Delicate Promises

by Kelly Elliott

  Staring out the window, I watched as a bird flew to the railing on the balcony and sang its morning song to me. A song that served as a delicate promise to the world that we’d been given another day. A second chance. What a beautiful gift indeed.

  Kynslee

  One year later…

  MILES RODE UP on his horse and jumped off before the mare even had a chance to come to a full stop.

  “Are you trying to kill yourself, you idiot!” I said, my hand resting on my very pregnant belly. I couldn’t help but take in the delicious way my husband looked in his well-worn jeans and cowboy boots, a dirty, light blue T-shirt, and a his ever-favorite black cowboy hat. My insides clenched with desire. Maybe I could talk Miles into making love to me, to speed things up a bit. He’d probably go for it. He went for it last night, and this morning. The fun thing about being pregnant had been all the different positions we had sex in. Of course, feeling Miles place his hands on my stomach as he moved inside me had to be one of my favorite things in the world. That and peanut butter and bananas on sourdough toast.

  “Where is he? I swear to you, Kynslee, I’m going to make him into a chicken dinner if he makes you fall!”

  I tried to hide my smile as I watched Miles look for Rowdy.

  “Miles, he didn’t mean to get into the house. When Whiskey chased after him, it simply scared me, that was all. I’m totally fine, and Rowdy is back in the chicken coop. Honestly, I wish he’d scared this baby out, I’m ready for her to make her appearance and stop kicking me in the ribs.”

  Miles was looking all around but stopped and gazed up at me standing on the porch. A look of pure concern and love washed across his face and made me fall even more in love with him.

  “You feeling okay today?”

  With a half shrug, I said, “Meh.”

  He frowned. “What does meh mean, Kyns?”

  I felt another contraction and pulled in a deep breath as I held up my finger for Miles to hold on. He stared at me with a befuddled expression.

  Fifteen minutes apart.

  “I’ve been having contractions. Every fifteen minutes.”

  Miles’s face went white as a ghost. “What? Did Rowdy do that?”

  Laughing, I shook my head. “They started earlier this morning, after our little position experiment in the kitchen.”

  Miles smiled as if remembering this morning. Then he raced up the steps and placed his hand on my stomach. Excitement danced in his eyes. I was just as excited, and if I was being honest, a little on the scared side.

  “Lilly June is on her way?”

  I grinned. When we found out we were having a girl, we had decided to name her the same name Miles had dreamt about the night before our wedding. Lilly June. We both loved it and thought of it as a sign from June.

  “I think she’s getting close to being on her way. I called the doctor’s office and they told me once the contractions get longer than a minute or every four to five minutes apart we should head in.”

  “Okay, so right now they’re fifteen minutes apart.”

  “Want to fool around a bit and see if we can make them come faster?”

  His brows lifted. “Would that help?”

  “I’m desperate for anything to speed this along.”

  “Gee, thanks for that, princess.”

  I ran my finger over his chest. It was soaked with sweat, and it turned me on.

  “Kyns, I need to take a shower.”

  “You take a shower, I’ll wait for you in bed.”

  “Deal!” Miles said, kissing me on the lips, then rushing into the house.

  By the time I waddled into our bedroom and managed to get undressed, I’d had another contraction. This one was stronger, and I had to stop and do some breathing. Nothing terrible, though.

  Miles walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around me. The baby kicked his hand and we both laughed.

  “I think Lilly is wanting some more room, as well,” Miles said, kissing my neck and moving his hand lower on my stomach. I leaned into him, the feel of his strong body holding me up. I’d never get tired of Miles touching me.

  His mouth went to my ear where he whispered, “Put your leg up on the bench, princess.”

  I did as he asked. He had to move to the side, since my large belly kept him from being able to reach all the way around. Once he started playing with my clit, I knew it wouldn’t take long. I could feel the orgasm building, and I needed it desperately.

  “Faster, Miles. God, I need to come.”

  He slipped his fingers inside me, rubbing right where he knew I liked it.

  “Yes. That’s it. I’m so close.”

  When he pressed against my clit, I nearly exploded. My eyes closed, and I saw stars bursting from behind my lids.

  “Oh, God! Miles!”

  “Jesus, Kyns, you’re soaking. You really did need that orgasm.”

  My eyes snapped open, and I thought for a moment I had peed.

  “God, I want inside you, now,” Miles whispered against my ear.

  He went to move me to the bed, but I didn’t move. I looked down and gasped.

  “My water broke.”

  “I know, princess. I’m going to… Wait, what did you say?”

  Lifting my gaze to meet his, I covered my mouth and started to cry. “My water just broke.”

  Miles stared like he suddenly didn’t understand English.

  “Miles, did you hear me?” I asked with a half sob, half chuckle. “Lilly is on her way! Our daughter is coming.”

  He shook the shock away and placed both hands on my stomach. A single tear slipped from his eye and made a path down his cheek. “I am never going to look at giving you an orgasm the same way again.”

  He kissed me softly on the lips, then quickly helped me get dressed. We called the doctor, Jen, and then my parents as we made our way to the hospital. Miles never left my side and things moved quickly once we got settled into a room.

  Right before midnight, on the day of our one-year wedding anniversary, our beautiful daughter, Lilly June Warner, was born and placed on my chest. I stared in disbelief at her. With tears streaming down my face, I held her to me.

  “My sweet baby girl,” I whispered, taking in every single inch of her. The nurse took her, cleaned her up and handed her to Miles. I watched as my husband cried tears of joy while staring at our little girl.

  “You’re beautiful just like your mommy.” Miles kissed her gently on the forehead, then placed her into my arms. “She’s perfect in every single way, Kyns.”

  I nodded. “She is.”

  Leaning over, I kissed her and whispered, “Hey there, Lilly June. We’re so happy you’re here.”

  Miles sat on the bed and wrapped his arm around me and gently ran his finger down our daughter’s cheek.

  I glanced up and our eyes met. Miles wiped a tear away and winked at me. “Let the next adventure begin.”

  Look for Divided Interests, the next book in the Southern Bride series, coming early 2020.

  One house. Two owners.

  Paige Miller has inherited a house in the small town of Johnson City, Texas. She’s elated to be back and has already started making plans to remodel the one-hundred-year-old home exactly how she remembered it as a little girl. There’s only one problem.

  Lucas.

  The moment Lucas Foster sees the old home sitting on fifty acres of prime land, he has one thing on his mind. Sell it. However, there is one obstacle literally standing in the way of his plan.

  Paige.

  Seeing Paige in the doorway of his grandfather’s old home instantly brought back the feelings he once had for her. The dream of one day marrying her and raising a family in this very house.

  Neither is willing to budge on what they want, and soon find themselves living together in the old home.

  The house uncovers many old and hidden secrets, and Paige quickly discovers that it wasn’t a mistake they both inherited the house. It was fate.

  Look for the first book i
n the Meet Me in Montana series, coming from Montlake Romance this December 10, 2019.

  Chapter One

  * * *

  “DADDY, WHEN WILL you be home?”

  My eyes closed, and I pulled in a slow, deep breath. I was positive the cracking sound coming from the vicinity of my chest was my heart breaking in two. Yet again. I hated that I was on the road and away from my son as much as I was, but I was trying to build our future. I only needed to bull ride, and win, for another year or two. I had plenty of money saved up, but if I could get at least one more championship under my belt, I would be guaranteed endorsements, and my son would always be taken care of.

  Just a few more years of this, and then I can stop.

  “I’ll be home Monday, buddy. I know I’ve been gone a couple of weeks. I had some things I had to do for work.”

  “That swucks.”

  “Blayze Brock Shaw!” I heard my mother shout.

  I forced myself not to laugh and could only imagine the look on my mother’s face as my five-year-old son cursed. The result of being around my older brother, Ty, most likely.

  “Blayze, you know better than to say a bad word,” I scolded. “That’s no way for a gentleman to talk.”

  “But Uncle Ty and Uncle Tanner say that word all the time, Daddy. Why can’t I say it? You said so yerself: I’m a big boy.”

  Sighing, I raked my fingers through my damp hair. “You are a big boy; you’re right. But you’re still not allowed to say bad words. Now, you apologize to Grams before she washes your mouth out with soap.”

  “Again? I’m outa here, Daddy!” my son exclaimed.

  I heard the phone drop and the sounds of his retreating cowboy boots taking him far away from my mother. I couldn’t help the smile on my face as I heard Mom pick up the phone and call after Blayze in his mad dash to get away.

  “Brock, that boy of yours is going to drive me to drinking.”

  “What did he mean again, Mama?”

  “He got himself a mouthful of Ivory soap last night when he told Rose Monroe to go suck it after the PTA meeting. Of course, he throws a w in the word suck and has to make it sound all cute.”

  This time, I did laugh.

  “Brock Shaw, it is not funny.”

  “I’m sorry. I really am, Mama. You have to admit, though, it’s pretty funny, and I’m sure he’s heard you say it about Rose a time or two.”

  When she replied, I heard the smile in her voice, and I ached to be home. Stella Shaw was the type of woman who would do anything for anyone, but piss her off, and my mama could be a bear.

  “Well, I’ve never said it to her face. And, yes, it was a bit funny. Especially when that uptight woman tried calling me out in front of the entire PTA last night about you not being around to raise your own child.”

  Ouch. That hurts.

  “You still feuding with her?” I asked.

  “No. Yes. Maybe. Hell, I don’t know. The woman talked bad about my son. That type of thing doesn’t go unpunished, friend or no friend. She crossed a line when she insulted you.”

  “Mama, she’s been insulting me since Blayze was born. You about done punishing her and ready to move on?”

  “Ha! Hardly.”

  Rolling my eyes, I cleared my throat. “Well, I guess I’d better get me some sleep. I never seem to have a good draw in Tacoma.”

  “Brock?”

  My breath stalled in my throat. I hated this part of our daily conversation. It was when I heard the fear in my mother’s voice, even though she tried desperately not to show it. The uncertainty that me following my dreams as a professional bull rider might not be the wisest thing anymore. Especially because I was the only parent my son had. It was something I fought internally every single day.

  “I know, Mama.”

  “I know you know, but I’m gonna say it anyway. Be careful and do your thing, but remember who’s really in charge.”

  I nodded, even though I knew she couldn’t see me, and replied, “Yes, ma’am. May I say good night to Blayze?”

  My mother called out my son’s name. “Blayze, Daddy wants to say goodbye! No, I’m not gonna wash your mouth out. Not this time anyway!”

  I chuckled and again felt the deep ache of missing home. It didn’t take long for Blayze to get back on the line.

  “Daddy, I’m gonna rope me a calf tomorrow!”

  The drop in my stomach nearly made me sick. “Blayze, I was gonna show you that when I came home on Monday.”

  “Yeah, I know, but Uncle Ty said that he could show me, ’cause you’re busy.”

  My hand balled into a fist, and I counted to ten. I was going to kick my brother’s ass. Just because he couldn’t be on the circuit with me, he had to make sure I was as miserable as him. The only problem was, he was using my son to do it.

  “I’m not too busy to show you how to rope, buddy. I’ll teach you when I get home. I promise.”

  “Okay, Daddy, I’ll wait for you! I wove you, and kick that bull’s a-s-s tomorrow!”

  Grinning, I answered, “I will, buddy. I love you too. Now, don’t give Grams a hard time, you hear me?”

  “Yes, sir. I pwomise to be good.”

  “That’s my big boy.”

  “Bye, Daddy!”

  “See ya later, buddy.”

  The line went dead, and I stood there in the middle of my hotel room, staring down at my phone. The emptiness in my heart was hard to ignore. Glancing down to my watch, I counted down the hours until I was going to be able to climb onto the back of a bull and feel something again. It seemed to be the only time I was able to forget.

  Chapter Two

  * * *

  Lincoln

  “I STILL CAN’T believe you’re leaving me for freaking Montana!”

  I stepped out of the car, lifted my arms, and stretched. We were only an hour or so away from Hamilton, Montana. I smiled when I looked all around us. Emerald-green pastures were home to cattle roaming freely as they grazed. Pine trees covered the foothills, which gave way to snowcapped mountains where white, puffy clouds danced along the top. My heart felt full for the first time in years.

  Any lingering doubt over making this move was completely washed away when my eyes went to the river. I nearly lost my breath. The mountain range was mirrored against the crystal-clear water. Surely something this beautiful couldn’t be real. It looked like a picture. One deep breath and I could smell crisp, clean air.

  This was home. A fresh start to a new life. It felt like a beautiful dream finally coming true.

  “Kaylee, how can you look around and not see how beautiful it is here?”

  She huffed. “Yeah, it’s beautiful. Mountains, rivers, blah, blah, blah. I don’t see why you need to move here. There are plenty of jobs in Georgia. Lots of old mansions you can design up. You made your mama cry, Lincoln. Cry! A well-raised southern woman does not make her mama cry.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You know the reasons why I left Atlanta. It’s not about the money. It’s about doing this on my own. Building a life for me on my own terms.”

  “Aw yes, those reasons. Leaving the big city for something simple? Leave the disgusting heat of Atlanta for fresh, crisp mountain air? Get out from under the control of Daddy? Start fresh? That crap?”

  “Yes, those reasons.”

  “I know why you’re really here. You want you some northern country dick.”

  It took everything I had not to laugh. “Northern country dick?”

  She nodded.

  My best friend leaned against my Land Rover Discovery, giving me a matter-of-fact look. We stared each other down, neither willing to budge.

  Kaylee sighed. “It’s not fair. I’m going to miss you.”

  “Move here! You’re a book editor! You can work from anywhere you want, Kaylee. Think of how much fun it would be.”

  Chewing on her lip, she looked to be giving it some serious thought. I knew it would be good for her. A chance for Kaylee to get her own fresh start. Lord knows, with everything she ha
d been through over the last few years, she deserved happiness.

  The moment I’d told her I was moving, I’d seen her eyes light up at the possibility of starting over somewhere herself.

  “I don’t think I could leave Georgia. It’s all I’ve ever known. I’m a southern kind of girl. I’ve got the twang finally down. I just don’t think I could make it up here.”

  I raised a brow. “Did you see the hot guys in those jeans and cowboy hats at the last gas stop?”

  A full smile broke out over her face. Her blue eyes lit up, and she nodded. “Heck yes, I saw them. Did you see the one wink at me? Lawrd Almighty, I thought I was gonna pass out!”

  Laughing, I shook my head and did a few jumping jacks while Kaylee stretched and moaned about how tight her muscles were.

  “Whose idea was it to drive to Montana?” she asked, slipping back into the passenger seat.

  “I believe it was yours. ‘It’ll be an adventure,’ you said. ‘The scenery will be amazing,’ you said.”

  She rolled her eyes as her seat belt clicked. “Well, scenery is overrated. How many more miles until we get to this little town? And is it safe? I mean, you bought this house because the guy had too many bad memories there. What happened? Was someone murdered in it?”

  I paused for a moment, letting her words sink in. Slight panic raced through my veins. I hadn’t asked any real questions about the house. I simply saw pictures of the old place, and the only thing that went through my mind was how I could make this my home.

  Holy crap . . . what if someone had been murdered in the house?

  Shaking my head, I pushed away my moment of freak-out. I knew what it felt like to want to get away from something, or someone, controlling you.

  “Yes, it’s safe, and I don’t really know the full reason. All I know is, the Shaw family owns a ton of land. They have a cattle ranch and raise horses as well. Their son lived in this house and doesn’t want it anymore. All his brother Ty told me was that there were memories the owner wanted to leave behind. So they broke the house and a small parcel of land around it off from their main ranch, and they’re selling it for him. He didn’t even want to be involved in the process.”