“Charming and smooth?” she challenged.
“Very charming. The princess couldn’t resist.”
“Uh-huh.”
Elsie tapped my cheek to get my attention. “What then?”
“The prince married the princess, and they lived happily ever after.”
Elsie sighed, leaning her head against my shoulder. “Good story, Daddy.”
Fee pushed off the frame. “Well, at least you got that part right.”
I watched her walk away, holding my son.
My daughter snuggled closer, her little body growing heavy as she fell asleep. I always knew when she was out because she made the same noise Fee did when she slept, although Elsie’s was more clicking than purring. I now had two raptors in the house—and I loved every minute of it.
I looked around the room and listened to the sounds of my family settling for the night—my daughter’s little clicking, Fee’s voice gently crooning to Brandon, and his coo as he fell asleep.
Once they were settled, I could spend the rest of the evening with my beautiful wife and catch up on all the things I missed during the day. Catch up with her.
Then I would find the peaceful rest only she could give me.
My Fee.
I had everything I had ever dreamed of and was too afraid to hope for.
A real home, a family I adored—all because of the woman who proved to me that love didn’t always come with pain. Who was strong enough to show me that every day.
She created a whole new world for me, and I gave her the one she deserved.
One filled with unending love.
That was us. Our story—our forever.
Our happily ever after.
Thank you so much for reading HALTON. If you are so inclined, reviews are always welcome by me at your eretailer.
This was a surprise in the Vested Interest series. Who knew one line in VAN would inspire so many readers to ask for more.
If you love a reluctant hero, Richard and Katy VanRyan’s story begins with my series The Contract. You meet an arrogant hero in Richard, which makes his story much sweeter when he falls.
Another reluctant hero is Zachary from Beneath The Scars. It is a story of recluse who is angry at the world and wants to be left alone. That is until his new neighbor arrives.
Enjoy reading! Melanie
SANDY by Melanie Moreland
Copyright © #1169995
ISBN Ebook 978-1-988610-35-1
Paperback 978-1-988610-34-4
All rights reserved
Edited by
Lisa Hollett—Silently Correcting Your Grammar
Cover design by Melissa Ringuette
Monark Design Services
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are
products of the author's imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any
similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Family is often not born of blood but
rather those special people who come into our lives and
become a part of our heart.
To those people in my life, thank you.
This one is for you.
And, as always,
for Matthew
who is my heart.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Epilogue
Sandy
Thunder rolled, the intensity shaking the walls of my bedroom. Lightning followed, the room filling with vivid flashes of white, creating eerie shadows on the wall.
I shivered at the ferociousness of the storm and clutched my pillow tighter. I sighed as strong, warm arms slipped around me, and I was pulled into the loving embrace of my husband. His voice was low and comforting in the dark.
“It’s all right, my girl. I have you.”
I smiled at his endearment. I had been his girl from the day we met. Max was divorced, an established, well-respected physician, and twenty-two years my senior. His son, Aaron, was one of my best friends. Aaron and I enjoyed each other’s company, but after one date, had agreed there was nothing between us and instead pursued an amazing friendship. He was close to his dad and talked about him often.
I saw them across the room at an event the university was hosting, and I went over to say hello to Aaron and meet his dad. The instant our eyes met, Max and I bonded. It was as if there was an invisible thread pulling us together, and neither of us could control the draw.
I never made it back to the dorm that night—Max and I were never apart again. We were married a short time later in a quiet ceremony and together weathered the stares, gossip, and slurs that followed us because of our age difference. Eventually, they died down, and we remained strong, proving them all wrong. Love wasn’t about age. It was about your heart, the love it contained, and how you let that love guide you.
I relaxed into Max, allowing his strength to comfort me. “I hate storms,” I murmured.
He kissed the sensitive spot behind my ear with a low chuckle. “I know. That’s why I’m here.”
“It’s a bad one.”
“It is,” he agreed, his voice getting quieter. “But you’re going to be fine. You’re a strong, brave woman, Sandy. It’s one of the reasons I loved you so much. You were my rock.”
I frowned, a frightening grip forming in my chest. “Max, why do you sound so odd? Why are you talking in the past tense?”
“You know why. It’s time, my girl. Time to move on.”
A tremor went through me. “Max, no, please…”
I felt the light brush of his mouth on my shoulder. “You’re fine, Sandy. I knew you would be. We both knew you would be. We wouldn’t have been so solid together otherwise.”
A tear ran down my cheek. “Stay, please.”
“I can’t, Sandy.”
“Why?” I whimpered.
“Because I’m not really here. You need to find your happiness again.” His voice drifted away. “You need that. I want that for you. But I love you, Sandy. I will always love you.”
My eyes flew open. The storm was abating outside, the thunder a low boom in the distance.