Tragic Desires (34 page)
Authors: A.M. Hargrove
I nod and say, “Yeah. I’m just thinking about how close I came to that.”
He picks up my hand and gives it a squeeze. Then he says, “I want you here.”
“I am here.
Helloooo!”
“No. I mean I want you with us.
At DWInvestigations. I know your dream job is to work as a marketing specialist for a mountain bike manufacturer, but I want you to work with us, Gem. You have a great head for this stuff. I love the way your mind works and you’re tenacious as all hell. I’ll make you a really great offer.” He gives me a sexy grin.
Whoa. This hits me out of nowhere. My wheels spin for a s
econd and then I think, why not? It makes sense. I’m with him at the office all the time. I may as well be on the payroll. And what chance do I really have now of getting hired in marketing? I’ve been away from the biking scene for a year now.
“That sounds reasonable.
On one condition. I swear to God, if you ever order me around, I’ll cut your balls off so fast you won’t know what hit you.”
“You got it.
I value my balls greatly. No ordering you around. So it’s a deal, then?”
I stick out my hand to shake on it, but he grabs it and yanks me so hard
, I fly into his arms.
“We’re way past shaking hands. I think a kiss and a fuck are more
like it. And if you think you’re going to HR over this, you can forget about it. I’m putting this into your employment contract.”
“I’m cool with that. But shut up. You’re wasting time.”
And that’s one thing my guy doesn’t ever do … waste time. He knows exactly what I like and how I like it and he demonstrates that to me today, again and again. Yeah, I think I’m going to love working at DWInvestigations. And I know the pay will be right. Oh yeah, will it ever be!
T
he Texas air
is hot and still as we walk through the cemetery. When we reach her grave, I stare at the words on the headstone. Michelle Sheridan. How strange. That small chunk of granite should shout to the world what a courageous woman my mother was. That she was a true patriot and gave up her freedom and eventually her life to save this country. She risked everything she had because she believed in freedom and because the lives of so many meant more to her than her love for one man.
As I think about this, I turn and look at the man who stands next to me and
wonder if I would have the backbone to give him up so easily.
He knows me so well. His arm tightens around my waist and he hugs me to his side, giving me the strength I need for this visit. This is something I’ve thought about for a while but haven’t had the
courage to do. After my mom died, I left here and haven’t returned. It was simply too painful. But with Drex by my side, I know he’ll help me get through this.
“You ready?” he asks.
“Yeah.” I bend down and place the small flag into the ground next to her headstone. I want the world to know that she was the bravest woman I’ve ever known and that she died for something meaningful; she died for her country.
“I love you
, Mom. Thanks for being the best mom you could possibly be. Thank you for doing what you did. Because if you hadn’t, so many people would’ve died. Because of you, they didn’t. You’re a true hero, Mom. And I miss you more than anything.”
When I finish, tears
rush freely down my cheeks as I blow her a kiss. Drex holds me close as we walk back to our car.
“You know, this information will only be kept secret for so long. Then they have to reveal it. The world will know the truth one day.”
“It won’t matter because it can’t bring her back.”
“No, but she deserves the honor, Gem.”
“She wouldn’t care a thing about that. She only ever cared about doing what was right.”
He stops and turns to face me. “I understand. You’re just like her, you know. In everything you do. You always think about what the right thing to do is.”
Then his lips find mine.
“Thanks for bringing me,” I tell him.
His hand wraps around mine. “You ready to go home?”
“I’m always home when I’m with you.”
A.M. Hargrove lives in South Carolina with her husband and family. After spending years in the corporate world, she now enjoys writing fiction while she is fully caffeinated. She also thinks coffee and chocolate should be added to the USDA food groups. Oh, and ice cream too!
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Post-Concussion Syndrome has gained a great deal of exposure in the news recently, particularly with regard to professional athletes. Though I’m not a professional athlete, I’ve had the misfortune of having to deal with this syndrome myself. After a skiing accident two years ago (and yes, I was wearing a helmet), I suffered a severe concussion, which subsequently developed into post-concussion syndrome. The migraines were initially severe enough to send me to the hospital with complete loss of memory. Multiple tests were run, (the same that were written for Gemini) but the headaches were absolutely debilitating. Fortunately, I was sent to a wonderful neurologist who set me on the right track to recovery. Two years later, however, I still experience migraines, though they are with much less frequency. If you or your children engage in any activities where a head injury could take place, please take care to protect yourselves. Don’t take a concussion lightly. They can have unpleasant and even dangerous long-term effects.
Thank you, Henry, for being second to my MacBook during the writing of Tragic Desires. It was a crazy train, I know, but the ride is over … well maybe. *
wink*
This book would not be anything close to what it is without the diligence of my editor, Jennifer
Sommersby Young. All I can say is what would I do without you? (Don’t answer that please!)
Thank you Beta Readers! You came through for me on the spur of the moment, even during the busy holiday season. I love you ladies to Venus and back! Megan Bracken-Bagley, Heather Carver, Kathryn Grimes, Alana Rock, Andrea Stafford, Terri Thomas and Kristie Wittenberg.
I’d love to acknowledge my street team here, not only for all their help in shouting out my stuff, but for all the fun times we have on FB! You ladies totally ROCK! XOXO
So many people have entered my life since I began this thing called writing, but the thing that touches me the most are the relationships and friends I’ve made in the past two years. It would be impossible to name everyone here so I will just say thank you to everyone. I’m amazed every day at what meaningful friendships I’ve made over this and I can only hope that one day I get to meet each one of you in person.
I have to thank my dear, sweet friends from the blogosphere. Gosh, what an AMAZING group of people and I count my blessings every day. From the blurbs, and shares I get from you all to the amazing graphics that Hetty Rasmussen at Bestsellers and Beststellars creates for me, I am WOWED by this hardworking group of people that do this thing for the love of the written word. So I’d like to thank in alphabetical order: Mandy Anderson, Megan Bracken-Bagley, Nancy Byers, Heather Carver, Kathryn Grimes, Courtney and Ellie Lovenbooks, Delphina Miyares, Hetty Rasmussen, Alana Rock, Jen D. Smith, Simone Smith, Andrea Stafford, Terri Thomas and Kristie Wittenberg. There are so many more of you but it would take pages so please know that I appreciate everything you do.
My last thank you goes out to Ellie at Love N. Books for helping me nail down the juicy cover photo.
Cover Design by Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations
Photo by Scott Hoover Photography
Cover Model Emmanuel
Delcour
Formatting by
Inkstain Interior Book Designing