Emma's Home (The Fairfield Series) (27 page)

The sun was now peeking through the fall leaves of the woods surrounding them. The colors of fall were glistening in the early morning sunlight. The autumn morning mist was burning off, leaving the crispness in the air that only fall can bring. Emma walked outside carrying her coffee.

“Sarah?” he asked, looking down at his beautiful wife.

Emma smiled. “Your mom has Richie eating his cereal and Sarah in her bouncer. She’s happy. They’re happy. All’s great for the moment,” she joked.

Jake wrapped his powerful arm around her, pulled her in closely and tucked her tiny frame into his. Looking into those eyes he could drown in, he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“Emma girl, do you have any idea how much I love you?” he asked. “I never thought I would find someone so perfect, so giving, so loving. You are my life, darlin’. You and those children, are my whole life.”

Emma looked up into Jake’s strong face. “Jake you are everything to me. Everything I thought I might never have, you have given to me. You’re my family, my life, my love…. My home.”

Jake set their coffee cups on the porch railing and pulled Emma around to his front. Touching completely, he leaned down and captured her mouth in a soul searing kiss. Soft and gentle, sweeping his tongue into her mouth, catching her moan with his. Emma raised up on her toes and met his tongue stroke for stroke. They slowly separated, his heated eyes noticing her kiss swollen mouth. Emma’s eyes opened to see his piercing blue ones staring deeply into hers and her smile shined on his world.

“Think grandma will keep the kids later on?” he asked huskily, adjusting the crotch of his pants. Laughing, Emma assured him that she thought his mother would love to watch the kids for a while. Right then, Ritchie’s shrill voice could be heard, calling for his dad. Smiling, Jake gave one more quick kiss to Emma’s lips.

“Love you babe. Love those kids. Love this home,” he said as he gathered their coffee cups.

“Love you too, honey,” Emma said tucking herself back under her husband’s embrace.

Arms around each other, they turned to walk back inside to their waiting family. Back inside… to Emma’s home.

The End

Laurie’s Time

Book Two of the Fairfield Series

Laurie’s mother watched her play on the swings in the city park. Laurie’s long brown hair would fly out behind her only to sweep back into her face with every movement of the swing. Higher and higher she would go, her giggles catching on the breeze as her mother looked over at her five year old daughter. Sarah leaned back, letting the spring sun warm her face, smiling at her Laurie’s obvious happiness. Laurie had certainly not been a planned child, but Sarah loved her fiercely, as a lioness watches over its cub.

“Mommy, mommy!” Laurie called as she came running over. Sarah gathered her precious child in her arms.

“I love you, baby girl,” Sarah whispered in her ear.

“Will you love me forever?” Laurie asked as she looked into her mother’s beautiful face.

Kissing Laurie’s forehead, hugging her tightly, she replied, “I will love you forever.”

Sarah sat with Laurie napping in her lap. Sarah’s mind took a trip down memory lane to Laurie’s father. Sarah had just turned sixteen years old and one of her best friends convinced her to go to out one evening when her parents and sister were out of town. While Sarah had never been one to take chances, she felt the need to break out of the constant good girl image that everyone had of her. They went out that evening and managed to slip into a crowded bar across town where no one would know them.

Swaying to the music, Sarah was completely unaware of the effect she had on the men around. A petite brunette, with long shiny waves down her back, she had curves in all the places that makes a man sit up and take notice. Her beautiful face, with minimal makeup, made her look almost fairylike; the type of woman that would also make a man want to protect. Dressed simply a light blue sundress that was not designed to be sultry at all, surrounded by other women dressed for sex, she was one of the most beautiful women in the bar. And Brock Sinclair noticed.

Brock was a young soldier, between tours in Desert Storm, in town visiting with some of his Army buddies. They decided to hit up one of the neighborhood bars for a night of drinking and hooking up. Brock, who had a busty redhead sitting on his lap nuzzling his ear, had been drinking steadily ever since they arrived at the bar. Knowing he was going to get lucky with … well, he didn’t know her name but with the tits on the redhead, he didn’t care what her name was. A few more beers and then he planned on taking the redhead back to the hotel he was staying in a banging her until the sounds of artilary no longer rattled in his dreams.

Sarah and her friend had just entered the bar and Brock had noticed the natural beauty the moment she walked in. Suddenly, the idea of the screwing the fake titted redhead, wasn’t as appealing as the vision standing near the bar looking nervous. A strange sense of protectiveness washed over Brock and he instinctively knew she was not old enough to be in the bar. Looking around, he realized that he was not the only man noticing the beauty.

“Wouldn’t mind tapping that ass tonight,” said the buddy next to him.

Growling in answer, Brock stood up, effectively dumping the redhead in his lap, saying, “Here, you need a piece of ass? I’m sure this one will do. She won’t care which soldier she fucks.” And true to his prediction, the redhead stood up grumpily at first, then turned to his buddy and began nuzzling his ear.

Brock walked over to his princess….
his princess? Where did that thought come from?
Shaking his slightly inebriated head, he continued over to Sarah.

Sarah felt a presence behind her and she slowly turned around. Looking up, she stared into the grey eyes of the most handsome man she had ever seen. Tall and slender, he had dark brown hair cut in a short military style and a face that would have filled every one of her teenage dreams.

They talked for several hours and then Brock took her back to his hotel room. Sarah knew she shouldn’t go with him, but she trusted him and found that she wanted him more than anything she had ever wanted. Brock never asked her how old she was making the assumption that she was at least eighteen. As the evening progressed into the wee hours of the morning, they kissed and fondled until they were both so engulfed in lust, they gave in to their desires. Jake was slow and caring, although not realizing that she was a virgin until it was too late. They fell asleep in each other arms, Brock dreaming of his fairy princess and Sarah with her handsome prince.

Sarah woke early to the knocking on the door. She slipped out of the bed and opened the hotel door, having put on Brock’s Army t-shirt first. Recognizing one of his buddies at the door, she told him that Brock was still asleep. The buddy just looked her over and told her to hit the road. Looking confused, Sarah just stood there immobile.

“Look babe, we got shit to do today and Brock don’t never like waking with one of his hookups hanging around. So take off quietly and have a nice life.” With that, Brock’s friend headed back to the room across the hall.

Sarah, confusion melding into embarrassment, turned and looked at Brock as he lay tangled in the sheets. Realization that she was a one-night stand rushed over her and she couldn’t wait to leave before he woke up and further burst her bubble. Quickly and quietly, she dressed and looked at him longingly one last time before leaving, grabbing the t-shirt before she shut the door. She just wanted to have something to hold as she remembered this night.

Brock woke up, reaching for the beautiful girl sleeping beside him only to find her gone. The evidence of their lovemaking was left on the sheets so he knew he had not created her in a dream. Brock was furious when his buddy explained that he had gotten rid of the girl and vowed to start looking for her. But the call came through – their leave was being cut short and it was time to head back to base.

He never knew that nine months later his princess gave birth to his daughter. He also never knew that twelve years later his princess was killed in a car accident, leaving their daughter an orphan.

First and foremost, I have to thank my husband, Michael. Always believing in me and wanting me to pursue my dreams, this book would not be possible without his support. To my daughters, MaryBeth and Nicole, I taught you to follow your dreams and now it is time for me to take my own advice. You two are my inspiration!

My best friend, Tammie, who for eighteen years has been with me through thick and thin. You’ve filled the role of confidant, supporter, and sister. My hometown cheerleader, MyckelAnne – you’ve been my partner as I figure out what I am doing and keeping all my secrets!

Going from blogger to author has allowed me to have the friendship and advice of several wonderful authors who always answered my questions, helped me over rough spots, and cheered me on. To Kristine Raymond (my first supporter – I still have our long emails saved) you gave me the green light when I wondered if I was crazy and never let me give up. To my other amazing author friends, A.D. Justice, L.L. Collins, Andrea Michelle, Ann Vaughn, the amazing authors of the Indie Round Table, and to the indie author community – thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My beta readers kept me sane, cheered me on and are now reading the second book in this series. Thank you to Kristine, Denise, Cindy, Noelle, Jennifer, Tera, Miranda and MyckelAnne. My street team is so supportive, promoting this book and me as an author. Thank you Denise, Cindy, Noelle, Jennifer, Tera, MyckelAnne, Danielle, Shannon, Andrea, Chelle, E.J., and Victoria.

As the owner of the blog, Lost in Romance Books, I know the selflessness of bloggers. We promote indie authors on our own time because we believe fully in the indie author community. I want to thank the many bloggers that I have served with this past year, continue to serve with, and who are assisting in promoting my series.

Most importantly, thank you readers. You allow me into your home for a few hours as you disappear into my characters and you support me as I follow my indie author dreams.

Maryann Jordan

I am an avid reader of romance novels, often joking that I cut my teeth on the old bodice rippers. I have been reading and reviewing for many years. In 2013, I created the blog, Lost in Romance Books to promote and showcase indie authors. In 2014, I finally gave in to the characters in my head, screaming for their story to be told. The scene in Smokey’s where Jake and Emma first meet was a scene in my imagination for several years. From this musing, Emma’s Home was born.

I, like Emma, am a high school counselor having worked in education for thirty years. I live in Virginia, having also lived in four states and two foreign countries. I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for thirty two years and am the mother to two adult daughters. When writing, my dog or one of my four cats can generally be found in the same room if not on my lap.

Please take the time to leave a review of this book (on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble). Reviews are the lifeline for indie authors.

Feel free contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!

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“Rheumatoid arthtitis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system …mistakenly attacks your joints. The abnormal immune response causes inflammation that can damage joints and organs, such as the heart. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is the key to preventing joint destruction and organ damage.”

“Nearly three times as many women have the disease as men. In women, RA most commonly begins between ages 30 and 60.”

“There is no cure for RA, but there are a number of medication available to help ease symptoms, reduce inflammation, and slow the progression of the disease.”

For those of us who suffer from RA, please be aware that we strive for a normal, healthy life, living with the challenges it may bring (for an author, that includes typing). If you are interested in more information, please visit the Arthritis Foundation website.

Maryann Jordan