Vortex (SAI Book 1) (34 page)

“Don’t forget being shot at by the woman obsessed with your sister.”

“That too. A Southern woman is known for her grit and grace, and that’s what I’m displaying.”

Taking her hand, he squeezed it. “God, I love you.”

“I love you too. Thanks for giving me these babies.”

“Any time, Viv.”

“You could have just given me one. That would have been more than enough.”

“When a SEAL goes on a mission, he likes to give it everything he has, and that’s what I did. Gave you everything I had.”

Her laughter filled the truck and he joined her. “Let’s hope that the babies are sweet and kind,” she remarked.

“I’m sure they will be, along with loud, opinionated, stubborn, and funny,” he added, “Any children that we make are bound to be hell on wheels. So let’s not fool ourselves into thinking it’s going to be any different.”

“You’re right, Joel.” Grasping his hand tightly, she said. “Here comes another one.” Breathing less calmly this time, she held on as the contraction happened. “Check your watch.”

“Fifteen minutes, Viv.”

“Plenty of time.” The way he sped up slightly told her that he didn’t believe her. But she knew it was going to be hours before the babies arrived.

***

One hour later, Vivi lay in bed cradling her two sweet babies. “They ended up coming a lot faster than I thought.”

Joel kissed his wife’s head and stared down at his two beautiful children. “We sure are glad to meet you two. Welcome to the world, Victoria Elizabeth and Jordan Ellis.”

Gazing down at the strongest, kindest woman in the world, he felt tears gather in his eyes. “We should have as many of these as we can.” When he heard an intake of breath, he gazed at his exhausted wife and realized that probably wasn’t what she wanted to hear. “We’ll talk about it later.”

Placing her hand on his face, she faintly smiled. “Later is probably a good idea.”

“I love you, Viv. Thank you for bringing me back to life.”

“I love you, Joel. Thank you for helping me find my happy.”

“Turns out we just had to look in the right place.”

Staring into one another’s eyes told them both that they had found what they’d been searching for all along. Someone to love who loved them back. A family.

THE END

INSPIRATION

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Vortex

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Vortex

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CORONADO SERIES

Latched
is the first book in the Coronado Series

Betrayed by her ex–fiancé, Birdie James decides a sexy fling will give her the excitement she needs without the problems of a relationship. Luckily for her, Mr. Right Now is gorgeous, interested and curls her toes with one look. There’s just one problem.

Lieutenant Commander, Mark Frazier sees Birdie, and he only wants one thing. Her, forever. As a SEAL, he flourishes beneath both trials and adventure. However, changing the mission directive of this woman may be the biggest challenge of his life.

What happens when a woman whose life is based on certainty targets a Navy SEAL who thrives on the unknown? Can Mark find a way to overcome her stubborn mindset and convince her to give them a chance? Or is her heart latched against him?

Snatched
is the second book in the series

When a stalker targets Rory Basso, she thinks she can handle the situation on her own. Then it escalates. Fearing for her safety, she take the advice of her best friend and hires a security professional to help her track down and eliminate the threat. But Max is more than she expects.

Max Bishop hasn’t met a target he can’t acquire or a mission he can’t complete. Until Rory. As a retired Navy SEAL and CEO of Security Alliance International, he has spent most of his life in charge. Now his mission is to convince this headstrong woman that he can protect her….and love her.

Can Rory trust Max with her safety and her love? Will he convince her to place her protection and heart in his hands? Or will the person terrorizing her snatch the opportunity away?

Attached
is the third book in the series

Cary Simmons is a kindergarten teacher. Her boring life leaves her craving a summer of adventure, a kick start into an exciting future. However, when her car breaks down in the middle of the California desert, she decides to make the most of it. After all, a biker bar holds some pretty adventurous men, right?

Travis Mathers can’t believe his eyes when a pretty little thing walks into the roughest bar in Ripley wearing a flowered sundress. Instantly, the retired Navy Seal knows this woman needs his protection, and he’s going to give it whether she wants it or not. Besides, who could possibly have more to show her about adventure?

Can Travis convince Cary that he can turn around her boring life? Can Cary fight the allure of a risk-taking alpha male? How long can they resist becoming attached?

Catch
is the fourth book in the series

Rachel Miller made a mistake. A year later she is still paying the price. Too embarrassed to ask for help, she tries to manage it on her own. Until, that no longer is an option.

Retired Navy SEAL, Chris
Iceman
Ellis has spent his whole like protecting people. When he discovers that the woman he’s had his eye on for a year is being threatened, he steps in immediately. Whether she wants it or not.

Can Chris persuade Rachel to accept his protection and convince her that he will always be there to catch her?

What happens when a mighty warrior falls for a woman and becomes her hero… and she becomes his saving grace.

Match
is the fifth book in the series

This is a collection of short stories about the couples, that didn’t get their story told in the first four books.

What happened when Birdie matched Ed up with her friend Amelia?

Also, what about Frank and Cat? Does he win her over and prove that he’s a good man?

And, please let Derick find someone. Maybe Birdie’s friend Gracie would be perfect.

Then of course, there’s Laird and Lexi…can he win the heart of a woman who has so much going on in her life?

And, finally David…sweet lord, please let this man find someone who will make him cookies.

All is revealed in this collection.

FIRST AND TEN SERIES

First Down

Star defensive end, Jack Ellis works harder than almost anyone in the game. His focus has been on his career and little else. Until… he meets Dr. Ana James. Immediately smitten, he makes a play for her attention.

Dr. Ana James is unimpressed with the flashy football player and does everything she can to resist his moves.

Not one to let an obstacle get in his way, Jack decides to up his game and prove to her that he’s worth the gamble. He wants Ana forever and makes the play of a lifetime.

Does he have the right moves to win her heart? Will he prevent Ana from making an end run? Or will Ana stop the play?

Second Down

Ronnie DuMond’s focus is on building her wealth management business.

Chase Bedford’s focus is on trying to convince Ronnie to give him a chance.

Does a head coach from the NFL team in Jacksonville, have the right moves to make a winning play?

Watch what happens when a sassy southern girl gets tangled up with a northerner. The sparks that fly between them make the blaze at Twelve Oaks look like a campfire.

This is a romantic comedy about two people doing their best to resist the pull of fate. As in most romantic comedies, true love wins out. Right after fate wrestles it to the ground.

Third Down

(December 2016)

Security Alliance International is a security firm that is owned and operated by retired SEALs. It is made up of elite warriors culled from some of the most revered military forces. Every operator has impeccable ethics and doesn’t quit until the job is done.

Vortex

Vivi DuMond’s clinic is caught in the crossfire of a turf war that threatens both her life and livelihood. Can the NOPD and Feds handle it or does she need more?

Joel McDade runs the Florida office of SAI and he’s been roped into protecting Vivi as a favor to his old client Ronnie DuMond. As much as he would like to refuse, he knows he can’t.

Can the retired Navy SEAL protect the good doctor and her clinic? Or…will the vortex of events make that impossible?

Watch what happens when two people are caught in a whirling mass of threats outside of their control. Will they be pulled in together or will the mass of conflict pull them apart?

Whirlwind

(July 2016)

Tempest

(October 2016)