by Laura Ann
Ridge looked down to gauge Everly’s reaction and watched her nod reluctantly. She looked worn out, and it was no wonder. “Come on,” he said softly. “We can at least wait for the cops in the shade.”
Ridge walked over to the food trailer and grabbed some fruit and drinks, then led Everly to a couple of lawn chairs set up under an awning. “Drink,” he commanded, handing her the electrolyte drink. “We need to keep flushing those drugs out of your system, and food will help you stay awake even though I know you want to rest.”
She nodded and took the offerings. Instead of putting anything in her mouth, Everly played with the bottle.
“Say it.”
Everly looked up.
Ridge nodded encouragingly. “Say what’s on your mind. It’ll help you feel better.”
Everly gave him a small smile and shrugged. “I don’t really know what to say. My mind is a massive hurricane of thoughts and emotions and shock. Truthfully, I have no idea what to make of it all.”
Ridge nodded. “That’s normal. Don’t try to fight it. Let yourself feel what you need to feel. You’ll probably jump from one high to the next and that’s okay.” He grabbed Everly’s hand and pulled her out of her seat, settling her on his lap. “Everyone processes shock and grief a little differently, and you’re going to be going through both at the same time.” He rested his chin on her shoulder. “But you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here, baby. I’ll hold you while you cry and while you rage. Let it all out.”
“How did I get someone as perfect as you?” she asked, resting her head against his.
Ridge shrugged. “Just lucky, I guess.”
Everly laughed softly. “I guess so.”
She didn’t speak again, but after Ridge opened her drink, Everly ate and sipped while they waited for the police to arrive. Ridge wasn’t ready to let her out of his arms, but if there was one thing he’d learned today about their future, it was that it was meant to be together. And when the time was right, he would make sure it became permanent.
EPILOGUE
“Okay, you sit right there,” Everly instructed, “and I’ll go grab my guitar.” She grinned at Ridge’s huff and hurried down to her practice room. Everly’s emotions were on edge today. She had been working hard on a song and wanted to sing it for Ridge today.
Ever since that day a month ago when Tiffany went off the rails, words to a love song had been floating through Everly’s head. It was sparked when Ridge had been talking her through her shock after it was all over. A particular phrase kept coming back to Everly and she knew she had to set it to music.
She’d taken longer than usual writing this piece as it meant so much more to her than any other song she’d ever written. Although she and Ridge had been telling each other they loved each other, Everly considered this her real declaration. Somehow she was just able to say more through her music than she could in normal conversation, and she hoped Ridge received the message.
She came back into the room and sat down across from Ridge. He groaned.
“Why are you sitting all the way over there when I’m over here?”
Everly grinned. “Because you always distract me and then I won’t be able to play this for you.”
“We’ve played lots of music with you in my lap,” he pouted.
“Yeah. And we’ve never made it through a whole song.” She grinned. “I really want you to hear this.”
“Fine.” Ridge folded his arms and sat back on the couch. “Let me have it.”
She shook her head and grinned. Never a dull moment, she thought. “May I present to you, ‘I guess I’m lucky’.” Taking a deep breath, she began to strum and bob her head. After a moment, she opened her mouth to sing the lyrics. She closed her eyes while she sang, allowing her emotions to color her tone and volume. Soon it was time for the chorus.
I guess I’m lucky.
I’ve got you by my side.
I guess I’m lucky,
I never have to hide.
You hold me through it all,
No matter how far I fall,
I guess I’m lucky...after all.
Before she could break into the next verse, Ridge was in front of her, gently taking the guitar from her hands.
“Ridge!” Everly said in exasperation. “This is exactly why you were supposed to wait over there.” She pointed at the other couch, but her smile softened the scolding.
Ridge’s face was serious as he knelt down in front of her and Everly paused a moment.
“Are you okay?” she asked, reaching out to swipe a curl off his forehead.
“No.” Ridge shook his head. “I’m not.”
Everly frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Ridge met her gaze and the intensity of his stare shook Everly to her core. “I can’t let you finish that song until it’s true.”
“What do you mean? Of course it’s true—” Everly gasped and her hands automatically went over her mouth. Tears filled her vision, obscuring the beautiful diamond solitaire Ridge now held in his hand.
“Everly Simone Madison,” he began, “I love you.” He took a deep breath. “I want to be by your side every moment of every day. I want that song to be true, but slightly different. I will catch you when you fall. I’ll hold you when you cry. I’ll let you hit me when you’re angry. I’ll listen to your songs and cheer you on throughout your career. I want to go through life with you by my side and in my arms...but if you’re willing to marry me, then most definitely, I will be the lucky one. Please...” He swallowed hard. “Please, make me the luckiest man alive and say you’ll share your life with me.”
Everly blinked rapidly and shook her head. “Ridge,” she said in a trembling voice. “I can’t imagine doing life with anyone else. You make me laugh,” she smiled as tears trickled down her cheeks, “you make me cry and you make me happy.” She grabbed his cheeks and brought him in for a short, but sweet kiss. “How about we be lucky together?”
“Perfect,” Ridge breathed before gathering her in his arms to bring their lips back together. Awkwardly, he stood, still holding Everly in his arms, and walked backward until he fell onto the chair.
“Oof!” Everly held herself up as they resettled into a more comfortable position. “That was not your most graceful moment.”
Ridge grinned. “Who needs grace when you have luck?”
Everly’s laugh was cut off as he leaned in again, and she fully gave herself over to the wonder of it all, determined to enjoy every minute.
Wasn’t that delicious?
I loved writing Everly and Ridge’s story.
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“HER QUIET BODYGUARD”
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If you enjoy sweet/clean romance, you’ll LOVE my billionaire romance series.
Keep scrolling for an excerpt from “Her Billionaire Boss”
PROLOGUE
“I can’t decide if we’re desperate idiots, or desperate geniuses,” Eli Truman grunted as he swung his sledgehammer into the stone wall.
“Does it really matter?” Nelson, his youngest brother said with a laugh. “Either way, we’re still here, covered in dust, dirt and who knows what else, renovating an ancient castle.” His eyes darted toward the shaking ceiling. “That’s going to come down on us at any moment if you don’t ease up with the wall toppling.”
Eli grunted again, but rested the sledgehammer at his feet.
“You two are the idiots. Everyone knows I’m the brains of this operation,” Hayden, the middle brother, said as he hefted an armful of lumber into the space they were working in.
Avangarde castle had become the brothers’ last hope. Eli was fresh off a divorce, Hayden ha
d recently gotten fired from his chef job in New York and Nelson had joined the venture because he held no commitment elsewhere. Together, they had pooled their resources and purchased the crumbling structure of bricks they now stood in. The plan was to bring a section of it it up to code and open a bed-and-breakfast.
Nelson rolled his eyes. “Knowing how to make whipped cream doesn’t make you a genius.”
Hayden glared. “No, but knowing the difference between faux gras and pate might.”
“Give it a rest, guys,” Eli, ever the diplomat, said as he hefted the sledgehammer again. “After I get this wall down, we can see what we have to work with.”
With a loud grunt, he swung one last time. Dust rained from the ceiling and all three men ducked and covered their heads.
Once they had stopped coughing, Nelson spoke. “Geez, Eli. Got anger much?”
Eli wiped sweat and dirt from his forehead. “Sorry. That stupid stone has been here for hundreds of years. It doesn’t exactly want to come down.”
Hayden cocked his head as he stared with narrowed eyes at the wall. “Dude, we might be in more trouble than we thought. It looks like you broke the wall.”
“That was the whole point, Genius,” Nelson sneered as he walked over to examine Eli’s progress.
“Not that wall.” Hayden dropped his lumber and made his way across the messy work site. “This one.” He put his hand out and pushed against what appeared to be a depression in the stone. “Whoa.” Hayden’s eyes widened, and he stepped back quickly, nearly tripping at the sight of the wall shifting inward to reveal a hidden opening.
“Dude! Seriously?” Nelson bounded across the room and stuck his head in the small door. “That’s awesome!”
“What is it?” Eli asked as he carefully made his way over.
“Dunno,” Nelson grinned over his shoulder. “But we should find out.”
Hayden scowled. “Are you serious? There’s probably rotting bodies or something in there.” He folded his arms across his broad chest. “No, thank you.”
Nelson rolled his eyes again. “Rotting bodies? No one has lived here for like a hundred years, any bodies would be complete dust by now, Genius.”
“Stop calling me that,” Hayden growled.
Nelson’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re the one who claimed you were so smart, just following your lead... Genius.”
Hayden leaned in nose to nose with his little brother. “Don’t make me get my carving knives.”
Nelson gave a fake shiver. “Ooh, now I’m scared. A guy who spends his time in an apron and puffy hat is gonna hurt me.”
Hayden reached out and grabbed Nelson, putting him in a headlock before he could react.
With a laugh and holler, Nelson grabbed Hayden’s wrist and twisted his way out, using his years of martial arts training to evade further attempts of imprisonment.
“CHILDREN!” Eli shouted, grabbing them both by the shoulders. “Knock if off for a minute, huh?” His face went back to the hidden door. “I think we should figure out what’s going on here.” He nodded his chin toward the hole. “If there are hidden rooms, they’ll affect the structural integrity of the building and we need to know what we’re dealing with.”
“True enough,” Hayden said, rolling his neck and swinging his arms as if he were warming up for a sports contest.
“Maybe you should stay here, Bro. We wouldn’t want to have an accident and hurt your whisking arm or anything,” Nelson said with a smirk,
Hayden glared and stepped forward, but Eli stopped him with a hand to his chest. “Where are the flashlights?”
Nelson hurried into the other room and was back in a few seconds. “Here we go! One for each of us. Sorry, Hay, I couldn’t find your pretty princess one. It must still be packed in your luggage upstairs.” He laughed. “Ouch!” He rubbed the back of his head when Eli slapped him.
“Knock it off, Squirt. One of these days I won’t stop him from pounding you into the ground.”
“Like a guy who went to school to wear a skirt could pound me,” Nelson muttered while rubbing his head.
Eli turned his flashlight on and pushed the door open as far as it would go. The door was thick and after the first couple of inches, didn’t move easily. The squeal of the hinges made it clear that it hadn’t been opened in many years.
With a deep breath, Eli stepped into the darkness. “Oh, man.” He coughed a couple of times and swiped in front of his face. “Dang, the dust and cobwebs are thick.”
“This is going to be epic,” Nelson whispered. “How many dead people do you think we’ll find?”
Hayden shook his head. “You’re such an idiot.”
“And you’re such a girl!”
“Shut up,” Eli growled. “Nelson, go grab that broom.” He put his hand on his hip and flashed his light around. “Maybe I can use it to clear the cobwebs so we can actually walk in there.”
“Coming right up, Boss.” Nelson worked his way through the construction zone and grabbed a beat-up broom that was sitting in the corner.
“Thanks,” Eli murmured as he studied the passageway. He looked over his shoulder. “Here we go.” Setting his jaw, he held the broom in front of him, swinging it slowly from side to side as he worked his way inside. “There’s a staircase in here!” Eli called, surprise evident in his tone.
“Where does it go?” Nelson called back.
Hayden scowled. “How the heck is Eli supposed to know?” He shook his head. “Idiot,” he mumbled.
“I meant for him to find out... why are you always so grumpy? You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, Dude. You, of all people, should know the difference between the two.”
Hayden scowled and stepped into the space after Eli.
“Careful, these steps are pretty narrow.” Eli’s voice echoed slightly as it came up the stone walkway.
“Got it,” Nelson yelled, leaning over Hayden’s shoulder to answer.
Hayden flinched and covered the offended ear. Grumbling something under his breath, he stepped further into the darkness.
Slowly, the three brothers made their way down the dark and musty stairwell. The air felt heavy with moisture, and an aura of tension settled on each brother as they continued down the seemingly never-ending steps.
“This place is creepy.” Nelson said as he glanced behind him at the darkness. “Oof!” Just as he turned back around he ran into something solid. “Dude! Why did you stop?” Nelson rubbed his chin where he had smacked into Hayden’s head.
“Watch where you’re going and you won’t have that problem,” Hayden muttered. “Eli stopped, so I stopped.”
“There’s a door,” Eli called from the front.
All three brothers focused their flashlight beams to the front. A solid wood door, tall and straight, stood before them.
“Is it locked?” Hayden asked, his normally taciturn voice had lightened to awe.
Eli put his hand out and rested it on the dusty knob. Flexing his muscles, he twisted hard and the heavy door opened slightly. A puff of cold air hit the brothers in the face.
“Whoa...” Nelson breathed.
Eli glanced over his shoulder, his eyebrows furrowed together, before taking a deep breath and shouldering his way into the room.
“Eli? You still alive?” Nelson called out after a few moments of silence.
Hayden elbowed his baby brother in the chest. “Can you shut up for once?”
“What?” Nelson rubbed his chest. “It’s a legitimate question.”
Hayden looked at the ceiling and shook his head. “Come on,” he growled. Slowly, they walked into the dark room.
Eli had stopped only a few feet inside the doorway, still as a statue.
“What’s going on?” Hayden slapped a hand on Eli’s shoulder.
Eli’s jaw was slack and his eyes focused into the darkness. Without saying a word, he pointed a finger in front of him. Nelson and Hayden followed his finger and focused their flashlights the same direction as their older brother
.
Hayden’s eyes widened and Nelson gasped.
“Dude, are you all seeing this?” Nelson’s voice was quiet and shaky.
Both of his brothers nodded, but didn’t speak.
“I don’t think we’re desperate anymore,” Eli finally mumbled.
CHAPTER 1
“Well, Mrs...”
“It’s Miss. Miss Monson,” the woman sitting across from Eli interrupted.
“Sorry, Miss Monson. As I was saying, everything appears to be in order.” Eli’s face was emotionless as he shuffled the papers in front of him before looking up at the middle-aged women in front of him. “We will be contacting people later in the week to let them know the results of our hiring.” He stood and the woman eagerly jumped to her feet, fluffing her hair. Eli held out a hand. “Thank you for coming in, we’ll be in touch.”
“You’re welcome.” Miss Monson smiled as she gripped his hand and fluttered her eyes a little. “I mean, thank you for your time.” She giggled and shrugged her shoulders.
“Yes, well,” Eli’s long legs took him over to the door of his brand new office and he quickly opened it. “Have a nice day.”
“You too.” She watched him as she walked past, wiggling her fingers in goodbye as she slowly moved out into the hall.
Eli shut the door firmly behind her. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he moaned as he slumped into his desk chair. The smooth, buttery leather of the seat didn’t so much as squeak as he settled in. “Money might not buy you happiness, but at least it buys comfortable chairs,” Eli mumbled as he lay his head back and closed his eyes.
“How goes the job hunt?” Hayden asked as he stormed into the office.
“Probably about as well as yours.” Eli peeked through one eye. “Have you filled all your spots in the kitchen?”