Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Closing her fingers around the lucky token, I hold my hand over hers and say, “It’s not to give you luck. It gives you whatever you need when you need it most. Just hold it tight in your palm, close your eyes, and whisper against your hand.” Leaning in, I whisper, “You give so much of yourself to everyone else. It’s okay to have your own needs met. Remember that, okay, Autumn?”
“I will.” She reaches up and hugs me so tight, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. “Thank you, Mama. I love it.”
“I love you.”
She kisses my cheek and whispers, “I love you, too.”
When we part, I caress her cheek, so proud of this amazing girl and who she’s become. “You go on and feed the ducks before the girls run out of bread. I’m going to wait for your dad to join us.”
Taking a step down onto the pier, she says, “I can wait.”
“Go have fun. We’ll be right there.” She nods, an understanding between us. I watch as she takes off running—big smile on her perfectly freckled face, hair blowing behind her, and almost as tall as me these days. She’s growing so fast. They all are. It’s amazing to watch your love, heart, and soul bloom into four other humans.
The warmth of a hand on my lower back eases the heavier emotions threatening to overwhelm me. A gentle kiss is placed on my neck. “I missed you, Mrs. Season.”
Turning in his arms, I’m greeted by my husband’s knee-weakening smile and those eyes that still look at me like he’s the fortunate one. Though I know I’m the one who lucked out. I wrap my arms around his neck and grin like the woman in love I’ve always been for him. “How much?”
“To the moon and back.” He kisses me, and just like the first time so long ago, I melt into his embrace, relishing the electricity between us that reaches my toes. Still holding me close, he asks, “Are you ready to go on our date?”
We rarely get away but decided to make the time tonight. “Let’s say goodbye to the girls, okay?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Charlie takes my hand, and we start down the pier. “Did I tell you they have birria tacos on their menu?”
“You did.” I laugh at how excited he is to try the new restaurant in Ocean’s Bay. “But tell me again.” If heaven exists, this must be it because I can’t think of a better life than the one I’ve been given.
CHAPTER 1
BRANDON CULVER
12 YEARS LATER . . .
PRESENT DAY
Heat consumes the air as smoke smothers me. My skin is both sweating and still melting under the weight of my protective gear.
Flames lick at my cheeks, and my eyes burn from the fire flaring out the windows of the three-story building. The taste of ash resides on my tongue as I rush down the ladder for fresh air.
The singe of burnt hair lingers in my nostrils as black smoke shrouds my surroundings beyond the ears of the dog in my arms.
The spaniel hasn’t wriggled. Not a peep has been heard. I don’t know if he’s made it, but I take another step down the ladder, hoping to save him. I secure another rung underfoot before leaning down to whisper, “It’s okay, boy. I’ve got you.”
The ground should be near, but with zero visibility, I can’t make the call, so I take a few more steps, keeping my pace steady under safety guidance.
A blast strikes hot and fast, and the fire blindsides me. The ladder is lost, and as I fall, my hold tightens, and only one thing crosses my mind before hitting the ground.
CHAPTER 2
AUTUMN “FALL” SEASON
“Did you see him, Autumn?” My heart escapes my body before I jump in response to a blur of blue scrubs and Stacy bouncing up to the nurses’ station. Luckily, the counter in front of me is anchored to the floor, or I’d be under it from the impact of my coworker landing against it.
“Cheez-Its on a cracker, Stace.” With my hand still pressed to my chest, I try to restrain the beats threatening to swallow my heart and groan. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”
“Sorry.” Her mirthful grin isn’t shy as it spreads. “At least you’re in the right place if you do have one.” Her laughter makes me think she’s not really that sorry for scaring my soul right out of me. The sterile halls of the hospital and revenge scheduling I’ve been suffering through for more than a year can’t keep me from grinning in response to her. I’m glad I have a friend to work with, another nurse in the trenches with me. Since an attack was averted, she presses on with her mission, “But did you?”