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January 24 - January 30, 2023
Liam Dempsey
“Sugarloaf. Our father is dead. It’s time to go home.”
My mama is the best person I know, and as much as I want my Nintendo game—and I really want it—I want to make her happy more. I like making Mama happy.
“Because if you don’t break the bow, you’ll never go forward, and an arrow was meant to forge ahead.”
He was like a comet that set the sky on fire, and the tail has never faded for me.
Hadley takes my open hand, and we walk up the steps that lead to the falling-down house we call home, leaving him standing there and watching us, and I wonder if he could see what I’ve been ignoring for the last seven years—that Hadley has his eyes.
My good times were almost nonexistent. The only memory I have that I hold on to is the night with my angel.
Liam chuckles. “Because whether it was one night or a lifetime, it meant something and you’re fucked in the head over it.”
He steps forward, his eyes fill with rage and he slaps me across the face. “You think talking back to me makes it better?”
Promises break. Bruises heal. But nothing erases the scars that abuse leaves.
“But if you try to leave, Ellie. I’ll kill you both. And I’ll kill her first and make you watch what you’ve finally forced me to do.”
“Run, Hadley,” I say breathlessly. “Run as far and as fast as you can. Run to someone who will protect you. Run and don’t look back at me. Don’t stop. Don’t listen to anything else, just run.”
“Please help her, Connor,” Hadley pleads, and I want nothing more than to give her what she asks.
Ellie means something to me, whether it’s reciprocated or not, she’s been my talisman.
I’ve dreamed of her so many times and then replayed the memory of that night just to have her close again.
“I’d really like to, but I have a strict rule about men who hit people smaller than them.” I step closer, making a fist and releasing it. “You see, I think a real man would pick on someone his own size, you know?”
“I won’t let you fall.”
My daughter saved my life, and I will never be able to forgive myself for it.
“Because he sure as fuck won’t hurt you if you’re in my house. If you choose to go back home, then we’ll come up with a lot of ways for you to protect yourself if he’s released from jail. Either way, tonight, tomorrow, or until you’re ready to leave, you’re safe with me.”
Men who use their fists don’t care when it is. Men who use their power to make people submit to them don’t care about the situation or the person, it’s all about them. You did the right thing.”
You put Hadley first so that she would have pie when she wanted.”
“That night is everything.”
This little girl will own my heart, regardless of whose blood runs in her veins.
But then you said hello, and I was so lost. It took one word for my entire life to feel as though it had been righted.
“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.”
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.
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.”
I love her.
Then there’s the way he looks at me, heat and want in his eyes that sends currents through my body. Just like the night we met, there’s chemistry that hasn’t ebbed.
I wish I could say he doesn’t scare me, but in so many ways he does. He’s the man I find myself thinking of during the day. The guy my daughter wants to be around. And if I’m truly honest with myself, who I want to be with too.
I’ve always believed in soul mates, and standing here in front of him, I can’t deny that we’re something . . . more.
I’ll wait forever for you.”
His eyes watch mine with an intensity that makes my stomach clench. “Are you still drifting, Ellie?” I shake my head. “No, I don’t think I am.” “Why not?” “Because you won’t let me.”
“Will you hurt me, Connor?” “Never.” And I believe him. “Then, yes, I’ll let you kiss me.”
Each day, she heals a little more, and each day, I hope I show her the man I am.
“You’re everything I remembered and nothing I was prepared for,” I say right before I kiss her.
“You say these things, and I have to stop myself from falling.” “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.”
I don’t want her to forget herself, only the things around her. I want to give her power and freedom.
want her to be ours. I want that night to have created something so perfect that it lives between us now.
“I wanted us to have a real date.” “I see that. Typically, one asks the girl, right?” He shrugs as he comes to a stop in front of me. “I don’t think there’s anything typical about us, Angel.”
When it comes to you, Ellie, I have no restraint.”
“I told you that I’d wait forever for you, and I mean it. I feel like these eight years have been my training mission.”
“I’m so fucking happy.”
Apparently, farming is really freaking sexy.
You may run from the things you love, Declan, but I don’t. I found the woman I literally dreamed of for eight years, and I’m not letting her go.
“You lead this, Ellie. I won’t do anything you don’t ask me to.” He kisses me again and then pulls back, causing me to whimper. “Tell me, baby. Whatever you want.”
“That’s it, Angel, take what you want. Use me. Ride me and take what you need.”
“Let go, Ellie. Let go, I’ll catch you. I’ve got you in my arms, and I won’t let you fall.”
turn to him, and before I can stop myself, my lips part. “I love you.” Connor’s beautiful green eyes fill with emotion. “I’ve loved you since the first moment I ever saw you.”
The tree house should bring her joy and be a place where memories are formed. So, I’m probably going to end up giving her a bathroom, kitchen, electricity, and plumbing by the time I’m done.
