Oh, my two widows who had kids the same age. This book was one that when I plotted the series, I was like, OH, Addison and Grady. Then, it came to writing it and went … oh, shit. What the hell was I thinking putting TWO widows together with kids the exact same age?
I wasn’t thinking.
Until I sat down, and these two couldn’t have been more perfect for each other. I love them so much. Addison, my sweet, insecure, awkward girl, and Grady, my tough hero.
I love this found family and I can’t wait for you to read their bonus scene!
Addison
“I don’t like her.” Jett stomps his feet.
“I love her.” Elodie’s voice is the complete opposite of her brother’s. “She’s so soft.”
Jett pulls on his father’s arm. “Can we get a brother instead?”
Grady chuckles, pulling him close. “No, you got a sister and we’re going to keep her if you don’t mind.”
“I have one already!”
The minds of seven-year-old kids will never cease to amaze me. However, Jett and Elodie challenge us daily and we wouldn’t change it for the world.
I try not to laugh, but it’s really funny. “Yes, and now you have another.”
Jett sighs heavily, glancing at their sister in the bassinet. It was a long labor. One that my husband about lost his mind during since I had a few issues that required an emergency c-section. I prayed for an easy birth, one that was even a little like Elodie, but this one wanted a grand entrance it seems, and to give her father gray hair.
However, all is well now. Both of us are healthy and recovering nicely.
Elodie grins at her sister on the other side. “Can we name her, Mommy?”
“You want to name her?” I ask.
Jett looks over, interest shining in his eyes now. “Can we?”
Grady laughs and then comes to stand beside me, taking my hand. “Do you think we should hear them out?”
“I think we can let them nominate a name, but no promises,” I say.
Elodie reaches her hand into the bassinet. “I think her name should be Elodie.”
“That’s your name!” Jett admonishes.
“I know that, Jett.”
He looks to me with a face that says . . . do you believe her?
“We don’t want to confuse her with your name, love. Jett, what name do you want us to think about?”
“Brother.”
Grady chokes on a laugh. “What?”
“If I can’t have a real brother, then I want her name to be brother.”
“Sound logic,” Grady says, looking at me with a smirk.
I swear, Jett is sometimes too smart for his own good. “As great as that is,” I say carefully. “I don’t know that naming your sister ‘brother,’ is what Daddy and I want to do.”
Grady looks at him. “I kinda like it. I have two brothers and I wish Aunt Brynlee was a brother some days.”
“I’m going to beat you with your own arms,” I say under my breath.
“I support that as well,” Brynn says, leaning against the doorjamb. “Hi, Addy. You look amazing. Grady, you’re a dumbass.”
“Aunt Brynn, you shouldn’t say that,” Jett admonishes.
“Yeah, Aunt Brynn, you shouldn’t.”
Seriously, like father like son.
However, Brynn has been a lifesaver. The kids have been with her since I went into labor yesterday and having the time of their lives. Tonight she has to head to Philadelphia for a meeting with a client and the kids are going to Rowan’s. Which has me very unsettled. However, Grady threatened bodily harm and until Brielle gets into town in two days, he’s our only option.
I slap his chest playfully. “Be nice to your sister. Thank you, Brynn. Were the kids good?”
She smiles warmly. “They always are. So, are we putting names in the hat?”
“You don’t get a vote,” Grady tosses at her.
“I hear Brother is in the running?”
I laugh. “No. Honey, can you bring her to me? I need to see her to see what name she looks like.”
Not that I didn’t spend an hour staring at her before, trying to find a name that was her. Grady and I have gone back and forth a million times, not able to agree on anything fitting for the child we both already loved so much.
Grady lifts her up, carrying her toward me, but kisses her forehead before placing her in my arms. She makes a lip-smacking noise and then settles in as though this is already her favorite place in the world. Grady wraps his arm around me, kissing my temple. “She’s perfect.”
“She is.”
“You know, one of the names I loved means perfect,” I say as I look up at him.
“Isabella?”
I nod. “Isabella Whitlock.”
Grady didn’t hate the name, but he never fully was on board. However, looking at her now, it fits.
His eyes find mine and he smiles. “She needs a middle name,” Grady says, and the name settles in my heart.
“What about Eliza?”
“Isabella Eliza Whitlock,” he says it slowly and his thumb brushes against her cheek. “My perfect little girl.”
“You like it now?” I ask.
“It’s her. Perfect, just like her mother.”
“I love you,” I tell him as my emotions start to bubble up. Not that it’s been all that hard to do since I became pregnant.
“I love you, dove. Always.”
Thank you so much for reading Broken Dreams! There are literally no words that can describe my excitement and joy for Tempting Promises. It’s the most epic enemies-to-lovers between Charlotte and Rowan. They’re absolute freaking perfection! If you haven’t read Forbidden Hearts (Asher & Phoebe) grab it now, Free in Kindle Unlimited!
Want to stay in Sugarloaf a little longer? Binge the Arrowood Brothers Free in Kindle Unlimited! (Devney is Addison’s bestie)
Connor & Ellie (Secret Child/One Night Stand)
Declan & Sydney (Second Chance)
Sean & Devney (Friends to Lovers)
Jacob & Brenna (Celebrity/Second Chance at Love)
