Shattered Heart: A Single Dad Romantic Suspense

by Lara Norman

  “Devon.”

  He looked up at her tone of voice. The expression on her face would have been enough to catch him up to what she was thinking, but the sight of her hoisting herself onto his worktable sent him rushing in her direction.

  “Are you sure you—”

  “Yes.”

  He groaned.

  Chloe yanked her shirt over her head, and Devon did the same with his. Just as he reached her, she unclasped her bra and peeled it down her arms.

  “Oh, my God.” Devon dropped his head, catching one of her tight nipples in his mouth. She moaned and fisted his hair.

  Chloe wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled on his hair so he’d meet her mouth with his. Their tongues tangled, Chloe pressing her hips up and nearly crying at the feel of his hard length straining against his jeans.

  “I’ve missed you.”

  “I just saw you yesterday,” he reminded her.

  “I know.” She bit his lower lip and rocked her hips again. He ran his hands up her bare legs until he reached under her skirt to find her panties wet.

  “Jesus, lay back.”

  Chloe lowered herself to the table and uncrossed her legs. Devon pushed at her skirt until it bunched at her waist and peeled off the lace covering her pussy. Her breathing came in choppy waves, and she gripped the edge of the table when he lowered to his knees.

  “Yes, Devon.”

  He ran his nose along her inner thigh and kissed her. When he slipped one finger inside her, she squirmed, arching her back. He lowered his head until her view was of his dark hair and his face buried between her legs. She couldn't form another coherent thought once he ran his tongue along her pussy until he reached her clit. He sucked it between his lips and circled it with the tip of his tongue, and she cried out.

  She shuddered so hard she bumped the back of her head on the table, but she didn’t care. “So close, Devon.”

  He added another finger and curled it inside her, unleashing her orgasm in seconds. Her muscles clenched and she called his name, making him grin and kiss her thigh again. That was a sound he’d never grow tired of hearing.

  He straightened, looking sexy as fuck with his hair standing in all different directions. He unbuttoned his jeans and barely pushed them down his hips before he was pulling her legs until they met heat to heat.

  Chloe arched when he pushed inside her, moaning at the satisfaction of feeling so full. “Oh, yes.”

  Devon grabbed onto her waist as he pounded into her, and she watched his face. He was never more gorgeous than when he was finding pleasure in her body. Love surged through her and caught in her throat.

  “God, Chloe, you feel so good.”

  “Come inside me, Devon.”

  “Oh God.”

  Dropping his head back, he moved faster. Every thrust brought him closer, straining his muscles until he snapped. When he stilled, he was buried deep inside Chloe with a death grip on her hips.

  He leaned forward to kiss her. “You’re amazing.”

  “Now I can cross that off my list,” she said with a giggle.

  And so could he.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  For five straight weeks, Devon sat in the same chair four days a week. He hated that chair and everything it symbolized. It was hard and uncomfortable, and it took him away from what and who he loved. He listened to each side argue why Vince Buckley should or shouldn't be sent to prison. He listened to Vince’s testimony that he had acted out of panic when he realized he’d injured Hailey. He thought she was dead, and he didn’t know what to do. He’d just found out Anna was pregnant, and he needed to be there for her and the baby.

  Regardless of what he said, Devon knew something was fundamentally wrong with the man he used to treat like a brother. Nobody had an acceptable excuse for injuring a little girl and not finding help. Luckily, the jury agreed.

  The frustration and pain of sitting through the trial was worth it, if only to be there the day he was found guilty of all charges. It was worth it to see the look on his face when he was sentenced the following week. He would never again see the light of day except through prison bars like a trapped animal.

  It was especially worth it to know it was finally over. Devon stood with Chloe at his side and allowed the bailiff to lead them to the holding cells in the back of the courthouse. He just needed to see him behind bars one time, and then he could move on with his life.

  They stopped in front of what Devon liked to think of as Vince’s cage.

  He turned to look at the two of them and sneered. “Couldn't stay away, could you?”

  Devon folded his arms across his chest. “I wanted to get a look at you in what’s now your natural habitat.”

  Vince scoffed. “I’ll get out.”

  “No, you won’t,” Chloe said with a humorless laugh.

  “What do you know?”

  Chloe whipped a hand through the bars and grabbed the front of his jumpsuit, pulling him forward quickly enough to rap his face against the bars. “I know you’re a piece of shit.” She let go and stepped back, casually leaning on the wall behind her.

  Vince cupped his hands over his bleeding face. “Fuck you, bitch! Fuck both of you!”

  Devon nodded. “I feel the same. You mean nothing to me anymore.”

  He held his hand out to Chloe, and they walked out of the courthouse together to find Lori and Caleb waiting for them in the parking lot.

  “I’m so glad that’s over,” Lori said as they approached.

  “My ass is numb from those damn chairs,” Caleb complained.

  “We spoke to Vince,” Devon told them.

  “What? Why?” Lori looked between Chloe and Devon.

  “I needed him to see me happy; to know he didn't win, and that I’m better off without him.”

  “And I needed to bloody his face,” Chloe added.

  “You shouldn't have done that, Chloe,” Devon said. “You’ll get in trouble.”

  “Oh, don’t worry, Mom knows everybody who works in that building.” She grinned. “It’s really too bad Vince tripped and face planted, isn’t it?”

  Devon just shook his head and scrubbed one hand through his hair. “I’m ready to go home and never set foot in this courthouse again.”

  He’d closed on his new house the week before, and his parents were there with Maisie and Hailey since school had recently let out for the summer. They’d been by his side as often as they’d been able to manage, as had Caleb, Lori, and Chloe. Something he would never lose sight of again was the strength of his support system.

  Even the chief and David had been in the courtroom with him a few times. That alone had touched him deeply, but they’d also stayed with Hailey when his parents hadn’t been able to get out of work.

  All four of them entered the house together when they arrived. Hailey had spread papers and markers across the dining room table, and Lori went over to see what she was doing.

  The other three went to the living room where Lydia and Don were sitting.

  “How did it go?” Don asked.

  “Let’s just say that if he were immortal, Hailey would be a great-great-grandmother by the time he was considered for parole.”

  “Oh, Devon. How do you feel about that?” Lydia asked.

  He sat next to her, and she patted his leg. “Like it’s finally over. Like I can put all this behind me and look to the future with nothing hanging over my shoulders.”

  Chloe sat on the couch on the other side of Devon, and Lori and Hailey came into the room.

  Hailey stood in front of the coffee table. “I have something to show everybody.”

  “Whatcha got, bug?” Lydia asked.

  She grinned and held a bunch of papers in front of her. “I was working on a project, and now it’s done, so I wanna show it to everyone.” She held up her stack of papers and flipped one around. “Chloe, can you read it for me?”

  Chloe frowned and then smiled hesitantly when she saw her name in Hailey’s handwriting. “Su
re. Um, it says my name.”

  Hailey flipped to a different sheet of paper.

  “It was hard to move on after so much loss.” Chloe gasped and stared at Devon. He squeezed her hand, and Hailey moved to the next piece of paper.

  “It was hard to trust anyone after all that happened.” Her voice became thicker as she spoke. “You opened my heart and made me see the possibilities. You’ve made our lives better.” Tears tracked down her cheeks as Hailey swapped out each brightly colored and decorated piece of paper for the next one.

  She flipped one more, and Chloe could barely choke out the words. “Please be my mommy.”

  With a soft sound, she got off the couch and kneeled in front of Hailey. “Oh, baby, of course I will.”

  Chloe wrapped her arms around Hailey, and Devon came to kneel with them. “There’s one more.” Hailey held up the last piece, decorated with hearts and glitter, and Devon looked into Chloe’s eyes as he said, “Will you marry us?”

  He ignored his mother’s sob and waited for Chloe to answer him. “You know I will!”

  They crushed the piece of paper between them when he kissed her.

  “Can I have a moment alone with Hailey?” Chloe asked when she pulled away, wiping her face.

  Though she knew she didn't need permission, she waited for Devon’s nod before taking Hailey up to her room. They sat on the end of the bed together, and Chloe held Hailey’s hand.

  “I want you to know you don’t have to call me mommy or anything, sweetie.”

  Hailey looked into Chloe’s eyes with a tiny frown. “But I want to. My first mommy told me it was okay with her.”

  Chloe raised her eyebrows. “When was this?”

  “I dream about her sometimes, and she talks to me at the cemetery, too.”

  “Well, the next time you talk to her, tell her I said thank you.”

  “But she already told me to tell you thank you.”

  Tears pricked her eyes, and Chloe tried to hold them back. “She did? For what?”

  “For taking such good care of me and Daddy, and for loving us.” She got up on her knees and put her arms around Chloe’s neck. “She told me to call you what I wanted, and I want you to be my mommy. I love you, and you love me, so that makes me your daughter.”

  An odd shiver went down Chloe’s spine when the wind suddenly picked up outside the house, rattling the windowpane. “It sure does.”

  “Why are you crying?”

  Chloe laughed. “Because you make me so happy.”

  Hailey patted Chloe’s cheeks. “And Daddy does, too?”

  “And your daddy does, too.”

  Hailey bounced. “Can we tell Grams and Grumps that we’re getting married?”

  Chloe laughed again. “Sure thing. Do you want me to call them?”

  “Uh-huh!”

  Chloe and Hailey went back downstairs to get Chloe’s phone. She dialed her parents and handed over the phone.

  “Hey,” Devon said, coming up to Chloe and kissing the top of her head. “What was that about?”

  “I wanted to assure her she didn’t have to call me mommy, but she said she spoke to Kathy.” Chloe paused to suck in a breath. “Apparently, Kathy approves and thanks me for taking care of the two of you.”

  “She said that?” At Chloe’s nod, he said, “Hailey and I talked about asking you to move in and marry me. As she understands it, we’re all getting married.”

  “I’m okay with that.”

  He brushed her hair away from her face. “Are you okay with moving in before the wedding?”

  “Are you okay with getting married right away?”

  He scrubbed his hand over the back of his head. “Yeah, I just thought you would want to plan something big.”

  “Nope. I just want the two of you.” She took his hand and rested it on her abdomen. “And this little one.”

  His eyes widened, and he crushed her to him. “You are amazing, Chloe. You’ve made me so happy.”

  “I love you, Devon. It’s as simple as that.”

  Epilogue

  The day was windy and warm. It was rare, but not unheard of to see such weather in Merrimac. Chloe took it as a sign they were doing the right thing, considering the way strong winds followed them on special occasions. The baby inside her moved as if in agreement.

  “Just a few more hours and Daddy will be my husband,” she whispered as she cupped her belly. She wasn't showing yet as long as she wore the right clothes, but she would soon.

  With everything they’d gone through, Chloe couldn't wait to marry Devon, have their baby, and settle in for their version of happily ever-after. Their love had grown from his shattered heart, and though she wished he hadn't had to suffer in such a way, it had brought them together. Ultimately, it was a blessing in disguise, as she knew her parents had said.

  The only dim spot in her day was the appearance of the Keystones. There was a rumor going around that they wanted to take her measure as their granddaughter’s stepmother, which was of course laughable. They never cared much for their flesh and blood, treating a little girl as an afterthought. Chloe didn't fall for their fake charm and excuses, but they insisted to Lydia they would be there.

  Alicia helped her with her veil, and then it was time. Lori held the door at the back of the house so Chloe could step out into the sunshine and vow to love her soulmate for eternity. The symbolism was important; everything had been dark in Devon’s life for a long time, the only sunny days coming from his daughter. So on their wedding day, they would stand in the sun and make vows between the three of them.

  Walking down the grassy aisle didn't unnerve her. It was what she wanted, and nothing could slow her down. Seeing the faces of her friends and family only made the moment that much sweeter. She suppressed a frown when she spotted Gloria and Jude Keystone, and didn't allow them to bother her past that moment.

  Devon waited under an arbor of flowers, one he’d built and they erected together. It was only one of many projects they’d undertaken to personalize their home. Chloe felt her face and knew she radiated bliss. Hailey stood to the right of her father, wearing a white dress with a pink sash and a crown of flowers. The three of them held hands as they listened to the officiant read the words meant to bind them legally in the way they already were emotionally.

  When the pronouncement came, they were husband, wife and daughter. Hailey squealed, throwing her bouquet in the air and wrapping herself around Chloe. Her daughter didn't hug with her arms; she hugged with her entire body. Heart pounding, Chloe picked Hailey up and kissed Devon.

  “We did it!”

  “He’ll just end up killing his second wife, too.”

  Gasps followed that whispered vitriol. Maybe no one was meant to hear it, or maybe it was intentionally said loud enough to carry. Either way, Chloe wouldn't stand for it.

  “Time to go, old woman.”

  Gloria clutched her necklace. “How dare you speak to me in such a manner?”

  “How dare you come to my wedding and insult my husband? Everyone knows you don't care about Hailey, including her, so just leave.”

  “What everyone knows is that Devon is responsible for killing Kathy!”

  At that point, Jude was red as a beet, Caleb stood directly behind them with an expression which made it clear he was ready to throw them out physically, and Devon . . . well, he grinned.

  “Gloria, let’s go now.” Jude tugged on her elbow.

  “Not until I make sure everyone knows—”

  “Get out.”

  Devon’s voice was so quiet they shouldn't have been able to hear it, but the rush of wind died down the moment he spoke.

  “Now. Leave my property and don't bother coming back. Hailey has two sets of grandparents in her life who love her and care for her. You’re not even worth the mud on the bottom of Hailey’s shoe.”

  They left, though it took more prodding, and Chloe and Devon enjoyed the remainder of the day with their family. Chloe couldn't express how satisfying it was to
see the way he sloughed off insults he once suffered over.

  “I can’t believe they came,” Devon said at the end of the night.

  Chloe unzipped her dress. “Some people have no tact.”

  “Or no life.”

  “Well, that too.”

  “Here, let me help you.”

  Devon slid the dress from her shoulders, watching it pool at her feet. Lifting her arms, she tucked them around his head and drew him down for a searing kiss. Heat raced through her veins at the feel of him in her arms.

  “We belong to each other now.”

  “Forever.”

  “Forever.”

  She stripped his shirt from his body, running her hands over the planes of muscle. His stomach clenched when she touched him the way he loved, and she sucked in a breath when he found her wet between the legs.

  He cupped a hand over her slight bump, then ran his hands back to her breasts. It was a simple gesture assuring her he thought of their baby tucked safe within her as much as she did. She lost track of all thought when he pinched her nipples, when he pushed his pants down and moved them toward the bed.

  And when he eased her down and filled her body, her heart overflowed too. When he called her name and she said his in return, her soul recognized its blessings.

  JASON LEO MCMILLAN came into the world with an enormous set of lungs. Already adored, he made his presence known as often as possible. Though she worried over doing everything right, Chloe knew she was pretty good at the mother thing because Hailey always told her.

  One night before dinner, Chloe tried her best to get Jay to sleep so they could eat together. Hailey came into the nursery to check on them and found Chloe leaning over the crib singing softly.

  “What’s that song?”

  Chloe glanced up. “It’s a lullaby Grams sang to me and then to my brother.”

  “The one we named Jay after?”

  “Yes, Leo.”

  “It sounds familiar.”

  Relenting, Chloe picked the baby up and sat with him in the rocker. “Here, come sit with us.”

  Hailey sat on Chloe’s leg while she set Jay on her shoulder. “I sang it to you in the hospital. I was the first person to see you after the police brought you in and the nurses and doctors checked you over.”