Starless Nights (Hale Brothers Series Book 2) (44 page)

Placing the journal on the armrest of the couch, I pull out a pen. Flipping to the first page, I run my hand across it. It’s so smooth and blank. As the tip of the pen hits the page, I can’t help the tears that well up in my eyes. I’m so happy because I know that this journal will be exactly what it is supposed to be.

The Adventures of Us

Adventure #1

I’ve often thought about the day that I met you when we were eight years old. I know we were just kids and the likelihood of this happening is slim to none, but I truly believe in love at first sight. That’s what it was for me. I have loved you every day that I have known you, since we were eight years old. At this point, I should just say I’ve loved you my whole life, because that’s what it feels like.

Three times now you have dropped into my life and all three times, it’s as if I am being struck by lightning all over again. This feeling doesn’t get less intense either, it only gets stronger. The first time was when I met you, the second was when you returned to the island, and the third was that fateful morning in the coffee shop.

It’s after midnight, which means tomorrow is Thanksgiving. So, lying under the stars here at our home (yes, I am so excited to say ‘our’ home), I thought I’d start off by telling you what I’m thankful for.

I’m thankful for sandcastles. They’re what brought you to me.

I’m thankful for useless facts. They’ve always made you smile and I love to see you smile.

I’m thankful for the stars. You’ll be happy to know, that yes, I do believe in wishing on shooting stars. As much as the stars have always been a reminder of you, what I didn’t have, they’ve also been a comfort. I knew that wherever you were, when you looked up at the night sky, we would be looking at the same thing and you’d most likely think of me.

I’m thankful for the beach. It gave us hours and hours of time together. My best memories with you have happened on the beach. Even this last one, when it brought us back together.

I’m thankful for time. It’s something I felt I didn’t have before, but now I do. We may not know just yet what the future holds for us, but I know we’ll be holding on to each other as we take our time to figure it out.

I’m thankful for you. You brighten my world and allow me to love. I have so much love that I want to give to you. You do deserve it and I think that for our next adventure, I’m going to come up with twenty-five different ways to say ‘I love you,’ because I do.

But what I am most thankful for and the thing that I’m most certain about is with you by my side, no matter what life throws at us, or where we end up . . .

I will never ever again have another starless night.

STANDING, FACING THE Gulf’s horizon, my feet sink into the sand as the water washes on the shore and then recedes. The sun glows orange and the heat from the rays penetrate my skin. Year after year and day after day, I continually find myself in this exact spot watching the sun as it dips into the water and disappears. Watching, that’s what I do. It’s become what I’m best at.

Drew and Beau are my two older brothers. Drew is eight years older than me and Beau is seven.

When I was seven years old, I watched Beau almost burn to death in a fire.

When I was twelve years old, I watched Drew fall in love, and be loved in return.

When I was thirteen years old, I watched Beau finally get the girl of his dreams.

When I was fourteen years old, I watched Drew get married.

When I was fifteen years old, I watched Beau win his first professional tournament, The U.S. Open.

When I was sixteen years old, I watched Drew win two gold medals in the Olympics.

When I was seventeen years old, I watched Beau marry the love of his life.

When I eighteen years old, Beau moved back to the island.

When I was nineteen years old, my niece Quinn was born.

When I turned twenty, I finally asked myself, what happens to me? The answer is nothing.

I'm now twenty-one. I've watched as other people's lives have grown, evolved, and changed. But not mine. Mine is exactly the same.

I’ve never really been included and I’ve never felt like I truly belonged. But then again, how could I? I’ve seen and heard too many things. Lies and secrets. They keep me locked to myself. They’re the real reason I stand on the edge of the horizon and I watch from afar.

Even if I wanted to forget, I know that I never could. Every morning when I step out the front door, I’m met with the heat from the sun’s rays and I pause to allow my skin to burn. It’s a constant reminder of a life that I didn’t ask for, but was thrust upon me.

The orange glow, the heat, the burn . . . it’s never-ending. No matter what I do or where I go, the sun will be there making everything . . . unforgettable.

Thank you for reading
Starless Nights
, book two in the Hale Brothers Series.

If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a spoiler free review.

Listen to the Playlist for
Starless Nights

TO MY HUSBAND, most people know that I am a huge fan of the ‘Happily Ever After’ and this is all because of you. Every day, I wake up and feel so blessed and happy. You are my perfect person and you make me believe that anything is possible. Thank you for giving me the key. I love you.

To my sweet boys, I love you. Thank you for encouraging me to write my books and follow my dreams. I am the luckiest mom in the world to have the two of you. Although, we’d better be careful, with the endless amounts of peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches you eat while I’m typing away, you just might turn into one. Thank you for being on this journey with me, and as the three of us grow creatively, I can’t wait to see what you both write next.

Elle Brooks, my book bestie, we’ve done it again! I am so proud of us. Every day this journey gets more and more exciting. Just think in less than a year we’ve published two books and had a girl’s weekend! I’m hoping to get to see you again sometime soon. This book isn’t complete without a toast, so cheers to us with our pink Moet Champagne!
http://ellebrooksauthor.wix.com/blog

To my dear friend Megan C., I don’t even know where to begin. Day by day, over the last several months, you have been by my side, line by line for
Starless Nights.
When we first talked about you BETA reading for me, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would find someone as wonderful as you. The amount of time, effort, and care that you put into helping me make this story what it is today, I am speechless and so grateful. You have challenged me to show more, give more, and feel more, I only hope in the end you are as proud of this book as I am. Thank you so much Megan.

Vanessa, from PREMA, behind every great manuscript is a great editor, and you are truly a wonderful editor. I can’t thank you enough for the personal involvement and personal touches that you gave to me and to this story. It has meant so much to build a relationship with you that’s not only professional, but personal. I’ve enjoyed our many
many
conversations and I hope that you have too. Thank you for being such an advocate of
Starless Nights.
I hope you are ready to do it all over again!

Michelle H., Sejal A., Jenn H, Cindy T., Heather Y., and Donna S. thank you so much ladies for your willingness to BETA read
Starless Nights
in its roughest form to offer me ideas, suggestions, and improvements. Your continued support, which came to me at different times throughout this process means more to me than you will ever know. I love each of you. Thank you again.

Elexis D., Irma J., Rachel N., and Jennifer S. I don’t have a street team, but if I imagined that I did, the four of you would lead the way. Thank you so much for continually sharing my teasers and links to the book community. I’m touched that each of you loved
Drops of Rain
so much that you think the world should know about it. Thank you for your friendship and I can’t wait to get to know each of you more.

Michelle B., thank you so much for offering to be my final set of eyes as
Starless Nights
got ready to meet the world. I appreciate how excited you have been for me and that you wanted to be a part of this experience. Much love to you… xoxo

Ari, from Cover it Designs, I love the cover for Starless Nights and I love how you have worked your magic into making the series have the same look, like they belong together. That was my hope and vision and you have made it a reality. Thank you. I look forward to working with you more in the future and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

Julie, from JT Formatting, thank you for being my formatter and for creating the inside look of both
Drops of Rain
and
Starless Nights.
Every time I open one of the paperbacks, I think of you and smile. I love knowing that each manuscript I hand over will come back looking perfect and professional. Thank you for what you do . . .

To the book bloggers . . . Thank you! The book community on a daily basis humbles me. I am awed by the kindness and support that I have been given by so many. I have loved getting to meet, talk, and interact with truly some of the most wonderful people. I know it’s because of all of you that
Drops of Rain
has been so successful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can’t wait to hear what each of you think of
Starless Nights.
Don’t be shy . . . I’ll be looking and waiting for your messages. :)