by D. F. Jones
And her thoughts trailed off to their lives together. She was so happy to have a second chance. Hannah would always fight for their love or die trying. Jeff was her everything—her life, her soulmate—and she would spend every day showing him how much he meant to her.
“Hannah, don’t leave me hangin’,” Jeff whispered. “You’re supposed to say, ‘I do.’”
“Huh? Oh, I do. With all my heart. I do.” And everyone laughed. Great. She’d been so lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t paid attention to her vows. Did he put a ring on her finger? She peered down. Yep. She couldn’t do a face-palm standing in front of all those people.
Abby snorted and handed Hannah Jeff’s ring. She recited her vows, then placed a ring on Jeff’s finger and smiled. He seemed amused, knowing her so well. After a few more words were exchanged—Hannah really wasn’t paying attention after what had happened—the priest finally said, “You may kiss the bride.”
Jeff planted one on Hannah like he was starved for air and she was his oxygen. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave it right back while the guests hooted and hollered.
“I love you, Mrs. Landry.”
“I love you, Mr. Landry.”
“How about we skip the party and get started on making those babies you promised?” Jeff gave Hannah a sly grin. “You know, I heard everything you said.”
“If you can get past my mamma, let’s do it!”
Jeff scooped Hannah up and then rushed down the aisle.
They were off to go make some babies.
Hannah couldn’t have been happier.
About Angela Sanders
Angela Sanders is the international bestselling author of epic fantasy, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy. She's a multi-genre author who also writes psychological thrillers and murder mysteries. As a retired Navy Chief, wife, and mother, Angela lives in Kentucky, where she enjoys writing, editing, reading, or all three.
Her son is the key to her heart; he has the writing bug, wanting to be like his mommy when he grows up. She began her writing journey, first in the political world, and then left it all behind to explore the more fantastical world of fiction. With the help and support of several authors pushing her along, she published her first book in June 2017 and has been writing since.
If you enjoyed Moon Magic, read the series where it all began in Delphine Rising. The prequel, Winds of Change is free at most digital bookstores.
To learn more, click Angela Sanders Books.
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Also by Angela Sanders
Winds of Change Prequel to (Delphine Rising Book 0.5) FREE on all available outlets
Raging Inferno (Delphine Rising Book 1)
Magic Unleashed (Delphine Rising Book 2)
Magic Revealed (Delphine Rising Book 3)
* * *
Marked by a Vampire (The Hybrid Coven Book 1)
Mated by Magic (The Hybrid Coven Book 2)
Touched by a Vampire (The Hybrid Coven Book 3)
Within the Shadows by Amy Hale
A Shadows Trilogy Short
Chapter 1
Incessant buzzing echoed through the apartment. No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, whoever it was, wasn’t going away. Worse, she feared it was Jeff. The text message he’d sent earlier made it clear that he wanted to see her. A frustrated breath passed her lips and sore feet reminded her of the previous evening’s dinner rush during her shift at Stan’s Diner as she made her way to the front door. She really didn’t want to deal with him today. She groaned, unlocked the door, and cracked it open, hoping on the slim chance it might be anyone other than Jeff.
He smiled at her, cigarette hanging out of his mouth. “Hey, baby. It’s good to see you.”
Dana shook her head. “What do you want?”
He placed both hands above his head on the doorjamb and leaned in. His dark hair was slicked back fifties style, and he wore faded jeans with a red T-shirt that clung to his lean form. He grinned at her, leveling his brown eyes on her lips. “Can’t a guy just stop by and see his two favorite girls?”
She shook her head. “Most guys probably can. You can’t.”
He had the nerve to look hurt.
“Daddy?” said a small voice as their five-year-old walked up behind Dana.
“Hey, Shorty.” He reached down and ruffled her dark curls, moving the cigarette from his mouth to his free hand.
“Don’t call me Shorty. It’s not nice to make fun of people.” She crossed her arms in defiance, wrinkling her little round button nose. It was a stance and expression Dana often made. Their looks were similar enough that Lacey looked like a mini version of her mother.
Jeff looked at Dana with raised eyebrows.
“They’re talking about manners in school.” She smiled down at her daughter.
He nodded. “Then what do I call you?”
“My name. You call me Lacey.”
“Will do then. Can I come in for a while, Lacey? Dana?” He shifted his gaze back to Dana.
Lacey grabbed his hand and began to pull him inside.
“Whoa.” Dana put her hand on his chest. “Not with that thing.” Her eyes darted down to the cigarette in his right hand. “You know my rules. No smoking around Lacey.”
“Yeah. Right. Sorry.” He dropped the butt on the ground and smashed it out with the toe of his tennis shoe.
Dana stepped aside so Jeff could enter.
He shook off Lacey’s grip and flopped down on the sofa, putting his feet up on the coffee table. Lacey climbed up to sit beside him.
Every little girl loves her daddy. She’s no exception. It’s too bad her daddy turned out to be a scumbag.
“So, how have you been, Dana?” He barely acknowledged Lacey.
She shut the door and turned to face him. “You’d know if you stopped by more than once every couple months.” Shut up. It’s bad enough you have to see him this often.
“You know I’m a busy guy. I try to get over when I can.” He stretched and put his hands behind his head. “I really miss you girls. Especially you.” He flashed Dana a look that would have once turned her knees to pudding. Now, nothing. His face was still handsome, but the inner man was horrible and ugly, and it rightfully stained her image of him. His gaze roamed her body.
She knew she looked a mess. She had pulled her long brown hair up into a sloppy bun, and she wore her oldest pair of sweatpants. If he looked closer, he would have likely noticed her hazel eyes were slightly bloodshot. Sleep hadn’t been her friend lately.
“I have laundry to put away.” She picked up a full basket sitting near the TV and walked down the hall.
Jeff hopped off the sofa and followed her. “Need some help?”
Dana stopped in her tracks, and he almost ran into the back of her. She faced him. “Since when did you become Mr. Helpful?”
“I just thought you might need a hand.” He smiled.
Dana’s eyes narrowed. “What are you up to?”
He raised his hands. “Nothing. Like I said, just here to see my girls.” He looked her up and down once more, and she was thankful she hadn’t chosen to wear her leggings today. He’d always commented on how much he liked her curves, especially when she wore form-fitting clothing.
“Daddy,” shouted Lacey from the living room, “want to see my new Lego set?”
Dana tilted her head and gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Then go spend a little time with the one that actually wants to see you.”
He sighed, turned from Dana, and strolled back into the living room. “Sure, kid.”
Lacey quickly ran past Dana to her bedroom and brought back out a plastic bucket full of Legos.
Dana’s heart swelled with love for this amazing little girl. Jeff may not have been a good part of her past, but Lacey was a blessing. She couldn’t be mad at him for that.
“Daddy, look at this!” her voice squealed from the other room. “It c
omes with wheels so we can make cars and stuff.”
Convinced Lacey would be okay for the few minutes it would take her to put clothing in the closets, she set to work.
Ten minutes passed when she walked back into the living room, empty basket in hand. Lacey was still playing on the floor, two small items constructed from her new Legos sat in front of her. Jeff sat on the sofa staring at Lacey. His eyes were wide, and his mouth had gone slack.
“Jeff? Is everything okay?” She squatted down to her daughter’s level to ensure that Lacey was fine.
He cleared his throat, and Dana turned her eyes back to him. “Jeff. What’s wrong with you?” She bounced to her feet and put her hands on her hips, moving closer to him. In a harsh whisper, she said, “Are you high? You had damn well better not have done drugs in front of my daughter.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m not high. And she’s my daughter too, Dana.”
In hushed tones, she replied, “You wouldn’t know it. You give us zero financial support, and you show her very little attention. She should be your priority.”
He stood then, putting his face close to hers. “You know I’m looking for work.”
Dana shook her head. “For five years, Jeff? No, you’re looking for your next high. That’s all you’ve ever cared about.”
He rolled his eyes. “You don’t know me as well as you think you do.”
“Don’t I? My guess is you are here because you’re broke, and you’re hoping I’ll give you a little cash to help you get by for a bit.” She looked directly into his eyes. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
He stared back at her.
“I knew it.” Anger laced her voice, and she subtly gestured to Lacey. “There are times when I barely have enough for the two of us. You need to grow up.”
He ignored her verbal jab as he stepped around her and moved to the doorway. “Whatever.” When he pulled it open, he turned and glanced at Lacey. “She’s a special little girl.”
Dana’s brows drew together. “Yes, she is. What took you so long to notice?”
Lacey looked up and smiled at them both.
“You didn’t tell me she was gifted.” He looked pointedly at Dana.
Dana felt the world spin. She stiffened her spine and struggled to keep her face and tone neutral. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
His lips turned up at the corners in a way that made her heart sink. “I think you do.”
Again, she schooled her face to appear detached. “What are you talking about?”
He shook his head. “Never mind.” He looked at Lacey again. “See you soon, Lacey. Daddy needs to go.”
Lacey frowned. “You’re leaving?”
“I’ll be back soon. I promise.” He crouched down, and Lacey scrambled over to him for a hug. He gave her a big squeeze and a kiss on the top of her head. When he stood, he looked at Dana. “Do I get a kiss from Mommy, too?”
Dana raised one eyebrow. “Over my dead body.”
He shrugged. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He turned and closed the door behind him.
Dana sat on the sofa and looked at her shaking hands. She closed her eyes and inhaled deep, slow breaths.
A small hand touched her shoulder. “Mommy, are you okay?”
Dana opened her eyes, and her lips trembled as she tried to speak. “Baby, did something happen while Mommy was putting the clothes away?”
Lacey cast her eyes at her shoes. “I’m sorry. It was an accident. I was trying to reach a wheel for the car I was making, and it rolled away from me. I didn’t mean to.”
Dana shook her head. “It’s okay, baby. Just tell me what happened.”
Lacey clasped her hands together and twisted her fingers—a nervous habit she’d recently developed. “I didn’t think. I just reached my hand out.”
Lacey demonstrated for her mother as she had many times before. One of Lacey’s Legos raised up from the floor and flew into Lacey’s hand.
Dana pulled Lacey close and held her tight.
“You said not to ever tell anybody. But it’s Daddy. He’s okay, right?” Her little voice wobbled.
Dana wiped a tear from Lacey’s cheek. “It will be fine. We’ll ask Daddy to keep our secret, okay?” She smiled, hoping she instilled confidence in Lacey she didn’t feel herself. Jeff was a lowlife who only cared about himself. She didn’t know what this information would mean to him, but she didn’t trust him to keep it to himself.
“I tell you what; I have the whole day off. How about we watch a movie and make some popcorn?” She gave Lacey another little hug.
Lacey wiped her face with the back of her fingers. “Yes. Can we watch the princess movie?”
“Absolutely. You put away your Legos, and I’ll make the popcorn.”
Lacey started to pick up her toys but stopped and looked at her mother. “Mommy, does Daddy know about you?”
“About me?” she echoed.
“That you can do it too? Move things? And that other thing you do with your fingers…” She spaced her fingertips about an inch apart. “The lightning thing.”
“No, baby. Daddy doesn’t know.” Dana smiled. “I want to keep that secret just between me and you, okay?”
Lacey smiled and nodded as she continued to pick up her blocks.
Dana stepped into their small kitchen and did her best not to hyperventilate. “Jeff knows,” she whispered to herself. “Oh God. He knows.”
Dana called in sick to work the next two days. Her instincts told her to keep Lacey close. Even playing outside in the apartment’s playground was off-limits at the moment, much to Lacey’s disappointment.
Early on day three, there was a knock at her door. She cautiously opened it to find her neighbor Brandon standing on the other side. He lived two doors down, and they ran into each other often. They were friendly to each other, but she didn’t know if they’d qualify as friends.
She found him insanely attractive and tried to avoid him when she could. His sandy blond hair, sharp-angled features, broad shoulders, and impressive muscles were hard to ignore. But his eyes—his vivid blue eyes drew her in like a wayward traveler finally seeing home. She gravitated toward him when he was near, and it scared her. The last thing she needed was another man complicating her life.
“Hi, Dana, I hope I’m not bothering you.” He smiled, and she couldn’t help but notice straight teeth framed by seductive lips.
“Uh, no. Not at all. What can I do for you?” She wished she’d put more effort into her appearance this morning. Idiot, she chided herself.
“This will sound weird, but I was worried about you and Lacey.” He absentmindedly rubbed the back of his neck.
“Worried about us?” That switched her attention.
“You both are almost always at the playground on nice days, but I haven’t seen you despite the warm weather. I haven’t seen you leave for work, either. I just wanted to be sure you were okay or see if you needed anything.”
“I took a few days off. We’re fine, just a little worn down and taking it easy.” She smiled, hoping it would convince him all was well.
“I know it sounds creepy or something …I promise I don’t stand at the window and stalk you.” He chuckled. “It’s just stuff I notice. And you’re hard not to notice if I’m honest.”
Heat crept up her cheeks. “Well, thank you. That’s sweet.” She cleared her throat. “And yeah …a little creepy.” She smirked, surprised to find herself actually at ease with him despite the topic of conversation.
He chuckled again. “Well, if you ever need anything or want to grab a coffee sometime, please call me.” He handed her a business card. She glanced at it, and suddenly, things he said made sense. He was a private investigator. Attention to detail was part of his job.
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.” She tucked the card into the back pocket of her jeans.
He nodded. “I hope you do. I’ll see you around.” He turned and walked the short distance back to his apartment.
Dana
closed the door and leaned against it. “Life is crazy enough,” she admonished herself. “I don’t need a sexy guy making it worse.”
He was flirting with her, though, and that invitation to coffee—was he asking her out? It’d been a long time since a nice guy showed any interest in her. She thought Jeff was a nice guy once, too. She shook off the thoughts of it. She absolutely didn’t need to accept his invitation.
A knock on the door made her jump. She laughed at herself and turned, pulling open the door. “Listen, I like you, but I don’t think we should do this.”
Jeff stood there with his hands on his hips. “At least you like me.” He grinned.
Dana stepped backward. “What are you doing here?”
He studied her a moment. “So, you didn’t know it was me on the other side of this door. A guy’s got balls asking out another man’s woman.”
“What? I’m not your woman and never will be again. When are you going to get that through your thick skull?”
Jeff shrugged. “I’m just determined, I guess.” He pushed his way in, and two large men in dark clothing followed him.
“Who are they?” Dana pushed down panic once again. “Get out of my apartment,” she shouted.
“We will, when we get what we came for.” Jeff nodded, and one man took off down the hall toward the bedrooms. Lacey was still sleeping in hers.
Dana followed him. “Hey, you can’t—”
The other big man blocked her path.
“Hear me out, Dana. Our daughter is gifted in ways I’ve never seen. I know a guy that can develop those gifts. He can help her and make us all rich.” He grinned.
“Are you out of your damn mind?” Dana shouted. “You will not exploit our daughter.”
“Listen, Dr. Morrison knows what he’s doing. It’s like volunteering for one of those drug trials or medical studies. You work with them and get paid.”
Dana’s stomach turned. “Never.” Anger and disgust laced every syllable. “I will not allow you to turn Lacey into a lab rat.”