Searching for Harmony by Kelly Elliott
Preston stood behind me as he pulled the blindfold off to reveal the most picturesque rolling hillside. It almost looked like a painting. My eyes scanned the countryside until they landed on a giant sign hanging between two trees.
WELCOME HOME, HARMONY
Gasping, I spun around and then stumbled back as I saw Preston kneeling down on one knee.
My heart dropped to my stomach and I immediately started crying as I whispered, “Preston.”
“I only have two dreams left that I need to come true, baby.”
A sob escaped my lips when I noticed he had on a New York Yankees T-shirt, but had paired it with a Boston Red Sox hat. Shaking my head, I let out a giggle as a feeling of pure love rushed through my veins. I loved this man more than the air I was breathing.
Finding my voice, I asked, “What are your dreams, Preston?”
Removing the baseball cap and taking my hand in his, he slipped a princess-cut diamond onto my finger as a tear slowly rolled down his cheek. “The first one…is for you to agree to be my wife.”
Dropping to the ground, I whispered, “Yes,” and kissed him. Pulling back, I looked into his eyes and asked, “And the second dream?”
Placing his hands on my face, he gently wiped my tears away with his thumbs. “To start a family with the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
Smiling, I nodded as my eyes searched his face. His brown hair was messy, as usual, but sexy as hell. Glancing down at his lips, I let out a contented sigh. Those lips had given me pleasure in so many different ways. Finally, I looked into his beautiful green eyes. Placing my hands over his, I said, “I’ve already got that one taken care of.”
Preston’s eyes widened. “W-what?”
Pressing my lips together, I rubbed them back and forth as I built up the courage to speak without crying. Then I remembered my promise.
Happy tears only.
“I’m pregnant.”
Preston’s eyes lit up like nothing I’d ever seen before. Sucking in a breath of air, I held my breath as I waited for him to say something. “Harmony, we’re going to have a baby?”
Letting out a nervous chuckle, I held his stare as my stomach jumped all over the place.
Nodding, I whispered, “Yes.”
Preston quickly stood up and pulled me into his arms as he spun me around. Finally coming to a stop, he pushed me back at arm’s length and looked me up and down. “We’re having a baby?”
Laughing as I wiped my tears away, I nodded and said, “Yep. I hope you’re not angry.”
Preston’s smile dropped as he shook his head. “God, no. Harmony, I’ve never been so happy in my entire life. I’m seriously praying that I’m not dreaming.”
Reaching over, I pinched his arm and he let out a yelp. “Nope. You’re awake.”
Pushing his hands through my hair, he grabbed a handful and pulled my head back, exposing my neck to his sweet, soft lips. Kissing me along my neck, he spoke between kisses.
“You. Destroy. Me. Harmony.”
Smiling, I closed my eyes as I felt his lips shower me with love. Finally coming to my senses, I said, “Wait! This place. Preston, is this ours?”
Nodding, he turned me to face the countryside again. “Yes. It’s ten acres and we’re only about twenty-five miles from the pub. My father bought this piece of land at the same time he bought the land where they are living now. I offered him a price for it and he accepted it. Whenever you’re ready to pick out a house, I plan on building it for you. Finn, Wes, and my father all offered to help.”
“Oh, Preston. I don’t know what to say.”
Laughing, Preston brought me into his arms. “Tell me you love it.”
Smiling until my cheeks hurt, I said, “I love it! I love it! I love it!” Kissing me gently on my lips, Preston smiled as he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. Slapping my ass, he said, “Time to break the new place in, baby.”
—
Lying in Preston’s arms on a blanket under a tree, I lazily ran my fingers up and down his arm as I looked out over the beautiful countryside. My heart was so happy it felt as if it might burst.
Preston’s breathing was steady next to me as his hand lay perfectly across my stomach. Taking in a slow, deep breath, I held it for a moment and slowly let it out as I placed my hand over Preston’s.
Slowly drifting off to sleep, I dreamt of a little girl with blond curly hair running around a tree as Preston and I chased her.
Love is such a powerful thing. Once we allow it into our hearts, it’s amazing how it heals not only our hearts, but our souls as well. We never forget, but we do heal. I guess everything really does happen for a reason.
Epilogue
Happily Ever After
Preston
Closing my eyes, I counted to twenty. “Ready or not, here I come, Presley!”
Hearing her little laughter echoing from the trees, I headed that way. Seeing her dark blond curls bouncing behind a tree, I slowly made my way over to her.
Right before I got there, she jumped out and yelled, “Boo!”
Dropping to the ground, Presley came running into my arms. “Daddy! I won! I won!”
Laughing, I wrapped her in my arms and lifted her up as I spun her around a few times. Stopping, I gently kissed her forehead and smiled. “How do you figure you won when you jumped out and ran to me? You’re supposed to run from me.”
Giggling, she buried her face in my chest as I carried her back to the house. “Daddy, I’m sleepy.”
Shaking my head, I said, “I wonder why. You played with your little cousin Kimmy for about four hours today, sweetheart. You’re worn out.” Jake and Sandy had left not too long ago with their three-year-old daughter, Kimmy, to head back home.
Nodding, she grabbed my shirt while she closed her eyes and let out a sigh. I was instantly taken back to the first time Harmony did the same thing.
Knowing it was their way of telling me they felt safe in my arms, I held my four-year-old daughter closer to me as I carried her into the house and upstairs to her room.
Laying Presley down in bed, I covered her up and kissed her gently on the forehead as I pushed her curls from her face.
“I love you, Presley.”
“Love you, too, Daddy.”
Watching my daughter sleep filled my heart with happiness. Fighting to hold back my tears, I turned and headed out of her room, quietly closing the door. Making my way back downstairs, I headed into the master bedroom. Today marked two years since we had been living in the house that I built with the help of my father, uncle, and two brothers. Harmony and I still had the condo on Comm Avenue in Boston. It was hard to sell the home our daughter was born in and where so many memories were made.
Hearing the water running in the bathroom, I pushed the door open and slowly walked in. Seeing Harmony in the tub, I quickly stripped out of my clothes and climbed in. Harmony sat up and moved so I could slip in behind her.
Inhaling a deep breath, she slowly blew it out. “Is she asleep?”
Letting out a chuckle, I said, “Yes. Finally. I think the last round of hide-and-seek pushed her past her limit.”
Harmony giggled as her hands moved lazily across the bubbles in the water.
“Touch me, Preston.”
Pressing a kiss against the back of her head, I moved my hands and cupped her full breasts. Dropping her head back against my chest, she let out a moan that moved through my entire body like the speed of light. Even after four years of marriage, Harmony’s touch still caused crazy sensations to rush through my body. Every time I made love to her, it felt like the first time.
Placing my lips near her ear, I asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Tired,” she whispered.
Moving my hands from her breasts, I slowly moved them down and caressed her beautiful swollen belly. Feeling the baby kick, we both let out a chuckle. “He’s active,” I said as I watched an elbow, or maybe a knee, move across Harmony’s stomach.
Nodding, she said
“Have you decided on a name yet?” I asked as I continued to caress her stomach.
Shaking her head, she said, “Nope.” Popping her p in the process.
Grinning, I said, “You do know you were due two days ago, baby.”
Laughing, she turned her head and looked at me. “Maybe we can just call him Boy.”
“Boy? Hey, Boy, come help your mother with chores. Boy, don’t eat that dirt pie.”
Harmony giggled and shrugged her shoulders. “Okay, so that isn’t a good name. I think we both agree on that. If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears.”
“Oh, okay, now that we are down to the wire, you want my input. I’m sorry, the bet was if it was a girl, I would name her, just like with Presley. If it’s a boy, it’s on your shoulders to come up with the name.”
Letting out a frustrated groan, Harmony stuck out her lower lip as she looked at me. “Pwease, Daddy?”
Rolling my eyes, I laughed as Harmony looked straight ahead. “I do have a name I’ve always kind of liked.”
“I’m all ears, Mr. Ward.”
“Are you sure, Mrs. Ward? Once I say the name, the deal is sealed.”
Nodding, Harmony said, “Understood.”
Taking in a deep breath, I blew it out and said, “Fitzwilliam.”
Harmony stopped moving her hands and sat perfectly still. Turning to look at me, Harmony’s eyes danced with excitement. “It’s perfect. We can call him Fitz for short.”
“Really?”
Harmony slowly attempted to sit up. Jumping out of the tub, I wrapped a towel around my waist as I helped my very pregnant wife out of the tub.
Standing in front of me gloriously naked with her belly carrying our second child, I felt my dick hardening by the second just looking at her.
“Really, really,” Harmony said with a chuckle as I wrapped a towel around her. “So, now that we have that settled, will you call your parents and see if they’ll come stay with Presley?”
Pulling my head back, I asked, “Why?”
Harmony’s eyes lit up as she gave me a smile that about knocked me over. “Because Fitz is on his way.”
This book is dedicated to those who have lost a piece of themselves. Never give up the search, the will, or the drive to find your harmony.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my amazing husband, Darrin. Your endless support means more to me than you will ever know. Your humor gets me through each day, even on the days I want to give up. As always, I love you more.
To my amazing daughter, Lauren. You make my heart happy and I love you so much! Thank you for sharing me with so many people. I love you!
Jane Dystel, my wonderful agent. Thank you for believing in me and believing in this story.
A huge thank-you to Sue Grimshaw for taking a chance with Searching for Harmony. It means more to me than you will ever know.
Thank you to Kristin Mayer and Laura Hansen for all your input when I was writing this book. I love you both!
And of course, thank you to all the readers and bloggers who have taken the time to read my books. I couldn’t do this without you. Your support means more to me than you will ever know.
BY KELLY ELLIOTT
Boston Love
Searching for Harmony
Who We Were
Made for You
PHOTO: SHANNON CAIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women, and beautiful surroundings.
Her bestselling works include Wanted, Broken, Without You, and Unconditional Love, to name just a few.
Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November 2012.
Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and two pups. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is down to earth and very in touch with her readers, both on social media and at signings.
kellyelliottauthor.com
Facebook.com/KellyElliottAuthor
@author_kelly
The Editor’s Corner
Looking for the next romance that’ll give you the feels? Our fantastic selection of books will definitely satisfy.
You’ve never read bedtime stories like the sensual forbidden fairy tales in Sharon Lynn Fisher’s Loveswept debut, Before She Wakes. And speaking of debuts, don’t miss New York Times bestselling author Kelly Elliott’s Searching for Harmony—a gut-wrenching story of a love that transcends all odds. Vonnie Davis’s Her Survivor welcomes readers to Wounded Warrior Falls, where beating the odds is what it’s all about, while Bound beneath His Pain kicks off a deeply sensual new series from Club Sin author Stacey Kennedy.
Diana Quincy continues her Rebellious Brides series with a tale of forbidden love between a socialite and a scholar in A License to Wed. Wedding bells are ringing—and tempers are flaring—as Marquita Valentine’s Take the Fall series continues in the sweet and sexy Hard to Fall. The Brothers of Mayhem MC ride again in Carla Swafford’s explosive novel Full Heat. Ashley Suzanne follows up Raven with the next round in her scorching Fight or Flight series, Cutter. The third book in Beth Yarnall’s Recovered Innocence series, Reclaim, is brimming with angst and sensuality. And don’t miss the next book in Stacey Lynn’s deeply emotional Fireside series, His to Protect. Or the story of a war hero fighting to remember the love he left behind in Serena Bell’s emotionally charged To Have and to Hold.
Then Shawntelle Madison’s seductive Surrender to You follows two career-oriented friends with benefits. And finally we have a cold case that leads to blazing-hot temptation in Kathy Clark’s romantic suspense Almost Forever.
Until next time ~Happy Romance!
Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher
Read on for an excerpt from
Hard to Fall
by Marquita Valentine
Available from Loveswept
Chapter 1
Hayden
My head is pounding like someone took a jackhammer to it. I haven’t had a hangover like this in years, not since college, but my buddy’s family knows how to throw an after-party like no other.
Tequila had been the drink of choice. Pretty sure his mom drank me under the table. In any case, I ended up flying to Tijuana with half the bridal party and all of the Castillos.
Forcing my eyes open wide, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and check behind me to make sure I’m alone. There’s no one with me, not even an indentation in the pillow. The bedcovers are reasonably rearranged. No condom wrappers on the floor and the morning wood I’m sporting is barely a semi.
Pushing out of bed, I go in search of coffee and pain reliever. Ms. Castillo let the entire wedding party stay at her house, which turns out to be a huge hacienda on the outskirts of the city. I can’t remember what her family is into, but based on what I’ve seen so far, it’s very lucrative.
Yawning, I scratch my chest and go through another door, which leads me straight into the kitchen. The smell of coffee fills the air and I want to kiss the pot brewing near the stove.
There’s a woman sitting at the table. From my vantage point, I can see legs, an oversized shirt…and chocolate brown hair pulled into a messy bun, like she spent the night in someone’s bed.
The lucky bastard.
Not a bad view at all.
“Good morning.” I step past her, heading straight to the coffee. “Do I have you to thank for making this?”
“No.” Her voice sounds vaguely familiar to me. “It was already brewing when I got here.”
Grabbing the pot of coffee and a mug, I lean against the counter and pour a cup so that I can get a good look at her. A flash of pink catches my eye firs
I’ve always been a sucker for brown eyes. One of the bridesmaids at the wedding had eyes like that, glasses too.
“I know you.” I snap my fingers. “You’re the naughty bridesmaid, Sammy.”
“It’s Saylor.” Her head tilts to one side, then she pushes those sexy-as-fuck black glasses back up on her nose. “Saylor Dean.”
“Got it.” I grin sheepishly at her. “Sorry, I’m not my usual self.”
Her lashes flicker down, then back up. “You don’t seem any different to me.”
I frown. “Is that an insult?”
“Do you think how you normally act is offensive?” She sips daintily from her mug.
“Depends on who you ask. Need a refill?”
She shakes her head. “Not drinking.”
I look pointedly at her cup. “You sure about that?”
“Positive.” This she says right before taking another sip.
Maybe she’s just as hungover as am I? “Mind if I join you?” I flash her the infamous Walker smile, the same one my dad, the senator from the great state of North Carolina, uses in every commercial and on every campaign stop.
Unfortunately, I’ve inherited that smile.
Fortunately, it works about ninety five percent of the time. Then again, I’m not using my charms to get votes; I using it to convince a sexy woman to let me sit with her.
“Why would I mind?” she asks.
“I was being polite.”
Her dark gaze runs over me and my cock stirs. “No you weren’t.”
Something tingles at the back of my brain, but I ignore it. It’s not like I have Spidey-sense. “What was I being then?”
“Flirtatious.”
“You got me there.”