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  “If Aspen’s still sleeping, I think I’m going to take Charlie for a ride. I heard him snorting in the barn before I left to meet you here, so I promised him I’d be back for a ride and a groom. He sure loves to be brushed.”

  “He’s a lucky horse. And oh, I’ll be drawing up some pool options for you and will have them ready for you and Aspen to review tonight at dinner. Have fun.” He wrapped his long and lanky arms around her before jumping into his Audi.

  “Can’t wait to see ‘em.” By the time she hopped in her SUV he was already pulling away.

  ~~@

  Wren brushed Charlie’s mane as she spoke softly to him. “Thanks for the awesome ride today, Charlie. You are by far the best horse I have ever met.” He gently leaned on her as if he knew exactly what she was saying. The brown in his eyes perfectly matched the red-brown of his hair. She reached down to pick up some hay to feed him, but he slightly tilted his head away.

  “Okay, okay. I hear ya.” She made her way over to the container of oats and pinched a handful. She spread her hand flat beneath his mouth as he happily gobbled up the treat.

  She wiped the little amounts of slobber onto her jeans before stroking the small patch of white hairs on his nose and kissing him. “I’ll be back to give you some dinner a little later.” He bent down to eat some hay as she closed the barn door behind her.

  “Hi, Cole.” Wren made her way to the front of his house when she noticed him swinging on the porch swing. “Have you seen Aspen?” She put her arm around his shoulders as she sat down next to him. “I thought she’d be up by now.”

  He patted her knee a couple times before taking a sip from his bottle of beer. “Nope, not yet.”

  She looked over at the front door of their house, contemplating running up to their freshly decorated bedroom and jumping into bed with her. Flashes of red shot across her cheeks when she realized she had thought up several vivid ideas of waking her up in just those few seconds.

  “She really got tuckered out this last trip, but as usual, I couldn’t be more proud of her. How were the crowds this time? Did the fans get all overzealous and pushy again?” He took another sip of beer.

  “They weren’t too bad, but would you like me to get some bodyguards to travel with her? At least to the major events?”

  Cole laughed. “No, I don’t think that will be necessary. Her fellow riders already take on that responsibility, and do a fine job at it.”

  “Some of those guys are really sweet. I’m glad I’ve gotten the chance to get to know a few of them.”

  “Got the bad and the good, but most of them sure know how to race. Competitive on their bikes, but like family when it’s time to celebrate each other’s victories. That’s the way it should be. You know?”

  Wren nodded. “Cole, I couldn’t agree with you more.”

  “Wren?” He put his hand back on her knee.

  “What’s wrong?” Her eyebrows narrowed.

  “Don’t you think it’s about time you called me ‘Dad,’ Kiddo?” He took a deep breath.

  Wren giggled as she rested her head on his shoulder. “It would mean the world to me to call you dad, Dad.” A tiny bit of water pooled in her eyes as a warm breeze of summer air blew her hair into her eyes. She tucked the loose strands behind her ear.

  He patted her knee. “So, how are you liking you’re house over there?”

  “Absolutely love it. Not only is it located on the most beautiful piece of land ever, but it sits right here next to you.” She lifted her head up and smiled. “Cole…I mean Dad? Thank you so much for everything. For your patience and understanding—and most of all—for bringing the most important person of my life, into this world.”

  They both looked in the direction of the new house when they heard the door shut. Aspen headed toward them, rubbing her eyes from the bright sunlight, still wearing her pajamas. “Hey.” She walked up to her dad and gave him a hug with a kiss on his cheek and then did the same to Wren. “Am I interrupting something?” She leaned against the railing of the porch, suppressing her reaction to the frisky look she was receiving from Wren.

  “Not at all, Honey. We were just wondering if you would be getting up to eat something soon.”

  “Just had some oatmeal. I’m good until dinner tonight. We still doin’ the cookout thing with Steve and Mayor Murphy?”

  “Sure are. I’ll sure be ready for a relaxing night. Maybe we can all watch the sunset together, before everyone tires off to bed.”

  “That sounds perfect.” Aspen gave Wren a sly smile when she caught her eyeing her legs.

  Wren bit her lower lip. “Maybe we can go visit Fort Rock before bedtime, Aspen?” She gave her the same look she always gave her when she desired some one-on-one attention. “We can listen for the coyotes under the stars again.”

  Aspen choked her words out. “We can do that.”

  “Well, there’s my ride.” Cole patted Wren on the leg before he stood up. Mayor Murphy was winding her way up the road.

  “You got a date, Dad?”

  “Something like that. We are going to do some sort of ribbon cutting or something.”

  They looked at his overalls and then back at each other.

  “Dressed like that?” Aspen asked.

  Cole laughed. “No, not like this. I’m gonna head back over to Mary’s house first and change. My ribbon cutting outfit is already there.” His cheeks reddened.

  “Gotcha.” Aspen laughed.

  “Do you mind taking care of this for me, Honey?” He handed Aspen his empty beer bottle.

  She took it from him and held it up slightly. “Help take some of the edge off?” She laughed. She knew the ribbon cutting event must be making a mass swarm of butterflies flutter about the insides of his stomach.

  “Only slightly.” He gave her a hug. He turned to give Wren a hug, too. “See you girls a little later.”

  “Have fun, Dad!” Wren yelled out when Mayor Murphy pulled up and he jumped in to her BMW.

  “Hey, girls.” Mayor Murphy waved out her window. “Thanks for letting me borrow Cole for a couple hours. We’ll be back to help with the cookout.”

  “Anytime. Have fun,” they chimed back, almost in unison. They watched as the couple leaned in for a quick kiss and then drove off.

  Aspen sat down next to Wren and linked fingers with her. “So, what do you want to do for the next few hours before we start the grilling?”

  Wren pretended to look at an imaginary watch on her wrist. “Are you too tired to ride?”

  “You guys let me sleep in this morning while you handled the chores. Of course I’m ready to ride.”

  “Let’s go up to your tree and enjoy a little alone time under its canopy. Wear your Motocross gear so I can tear into it.” Wren giggled.

  “You wear your new Fox gear and you’ve got a deal.”

  “Race you to our house.” Wren was already jumping off the porch swing as she finished her sentence.

  “Easy win,” Aspen yelled as she swung her legs over the railing to get ahead of her.

  “Not fair,” Wren said from behind. “Although the scenery from back here is to die for.” She watched Aspen dart up their porch in her pajama shorts and she followed in close behind, giggling at the little blue butterflies designed into their cotton fabric.

  ~~@

  Aspen looked at her hand, curled around Wren’s, and then looked up at a set of tree branches that wound around one another. She inhaled. The smell of summer filled her nose as she sat on an exposed root beneath the old oak tree. She listened to a flock of geese overhead as she started to count the number of new buds ready to hatch full-grown leaves across the new tree limbs. The tree was already in full bloom, the green canopy thick and healthy.

  She welcomed the warmth that overtook her body as Wren massaged the palm of her hand with the tip of her thumb. The simple and small touch filled her entire body. She slid down and across Wren’s body until her head rested in her lap and smiled up at her. “I love you, Wren Emerson.” />
  Wren answered by leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on Aspen’s forehead and then to her lips. She stroked her hair and contentedly searched her eyes. “I love you, Aspen Kennedi.” She continued to caress Aspen’s hair between her fingers, listening to their breathing in unison.

  Aspen looked at Wren’s brown locks of hair, stretching down and cascading across her cheeks, just like the protective tree branches overhead did to their resting bodies. She mentally thanked both for giving her such strength and protection. “So, did you ask Steve about putting in a pool?”

  “Sure did. He’ll provide us with some options at the cookout tonight.”

  “I can’t wait to have some midnight swims with you.”

  Wren smiled her wicked smile. “I’ve got some ideas floating around in my head that will help make our swims a lot more memorable.”

  Aspen blew her bangs up and out of her eyes. “I’m sure you do.”

  THE END

  __~~@

  _`<,_

  (*)< (*)

  Dear reader,

  If you enjoyed this ebook, please leave a review at the site from which you downloaded it. Thank you.

  Other Books by Melissa Grace

  What is it like to endure countless head shots from an abusive parent?

  When the latest round of “head shots” lands Reagan in the ER—and subsequently, the all-female psych ward, the endearing, funny, and totally witty teenager feels the need to save face. She explains away her copious amounts of bruises and frequent seizures by pretending to be a mixed martial arts pro-athlete.

  Passing time in the psych ward, Reagan entertains herself by undermining her Psychologist and by labeling each of the other “crazies” as either a saint or sinner, based upon their individual unique behaviors.

  Although she prefers solitude from the others, when Reagan is forced to share her tiny room with a newly admitted patient named Taylor, Reagan is utterly intrigued. Oddly enough, she can’t help but take a liking to this delightfully-affectionate roomie and life at the psych ward becomes a whole lot more interesting.

  Who says you can’t laugh and find some enjoyment in life, even when you’ve been committed?

  Years after the Parthenogenesis Revolution of 2069 and its breakthrough where women can impregnate one another, a young Cassaundra (seven years of age) watches helplessly as her moms are assassinated during a family vacation to Niagara Falls. After leaping into the falls to save herself from the Kretchtin snipers, she awakens within the walls of the ELITE Corporation, run by a powerful and callous CEO, Dr. Alexis Wu.

  Along with other orphaned girls, she is raised at the ELITE Corporation under the watchful eye of Dr. Malek, a scientist who appears to care more about a secretive company project than the girls in his care.

  At the age of thirteen, Cassaundra’s life takes another drastic turn when Dr. Malek forces her to undergo a DNA cleansing that turns her into an Enhanced-She-Human (ESH), giving her superior abilities. Her life now solely belongs to the ELITE Corporation and its Executives, whom she must protect and serve at all costs.

  Despising the ELITE Corporation and everything it stands for, Cassaundra yearns to escape its control and when she befriends another ESH, a Gemini by the name of Tamar, both girls find it hard to obey the corporation’s imposed rules—and find it even harder to suppress their growing feelings for one another.

  On the night of her eighteenth birthday, Cassaundra sneaks from her room to meet Tamar, who has offered her artistic talents to tattoo Cassaundra with a special rendering of her world-weary sign—the Pisces. When an enraged Dr. Malek finds out, he uses the corporation’s Omni-Force warriors to separate the two girls indefinitely.

  Convinced that battling the ELITE Corporation would be futile, Cassaundra succumbs to their rules, allowing her short moments of independence from the corporation and people she detests so much. This helps spice up her life—especially her insatiable sex drive.

  Now twenty-seven, Cassaundra is still a pawn for the ELITE Corporation and its Executives. Dr. Alexis Wu calls upon her favorite ESH to rescue her Scorpio daughter Abby from the Kretchtins—a group of men who want to forcibly relieve Dr. Wu from her power. Cassaundra is sent to Mount Fuji to rescue Abby from a hidden facility within the volcano. The heat rises beyond the temperature of molten lava when Cassaundra realizes that there is something about the ELITE Corporation that she does strongly desire…Abby.

  Realizing her feelings and what they mean, Cassaundra must now choose between following her heart or dying, which is the consequence of any ESH caught having a relationship with any other member of the corporation.

  This selfless act finally gives her the freedom she has always desired. Her life is no longer ruled by being Tainted Elite, but ruled by her heart.

  Thrilled to get away from her demanding job in NYC as a High Fashion Clothing Designer, Addyson takes a trip to Stowe, VT to spend Christmas skiing with her parents.

  When she runs into her former best friend and now Ski Patrol member, Skyler—whom she hasn’t spoken with since a falling out in high school, not even the freezing temperatures can thwart the heat that has rekindled inside their hearts (among other places), these ten years later.

  Frustrated in her search for a job that can tantalize her selective tastes, Zephyr searches NYC in hopes of finding something deliciously unique to captivate her attention.

  When she is slammed into the storefront window of an unconventional candy store by a mob of overzealous customers, she finds out soon enough how satisfying the business and its delectable owner Tori truly are.

  The merge becomes a very sweet deal for both women and a honeyed partnership evolves.

  About the Author

  Melissa Grace is known to unexpectedly break out in ninja moves. An engineer, avid motorcyclist, devoted martial artist and passionate violinist, she grew up in Hanover, NH believing she would someday become a stunt woman. While she enjoys many opportunities for exploration of the world around her, her most treasured journey has been building a life with her family in Texas.

  You can email her at: [email protected]

  Join her in the bardroom: http://inthebardroom.wordpress.com

  Twitter: @MelissaGraceITB