Unwanted

by Leigh Lennon

  “Your husband made this happen,” Jolie said as I take Reagan from her hands. Within ten seconds, Aspen grabs my legs, pulling on my dress and crying for me. Aww, she’s jealous of me holding another baby. As narcissistic as this is, it makes me happy. I look down, sitting on the bed, bringing Aspen close to Reagan. “I’m still your Mommy; this is Reagan.” Aspen tries to say Reagan, and it comes out like Waygon. I laugh and kiss her on the forehead. “That’s right, sweetie.”

  Jolie walks over to the bed. “This is Aspen. Wow, she looks just like you, Emma.”

  I keep on looking at Jolie when I finally say, “Jolie, without you and your tough love, this would’ve never been possible.”

  Bringing me in for an embrace, she says, “Happiness looks good on you, Emma.”

  Picking up Aspen and placing her on my lap, I only reply, “Motherhood looks good on me, too.”

  Bonus Epilogue

  Hannah Davis

  Being new to town, I realize I must be willing to move on from the past and make a go of a real life, one where I don’t allow demons to command my every move. Choosing to move closer to family, I know it is time to let go of the horrible choices of my father and begin to live again with Jake by my side.

  I’m still unpacking in the living room when something catches my attention from my peripheral vision. “Jake, I thought your neighbors were a married couple with older children?”

  “They are, Hannah. They are hosting a wedding at their house today.” He laughs, joining me at the window. “Are you spying on my neighbors?”

  “Well, I guess so a bit. And yes, I wasn’t sure what they were doing today, but there were a bunch of cars there. But I keep on seeing a man in his mid-to-late thirties with younger kids.” I point out the window to a man who is loading his kids in a classic cherry red Mustang. Jake looks out at where I’m pointing.

  “Oh, that is a good friend of Justine’s. His name is Ryan. He’s a single dad.”

  “Oh, really? I see.” I am now curious.

  “I think he’s more Justine’s age, closer to his mid-forties.”

  “No, that can’t be possible,” I say, ogling the good-looking man comforting his daughter, who looks as if she has fallen and hurt herself. Justine now joins them, and I watch my brother’s eyes when Justine walks outside. “Still watching the merchandise?” I ask, knowing full well how he fell for her years ago.

  “Not anymore. Anyway, I think I have enough on my plate, don’t you think, Hannah?” Laughing at the current state of his life, I only agree. Looking at me, he finally says, “Well, I only met him a couple of times, so I guess I could be wrong. Why, are you interested?”

  “I’m not sure. There is just something about him. I guess I have been so focused on my career, but now that I’m established in my field, I’m ready to start looking for that special someone,” I say cautiously as those demons are trying to talk me out of a normal life.

  “Well, let me know. I know she worries about him.” He seems to want to share more about this good-looking friend of his neighbors, but he stops. “By the way, I am sure he is not seeing anyone.” He gives me a casual smile, knowing me too well.

  “So, do you know anything else about this Ryan?”

  “Not much, except he owns a mint condition ’66 Mustang, and he owns his own business, restoring cars. But I know Justine is pretty forward, so if you want her to set you up, I can ask her.”

  “No, it’s time I start taking my life into my own hands. That is why I moved here, you know.”

  My brother laughs at me. “And I thought it was to be near your older brother.”

  “Oh, that, too.” I walk over and slug him. “Yes, I couldn’t stay away from you, nerd,” I tease as I look out the window at the first guy who has caught my attention in a very long time.

  Want to know about Ryan since losing Lorelei? Watch out for his story in Unknown coming May of 2018.

  Things I Learn Along the Way

  First, I want to take a second to recap a subject that is lighthearted concerning the spelling of Whisky or Whiskey as is shown in Unwanted.

  In my first book, Unfiltered, Nick had a love for expensive whisky, normally from Scotland. In this book, Tyler talks about Nick drinking his Canadian whisky. In researching that I do for all my books, my discovery led to two different types of spelling for this word. I went to the wonderful internet and asked why there were two spellings for whiskey/whisky. What I found made me laugh. Basically, the large countries that are responsible for whisky/whiskey production are Canada, Ireland, Japan, Scotland and the United States. In these five countries, Japan, Scotland and Canada do not have an e where Ireland and America have an e in whiskey. So, if you think I may have spelled whisky wrong, believe me, I agonized over the spelling for quite a while. (Plus, I drink Canadian whisky, so I am a bit partial). Anyway, I had a friend tell me, “You don’t spell whisky, you drink it!” This is true! I can attest to that!

  Next is a little more serious. Post-Partum is never something to be ashamed of. I wrote this book to empower women to understand that each journey into motherhood is so very different. I once had a wise friend say, “Motherhood is so difficult, I don’t know why we have to make matters worse for a mom if we don’t agree with their methods. As long as they can take care of their children and provide them a safe home, we should all applaud the moms out there, because it’s the hardest job a woman will have.” I loved this and I needed to hear it at the time. I hope this too can be an encouragement!

  About the Author

  Leigh Lennon is a mother, veteran, and wife of a cancer survivor. Originally with a degree in education, she started writing as an outlet that has led to a deep passion, writing twelve books. Now ready to publish all of them, she lugs her computer with her as she crafts her next story. Her imaginary friends become real on her pages as she creates a world for them. She loves pretty nails, spiky hair and large earrings. Leigh can be found drinking coffee or wine, depending on the time of the day.

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  www.authorleighlennon.com

  authorleighlennon@gmail.com

  Unfiltered

  Justine

  I never will get my happy ending. With my past threatening to ruin the possibility of love in my future, I keep every man at arm’s length. Nick appears out of thin air, becoming a part of my life instantly, leaving me breathless and wanting more. The pain that haunts me is still present, but Nick is worth the risk. When he promises me forever; can I trust him?

  Nick

  Justine makes me see that a forever is in reach with her. She keeps telling me she is hard to love; yet I find it quite easy. Once I break down her walls, she finally lets me in. But, I have a secret of my own which can expose her to the demons that destroyed me in the past. However, with Justine, I will do anything and everything to make her mine.

  Unfiltered

  Justine and Nick’s Story

  Justine

  If I close my eyes, my children’s empty rooms taunt me. In a split second, motherhood has been stripped from my soul. Before I have a chance to explode at my ex-husband, he opens his mouth, and my desire to seize the fire poker and rip out his eye sockets is real.

  “Justine, you’re controlling! If I don’t get our kids away from you, you’ll crush them. Your approach is pushing them away. Rose came home today crying because you called her a floozy. And did I understand you right? You called Kai a pothead?”

  “Funny how they’re suddenly our fucking kids, when for the last eight years, they’ve been my sole responsibility.” By the time I finish my sentence, I’m screaming.

  The vase near my hand beckons me to throw it at my ex-husband’s head; my hands clench against the urge to smash it against his arrogant face. My breath quickens to short gasps. Beads of sweat race down my face, and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end.

  In the midst of our showdown, his smug smile leaves me with a des
ire to slap him.

  “You can fight me on this, but you won’t win, not now. They’re sixteen and seventeen, and their preferences will sway a judge’s decision!” he yells.

  Fear grips me that he may be right. “And when did you graduate from law school?” I ask sardonically as the blood rushes through my head. Fury swells in my gut and anger clutches my chest. I feel as empty as my bank account was the day I left Rafe. How dare he threaten me like this? “And yes, I called Rose a floozy. She’s sleeping with Jones to get attention. Maybe she needs your fucking attention since all your effort has been focused on your new family, instead of the one we started almost eighteen years ago.”

  “Oh, this again.” Rafe unloads arrogance in the way only the president could pardon Richard Nixon. “I know, I know, Justine. You use my family as a reason for hating me more and more every time you dump on me.”

  I hate Rafe Hernandez, but I also love him in a way I can never articulate. It might have something to do with the two children who want to disown me in this moment.

  They own me, though the emptiness they’ve left in my heart mocks me.

  “Abuse is not just physical harm, you know,” he retorts.

  His vicious accusations prompt me to grab the vase and pitch it just left of his head. My aim is good, and if I’d wanted, I would have hit the son of a bitch.

  “You were an ass when we were married, but now, there’s nothing I can say.” I spin around as a single tear falls from my eye. I don’t need him thinking I’ve turned soft through the years. My voice is now raspy from all the screaming.

  “Again, this is really mature, Justine!” His arrogance is gone. In a split second, in my anger, I walk toward him. Like the wimp he is, he scurries away from me. He seems almost scared.

  Yes, be very scared of me, Rafe Hernandez. You just poked a mother bear, and now I’m fucking enraged.

  Before I retreat into my lonely house, I find eyes peeled on me. In all the excitement of Rafe, I’d forgotten a new neighbor was moving in today. Part of me should be embarrassed, as if I am being judged, but I am nothing if not transparent.

  “Well, that was the welcoming party. Sorry, I guess he doesn’t want to celebrate with us.” It’s rude, but the climate of our relationship should be established right now. If my snippy words fail, maybe slamming the door will work. Sooner rather than later, my neighbor needs to know what a bitch I am. I certainly don’t want him borrowing sugar from me at all hours or trying to be neighborly.

  Nick

  “Do you want to tell me what’s on your mind now or can I get dressed first?” I ask my strong-minded daughter as I lean against the back of the couch. I am glad Justine has become acquainted with the number one lady in my life. I have loved her without fault since the day they placed this bundle of sweetness in my arms, but she is a bit challenging to say the least.

  “Dad, you just moved here. How can you know her well enough to let her come in here and help herself as she pleases?”

  “Emma, I am the dad here. You forget sometimes.” My tone is playfully stern. “But if you have to know, there is something about this woman. It may sound cliché but I would like to see where this can go.” I don’t owe her an explanation, but she may act better with one. At least, I can hope.

  “I walked in and she’s having a shot of your expensive whisky and it’s not even noon.”

  “Well, good, I’m glad. She had a bad dream, so awful I had to wake her up. She apparently needs to calm her nerves.”

  “She slept here?” Her eyes bug out, as though they are about to pop from her sockets.

  “Look outside, my dear. Do you think she can sleep over there? Tyler, am I going to get any help from you, son?”

  “Well, babe, she’s an attractive lady. Your dad has needs.”

  Clearing my throat, I laugh. “Son, that is not really what I was talking about.” I can’t fault Ty. He obviously has great taste in women, he married my daughter after all, but Tyler adds humor to all situations. Looking at Emma, her hands are now firmly placed on her hips, trying to show authority in this relationship. “Listen, Ems, you have always been a grade-A bitch to every woman I have dated. I ask you to cut this woman some slack. I can tell she’s different, and if I'm being honest, I think she might give you a run for your money in the bitch department.” Most may fault me for referring to my daughter as a bitch but it is more a fact than a put down.

  “Is that possible?” Tyler asks.

  Emma looks from side to side as if she’s at a tennis match. Finally throwing in the towel to this argument, she looks at us. “You both are assholes, but I’m stuck with you,” she grumbles, turning to Tyler. “Let’s go.” Being the strong-minded girl I am so proud of, she stomps away without another word to me.

  As they walk out, Tyler looks back at me, gives me two thumbs up, and shouts enthusiastically, “Way to go, Nick!”

  Want to get caught up on Justine and Nick?

  Unfiltered is available now on Amazon.

  Unfiltered

  Unacquainted

  Rose

  One night was all I could offer to a man I barely knew. I intended to return to my perfectly planned life, but now he is back and with him the reminder of the irrefutable connection we shared.

  It’s still there.

  I crave him.

  One night may unravel my perfect plans as I find myself at a crossroad between security and desire.

  Brody

  One night, that was all she could give me. Yet here I am back in her life as fate has intervened. When I first saw her in that form-fitting red silky dress,

  I was captivated.

  She owns my heart.

  As I set out to make her mine, she has to choose between her past and future. I don’t think I will survive if her choice isn't me.

  Unacquainted Excerpt

  Rose

  “Really, Brody? I’m going to look hideous in this. I’m not this Skinny Minnie like Jane or Lila.” I’m tall, taking after my dad and not my mom. A size two would not look right on my five-foot-ten frame. Brody looks at me with an amused look on his face.

  “Rose, you forget I have seen you naked, I think you can pull it off just fine.”

  “You are telling me this was all they had?”

  “It’s February, slim pickings.” Pleading the fifth, his smile is not fooling me.

  “Oh, sure, whatever. Let me hop in the shower. I should have made you wear a speedo.”

  “Sorry, they certainly didn’t have any of those, either.” Giving me the rest of what I have asked for, he continues with a cocky grin. “Listen, I will wait for you and we can go down together. When we are done we can get cleaned up and order a pizza and some beer, or sorry, OJ.”

  When we near the pool, I take my jacket off and Brody stops in his tracks. I see he is technically walking forward, but is turned around watching me. When he gets closer to the pool, I don’t say a word and just stand there, waiting for him to fall in the pool, which he does. I can’t stop laughing at him when he’s standing in the pool, shaking the excess water out of his hair. He swims over to the side where I am standing, places his hands on the cement and looks at me. “Never doubt how good you look, you single-handedly are responsible for my fall in this water.”

  “Are you all right?” I’m still laughing.

  “Yes, the ego is just a tad bruised.” Pulling himself out of the water, he comes up behind me and puts his arms around my waist, touching my stomach. “I’m sorry, I’m just trying to find a way to touch your belly. Rose, I feel close to you and very comfortable with you.”

  I see him watching every move I make when I walk down the steps to the pool. “Hey, Brody, this is the way you get in the pool,” I tease.

  I see something on his face and kidding time is over. He jumps in, swimming next to me, pulling me in for a hug. “The second I found out you were carrying my baby, I realized how that bond could connect two people.”

  “I know what you mean,” I say as he backs a
way from me, giving me the space he has promised.

  After swimming for a little bit, we sit on the steps of the pool as Brody watches me with an intense longing. I do want him.

  Brody

  When we stop a couple of hours up the road to fill up my tank, she asks me to get her a bag of Skittles. “Ah, you have a little sweet tooth about you,” I tease.

  When we get back on the freeway, I notice she has poured all her Skittles out on her lap into a handkerchief I assume she had in her purse. “What in the world are you doing, Toots?” I ask.

  Looking at me, she only smiles. “I have to eat my Skittles in color order,” she says as if this is common sense.

  “And what is color order?” I ask, not knowing there is indeed an etiquette to eating Skittles.

  “It’s rainbow order, silly. Red first, then orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.” She scoffs at me and I’m not sure how to even respond to her. My girl is a little quirky. Quirky has never bothered me before.

  “Well, now that I know I have been doing it wrong all these years, I will be following suit, Toots,” I tease but she doesn’t say much, just smiles at me while she eats all the red Skittles, one at a time, before moving onto the next color.

  Want to get caught up on Rose and Brody?

  Unacquainted is available now on Amazon

  Unacquainted

  The Last Breath