Vengeance (Oak Grove Suspense Book 1) (34 page)

As we reach the end of the aisle and the pastor asks who gives this woman, my parents both proudly state that they do. All the while, I can’t take my teary eyes off of Ryan and his equally teary ones. He takes my hand and I know that no matter what happens to us from this point forward that we will face it together as a team. The wish I made long ago on my birthday has finally come true. Choices, some my own, and some out of my control, led us the long way around, but we’re here now and nothing can stop us.

Ryan

Eighteen months later:

“So how does it feel to officially be a senior?” I ask my son as he climbs in my car after his last official day of his eleventh year of school.

Dylan’s smile lights up the world. “So good. I can’t wait to get this next year over with.”

“Don’t rush it. Enjoy your youth while you can.”

“I’m not trying to rush my life away. I just want to start my career. I’ve already completed four college courses. I’m taking a couple this summer too.”

Ah, my son the overachiever, not that it’s a bad thing. He’s very focused on what he wants. It’s what he wants that gives me pause. His plan is to go to college for Criminal Justice, then go through the police academy, and then on to Quantico. I have no reason to stop or discourage him. It’s actually an honor that he wants to follow in my footsteps; I just worry about his safety. That worry seems to have gotten worse over the past nine months.

“You’ll do great. I have faith in you.”

“I know you do. Speaking of Faith, she’s coming for dinner so you and Mom can go out.”

I grin. “You two spoil her.”

“No way. She’s perfect.”

“I agree.”

We arrive at our house a few minutes later and Dylan sprints inside. Once Shayla and I married, I went to work merging our houses. My house was on such a good corner lot and combined with her childhood home, I couldn’t resist. Oh, when I say merge, I really mean that. Our houses were about fifteen feet apart, so we built an extension between the two and made it one large forty-five hundred square foot house. We took out my kitchen and turned it into a huge family area, but we left everything else the same for now. So we now have a five bedroom house, which we plan to fill with children.

“Hannah!” Dylan calls as he enters the family room.

She immediately starts babbling. Hannah’s our honeymoon baby. Whatever hang-ups Shayla had were gone by the second night of our short honeymoon. Then, three weeks later, we found out that we were going to be parents again. Going through everything with her this time was absolutely amazing.

We were a little hesitant in telling Dylan, but we shouldn’t have been. He was over the moon happy to have a sibling. It didn’t bother him one bit that she was almost seventeen years younger than him. Watching him with her sometimes reminds me that I would have been about his age when he was a baby. I hate that I missed those days, but so glad I can have this now with Hannah and Dylan.

Hannah is named after Shayla’s biological mom, and rightfully so, as she looked just like her grandmother and, in turn, just like her mother, with bright blue eyes and gorgeous blonde hair. Having a daughter has been life changing. The first time I laid eyes on her, I was a goner. There was nothing in this world that could come at us that I wouldn’t stop. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for this little bundle of screaming joy. It also triggered my need for more guns. I now have a locked room set aside on my old side of the house that’s pretty much full of every weapon I could get my hands on. Extreme to some, namely my wife, but to me it will never be enough until every person like Mathis is out of our lives for good.

Mathis is still a thorn in my side. We’ve kept tabs on sightings of him over the past nineteen months, but for the past five, he’s been off radar. I haven’t mentioned it to Shayla, there’s no need for her to worry, but Tom and I have spent hours locked away in my office, planning and searching.  His CIA contacts have truly come in handy. I was floored when Tom shared his past with me. It explained so much that I didn’t understand when I first started coming around Shayla.

“Tell Daddy bye-bye, Hannah.”

I look up to see my son waving his sister’s chubby arm as she laughs and drools all over the place. He is really the best brother and an excellent babysitter, if I do say so myself.

“Can’t I at least say hello to my daughter before you kick me out of my own house?” I ask indignantly.

“Suit yourself, but if you’re late picking Mom up, you have no one to blame but yourself.”

“It’s worth her anger.” I scoop up my daughter and cover her face in kisses, making her squeal in delight. “Are you sure you and Faith don’t mind watching her? I’m sure Gail and Tom, or even my mom would keep her. You should celebrate your last day of school.”

“Maw’s had her all day and Gran is all the way across town. It’s fine, honest. Faith and I are going to play with her, feed her, and then put her to bed. We’ll get our courses lined up for this summer and watch a movie. I swear things will be fine.”

“I know I’ve said it a thousand times, but please try to pace yourself. I don’t want you burning out before you’ve even gotten out of high school.”

“I’m not, Dad. This is what I want. I want to be a cop. I want to help, to make a difference, just like you’ve done.”

“I’m proud of you for that, but you’re still a kid. It’s not your job to babysit your sister every Friday.”

“It’s not every Friday. Next week, I’ll take Faith out.”

“Your mom is on vacation next week. You’re off Hannah duty all week. Go get Faith and go to the beach or something. Just make it a point to do some fun things.”

“I will. We’re planning on volunteering at church with the Shepard program so we’ll be busy with that during the days most of the summer. You can’t be against that. It’ll look great on college applications.”

“I’m not against you helping inner city kids. I just want you to have the childhood that your mom and I never did. I don’t want you to have regrets.”

“I won’t. I swear.”

“All right, I’m going to get your mom. Love you both.”

I kiss my baby girl on the cheek before handing her back to her big brother, whom she absolutely adores. Shayla and I hit the jackpot with those two. They are both more than I could have ever hoped or dreamed. I’m so ridiculously happy that I can’t help but to grin like a fool as I make my way through town to pick up my wife. 

Shayla hurries over to my car and jumps in. “You’re late.”

“Last minute baby snuggles and chat with the oldest.”

“Ah, I miss my baby snuggles. What chat?”

I tell her briefly about our talk. I know she agrees, but she rarely mentions it to him. She feels like he’s capable of making his own decisions. I do too, but I also like to give my opinion, needed or not.

“So, where are you taking me?”

“Date night tonight will be bowling and greasy food.”

“Yum. I can’t remember the last time I bowled.”

Shayla and I make it a point to set aside one night a week for just us. We need the break and the reconnection that it provides. Sometimes we do an activity she enjoys, others that I like, but each time it is something that helps bring us closer. Our relationship is more solid now than it has ever been. Our past is behind us and nothing has held either of us back when it comes to each other. We are the happiest we’ve ever been, we’re a strong unbreakable team.

We spend the night laughing, talking, flirting, and even poking fun of each other’s game. It’s the perfect night which ends with us kissing on our front steps, like most date nights, but tonight is slightly different. When we finish climbing the stairs, we notice a package sitting by the front door. Thinking nothing of it, I pick it up and carry it into our kitchen. I set it on the table before heading to the refrigerator for a drink. I’m about to ask Shayla what she wants when I notice her staring at the box.

“Honey, what’s wrong.”

Her head turns slowly to me, her eyes wide. “I recognize that handwriting.”

I hurry over to her and pull the envelope attached to the box. I open it, taking out the unsigned letter.

You have a lovely family, Ryan. Your son seems so enthralled with his sister. Almost like he’s the father, maybe he’ll be the one to raise her someday.

I’ve so missed the chase, Ryan. I ache for it. The thrill of holding a life in my hands, knowing I’m the one who decides if they live or die. It’s exhilarating.

Shayla looks well. I can’t wait to make her mine. Have no doubt, Ryan. She will be mine. Maybe not tomorrow or the next day or even three months from now, but one day soon, she will be with me again. I’ll be the one holding her life in my hands. Will she live or die? That’s up to you.

I throw the letter down and rip open the box. We stare in horror, frozen in our places, at the small innocent looking folded paper in the shape of a fox.

Thank you so much for reading Vengeance. It has definitely been a great learning experience, one that I’ll cherish for a long time. You know how you don’t know if you can do something until you actually do it? Yes, I found out that with a little blood, sweat, and a few tears that I could write this novel.

Vengeance, however, is just the beginning for the Oak Grove Suspense Series. There is so much more to come. I do hope that you fell in love with Ryan, Shayla, and Dylan as much as I have, and don’t worry; you’ll get to hear from them again soon. The next book in the series, Penance, is already in the works and should be out by spring 2017.

As with most things, the second time around is so much smoother and I find that writing Penance is coming along quicker than anticipated. In Penance, we will continue to follow our favorite detective, Ryan Jacobs, and we’ll also get to meet a new character by the name of Judson Hardenbergh. We’ll learn a little about Judson’s backstory and what ties he has to Oak Grove, as well as to Ryan, when a murder takes place on his property. You might be wondering how Mathis, aka The Fox, fits in to all of this. Well, guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out, but I’m sure he’s up to no good.

Thanks again for reading my book. I really appreciate it and am honored you took time for me.

Until next time …

Reese

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Reese Stephens was born in the Appalachian Mountains, but was raised all over the East Coast. Since getting married Reese has settled back into her Appalachian roots, and currently lives on a small farm with her husband and three children. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education, and is currently homeschooling her two school aged children. She considers herself a naturalist. She loves learning about and using natural remedies and essential oils to keep her family and herself healthy.

Writing was something Reese never thought much of, until she and her family went through several traumatic events. A friend advised her to keep a journal, but she just couldn’t put into words how she felt, so she turned to the world of creative writing. It didn’t take long for her to discover her passion there.

Reese is currently working on publishing the first book in her Oak Grove Suspense series, Vengeance which will be out this fall. The second in the series, Penance, is expected to be released spring 2017. In addition to writing crime suspense she also writes paranormal romance. Her first story in this genre is called The Reluctant Prince, expected release is late 2017. You can, however, read the first few chapters of it on Wattpad for FREE.

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