“You can ask her yourself, Trent.”
He looks back at his phone before his pale blue eyes meet mine. “On that note, I think I’ll be going now.”
“Please, Trent, what’s going on? Are you okay?”
A shadow of something passes over his features before he rubs his temples as if a headache is forming. “I’m just checking on you. I was here to talk to Dad . . .”
“He’s back?” My stomach muscles tighten. I have no desire to see him today.
“No.”
I shake my head in confusion. “I don’t understand. Mom said he was, but I didn’t see him.”
“Stay away from him.” His tone has my back straightening.
“Why? You’re scaring me. Did he do something?”
“Just promise me you’ll stay away from him. I’ll go find him, but in the meantime, can you go back inside? And if anyone comes here looking for him, don’t answer.”
“What? No. Look at it outside, it’s beautiful.”
“Please.”
“Listen, Trent. I appreciate you being here. I love to see you, but I think I can handle Dad.”
“It’s just—”
“No,” I cut him off, lifting my hand. “You aren’t here. I am. I deal with him. His mood. I have done a good job raising myself, regardless. But as much as I appreciate your concern, I need to take care of Mom, and right now, that means getting her garden ready.”
“She’s not getting better?”
“Her depression is worse in the winter, but when the sun comes out, she does.”
He looks down and then looks off in the direction of the pile of dirt I’ve made.
“I love you, sis.”
“I love you too, big bro. Now let me get back to this. It will be dark soon.” With one last nod, he leaves.
I can’t help but think something is wrong with him. He said he’s not using drugs, but I’m not sure I believe him.
Sometime later, when I’m about to stand and head inside, I hear noises. The sound of a car door. Footsteps. From the corner of my eye, I see a shadow. My body pivots to see who’s coming toward me. My mom? My dad?
Maybe it’s Trent again.
But when I’m fully turned in the direction of the noise and shadows, no one is there.
I fight off the foreboding feeling that I’m being watched. As my fingers pull at the remnants of last summer, I swear I see movement. As if the world around me feels it too, the sky darkens.
I can smell the rain before it starts. The damp, musty air infiltrates my nostrils.
I should move, but I don’t. Instead, I wait.
I wait for the crack in the sky, and then I wait for the first drop. Most people don’t enjoy being in the rain, but I love it. It invigorates me. It reminds me of the beginning of spring.
Rebirth.
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Ava
Acknowledgments
I want to thank my entire family. I love you all so much.
THANK YOU to my husband. Thanks for cooking dinner while I was in the cave!
Thank you to my kids. I love you guys!
Thank you to the amazing professionals that helped with Broken Reign.
Suzi Vanderham
Jenny Sims
Marla Esposito
Jaime Ryter
Champagne Formats
Hang Le
Jill Glass
Kelly Allenby
Grey’s Promotions
Thank you to Jacob Morgan, Savannah Peachwood, Sebastian York, Kim Gilmour, and Lyric for bringing Broken Reign to life on audio.
Thank you to my agent Kimberly Whalen for being amazing.
Thank you to my ARC TEAM! You guys rock!
Special thanks to Libra and Not G for always being there for me.
I want to thank ALL my friends for putting up with me while I wrote this book. Thank you!
To the ladies in the Ava Harrison Support Group, I couldn’t have done this without your support!
Please consider joining my Facebook reader group, Ava Harrison Support Group
Thanks to all the bloggers! Thanks for your excitement and love of books!
Last but certainly not least . . . Thank you to the readers!
Thank you so much for taking this journey with me. If you feel inclined, I would appreciate if you could leave an honest review. This helps authors out so much!
Much love,
Ava
About the Author
Ava Harrison is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. When she's not journaling her life, you can find her window shopping, cooking dinner for her family, or curled up on her couch reading a book.
Also by Ava Harrison
Through Her Eyes
Illicit
Clandestine
Sordid
Explicit
The Lancaster Brothers Box Set
Transference
Absolution
Intention
Deceit
Entice
Conceal
The Price Dynasty Box Set
Corrupt Kingdom
Tarnished Empire
Tempted
Ruthless Monarch
Shattered Dynasty
Co-write with Vanessa Fewings
The Ravishing