Restoration & Forgiveness (Renovate Book 2) (26 page)
Read Restoration & Forgiveness (Renovate Book 2) Online
Authors: Mindy Carter
Reese is about to pop. She'll be having a baby boy in about four weeks. They didn't want to wait and were married in a small ceremony five months ago. Keegan was missed, and I even fantasized he would show up at that last possible minute to be Kaleb's best man. That didn't happen, but now as I drive through the town where I grew up, I'm reminded of the magic that life holds. I rub my protruding belly, and feel a little kick. Life is full of surprises, and I got mine. I'm six-and-a-half months along, and the only regret I have is that I haven't been able to share an ounce of it with the father, until today.
My energy is nervous as I pull down the winding path that looks so different from the last time I was here. I don't see a run-down barn, or construction equipment. Everything looks to be complete. He may have left, but he's spent every day working on our dream.
I walk toward the house and see the stables in the distance. I'm drawn to them, and move in their direction. The stable doors are open, and I notice a stunning white stallion, and my knight. Keegan is grooming the most beautiful horse I've ever seen.
I don't make a noise, but when I approach his back stiffens. He doesn't turn around.
"I've had dreams about this moment for so many nights. Please be real," he says to no particular person. He turns around.
"I'm real," I say.
He stands and moves closer. He touches my cheek.
"You feel real," he says.
I laugh at him. My skin is on fire where he touched me.
"I've come to rescue you," I confess.
"You have?" He eyes me curiously.
I nod. "You see, I have a surprise I've wanted to share, but someone didn't want me to find them."
He smirks at me. "Well, you found me."
"We found you." I rub circles around my pregnant belly.
He notices, and there is a flash of fear across his face. I stop him there, and grab his hand, pulling it on top of my stomach.
I look at him deeply. "This baby is healthy, and according to the battery of tests, completely free of any concern. Its head is perfectly shaped, and the heart has all four chambers, the growth is normal."
"How?"
"Well, do I have to remind you of fifth grade health class? The birds and the bees, Keegan."
"You know what I mean."
"You should have stuck around. It just took a little time to prove, but those papers Gretchen showed you were fake. Apparently, the lab was given money to fabricate the results. You, Keegan James, are perfect, but I've always known that."
"Really?"
"I can show you. I have my lab results and ultrasounds."
"You have pictures?"
"Yes, so you believe me?" I ask.
"You have never lied to me, so I doubt you are going to start now." I smile up at him and touch his face. He's grown a beard, and it tickles my fingertips as I touch it.
"I don't have to look the part anymore."
"You could if you wanted to."
"I know. I heard it from the lawyers; unfortunately not the part about you, but about Kaleb acquiring the entire business."
Now both of his hands are on my belly, and his eyes are lit up. He's staring at my stomach in disbelief.
"How could I have been so stupid to miss this? Are you feeling okay? Do you need to sit?"
He's in full white knight mode, and I can't help but smile at his horse.
"I'm perfect where I am. What's his name?" I gesture toward the horse.
He smiles. "Ed, Mr. Ed. He doesn't talk, but is a great listener."
"He's beautiful," I admit.
"You're beautiful, and I kind of wish I had a tower I could lock you in so you would never leave me."
"We aren't going anywhere."
He smiles at me. "Yeah."
"To the stars," I confess.
Then, as if time suddenly stops and everything around us ceases to exist, his lips descend onto mine. The kiss is needy and hurried, and six months of wanting. It's perfect, and he touches my body like he owns it. It's a different feeling than before, and I could say it's because I've gone without him for so long, and there are months of pent-up energy we are releasing.
"Keegan, Mr. Ed is staring at us," I tell him.
"He's not used to seeing a beautiful goddess. Hold on one sec, and don't you dare go anywhere."
He makes his way to the horse looking him in the eyes.
"This is not a free show, Ed." He laughs a little at his joke and leads the horse out of the stable outside. He closes the door behind him when he returns.
As he approaches me, he is unbuttoning his shirt, and I can feel the wetness between my legs. I've missed this sexy, dominant man. He reaches me and his hands are our all over my body, caressing every inch. As our clothes disappear, his lips meet my ear and he confesses the words that are my undoing, and will be for the rest of my life.
"To the stars."
He enters me and we make love in a way that I've only ever dreamed of, and hours later he shows me our castle, and admits that he was afraid it would be empty for eternity.
"We are going to fill this house up and make it a kingdom," he tells me.
"Let's just wait on this one; you may decide you only want one."
He looks at me as if I've gone insane. "Never with you; we're going to need a baseball diamond for our team."
"Are you going to miss it? Your company. Your drive."
"Never, not when I have all that I need here." He caresses my stomach, smiling down at me.
Whatever he wants. As long as we are together.
"Thanks for rescuing me, and I'll spend the rest of my life here, with you, proving that every day is better than the last."
Sometimes, the prince rescues the princess, but sometimes the princess needs to rescue the prince. When that happens, you know that there is no force that will tear you apart, not even a fire-breathing dragon.
This is our happy ever after, finally. We've climbed mountains, and overcome the worst that could be thrown at us.
I never doubted that our story would have a happy ending; it just took a bit longer to reach the end.
Excerpt
from Construction & Devotion (Renovate, #3)
Reese
Any woman, who tells you pregnancy is the best experience of your life is lying. I mean, it's amazing, and the first time you feel that baby kick, it's unforgettable.
I can't remember the last time I was able to sleep through the night without peeing. Getting out of bed is a workout in itself. They say you only gain twenty-five pounds. I've gained fifty. I cry several times a day, and it doesn't help that I spend half my time alone. In the span of just weeks, Kaleb became a CEO, and now I have to share him with the James firm. He's the sole James there, since Keegan and Aimee are shacked up in their castle for eternity.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them, and after what Gretchen put those two through they deserve to live their happily ever after. I just miss her, my sister and best friend. Her baby is due shortly after mine, and I'm determined to have our children grow up together. They are going to need each other in this crazy family the four of us have created.
A plus is that since they aren't living in the city, they gave us the penthouse, and it's like heaven. It's huge, and has everything you could ever ask for. I don't ever have to leave; everything is at our disposal. Which is good, since I'm slow moving at the moment.
I wanted to surprise Kaleb and finally tell him the sex of the baby. I made us a romantic dinner. I waited, and waited some more. I've called him, and he's promised he will be home as soon as he can. Our meals started to get cold, so I ate mine. I'm eating for two, and going several hours without eating is torture. I'm always hungry. Eat several small meals a day. How can anyone do that? I'm a bottomless pit, and food is my only comfort at the moment.
Kaleb and I haven't made love in months. He is uncomfortable with the size of my belly. Thinks he's going to poke the baby in the head. I constantly have to tell him that isn't possible, unless he was an elephant, and he is not.
I had it all planned; I've kept the sex from him, as torture. I never intended for it to go this long. It became a fun game, after he missed the ultrasound because he was stuck at work, and as of late I could use the entertainment.
I miss him, and I feel like he's missing all the fun stuff about my pregnancy. I love him, and I've been patient. I've stayed here alone, but tonight was supposed to be special.
I drew a giant blue heart around my stomach, which certainly wasn't easy as the baby was kicking up a storm. I wanted to see that look in his eyes when I tell him we are having a son.
I fall asleep on the couch because, well, making it to the bedroom seems like a hard feat. I've spent many nights alone on it waiting for Kaleb.
Strong hands caress my belly, and I can smell my husband's scent. It's delicious, and instantly wakes my libido. It's been way too long since we were horizontal.
"I'm sorry, baby," he whispers. I open my eyes and stare at him.
"I have a surprise," I tell him.
"It can wait," he replies.
It can't, because I'm not going through this ordeal again. I lift my shirt, and he looks down at my stomach.
"Is that a blue heart?"
I nod sleepily. "Congratulations, we are having a boy."
I rest my head on his chest as I drift back to sleep. I missed the look on his face when he found out he was having a son. Our life has become a long list of misses. It's sad, but I love him. I said
I do
, for better or worse. I just hope this is the worst it will ever get.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank some special people, who without them, this would never be possible.
My father told me when I was little that I could be anything I wanted. I kept that with me every day. His unconditional love was my motivation to follow my heart with this writing journey. I thank him for believing in me.
Gerry, your enthusiasm and support have helped me so much. You are the only one I trust with my work. You're much more than a mother to me. You are a rock that keeps me sane. Thank you for loving my dad and bringing him his happily ever after.
Mom, your excitement and support have meant the world to me. I'm not sure I could have done this without you. Thank you.
My husband, you are my prince charming. Thank you for loving me and building a life that allows me to do what I love: being a mother and writing my heart out.
My children, you make it hard sometimes, but you also make me work harder. You have given me so much inspiration. A lifetime of love will never be enough.
Olivia, you are more than my best friend. You are a sister and the one I can count on. I wish we lived closer so I could see you every day. I cherish your friendship above anyone else's. I honestly don't know where I would be without you.
To my author friends, I'm so grateful for your friendship and advice. The support system is one I could not do without.
Amanda Samms, Amy Bosca, Dawn Vickers, and Kim Ginsberg your excitement over Keegan and Aimee's love story has meant the world to me. To the ladies at Love Between The Sheets, I love you to the moon and back.
Every blogger and reader who has taken a chance on me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love every single one of you.
About the Author
Mindy A. Carter has been in love with love for as long as she can remember. As a child, you could find Mindy engrossed in fairytale books and dreaming of her happily-ever-after. She was lucky enough to find her Prince Charming, and lives in Ohio with him and her four precocious children.
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Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8389954.Mindy_A_Carter
More from Mindy
Skyscrapers & Camelot (Renovate, #1)
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