She turns to walk around the corner of the house, and I can’t take my eyes off her. When she makes the turn and is instantly out of sight, I feel as if my heart stops beating altogether.
“Daisy!” I didn’t mean to yell that loud. The entire neighborhood probably heard me.
She pops back around the corner and rushes to me. “Everything’s all right, Rod. Focus on the sound of my voice and taking the next breath. There’s no one around except you and me.”
We ease down to the ground and sit in the shade on the isolated side of the house. She rubs my back in long, soothing strokes. Her soft voice reassures me over and over that what I’m experiencing is nothing to be ashamed of and is perfectly normal.
Nothing about it feels normal, but if I know anything for certain, it’s that she’s the epitome of all that is good and gentle in this world. I cling to that truth until my heart resumes working. Then I lean my head over on her shoulder, close my eyes, and immerse myself in the love and charity she’s giving. I’ll stay right here as long as she’ll allow.
When I feel like myself again, I speak without lifting my head. “That has never happened to me before. I’m sorry I’m ruining your trip home.”
“You haven’t ruined anything. Don’t even think that. Is the worst over now?”
“Yeah, I’m gaining a little clarity of mind again. Thank you for staying out here with me.”
“You’re welcome, but for the record, you never have to thank me for that. I’ve been in your shoes before. I understand all too well how devastating it feels.”
“Your family is the best, Daisy. They’ve welcomed us into their cozy home. Within an hour of meeting them, my family is already part of yours. I’ve failed Juliana and Isabelle… miserably. I believed the material things were what they wanted, what they needed. But seeing their faces today, I realize I’ve not only missed the mark, but I wasn’t even anywhere near the target.
“I don’t know what’ll happen in the coming weeks. I can’t save my sister. I’m facing raising Isa as my own if Jules can’t beat this cancer. She’s growing weaker by the day, even though I try to fool myself into thinking she’s getting better. All I want is to save my sister.”
“Rod, what did I tell you about being too hard on yourself? Do you know what I see when I look at the three of you? A family who loves each other fiercely and would do anything to ensure everyone is taken care of and loved. Your sister and your niece have never doubted your dedication to them, not for one minute. Apparently, you can’t see it, but I see it plain as day. You are everything to them, and they love you with everything they have. If that’s not the sign of a man who did everything right, I don’t know what is.
“Did either of them have a perfect childhood? Of course not, because that’s a fantasy world. It doesn’t exist. None of us have had a perfect life. But they’ve had a wonderful life with you, and they wouldn’t trade that for all the cousins and all the aunts and uncles in the world. They’d take you over all that any day and twice on Sunday.”
All I can do is nod. I have no words.
“Your sister is fighting for her life with everything she’s got. We’ll help her with that fight in every way we can. They have tested me to see if I’m a tissue match for her. I’m just waiting for the lab results to come back and the oncologist’s office to call me. Let’s just take it one day at a time. If I’m not a suitable donor, we’ll have bone marrow testing drives until we find one. Don’t give up on her. She’s not giving up on us.”
“You have my word. I’ll never give up.”
We walk around to the backyard, Daisy playing host and showing me the pool area as we approach the door. More family has arrived in the time we sat outside, and I’m positive our absence was noticed since we weren’t around to greet them. But no one mentions it or seems perplexed as we gather in the large dining room, taking our seats to enjoy the delicious feast already on the table.
We’re all just one big, happy family.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Daisy
After a long day of traveling, spending time with family, and talking Rod off the proverbial ledge, I am wiped out, and it’s not even late afternoon yet.
“I’m going upstairs to take a nap before dinner. I can barely keep my eyes open. What about you two? I can show you to your room if you want to shower, nap, change clothes, or just chill in front of the television for a while.” I look at Juliana and Isa, knowing at least one of them needs to rest.
“That sounds perfect. Lead the way. Come on, Isa. It’s naptime, my little love.”
“Okay, Mommy, but only because you need it more than I do.”
We chuckle at her cuteness as we make our way up the stairs. After getting them squared away in one of the guest rooms, I disappear into my room and fall face-first onto the bed. Just as my eyes close and I feel the warm blanket of sleep overcoming me, my cell rings from inside my purse at the foot of the bed. Since almost everyone I know is here with me, I’m too curious to let it go to voicemail.
When I see the name on the screen, I’m equally scared and excited.
“Hello?”
“Can I speak with Daisy Nash, please?”
“This is Daisy.”
“Hi, Daisy. This is Claire with Morgan Oncology Center.” She goes through the questions to confirm my identity before continuing with her reason for calling. “We got your tissue type results back from the lab today, and it turns out you are a potential match for Juliana. There are a few more extensive tests we’d have to do to ensure you’d be a complete match, but I’m afraid those tests will have to wait.”
“Because of the holidays?” That means the time for a transplant isn’t too far away. A few more weeks and we could be well on our way to a bone marrow transplant for Juliana. This could be the cure she’s been waiting and praying to receive.
“Um, no, not because of the holidays.” Claire hesitates for a moment. “I take it you don’t know then. Daisy, you can’t donate bone marrow at this time because your pregnancy blood test came back positive.”
Read more of Rod & Daisy in All I Need, coming soon! Pre-order your copy today!
Dear Reader,
Thank you for taking the time to read this book. This story has been a long time in the making and has been through several revisions, but I’m finally happy with the outcome. Sharing a book with the world is never easy, but I always hope you’ll love it as much as I do.
These characters have a lot of depth and intricacies not commonly found in romance books. While the storyline is accurate medically and I do my best to maintain that integrity, I employed some creative liberties to ensure the story flows, and it’s easy to read.
With today’s technology advancements, procedures change rather quickly, even with transplants. “Bone marrow transplant” is an older term that may not be used as much as it once was. Today, it’s more commonly referred to as a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but that’s a lot to digest, even inside your head. There are also several more steps in the tissue match process that aren’t depicted here, because that isn’t germane to the story. Siblings aren’t a match as often as you’d think, which is why so many people rely on the bone marrow registry to find a match.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Rod & Daisy so far! There’s much more to come in All I Need, More surprises. More twists and turns. More love. More tears. More fun. More Hot Rod. :)
Lots of love,
Angel
Books by A.D. Justice
Steele Security Series
Wicked Games (Book 1)
Wicked Ties (Book 2)
Wicked Nights (Book 3)
Wicked Intentions (Book 4)
Wicked Shadows (Book 5)
Crossing Lines Series
Fine Line
Blurred Line
Hard Line
The Vault Series
Warning Part One
Warning Part Two
Warning Part Three
The Crazy Series
Crazy Maybe (Book 1)
Crazy Baby (Book 2)
Crazy Love (Book 3, Free Short Story)
Dominic Powers Series
Her Dom (Book 1)
Her Dom’s Lesson (Book 2)
Covis Realm, Easthaven Crest Series
Cloaked
Deceived
Unveiled
Stand—alone Novels
Saving Grace
Completely Captivated
Intent
Mistletoe Not Required
Immortal Envy
Just One Summer
About the Author
A.D. Justice is the award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of several series and stand-alone romance novels in various romance genres, including romantic suspense, contemporary, and paranormal.
When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her alpha male husband in the Northwest Georgia mountains. They’re living out their own HEA, frequently on horseback with a dog in tow.
She is also an avid reader of romance novels, a master of procrastination, a chocolate sommelier, a twister of words, and speaks fluent sarcasm. An avid animal lover, she has two horses, three cats, and two very spoiled dogs.
She loves chatting with her readers. You’re welcome to stalk her across all social media!
Connect with her online!
Newsletter
Facebook Reader Group
Website
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior for His continued forgiveness of a sinner.
To my husband: I love you more than words can convey. I’m grateful for all your ideas and being my sounding board.
To my readers: Every story is personal and important to the author, but you are the reason we share our books with the world. Thank you for your time, feedback, and support. Whether you like, love, or hate the book, know that I appreciate you with all my heart.
To the bloggers: None of this would be possible without your help, support, and tireless pimping. I love everyone in this great group of people. I can’t name one without naming everyone because you’ve all been so helpful and are wonderful people.
To my PA/PR Guru: Autumn, thank you for all your help and support. You are so very much appreciated.
To my friends: Chelle Bliss, thank you for your help with the blurb. Okay, fine. Thank you for writing the blurb! :)
T.K. Leigh, thank you for, well, everything, every day!
Michelle Dare, you are simply the best.
I love you ladies with all my heart!
To my editor and proofreader: Karen and Amy, thank you for taking such good care of my words.
All I Want: Rod & Daisy (All Of Me Duet Book 1) Page 26