Wild Hearts and Dragonflies

  Wild Hearts and Dragonflies

  Frances Everly

  Copyright © [2022] by [Frances Everly]

  All rights reserved.

  No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

  *This book contains scenes and subjects that might be distressing or traumatic for some readers.*

  Cover design by Cover Couture

  http://bookcovercouture.com

  Cover photography by SP Photography

  Cover model Trey R. @Tiktok.Trey

  Edited by Black Quill Editing

  In memory of my cousin, Marsha. She was a beautiful soul that burned too bright and left us far too soon.

  In memory of my grandmother, Jean. A strong woman who would do anything for her family and loved ones. She guided me as a child and supported me as a young woman. I don’t know where I would be now without her.

  I miss you Nana
  Contents

  1. Prologue

  2. Chapter 1

  3. Chapter 2

  4. Chapter 3

  5. Chapter 4

  6. Chapter 5

  7. Chapter 6

  8. Chapter 7

  9. Chapter 8

  10. Chapter 9

  11. Chapter 10

  12. Chapter 11

  13. Chapter 12

  14. Chapter 13

  15. Chapter 14

  16. Chapter 15

  17. Chapter 16

  18. Chapter 17

  19. Chapter 18

  20. Chapter 19

  21. Chapter 20

  22. Chapter 21

  23. Chapter 22

  24. Chapter 23

  25. Chapter 24

  26. Chapter 25

  27. Chapter 26

  28. Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also By Frances Everly

  The Christmas Stallions

  Fullpage Image

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Prologue

  Liz

  Five Years Ago…

  I stared at the eviction notice taped to my apartment door. My daughter, Keira, screamed in my arms as I bounced her gently, desperately trying to calm her. What was I going to do? In a week I’ll be homeless. with a toddler to care for and a baby due any minute. Where the hell was my husband? Danny terrified me, but at least with him around there was some kind of money coming in to pay the bills. At least enough to get by for another month or two.

  I wrestled with the second-hand diaper bag I’d bought when Keira was born and dragged my keys out of the side pocket. It wasn’t much. The bag was starting to fall apart. But it did the trick. At least it did until the strap snapped and the bag landed on the second-floor landing of the five-floor walk-up. I shoved the key in the lock with shaking hands and the door swung open with a crash.

  “Shit!” Now the neighbours are going to start shouting through the walls. Or worse. I shuddered at the thought that one of Danny’s buddies from the Talons might decide to come down to check on me. Who knew what might happen if one of them did? I was still recovering from the last time Danny decided to parade me in front of his buddies. Anxious to get safely inside, I hurried into the sparsely furnished apartment that had been our home for the last two years, and quietly locked the door behind us with shaking hands. How had I gotten into this mess? When my parents died I was a mess, but Danny made me believe that everything would be ok. He was so sweet and charming. I was completely blinded to the devil inside. Now I’m alone, in a strange city, with no job and no money and soon no home with two children to support.

  What am I going to do? I can’t go home again… can I? What would everyone think if I did? I can already picture the town gossips shaming me everywhere I went. Nineteen and two young children with no father in sight. They didn’t know my real shame. No one could.

  Keira screamed even louder the minute I put her down in the playpen. I dug around in the diaper bag until I found the white paper bag at the bottom, grateful that I’d been able to find a free clinic that would see her. It didn’t matter that I’d had to take three buses to get there. I hurried to the dingy kitchenette and ripped open the bag to pull out the antibiotics and anti-inflammatories the kind doctor had given us for Keira’s ear infection. I prayed it would help lower her fever. Ignoring the twinge in my back, I filled the syringe and raced back over to Keira.

  “Shut that baby up!” One of the neighbours shouted through the paper-thin walls and started pounding on it. The walls rattled and the door shook. Tears streamed down my face as I picked my daughter up and settled into the rocking chair.

  “It’s going to be fine, sweetheart. Let’s take care of this painful ear, ok?” I cooed, the chair creaking as we rocked back and forth. Keira suckled on the syringe, her face red and swollen with tears. My back ached painfully, the twinges getting stronger. The banging stopped and all I could hear was the sound of a television roaring next door. I stared at the blank screen of the ancient tv that dominated my small living room. We haven’t had cable in months. With Danny’s insistence that I not work, the bills had only piled up and that one was the first to go. Keira finally settled and started drifting to sleep.

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea,” I whispered to her. “Why don’t we both go lie down for a little bit and take a nap?”

  Keira didn’t hear a word I said. She was already in dreamland. That medicine works fast. Or she tired herself out from all the screaming finally. Either way, I was exhausted and so happy to get a little rest. Maybe my back would stop aching so much. I laid Keira down in my bed and crawled in next to her, but instead of resting, I lay there staring at the ceiling fan and listening to the football game the neighbours were watching.

  “It looks like Jace Harper, the rookie tight-end playing for the Vikings, is about to take to the field. Folks, we’re seeing history being made tonight. Jace Harper belongs to an exclusive club of players to enter the draft out of the military. Most candidates are recruited straight out of college,” the announcer called and my breath froze in my chest. It couldn’t possibly be the same Jace Harper who played football with my brother back in high school. Could it? High school seemed so long ago now. I’d had a big crush on my brother’s best friend back then. I wonder what he’s like now? Probably even better looking and muscular with all that training he was getting with the Marines. Thinking of Jace and my brother, Parker, had me longing for home. There was nothing left for me there anymore. My parents were gone. They’d died in a plane crash when I was a senior in high school, shortly after Parker enlisted in the Marines. Our old home was probably sold a long time ago. Some other family would be making their own memories there now. I wish Keira could see it, though. We were so happy there. I drifted off to sleep, remembering the old victorian house I grew up in, and forgetting the eviction notice on the door for a couple of hours.

  When I woke, it was to find the bed soaking wet and with the most intense back pain shooting up my spine. Oh no! Please no! Not now! I can’t be in labour. I can’t! How was I going to raise a baby and a toddler with no income and no home? If I go to the hospital alone, and the doctors find out, they might take my babies from me. There’s no way I can let my children fall into the foster care system. I’d heard so many stories from Danny and some of his friends, it was enough to induce the worst nightmares. But I can’t give birth here, either. How was I going to take care of Keira while I gave birth to her brother or sister? There was no one I could call… or was there?

  Desperate, I climbed out of bed and quickly changed. I swaddled Keira in her blanky and waddled downstairs to the convenience store to use the payphone. I squeezed my eyes shut as I dialled the number from memory and prayed that she would answer. It rang and rang and I almost gave up when I finally heard her lilting tone over the line.

  “Aunt Jean?” I asked, even though I knew it was her. My heart raced and I struggled not to scream as another sharp pain raced through me.

  “Lizzie? Is that you? Oh my God! I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Are you alright? Where are you?” My mother’s sister peppered me with questions and I smiled through my tears, instantly relieved that she was furious with me for disappearing two years ago.

  “Aunt Jean, I’m in Montreal. I’m so sorry I ran away,” I nearly choked on a sob.

  “Oh Lizzie, I’m just so happy that you’re alive!” She said.

  “I’m so sorry I worried you! I never meant to hurt anyone,” I cried. “Is it — I mean — would it be ok if I came home?”

  “Why would you even need to ask me that? Of course, you can! I’d be thrilled to have you home again,” she said. “Give me your address and I’ll be there on the next flight out.”

  “I — um — I won’t be at home when you get here,” I cringed scared that she might change her mind about coming to get me when she hears about my children. I rattled off the name and address of the nearest hospital. She was silent for a moment, and Keira took that moment to wake up.

  “Mommy? Why so sad?” She asked.

  “Shhh. It’s ok sweetheart,” I soothed. “Mommy’s just on the phone.”

  “I think I understand everything now,” aunt Jean whispered to herself. Tears slipped from the corner of my eyes.

  “We’ll figure everything out when I get there. I’ll see you soon,” she finally replied and I blinked in surprise.

  “O-ok. Thank you, aunt Jea
n. Thank you so much,” I hung up and immediately put another quarter into the payphone.

  “Mommy, hungry,” Keira tugged on my hair and I put her down for a minute while I called a cab. When I hung up for the second time, I smiled gently at Keira and took her hand. We walked down the aisle of the convenience store and I let her pick out a small treat while we waited for the cab.

  “Where we go mommy?” Keira asked when the cab finally pulled up.

  “First, we’re going to go meet your brother or sister,” I replied. “And after that, we’re going home to Honey Harbour.”

  Chapter 1

  Jace

  Five Years Later…

  The game that ended my season should have been the worst day of my life. A torn ACL is hell to recover from, and it meant I was sitting out the next season. My team was replacing me with a rookie straight out of college, and he was good. He was a fast and talented tight-end. Seeing him play while I recovered from surgery sucked. But I was also relieved the team was doing well. They were like my second family, and their wins were mine as well. I couldn’t help the twinges of jealousy when I watched him, knowing that he’d someday take my place on the team. I could only hope it wouldn’t be too soon.

  Still, I wanted to be out on that field with them, not heading home to Honey Harbour while I completed the rest of my physiotherapy. I considered staying in Boston near my team but something was urging me to come home again. My condo was far too isolating when I’m not on the field or working out at the gym with the guys. Sure, my buddies all came by whenever they were free to hang out or watch a game, but it wasn’t the same. So when my dad suggested I come home and finish my physio here, I had no reason to say no. Returning home after being away for so long was a bitter pill to swallow. I never really got over losing the only girl I’d ever loved. The day she left with my worst enemy… now that was the worst day of my life. Nothing else could compare.

  I was so lost in thought that I nearly missed my turn off the highway. It was all country roads on the way into town. Nothing had changed. I did my best to focus on the drive, but my thoughts kept drifting back in time. Tension ratcheted through my body as I turned down Main Street. It was still decorated with flowers and lined with shops all the way down to the harbour. A picturesque, ocean-side town that attracted all kinds of tourists. Especially at this time of year with the added beauty of autumn. Well… almost autumn. Schools were in session but we were still in the midst of a heat wave. A dragonfly buzzed past my window while I was stopped at a red light, and my eye caught on the Dragonfly Inn, high up on the hill and towering over the town. It had some of the best views of the ocean and had the added benefit of being owned by my best-friends aunt before she died a few months ago. I should have been here for her funeral instead of undergoing reconstructive surgery on my knee. A lump of guilt formed and settled in my stomach.

  I hit the button on my Bluetooth and called my best friend, Parker.

  “Hey man, what’s up?” his cheerful voice filled the car, and I smiled, the lump easing slightly.

  “Just getting into town. You up for a beer?” I asked.

  “Can’t today. I gotta work and then I have to find someone to fix the air conditioner at the house. It’s hotter than Hades in there right now,” he replied.

  “I can do it for you,” I offered before I gave myself a chance to think it through.

  Fixing that air conditioner meant I’d come face to face with the girl who got away. The very idea was scary as hell, but maybe it was time to lay that ghost to rest. Moving back while I continued my recovery meant I wouldn’t be able to avoid her forever. It was a small town, and she was my best friend’s little sister.

  “You sure you wanna do that? Thought those hands of yours were worth big bucks these days. Wouldn’t want you to hurt them with manual labour,” Parker teased, dragging me back into the conversation.

  “Hey, I can fix it for you or leave you to waste your day trying to find someone else with the time to do it. Not a lot of choices around here if I remember correctly,” I replied.

  “All right, you got me. Are you free tomorrow morning? I’m working the late shift at the sheriff’s office tonight.”

  “See you at seven,” I replied and hung up the call as I pulled into the driveway of the house I’d bought with my first year’s pay from the PFL. I mostly lived in Boston, but it was nice to have a place of my own the odd time I returned home. My parents looked after the place for me when I wasn’t here, but it mostly sat empty. Especially during football season. I’d bought it hoping to someday raise a family in the town I grew up in, but that was looking less and less likely. Dating just wasn’t the same when everyone knew how you were and what you were worth.

  I stared up at the large house, wondering what tomorrow would bring. A whine from the backseat reminded me I wasn’t alone.

  “Come on, Fox,” I replied to the very pregnant, silver, labrador retriever in the back seat. “Let’s get you settled in before those pups come.”

  Fox gave an excited yip and clawed at the door.

  I climbed out and opened it for her. She hopped down easily and waddled along the driveway. I grabbed my bags from the trunk and followed after her. Letting us inside, I shut off the alarm. Fox ambled aimlessly around the living room, sniffing everything before finally settling into her dog bed next to the couch. Shaking my head, I climbed the stairs and set my bags down in the master bedroom.

  Closed doors lined the hallway, each room empty and unused, except for one set up for rare guests. I must have been crazy to buy such a large house when I didn’t have a family. But I missed Honey Harbour. It was good to be home. Might be even better now that Liz was also home. My chest squeezed at the thought, and I wondered if she was single.

  She’d been home for five years and divorced for nearly as long. Maybe it was finally time. Time for me to make my move and see if there was anything left between us. What was the worst that could happen? If she didn’t feel the same way, at least I’d finally have some closure.

  Chapter 2

  Liz

  “Mo-om! They have Devon! Hurry, they’re getting away!” Keira screamed.

  My eyes popped open and I leapt out of bed and raced down the stairs. It was my worst nightmare come true. Was it my ex-husband? Had he finally returned, and come to take our children from me? My brain was still half asleep, and I didn’t pause to ask my daughter who had her brother. Screams rang through the house, propelling me even faster around the corner. In my living room, a tall, muscular man with dark hair and broad shoulders was chatting with my five-year-old son and my heart froze in my throat.

  “Get away from my son!” My fingers curled like claws as I prepared to attack.

  The man instantly stepped away from Devon.

  “Who are you and what the hell are you doing in my house?” I screamed as I grabbed Devon and pushed him behind me.

  “Hey, easy now, darling. We were just talking,” the man drawled, careful not to make any sudden movements as he slowly turned around.

  “I’m not your darling! Get out of my house before I grab my gun and shoot your balls off!” I spat, preparing to grab my children and either fight or run like hell.

  “Hey now, there’s no need to be violent. Don’t you remember me, Liz? Surely it hasn’t been that long since we’ve last seen each other. It’s me, Jace. I’m a friend of your brother’s.” He paused. “We went to high school together.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why you’re in my house!” I seethed, sizing him up.

  I stared at the man before me. Oddly enough, I did recognize him. I remembered the boy who was always hanging around the house. I’d watched plenty of their football games, but my brain was too full of hazy exhaustion and fear for me to think clearly. At that moment, I was purely in a fight-or-flight frame of mind. He was a big man, but I’d do anything to keep my children safe. I had already done a lot that I regretted, but I would do it all again and more if I had to.