Rose In Bloom (36 page)

Since I’m working from home today, I kiss my two girls on the cheek and head to my office. I don’t realized how long I’ve been in here until I hang up the phone.

“Where are my girls?” I call, walking through the house.

The evening sky glows through the sunroom, warming me with its orange light. It’s then I see them through the window. Smiling, I walk through the house and stand at the doorway. I watch them in the long mirror as they spin and twirl together. Langston’s sweet laughter fills the studio and warms my heart. When the music ends, I clap loudly, startling both of them.

“Daddy! Did you see me?” She runs to me, throwing her arms out for me to pick her up and twirl her around.

“I did! I saw my little princess dancing,” I answer as she places her sweet little arms around my neck.

“Did you see Mommy dancing, too?”

“Yes, I sure did,” I say, winking at Skylar.

“She’s so pretty, Daddy. She’s like the pincess and you’s is the pince.”

“Oh really?” I say, tickling her.

Skylar walks over and kisses Langston on her cheek.

“Are we going to live happily evers after Daddy?” her sweet voice asks.

Looking into her mother’s eyes, I don’t look away as I answer. “You bet we are!” I say, pulling them both into my arms and placing a hand on Skylar’s stomach.

“Love is forever. My forever is with all of you!”

~ THE END~

Sebastian & Skylar have become such a part of my soul, but along the way, I discovered that these other amazing characters deserved their story to be told as well. And so, the Rose of Thorne journey continues with Nikolas and Kylie’s story. Coming soon.

P.S. Don’t worry, both Lucas and Sophie get to tell their own stories too!

WILTED

Prologue

Roses are beautifully strong flowers. They can handle the most extreme elements thrown at them. Sometimes we think it’s impossible for them to survive, yet they do, blooming even more perfect and beautiful than ever before. I’d watch my best friend survive things she shouldn’t have. I’ve seen her soul ripped into and her strong spirit evaporate. In the end, love had healed her and brought her back to life. I’ve never seen her so happy. No one deserves it more than she does, especially not myself.

Love heals, but love also hurts. I’ve been hurt more times than I ever care to admit. It’s what makes me the way I am. By all counts, I shouldn’t be this way. I have two parents who have been in love since they were fifteen years old. Fifteen fucking years old and they’d found their soul mate. I’d pretty well given up on the idea, settling for one-night stands instead. It is a lot easier than giving your heart to someone who will never return it.

And then, it happened. Nikolas Thorne happened, that is. He’d walked into my life and knocked me on my ass. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, he was the only one for me, but I also know you can’t make someone love you. And just as I’d predicted, he’d left me… alone and gutted.

I’ll never forgive him for doing this to me.

I’ll never forgive him for making me fall in love.

I’ll never forgive him for leaving me… wilted.

I never dreamed that when I published
Rose of Thorne
in September 2013 how much my world would change in such a short time. A story that had sat in an un-open journal for years had finally came to life. I feel like the dreamer who woke up only to see that her wildest dream was really coming true. Writing is my passion, my way of expressing into words my thoughts and emotions.

When we set out in life, we don’t really know what direction it will lead us. Sometimes we stand on the edge of our dream and it gets so close we can touch it, taste it, but we’re still too scared to grab hold and fight for it. Doubt can rob you of your dreams; encouragement gives you the key. For me, the key was a friend pushing me toward my dream, instead of letting me run away from it.
Carey
, just stopping me as we walked one afternoon and telling me you believed in me, made all the doubts inside disappear long enough for me to take the leap to do this. I love you so very much!!

To My Sexy Husband
- I love you so much baby! Thank you for standing behind me to let me live my dream. Words can never express what it meant to receive your text that night saying you were reading my book. And oh how much fun we had with the cheesecake you brought home the next day! Everything I do is for you and our children. You are a part of my soul that I could never breathe without. I will love you forever! P.S. Thank you for your dedicated hours of helping me with research for the book. AHEM. You will always be my Muse, Sebastian!

For my Beautiful Babies B & B
, Mommy loves you more than you will ever know! You both are my biggest blessing and accomplishment in my life. Thank you for forgiving Mommy’s crazy spells where she would lock herself up to meet a deadline. I want you to know you are a part of my dream and I will always encourage you to chase your own.

To My Momma,
You are my best friend and have supported me since the day I was born. I am beyond blessed to have you as my mother. Thank you for showing me to always do right by others and to reach for the stars! I love you!!

To My Sweet Daddy In Heaven
, I miss you every single day. Thank you for loving me and teaching me to help others unselfishly. I only hope I make you proud. I love you!!

Family & Friends
, I love you all so much! Thank you for supporting me in my dream!

Dana, AKA Dee Dee
, you are my sister in every way and have always been such a blessing in my life. When I told you I wanted to do this, I was petrified. Not only do you cheer me on, you believe in me. Thank you for being one of my biggest cheerleaders and reminding me that giving up isn’t an option. I love you so incredibly much!

Jen, AKA My Fellow Luke Bryan Loving Friend,
(First of all can our man twerk that fine ass or what?) When I told you I wanted to give this a shot, you didn’t laugh, but instead you sat during our lunch date and listened to me give you the layout of the story. You loved these characters as much as I do, making your advice priceless to me. You read this story before anyone else, making you my first official fan. Words can’t tell you how much your encouragement means to me. I can’t wait until our next concert adventure! I love you so much girl! MWAH!

Michelle
,
AKA My Crisis Counselor & Phenomenally Talented Best Friend
, I can’t say how many times you’ve talked me down off the ledge and listened to me cry when I was so stressed and nervous I didn’t think I could do this. Everytime I need something you are right there for me, helping in any and every way possible. I am so beyond blessed to have you in my life. You accept my craziness and love me anyways. Oh what fun we’ve had together over the years! I can’t wait to sink my toes in the water and my ass in the sand with you this summer!!! Thank you for EVERYTHING! I LOVE YOU!! ** Wait… is that Kid Rock I hear? BEALE STREET BABY!!! LMAO!

White Design & Photography
you rock my world! You have created masterpiece after masterpiece with my covers. You’re simply amazing and epically talented and I LOVE YOU!

Katie Mac
, AKA My Kick Ass Editor and Southern Hot Momma, you will NEVER know how fucking much I love you woman! You’re going to get all humble on me reading this, but I’m going to say it anyways! You are such a blessing in my life, my constant through this WHOLE process! Every single day I laugh at our unique conversation topics. You understand my crazy and don’t judge me for it. You remind me to believe in myself when I begin losing faith. Always remember, I have my flying unicorn on call and my bedazzler handy to sparkle up your world!! WINE, CHOCOLATES, & VIBRATORS BABY!! MWAH!

LuAnn
, AKA My BNITCH, I love your crazy ass so damn much! You make me smile every single day. Who would know I would learn a whole new unique secret language this year of Luanese? I will miss that broken keyboard of yours… well not really. You will also get humble on me, but I’m saying it regardless so get over it. Thank you for lifting me up, brushing me off, and reminding me of why I write. You will never ever know how much your unselfish kindness means to me. I love you so much for it!

Indie Express LLC-
OH HOW I LOVE THEE!!

Julie,
You started the journey of Rose of Thorne with me and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all your input and time on helping me wrap up this series. Everytime I needed something proofed, you were right there on top of things. You rock, Jules!

Meredith Wild
, AKA My Whiskey Sister, Thank you SO MUCH for encouraging me when I was ready to give up! A small act of kindness from you, lifted my spirits when I needed it the most! From our shared trauma over backed up laundry, to insanity of chasing deadlines, we keep each other laughing. I can’t wait to clink shot glasses with you baby girl!! Whooo Hoooo!

Ella Fox,
you rock my world! From the beginning you’ve welcomed me with open arms and cheered me on when I needed it the most. You’re such an honorable girl who stands up for what she believes in and stays loyal to her friends! What more could you ask for in a friend? Thank you girl for everything!

Missy Johnson, AKA My Aussie Love Bug,
I just adore you my friend. From all the way across the globe you both inspire and encourage me. I treasure our friendship so much and can’t wait until we get to finally meet face to face. Huge hugs to you in the land Down Under… wait that sounded dirty didn’t it? LMAO!

Ryan Michele,
who’s your crazy bitch? That’s right, I am! LMAO. You make me laugh when I need it most and remind me to breathe when I get overwhelmed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for just being my cheerleader on crazy sprint nights! Love you! P.S. I want a G.T./Cruz sandwich immediately please!!

Lexi Buchanan
, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your sweet emails! Most of all, thank you for taking the time to pre-read Rose in Bloom for me. Huge hugs from me to you! Can’t wait to see you soon!

Chelle Bliss
, Thank you for all of our laughable sprint night conversations! You know you love me my honey bunny!

Melissa G. & Joni C
., You two will never know how your email changed my life all those months ago! Our fun chat messages keep me laughing, especially when outrageous pictures are attached. I treasure our friendship so much! Thank you for EVERYTHING you’ve done for me! I love you!

Feisty Girls Book Blog
- You fucking ROCK my world!

Jenna Tyler
, AKA Comma Bitch, thank you for just being there when I needed to unload all my shit and frustrations. When I have a technical freak out, you are there to save me! Thank you for everything love!! P.S. Adam Levine is calling!

Francesca C. & Krystle L.
AKA My Two Favorite Cheeky Brit Bitches, You two fabulous women keep a smile on my face and my heart warm inside! Guess what you two? We have the sun in America! You should come check it out sometime!! LOL. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendships! I am so blessed to have the two of you encourage me from all the way across the world. That is priceless to me! I love you both so very much!

Angela P.
AKA My Eye Candy Supplier, Thank you for keeping me supplied in eye candy scrumptiousness! You keep my eyes healthy and my mouth drooling! HUGE hugs to you baby girl! Keep Bowtie in line! P.S. Nick Bateman is mine!

LM Mercer
, Your Aussie Ass is Fantastic and I Love you! Thank you for my HUGE Aussie Care package that made my year! The shirt you designed for me is epic!!!

Kathy Coopmans & Panty Dropping Book Blog
, I just LOVE you woman! You are one of the kindest women I’ve ever met in this business and I appreciate everything you’ve done to help me! MWAH!!

Pimpslapped-
Bex & Amber kick ass! Thank you for always supporting me!! MWAH!