The Temporary Wife: A Forever Love Story (InterMix)

by Jeannie Moon

  “He wasn’t specific. He and Josh were leaving when I got here. Something about Molly.”

  “I hope she’s okay?”

  “Will and Alicia are morally bankrupt, but they won’t hurt her.”

  “I know, but she was so scared. She was screaming for me, Mom, and I couldn’t help her. I couldn’t do anything.”

  “I know. Oh, honey, I know.”

  Meg was moving to the chair when she heard Jason’s and Josh’s voices—and then, like a miracle, she heard Molly.

  “Mommy!” The pounding footsteps on the stairs were like music. “Mommy! I’m home!”

  “Oh, thank God,” Meg whispered right before Molly charged into the room. She stopped running just before getting to Meg.

  “Are you hurt?”

  “Yes, but I’ll be okay. I can handle a hug.” Meg sat on the bench at the end of the bed and extended her arms to her little girl. “You’re home.”

  “I’m home.” Molly cuddled close, and Meg didn’t care if she ached or not. Having her this close was a miracle after what had happened yesterday. Just when things were getting better for Molly, her grandmother traumatized her.

  Way to go, Grandma.

  Meg’s mother excused herself when Jason entered the room, leaving Meg with the man who changed everything for her. The look on his face was a wash of emotion. That he was home and that Molly was home were the only things Meg could focus on. The pain be damned.

  He sat next to her, and his big hand settled on her spine. She could see he was wary of hurting her, so he gently rubbed up and down, up and down.

  “Told you I’d bring her home.”

  Meg turned toward him and looked up at him, examining his features, admiring his beautiful face, and loving his strong heart. The best part was knowing it was hers forever.

  Meg kissed him and smiled against his mouth. “I love you, Jason, and there’s no doubt about anything.”

  ***

  At night, the quiet finally let Jason think about everything that had happened the last few days. Today, especially, they’d been through hell and back.

  Meg was on her side, asleep, her injured right arm resting on a small pillow between them. He hated that he couldn’t hold her, but her bruised body just couldn’t handle it.

  He was going to go by the junkyard tomorrow and take care of all the paperwork. The car was totaled, and from all accounts, including the EMTs and police who were at the scene of the accident, she was lucky she wasn’t seriously hurt or even killed.

  Her brother came out from the city to gather her personal items from the car and bring them to the house. He’d taken a few pictures, and Jason was glad Meg didn’t remember much. The image of her in that wreck was more than he could handle.

  He could have lost them both. Both her and Molly, for different reasons completely.

  And if that had happened, Jason would have been nothing more than an empty shell.

  He had never understood what people meant when they said they were grounded, but being with Meg, letting himself love her, showed him what it meant. He had what mattered in the people in his life. His business, his self-importance, didn’t mean much if he was all alone.

  “Why are you still awake?” Her voice was quiet, sleepy. “You have to be exhausted.”

  He turned on his side and reached out with his fingers to touch her face. “I am, but I can’t sleep. Too much running through my head.”

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “That I could have lost you.”

  “You didn’t, though. I’m right here. A little banged up, but I’m here.”

  “Next week when you’re feeling better, we should go to the lawyer and tear up all the agreements. I want to be married to you without an expiration date. I don’t even want one on file.”

  “Eh, I don’t know. The prenup is pretty generous.”

  He laughed because he knew she hated all the papers. The day they signed everything, he had thought the documents provided the ultimate protection for a person. He was wrong.

  Protection came from those you loved and those who loved you. From the faith you had in one another.

  “So, when you get better, what do you think about getting started on some siblings for Molly?”

  “Really?” Her smile was so wide, it could have blinded him. “I think it’s a great idea.”

  They settled into silence, and Jason was actually getting sleepy when Meg spoke. Her question caught him off guard.

  “When did you know?”

  “Know what?”

  “That you were in love with me.”

  He thought about it and tried to pin down a moment, some event that made it more real. He came up empty. “Truthfully, I can’t think of a defining moment, because you were always there. You’ve always been my girl.”

  “Oh, Jason.” Meg leaned over tentatively and kissed him. Then it hit her. He saw the light go on, and she made all the connections. “Is that why the boat . . . ?”

  “It took me a while to figure out, but this marriage was never temporary, Meg. You’ve been my girl since you walked into my life.”

  “I’m glad you figured it out.”

  “Me, too.”

  Epilogue

  A little more than a year later

  Meg looked outside at the perfect Sunday unfolding in her front yard. It had been snowing since yesterday, a light pretty snow that just screamed Christmas was coming, and she was tucked inside by the fireplace. A huge Christmas tree filled a corner of the room, while gold and silver decorations adorned the mantel. Meg was planning lessons and sipping some hot chocolate. Molly, her daddy, Uncle Josh, Uncle Kevin, and Aunt Caroline were busy building a snowman.

  The football game had been on in the den and would have stayed on if Molly hadn’t come in the room, stood with her hands on her hips, and declared it was time to play in the snow.

  No one said no to Molly.

  The adoption had become final not long after the new year, and she and Jason had renewed their vows early in the summer at the same vineyard where their wedding had been held. Only this time, there was no need for a big showy wedding.

  They’d limited the second ceremony to family and close friends. There were tables filled with picnic foods, wonderful wines, and delicious sweets, and when it was over, the bride and groom went back to their boat for some time alone.

  A second honeymoon.

  Meg patted her growing belly. “My honeymoon baby.”

  “How’s the snowman coming along?” Her mother came in and sat in the chair next to Meg’s and peeked out at the progress.

  “I think Josh is trying to run the show, Kevin is the muscle, and Caroline and Jason are calculating the size of each section.”

  “They’re arguing?”

  Meg smiled. “Pretty much.”

  Her mom grinned and sipped her tea. “Just like the good old days. The only difference is you would have been out there getting everyone to play nicely together. Kind of like you’ve done with the family.”

  “It’s nice how it all worked out, isn’t it?”

  “What’s Molly up to?”

  Meg looked and saw her daughter’s bright pink jacket flailing around in the snow. “Making snow angels.”

  “I love it.”

  Meg thought about her free-spirited daughter, who seemed to be channeling her own angel. Grace’s spirit was alive and well in their girl.

  Once the adoption was finalized, Molly’s bad dreams pretty much stopped. Every once in a while, Meg would wake up in the morning and find Molly snuggled up in their big bed close to Jason, and she knew there’d been a bad dream. Daddy was Molly’s protector, and if she had a nightmare, he was the go-to guy.

  But she visited less and less, and Meg took pride in the fact that almost two years after losing her parents, Molly was a happy child.

  Meg thought about the people who weren’t with them. Her dad always lingered in her memory, but it was Grace who was occupying her thoughts today. She
knew her friend had loved playing in the snow and she would have been out there making some strange snow building for the snow people to live in.

  Meg missed her and wished she could tell her everything that had happened.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” her mom said.

  “I wish Grace were here. I wish she could see all this.”

  “Honey, she’s always with you. Always.”

  Right then, there was a slight chill, and it would have freaked Meg out a little if Jason hadn’t marched into the room, his hair blown by the wind, his nose and cheeks red, and a smile on his face.

  “Get your jacket and come outside.”

  “Really? It’s cold.”

  “I’ll keep you warm. Molly wants to take a family picture.”

  “Oh, okay. Of the three of us?”

  “Nope—us and our brothers and sister.”

  Her mother smiled. “I need to see this. Let me get my coat.”

  Within a few minutes they were outside, huddled together around a snowman with a red stocking hat. Molly was moving people around like she had a purpose and finally took a few shots with Meg’s mom’s help before they all froze. After a few minutes they were inside, warming up by the fire.

  Caroline pulled out her iPad, and she and Molly downloaded the photos so everyone could see. There was one shot that caught Meg’s attention.

  “That one. That picture looks familiar.”

  Jason leaned in and then sat back. “Wow, that’s weird. Hang on.”

  He left the room and came back with one of the framed pictures he kept on his desk. It was a photograph taken of all of them during the winter almost twenty years ago. They’d been playing in the snow, and right in the middle of the group was Grace, with a red stocking hat.

  Meg looked at the old photo and then the new one and realized her mother was right. The last year had Grace’s hand all over it. She wasn’t there in body, but her spirit was ever present.

  Meg rubbed her belly and had a thought. She leaned into Jason, and he reached out, tucking her securely in the crook of his arm.

  “Jay, I was thinking . . .”

  “Yeah?”

  “If the baby is a girl, we could name her Grace. What do you think?”

  He kissed the top of her head and then sat quietly while the noise around them continued. It was several minutes before Jason looked right in her eyes and kissed her. “It will be like she’s always with us.”

  Warmth spread through her and Meg felt more settled, more at peace, than ever. She knew the naming would be such a small thing, but it would be a constant reminder of all the love in their lives.

  The love that would always be with them.

  Always.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  When a debut author sits down to writer her acknowledgments, it’s a heady thing. But it’s also humbling because it becomes obvious that the idea that “writing is solitary” isn’t really true. It’s not true for me because there are so many people in my life to whom I can give a little piece of this book. They helped make this happen.

  When I started writing, over ten years ago, I brought pieces of my manuscript to two friends. I told them what I started doing and do you know what they did? They didn’t laugh, they didn’t patronize or humor me, they said, “Give it to me; I want to read it.” So, to Liz Bromley and Kathleen Martin—my very first readers—thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ve never forgotten what you did for me as I wound my way through this journey. Without your support, it may well have stopped before it got under way.

  Over the years I’ve had the support of many wonderful writers. My local RWA chapter, the Long Island Romance Writers, has provided me with unwavering support. This wonderful group has made all the difference, providing professional development and the opportunity to perfect my craft. LIRW’s greatest gift to me, however, has been the people—the amazing people I call my writer tribe. You all have done so much to make this happen. But more than anything, your faith and friendship helped me realize that I am good enough.

  Like many other writers, I have a day job. I’m a school librarian and I am fortunate to be able to say I work with the BEST people, starting with my principal, Ed Thompson, who never flinched when I told him I wrote romance and has encouraged me every step of the way. For everyone at High School East, thank you for putting up with me, for reading sections of the book, for bringing me coffee and chocolate, for cheering me on, and most of all for being extraordinary friends.

  School plays and book deadlines don’t mix. Throw in a hurricane, and a technical crisis or two, and you have a recipe for disaster. Jason Pettis went above and beyond his administrative role to keep things from spinning out of control at school during two very crazy months. Thank you for everything; I figure I owe you a lifetime supply of banana bread.

  My library partner-in-crime, Donna DeLuca, has read every word I’ve ever written, multiple times, and was almost as happy as I was when I told her I was finally going to be published. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive friend or a better cheerleader.

  Kim Sundberg, is one of the most dedicated, talented teachers I know and a shining example of the kind of person I want to be. You brought me into your magical theater world and I’ve learned something new from you every day, but above all I’ve remembered that I must follow my bliss. Thank you for always believing in me; you will never know how much it’s meant.

  My friends Myra Platt and Pam Burford have been a source of calm, reason and enthusiasm. From my very first LIRW meeting, you two have been shining the light to help me find my way.

  The Internet is so vast it’s a wonder anyone can find anything, and this is coming from a trained professional! But the Internet gave up two jewels to me once upon a time named Patty Blount and Jennifer Gracen. When I found out you two lived in my neck of the woods, angels sang. My dear writing sisters . . . I don’t have the words to thank you. I just don’t.

  When I think about my agent Becky Vinter, I have to wonder what I did right to have landed on her client list. Thank you for your confidence, your belief in my work, the pep talks, the great feedback and the unwavering support. I could not have done this without you.

  A few years ago, I sent a query letter to an editor who’d read my very first book about a new manuscript I was shopping around. Her assistant, Jesse Feldman, plucked me out of the slush and from that day has championed my work. Now, Jesse is my editor and I’m so excited that we get to travel this road together. Your faith in me is humbling. Thank you.

  Writers are amazing people; they truly understand the meaning of the phrase “pay it forward.” Vicky Dreiling and Kristan Higgins, it’s such a thrill to know you ladies are in my corner. Thank you for all your advice and support over the past few years. You helped me in more ways than you will ever know.

  I’m lucky to call the talented and gracious JoAnn Ross, my mentor and my friend. Incredibly lucky. She’s been a source of kindness and wisdom from the first contact we had through a Yahoo group over ten years ago. She is a true lady and professional and I’ve learned so much.

  My children are no longer children, but adults, and they’ve grown into quite a remarkable crew. I know the hours I spend at my desk may seem strange to you. Then there’s the mumbling, and the late, late nights. Thank you for understanding, for giving me the space I needed and for being proud of me.

  My husband is one of the strongest men I know, but also one of the gentlest. He has a way of helping me see what’s important and putting every trial and tribulation into perspective. He’s my heart, my soul, my very best friend. Tim, you are my love story. Without that, nothing else would matter.

  And to you, dear readers, thank you for being with me as I embark on this new adventure and share my world with you. I hope you enjoy your visit and come back again and again.

  Jeannie Moon’s next Forever Love Story

  UNEXPECTEDLY YOURS

  Will be available November 2013 from InterMix

  Jeannie Moon is
a school librarian who loves that she has a job that allows her to immerse herself in good books and call it work. She lives with her family and a couple of well-behaved dogs and an equally misbehaving cat. This is her first book.