Ward's Independence Day_An Older Man Younger Woman Romance Read online

  I can’t believe just a few hours ago, maybe less, I was having a dream…make that a nightmare…about leaving. And it was actually a real thought just yesterday.

  But how quickly things can change.

  And just like the seasons change, and will be doing so soon, this is the perfect kind of change for me.

  But it’s a change that represents no more change that I like best.

  No more uncertainty.

  No more wondering where my home is.

  No more thoughts of going through this life alone.

  And no more wondering what’s been going on between us lately.

  Now it’s absolutely as crystal clear as this sparkling diamond that only needs a “yes” before it slides the last few inches onto my finger.

  And that’s where it belongs, just as we belong together. Forever.

  “Yes,” I say. “I’ll love you completely and ‘till the end of time and I want nothing more than to marry you and be yours for all the world to see forever.”

  I say a mouthful so he doesn’t have to say anything at all.

  He just gives me the smile of the happiest man on the planet as he slides that ring perfectly into place.

  And then we kiss and not only is he the happiest man on the planet, but I’m the happiest woman.

  And together we’re the happiest couple ever…and forever we will be.

  Together.

  EPILOGUE

  Finley

  Three years later on the 4th of July

  The 4th of July has always held such significance for us and this one is no different.

  It was the day I was born.

  It was the day we made love for the first time.

  And without a doubt it was the day we conceived our first child.

  Our beautiful daughter Fiona who then happened to be born on April Fool’s Day, which suited her perfectly. She was such a little joker, even as a toddler.

  She loved hiding things, like her daddy’s socks, and then get such a kick out of watching him look for them. Sure, he knew where they were all along, but he loved the fun of the “search” so much that sometimes I wondered who was having more fun…Fiona or Finn.

  Or even me.

  I got to follow daddy around with a camera taking pictures as he lifted up the edge of the sofa like it weighed nothing and then would say, “Hmmm…nothing here,” to the delight of Fiona.

  I would quickly turn and capture her reaction, at least until I realized these moments were too good for pictures and ordered a fast focusing video camera online.

  Now the memories we made could be shared with generations to come…including the next addition to our family which was do at any moment.

  I could just imagine…having my baby today on my birthday. What a blessing.

  But today there would be no hiding of the socks for Fiona.

  There would be something much different to hide.

  Daddy.

  Fiona filled her bucket and placed the finishing touches next to Finn’s neck, officially “burying” him in the sand at the beach where we were enjoying the day.

  Technically, and for safety reasons, Finn was lying down and just tilted his head so if anything went wrong he could quickly pop out of the sand. But from the looks of it, and as far as we were concerned, all but the head of this six foot plus stud was buried under the golden sand of the beautiful Southern California beach where we were having the time of our lives…as we always seemed to do.

  “Where’s daddy’s?” I ask.

  Fiona points to the sand and giggles her little heart out.

  Suddenly I feel something going on inside me and I sit down on the sand. I put my hand on my belly.

  “Oh my gosh. Finn. Finn.”

  And just like the superhero he is to our family he pops out of the sand and rushes to my side.

  “What is it, baby? Are you okay?”

  “It’s time. We need to go to the hospital.”

  “Your…?”

  I nod.

  “We’re having a baby!” Finn yells.

  People turn their heads towards us, but what happens next absolutely melts my heart.

  Not a single person was looking at Finn like he was crazy, even though he was sort of acting like it by continuing to yell but now all kinds of things like, “I’m going to be a dad again!”

  Instead people of all races, colors, and surely religions and beliefs just look at us…and start clapping.

  The sun might be hot enough to melt us but this is what reminds me of why America is so great. It’s truly a melting pot of it’s own where all kinds of different people can come together with one common goal…to live the life they dreamed of.

  And a big part of that is finding the one and only person who’s right for you to share that life with.

  And this luckier than lucky girl did both. I am living my dreams here with the man of my dreams.

  And our life together was about to grow by one…today.

  And I couldn’t wait to fill our newest one’s dreams with peacefulness, happiness, and love.

  Three things that he’d given to me and that we’d shared with Fiona…our little joker who was the perfect fit to our family.

  “Baby!” Fiona says.

  “That’s right baby,” I say.

  Finn scoops up Fiona and kisses her on the forehead.

  “Sister,” she says.

  “We don’t know yet, sweetie,” Finn says. “Maybe sister. Maybe brother.”

  “Sister and brother!” Fiona says.

  “See that!” Finn says, turning to me. “Even she wants more!”

  “One at a time, honey. One at a time.”

  We quickly get packed up and Finn helps me from our little spot on the sand towards where our car is parked just nearby.

  I’m as big as one of the whales that frequent the waters just off these shores as I waddle to the car, but still the clapping continues for us.

  “God I love this country. Best country on earth,” I say.

  “Me too,” Finn says. “But I hear Australia is nice…and Canada, and the U.K., and South Africa.”

  I just shake my head and laugh.

  “I know. We’re going to visit all those places,” I say. “But first let’s get this hospital visit taken care of.”

  “You got it!” he says. “And I can’t wait to visit all those amazing places as a family.”

  “I know what you mean,” I say pointing to my stomach. Finn’s in love with me a lot…as in he can’t ever keep his hands off me. Not that I’m complaining.

  “What most important is that all that love starts with you,” he says.

  I stop walking for just a second and look at this man. My man. The big strong man who’s still the helpless romantic…when it comes to me.

  With Fiona in his arms he slides in and gives me a big ol’ kiss.

  “Love!” Fiona yells.

  “That’s right, honey. We love you,” Finn says, kissing our baby girl.

  But not for long.

  Soon we’ll have a new baby in the family. And after that surely another.

  Why?

  Because of all the love we have…for each other.

  A home full of love, children, and my man.

  Now that’s the American dream!

  Or should I say the dream of everyone who we’re fortunate enough to share this world with.

  And I get to share mine with them. My fantastic family.

  And those are the kind of fireworks that really touch my heart…and will forever.

  A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS

  Book 1: Baby Lust

  Book 2: Veteran

  Book 3: Built

  Book 4: Bambino

  Book 5: Rescued

  Book 6: Leader

  Book 7: Professor

  Book 8: Burned

  Book 9: Worldly

  Book 10: Pistol

  Book 11: Policed

  Book 12: Driven

  Book 13: Lucky 13

>   Book 14: Lumberjacked

  Book 15: Protector

  Book 16: Carpenter

  Book 17: Italian Stallion

  Book 18: Gardener

  Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin

  Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter

  Book 21: Cocky CFO

  Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th

  Book 23: Mechanic

  Book 24: SEAL’s Secret

  Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch

  Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée

  Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina

  Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter

  Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy

  Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol

  Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess

  Book 32: Statham

  Book 33: Bodyguard

  Book 34: Greek God

  Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter

  Book 36: Mountain Man

  Book 37: SEAL’s Justice

  Book 38: Royal Romance

  Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery

  Book 40: Crocodile Dan D

  Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby

  Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby

  Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter

  Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door

  Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace

  Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée

  Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny

  Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter

  Book 49: Steamy

  Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend

  Book 51: Possessive Professor

  Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter

  Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby

  Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day