Missing (The Brannock Siblings Book 3), page 25
It had been a huge shock to see the woman show up at the ceremony and Luke hadn't wanted to hope. Ash had gone behind his back and invited her, saying that his mother wanted to be a part of his life, she just didn't know how. She had lost herself when she lost his father, something Ash continued to try and explain to her now husband. Seeing Luke warily embrace the woman who had abandoned him so long ago was a good sign.
When Gus made it to Aiden's side, she excused herself and let him pull her to a stand. It had only been two weeks since she was released from the hospital and the movement in her arm was still painful. The jagged scar over her collar bone was visible with the dress she wore. The stitches had been removed, but it still looked red and raw and would for a long time.
Gus pulled her onto the dance floor and started swaying to the slow song blaring over the speakers. She smiled up at him and subtly adjusted her dress, self conscious about her injury. Gus bent his head and kissed the raised skin until she relaxed. Once it was forgotten, the couple held each other close and she laughed at whatever it was Gus had been whispering to her.
Liam felt peace. His family was whole and healthy. His children had found the love that Isabelle prayed would come to them.
Isabelle.
God, he missed her.
Every day was harder than the last, but every day he felt her near and every day he loved her more. Seeing her in every single one of his children was a relief. She had been the joy of their lives and he had worshipped her.
They had a rough start, but it had been worth the pain. Worth the fight.
Fergus had asked him for more details about the man that had hurt his mother so long ago, but Liam hadn't been ready to tell his son more. It was a dark time for him and his Izzy, but it was necessary to reach the love and happiness they had lived for so many years since.
"See your children, my love. They live every day with you in their hearts. Thank you for teaching them what love means, what family means," he said under his breath as he watched Gus and Aiden join Ash and Luke at the side of the stage.
It was time.
Liam stood from his seat and went to join his children as they witnessed another joyful event this day.
"Oh Daddy, he looks so nervous," Ash whispered.
"I know, my beauty. He should be nervous."
She smacked his shoulder with a giggle before Luke pulled her into his arms and kissed her fiercely. His hand rested protectively over their unborn child. A girl. Isabelle Mairenn Shade. Lucas cried the day they found out, but no one else knew about it. Not even Aislinn. He had gone to Liam the minute he and Ash had returned from the doctor and broke down in front of him. The man had adored Isabelle and it was just as hard on him to lose her. She had given him a life he never could have had without her.
When his tears had dried up Luke had said, "We'll raise her the same way Isabelle would have. We'll make sure she knows who her grandmother was and how much she loved us all."
Liam had cried with him and after he had left.
"Oh, God. He looks like he's going to faint," Aiden muttered with an anxious expression.
"Good," Gus chuckled.
Luke laughed right along with him.
Aiden elbowed Gus in the ribs, making him bend over with an 'oof'. "That's not very nice. He's your brother. Don't tell me you weren't scared when you asked me."
"I wasn't," he replied innocently.
"Then why did you ask me right after the nurse drugged me?"
Gus smiled wickedly and leaned in to kiss her, "Because I was terrified you'd say no. I would have spent the rest of my life on my knees trying to convince you to say yes. It was the easiest way, baby."
She scowled, but it didn't hold any power. In the next second, she kissed him sweetly and patted his cheek. "You're good."
"I learned from the best," Gus replied with a jerk of his head toward Liam. "Watching him deal with my mother was the smartest thing we ever did as kids. I learned all the tricks."
Aiden looked over at Liam with a loving smile before she stepped forward and kissed his cheek.
"Ah, my little fire, he doesn't know all my tricks, but those cannot be taught. He will have to learn them on his own."
She beamed at the now familiar nick name he had given her. It was quite fitting seeing as how she was never lacking sass and always causing trouble right along with Gus.
The music stopped and all eyes turned to the stage where Conall was holding the microphone with one hand and his other was buried in the pocket of his tux.
"I wanted to congratulate Ash and Luke on this special day," Conall said confidently. "You two deserve the best and I wish you a wonderful life together with many years of laughter and happiness. Ash," he called, searching her out in the crowd until he found her next to the stage. "I love you, kid."
Aislinn smiled with tears in her eyes and blew her brother a kiss.
"I, umm…" he cleared his throat nervously and shifted on his feet. "I wanted to ask a very special woman a very important question. Emily, will you come up here, please?"
Emily, who had been on the other side of the stage snuggling with Aidy on her lap, looked up in surprise before standing and making her way to the stage. Her blonde hair glistened in the lights and the flush on her cheeks made her glow.
When she reached Conall's side, he took her hand and kissed her palm. Then he dropped down on one knee and pulled out the tiny box that had been burning a hole in his pocket for the last two months.
"Emily. I loved you before I ever heard you speak. I loved you more when you smiled at me for the first time and lost the rest of my heart when you drunk kissed me in my father's backyard."
The crowd laughed, Gus and Luke gave each other high fives and Ash loudly said, "You're welcome!"
Emily already had tears in her beautiful green eyes.
"I know I'm hard to talk to sometimes, but I swear to you I'm always listening. You're my better half and without you, I'll never be whole. Will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?"
Silence.
You could hear a pin drop as Emily gazed down at Conall with so much unwavering love.
"Yes!" she cried. "Yes!"
His smile was like nothing Liam had ever seen before. He slipped the diamond ring he had stressed over onto her finger and lifted her in his arms with a hungry kiss. She held his face in her hands and kissed him back vigorously.
Cat calls sounded from the back of the reception hall and applause exploded as the couple easily forgot about all the people around them.
Liam felt a sting in his nose as tears threatened. Seeing his children so happy… it was what he and Isabelle had always wanted.
It was only an hour later that the crowd began to thin and Liam found himself back at one of the tables with his family. Emily was in Conall's lap, Luke and Ash were pressed close together, and Gus and Aiden were laughing about whatever story it was they were remembering. Lily had gone back to the house with Chad and a sleeping Aidy only minutes before.
"I wish mom was here," Ash sighed. "She would have loved this."
Liam smiled, a warm tingle running through his blood. "She's here, my beauty. She's always here."
"Will you tell us about her, Liam?" Aiden asked quietly. "How did you two meet?"
Every pair of eyes landed on him, waiting anxiously for the story he had only ever given vague details about at Izzy's request. The memory of the first time he ever laid eyes on his Isabelle was one he would never forget.
Gus was the only one that knew the few dark details Izzy hadn't wanted to share with her children until they were ready. Not because she felt it was a weakness, but because she hadn't wanted to taint their lives with darkness. But the things they had been through together made their love for each other that much stronger
Was it the time now?
"Go ahead, my love. Let them know our story. Help them understand why my love for them will never falter, even in death."
He closed his eyes, the whisper of her voice in his mind. He wanted to hold her, just one more time. He would. One day.
"The first time I saw Isabelle Moore was the first time I realized that love isn't just a feeling… it's an action. She was exquisite…"
Read Liam and Isabelle's story in the next book of The Brannock Siblings series:
Protector
Coming in 2015
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to leave me a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or your favorite retailer.
Thanks!
Jessica Wilde
About the Author
I live in Morgan Utah with my husband, daughter, and dog, Kolo. I write as often as my active daughter will let me and my husband has the patience of a saint. I find inspiration from dreams, people I meet, and life experiences. When I write, I usually end up drinking one too many cans of Peace Tea, eating three too many Fruit by the Foot fruit snacks, and accidently kicking my pup and best buddy, Kolo, too many times since he loves to sleep under my desk at my feet.
I started writing as a teen, but my fear of the unknown won out every time and I threw everything out. After becoming a mother and deciding to stay at home to raise my beautiful little girl, I tried again when I couldn't stop thinking of ideas. I loved every minute, every hour of sleep lost, and every character that came to life in my mind.
It's strange, but my favorite moments are when I have writer's block because I can turn to my husband and find inspiration through him by just doing what we do best together. Talking, laughing, and just being in love. He doesn't like to read, but he never stops encouraging me to keep going.
Writing has become an important part of my life and every book has a special place in my heart.
I enjoy reading all sub genres of Romance and especially a good historical romance with a hunky Scottish highlander. If I'm not writing or spending time with my family, I'm usually tucked in a corner reading a new book. I LOVE when readers contact me and I have really enjoyed talking with so many of them and have made some lasting friendships so I encourage readers to contact me with questions or just to chat about their latest book boyfriend.
Connect with Jessica Wilde
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7373464.Jessica_Wilde
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJessicaWilde
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Jessicawildeauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaWilde9
Acknowledgements
This has been such a remarkable adventure and there are a lot of people to thank for taking a chance on me and the Brannock siblings. I love this family and their history that has come alive in my mind. Yes, Liam and Isabelle will be telling their story in the near future. I have several projects I am excited to finish first, but I promise you will hear more from this beautiful family.
There are so many people that I have met on this amazing journey, but I first want to thank my family.
My husband - you are seriously my rock. Always have been and I hope you know how much I truly love you. Your patience and encouragement has made it possible for me to fulfill my dreams and I will be forever grateful that through this mess of life, I found you.
My sweet baby girl - you are beautiful. A shining light in this world. Never forget that Mommy and Daddy love you fiercely and there will never be a day that goes by that I don't thank God for giving you to me.
My families - your excitement and support keeps me going and I thank you for taking the time to help out where you can. For the many hours of babysitting and the questions about what will happen next that make me always want to keep writing, thank you.
This is where I really, really hope I don't leave anyone out.
Thank you The Book Nuts and especially Erica for all the amazing work you have done to help me; cover reveal, blitz, reviews, etc... I can't wait to work with you more and I can't begin to tell you how awesome it has been to get to know you. You can expect more torture in the future from the many secrets I will be sharing with you.
Tracie and Tara at Halos and Horns Book Blog - thank you for your reviews, your enthusiasm, and your constant support. The Kiss & Tell Author event can't arrive soon enough! I'm so excited to finally meet you both in person and thank you, thank you, for the incredible opportunity you have given me.
Blythe at Beautiful Book Blog for being my first Fan Girl! I still smile every time I think about you. Thank you for your compliments and support.
Loraine and Wicked Women Book Blog - Loraine, you are incredible! Thank you for your beautiful reviews and for your friendship and encouragement. You will always be on the top of my list and I'll never forget you.
Jess and Weet Weets Bookshelf Services and A Truly Great Review - your excitement to spend time with the Brannocks is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your many shares and likes and for taking a chance on me from the very beginning.
Amie at We Stole Your Book Boyfriend - THANK YOU for your amazing reviews and for being so willing to help me get the word out. More teasers are coming!
Sleepless Readmore from Goodreads - I'll never forget what your reviews did to me. Tears of happiness! I know how much time it takes to do what you do and I adore your style. Thank you so much for your compliments and for sharing your love of the Brannocks. Get ready for more!
Everything Marie - You ladies are amazing! Jamie, thank you so much for the beautiful reviews and for falling in love with the people in my head. For loving Andrew and Charlie as much as I do. J I am excited to work with you more in the future and I have so much more to come.
To the many other bloggers and reviewers who have taken a chance on me and been so giving of your time. Thank you! Please send me your reviews if you haven't already, I would love to read them. All of your constructive feedback helps me so much. I value every single one of you and I hope you know how very grateful I am for all of your help. I know without a doubt, without all of you, I wouldn't be where I am today.
And finally, to all my readers!!
I may not know many of you personally, but I can honestly say that each of you hold a special place in my heart. Your love and support, your words of encouragement, excitement, and love for my writing makes all of this a dream come true. I encourage you to contact me. Tell me what you think, ask questions, share your reviews (I try to read them all), share what you are reading, or just say hello. I am so grateful for all of you. I have so much more to share and I hope you all continue to enjoy it.
Without you… Let's just say I hope there will never be a day without you!
Thank you for taking that chance on me and I hope you take a chance on other authors as well. There are so many spectacular writers and stories out there and you make it possible for all of us to follow our dreams. To do what we love most and share what our minds never stop creating.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, a million times over!!
Here's to many more words to devour, many more books to fall into, and a few surprises along the way.
Find other titles by Jessica Wilde
Leverage (The Brannock Siblings, #1)
Print ISBN-13: 978-1495276989
ASIN:B00J8766O0
eBook ISBN: 9781311640024
Adventure. That's all Aislinn 'Ash' Brannock wanted in her life. Her dad and two brothers - all cops - got to see it all, but their over-protectiveness made her feel like she had been locked away in a tower with three fire breathing dragons watching her every move. Yes, it was that bad. The only silver lining? Lucas Shade. Her brothers' best friend growing up, and apparently the only man she will ever love because let's face it, none of the others even come close. After an unfortunate mistake lands her back in her father's home, her world is turned upside down and Lucas is there in a tightly wrapped package of serious with a big red bow on top. Life just got interesting, but it comes with a price, one she never wanted to pay.
Detective Lucas Shade never had a real family, but the Brannocks took him in as one of their own and he never took it for granted. Ash was a big reason for why he stuck around, but in order to save himself the beating of a lifetime from her two older brothers, he kept his feelings for her hidden. When the case he has been working on for months takes a turn, Ash could become the leverage the bad guys have been waiting for, but keeping her invisible may destroy everything Lucas has worked so hard for. Good thing Ash is the only person he would give up everything to protect.
Conned (The Brannock Siblings, #2)
Print ISBN13: 978-1499363180
ASIN: B00L2FQE9I
eBook ISBN: 9781310302473
Conall Brannock takes his job seriously. He doesn't get attached, he doesn't ask questions, and he protects his family at all costs. Nothing will change that. Not even the sweet, green eyed witness that just burst into his life and shifted his world. He has one job to do; protect Emily until she can testify. He can't let his interest in her get in the way, but the more he finds out about her, the more he can't help but wonder how the beautiful broken girl got into this mess in the first place. And the longer he takes to learn the truth, the deeper he falls for her.
Emily Dawson has a job to do. Stay off the grid, testify, and hopefully get her brother back. He's all she has left of the family she struggled so hard to hold together and she would do anything to keep him safe. Even if it means she has put herself in harm's way or that she has conned everyone into believing she saw something she didn't. She knows where her loyalties lie, but her stoic yet gentle protector and his crazy family makes her question everything she once knew.
Loyalty can be one sided.
Family isn't always blood.
And honesty can destroy everything she has come to love.
Our Time
Print ISBN13: 978-1494310219
