“Did you take care of everything on your end? Did you get to see your mom?” Lucky asked.
Baby Jade shook her head. “Ma’Linn didn’t think it was a good idea right now. Apparently, she’s been having a difficult time. Other than that, it’s all good.”
“And you’re still good with taking off?”
Leaning into him, Baby sealed his mouth with her own, leaving a long kiss on his lips.
His wide eyes made her heart flutter. She silently prayed she would always have that effect on him as he adjusted himself. “I guess that’s a yes.”
“Yes.” The one word lingered.
Lucky walked around the clean apartment and checked all the windows. She turned off the air unit and grabbed her backpack.
“Ready?” Lucky asked sounding like a kid heading off to Disneyland.
“Absolutely.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Baby Jade
Five Weeks Later
Baby Jade paced the small rectangular bathroom. Trying to pass the time, she started counting the tiny seashells on the peeling wallpaper, arriving at 152. The quaint motel was nestled on a semi-private beach in Malibu.
Lucky had spent the last month courting her across the country. They finally made their way to California, settling into a small motel in Malibu right on the coast. Every day was like a honeymoon. They spent their days riding and exploring new areas, and their nights making love under the stars, in the sand, and anywhere else they could find.
Lucky told her about the day at Gauthier. She held him while he grieved the loss of his child, and essentially, his parents. Later it was his turn to console her while she opened up about her own loss, emptying the torturous vault into his lap. Now they helped carry one another’s burdens. They were no longer alone, and their demons were no longer scary.
The only thing they hadn’t discussed is when they would return to the city, not that Baby wanted the fairytale to end. And she definitely wasn’t in a hurry to return to the war zone.
But now, everything would change, all at the drop of a hat. She hadn’t bothered to tell Lucky what she was doing, not wanting to toy around with his emotions.
Things were perfect, possibly too perfect. They’d had small little arguments, nothing major. Baby assumed it was bound to happen when you take two loners and pair them up in a tiny motel room, but overall, it was everything Baby dreamed it would be. Still, in the back of her mind, she feared it would all fall apart. Maybe Lucky would get tired of her or find someone with less baggage.
However, day after day, he continued to shower her with affection. He told her she was beautiful at the times she needed to hear it most. He listened attentively when she talked, made her feel like her emotions were valid, never judged hearing about things she had done in her past.
They took their time making their way to California, stopping at historical markers and tourist attractions. Baby was sure Lucky had seen it all before, but he was happy to indulge her since she had never been far from New Orleans.
All these years, after interactions with hundreds, if not thousands of men, Baby Jade never knew men like Lucky existed. She had come to enjoy the low maintenance lifestyle, no makeup, jeans, and t-shirts, lunch on the beach or some hidden dive. She managed to put back on the weight she had lost after detoxing and liked the way her body filled out her toned frame.
Baby inhaled, holding a deep breath. She had been in the bathroom for at least twenty minutes. It was time to bite the bullet. She glanced in the mirror and tucked a few stray tendrils of ebony hair behind her ear. She noticed her skin was darker than normal from tanning on the beach, making her green eyes pop more.
It’s exactly how she remembered looking in her dreams.
She pulled a long sleep shirt over her head and placed her hand on the bathroom knob, stopping short to gather her emotions. Finally pulling open the door, her knees went weak when she noticed that Lucky was already awake. He was propped up against the headboard watching Fast and Loud on the small flat screen.
“Hey, babe. You’re up early. How’d you sleep?” Lucky beamed at her, as he did every morning.
“Like a rock. You?”
“I always sleep like a baby when you’re next to me.” Lucky drank from a Styrofoam cup. “Want some coffee?” he asked, throwing back the comforter. Seeing him still naked made her lose her train of thought. If she didn’t spill soon, she would end up jumping his bones. Morning proved to be her favorite time of day.
“No!” Baby threw her hands up. “I’m good. Stay there. I want to talk.”
“Can’t you talk over here?” Lucky raised an eyebrow and patted his lap.
Baby giggled. He knew how to get what he wanted. “No, I’m going to stay over here.”
His face creased. “Ok, you’re worrying me. What’s up?”
Baby took a small step toward him, making sure to still keep her distance. She tried to put on her serious face, but couldn’t stop from shaking. She slid the long t-shirt up over her boy shorts.
Lucky shot upright and before he could speak, she put a finger up to her lips, signaling him to remain quiet. His eyebrows furrowed, puzzled. She tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth to keep from crying as hot tears stung her eyes.
She balled the shirt up under her breasts with one hand and placed the other over her abdomen. She watched Lucky’s gaze follow her arm as she dropped it to her side. The look of awe crossed his face. His mouth fell open and his eyes became round saucers.
He looked like he tried to speak, but couldn’t form words. He pointed and made a garbled sound. Baby took it as a question and nodded, tears now flowing freely down her face.
She had managed to sneak out when they were preparing for the Catalina sunset cruise and bought a handful of tests. Baby wanted the results to be as accurate as possible. Taking the last test this morning and realizing that all five came back positive, Baby knew it was time to share the news.
Lucky flew out of the bed, landing in front of her and falling to his knees. He wrapped his arms around her trim waist and planted soft kisses along her belly, right where she had drawn a lipstick heart and the words “Baby on Board.”
Could this finally be their happily ever after?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Gutter Princess was a title long before it was conceived into a novel. That’s not uncommon with my writing style. However, this one seemed to garner attention quickly. People pushed me, begging to see what would come of the cheeky title. To those people, I give a hearty thank you. Your enthusiasm pushed me over hurdles and obstacles in ways I never expected.
Thank you to the amazing Swoon Romance family. I am, without a doubt, blessed in the publisher department. I mean just look at that cover! Scorching!
I have a plethora of people in my life to offer gratitude and endless hugs. Thank you to DeLaine Roberts, Abbie St. Claire, and Kelly Collins for always being a solid source of encouragement and family. Thank you to Pj Nusbaum, Bonnie Bracken, Nikki Lynn Barrett, and Megan Moffat for being the best group of Winos a gal could ask for.
As always, thank you to the Purple Cobras: Misty, DeAnna, and Charissa. Each of you are a driving force in my life. Thank you to my girls, Haleyann and Hannah. I never knew what true inspiration was until my wee chicklets taught me.
Last, but never least, to the man who gave me the moon. Daniel, I’m counting down to that date under the stars. D+K
KIMMIE EASLEY
Kimmie grew up traveling the country, rarely settling in one place for much longer than a minute. She and her husband Daniel, along with their two daughters, have now made East TX their home.
Kimmie is addicted to sweets, books, Diet Coke, chocolate, and flip flops. She is a homeschool momma, southern wife, and pug wrangler.
Kimmie can be found somewhere in the south writing wine worthy stories.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Acknowledgements
About the Author
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Gutter Princess Page 17