Annabeth squeezed the girl’s hands. “Don’t worry about it. Everything looks great and there’s nothing you could have done to help, so it was a good idea to go forward with it. The shelter really does need the money. Vi said the State is definitely withdrawing the grant award this year.”
Ligia hugged Annabeth. “Thank you, Anna.”
A young blonde woman, dressed up as Amelia Earhart, tugged on Ligia’s arm. “It’s time for the vote.”
Ligia nodded. “I’ll be right there.” She turned her attention back to Annabeth. “Will you be staying?”
Annabeth shook her head. “No I just wanted to tell you in person and tell you I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you what was happening right away. I didn’t want you to worry.”
Ligia bit her blood red bottom lip and looked away. “It’s okay…”
“I’ll admit I also wanted to come by tonight and see all our hard work in action.” It was then that she glanced up and saw the silver disco ball still hanging from the ceiling. The one she had put up to goad Brooke still hung despite the Queen B’s protest over its tackiness. “It really is lovely. I just wish Brooke were here to see it.”
Ligia frowned. “Me too.”
“Ligia!” the blonde aviator beckoned from across the room.
Annabeth caught a slight tremble in Ligia’s downturned mouth. “Duty calls.” She started for the stage and turned once more to face Annabeth. “Thank you for coming.” With that, she dashed off to the stage and took the mike.
Familiar arms wrapped around her waist. Marcus. He bent forward and kissed the crown of her head. Her eyes slid closed and she leaned against him for support.
No matter what lay ahead, she found comfort in knowing that she had this amazing man who loved her and would always be there for her when she needed him the most.
Just then her phone buzzed with a text message. She pulled away a little and pulled out her phone. Officer Dobbs, one of the arresting officers on the scene that night. She’d given him her card when he took her statement. The momentary peace she had found in Marcus melted away as she read the short text.
Call me right away.
“What is it, babe?” Marcus looked down at her with a concerned look in his eye.
“I don’t know, but it can’t be good.” She slipped her phone back into her back pocket and rested her head on his chest.
“Aren’t you going to call him back?”
“In a minute,” she said, not in hurrying to return the real world. “In a minute.” She nuzzled her head into his chest and he tightened his hold on her. She needed this one moment. Just the two of them. Everyone else and their problems could wait. She would get to them soon enough. Soon…
Also by the Authors
By Melissa Storm & K.M. Hodge
Walker Texas Wife
Texas & Tiaras
Remember the Stilettos
Ladies, We Have a Problem
By Melissa Storm
The Cupid’s Bow Series
When I Fall in Love
My Heart Belongs Only to You
I’ll Never Stop Loving You
You Make Me Feel So Young
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Tainted Love
I Want to Dance with Somebody
You Belong with Me
She Will Be Loved
Somebody Like You
All I Want for Christmas is You
The Pearl Makers
Angels in Our Lives
Love Forever, Theo
Shackle My Soul
Angel of Mine
Stand-Alone Novels & Novellas
A Texas Kind of Love
A Cowboy Kind of Love
A Wedding Miracle
Finding Mr. Happily Ever After
A Colorful Life
My Love Will Find You
The Legend of My Love
By K.M. Hodge
The Syndicate-Born Trilogy
Red on the Run
Black & White Truth
True Blue Son
Stand-Alone Novels & Novellas
Summer of ’78
About Melissa Storm
Melissa loves books so much, she married fellow author Falcon Storm. Between the two of them, there are always plenty of imaginative, awe-inspiring stories to share. Melissa and Falcon also run the business Novel Publicity together, where she works as publisher, marketer, editor, and all-around business mogul. When she's not reading, writing, or child-rearing, Melissa spends time relaxing at home in the company of her three dogs and five parrots. She never misses an episode of The Bachelor or her nightly lavender-infused soak in the tub. Ahh, the simple luxuries that make life worth living.
Melissa loves hearing from readers.
Please feel free to reach out!
@melstormauthor
MeetTheStorms
www.MelStorm.com
author@melstorm.com
About K.M. Hodge
K.M. Hodge grew up in Detroit, where she spent most of her free time weaving wild tales to spook her friends and family. These days, she lives in Texas with her husband and two energetic boys and once again enjoys writing tales of suspense and intrigue that keep her readers up all night. Her stories, which focus on women’s issues, friendship, addiction, regrets and second chances, will stay with you long after you finish them. When she isn’t writing or being an agent of social change, she reads independent graphic novels, watches old X-files episodes, streams Detroit Tigers games and binges on Netflix with her husband. She enjoys hearing from her readers, so don’t be shy about dropping her a line.
Connect with K.M.
@KMHodgeAuthor
KMHodgeAuthor
www.kmhodge.com
KMHodgeAuthor@gmail.com