by Marie Harte
The years passed, and we loved from afar. Then she broke it off to make Charles happy.
I was devastated. I used poor Meg, feeling closer to her and her new baby. A child I suspected as my own. And sometimes, I drove by Angela’s house and saw her boys, and I wondered…
Riley, I think you have a brother. And older boy named Cash. He’s good and strong, and you both look so much like me. You’ll know him. But don’t disregard Reid either. He’s got Angela in him. Not the parts that floated away, but the ones that mattered.
I’m so sorry for all that you’ve been through. That you never knew the love and belonging you deserved. Be better than me. Don’t let weakness stand in the way of true love. Weakness of heart, weakness of character. Because in the end, not being true to yourself hurts you most of all.
I’ve lived with regret, wishing I could undo the past but doing nothing about it.
And now the lung cancer has taken me. I’ve killed myself in more ways than one. Be a better man, love with your whole heart, and leave the past in the past.
Know I always loved the thought of you and your brothers as my true family. Like Angela, I lived a fantasy where we lived happily ever after.
I don’t have much to leave you, as I can’t let Rachel know I strayed. But there are photos of you as children, a secret one we took together, Angela and I, playing pretend.
Leave the past in the past and fly to the future, Son.
And remember, family is what you make of it.
Your father,
Allen
Cash looked out of sorts, frowning and reading the letter over, his hand shaking, so he put the paper down on the bed.
Smith shook out the legal documents, which showed that any tampering with Allen’s envelope resulted in Margaret Ramsey forfeiting her rights to the two-thousand-dollar stipend per month she’d been living on. No wonder she’d given him the letter.
He shook his head, feeling glad he’d let her go without malice, without trying to get any kind of revenge. She’d spend the rest of her life alone and unloved, and what could be a better revenge than that? “You get what you give,” he murmured.
A peek inside showed an old photograph was all that remained in the envelope, and when he shook it out, he stared in shock.
In the photo, a man who looked like Cash and Smith, wearing older style clothes, stood arm in arm with a beaming Angela Griffith. In front of them, three little boys sat laughing as they played together on a picnic blanket, the verdant green bed of grass beneath them and their short-sleeved shirts hinting at spring or summer weather.
On the back of the photo read Angela, Allen, Cash, Reid, and Riley. Our happy family.
Smith took one last look at the envelope and its contents spread over the bed. Then he turned and walked away, leaving the past in the past.
Erin, laughing with the others, saw him return and crossed to kiss him. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s perfect, Cupcake. Because I’m finally looking at my future.”
Before he could kiss her again, Cash caught him in a headlock, and the guys piled on.
Erin held up a cup with a smile, and the ladies followed suit while the men wrestled and laughed. “To family.”
“To family,” they said as one.
And Smith had never felt so free.
Thank you for reading the conclusion of the Veteran Movers series! If you haven’t read from the beginning, start with Reid and Naomi’s story in The Whole Package. Keep reading for an excerpt.
“Just get in.” When she didn’t, Reid glowered. “I can wait all night.”
Naomi stared back at him, a little alarmed when he closed the distance between them.
Then he shocked her by pressing her up against the car, full-body contact. The heat of him singed her. Suddenly, instead of feeling annoyed or scared, she wanted him in the worst way. Whoa, momma.
Reid ran a finger down her cheek. “I’m not letting you drive home.”
His implacable resolve surprised her. “Seriously, Reid. I’m a big girl. I know how to get home without getting mugged.”
He didn’t move, and she didn’t want to think about him pressed so firmly against her.
She didn’t see herself winning this battle, and though it was ridiculous to think she needed rescuing from herself, she had to admit it felt nice to have someone looking out for her. “If you really need to drive me home, go for it. But you’re going to feel stupid tomorrow when all that testosterone in your system wears off.” She added in a lower voice, “Won’t let me go. Please.”
“I’d rather feel stupid than regret not helping you out.” He moved back to unlock the car and opened the door for her, then waited for her to settle in. After joining her, he followed her directions home.
Naomi could have been angry about it, but his need to protect softened something inside her. Something she’d need to firm up before dealing with the man again. Reid sat far too close. She could smell alcohol and the faint scent of cologne on him, and it went straight to her head. Hell, maybe she was a little loopy. She really needed to get something to eat.
They arrived at her home in Greenwood, a cute little bungalow she’d refused to sell, even after losing her job with PP&R. She’d worked so hard for her home and had finally gotten the house exactly as she’d wanted it
“You okay?” Reid asked as he parked.
“Yes, fine. You’ve done your duty. Go home.”
“Keys.”
Her purse was in his hands before she could grab it back.
“Damn it!”
He had her keys out and had already left the vehicle when she’d thrown open her door, only to have him help her out and up the sidewalk. A domineering yet polite gentleman.
He nodded at the house. “Nice place.”
“Thanks,” she said, grudgingly, loving the homey two-bedroom Craftsman. Dark purple with white trim and a tidy little porch, the house had plenty of room for her and Rex, should he deign to come home. Probably out catting around like half the men in this town, she thought…cattily.
She snorted. “I suppose you want to come in.”
“Just to make sure you’re okay.”
She rolled her eyes at him, but he ignored her. She heard his car beep, locked up tight, and she glared at him. If he had any intention of staying, she’d disabuse him of that notion right away. She watched him unlock the front door then step back to hold it open for her.
Since Rex didn’t greet her right away, she figured he was probably touring the neighborhood. With a little huff, she took the keys from Reid and walked inside. He closed the door behind them while she flicked on a light.
“It’s you,” he said. “Same blue in here as your office walls.”
Huh. He’d noticed. What did that mean? That he had good recall or actually possessed an interest in her? And why did she care?
She nearly tripped again and swore, then kicked off her stupid heels.
“You want some water? I know I’m parched. It’s been a long day.” Reid stepped past her into her open living room that led by a dining area into her kitchen. She refused to follow him inside and instead massaged her aching toes.
He returned with a glass for her.
“Make yourself at home, why don’t you?”
He didn’t say anything and handed her the glass. She took a sip and handed it back. “There. Now go home, please. Because of you, I’ll have to get someone to take me to my car in the morning.” Though if she was feeling industrious, she could walk the short distance to get it herself.
“I’ll swing by and pick you up.”
His bossy attitude that had somewhat charmed her before now annoyed her. “No, thanks.” She watched him drink her water and grew even more steamed. “I’m not some silly little woman needing your help Reid. I’m not drunk or impaired in any way. I’m tired and my feet hurt.”
He gave a small smile.
“You find that amusing?”
He set the glass down on a coaste
r on her side table, and she hated that she couldn’t nag him about that either. “You’re cute when you’re mad.”
“And helpless, right?” She felt a little lightheaded, which had nothing to do with exhaustion and everything to do with Reid. Around him, she felt more. Angry, annoyed, aroused. The three As of danger drawing nearer as he smiled at her distress. The bastard.
“Want me to help you, you poor, fragile thing?”
She could do without the smirk. “Yes, please,” she said, her voice sugary-sweet, then dragged him closer by the shirtfront, shocking him. “Isn’t this what you want? To take advantage of a helpless woman?”
“Hell, no.” Finally, a bit of his anger. He glared at her. “I’m trying to help you out, here, Naomi. Oh, forget it.”
“Oh, so now, because I’m a little aggressive, I’m not good enough for you.” She started to lose track of what she was saying, so close to Reid, to that firm chin with a hint of stubble, to that sexy smell of man and cologne, to the sheer breadth of him that seemed much bigger up close. Reid stood inches above her own height, their disparity even greater without her heels.
He tried to pry her hands free but stalled when he looked down into her eyes. “Y-you’re mad?” He sounded hoarse, his gaze moving slowly over her face and stilling on her mouth. “Hell,” he muttered.
“Yeah, I’m mad. You’re a menace, you know that?” Out of control and stirred to an angry passion by the man who refused to know she had her own mind, she yanked him down for an angrier kiss. The touch of his mouth under hers brought everything to a halt. An instant connection turned their burning chemistry into an all-out inferno.
The Whole Package
Don’t miss this standalone Valentine’s Day romance coming February 4, 2020! Axel Heller and Rena Jackson—will they finally get their happily ever after?
The air grew festive again. Someone plugged the jukebox back in, and the music started. Big J and Earl broke up a fight in the back, and two other bouncers Ray had brought in for the night seemed to be occupied near the corner with someone else.
A large hand wrapped around Rena’s arm, and heat filled her from head to toe. She didn’t know how she knew, but she could always tell when Axel was close.
In a deep voice, he asked, “Ah, can I talk to you?”
“Sure.”
He nodded to the left. “Away from the noise, bitte?”
She shrugged, doubting his goodbye would take more than a minute at most. Sadly, she’d given up on Axel as boyfriend material. He had looks, a body she’d had many, many naughty dreams about, and a great smile. But she needed a man who could communicate. And that was not him.
“Sure.” To the gang now watching her, she said, “I’ll be right back.” This won’t take long.
Lara and Hope winked at her. The guys gave Axel the evil eye, though she saw her cousins nodding at him. Oh boy. They’d better not have said anything to encourage him.
She shot them death glares as she let Axel lead her back behind the bar. But he didn’t stop there. He continued with her down the hallway into the back supply closet. He turned on the overhead light and closed the door behind them.
“Axel?” Rena might be nervous with another guy in a dark closet, but not Axel. From the first he’d gone out of his way to protect her and all the girls in the bar.
He let go of her arm but didn’t back up. “Sorry. I wanted to talk to you without interruption.”
“Go ahead.”
She swore his cheeks turned pink, which intrigued her. Axel Heller did look like a big old Viking. But like the warriors of old, he had a tan from time spent under the sun. How, she had no idea. Seattle didn’t like to let the sun out until closer to April. Axel wasn’t pale but a warm, buttery beige. His dirty-blond hair looked like a cascade of tarnished gold, and the beard and mustache he’d grown in the past months made her weak at the knees. She normally liked her men clean-shaven, but he was rocking that facial hair.
Her fingers itched to cut his mane back, to better frame the hard planes of his face.
She swallowed loudly, aware her heart thundered. With any luck, he’d mistake her silence as patience and not mesmerized awe.
Axel gave a nervous cough, which made him absolutely adorable. “I am happy for you but sorry to see you go.”
“Thanks, Axel.” She smiled.
His eyes narrowed on her face, and she felt his intensity like prickles of electricity all up and down her spine. “You have the prettiest smile,” he said, his voice deep, quiet.
“Th-thanks.” She backed up a step, fighting the absurd impulse to throw herself into his arms and just kiss him already. “Well, I’d better—”
“Do I make you nervous?” He closed the distance between them.
“Nervous?” She gave a nervous laugh and wanted to smack herself. “Nah. I’m just… I’d better get back to the party.”
“I hear you are going to start dating again.”
Stupid J.T. and Del. “So what?”
“So… Maybe you and I could… We could… Well, ah, go out for coffee sometime.”
Coffee? Lame. But hey, he was trying. Too little too late. She imagined a year of saying hello over lattes while he tried to find a way to ask to hold her hand. “Axel, I’m just going to be honest with you. I want a real relationship. And I don’t think that’s with you.”
After a pause, he asked, “Why not?”
“Because it’s taken you almost a year to ask me out. For coffee.”
“Ja. I know.” His cheeks definitely looked pink. “But I wanted to be good with you. For you to like me and trust me.”
“I do like and trust you. But I want a real relationship now. Not in another year or two years when you’ve decided we’re good enough friends to try a kiss.” She blushed, embarrassed to have to put it out there like that. Then she felt bad for being so blunt. Rena grabbed his hand, all too aware of how much larger he was than her. “Axel, sweetie, I don’t mean to hurt your feelings. I just think you and I have two different speeds.”
The Kissing Game
Also by Marie
CONTEMPORARY
* * *
WICKED WARRENS
Enjoying the Show
Closing the Deal
Raising the Bar
Making the Grade
Bending the Rules
* * *
THE MCCAULEY BROTHERS
The Troublemaker Next Door
How to Handle a Heartbreaker
Ruining Mr. Perfect
What to Do with a Bad Boy
* * *
BODY SHOP BAD BOYS
Test Drive
Roadside Assistance
Zero to Sixty
Collision Course
* * *
THE DONNIGANS
A Sure Thing
Just the Thing
The Only Thing
*All I Want for Halloween (connected)
* * *
THE WORKS
Bodywork
Working Out
Wetwork
* * *
VETERANS MOVERS
The Whole Package
Smooth Moves
Handle with Care
Delivered with a Kiss
* * *
GOOD TO GO
A Major Attraction
A Major Seduction
A Major Distraction
A Major Connection
* * *
BEST REVENGE
Served Cold
Served Hot
Served Sweet
* * *
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
* * *
POWERUP!
The Lost Locket
RetroCog
Whispered Words
Fortune’s Favor
Flight of Fancy
Silver Tongue
Entranced
Killer Thoughts
* * *
WESTLAKE ENTERPRISES
To Hunt a Sainte
Storming His Heart<
br />
Love in Electric Blue
* * *
PARANORMAL
* * *
COUGAR FALLS
Rachel’s Totem
In Plain Sight
Foxy Lady
Outfoxed
A Matter of Pride
Right Wolf, Right Time
By the Tail
Prey & Prejudice
* * *
ETHEREAL FOES
Dragons’ Demon: A Dragon’s Dream
Duncan’s Descent: A Demon’s Desire
Havoc & Hell: A Dragon’s Prize
Dragon King: Not So Ordinary
* * *
CIRCE’S RECRUITS
Roane
Zack & Ace
Derrick
Hale
* * *
DAWN ENDEAVOR
Fallon’s Flame
Hayashi’s Hero
Julian’s Jeopardy
Gunnar’s Game
Grayson’s Gamble
* * *
CIRCE’S RECRUITS 2.0
Gideon
Alex
Elijah
Carter
* * *
MARK OF LYCOS
Enemy Red
Wolf Wanted
Jericho Junction
* * *
SCIFI
* * *