Change of Heart (27 page)

“The baby's okay?”

“Yeah, they said they were just keeping him under observation.” I rubbed at my forehead, trying to convince myself that it was all just a nightmare. Where was I supposed to be? What was I supposed to do now? My best friend in the entire world was there in that hospital, but not really. I couldn't bear to see her. I couldn't help her. Where the fuck was I supposed to go? “What do I do, Mom?”

“You go see your nephew.”

“What?”

“You go to the NICU, and you hold your nephew, and you tell him everything is going to be okay,” she told me, tears in her voice. “You go love on that baby. Where are Sage and the boys?”

“They're with a neighbor. They're okay.”

“Good. That's good.”

“Yeah.”

“Dad found some flights. I'm on my way, princess,” she told me gently. “We'll be there soon. Now go take care of our new boy.”

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too. I'm on my way.”

I made my way to the NICU as quickly as I could, and within minutes I was holding my new nephew in my arms. The nurses told me that he'd passed all of his tests with flying colors, and I was in awe as I sat down in a rocking chair, cradling him to my chest.

“You sure got a shitty beginning, little man,” I murmured against his fuzzy scalp, rocking back and forth gently. “I'm so sorry, buddy. You're probably missing your mama and that warm bubble you've been in for so long. I can't help you there.”

I sniffled, closing my eyes as tears rolled down my cheeks. My whole body ached, and even though I had that little boy in my arms, the day seemed like some sort of surreal dream, foggy in some parts and crystal clear in others. I wanted to hop up and take his sleeping little form to Rachel, to tease her about the weird Mohawk thing he was sporting and make joking comments about how men always seem to sleep through the hard parts of life. I wanted to see her smile proudly at the sturdy boy she'd produced and grumble that I was hogging him.

I wanted everything to be different.

I hummed softly with my eyes closed for a long time, holding the baby close to me. It was quiet where we sat, nothing breaking up the stillness of the room until I heard someone open the door.

“There he is,” the nurse murmured from the doorway.

My eyes popped open to see Shane's ravaged face just feet from me. He looked like he was barely holding on. I swallowed hard as his red-rimmed eyes took in his son carefully before rising to meet mine.

“Is he okay?” he asked thickly, searching my face. I'd never seen him so frightened.

“He's perfect,” I answered, my voice throbbing with emotion. “The nurses said he's a rock star.”

He nodded twice, reaching up to cover his mouth with his hand, but before he could say another word, he was stumbling and falling to his knees with an almost inaudible sob.

When Nicole Jacquelyn was eight and people asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she told them she wanted to be a mom. When she was twelve, her answer changed to author. Her dreams stayed constant. First, she became a mom, and then during her senior year of college—with one daughter in first grade and the other in preschool—she sat down and wrote a story.

Unbreak My Heart

“
Unbreak My Heart
is a heartbreaking, heartwarming, heart-twisting love affair that proves love stands the test of time.”

—Heidi McLaughlin,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Top Pick! Nicole Jacquelyn has penned an emotionally provocative story that begins a new and promising series. I was hooked from page one as this amazing author put me through the wringer. I both loved and hated the hero, but kept right on cheering this main couple on towards their eventual happy ever after. It was a tumultuous ride that left this reader satisfied and craving more.”

—NightOwlReviews.com

“
Unbreak My Heart
is a completely engaging, sweet, devastating, heartbreaking, and angst-filled story that captivated me from the beginning. Nicole Jacquelyn takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotional ups and downs as a family has to find their way forward after a loss.”

—HarlequinJunkie.com

“Seriously,
this book
. It is probably one of the most addictive books that I have read in a while.”

—LiteratiLiteratureLovers.com

“Shane and Kate's story is not one of insta love. It's not a love conquers all story. It's messy, frustrating, heartbreaking, and sad. When they finally start to get things right, it's breathtaking. Through it all, those precious children are loved, protected, and cherished. Nicole Jacquelyn has written a sensational story that will engage all of your emotions. I highly recommend this book!”

—SmutBookJunkie.com

“An emotional love story that will put your heart through the ringer in order to get that HEA, but you will feel full and happy.”

—TheBookHookup.com

“
Unbreak My Heart
is not an easy book to read but it demands to be read. It will consume your very being. It's a story of love and loss—of second chances and new beginnings.”

—TotallyBookedBlog.com

To receive special offers, bonus content, and news about our latest ebooks and apps, sign up for our newsletters.

Sign Up

Or visit us at
hachettebookgroup.com/newsletters