Finding Faye:

by A. J. Andersen

  He leans back in his chair, looking exhausted by everything he has just laid out before us. I look at Travis with my questions in my eyes.

  “We will have to go back to the house, Sweetpea,” he says.

  I'm confused. There is no way there can be anything left in the house. Not after all these years.

  “How are we going to do that?” I whisper through my abused vocal cords.

  “I never wanted to sell it in case you ever went back.” That makes sense, and is so typical for Travis. Making sure that the house was available if I ever needed it.

  If he says we have to go back, then we will. I can’t believe that there will be anything to find after all this time.

  “Okay. I guess that’s a good idea. I have no idea where something like that might be hidden, but maybe we will get lucky and find it.” I don't mind going back to that house if Travis is beside me. I know he will keep me safe.

  He won’t let anything hurt me. Not ever again. Not even the memories in that horrible house that brought us together so many years ago.

  Epilogue

  One month later

  Faye

  Sal was right. There really was a ledger. A meticulously kept record that spanned years of criminal activity. It went back to before my mom and I went to live with Brad.

  It was in my little pool house apartment, hidden under a squeaky floorboard in the bedroom. I seriously never knew.

  How Sal didn't find it I will never know.

  I suppose it’s not that much of a mystery, though. I never had any suspicion something was hidden right there under the creaky board by my bed.

  We brought it back to Vegas and handed it over to Xavier and the FBI agent in charge of the investigation into Dominic . None of the notations in the ledger made sense to Travis and I, but X said that putting it together with other records, painted a complete picture of his family's involvement in several assassinations and a sex trafficking ring in several states.

  The FBI was thrilled. Apparently the information in that old leather bound book was the key they needed to unraveling everything Xavier’s family had been involved in.

  Ana filled me in on all the details a few days after our return. We meet in the café to have lunch with Ellie at least once a week. Travis hasn’t said too much about it. I know that he is still working with X and the federal agents, trying to locate Dominic. He hasn’t turned up in any of the places they have searched for him.

  I'm grateful that my involvement in the whole ordeal has ended. No one is looking for me anymore, and because of Travis and Xavier, no one will be. I finally just get to be... me, and it’s lovely. My only plans are to focus on what comes next for us.

  Travis and Blake decided to relocate their main office to Vegas. Xavier offered them a very lucrative contract providing security for his casino and hotel, and since the kind of work they can do can be done anywhere… they agreed. There is also the possibility of more work being funneled to them from the FBI and LVPD.

  I'm just happy that we are going to stay close to Ana. After everything that happened we have gotten even closer. We have Ellie now too, which makes everything more fun. If Blake ever gets his act together and makes a move, I think we will have even more fun. Ana and I worry because Ellie works so hard… all the time at the casino and at home too.

  A quick knock from behind the door shakes me out of my thoughts. I spin away from the mirror and watch as Ana glides through the door. It’s amazing what a difference a few weeks of rest, good food, and a loving man have made in her. In both of us, really. Bright eyes, a happy smile, and she has gained enough weight that her face has lost its gaunt, hungry look. I see the same changes in myself every time I look in a mirror. It feels good to finally be myself again.

  Ana is lovely, as usual, her pale perfection showcased by a simple light blue empire waisted dress that shows off her small frame and the round ball of her baby belly. The awful muddy brown color she had dyed her hair has been restored to a bright platinum blonde. She radiates happiness.

  Ellie slips in behind her, wearing a dress of the same blue. She is beautiful too, in spite of the fatigue around her eyes. Her dark hair cascades down her back in loose curls. She smiles at me.

  “It's time, Faye,” Ana says, bouncing a little with excitement.

  I stand up and turn back toward the mirror, checking my reflection one last time. The bruises on my face and throat are completely healed. Thank goodness. I chose to dress simply for today. A full length white silk, slip-style dress that clings to my body. Coupled with modest heels, I look taller and curvier than ever. Like Ana’s, my hair has also been restored to its natural color and just the barest hint of makeup accentuates my face. I wish my dad could be here today, mom too.

  “I'm ready,” I say after a long moment, picking up the simple bouquet of white dahlias and cornflowers that almost exactly match Ana and Ellie’s dresses.

  Following them out of the small dressing area in the choir loft of the church, we make our way down the stairs before pausing in the vestibule. Ana and Ellie fuss with my veil and hair before pressing kisses to my cheeks and slipping through the doors to take Xavier’s arms.

  The door behind me opens letting Blake in with the midmorning sun. He wraps me in a hug as the wedding march begins to play.

  “Ready?” He asks with a cheerful smile. I take a deep breath and place my hand on his arm.

  “Definitely,” I reply as he opens the door and guides me toward my future.

  Travis

  When music starts playing in the nave of the church I turn away from the alter to watch her. She looks like an angel walking down the aisle on my best friend’s arm. She is so perfect that the air feels sucked from my lungs. Her gorgeous red hair is loose and flowing around her shoulders, a bright pop of color against her milky skin and the silky white dress. It has taken us a lifetime to reach this moment.

  Her topaz eyes meet mine and don’t waver. In them, I see everything she has ever been to me. The small girl who depended on me to keep her safe and be her friend. The rebellious teenager who became my best friend. My lover. And now my bride.

  My future.

  My love.

  My world.

  It takes just seconds for her reach my side, but they are the longest of my existence. Finally she is beside me. Smiling up at me. I hear words being murmured, but they sound far away and I can’t be bothered to try to listen until Blake sets her hand in mine and takes his place beside a smiling Ellie, who shyly takes his hand.

  Father Patrick begins to speak and I focus, listening as he starts the traditional ceremony. This is the most important day of my life, and I don't want to miss anything, not a single word or flicker of emotion, as she becomes mine.

  As I make my vows to her I hold her face between my hands, my eyes locked on hers. When I vow to love, honor and cherish her until my dying breath I mean every word. There is nothing that will ever come between us again.

  The radiant smile on her face and the glimmer of tears in her eyes tell me she understands everything I mean with my simple promises. My gaze never wavers as she promises me the same things, love shining in her eyes.

  Finally Father Patrick says the words I’ve been dying to hear, “You may kiss your bride.” I wrap Faye in my arms and lift her up against my hard body, her feet dangling.

  “I love you, Sweetpea,” I whisper against the sweetness of her neck.

  She squeezes me tighter, her arms looped around my neck, and whispers back, “We love you too, Daddy.” She smiles and tugs my mouth down to hers. “You heard Father Patrick—you're supposed to kiss me now, Travis.” She giggles against my mouth knowing she has shocked me with her words. I feel her smile against my mouth and lift more until she is cradled in my arms.

  Turning to the small group of our gathered friends, I proudly announce, “I’m a dad.”

  Ana and Ellie don’t look like this is news to them, but Xavier and Blake converge on us, slapping my shoulders and kissing Faye’s
cheeks.

  We may have lost a lot, but we have these friends… this family. Most importantly I have this little woman, who is everything I have ever wanted, and is mine forever.

  Holding her closer, I lower my mouth to hers, sealing our vows with a kiss.

  I'm going to spend the rest of my life loving her.

  Starting now.

  THE END

  Acknowledgments

  Wow! I actually did this! I said in elementary school that someday I would write a book and in middle school I started a historical romance because that is what I snuck and read off my mom's shelf or borrowed from friends.

  Life took over, as it tends to do, but I always had this thought in the back of my mind.

  And I did it! Mind blown!

  First I want to thank my husband Jim. Loving you (and getting better at it) over the past 21 years is my inspiration. Because of you I know that insta-love can be real AND enduring. We've had our share of hardships, but they have made us stronger.

  Thank you to my son JD for all the eye rolls at my taste in books and your constant humor. I hope that you find the kind of love I write about… but don't ever read what I write. You would embarrass me to death about it. You're my hero bud, stay safe when you're fighting fires.

  Now for the rest of you:

  Kriston, thanks for writing with me when we were barely teenagers. You're my best friend for life! I couldn't have accomplished this without your support and encouragement.

  Nicole, for pointing me in the direction of so many good books. I'm sure you recognize parts of this that our conversations help me work out the details for!

  Rebel Carter! Gurlll! For your support, encouragement and kindness to someone chasing this dream even while you were so busy chasing yours at the same time. Your generosity… amazes me! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This book might have stayed in a notebook on my dresser if not for you!

  Rachel & Dawn at Yours Truly Book Services for SO much! Beta reading, proofreading, teasers, formatting! I literally would have been lost without you!

  Leona McNeely, for calling me out when things got a little skeevy! Thank you!

  There are bound to be more of you. So many indie authors that I had conversations with on Instagram about so many things that trip up a first time author! I found my tribe on bookstagram and don't know if I ever would have taken this step without you inspiring and encouraging me every step of the way!

  About the Author

  Since she was a teenager AJ Andersen has plotted and planned to write kissing books, but life got in the way -

  Until one day the stories in her mind woke her up in the middle of the night and she HAD to start writing them down. On her phone. With her thumbs. Yeah...

  For MONTHS. Then she bought a laptop so she didn't have to borrow her son's.

  When she isn't writing AJ is busy with her husband. They travel, go rock houding, care for their menagerie of farm animals while she tends to her garden and her jungle of house plants in the Pacific Northwest.

  She hopes that you enjoy her debut novel Finding Faye and future stories in the series are in the works!

  Also by A. J. Andersen

  If you enjoyed Finding Faye, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Thank you.

  Coming Soon:

  Acquiring Ana: K&S Securities Series, Book 2

  BLURB

  He is all I've ever wanted, but let's be real.

  A girl like me and a man like him?

  I never let myself dream WE could ever be possible.

  Until we were-

  And nothing turned out like I had hoped.

  What else was I supposed to do?

  I ran.

  I hid.

  Until I didn’t have a choice and I knew I HAD to go back.

  She is all I've ever wanted.

  To acquire.

  To possess.

  To love.

  In spite of who I am.

  Especially in spite of who my family is.

  But when I finally make her mine it all goes to hell.

  She runs.

  She hides.

  Until my family finds her.

  They won't stop me from getting her back.