by Leddy Harper
I laughed and pulled on his shoulders until his lips met mine again. “You’re right. We should discuss this later.”
Carter Hastings was a three-dimensional man.
He could steal my breath away.
And at the same time, breathe life into me.
EPILOGUE
I stared at the black and white photo on the wall in front of me, remembering it like it was yesterday. Carter and I were in the surf behind the house, his legs bent on either side of me. My head tilted back to rest on his shoulder while his cheek pressed against mine, his hands molded to my round belly. I’d had my hand placed on his with my engagement ring and diamond band glistening in the sun. Waves crashed around us and sand decorated our bodies, the flames on my side a stark contrast to the discolored scars on his.
Carter’s agent had signed a deal for us to do an edition of Healthy Parenting. A photographer had come to the house and spent an afternoon taking shots of us—most of them candid—for the cover of the magazine and the spread. The woman writing the article sat with us while we cooked, and then ate with us. It was almost like having a friend spend the day in our home. In the end, we were given this photo, which wasn’t included in the magazine. We blew it up, framed it, and hung it on the wall in our living room so I could look at it every day.
“That’s my favorite picture of us,” Carter said from behind when he came up and wrapped his arms around me.
“You say that about every picture we take.”
He kissed my shoulder and then whispered into my ear, “That’s because they all have you in them.”
I slapped his arm and pulled out of his embrace. “Is David almost done with his breakfast? We’re going to be late.”
He glanced over his shoulder at our two-year-old who’d been left alone at the kitchen table. “He’s about done. And so is the bottle of syrup.”
“You gave him the entire bottle?” I walked around him and headed for my sticky son, who now needed a bath. “We’ll never make it on time.”
Carter pulled David from his seat and held him at arm’s length. “I tried to put it away, but he cried. You should know better than to trust me with a crying toddler.”
I wanted to be upset, but I couldn’t be. He was right. David had him wrapped around his pinky finger. Carter could put me in my place all day long, but when it came to that little boy with shaggy brown hair like his father and steely blue eyes like me, he caved. Every. Single. Time.
The doorbell rang and I pushed the boys down the hall. “You clean him up. I’ll get the door. It’s probably Tommy and Danni anyway.”
Logan rushed inside, hollering for David. I gave my brother and sister-in-law a hug and then invited them in to wait. “It’ll be a few more minutes. I foolishly asked Carter to get David fed while I finished getting ready.”
“That’s okay.” Danni waved me off. “Your parents are running behind, too. They called us on our way over here and said something about making a stop first. Not to mention, it’s your party. They can’t really start without you.”
“Yeah…but knowing Carter’s mom, she’ll pop the balloon before we get there.”
* * *
We managed to make it to the gym only fifteen minutes late, which was better than I expected. We’d closed it down for the day, and my parents, along with help from Carter’s mom, Danni, and Jeannine, decorated the space with blue and pink ribbons. I was in awe stepping inside and seeing all the hard work. They’d set up the food and games in the main room, keeping the warrior training space and women’s fitness center blocked off. We’d agreed it was safest, considering there were children around.
“Come on, pop it.” Susan handed me the oversized pin and led me to the giant black balloon in the center of the room. “We’ve all made our guesses. It’s time to see what you’re having.”
I glanced around and noticed everyone wearing either a pink or blue clothespin on their shirts—some with two, which I glared at. “What about Carter and me? Don’t we get to guess?”
My husband stepped up to my side and pressed his hand over my enlarged belly. “It’s a girl. I called that the night I put her in you.”
I playfully slapped him, feeling my face flame with the heat of my humiliation. “Carter! My parents are here.”
“So? I’m pretty sure they know how you got pregnant.” He winked at me and wagged his brows. “Now pop it so we can eat cake.”
Rolling my eyes, I held the sharp end of the pin up to the latex balloon and poked it. The loud pop rang out a split second before pink confetti fluttered to the ground. David ran up and hugged my leg as soon as he heard the noise, and Carter picked up him.
With a wide grin and excited voice, he said, “Hey, buddy, guess what? You’re gonna have a baby sister.” He leaned down and kissed me, with our son in his arms and our daughter in my womb.
I had it all.
I had the dreams, the hopes, and the desires.
And Carter had given them to me.
He decimated me.
He loved me.
But above all, he resuscitated me.
Hey You!
Let me see if I can get this all out without forgetting anyone or anything. How much do you want to bet I’ll forget a lot?! The probability is high…as usual.
* * *
My man…I love you more. I love you more because you allow me to live my dream. I’m sure sometimes you question it, especially those times you want to go eat Mexican and I say “give me five minutes” and five minutes turns into a few days, but I know it’s not something you regret. I know this because I see the pride in your eyes when I tell you I’ve finished a book, or when I hit publish, or when I read you a review. You’ve always had faith in me, and for that, I love you. More.
My family…I could not have done this without your support. Mimi and MIL—your enthusiasm over my work is exciting and motivating. Thank you. And my little Hs—the way you three brag about me like I’m some big famous person makes me want to live up to that and never let you down. I love you.
Stephie…my person, my gator. You’re a whore, but I love you anyway. I can’t express how lucky I am to have you in my life. Your words inspire me, your motivation strengthens me, and your friendship ____ me (fill in the blank. I thought it’d be wrong to ask you what word to use, when meaning it for you. So use your imagination and thesaurus and come up with something good.)
Share Bear…you’re a whore.
Joy…remind me to thank you. HAHA. You’re amazing! So glad to have you in my circle. I’d be lost most of the time without you.
Sarah…I’ve written so many of these, and you’ve been in almost all of them (we won’t mention the time I forgot you…shhhh). I’m running out of ways to tell you how appreciative I am for having you in my life. You’re freaking awesome, and I love the crud out of you!
My POS…you’re better than Phil Collins, and that says a lot since I had my first dance with my man to Groovy Kind of Love. You are a Groovy Kind of Friend! Love you!
My ASA ladies…I don’t know how in the world I ever survived before our sisterhood of the traveling TWOTS. Knowing I can say “I need someone to read this stat” and most of you volunteer, and I know the others would if they had time. I love you all!
Tara…your enthusiasm over this cover has had me pumped from the very first time I showed you. And I’m blessed to have had all your help along the way. Thank you so much!
Emily…you’ve been with me from the very beginning, and I’m so glad you haven’t up and left yet. Well, you can’t now. I’m gonna be stuck to you like glue!
Robin…my favorite part of a project is getting back the cover from you. It’s like you just know me. You are amazing and I look forward to MANY more covers from you! Really guys, anyone reading this, Wicked by Design is the best!!
Kristie…suck it.
Kim…my bestie! Where would I be without you?
Biffle…you’re currently eating nachos in front of me. And all I can think of is how g
ood they smell. I still shluv you tho!
My betas…it’s because of you guys, your feedback, that I was able to finish this book. I value every single opinion and take everything into consideration. So thank you so much for giving it to me straight!!
Bloggers, readers, people of the world…Thank you! Seriously, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for giving me the chance to write my stories, and for reading them. I wouldn’t have a job without all of you. For the new readers, thank you for taking a chance on me. For the old readers, thank you for sticking with me. Just…thank you.
About the Author
Leddy Harper had to use her imagination often as a child. She grew up the only girl in a house full of boys. At the age of fourteen, she decided to use that imagination and wrote her first book, and never stopped. She often calls writing her therapy, using it as a way to deal with issues through the eyes of her characters.
* * *
She is now a mother of three girls, leaving her husband as the only man in a house full of females. The decision to publish her first book was made as a way of showing her children to go after whatever it is they want to. Love what you do and do it well. And to teach them what it means to overcome their fears.
Follow Leddy:
@LeddyHarper
author.leddy.harper
www.LeddyHarper.com
[email protected]
Also by Leddy Harper
Home No More
My Biggest Mistake
Falling to Pieces
Take Your Time
Beautiful Boy
Eminent Love