Forever, Jack (38 page)

One step at a time,
I remind myself.

“I’m relieved,” I struggle to joke with her, when all I want to do is fall to my knees at her feet. She’s finally ready to marry me. “However,” I add gravely. “
You’re
going to have to be the one to wait now.”

Her forehead cinches up and her eyes grow wide.

“Yeah. You don’t think I’m just going to ask you and be done with it, do you? You’re gonna have to sweat a little,” I say, warming up to my Machiavellian side. I’m going to make this torture.

“What? And give me time to change my mind back?” she asks innocently, and my bloods falls to my feet.

Her warm hand runs over my cheek.

I grab it, bringing her palm to my mouth to kiss it. “Don’t rob me of doing something romantic for you. Besides, you pretty much just did the proposing. At least let me save my pride and
pretend
to be the one doing the asking.”

“Did I?” She slaps a hand to her forehead. “I guess you’re right. Well, don’t wait too long,” she whispers.

My heart beats heavily. I thought I was always ready, but perhaps now that I’m facing my past, and my father, I’m becoming whole. Maybe it was good that we waited. Before I change my mind, I try something. “I …” I struggle to remember the exact way a British title should be spoken. “… William John Rhys Thomas, who would have been the 21
st
Earl of Huntley had he not been declared missing and presumed dead, a.k.a Jack Eversea … am utterly in love with you, Keri Ann Butler.”

“Well,
Earl Huntley
, I think I prefer Jack. You’re too big for your britches as it is, you can’t expect me to start calling you
Lord
.” She laughs softly, in a single moment relieving me of the gravity of a name and a past, and takes my hand. Sliding it back under her sweater, my fingers take the lead and run along the skin of her belly.

Suddenly, there is poignant significance in such a simple caress. The swell of primal urge to plant my seed is almost dizzying. She leans down again and kisses me.

When we stop, I’m breathing hard. “But we should probably get a head start on creating an heir,” I joke between kisses, my hand still resting on her belly, staking my claim. “I’ve heard it can take some time.”

She looks down at me. Her blue eyes are startlingly bright today. “I guess I’m ready for that, too.”

My hand stops its idle caress, and I flick my eyes involuntarily down to her belly. My mouth goes instantly dry as I try and fail to swallow, causing a painful gulp. I look back up at her face and see the answer in her tremulous smile and glistening eyes. She bites her lip. “Now, if you like,” she says simply, giving me everything she has.

A tidal wave of emotion roars through me, hitting hard, leaving me almost gasping and causing me to close my eyes. I slide off my chair, my knees hitting the floor at her feet.

It finally ebbs, and for a moment there is complete stillness inside me. I wrap my arms around her.

And peace.

There is peace.

The Kill
– Thirty Seconds to Mars

Sand in my Shoes
– Dido

Last Chance
– Honor by August

The Shade of Poison Trees
– Dashboard Confessional

It’s Over
– Civil Twilight

Closer to the Edge
– Thirty Seconds to Mars

Retrograde
– James Blake

Smoke and Ashes
– Tracy Chapman

Bonfire Heart
– James Blunt

Waves
– Blondfire

Green Eyes
– Coldplay

All of Me
– John Legend

Paul Coehlo wrote that “Writing is one of the most solitary activities in the world.” And he’s right. In a way. When I live in Jack and Keri Ann’s world, I’m there whether I’m actually putting the words on the page, or if I’m going through the mechanics of the rest of my life. My mind is plotting away, having conversations, and arguing with what my characters seem to want to do versus what
I
think they should do. They usually win. That sounds dumb, I know. If you’d told me I’d say that a year ago I would have laughed in your face.
Seriously
.

How things change!

One year ago from this writing I hadn’t finished a book! What you are holding in your hands is my
second
book!

The reality is, far from a solitary enterprise, writing a book and bringing it to market takes a village. Heck, it takes a whole freaking town. My husband let me work over the weekends and my mother took over on school runs and dinner making (and laundry folding). And my kids were so patient with me. My critique partners, Al and Dave, kept me from cliché’s and getting too complacent. They also buoyed my spirits when I wasn’t feeling it. My
Stormy Nights
girls kept me sane and laughing! And thank you to my sweet friends who don’t take offense when I drop off the map for weeks at a time, sometimes months, because I am so consumed.

The terrific font of Jack on the cover was hand-drawn by my sister, Cassy Poulos. Thank you, Cass. I love you! And the cover was designed by Adrian Repasch. Bow to him! Bow to him! Thank you to Angela McLaurin of Fictional Formats who formatted both
Eversea
and
Forever, Jack
. She is seriously good at her job!

My editor, Judy Roth (she needs her own paragraph) is so much more than an editor. She has become a friend, and makes me laugh with her little comments in the side bar when I’m about to tear my hair out, and she has unbelievable patience. And we’ve never met in person! I can’t wait to meet her and take her out for a boozy lunch!

My readers … aaaah, my readers. Do you have any idea how much I love you? How much it means to me to get a message at 2 am Australian time (Rommy!) to tell me you couldn’t wait until morning to contact me because you were still so giddy over Jack and Keri Ann! And that was just one! There were hundreds! From all over the world! You guys FLOORED me. I literally didn’t sleep the whole month of June because my heart was pounding so hard and I wanted to respond to each and every one of you. Thank you for that. <- Those words seem so inadequate.

Thank you to my agent, Elaine Spencer, who continues to grow our working relationship! I’m excited!

The bloggers who read and reviewed and raved about
Eversea
… thank you! Thank you for spreading the word and being so encouraging.

Thank you to the group of readers and friends of “Let’s get Jack-ed!”, who took up the mantle of keeping
Eversea
and Jack fresh in everyone’s minds. You will probably never understand how much that means to me. I hope I can continue earning your care and enthusiasm. Lisa W., Lisa H. R., Kimmie, Karen, Faith, Shannon, Nasha, Julianne, Bonnie, Denise, Amy, Jess, Nicole D., Nicole B., Drue, Elaine, Rea, Clemmie, Rommy, Heather, Mary-Nancy, Melissa, Caroline, April, Carole, Layla, Dawn, Stephanie, Dawn, Angela, and Tugce Nida. And so many more who have supported me.

If you received a birthday card from Jack Eversea (
Friend
him!) on Facebook, you can thank Julianne Burke! She is phenomenal!

Thank you Faith Martens (Apocalypso) for creating the turtle necklace I wear almost every day that is also featured on the front of this book! Her store is Hula Tallulah on Etsy if you’d like one.

Please don’t forget to leave a review at your point of sale. It only takes you a few moments, but is absolutely critical for an author! Oh, and please know that a portion of your sale is donated to The Sea Turtle Project and also to Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry.

Okay the music is playing, I have to get off stage.

Keep in touch! I’d love to hear from you!

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Thank you.

Natasha Boyd holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She has lived in Spain, South Africa, Belgium, England and now currently resides with her husband and two boys on Hilton Head Island, SC, USA—complete with Spanish moss, alligators and mosquitos the size of tiny birds.