Come Back for Me (The Arrowood Brothers, #1)

by Corinne Michaels

I know exactly what I was dreaming of—an angel. A beautiful woman with dark brown hair and the bluest eyes I’d ever seen. It doesn’t matter that I spent one night with her eight years ago, I remember her perfectly.

“Yeah, we have to go meet Declan and Jacob . . .”

“Meet them where.” Sean clenches his jaw and then releases a heavy sigh. “Sugarloaf. Our father is dead. It’s time to go home.”

“Because if you don’t break the bow, you’ll never go forward, and an arrow was meant to forge ahead.”

“Removing half the feather will make the arrow curve and alter its course, which is why sticking together matters.”

“We made a pact. No marriages, no kids, and never raise our fists in anger. She would’ve understood. She would’ve wanted us to stand by each other and be nothing like he was in the end.”

We get toward the drive and there’s someone at the car. Her dark brown hair falls down her back in waves and she’s lifting a paper bag from her trunk. When she turns, our eyes meet, and my heart stops. Her lips part as the groceries tumble to the ground forgotten as I come face to face with the woman who has haunted my dreams. My angel has returned, only she isn’t mine.

I needed him and the memory of that night more than he can ever know. I’ve relived it so many times, clinging to those feelings that I was desperate for, loving how my world came alive and colors were brighter when I was with him. He was like a comet that set the sky on fire, and the tail has never faded for me.

I wonder if he could see what I’ve been ignoring for the last seven years—that Hadley has his eyes.

“Thank you, Connor. You’re the best friend anyone ever had.” Oh, God, this kid is going to break my heart.

Promises break. Bruises heal. But nothing erases the scars that abuse leaves.

“You did right for her. You didn’t allow him to hurt her. You put Hadley first so that she would have pie when she wanted.”

Her tears soak my shirt, but I don’t remark on it. If she needs to soak through a hundred shirts, I’ll let her. If she wants me to hold her for days, I’ll stay just like this. She may have gotten away from me that night, and our lives may be complicated, but one thing is for sure, Ellie will never feel small or broken again. I will do everything to make sure that, from this day forward, she feels protected.

“I’m not asking for anything. I just want you to know that you’re not alone.”

“You can’t take a shot until you break your bow.” “What does it mean?” Connor moves his hand, covering mine completely. “It means you have to pull back on the bow, use all your might to fight against the strain in your arm as you’re going for what you want. It means that if you don’t break the bow, you can’t ever go forward and hit the target.”

“You’re just a bad fisher. But you’re my favorite hero.”

“I found out I was pregnant with Hadley about a month after my wedding. I’ve always wondered . . . if maybe . . . she was . . .” I trail off, afraid to say it aloud. “There’s a chance that Hadley isn’t Kevin’s daughter.” His gaze snaps up before moving to the door she ran out of and then back to me. “You think she could be mine?” “I don’t know, but she has your eyes.” The admission falls from my lips as a tear drops from my lashes.

This little girl will own my heart, regardless of whose blood runs in her veins.

“And what if Hadley is yours?” “Then I’ll be the father I never had, and that girl will never have to fear for you or herself again.”

“I can’t take a shot if I don’t break the bow, Ellie. I’m strong enough to hold off on releasing the arrow, until you’re ready.” Her eyes widen, and her breath hitches. It was worth it. The sweat, frustration, and deviation of plans just to see that look. We may have lost our chance years ago, but I’m not a kid anymore, and I have my target set. I’m waiting for the sights to align.

“Do you want to find out if Hadley is yours?” His eyes meet mine, and my heart races as I wait for him to say something—anything. “More than anything.” “Then why haven’t you said anything?” He moves closer, pulling the papers from my hands and placing them down on the table. “Because you’ve been through hell and so has she. While I want to know if she is my daughter more than I’ve wanted anything in my entire life, I also won’t be selfish and demand it happen now. I can wait, Ellie. I can wait until you’re ready.” “Ready for what?” He lifts his hand, pushing the hair off my face. His voice is soft, careful, and yet, there’s a confidence underlying it all. “Me.”

“About Ellie. I can’t get my head straight. I look at her, and my heart races. I think about her, and I fight the urge to find her. It’s ridiculous. Then there’s the fact that all I want is more.”

“I don’t want to push you. I can wait. I will wait. I’ll wait forever for you.”

“You’re everything I remembered and nothing I was prepared for,” I say right before I kiss her.

“If you fall, I’ll catch you.” “What if I take you down with me?” “I’ll shelter you so you don’t get injured.” “And if you’re hurt in the process?” Ellie’s voice is barely a whisper. “I can handle it.” I inch closer, my hand lifting and tucking the other side of her hair behind her ears. “What I can’t handle is causing you or Hadley pain. I want to make you happy, Angel, not make you cry.”

“She’s mine.”

“We have a daughter.” I take the step toward her, closing the distance. “We do. And soon, I hope to have you.”