Cate decided not to work after our son was born, which was her decision. Still, my wife can’t be idle. She started the Drew McKnight foundation, which serves people with Ewing’s Sarcoma, both young and old. She’s hired full time people now, but she still oversees it and watches the financial end of it like a hawk. She used some of the money Drew left her to start the non-profit and she involved Drew’s parents who have become true activists on the subject. We named them honorary grandparents to our kids. It was something I wanted to do and Cate too, so she readily accepted. Their faces light up every time we bring the kids around to visit when we’re in Charleston. And they come up to spend time here as well because we have plenty of room. In fact, after the baby is born, we will have rotating grandparents visiting two weeks at a time to help Cate as she nurtures our latest gift to the family.
I don’t know how Cate does it all, but she doesn’t want to hire a nanny either. She’s a superhero to the kids and the best wife ever to me.
“Cate,” I call out. I can’t help myself.
“Hmm.” Her eyes flutter open, clear, and focus on me.
“I love you and our life.”
I tell her I love her every day. Yet I feel the need to confess that to her.
“I love you too, and our life.”
I lean over and kiss her, careful not to wake our children.
Then I see it. Her face forms a frown. “It’s time.”
I nod, grateful Shannon has been staying with us. She wanted to be here to help. She doesn’t have classes the next few days and offered to come and stay for this very reason. I pick up the kids and carry them to bed. I tuck them in and kiss their foreheads. On the way, I knock on Shannon’s door and tell her what’s going on.
Then I walk back down and gather my formidable wife in my arms remembering how messed up I’d been when she left me the first time. I’d assumed after that I’d never find love. But fate brought us back together and I knew I had to win her over. Even if we did have to fight to overcome the cruel, we hung on to the beautiful and it was damn worth it.
A Final Word
Life is strange in that you often believe it is a compilation of events that mold you into the person you eventually turn out to be. In my case, however, I believe Drew McKnight (not his real name) impacted me in such a way, everything else paled in comparison. My Drew rearranged my priorities and turned me into the person I am today. The Drew in this novel is as close to the real man as I could make him. He was kind and generous, and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. I wrote it in the pages of this book, and I'll say it again here-only the good die young. AMH
A Thank You
We'd like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to read our novel. Above all we hope you loved it. If you did, we would love it back if you could spare just a few more minutes to leave a review on your favorite e-tailer. If you do, could you be so kind and not leave any spoilers about the big twist in the story? Thanks so much!
About the Authors
A.M. Hargrove
Reader, Writer, Dark Chocolate Lover, Ice Cream Worshipper, Coffee Drinker, Lover of Grey Goose (and an extra dirty martini), Puppy Lover, and if you’re ever around me for more than five minutes, you’ll find out I’m a talker.
A.M. Hargrove divides her time between the mountains of North Carolina and the upstate of South Carolina where she pursues her dream career of writing. If she could change anything in the world, she would make chocolate and ice cream a part of the USDA food groups. Annie writes romance in several genres, including adult, new adult, and young adult. Her books usually include lots of suspense and thrills and she sometimes ventures into the paranormal, sci-fi and fantasy blend.
Terri E. Laine
Wife and mother of three, I’ve always been an avid reader. In my early years, my best friend and I would tell each other stories over the phone when we were bored. We called them our “soap operas” and generally revolved around whatever boy we liked at the time.
Over five years ago, I got this crazy idea to write a novel and try to publish it. And the rest is history. This journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. I look forward to many more memories to come.
Other Books by A.M. Hargrove:
The Guardians of Vesturon Series:
Survival, Book 1
Resurrection, Book 2
Determinant, Book 3
reEmergent, Book 4
Dark Waltz, A Praestani Novel
Death Waltz, A Praestani Novel
The Edge Series:
Edge of Disaster
Shattered Edge
Kissing Fire
The Tragic Series:
Tragically Flawed, Tragic 1
Tragic Desires, Tragic 2
The Hart Brothers Series
Freeing Her, Book 1
Freeing Him, Book 2
Kestrel, Book 3
The Fall and Rise of Kade Hart
Sabin, A Seven Novel
Exquisite Betrayal
Dirty Nights, The Novel
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