Reawakened
The Unexpected Series
S.E. Roberts
Reawakened
The Unexpected Series: Book Three
Copyright © 2019 by S.E. Roberts
All rights reserved.
Formatting by: Jessica Ames
Cover design by: Lauren Dawes at Sly Fox Cover Designs
Edited by: Kim Deister
Proofread by: Dominque Laura at Dom’s Proofreading
This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except for the brief quotations in a book review.
Dedicated to my girl Jessica Ames. Without your support, Caden and Sierra’s story wouldn’t be what it is today. Your friendship means more than you could know.
Contents
Prologue
1. Sierra
2. Sierra
3. Sierra
4. Sierra
5. Sierra
6. Caden
7. Caden
8. Sierra
9. Caden
10. Caden
11. Sierra
12. Caden
13. Sierra
14. Sierra
15. Caden
16. Sierra
17. Caden
18. Sierra
19. Caden
20. Sierra
21. Caden
22. Sierra
23. Caden
24. Sierra
25. Caden
26. Sierra
27. Caden
28. Sierra
29. Caden
30. Sierra
31. Sierra
32. Caden
33. Sierra
34. Caden
35. Sierra
36. Sierra
37. Caden
38. Sierra
39. Caden
40. Sierra
41. Caden
42. Sierra
43. Caden
44. Sierra
Epilogue
Also by S.E. Roberts
Excerpt of Revived
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Prologue
Sierra
The distinct smell of bleach hits my nose, giving me the urge to be sick. I sluggishly open my heavy eyelids, but I’m instantly assaulted by the intense light dangling over my head. Where am I?
“Doctor, she’s waking,” I hear a woman say, and in the next moment, I see the outline of a figure standing next to me.
“Welcome back, Mrs. Greene.”
The man finally comes into view, and I notice that he’s wearing what appears to be hospital scrubs. I’m in the hospital. My first instinct is to reach for my stomach, but instead my hand comes in contact with what feels like a cool sheet.
“Where’s my baby?” I croak out. I have no knowledge of why I’m here. Did something happen to me? To my baby?
The doctor delicately grabs my arm. “He’s perfectly fine. He was taken to the nursery and he’s being fed right now. You had a healthy little boy who weighs five pounds, six ounces.”
No. No, this can’t be right. He wasn’t due for another two months.
“I- I had my baby?” A sob slips from my lips, terror beginning to take over.
“You did, but he’s okay. Even though he was early, he’s still doing great.”
Relief fills me and I expel the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I try turning my head, but the small task feels like a workout.
“Where’s my husband?” He’s the only person who can make me feel better. I’m completely out of it right now, but having him near me will help.
The doctor clears his throat and the expression on his face causes me to start panicking again.
I’m sorry, Mrs. Greene. We did everything that we could, but your husband did not make it.
I immediately recall the words that were spoken to me earlier.
“No!” I scream out and try to flee from the bed, but it’s pointless because I’ve just had surgery and can’t move. “Where is he? Is he with our baby?”
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, and then in the next moment a mask is being placed over my nose. I shake my head in hysterics, trying to fight them, but it’s no use.
My eyes, once again, grow heavy, and then everything goes black.
1
Sierra
Five Years Later
The view from our beachside condo is breathtaking. I’m going to miss waking up to the exquisite cerulean Atlantic every morning. Not a soul in sight besides the few shorebirds walking in the sand. The cool breeze, the result of the storm we had last night, blows my newly chopped hair. I take a sip from my coffee, inhaling the crisp ocean air.
My boys are peacefully sleeping still, so I take a few minutes for myself before starting our thirty-hour journey across the country. These last almost five years have been good for us here at Carolina Beach, but it’s time to stand on my own two feet.
Avery called me a few months ago and told me that there was an open storefront in downtown Phoenix. I’ve been helping Grandma Rose at her bakery, Rosie Posey’s, since we moved here. At first, I turned down the opportunity, but when my grandmother overheard our conversation, she practically kicked us out.
I haven’t gone to Arizona to visit because I’ve been scared of facing the past that waits for me there. I tried backing out a few times, but Claire and Avery weren’t having that. Plus, it’s too late now because I’ve already paid for the first six months’ rent for the storefront, and I managed to find me and the boys a small two-bedroom apartment. They won’t have room to run around like they do here, but luckily there is a park in the neighborhood. Although, when we get there it’ll feel like a sauna outside.
“Hi, Mommy.” I twirl around at the sound of my sweet Jayce’s voice.
“Hi, baby.” I deposit my mug on the rail of the deck and lift him into my arms. He’s almost too big for me to hold. “Did you sleep good?” I ruffle his blond curls. He looks just like his daddy, where Auggie looks more like me with his light brown hair and blue eyes.
He opens his mouth into a big yawn. “Uh huh. Are we going to leave soon?” He lays his head on my shoulder, and I rub his back. I hope these boys always love their momma.
“Yep. We’ll eat breakfast and then start the drive. Is your brother awake yet?”
“He’s playing in his bed.”
I set him back down on his feet. “Okay, why don’t you go in with Grandma Rose and I’ll get him?”
Without uttering another word, he dashes back into the house. The boy is a bundle of energy.
I find Auggie playing in his bed with his toy cars.
“Hey, Auggie boy.” I sit on the edge of his bed and kiss the top of his head.
He smiles up at me. “Hi, Mom.” Despite how happy he’s trying to be, I can see the sorrow behind his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I swoop the stray hair out of his eyes.
“I’m going to miss Grandma Rose. Do we have to go?”
He’s never told me this until now. My heart aches for him. He’s been through enough in his short life.
He doesn’t remember his father, but he’s had to grow up without him. Let me tell you, it’s been a challenge raising two boys on my own. Thankfully, my brothers Owen and Clay have stepped in the best they could, but they both have their own families now. It’s hard to believe that my baby brothers a
re all grown up.
“I’m going to miss her too, but I promise we’ll come visit as soon as we can. Okay?” He nods, but sadness still covers his face. “And since we got her a new phone, she can FaceTime us anytime, too.”
The thought of my eighty-year-old grandmother with an iPhone still makes me chuckle. But I wanted to have a way for the boys to stay in contact with her once we’re in Phoenix.
We eat a hearty breakfast of peach French toast and eggs, and then I finish stuffing the trunk of my Explorer with our things. I ordered furniture online that should be delivered to our apartment before we arrive. Between the money I’ve saved from working at the bakery and everything Miles left for me, the boys and I haven’t been lacking anything.
My husband was in the military and served overseas but came home unscathed both times. I never envisioned him being taken away from me the way he was. This October marks the fifth anniversary of his death. The first couple years were a huge struggle, but I have finally gotten to where I can think about him without crying. Sure, I miss him every single day, and I always will, but I’ve learned that life has to go on.
“Call me as soon as you make it.” Grandma Rose wraps her small arms around me in a tight hug.
“I will. Promise.” A single tear trails down my cheek. I’m going to miss her like crazy, just like Auggie.
“Don’t cry, dear.” She swipes at my tear-streaked face. “It’s time you move on from this chapter in your life and find happiness again.” I know exactly what she’s alluding to but choose to ignore her words.
“I’m happy here.” I sniffle. “But I really am excited about starting this new bakery.”
“I think you’re going to find a young man who loves you and those little boys.”
I roll my eyes at her straightforwardness. “We are just fine without a man.” My heart hurts at the thought of ever moving on from Miles. I know it’s okay, but I can’t imagine feeling the same way again.
“We’ll see.” She squeezes my cheek like only a grandmother can and then hugs both my boys before we climb into the car for our lengthy drive.
We spend the next three days driving across the country, toward the desert. I left a part of my heart at the Atlantic, but I know that good things are coming for me and my sweet boys.
2
Sierra
I yawn into my hand and blink my eyes a few times, trying to stay awake. We’re only thirty minutes away from our apartment, but I’m dog-tired.
“Mom, are we almost there?” Auggie asks from the backseat. His brother is snoring away next to him.
“Yeah, buddy. Not too much longer.”
“Okay.” I hear him yawn.
We stopped twice at a hotel so we could each get a good night’s sleep. This trip would have been a lot easier if I had someone else driving with me. I really don’t like traveling at night, but I wanted the boys in their own beds tonight.
Claire and Ryke let the movers in so they could have everything set up for us when we arrive. Avery had wanted to help too, but I wouldn’t let her. She and Evan just welcomed their newest edition last month. I can’t wait to finally meet little Emery. I’m not sure what poor Evan is going to do with four daughters, but they both adore all those girls.
“No, no, no!” I yell as I hold tight onto the steering wheel.
The Explorer vibrates as it pulls off to the side of the road. I can hardly control it. I lightly press my foot on the brake so I don’t wreck and finally come to a stop.
“Damn it!” I holler, forgetting my sons are in the car with me.
“Mom, language!” Auggie scolds.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
I grab for my phone out of my purse and then open the door to get out.
“Stay in here with your brother. I’m going to see what’s wrong.”
He nods and then rests his head on the back of the seat. I’m sure he’ll be out in no time.
Being a single woman, I’ve had to learn how to take care of things myself. Thankfully my brother Clay is a mechanic, and he’s taught me a thing or two about cars. I lift the hood and turn on my flashlight app so I can hopefully figure out what’s wrong with the dumb thing. I really don’t want to have to call a tow truck, but I may have to. I can’t keep Auggie and Jayce on the side of the road all night.
I slam the hood down when I realize that everything under there looks fine.
“Fuck.”
I’m blinded by the headlights from an oncoming car. I really hope they don’t stop, but luck isn’t on my side. The car pulls behind mine, but then I realize it’s a police SUV. Well, at least I know I’ll be safe.
“Ma’am, everything all right out here?” the officer asks as he strides toward me.
I look up from my car, but I can’t make his face out. It’s dark and his headlights are making it difficult for me to see anything.
“Yes, officer. I’m just trying to figure out what’s wrong with my car.”
He pulls a large flashlight out and shines it on the car.
“It looks like you have a flat tire.”
Well, shit. Why didn’t I think of that?
“Oh” is all I can think to reply.
He moves closer to me, and I can finally see his face. My God, he’s good-looking. Sierra Greene, stop thinking like that! From what I can tell he has light brown hair and a clean-cut beard. He appears to be older than me, but I’m guessing not by much.
“Do you have a spare? I can help you change it.”
“No, I don’t.” I’m ashamed at my admission. I should know better than to drive across the country without one. If Clay found out how careless I was, he’d have my head for sure.
“Well, it’s too late to call a tow. Where are you headed?”
Damn it. I just want to get to the apartment and get the boys settled for the night.
I rub at my face with both hands and then exhale in defeat.
“Phoenix.”
“I can give you a ride. I’m off duty in twenty minutes anyway.”
“Isn’t that out of your way?”
He gives me a friendly smile. “No, actually I live there, so I’m headed that way.”
“My sons are in the backseat. Do you have room for all of us?”
I’m beginning to wonder if this move was the right choice. I mean, come on. We haven’t even made it to Phoenix yet and shit has already hit the fan.
“Yeah, no problem. Just grab what you need.”
“Thank you.”
I turn back toward the Explorer and open the back door and see Auggie still wide awake.
“Mom, are you getting arrested?” He gives me a scared look.
“No, Augs. The nice police officer stopped to help us. He’s going to take us to the apartment.”
I help him out and then carefully lift Jayce out of his seat. The officer is probably going to regret offering to help us when he realizes how much work it’s going to be for him.
I finally get the boys settled into the police car and then go back for our suitcases. There’s nothing else important, so I lock up and then climb into the passenger seat of the SUV.
“I’m Officer Caden Harris by the way.” He holds his hand out for me to shake.
I turn awkwardly in my seat, not wanting to be rude.
“Sierra Greene.” His grasp is tender, yet strong.
“Nice to meet you, Sierra Greene,” he says as he directs the vehicle onto the busy road.
“Thank you so much for doing this.” I look out the front window, embarrassed.
“You’re welcome.” I turn to look at him and see the small smile that adorns his face. Now that I’m closer to him, I can tell that he is in fact very nice to look at.
Over the last few years, I have met a lot of attractive men and even got set up on dates with a few of them. A year after Miles died, my friend Stacy introduced me to her brother and swore up and down that we were the perfect match. I agreed to go out with him, only to shut her up but ended up standing the poor guy up.
I felt guilty about it, but I felt even guiltier about dating so soon after losing my husband. My grief counselor tried to set my mind at ease by telling me that everyone moves on at different times and that it was all right for me to be happy again, but I wasn’t ready.
“How old are your boys?”
I turn toward my sleeping babies in the backseat.
“Seven and almost five.” I smile.
“Those are fun ages.”
I want to ask him if he has his own children, but at the same time, I don’t feel like getting personal with this guy. I don’t want to hear about his picture-perfect life waiting for him at home.
When I don’t respond, he asks, “Where are we headed?”
“Oh, yeah. Sorry,” I mumble. “Clifton Street. Do you know where that is?”
I see him nod his head in affirmation. “I do.”
Twenty minutes later we’re pulling into the parking lot of my apartment building. From what I can tell, it appears to be fairly decent. I’m assuming that Claire would have told me if she thought the place looked sketchy.
“That’s my building,” I say as I point to Building B.
“Okay.” He pulls in front of the large, old brick building.
I guess this will be home for a while. I’d love to buy my boys a house with a big fenced-in yard, but I don’t know if we’ll end up staying here. I’m honestly not sure if I’ll be able to endure living here again.
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