievously reply.
It’s suddenly silent, the only sound to be heard is each of us breathing. It’s awkward but not, the moment is broken when Branson taps my side. “Come on, we better get going, otherwise you’ll be late.”
“Late for what?” I question.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Umm, yes, that’s why I asked.”
“Shut up and get in, birthday brat.”
Just like that, Branson and I are back to our usual playful selves. With a smile, I carefully climb in and await my surprise. We don’t drive for long and when we arrive, Branson tells me to wait there—like I’m going to go anywhere on my own blindfolded. The car door opens and Branson carefully escorts me out of the vehicle, down a walkway, through several doors, and then we stop. Branson lifts my blindfold off and I’m met with a chorus of “Surprise” and “Happy Birthday,” deafening cheers and claps.
My eyes lock on Kody’s and I smile. He saunters over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Happy birthday, gorgeous!” he says, before he plants a searing hot kiss on my lips.
Pulling back, I grip both his hands and squeeze. “Thanks for this, babe, it was totally unexpected.”
“Don’t thank me, thank him.” He points to Branson, who is smiling sheepishly from behind us.
Stepping over to Branson, I kiss him on the cheek and hug him, “Thank you Branson.”
He hugs me back and quietly murmurs, “Your welcome, Kase. I’d do anything to see you happy. Happy birthday.”
He steps back and walks over to his parents, just as Kody wraps his arms around me from behind. He nuzzles my neck and whispers, “Make sure you keep that blindfold, I’m getting all sorts of kinky sexy ideas for later.”
Spinning around, I give him a wink. “You had me a kinky.” I kiss his jaw, blissfully happy at my surprise party and totally in love with Kody Holmes.
Remembering that night, I squeeze my thighs together and decide I’m TOTALLY keeping this blindfold for when I get home, Kody and I are going to have some blindf
olded fun…again.
“What are you grinning about?” Stacey asks me.
“Nothing, I’m just really excited for the night ahead.”
“Mmmhmpf.” I know that tone from her, she doesn’t believe me at all, but thankfully she doesn’t push me. With a sigh, I stand on the pavement, blindfolded, and wait while the girls all climb out. Suddenly, there are hands on my shoulders, and Stacey says from behind me, “Let’s go.” She pushes me forward. “Okay, babe, there are,” she pauses for a bit, “seven steps and then the fun is going to begin.”
Somehow, I make it up the stairs without tripping, or breaking anything. I’m grinning when a deep husky voice says, “Welcome, ladies. My name is Marcus, let me know if I can be of any assistance this evening.”
“You can tell me where I am?” I ask.
He takes my hand and kisses the back of it. “Nice try, Kasey. Just go with the flow and enjoy yourself.” With my sight gone, his voice is prominent and ohh so fine…I bet he’s butt-ugly, I think to myself and giggle as I’m pushed farther into the establishment.
“You know my name?” I ask, but I’m met with silence.
We stop walking again and Stacey says, “Well, der, of course, you are the main star tonight,” I swear she silently adds, “except for those up on stage.” This piques my curiosity.
“Oooookay,” I offer in reply.
Stacey is now quietly talking to someone and I’m left alone, blindfolded in the middle of, I don’t know where in Kanas. I shake my head and again giggle to myself.
“Let’s go,” Stacey suddenly says, a door opens, and we walk inside. There’s music thumping. Women are chattering and giggling. Glasses are clinking and I’m now guessing we are in a bar. We stop suddenly and Stace lifts off my blindfold. Blinking a few times, my vision comes back, and I look to Stacey, she’s grinning from ear to ear and raises her eyebrows seductively at me before she excitedly screams, “Welcome to Bare Chested!”
“Huh?” I ask confused.
“We will be seeing our very own sexy schmexy strip show…right after Marcus here,” she flicks her eyes to the left where I see a sexy as sin guy hungrily staring and walking toward me, “gives you an up close and personal lap dance.”
My mouth drops open in shock. I remember mentioning to Stace that I have always wanted to go to a strip club, but I never expected this. “Stacey,” I say, my eyes well with tears.
“Nope, no crying.” She shakes her head. “Now, sit back and enjoy.” She pushes my shoulders and I drop down on to the seat. My phone rings and it’s Branson's tone. “Nope, he can wait,” Stacey says, as she hands me another shot, I throw it back and shrug, after all, who am I to argue when a sexy guy is prowling toward me.
“WooooHooooo,” I shout, as he saunters over to me.
A glass of bubbly is thrust into my hand; I drink the entire thing and slam the empty glass onto the table next to me. Marcus is now in front of me, grinding his hips in circles. “This is so hot,” I giggle as he rests his hands on the couch arms, cocooning me.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I giggle in reply, yes, I giggle like a schoolgirl. Suddenly the bubbly from the limo and the shot I just skulled hit me with force. My phone rings again, but before I can say anything, Stacey digs it out and silences it.
Marcus grabs my chin and turns my attention back to him. He sexily spins about and now has his back to me, shaking his tight sexy ass in my face. Leaning forward, I mimic licking when he reaches behind him, grabs my hands and pulls me forward. My face is pressed against his back and he runs my hands up and down his abs. Holy muscles, Batman, I throw my head back and laugh. The girls all laugh and smile. This is so fun and so sexy at the same time, I wonder if I can persuade Kody to do something like this for me when I get home?
All too soon, my dance is over. Marcus lifts my hand and places a kiss on the back, just like when we arrived. “You will make a beautiful bride,” he says, before turning and sauntering away.
Another glass of bubbly appears, and I drink it slowly. I look around; everyone is smiling, laughing, and having the best time. “Stacey, this is awesome and the best night ever.” I pause and swallow the lump in my throat. “Thanks so much.”
The lights on the stage dim and she leans into me and whispers, “The fun is just starting, babe.”
A song I don’t recognize begins to play and the sexiest guy ever struts his stuff on stage in nothing but black pants and a tie…and he wears the hell out of that tie. I scream and holler like the others in the club. He introduces himself as Jake and then he’s asking about a bachelorette party and starts walking down the stage stairs. He comes over to us, his eyes are locked on Karen, her face turns beet red. “Are you the lucky lady whose getting married?” His voice is deep and ohh so sexy.
Karen turns to me, grabs my wrist, and shouts, “No, but she is,” as she shoves me toward him.
“Well, aren’t you a beautiful woman?” he croons. “Your soon-to-be husband is a lucky man.” He takes my hand, pulls out a chair, and gently pushes me down to take a seat. He spins around and shakes his ass in my face, once again I giggle and laugh. Someone yells for me to squeeze his butt, I'd really like to, but I’m not sure of the protocol in a club like this, so I keep my hands in my lap. But my eyes travel all over this body. There isn’t an ounce of fat on him, and he has muscles that I have never seen up close before.
He spins back to face me and grabs my hands, running them up and down his abs…his rock-hard abs. My eyes land on his and he winks at me, just as I hear Stacey yelling my name. Turing to face her, I see tears welling in her eyes. She holds the phone to my ear. “Hello,” I breathlessly say into the phone.
“Kace, it’s Branson.” Instantly, my body freezes, his tone is off.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, I hold my breath and wait for his reply. Without him saying anything, I know it’s bad news.
“Kody…”
“No, no, no.” I say into the phone, shoving Jake away with all my might, he stumbles backward as I stand up. “…he didn’t make it.” I’m frozen on the spot, I shake my head from side to side as tears cascade down my cheeks; everything around me fades out. Branson is talking but I don’t hear anything. In my head, over and over I just keep repeating the last thing I clearly heard Branson say to me ‘he didn’t make it.’
A guttural scream passes my lips. Falling to my knees, I drop the phone and collapse into a heap. Everything around me goes silent; Stacey squats down and rubs my back. I can feel everyone’s gaze on me but I feel so alone right in this moment. My heart is shattering into a million fragments. My life will be altered from this moment forward. From next to me I hear Stacey say over and over, “Shit, shit, shit.”
She wraps her arms around me and pulls me into her chest as the world around me crumbles. “Kasey, babe. I’m so sorry.”
“What’s going on?” Karen asks.
Looking up at her, I don't know what to say. My heads starts shaking from side to side again and I cover my mouth, as a fresh batch of tears fall.
Stacey looks over at her and sadly says, “It’s Kody. He’s dead.”
Chapter Two
… May 12th, 2019
Sitting on the edge of the bath, I hold the stick in my shaking hands and look down. My eyes well with tears as I stare at the two pink lines in the little window. Those two pink lines are staring back up at me, laughing their pink little asses off.
How much more shit can be thrown at me?
Shaking my head, I throw the stick on the counter, lean my elbows on my knees, and lower my head. Sadness mixed with happiness mixed with complete and utter devastation envelops me. Kody and I had wanted this for so long, and just my luck—when it finally happens—he’s not here to enjoy it with me. He would have been the bestest dad. Sitting up straight, I rest my palm on my belly and shake my head.
The tears start to fall…again, what an ironic fucking twist of fate this is. Fuck you, Alanis Morrissette and your stupid song. Breaking the silence is a
knock at the bathroom door. “Kasey, you all right in there?” Stacey asks me.
“Yeah,” I sniff. “Be right out.”
Stacey has been with me twenty-four seven since I received the call about Kody. Without her, I don’t know how I would have coped, or returned to Chicago. Without her, I’d still be stuck in Kansas. After that fateful phone call from Branson, she went into savior mode and got me home as quick as she could.
Standing up, I pick up the stick and tuck it into my dress pocket. Lifting my head, I stare at my reflection in the mirror; I don’t recognize the person staring back at me. My eyes are puffy, red, and bloodshot. I have massive black bags under my lashes. I look and feel like shit too, but I guess now I know why…I’m fucking pregnant. The real kick in the guts is that at a time when I’m meant to be over the moon happy, I’m lower than low. In an hour’s time, I’ll be saying goodbye to my fiancé. My best friend. My baby daddy.
Is he still my fiancé if he’s dead?
Opening the bathroom door, I yell, “Hey, Stace, is he still my fiancé if he’s dead?”
She stares at me blankly. “Ummm, I don’t know.”
“What don’t you know?” Branson asks as he walks into my and Kody’s, well my, bedroom.