“Be a good boy for grandma and granddad, and I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch,” Emma says.
“James, grandma made you some cookies; they’re in there on the table waiting for you,” Cheryl says.
“Yay, cookies; thanks, grandma. Bye, momma; bye, Alec.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, James.”
Once James is gone, Emma introduces me to her former in-laws. We shake hands and make pleasantries. Cheryl seems pretty nice, but I feel like Danny is sizing me up. I would do the same, if I were him. I feel sorry for any boy who dates Raelynn.
Cheryl says, “Emma, come in and look at the clothes I bought James for his birthday.” Emma looks over at me before walking into the house with Cheryl.
“Alec, please, have a seat,” Danny says, pointing to the two rocking chairs on the front porch.
“All right, thank you.” I already know what’s coming. If he is the kind of man I think he is, he would definitely have a talk with me. I sit down and try to look as casual as I can. I sit up straight and square my shoulders.
“I just want you to know that these last few months, Emma has had a glow to her that we haven’t seen since before my son’s death. I think we have you to thank for that.”
I don’t say anything, because I know he has more to say.
“We love Emma like our daughter. I want you to understand, she is a single woman not by choice. My son did not leave her or abandon her by choice. He was killed trying to protect her and every other American in this country.”
“I understand” is all I say.
“Good. I also want you to know that if you hurt her, I will find you and when I do, it won’t be pretty. Do not play with her or her emotions. If you are looking to play the field or are testing the waters, you need to keep on walking. Emma is special, she isn’t like every other girl out there. She was our daughter-in-law and she will always be a part of our family. Do you understand me?”
I lean up from the chair and rest my elbows on my knees. I intertwine my fingers and clear my throat. “Danny, I understand your concerns and I want you to know, I have no intentions of hurting her or James. I haven’t known them long, but it’s been long enough that I know there is something special about both of them. When I am with them, I want to protect them, to nurture them, and to care for them. I give you my word, as a man, I will never hurt either of them.”
Danny leans forward in his seat and matches my posture. “Alec, it sounds like you are in love with Emma. Are you in love with Emma?”
His words take me back. Am I in love with her? The door opens, and Emma and Cheryl walk out onto the porch. I stand immediately and try to smile. I also silently say a prayer of thanks that I don’t have to answer Danny’s question. I rub my hands down my thighs and crack my knuckles. I stare at Emma so I don’t have to look at Danny.
“Emma, I’m sorry, we need to go if we are going to keep our dinner reservations.”
“Of course, I’m sorry.”
She hugs Danny and Cheryl, and I shake their hands. “It was very nice meeting you both,” I say before Emma reaches for my hand.
She holds my hand with both of hers. As we walk off the porch, she leans in and whispers, “Are you all right?”
I look over at her and smile, “I’m great, and they seem very nice.”
“They are. I am very blessed to have them in my life.”
I open her door for her, and she reluctantly lets go of my hand. I watch her sit down and close the door when she fastens her seatbelt. She looks up at me and I wink at her.
On the drive to the restaurant, my mind drifts back to Danny’s words.
“Alec?”
“Yes, Emma?”
“What is the matter with you? You are in another world.”
“I’m sorry, Emma, but would you mind if we change our plans for tonight?”
“No, are you not feeling well?”
“I was thinking we could have a picnic on the beach and watch the sunset instead.”
“That sounds nice, but I think you’re a little overdressed for that.”
“I’ll be fine; I’ll lose the jacket and tie and roll up my pant legs. I’ll need to cancel the reservations first.”
We drive the short distance to The Whole Foods Market and grab sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, cheese, crackers, and drinks. Emma holds my hand, and I try to push the cart around one-handed. We pass by the bakery, and I get a half-dozen chocolate-covered strawberries and then a bottle of champagne before cashing out.
“What’s the special occasion? It looks like you’re going all out.”
“Can’t I celebrate just being alone with my girlfriend?”
She smiles and leans into me. “I like the way that sounds.”
I kiss the top of her head. “Me, too.”
We drive to Siesta Key Beach. I remove my shoes, socks, and jacket. I also roll my pant legs up, so I don’t ruin them in the sand. Emma also removes her heels before we walk on the beach. We spread out a blanket on the baby powder sand. I watch Emma as she shivers. As she removes the food from the bags, I run to the car and get my suit jacket for her.
After we eat, she sits in between my legs and we have chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne. I rest my chin on her shoulder and she rests her head against mine. Her hair smells like lilacs. I close my eyes and think back to the conversation I had with Danny. She looks back at me and asks, “You’re so quiet tonight, are you sure you’re all right?”
“Emma?”
She leans up and turns around to face me. “What is it?”
I take her face in my hands and I search her eyes. “God, you are so beautiful.” I kiss one eyelid and then the other. She just watches me and doesn’t say anything. “I love being with you, and I hate leaving you at the end of the day.”
“Alec, I feel the same way. I wake up every morning and I can’t wait to see you.”
“Emma, I can’t get enough of you. I want to be with you every minute of every day.” I look her from one eye to the other. I can see the concern in her clear blue eyes. “I love you, I love everything about you. I don’t think I realized it until tonight, but I do. I’m sorry if it’s too soon or if that scares you.”
I look at her and I can see the smile on her lips. “Alec, I love you, too.”
“You do?”
“I do. I have known it for a while now.”
I take her face in my hands and kiss her. I kiss her so she can feel the love that I have for her. She moans and I lay her down on the blanket on her back. Climbing on top of her, I smile down at her as I slowly lower myself. She wraps her arms around my neck and intertwines her fingers into my hair. I kiss her and she moans. She opens her mouth to invite me in.
Some teenagers who are walking by yell, “Get a room.”
Emma laughs, and I want to chase them down and beat them for ruining the mood. “Come on, let’s go, they do have a point,” I say, standing and reaching my hand out for hers.
“Where are we going? I don’t want the night to end.”
I smile. “James and Raelynn have sitters until tomorrow; let’s stay at my place.”
She doesn’t say anything but helps me fold the blanket and gather the trash. We walk hand to hand to the car in silence. She has her game face on and I can’t read it. I open her car door for her before I ask her what’s wrong.
When she doesn’t say anything, I get closer to her and lift her chin so she looks at me. “What is it? Is it too soon?”
She closes her eyes and says, “I have only been with Max. I haven’t been with anyone else.”
I nod in understanding. “Emma, we can wait. I’m in no hurry. We can take it as slow as you want or need to.”
“Alec, you don’t understand, I want to. I just want you to know, it’s been awhile for me.”
I cup her cheek with my hand and caress her cheek with my thumb. “I understand. Don’t be afraid of me, Emma. I love you, I won’t hurt you.”
“I love you, too.”
I kiss her soft lips. I back away so she can get into the car.
We drive the short distance to my house. Emma has never been here. No one but Molly has ever been here. I open her car door for her and she smiles. We walk hand in hand into the dark house. Once we are inside, I turn on a lamp in the family room. “Do you want a drink?”
“No, thank you.”
I walk over to her and bend down to kiss her. When she reaches up to wrap her arms around my neck, I lift her off the floor and she squeals. She wraps her legs around me, and I kiss her harder. When she moans into my mouth, I reach my hands around her body and squeeze her butt. My dick turns rock hard when I realize she is wearing a thong. I moan in her mouth and I can feel her smile. With me still holding onto her, she reaches behind her and I hear the zipper to her dress. I pull away from her mouth and kiss her ear, then her neck. The dress falls from her shoulders, exposing her red silk and lace bra.
I raise my head so I can see. “Oh, God, Emma. You are so sexy.” I kiss her again.
Her breathing picks up and she whispers, “Please, make love to me.”
I walk down the dark hallway, still holding onto her bare butt. She is kissing me and removing my tie and unbuttoning my shirt. I bump into the door and she laughs. Once inside the bedroom, I bump into the dresser and something falls to the ground.
“Ouch,” Emma giggles, “and I thought I was out of practice.”
“Sorry,” I say. “It really does look like I’m out of practice, too.”
I turn on the lamp and we both startle when a voice says, “Are you going to introduce your little friend to your wife?” I look at the half-naked woman lying across my bed — it’s Molly.
Note
Shattered Dreams is book one of the Freedom trilogy.
Book One: Shattered Dreams
Book Two: Broken Lives
Book Three: Mending Hearts
Other books written by this Author include:
The Starting Over trilogy
Book One: A New Beginning
Book Two: Saving Angel
Book Three: Destined to Love
Acknowledgments
My husband, Rex: Thank you for supporting me. I will always love you.
Carey, John, Derek, Nikki, Chastidy, Rex, Brittany, Amanda, and Katie: Thank you for reminding me what is important every single day. I love you.
Desmond, Samantha, Autumn, Evan, Derek, Dayquan, Darius, Draden, Alyssa, Hailey, Lucca, Tanner, Giovanni, Cain, Lelila, Kylie, DeVonte’, Adrienne, Amaya, Dominic, Damien, Caden, and Gemma: Thank you for reminding me that I am somebody; I am your grandma and nothing else matters. I love you all.
My sisters and brothers: George, Martha, Rosa, Carla and Frank: Thank you for your support. I love you.
My other brother, David: Words cannot express to you my gratitude and appreciation I have for you. I am forever indebted to you. Thank you and I love you.
Thank you to my P.A.s: Brittany Kennedy and Rosa Jones: Thank you for all your help at book signings. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Thank you to Christina Badder, for taking care of the blog tour for Shattered Dreams. It was totally amazing and you went above and beyond. I cannot thank you enough.
Thank you to my Beta readers: Cathy Stotts, Lorraine McDonald, Natalie Neck, Nichole Taggart, Kayleigh Deal, Raelynn Chambers, Dee Knope, Heather Ross-Cicio, Dove King Bailey, Stevie Maul, Heather Osborne, Heather Leach Schrader, Heaven Potter, Sherry Darr, Lou Ann Mohler, Amy Sperry, and Jenni Crawford. I appreciate you all, more than you know.
Thank you to ‘Brenda’s Street Talkers,’ for pimping my books, making teasers and banners, and just for the support I receive from you every day.
Thank you to Beth Maddox at Cover It Up Designs for the book cover. I am excited for this cover and for the other two book covers of the trilogy. I love your work and your vision.
Thank you to all the bloggers for featuring me and Shattered Dreams on your blogs. I appreciate you more than you know.
All my family, friends, internet friends, and the Manatee County Jail nursing and corrections staff: Thank you all for your support and ideas. I have used many of your names in Shattered Dreams.
My close family and very close friends: You may recognize many names and places in Shattered Dreams. I had so much fun incorporating family names and some of my favorite places into this book. You all have definitely helped inspire many of the characters in this book.
To my readers, and fans. Thank you a million times over for reading and reviewing my books.
I support Indie Authors. If you read this book, please take the time to go on the purchasing site and give it a review. Independent authors count on your reviews to get the word out about our books. Thank you for taking the time to read our books and taking the extra time to review them. We all appreciate it very much.
Disclaimer: People and places in this book have been used fictitiously and without malice.
About the Author: First and foremost I am a wife, mother and grandmother.
I am also a nurse and a new author.
I moved to sunny Florida in 2006 and never looked back. I love fresh squeezed lemonade, crushed ice, teacups, wineglasses, non-franchise restaurants, ice cream cones, boating, picnics, cookouts, throwing parties, lace, white wine, mojitos, strawberry margaritas, white linen tablecloths, fresh flowers and Pinterest. I also love to read and write and to spend time with my family.
My books, thus far, have been inspired by the things I love and the people who influence me, every single day to be a better person.
You may follow me on:
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