Hidden (A McKenzie Ridge Novel Book 2)
Page 22
Everyone had gathered at Colton and Megan’s to celebrate their engagement, something that had been overlooked given the events that immediately followed the proposal. Declan arrived, but only for a quick goodbye. He had wrapped up in McKenzie and was off to his next adventure, whatever that meant.
“Are you sure you have to leave, Dec boy? It’s nearly Christmas!” Cari pleaded, sounding just like their Irish mother.
He wrapped an arm around her while she wiped a lone tear. “Sorry, Cari, duty calls. I’ve a lot to follow up on. Valdez is out of the picture but not his operation. I’ll be back,” he said, making eye contact with Lydia whose cheeks blushed. “It may be time I start to slow down a bit, find some roots, we’ll see.”
Of course the women in the room didn’t miss her shyness and the desire-laced look Declan passed her. “Interesting!” Evie said sipping her drink. Sam nudged her causing her to spill.
Jessie leaned in to Everly and whispered. “Don’t worry, we’ll get that out of Princess 2.0 later.” She motioned between Lydia and Declan.
Granny had pulled together quite the feast and called them all to the table for grace and their hearty meal, insisting on a plate for Declan to take with him since he couldn’t stay.
Finding his way through the small crowd of kids and animals littering the floor, Colton made it to the front porch where Megan was sitting on the swing, Duke’s head in her lap, and a blanket over him, covering the bandages that wrapped his shoulders. Boss sat at her feet, his head still bandaged to protect his wounded ear, or what was left of it.
“Are you okay?” Colton asked.
She smiled, “I am, just taking a breather.” Her bruises had faded to yellow, cuts and scrapes healed, swelling gone. It seemed healing physically was easier than emotional.
The door opened, Dec crossing through, offering a hand shake and a “bro hug” to Colton.
“Taking off, bro?”
“Yea, duty calls, man.”
Dec reached down and patted Duke and then Boss goodbye. Megan stood to bid him farewell, her eyes full. He hugged her tight and said, “Take care of yourself, and that sister of yours, she’s a handful, good luck!”
She laughed at the humor he used to break up the overwhelming emotion surrounding them. “Seriously, if you guys need anything, anything at all, you call me!”
“Okay,” she said with a nod, wiping the tears that insisted on falling. His leaving was the final chapter of her old life, and the beginning of her freedom to be who she was meant to be.
Colton held Meg close while they waved their friend goodbye.
“He’ll be back; did you notice how he looks at Lydee?” Colton laughed.
A bewildered look crossed her face, “Really?”
“Really. So tell me what’s dancing around in that pretty head of yours?”
“It’s all good things! I promise! Just so many changes the past few weeks. I’m so glad to have Lydee back. Glad Jax has his mama, but I’m going to miss being his temporary mama,” she admitted. “Who knew, I want to be a mom!” She laughed at herself as if her admission was an odd desire.
“Oh, baby. They’ll be next door. He’ll be here all the time. Maybe we need to think babies…” Colton wiggled his eyebrows and gave her a naughty grin and wink.
“Maybe.” She laughed. “Let’s start with those animals you promised.”
He kissed her sweetly and said, “I love you Meg, with everything that I am.”
“I love you too, forever.”
He turned her around, hands on her shoulders and led her to the door.
“Now let’s get in there, eat, and get rid of everyone so we can start practicing for those babies!” He smacked her ass, earning a joyful laugh that settled in his heart.
“There you are!” Someone called out and the room erupted in cheers.
He finally had his hallmark moment. Colton just began his happily ever after…
THE END
Other Books by Stephanie St. Klaire
Rescued: A McKenzie Ridge Novel
Click here to Purchase for: Kindle
Just as the walls start to come down, boundaries are redefined, and things heat up, then tragedy hits the small mountain town of McKenzie Ridge.
Sexy EMT Dawson Tayler made hearts break, and panties melt with a single look. Far from home, in the charming tourist town, he lives a simple life his family would be appalled by – if they were alive. Dawson suddenly finds his satisfying life, emotionless as it was, changing the night he nearly loses her.
The storming ball of fire, that is Nurse Sam Taylor, defined the word fighter. At five feet and a handful of inches, beautiful Sam was kind, giving, and a complete hard ass. Abandonment was a lesson Sam learned early on, leaving her with a hardened heart as a result. Men were as necessary as a hang nail and weren’t part of her plan, until him.
After months of shameless flirting, and generating steam everyone in their circle could see but them, the unlikely couple agreed to a friend’s only breakfast that turned into every morning – for weeks. Committed to the single life, this was not a relationship, and they definitely were not dating.
Does Dawson’s past and present collide and ruin what they have built? Will her secret be the deal breaker that ends this affair, before it even begins? Their steamy romance rushes through suspenseful twists, turns, and malice. Will Dawson and Sam find a happily ever after, or, is there someone else lurking in McKenzie Ridge trying to destroy it all?
About Stephanie St. Klaire
Stephanie St. Klaire debuted as an author in 2016 with her McKenzie Ridge Series. Rescued, released in March of 2016 as the first book in a five book series, launched her writing career. Stephanie is a Pacific Northwest native currently living in Oregon with her husband, five children, and two ferocious lap dogs.
As a writer, Stephanie brings realistic circumstances to the pages, and fills them with real emotion, reactions, and outcomes. Her characters are passionate, have bold personalities, and full of life. She writes happily ever after’s, with plenty of twists, turns, drama, and of course, steamy romance.
Stephanie has always been a story teller, with the gift of “gab”. With a life-long goal to be a writer, unfortunate circumstances with her health, finally afforded her the time to do so. Irony at its best, she began writing her first novel at an adverse time, to escape her circumstance and explore the stories in her imagination for relief. She is happy to share those stories with her readers, and bring a little fun, entertainment, and of course smexy characters to the pages.
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